Chapter Text
It takes time for Warworld to reach Earth, but less than one would expect. Osul-Ra spends much of that time barraging Superman with questions about the planet. Some are smart and Otho-Ra listens from the sidelines, appearing disinterested even as she cements the information to memory. But sometimes he asks stupid things like do Earthlings all look like Superman or do they sleep in cages too and Otho interrupts with a sharp, “Don’t bug him, stupid!” Superman answers him anyway.
Otho is more at ease with Superman now, but *more* doesn’t mean *entirely*. He saved them, saved Osul, and she’s grateful for that. But nothing he says about Earth puts her at ease. While Osul’s eyes light up with the stories, Otho sinks deeper into herself. Superman talks about cities filled with people where they can go where they want. He talks about a hundred different foods they can eat and animals they can see (Otho doesn’t admit that animal is a foreign word to her that she can’t place). He talks about all these moments of freedom that should appeal to her, but instead makes her stomach twist and her blood run cold.
Freedom is good. Freedom from Mongol-Who-Was is good. It's also new and strange and overwhelming. She doesn't know what to do with freedom. The expectations on Warzoon are clear. The expectations on Otho-Ra are less so.
Superman also talks about his family. His son Jonathan Kent and his wife Lois Lane. A soft smile always settles on his face when this is the topic, and he sometimes looks far away when he thinks about them. Osul asks the important question one day. 'Will they like us?' Superman beams and assures that yes, Lois and Jonathan will love them. Otho bites back her doubt. Osul is happy with the answer and anything Otho says would ruin it for no reason. They're going to Earth. They'll meet Superman's family. That's fact, events that they can't avoid. Whether Osul is happy afterwards is out of Otho's hands, a concept that makes her jaw clench and her eyes spark with blue light. She worries that Superman's family won't want them, these little interlopers from another planet who know next to nothing about the world they're going to. Otho wouldn't accept them if the situation was reversed.
There's nothing to do about it though except stew in her own doubts and worries and anxieties as Warworld careens through space. Finally the day comes that Superman takes their hands and helps them float above Warworld's surface. A green and blue sphere floats in the blackness ahead of them. Earth. Osul smiles widely and babbles excitedly. Otho keeps her mouth shut, lips pressed into thin lines. She tries to not let her anxiety show, but she thinks Superman notices. He squeezes her hand tighter and promises to no one in particular that it'll be okay now.
She wishes she could believe him.