He came to the back door of her apartment, three knocks, two beats in between them. Right on time, plenty of time to meet everyone and have a little fun before the actual event.
Diana only has one apartment which all her neighbors know harbors Wonder Woman. It's a small, simple place most would consider to be located in the bad part of town.
Most people assume Wonder Woman must live in her embassy in D.C. Yet, her closest friends know of her quiet little place in London. Clark suspects several people must've tried to tell the paparazzi of her living in London, but who would believe them? The unkept and cheap London apartment seemed illogical to all, including Clark.
He remembers asking her about it.
"Diana, why here? Of all the places in the world?"
"What? You don't like it?" she looked amused at the question.
"No, it's nice, small, simple." It was furnished with elegant furniture from her island home. She
kept everything really neat and organized.
"Well Clark Kent, I really like simple. The whole rich politician routine gets old really quickly. So refined and expensive you feel scared to touch anything, scratch a wall, or even sit in the wrong chair. Here I can take my shoes off and drop food all over everything. Of course I am blessed to have my privileges, but I'd rather that life I lived back on my island as a child."
"I'm glad one of your primary concerns in choosing a home is whether you can sloppily eat or not. I'm enjoying getting to know you, princess."
That was the first time he called her that. Her response to the word was a pointed look Clark didn't immediately understand. She was seen as a princess her whole life, babied and treated as a child. To Clark, she was so much more, but he soon realized inside she worried she wasn't.
Being on the ground floor, her apartment had a small little patio door in the heavily forested unkept yard. In due time, she made her way to this door and quickly ushered Clark in. She looked stunning. Her long black dress hugged her curves and a simple pearl necklace was strung across her naturally tan skin. It was nothing similar to the bright Amazonian garb she wore in diplomatic meetings out of respect of her mother's traditions.
"Hi." She smiled while tucking her hair back into her updo.
"You look amazing." She looked clean and simple, and simple had a certain charm on her. It suited her well.
"As do you Clark. But do I look like Wonder Woman?" She had brown contacts in, a looser more casual aura, large chunky glasses, and lacked her signature red lipstick.
"No, I don't think anyone would draw the connection if you keep it low key, stay away from the cameras, and the more famous people and diplomats."
"I'm sorry, 'low key'? I'm not sure what that means." She invited him to the couch as she walked to the mirror in her bathroom.
"Just don't do anything that will catch attention." The phrase "low key" suddenly started to annoy Clark because he realized it made very little sense.
"So Lois is the only person who knows."
"Yes she knows I'm Superman and I'm sure she'd start asking questions so I had to tell her. However, her boyfriend, Jonathan, doesn't. She knows your story in as much detail as you do, you can trust her."
"Alright that's fine. Hey do you think you could grab my purse from my bedroom?" She called from the bathroom where she was putting on pearl earrings.
"Yup."
Pushing off of the sofa, he walked the four steps it took to reach her bedroom door. Clark pushed the door open and stopped in his tracks.
Her bedroom seemed like the remains someone would expect to come out of a tornado. The furniture was beaten and broken. Shards of glass were tossed all over the floor and shimmered like diamonds. The sheets were thrown haphazardly around the room and ripped in several places. Was that blood on the dresser?
Clark's heart sped up exponentially and he anxiously searched the apartment to find a thief or someone who could have caused the destruction. He found nothing which made him significantly more concerned.
"Diana!" He exclaimed, more concerned than frightened, whilst running to the bathroom.
She was calmly putting on her second pair of earrings, but when she saw Clark's expression she stiffened and her heart sped up.
"What? Clark what's wrong?"
"Your bedroom has been destroyed! Diana did someone break in? There's blood Diana!"
She let out a loud sigh, and her shoulders loosened, "I'm sorry I forgot about it. It's nothing. I just need to clean it up." She refused to make eye contact and finished putting her earring in.
"Diana, that's not nothing. What happened?"
She grudgingly mumbled, "Just, since becoming God of War… the nightmares have been a bit tough."
"Diana…you need to talk to someone. I'm sure one of the gods could help you. There has to be someone who can help."
She slammed her palms on her bathroom counter hanging her head low.
"NO there isn't Clark. I'm so tired of hearing that. So tired, please stop."
"Di…"
"Please stop Clark. You don't know what the anger feels like. You and I base everything we do on logic—on these lofty goals of equality. Most of these soldiers are so angry. They've been hurt for so long in so many ways, all they have is anger. Clark, can you imagine being in the mind of a man who enjoys killing, enjoys destroying, enjoys torturing?"
She'd never really spoken about how it is being god of war, and this sudden explosion of emotion took Clark by surprise, "No, Diana I can't imagine it, I'm really sorry you do."
She laughed in derision, "I thought I could change how people thought of war, and instead it's changing me."
"Diana, maybe we shouldn't go out tonight."
"Don't you dare Kal. This is the one night I can get away from everything Wonder Woman, and I really, really need that. Okay?" She pushed past him and grabbed her purse from her room and stood by the door ready to leave.
"Are you sure about this?" Clark was unsure and didn't move from the doorway in the bathroom.
"Yes. Clark, just don't think about it tonight okay. We can talk about it later, please just give me this night. You deserve a night focused on you and your achievements." She stepped out of the back door of her apartment and Clark followed, flicking the lights off as he left.
The award ceremony was in huge ball room type auditorium in London. Diana knew where it was and called a cab once they got on the street. Clark followed her into the cab. She whispered instructions to the cab driver and then leaned back on the seat.
"Are you excited or nervous?" She was smiling again. She was serious about dropping the subject of "God of War" completely.
"Nervous." He looked out of the window at all the people passing them on the streets, blurs.
"You don't need to be. I'm sure it's going to be fun! I really want to dance tonight."
"Well now I'm even more nervous." He looked her and tried to keep things light, but all he could think of is her trashing around her room every night filled with fear and anger.
"You're thinking about it." She remarked disappointedly.
"It's hard not to Diana. I don't want you to live that way. No one person can handle that—"
"I promised we'd talk about it Clark. Just not tonight, alright?" she sharply interjected.
"Okay," he was unsure about her promise.
"Okay? Pinky promise?" she asked.
"Okay. Yes, pinky promise."
"You smell really good." Diana abruptly told Clark.
She was going to speak again but then the cab driver spoke, his voice gruff from years of cigarettes, "I think you guys would make it faster by walking at this point." The whole street was filled with bumper to bumper traffic. Their cab was stalling.
"Clark, it's like a ten minute walk from here, so I think that would be fine."
"Alright." Both he and Diana reached out to pay for the cab ride.
"I got it Diana." He pushed his money further towards the cab driver, which the cab driver accepted eagerly. "You can keep the change," he smiled at the cab driver and got out.
Once he got out he saw that Diana gave him her money as well to keep as a tip. The cab driver rained thanks on her and told her she was a "nice lady" repeatedly.
"I hope he can buy something nice for himself." She said as she got out of the cab.
"With that kind of money I'm sure he will." Clark couldn't afford to hand out hundreds like that, "But remember keep your head low, try to walk past the cameras."
They reached the event in a matter of minutes and Clark and Diana speedily walked past the cameras and entered the building. Luckily, the cameras were occupied with a certain Bruce Wayne.
The event was very elegant. A large glass chandelier hung above the middle of the large dance floor and stage. All around the stage was a multitude of round tables decorated with simple center pieces and elegant tablecloth that seemed to melt onto the floor. Lights illuminated the entire place with a golden glow as it hit the chandelier. The stage was currently occupied by an orchestra, who was playing some classic songs to dance to. Waiters and servers busily hustled around the tables bringing snacks and drinks.
Upon walking in, Clark was stunned by the realization that this event was for him, in effect. He'd been to many high class affairs to report, but for the first time he would be the man sitting in the chair. He'd be honored even if he didn't win.
"Is Lois here yet?" Diana asked as she looked around curiously.
"Yeah, I'm pretty sure at least! He scanned the room for her. He quickly found her with her boyfriend talking to a man Clark didn't recognize.
"Follow me." He took Diana's hand and led her to Lois as they weaved through people milling around and on the dance floor.
Lois stopped talking mid sentence when she saw them, "—Clark, Diana! Hi! Let me introduce you to these handsome men here."
One of the men had his arm wrapped around Lois' waist. He was a tall blonde man with green eyes. He was one of those people who always seemed to be casual and calm, even when wearing a neatly pressed suit. Lois introduced him eagerly, "This is my boyfriend Jonathan Carroll. Jon you know Clark, and this lucky woman here is his good friend Diana Prince.
Diana, Clark, and Jonathan exchanged formalities.
The other man was standing beside Lois was a burly guy with a well defined face and bright blue eyes. His manner was more rigid, and he had a wonderful smile, Diana thought at least. He had blonde hair as well, noticeably an army cut.
By the time Lois introduced him, Diana was already in his mind, looking through his memories and times in war. As God of War, Diana knew all the soldiers. She hated invading his thoughts, but it was involuntary for the most part. Steve Trevor was a certainly a brave man in Diana's book.
Clark sensed something strange was going on and gently bumped Diana to knock her back to the conversation. "It's nice meeting you Mr. Trevor." Clark shook his hand. Diana missed Lois' introduction but the soldier reached out and kissed her hand, "You look stunning Ms. Prince."
"Please Mr. Trevor, call me Diana." She graciously flowed back into the conversation. She couldn't help but be intrigued by this man, he was nothing like the other soldiers she'd come across so far. Perhaps a little egotistical at times, but a good man in more ways than one.
"Mr. Trevor makes me sound like a grandpa, I'd be delighted if you called me Steve." He smiled, more to the beautiful raven haired woman than her male counterpart.
"Clark is a reporter with me, and Diana is a foreign correspondent for Wayne Industries." Lois added.
"Oh, Mr. Wayne was kind enough to honor me tonight at this event; he's a good friend of mine. A bit irresponsible and womanizing, but sometimes he lets his guard down and you can see his heart of gold. Also, may I just say you look stunning today, Diana?"
"Thank you, you look very dapper yourself." Her dazzling diplomatic smile stole the conversation.
"Well I'd love if you two would join our table here! I've known Lois since we were children, my father and her father were good friends."
"And now I'm seeing old Steve here being honored for his service tonight." Lois said. Jonathan stayed rather quiet by her side, but still very attentive. He looked as if he was making mental judgments on Lois' friends.
"Oh congratulations!" Diana said, smiling. "It's an incredible thing you soldiers do, putting your life on the line for the sake of others."
"Thank you, I appreciate that. We can drink to that." Steve turned and ordered a drink. "Does anyone else want something?"
Lois and her boyfriend ordered drinks.
While they talked to the waiter Diana turned to Clark, "Come on let's go dancing!"
"I'm not much of a dancer Di." He shrugged away from her, but Diana knew that wasn't the real Clark she knew.
"I'll make you look good." She laughed and dragged Clark onto the dance floor with her. "Excuse us," she said to the group, "Clark and I are going to dance for a little while."
"Go ahead" Lois laughed. "We are going to socialize a bit with Steve."
On the dance floor, the light reflected off the chandelier and left little jewels of light shining all over the floor. Other couples swooshed by Clark and Diana, entranced by the music.
The little pins in Diana's hair shone like little diamonds, and Clark realized he really liked her blue eyes now that he saw the contacts. The first song they danced to was slow, Clark had his arms around her waist and Diana had hers around his neck. He was nervously looking down at Diana's shoes, leaving enough room between the two of them for a whole other person.
"Don't be so nervous Clark. No one is going judge Clark for being a good dancer or for dancing with his best friend—well one of his best friends." She corrected herself as she made eye contact with Lois back at the table.
In a matter of seconds the song changed to a faster paced song. The dancing partners around Diana and Clark morphed from somewhat stationary couples to dynamic spinning and laughing lovebirds.
Diana was taken by surprise when Clark suddenly grabbed her and spun her quickly twice before pulling her into him again.
His body was shaking with laughter at her surprise, "I love this song." He exclaimed over the music. It was the instrumental track of Crazy in Love by Beyonce. Diana had never heard it before.
"You know Clark, I've never heard you sing." The song seemed to make Clark incredibly happy and he was finally becoming the man Diana loved sharing her life with.
"Oh yeah?" Clark pulled her close and whispered a comically high pitched version of the song.
She pushed him away playfully, "Sorry I had to ask."
She laughed as Clark spun her around to the tune of the song. The world around Clark and Diana become nothing more than blurred background noise as they surrendered themselves to the song and the jubilant crowd moving and breathing with the grace of angels gliding on the surface of clouds.
Meanwhile, Lois and Jonathan were enjoying drinks at the table waiting for Steve who had wandered off for some necessary diplomatic networking.
"That's the same Clark we had dinner with?" Jon questioned skeptically.
"Yes."
"It's like she brings someone completely different out of him."
"No, Jon, I think she brings the real guy out of his little shell."
"Always the journalist with your insightful views. How long did it take you to meet the real guy?" Jon asked bemused.
"In some ways I don't think I have, but probably a good 6 years. He's a strange guy, great at heart though. Trustworthy."
"I could see that. By the way Lois, for the hundredth time today, you look absolutely amazing. "
"Thanks, you going to show me off on the dance floor big guy?" She reached out and kissed him.
"Let's just tell Steve so we don't seem rude." Jon suggested.