Wow.
Wham.
Now that I've gotten that out of my system, this is indeed a powerful story. Thank you for the warning at the beginning, so I knew what I was getting into.
The question of whether or not Clark would commit suicide is open to much debate, and I'm not going to start it! (Not here, at least.) As I see your story, it's a logical extension of "She's" for all the reasons enumerated above by others. It's interesting that you also use a video tape to communicate Clark's last message to his loved ones.
And I agree with you that Clark, recognizing the necessity of keeping his dual identity a secret and his perceived need to die as Clark and Superman, the manner of his suicide is both logical and reasonable. Many other authors have postulated that Clark would be susceptible to human-type stimulants or drugs or illnesses if Kryptonite had removed his powers, so that part of the story works very well.
The part about the teddy bear got to me. When my oldest son had his first surgery at age 12 for a large cancerous tumor in his chest, the hospital gave him a small stuffed bear as a "cough buddy" that he could hold close when he had to cough. It seemed to ease his pain. When he died, over a year later (in 1992), that bear became very important to us. That Clark would choose to end his life cuddled up to Lois's Corn Festival bear is so touching and so very painful, but very true to his character.
Because of my personal and religious beliefs, I could never have written this story. But please don't take that as a flame or a slap. I mean it as a compliment of the highest order. You did an excellent job on it, and my tear-dappled hat is off to you.
