Kansas weather was like a temperamental child.
Bright and sunny in the morning, but by dusk, the sky turned dark and gloomy once again, just like last night.
Heavy dark clouds rapidly swallowed the last ray of sunset.
Before long, raindrops battered the roof like countless small pebbles falling from the sky, making everyone restless with their clatter.
Standing by the window, Rock answered the phone.
“Rock, this rain came out of nowhere.
We’re stranded in town, and the road conditions are terrible, so I’m afraid we won’t make it back tonight.
I’ll have to trouble you with Clark again.” On the other end, Martha’s tone sounded apologetic.
“Oh, Martha!
Look what I found here!
Free shampoo!”
Jonathan’s faint voice echoed through the phone line.
Rock couldn’t help chuckling, then said warmly, “Why be so polite between us?”
“Doesn’t Clark hold the exact same place in my home as Dio?
Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of him.”
“Then I guess I was being too polite.” Martha laughed on her end.
“When we get back, we’ll treat your family to a feast to properly express our thanks.”
“Deal, I’ll hold you to it.”
After responding with a half-joke, Rock said goodbye and hung up.
However…
When he turned to look at the dining table, the scene before him made him facepalm.
Dio was glaring at the gargantuan deer leg on Clark’s plate through gritted teeth.
His ruby-like eyes burned as if two tiny flames had been ignited inside them, and even his golden bangs quivered slightly from anger.
Clark, on the other hand, seemed completely oblivious.
He kept scarfing down his food, his cheeks bulging like a hamster’s, the corners of his mouth smeared with glossy sauce.
For a little Superman who usually just ate staple foods until full, this was a rare gourmet feast.
“Dio,” Rock said helplessly, “isn’t your meat right there?
Why keep staring at Clark’s?”
Dio spun his head around, his expression shifting in an instant from gritted teeth to innocent grievance.
“Dad, his is a whole deer leg!”
Rock glanced at Dio’s plate.
True, Clark’s deer leg was a special reward, so the portion was massive, taking up almost half the table.
Though Dio’s portion wasn’t small either, it looked rather “paltry” in comparison.
“You took it upon yourself to talk to strangers today.” Rock couldn’t help laughing.
“And who authorized you to drive the tractor secretly today?
This is your punishment.”
“Besides, you wouldn’t even finish a whole leg anyway.”
“I…” Dio’s little face fell completely.
He muttered, “But Clark drove it too…”
Choked into silence, Dio had no choice but to angrily jab his fork into the deer shoulder meat on his plate, as if treating it like Clark’s head.
“Half full.”
Taking a satisfied deep breath, Clark raised his head from the half-eaten deer leg.
He needed a short break; his cheeks were getting a little tired from chewing.
“Hmm?” Clark glanced at Dio, who was stabbing his meat without eating.
His blue eyes filled with confusion.
“Dio, why aren’t you eating?
Are you feeling sick?”
“Bastard…” Dio snorted coldly, turning his face away.
“None of your business!”
Scratching his head, Clark had no idea how he had offended his little brother again.
Still, after a moment’s hesitation, he sliced off a large piece of meat with his fork and held it out to Dio.
“Do you want a bite of mine?
It’s really delicious!”
Dio froze.
He stared at the glistening piece of venison, then looked up at the sincere look in Clark’s eyes.
For a moment, he didn’t know how to react.
In the end, he awkwardly speared the meat away and merely muttered under his breath:
“Idiot.”
?
Rock’s expression shuddered slightly as he keenly caught this rare moment.
The corners of his mouth curved up involuntarily.
He turned and walked into the kitchen, bringing out a freshly baked blueberry pie from the oven.
The rich, sweet aroma instantly filled the room, immediately capturing the attention of both boys.
“Alright, dessert after you finish the meat.”
Rock placed the blueberry pie in the center of the table and smiled.
“This time, no grabbing.
Half for each of you.”
Nodding, Dio and Clark reached out to grab the blueberry pie, eager to stuff it into their mouths.
“Ahem…”
Slowly sitting down at the head of the table, Rock looked at Dio with a warm gaze, coughing to draw the boys’ attention back to himself.
“Dio.”
“What is it, Dad?”
“Last night when facing that robot monster, you could have easily run away by yourself.
Why did you stand in front of Clark at the end?”
The blueberry pie froze in midair.
Dio’s red pupils shrank slightly, as if a hidden thought had been laid bare.
He even subconsciously glanced at Clark, only to find the boy looking at him with curious, clear blue eyes.
“I…”
Dio’s throat moved.
He bit his lip and ultimately let out a cold snort:
“Who stood in front of him?
I was just happening to stand there!”
Rock raised an eyebrow, not exposing his stubborn defense, but continuing to guide him:
“Is that so?
But as I recall, what you shouted back then was—’Clark, run!’ Right?”
“?”
*Did I shout that?*
Dio was stunned.
“Really, Dio?
You were protecting me back then?” Clark’s eyes lit up instantly.
Looking at Clark’s grateful face, and then at Rock’s encouraging eyes…
*If Dad says so, then I must have done it.*
“Of course,” Dio nodded, his blonde hair fluffing up slightly.
“Though I just thought that if you were killed by that robot, Dad, Uncle Jonathan, and Aunt Martha would definitely be sad!”
Rock couldn’t help laughing.
He reached out and ruffled Dio’s hair, his tone warm yet firm.
“Dio, do you know?
True courage isn’t the absence of fear, but choosing to do the right thing even when you’re afraid.”
“When living creatures face danger, feeling fear is a natural instinct.
It makes people lose their minds and flee in panic.”
“Your choice last night proved that your heart is far stronger than you think.
Strong enough to overcome fear.”
“Dio, this is your spirit—your spirit shining bright like gold.”
The star-shaped birthmark on his shoulder felt slightly warm.
Dio froze, feeling as if someone had seen right through a trait he hadn’t even realized he possessed for the very first time.
Uncharacteristically, he hung his head without talking back.
After a long pause, he squeezed out a grumble: “You’re being a bit corny, Dad.”
“Clark, tell me, how should we reward Dio for wanting to save you?”
“Of course it’s…” Clark stood up and threw his arms around Dio, his voice thick with emotion.
“Thank you, Dio!
You really are my best brother!”
*Clark, you bastard, when did you rehearse this script with Dad?*
Watching this scene, the smile on Rock’s lips deepened.
He reached under the table and pulled out a huge item wrapped in tinfoil, which he had previously instructed Star Platinum to quickly process and dry-age.
“A hug might be enough, but a tangible reward is even more important.”
Rock unwrapped the foil, revealing a massive steak inside.
“Dio, here’s your reward.
Prime choice ribeye.”
“Your favorite.”