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There was something truly excessive about how the ocean crashed against the rocky cliffs. The way the foamy water retreated back into itself, away from the unmoving stony wall risen from the earth's core.
Kon had always thought it was magnificent in its subtle power, unlike Kal's and his own. Where he shone hot and bright and overtly, the waves gleamed in a constant strength.
He recalls a distant memory implanted into his mind years ago that tingles as he pulls it from the recesses.
Never turn your back on the ocean . It says, with such authority, he can't manage to question it beyond a simple question: Why ?
It is not necessarily a why not , but more a why me . Because Kon could fly and punch and do all sorts of things humans -normal, regular humans - couldn't. Including, but not limited to, escaping the wrath of a particularly powerful wave.
Mrs. Kent -because he would never get used to calling her Ma, despite her protests- told him once that it wasn't about being pulled under and not coming back up, but about what was lurking in the depths that might meet him before the shore does. Aquaman, whom he had met one time prior to the conversation, had told him that the ocean was a source of great power and wisdom and that turning his back on it would be akin to calling for the devil in a chapel.
For all his naivety, Kon hesitates to believe either is entirely right.
But that doesn't mean he doesn't respect the crashing waves or the mellow tides.
It reminds him of Robin in a sort of roundabout way that implies he ought to never say it aloud.
Robin is human– so deeply, unchangeably human in a way Kon sometimes wishes he was too. Robin, who somehow, despite (or maybe even because ) he's human, is so strong.
Kon respects the ocean in the same way he respects Robin. With hesitance, at first, in trying desperately to figure it out and understand why so many people look on in awe, wonder, and sometimes fear. Then, with open understanding (for as much understanding as a Bat will let someone have for them) and glorious adoration.
Kon looks at the ocean the same way he looks at Gotham– only a bit fearful, and with the hope that Robin will swoop down and pull him out if the powers-that-be pull him down too far.