A Permanent Solution

By NostalgiaKick <feli290412@gmail.com>

Rated G

Submitted May 2016

Summary: What would happen if Superman’s blindness were permanent?

Story Size: 426 words (2Kb as text)

Disclaimer: All recognisable characters etc. are property of DC Comics, December 3rd Productions and Warner Bros.

Author’s note: This is set partway through The Eyes Have It, after Superman tells Lois he’ll have to figure out how to be the best blind person he can be. It’s also #33 in the At First Sight series.

This story is part of a series that includes “1. At First Sight,” “2. A Matter of Time,” “3. Evil Lurks,” “4. Invisible,” “5. Gratitude,” “6. Unprofessional Behaviour,” “7. But For the Grace of God,” “8. Vulnerable,” “9. Decisions,” “10. A Terrible Mistake,” “11. Facets,” “12. Terrified,” “13. A Remarkable Woman,” “14. The Aftermath of Illusion,” “15. Black, White and Shades of Grey,” “16. Tainted,” “17. Betrayal,” “18. Brothers,” “19. Saving the Enemy,” “20. Aching,” “21. Healing,” “22. Defending Myself,” “23. Euphoria,” “24. Family Ties,” “25. Two Steps Forward,” “26. Vigilante,” “27. Friendship,” “28. Life Or Death,” “29. Ramifications,” “30. Christmas Magic,” “31. Situational Ethics,” “32. Expectations,” “33. A Permanent Solution,” and “34. Success.”

***

I meant every word I said to Lois.

I truly believe that our purpose in life is to be the best we can be. And if this blindness is permanent, I will have to learn to cope with it.

I just don’t know how.

…

I showed more confidence to Lois than I actually feel. I had to; she needed to be reassured.

I think I was trying to reassure myself at the same time.

The truth is, I have no idea what I’ll do if I am permanently blind.

What good is a blind superhero?

For that matter, what do I do about Clark? I learnt after the whole resurrected gangsters incident that I have to be Clark Kent. But how can I work? How can I be a reporter if I can’t see what I’m supposed to report? How do I investigate? Also, Clark can’t suddenly turn up blind. There’d be so many questions- too many questions- especially from Lois.

Lois. She’s the only one that knows about my- Superman’s- current disability. If Clark turns up blind at the same time, she’ll put the pieces together. Though that’s not really a bad thing…

I’ve heard it said that if you lose a sense, the rest of your senses intensify as if to compensate. I already have enhanced senses compared to humans; losing my sight means more than the somewhat limited capacity of humans. It means losing my x-ray vision and heat vision as well, though I haven’t tested the heat vision. It’s too dangerous when I can’t see. I don’t know if it’s possible for my other senses to be any more intense than they already are, and if it is, I don’t know if I can handle it. My superhearing alone can already be close to overwhelming.

It can’t really be permanent, can it? I’ve faced much deadlier things than a simple beam of light without ill effects. Surely this will just wear off, or a solution can be found.

Until then, I have to learn how to cope with this blindness.

I don’t have a choice.

THE END