388/Hard at Work

Hard at Work
Date of Scene:	09 March 2020
Location:	Lois Lane's Apartment
Synopsis:	Clark does paperwork, Lois naps.
Cast of Characters:	Clark Kent, Lois Lane

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Clark Kent has posed:
The blanket is soft, and cozy against Lois's cheek. When she comes to, she'll find the warm blanket has not only been placed over her, but tucked in gently around her feet, and settled around her shoulder with care on her position on the couch.

Seated on the floor, off the couch in front of her, near her knees, is Clark Kent. He has paperwork spread out all over the coffee table, some in piles on the floor to his side, working on the documents for their most recent story. He's busy with it, pushing his glasses up, his back to her. He isn't particularly slouchy; his shoulders are strong and broad, when he stops being so slouchy. He adds some papers to another pile, and picks up his water glass, taking a sip and putting it back down, then thoughtfully looking at the papers in front of him, his back still to Lois.

Lois Lane has posed:
"I don't even remember falling asleep," comes the sleepy sound of Lois' voice. She doesn't stir too much, turning her head a bit so she can see his progress. "I didn't mean to doze off on you." She scoots towards the edge of the couch, leaning in to look over his shoulder, breath close to his neck. "You look like you're doing okay without me, though. Look at you, Clark Kent, you're going to get all the scoops without me at this rate."

Clark Kent has posed:
Clark jumps a little bit; she seems to have surprised him. He was focused! "You did tell me to put some effort into my career, if I recall correctly," Clark says without turning, well aware of her proximity as she looks over his shoulder. He sorts the paper he was looking at into another pile, then reaches for his yellow highlighter, sitting back a little against the couch. He's fine with her watching what he's doing, as he starts to highlight the dates on the printed sheet. After all, if they can find a pattern, they'll be in business. "I know I have to get up pretty early in the morning -- and stay up pretty late -- to get the jump on Lois Lane."

Lois Lane has posed:
With him sitting back a bit, it's a little easier to lean closer to see. That's all Lois is doing, getting in his space like that. She's scanning the page he's highlighting, looking for those patterns. "Mmm, we both hardly have lives as it is, good luck spending more time working than me." She chuckles. "But I guess I have to sleep sometime and you will have to use all your stamina for those late night hours."

Her chin rests on his shoulder for a moment as she reaches her arm around to point at one of the entries. "That one. Look at that one. Got a feeling about that one." She doesn't move her head once her arm drops, simply making a sleepy sound near his ear.

Clark Kent has posed:
Clark relaxes back against the couch, comfortable with current arrangement. "Good eye," Clark answers, and marks it, flipping through to the next page, and starting to mark a lot of dates down the list at first, but then there's a big patch of nothing.

"Seems like each company has a bunch around March there. We're getting somewhere. Inch by inch," Clark sighs, fiddling with the highlighter. He doesn't seem as awkward: honestly, he isn't. This easy comfortable work-time with Lois is like a favorite pair of pants, comfortable and well known.

Lois Lane has posed:
It /is/ comfortable. It's always been comfortable, so Lois is used to this. She should be, at least. There's still some odd closeness. Usually he'd be a little shy with her familiarity. There have been a few times lately that barrier has lowered, and she finds the comfort he has with him that close to his face and neck a little odd.

She fights the urge to turn her head at all, keeping her chin where it is to simply peek over his shoulder. "We're getting there. Keep up the good work, Smallville." She lets out a breath. "Did you need some coffee? I could get up and make some. Least I can do with you doing all the grunt work."

Clark Kent has posed:
The barriers are down because of Superman. Because their relationship /has/ moved somewhere, and there's a subconscious quality of his decision. A decision not to let her in -- no, she's been in his heart for ages -- but to allow himself to relax to let her /see/ it. And it doesn't just affect Superman, as he may believe: it's on both, because it's deeper than just acting.

"I do what I can. Coffee? Yeah, if you want to," Clark says, turning his head towards her a little to glance at her. It put their faces very close suddenly; he blushes and looks back to the work, highlighting with purpose.

Lois Lane has posed:
He's so close, and yet he's fleeing so quickly. Lois sighs for a moment, slowly drawing back and sitting up. Was she disappointed, for some reason? She wriggles out from under the blanket, slowly making her way to the kitchen to prepare two cups of coffee. "Gotta keep the partner caffeinated," she says, leaning on the counter as she waits for the maker to do its thing.

"Say, Clark..." Lois starts, then suddenly changes her mind on what she's saying rather abruptly. "Uh, you're doing a great job. Thanks for that."

Clark Kent has posed:
Clark doesn't know if she's disappointed, or WHAT that was. He felt her sigh. Maybe she didn't want to get up. He can't imagine what else it could have been. What else would it have been?

"While you were sleeping, by the way, there was some motion on the balcony. I didn't go look, but...." Clark trails off, tapping the cap of highlighter on the papers. "I have a guess," he says, elusively. Does Clark feel weird about her balcony gifts? There's something off there, but Clark's pushing his glasses up and /working/, by god.

On the balcony is a new bouquet. Blue and purple flowers this time. They're wrapped in lavender paper, with the usual '-S' card.

Lois Lane has posed:
"Wait, you heard something on the balcony?" Lois looks surprised, moving towards the double doors with a quick pace. "I missed him?" She does sound a little disappointed as she opens the doors and finds the flowers. Scooping them up, she returns inside and shuts the doors. "He's very fond of bringing me flowers. I like it. It's sweet." It's romantic, and she's not used to having the full on romantic experience.

She glances over her shoulder at him as she moves to the kitchen to put the flowers in some water as well as check on the coffee. There is, momentarily, a guilty look on her face, though she turns away in an attempt to hide it. Instead she'll busy herself with the kitchen.

"You hungry? I think I might have something that could work for a snack..."

Clark Kent has posed:
"I didn't see him; he's fast," Clark says without looking up from the highlighting, as Lois remarks that she missed her beau's visit. Maybe Clark scared him away! ... unlikely, Clark scares nobody.

He's trying not to listen to her swifter heartbeat, or any number of things he's aware of. Just do the work, Clark. He is pleased she likes the flowers. Just can't say it. Nope, can't say it!

"Hungry? Only if you are. I could go either way, but the coffee'll be important if I expect to keep going much longer here," he says, finally looking back into the kitchen, to see her new flowers in the vase. He's glad she likes them.

Lois Lane has posed:
The flowers are arranged in a vase, and Lois sets them in a spot on the counter that it's easily visible. Front and center to be enjoyed. Then she goes for the coffee, grabbing the two mugs and returning towards where Clark is. "I could make toast, would go just fine with the coffee."

Really though, Lois cooking much of anything else would be a bad idea. She sets Clark's mug down near him on an unoccupied corner of the table, holding her own as she waits to see if he's interested in the toast.

Clark Kent has posed:
"Nah, that's all right," Clark says, checking his watch. "We should call it quits here anyway, we have that early press conference with Luthor's people," Clark reminds her. "The coffee'll help on the ride home though, I don't need to fall asleep before I get home," he chuckles, though he finishes highlighting two more sections, and then marks his place with a post-it, smoothing it down gently on the corners. Then he glances up to her, a smile distant, but there.

Lois Lane has posed:
"Ugh, I don't want to do anything related to that pig if I can avoid it," Lois certainly does hate Lex after that speech he gave. "But you're right. Getting some sleep will be good. You'd better drive home safe, alright? No falling asleep." The smile is returned, her eyes watching him carefully.

Clark Kent has posed:
Clark picks up his coffee, testingly blowing across it, and takes a tiny sip. That's hot! He doesn't want to burn himself. He blows across it a little weakly, and avoids her gaze. Mild mannered reporter hiding something? Or just interested in his coffee and the work. He's still seated on the floor. "I think I was keeping you up, too," he laments.

Lois Lane has posed:
The gaze dodging is something Lois can't tell if it's intentional or not. "You weren't keeping me up, I'm just not as masterful at paperwork as the great Clark Kent. So, I got sleepy. And it was kind of you to let me sleep even though I should have been helping you."

Clark Kent has posed:
Clark manages to drink his coffee a little fast, although it appears he may have burned his lip. Still, he wanted it. He drinks it anyway. She put in what he liked--- his cream -- so it wasn't as hot as it could have been. Also he's immune, but anyway.

"I'll just leave this here, then, and you can do some more before tomorrow. I'll pick you up at six-thirty?" Clark offers, getting to his feet.

Lois Lane has posed:
"Mmhm, I'll handle it. You go get home." Lois gives him a little wave to shoo him off. "Six-thirty. I'll be ready, coffee included so we don't have to stop for any." She stretches a bit, looking at the paperwork and yawning. "See you tomorrow, Smallville."

Clark Kent has posed:
"Bright and early," Clark agrees, handing her back the coffee cup, mostly emptied. He wathes her yawn, with a bemused, softened look. If she's quick she'll catch it. He's quite fond of her. But then he waves, picking up his keys, and departs.