120/Super Secret

Super Secret
Date of Scene:	25 February 2020
Location:	Clark Kent's Apartment
Synopsis:	Clark is adorkable and so is Lois.
Cast of Characters:	Clark Kent, Lois Lane

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Clark Kent has posed:
Earlier in the day, Clark had agonized for a while. Most of the morning, really, but finally he sent the text. The first one:

'We need to talk'.

Then, a little bit later, he adds another section: 'About Superman'.

Clark didn't hear from her for the rest of the day, and put the message aside. They'd deal with it later. He finished work without seeing Lois, and headed home, to try to get his head back in place: or rather, maybe to get out of his own head. Now, relaxed on the couch with a movie, Clark eats a snack, finally starting to let some stress go. And maybe some of the saddness, too. Having that missing half of himself back seems to be doing wonders for his self confidence and attitude.

But then there's a knock -- and, puzzled, he turns to look: through the door. Lois?! He blinks, fixing his hair as he goes towards the door, and picking up his glasses from the end table as he heads to the door. He stops near it, picking up a gray hoodie sweatshirt from the closet, pulling it on quickly over bare arms. "Just a second," he calls through the door. He scans himself-- t-shirt, gray hoodie, jeans. Should be fine. He opens the door, curious.

Lois Lane has posed:
It was a long day. Lunch was productive and painful at the same time and the rest of the day felt like it dragged on. Lois was out most of the day, went back to the office for a while, fell asleep on her desk (it was a much needed nap)... she was everywhere /except/ where Clark was. But she had seen the text. It was unavoidable. The first text worried her, the second almost made her heart leap into her throat. Still, she had things to take care of... until she didn't.

Lois stands there, a pair of coffees in her hand: one Americano, one double chocolate Mocha. Nevermind the fact that they probably didn't need the caffeine this late in the day. "Hey Smallville, got your message, uh..." She nods inside. "Can we do that talking thing?"

Clark Kent has posed:
Clark steps aside to give her full entry, accepting the coffee as she goes past him with a small knowing smile, and appreciative nod. "Sure, let me stop the movie," Clark says, crossing to bend and turn it off. Looks like an Indiana Jones movie, probably Crusade. He stops it, after leaning over the couch to grope for the remote, and then lifts the coffee some. It's a quiet lifted 'thank you' that's non-verbal.

"I needed to talk to somebody about it. And I know that you know," Clark says, hesitantly, fiddling with the lid on his coffee, sinking to sit on the couch. "...Are you okay, though?" he asks, hesistantly.

Lois Lane has posed:
Lois steps inside, letting the door shut behind her. She sips her coffee as she moves inside, making a beeline to the couch. She sinks down on it not far from Clark, then she gives him a very serious look. "So he just told you? When did he tell you? /What/ did he tell you?" She pauses. "... am I okay? Of course. Why wouldn't I be?" Another pause. "... did he say something else?"

Clark Kent has posed:
"He? My source is female. From the airplane crash," Clark says, evenly. "Do you have another source about this?" There's interest there - though not worry, not really. Even if another witness from the plane saw him, Lois does already know. Obviously.

"I talked to her bright and early this morning; she's one of the pilots, and she's certain she saw Superman," Clark explains. "I assume you're working this story too, we should work together, not separately," he adds quickly.

"For you being okay? I just -- I remembered what you said at Chez Villa. This is really big. Big news. And not just the news, but for everybody."

Lois Lane has posed:
Lois slowly turns to face Clark on the couch. "Uh, Clark, I'd love to collaborate on this story with you then. Let me get you up to speed. I did a little research, just a bit of digging, and found out that if I yell really loudly for Superman he'll bring me roses and talk to me in my living room."

It's supposed to sound over the top and ridiculous thanks to her phrasing, but she's just putting it out there. However, knowing Clark, he /will/ think she's joking, so she continues. "He promised me the scoop, when he's ready."

Clark Kent has posed:
At first, Clark's expression was knowing, with a muted laugh when she assures him she will get him up to speed. It is an 'I knew it!' response and brightening in her partner's blue eyes. He turned to face her on the couch, resting his coffee on the knee he raises as he turns towards her. He's focused on her, curiosity there, and paying less attention to himself. Clark looks /good/ when his clothes fit, as it turns out. But she's probably distracted anyway.

"You... yelled? And he showed up?" Clark asks, skeptically, but not with disbelief. There's a full sense to that he does believe her. Then again, he always believes her, and backs her, even on crazy stories. This isn't different. "Then you saw him, you spoke. You have ... flowers."

Lois Lane has posed:
Lois picks up her phone, flipping through the photos until she finds one she took of the bouquet. She holds up the screen towards him so he can take a good look at it. "I know it sounds strange. I figured out that it was probably him with the plane and I just... he'd come to me before, so I figured I'd yell. I didn't think it would happen, but I hoped. One too many times looking at the sky and not seeing him."

She sets the phone down. "So... he's alive. He's been alive for a while, I guess just hiding out. Resting? I don't know. I didn't get the details. I wasn't... I wasn't really being a reporter." That part she's sheepish to admit in front of Clark. "It just felt personal so I... I didn't pry. He said he'd give me the story so I'll have time to ask him later, I'm sure." There's a tiny smile. "Guess /I'm/ his favorite reporter, not you."

Clark Kent has posed:
"Well ... come on. This is exciting, right? How are you not smiling?" Clark teases her gently, but gives her a good, big smile, moving a hand to poke her leg, his own emotions showing as enthusiastic, positive. It's something of a difference from Clark's more usual sadness: he's coming out of that shell to cheer on this development.

"/One/ of us is his favorite reporter! I'm glad it's you, Lois," Clark says, all encouragement. "It should be you; you've earned it, more than anybody. Really. This could be incredible, right?" he asks, hand moving to attempt to touch her shoulder, broad palm curving over it if she allows.

Lois Lane has posed:
Well, he seems happy. Lois is too, really. She's glad that Superman's not dead. It means a lot to the world, and it means a lot to her and not just from a reporter's standpoint. So when he reaches out to touch her shoulder, it's allowed, but it's only there for a second before she's leaning forward, instead moving towards his chest in an abrupt... hug.

It's an odd move for her, not exactly something she does with most people, and certainly not with Clark--because she respects his personal boundaries and space. This time, though, she needs a hug.

Clark Kent has posed:
Clark didn't expect that, but he doesn't have quite the time to figure out an appropriate social response to keep her from it - or maybe he just doesn't /want/ to. He's quick when he needs to be (speeding bullet and all that), but he doesn't evade. And then she's hugging him, and clearly wants to, needs the hug - and maybe him. Maybe a little bit.

He'll take it.

Clark quiets, accepting her into the hug, one forearm lifting behind her back to secure the hug, his fingers light against her nape and the back of her hair. His face is angled towards her, brows up with an honest surprise, and worry, and hope? It's a mess of things. He senses he needs to be quiet, and just hugs her.

Lois Lane has posed:
There would be words if Lois could come up with them. She knows it's not particularly fair to Clark to just break down on him in any way. But he was her best friend, if anyone could understand just needing to be held for a moment, it would be him. She might have made him feel awkward, but he'd at least be understanding. So she stays there for a solid minute, eyes shut tightly, just leaning against him. Maybe she did it because it was easier to hug Clark Kent than it would be to hug Superman in the same way.

Eventually, though, she stirs a little bit, pulling back out of his personal bubble to try and straighten herself out. She's already trying to come up with some reason or excuse for the sudden need, when she's entirely distracted by the fact that Clark was wearing clothes that fit him. Lounging around the house? He looked good. That's enough to prevent words from coming out of her mouth yet again.

Clark Kent has posed:
There's no tension or indicators from Clark that her time is up on the hug. He doesn't personally want her to pull away, not really. He can hear her heartbeat, sense the stress in her body.

"Thanks, Lois," Clark says to her quietly, a whisper. Either the hug, or the situation, or both. "How'd you know I needed a hug?" he asks her, with a rueful laugh, blue eyes full of awareness. He'll give her all the pieces she needs to save face, to support her pride. Giving her that 'out' if she wants it.

Lois Lane has posed:
It would have been an out for Lois if it hadn't been so sweet. So kind. The kind of thing he did for her that she sometimes pretended she didn't see him doing. The kind of thing he'd done for years. Her best friend. "You don't always have to clean up my messes, you know," she says, resting a hand on his arm. "I appreciate the attempt to save me from myself but I did need that. I needed it because all of this is so much to deal with alone."

Who else could help her but her partner, her best friend?

Clark Kent has posed:
"I'm glad you could trust me with it, and make it so I wasn't wandering around in the dark thinking I had this great lead," Clark replies, still somehow thanking her, boosting her. He still partially has his arm around her, though he draws the hand back to the backside of her upper arm as she touches the new, soft gray sweatshirt covering his forearm.

"It'll be okay," Clark assures her. And takes a risk. A chain of risks lately, it felt like, but it also fight right. He's trying to allow his good instincts to come back, not to huddle in chains of worry. And so he sits up a little. Clark is /quite/ tall when he doesn't slouch down, so the move is easy: but does require him to straighten out his spine a little. To lean forward and put a kiss on her forehead.

Lois Lane has posed:
The affection from Clark is something she's not really expected before. He'd never seemed the affectionate type. Still, Lois allows it, not shying away from the gesture. "I figured if anyone had it figured out before me, it was you. But I usually go right for the source so it's obviously why I got there first."

Then come the apologies. "I'm sorry about all of this, Superman is a little more personal to me than maybe I always admit to." Even if Clark had never seen her and Superman together, he'd listened to her talk enough to know how she felt about the Kryptonian. "I'm more emotional than I'd like. So, I apologize."

Clark Kent has posed:
Clark eases back down smoothly into his slouch, relieved that she's talking about her story: she gets focused on other things, and doesn't seem to /see/ him. It's not the first time, and it won't be the last. He lets her shoulder go, dropping his hand to his knee instead, and listens to her instead.

"Well, I didn't think to go yell on my balcony. But I don't think I would have earned flowers, even if I'd done a stellar performance, do you?" Clark asks. He also shrugs off her apologies to him.

"He means a lot to everyone. It's okay."

Lois Lane has posed:
"I don't think you really get it, though, Clark," Lois says, although she's not sure that's true. Maybe Clark does know and he just doesn't want to admit it. "Superman doesn't just fly to anyone's balcony who yells out for him. He doesn't bring flowers to every person. He doesn't tell just /anyone/ he's not dead. I mean something to him. I don't know how much in any case, but I mean something."

She shakes her head. "And it's a lot more difficult to deal with someone's death when feelings are involved."

Clark Kent has posed:
Aaaaand in comes the guilt train. Can he ask her about Superman like this? He feels guilty, like some sort of uncomfortable liar. He just isn't sure what to do, or why this is going this way. It's hard. All of it is a mess. And how could he possibly even come clean about this, now?

Clark just doesn't know, and it tears him up. His parents have always told him he needs to be truthful to her, to trust her. Believe in his heart, in his ability to judge people, to allow them in. Clark truly /is/ as affectionate as the hug and kiss said: he just stifles it down into something mild-mannered reporters don't get to do. Superman doesn't get to do.

"Well. Did he say anything more?" Clark asks, in his most helpful best-friend tone.

Lois Lane has posed:
Lois is unaware of the turmoil. Lucky for Clark, the events of the last few days have made her a bit off her game in terms of a keen eye for detail. She was a bit slower on the uptake which meant any little slip up he had might have a chance of going unnoticed. "He said he didn't want to die again without me knowing that there was 'something'." That's what her brain keeps coming back to. /Something/.

"Is... something enough? Does that mean he wants me? Or do I just wait again to see if something happens?" She looks over to Clark and her cheeks flush. "I'm really sorry, I didn't mean to spill this out on you, you must feel awkward."

Clark Kent has posed:
Awkward. Maybe, but not for the reasons she might guess. Unless she knows deep down somewhere. In a way, he wishes she did, and this band-aid could be ripped away. He weaves his fingers together near his knee, a slight wring there.

"You're my best friend, Lois. If I can help you, I want to." More than anything.

"Aside from what he wants, what do you want?" Clark asks, unweaving his fingers to extend one finger towards her heart, though he doesn't touch her really - just barely on her shirt. His blue eyes are heavy with a reflection of her emotion: empathy, maybe.

Lois Lane has posed:
"You don't chase after Superman the way I have just because he's a really good story, Clark," Lois sounds entirely amused... if anyone should know her feelings about Superman, it's him. "Have you ever been so close to something that you've wanted but it's always just out of reach? That's Superman. He's always been out of reach. Then he died and he really was." She shakes her head. "He came back and gave me the tiniest bit of hope. Enough hope that I am reasonably certain I crushed someone's heart just to see what he meant by 'something'."

She had apologized before for spilling but she's unable to stop now. If she couldn't talk to her best friend about this, who could she talk to? "There's this terrifying feeling that I'm taking a risk even thinking about this. If I waited years, what's going to happen if I have to wait more? What if I give up everything to wait and see if something happens?" She sets her coffee down so she can rub her face with both hands before retrieving it again.

"I owe you dinner or something for all this, Smallville. Name your price."

Clark Kent has posed:
So close to something, something right in front of him, but out of reach? For a decade? Clark does blush; there's no help for it, of course he blushes. He stays quiet, not trusting his verbal response at first. He frowns a little at the heart-crushing comment, but doesn't give a question about it. It doesn't feel like it's right to even ask, and he doesn't want to go off down that path of conversation anyway: she'd probably just feel worse.

"Then you'd like to be together?" Err. "With Superman." Clark sounds a little like he got hit by some sort of impact from that, but whether it's jealousy or something else may be harder to identify.

"I'll keep a tab for the whole evening, and tally my reward at the end," Clark says, but it lacks some of the oompf of a joke.

Lois Lane has posed:
"If he'd have me. It's logistically a little strange and it's complicated because I don't even know the identity he hides in, but I'm sure we could make it work," Lois looks a little embarrassed. "I've always wanted to tear away at the icon of Superman and see more of the human side. Maybe he even wants to let me. Not seeing more of him like that was a huge regret after he died."

Lois takes a long swallow of her coffee. "All I know is I can't wait forever. I waited so long that I lost my chance when he died. If I don't do it, if I don't try, won't I just regret it all over again?"

Clark Kent has posed:
What if he isn't human? Clark struggles with that truth. He's not human. It sets him apart, this quality: being an outsider. Not belonging. Despite his constant fight to belong, to be a part of this beautiful green and blue planet and it's people that he loves so dearly.

Clark nods a little bit, swallowing heavily, and trying to keep the worried emotion out of his face. He's a great actor, sure, but it doesn't usually involve covering up how he feels: it involves amplifying how he feels in one way or another: more awkward, more brave. Not completely doing something opposite to himself. He forgot his own coffee at some point, it's nearby by he hasn't had more of it since initially. "I think... you should live without regrets. As much as you can," Clark says quietly.

Lois Lane has posed:
"Living life without regrets is good. Acting is more noble than waiting, I've been told," Lois seems convinced of this at least. She takes another swallow of her coffee before she gives him a small nudge. "We could always see about you talking to Wonder Woman," she points out. It's a tease. She at least sensed there was some tension building up for some reason and she assumes the conversation got a little too heavy.

"So, sharing a byline for Superman's triumphant return? I couldn't think of a better partner to help me with so big a scoop."

Clark Kent has posed:
"I talked to Wonder Woman today," Clark says innocently, reaching for his coffee as she nudges him, relief flooding in at a different lifeline to grab onto. He needs a minute, really. She's just explained to him that she wants to make something work with Superman. It's a bundle of concerns and guilt and hope. And he could use some hope.

"Now in hindsight? I think she knows too," Clark determines. "I can follow up again, with more of what we have. I'll earn that shared byline. No free rides."

Lois Lane has posed:
"So you got over your stage fright and got to chat with her up close?" Lois is teasing a little more strongly now. "I'm a little jealous of that. Wonder Woman is larger than life, just like Superman is. I imagine what she'd have to say on a more personal level would be extremely interesting. So if you think she knows, maybe we can get her take on things."

There's a warm smile directed towards Clark. "I knew you'd pull your weight, Smallville. Just gotta keep up with me, that's all."

Clark Kent has posed:
"She joined the Justice League the same time that Doomsday arrived here," Clark says with some dismay. "So I am unsure how much she'll be able to tell us, but it could be a bridge into learning /HOW/ he returned," Clark says. Some of that is a bit misleading: he was friends with Diana well before the Justice League formed and Diana was publicly a hero. But that's not what is important, and protecting Diana's prior privacy is something he takes seriously. He will go to the mat for his friends.

"I didn't talk to her about that point," Clark says, with a quick smile. "But I didn't lug all of the photo equipment out to the embassy for nothing, at least; the embassy is worth visiting. But I think we need a cart for that stuff."

"Keep up? Don't slow any on my account," Clark smiles, a gentleness in the smile and blue eyes, and a brief extension of hand to poke her knee.

Lois Lane has posed:
"Don't we have interns for that sort of thing?" Lois raises an eyebrow. "Interns for coffee, interns for paperwork, interns to carry heavy camera equipment..." She smirks. "Then again, it seems like you're doing all the work for the interns. Never going to get ahead at that rate. You're a hell of a reporter but sometimes how you spend your time confuses the hell out of me."

Lois pokes him right back. "You know I don't slow down for anyone. I've got enough leads for weeks."

Clark Kent has posed:
"Never too late to learn. I'd like to turn things around," Clark admits, with a quiet sigh. "Tell you what." Clark lifts his coffee, having a good drink of it. "That's the repayment. Help me get my career back on track," Clark asks of her. "It's time to snap out of it. If Superman can come back from the dead, I can fix my life, too," Clark says, with a blush and drop of his eyes.

Lois Lane has posed:
"You're gonna be editor-in-chief when Perry retires," Lois states, matter-of-factly. "And you can't do that if all you're doing is paperwork. It's time to learn to delegate. Paperwork goes to interns. Especially paperwork when it keeps you from pursuing valuable leads."

She gives him a good once over. "Besides, Daily Planet's got to have one good solid person to count on if I end up leaving." ... wait, what?

Clark Kent has posed:
"Editor-in --- Perry's got a while yet before he retires," Clark laughs, with a 'whoa whoa' motion. "Yes. Delegating. At least the paperwork that is.... the type that I have been doing for the past four days," Clark does admit. That was really not a useful time for his career. For thinking over the huge decisions, though? It was an important time: a very important time.

"/Leaving/?!" Clark asks, blatantly blindsided by that one, with a blink at her owlishly. That seems to have upset him more than a lot of the other things. But his expression changes, towards pride. He is /proud of her/.

Lois Lane has posed:
Lois glances back at Clark with a grin. "One day. Doesn't have to be immediately, but one day. I think if you keep your career on track you're a shoe-in for the position. You're reliable when you don't have some weird emergency, smart, incredibly talented, you've got a sharp eye for someone with glasses... perfect fit, I'd say."

She reaches over to pat his knee. "Don't get too excited yet, Smallville. It's just something I'm toying with. Tony Stark made an offer regarding his campaign and I have to admit, being in a position of power would certainly allow me to bring issues to light. However, someone pointed out to me that press secretary is a glorified spin doctor and directed me towards maybe starting up something of my own." She laughs. "Just ideas I'm toying with. Can't just not move forward with my career. Not that I mind writing Superman articles, really."

Clark Kent has posed:
"Oh, political? It would be ... the issues that the campaign prefers, wouldn't it?" Clark asks, curiously. "And spinning for a playboy billionaire...yes." The articles of Mr. Stark's wild parties sure do exist. Yikes. There isn't negativity to his question, more a thoughtfulness. No judge.

"I can understand the appeal, though, and he's a smart guy, of course he'd try to get you to his side," he adds, with a chuckle, to soften that, in case she took it as a hard criticism. "I think the press itself is really important. We have an important responsibiility, getting the full truth. I like that legacy." Clark gets passionate when he talks about journalism, how he sees ideal journalism. It's freedom. It's a check on those in power.

"Well, just tell me if I'm losing a partner. You're irreplaceable," Clark tells her, finishing his coffee, and nudging her leg with the empty cup before he puts it down.

Lois Lane has posed:
"Oh yes, I'm well aware of his playboy tendencies. He did offer for me to hang around longer to finish the bottle of scotch we were drinking..." Lois seems amused more than annoyed. "Politics would be interesting, but I haven't decided if it's the right way to go." She's certainly been giving it some thought, though.

"Aw, it's nice to know you care Smallville," she teases. She obviously knows they've been partners and friends long enough to /care/. "I might move on with my career, but you'll always have me, as a friend and a resource."

Clark Kent has posed:
"Of course I care. But right now, we've got this story in front of us, right?" Clark reminds her. He stretches his leg a little bit, as if it were going a little numb from sitting sideways, then re-settles.

Clark has returned back to the person he's been for years. The sadness has taken a back-seat. He's just wholesome, warm, supportive. Just Clark. "Do you want to go over our next steps, or do you want to take your shoes off and watch the rest of this movie with me?" Clark asks.

Lois Lane has posed:
He's barely made the offer before Lois is removing her shoes, tucking her legs up under her as she settles fully on the couch next to him. Settling means making herself comfortable, and she's decided that includes a gentle lean against him. It's not intrusive--she'll move if she feels like it bothers him, but it's out of comfort. He's a familiar, safe presence as she's coming out of this rocky patch of emotions and she doesn't mind leaning on him a little, both physically and emotionally.

"Go for it, Smallville."

Clark Kent has posed:
Clark blushes some, with a chuckle. It's been a long day. A long week. The stress of everything for him has been insane. He'd like to just park it for an hour, and be with her. He nudges her leg aside to push out the recliner part of the sofa, and to scoot down, and snare the remote again, to resume the movie.

Lois's lean is a brief surprise, and he briefly puts a comforting arm around his best friend, sensing her need to lean and be comforted. And frankly, he needs that too, even if he may not really know it.

Lois Lane has posed:
There's a little more readjustment to get comfortable, but once they're fully settled Lois seems content. The lean had been just a lean, but the response was more than she expected from him. The presence of the arm around her does indeed seem to comfort her, enough that she doesn't just lean a little, she rests her whole weight against him.

The movie's just there as an excuse at this point, allowing her to stay where she's at without feeling awkward about wanting to remain in that zone of comfort. Still, her eyes stay on the TV a bit, vaguely watching it.

Clark Kent has posed:
The hug was sought before, Clark remembered that fully. He remembers most every time something like that has happened, those moments where he felt like something could blossom. That bit of hope, enough to hang on longer. To pine after her.

The shift of her weight to rest against him isn't unusual for best friends. It's more unusual for /them/. It chips at his safety, of keeping distance. But if 'something' is going to be real, he has to stop being a nest of regrets.

The movie continues from where it left off: a chase scene, now: good fun. His breathing is deep and steady. Finally he looks down at her head, and adjusts his arm around her just a bit higher, curling fingers gently into the fabric of her shirt there. And he lets his eyes close, letting himself be in the moment. There's such a tangle of stress, he just tries to get in that long moment.

Of, if he got what he wanted... it would be this.

Lois Lane has posed:
There's a level of comfort there for Lois that's not exactly something she gets anywhere else. It's the comfort and familiarity that comes with knowing someone for years. Someone she sees every day for a good chunk of the time. They were in each other's lives constantly. It's the fact that they're in each other's space so rarely that this is abnormal. Was it really Clark's discomfort with people being physically close that had caused it? He didn't seem bothered so much by it now. Quite the opposite.

So why? It certainly ran through her head a little. Was he scared of her too? Why was it everyone in her life was always at such a distance from her? It felt too familiar, but not enough to place it or examine it further. Instead, she focused on other things.

"Thanks for this," she murmurs, not turning her head. She doesn't want to disturb the position.

Clark Kent has posed:
That makes Clark smile, even if she can't see it. He opens his eyes, though. Right, there's a movie. He does love this movie, one of his favorites. But he can watch it anytime. Still, it's pleasant, and calming to pay some attention to.

"Anytime, Lois," Clark says automatically, honestly. Any time at all. He'll be right there. Whether for a hug, or falling off a building. He moves his hand from her shoulder to her upper back, a comfortable rub there, and a brief knead into the shoulder. Careful but strong. He's not afraid of touching anyone, he knows his own strength very well. It is a way to convey that she's fine to stay there.

Lois Lane has posed:
His affectionate gesture is immediately relaxed into, without thought or question. There's nothing better when you're stressed than a shoulder rub, a press into a spot of tension. At first, Lois doesn't think about it. It's affection from her best friend in a situation where she was stressed and needed that sort of comfort. Understandable. But then it occurs to her that it's affection from her best friend who, in general, preferred not to let anyone close. She recalls an awkward sidehug after he helped with her fridge. She has called for help with the fridge though, and he came rushing not knowing what she needed but willing to help. How often had he done that?

It felt odd. Was there something he wasn't saying?

Clark Kent has posed:
Always comes back to those 'somethings', doesn't it. Clark notices her very positive response of relaxing; he'd slowed and eased out of the shoulder rub, but her message of body language was that of encouragement or approval, so instead he sits up a tad bit and continues it. Otherwise, his gaze remains on the movie, and he gives it at least some of his attention, laughing at a joke.

Clark relaxes from the brief massage and just hooks the wide hand around her upper arm instead, simply changing to just have the arm there. It's warm and cozy. He can't imagine it will last, but he resolves to stay right in the moment, not in the bleaker future or stagnant past. Just in this moment here.

Lois Lane has posed:
Lois isn't sure why he's suddenly more comfortable, but while she might question it, she's not rejecting the weird new territory they seem to have abruptly crossed into. And it's certainly weird territory. She nestles in closer against him as he adjusts positions. It's treaded into snuggle territory, bordering on the edges of close friends. Dangerous territory.

"Good movie," is all Lois utters.

Clark Kent has posed:
This is a bad idea, Clark's brain is yelling at him. All the years of perfect care with his secret identity, and he's just letting it go like this? She'll realize he's not build like a mild nerd and then what will happen? Where's his resolve at?! Clark swallows and presses his eyes shut, as if that could quiet his uncertainty. She's going to figure him out. A part of him might want that. He trusts her, but will she be so betrayed as to write a story, and expose his family to harm as well? There's so many aspects to it.

But he doesn't have the heart to unearth himself. He's been too sad for too long, really: and the positiveness of what's happening has made him feel like being alive is worth something.

It's dangerous territory, all right. His other hand moves up to touch the edge of her hand that he can feel in the vicinity of his chest. Not to envelop, but just to set his fingers against the lower heel and wrist of her hand. Just that, a contact of a few fingers there. It's sure dangerous, this snuggle. It causes 'thoughts'.

"A favorite; I wanted a good distraction," is what Clark answers. "Glad to share."