Story 3: Everything
Author's Note:
"Everything" is written from Clark's point of view and serves as a gapfiller between issues 3 and 4. The story is framed around my own interpretation of the story at this point in the comic series. These gap fillers are self-contained stories and are not written to link with the previous one-shots.
London
Christmas hadn't at all gone the way Clark had imagined it would. Diana, the Fortress, egg nog, a Christmas tree, and peace and quiet was how Clark had envisioned spending what he hoped to be the first of many Christmases with Diana. Since Ma and Pa passed, Clark had little reason to look forward to the holiday season. As Superman, he did all the requisite things that superheroes were supposed to do, especially for children. And he enjoyed giving out gifts and playing Santa Clause, hearing the deepest wishes of children. Some of whom asked for more than the latest video game or personal tablet, but gifts that reflected what was missing in their lives—electricity to keep the cold away, a better job for Mom or Dad that paid all the bills, a cure for Alzheimer's so granddad could remember and visit again.
On and on the heartbreakingly tender wishes went, reminding Clark that heroes came in all shapes, sizes, and ages. Such interactions also reminded Clark of how much he'd lost when Ma and Pa Kent died, leaving him alone in a world with his secrets.
But she knew. Diana. And this Christmas was supposed to be a memorable one, recapturing a part of Clark Kent that had died along with his parents. That glorious feeling of the holiday spirit that lived deep within him for most of the year, dormant and untended to until that special someone came along, watering it and bringing sunshine to his life.
That was how Diana made him feel, even without benefit of Christmas and carolers. She was his water and sunshine, and Clark had so desperately wanted to keep her and their relationship all to himself.
"The little-known blog site, Clarkcatropolis, broke the biggest story of the year."
Sitting beside Diana, Clark watched the news report. Of course, the entire flight from the Fortress to Diana's London home, Clark had heard that his own blog was responsible for outing him and Diana to the whole damn world. But Diana hadn't known. And now she does. Crap.
"Well, I think it's great," the female reporter argued, her smile wide and genuine. "Tis the season to be jolly and in love. Why should humans be the only ones able to enjoy the power of the holiday season?"
"That's just it, Miranda," the woman's male co-host chimed in, "Wonder Woman and Superman are not human. They're two of the most powerful beings on this planet. Superman is an alien who could probably destroy the world as we know it, if he decides to, and Wonder Woman is from some mythical race of Amazons. I can't even begin to explain what in the hell she is. When she first came here, she couldn't even fly. Now she can. What else is she capable of? Is she going to get stronger and stronger as she ages? Hell, will she age at all? For that matter, will Superman?"
"They're perfect together, so sexy and cute," the reporter squealed.
"You're missing the big picture here." Michael Shaw faced the screen instead of staring, with unmasked annoyance, at Miranda Withers, his dark-brown eyes an echo of his voiced fear and concern. "As far as we know, they're invulnerable, not subject to the same pain and frailties that limits us. To some, pit bulls are cute and make good pets, but they are also unbelievably dangerous. That is their nature. In the end, a pit will always turn on its' master. That's their way."
"I can't believe you just compared Wonder Woman and Superman to a mangy pit bull. They are heroes deserving of our respect. Just because they are powerful, it doesn't, by default, make them a threat to humanity. It seems the biggest threat to humans are other humans. As our long history of wars and bloodshed have shown. Anyway," Withers said with a wink to the camera, "you know our thoughts, now we would like to hear yours. Call or text and we'll continue our discussion on this latest breaking news. Superman and Wonder are an official couple, in case you've been on the moon for the last few hours. We'll be back after a message from our local sponsor."
A preview of some British mystery show came on. With a click of the remote, Clark turned off the mounted, flat screen television.
He and Diana sat in silence, only a single, red sofa cushion between them. An illusion, he knew, for so much more than cotton and silk separated Clark from Diana.
"It's been a long day, I think I'll take a bath."
Without waiting for a reply or even inviting Clark to join her, as she often did, Diana stood and began making her way to the master bathroom. By the time she reached the opened bathroom door, she'd shed her Wonder Woman uniform, boots, bracers, tiara, and lasso, leaving her beautifully, unashamedly nude.
Clark just sat there, unsure what to do next. Diana had gifted him with free time, and if not for the media leak, which he would get to the end of by the way, Clark knew precisely how he would have used Diana's gift. But Diana no longer seemed in the mood, and Clark couldn't blame her. He wasn't exactly feeling romantic himself.
But Christmas and a new year were only a few days away, and Clark didn't want to allow the press to ruin what might be his and Diana's last moment of privacy together. For now, no one knew where they were, and they weren't scheduled on the JL roster until after the New Year. Unless, of course, an emergency arose that required the special talents of Superman and Wonder Woman. Other than that, Diana's gift of time was still on the table.
Deciding to still give Diana the Christmas they deserved, Clark stood. He could hear the soft splash of water, which told him Diana had just settled into her tub. A huge, deep marble basin that, to Clark's delight, accommodated both their tall bodies. If he hurried, he could be back to her apartment before she did something stupid like finish too soon and get out.
With an anticipatory smile, Clark took off.
Fifteen minutes later, he was back. Five minutes after that, all was set. And Diana, thank goodness, was still bathing.
Undressing down to his boxers, Clark walked inside the bathroom and closed the door behind him.
Bubbles and water covered her entire body, only Diana's head showed above the bath water. Her eyes were closed but Clark knew she wasn't asleep.
"Where did you go?"
"I thought I was the one with super hearing in this relationship." He dropped to his knees beside the tub, dipping a hand into a rainbow of lilac scented bubbles.
"Not super hearing, no, but I felt the breeze when you left and returned. So, what are you up to?"
"What makes you think I'm up to something?"
Diana's eyes opened and the way she looked up at him told Clark the woman knew him far too well. Other than Ma, no other woman had. In part, because Clark always kept secrets from them. And, in a way, he kept secrets from Diana as well. Not of the Superman variety, as he did most other people, but of the deeper, more insecure kind.
"You gave me a great gift, Diana, and I want to return the favor. And," he said, lifting his wet hand to her chin and stroking, "I have a proposal for you."
This seemed to peak her interest, the arched eyebrow an obvious clue to her interest.
"What kind of proposal?" She glanced down at his boxers then arched those lovely brows of hers again. "I must say, I never thought I'd see Superman in such naughty Christmas boxers. From what I can read from here, I think your proposal is pretty clear."
Clark had forgotten all about changing into the gag gift. He knew Diana to have a good enough sense of humor, as well as a naughty side herself, to appreciate Clark's goofy boxers.
He stood, letting Diana get a good look at his boxers.
She stared, and then lifted her lips in a sexy smile. "At least it doesn't say, 'Do not open 'till Christmas,' because I don't think I could wait that long."
"Now who's being naughty?"
Diana laughed. "That would still be you. I don't even want to know where you got them from."
Clark looked down at his holiday boxers and couldn't help but laugh at himself. They were all white with the exception of the words on the front. In bold black-and-green letters, it read: "I got your Christmas pickle right here." Then, because, yes, they were a naughty gag gift, there was a big, green pickle over his crotch wearing a cute red-and-white Santa hat.
"I hope you didn't purchase me anything from your shop of erotic horrors."
Umm, well, he kind of did, but that would come later.
"Do you want to hear my proposal or not?"
"Propose away, Mr. Pickle."
Clark moved back to Diana, and sat on the edge of the tub, wondering how hard he would have to blow to get the damn bubbles away from the naughty parts of Diana.
"Don't you dare. I'm still enjoying my bath. If you want to use your powers, then reheat the water for me."
"How did you—never mind." Moderating his heat vision, Clark carefully heated Diana's bath water.
She sighed and smiled up at him with gratitude.
"You're so easy to please."
A wink came his way. "Remember you said that when I redeem my Christmas present."
Oh, he so did like the sound of that. But hot, sweaty sex wasn't Diana's gift. He would take care of that later, but now for the proposal.
"Anyway, my proposal is that we discuss and stop ignoring the elephant in the room. But this is the thing, I don't want it to ruin our holiday. So let's give it ten minutes and no more. After ten minutes, let's not discuss it again until the New Year. Trust me, it will still be news, and we'll still have to deal with it."
"Ten minutes?"
"Yes, then spend the next few days with me. Well, technically, I'll be spending it here with you. But you get my point. We'll spend the holiday together, and deal with the fallout of the media afterwards."
"I think it will be easier for me to do than you."
Clark knew Diana was referring to his super hearing. And, hell, even now, he could hear her neighbors talking about them. But what made the situation both ridiculous and ironic, was that Diana's neighbors had no idea Wonder Woman lived among them.
"I have ways of minimizing what I hear. As you know, I can't shut it completely off, but I can manage."
And Clark managed even better when he was with Diana. That had never happened with a woman before. Diana required all of his focus, all of his attention, and for a time, when they were intimately joined, the rest of the world ceased to exist. During those precious moments was when Clark felt most like a normal man. Yet another secret he'd kept from her. Thankfully, Diana hadn't noticed how Clark all but soaked her in when she wasn't watching, glorying in the fact that she had chosen him as much as he had chosen her. No way did he want the world and their judgmental views screwing that up.
"Maybe I should get out so we can talk." Diana made to rise but Clark stilled her with a hand to her wet shoulder.
"No, you stay. I'll join you."
And he did, dropping his boxers and climbing into the tub. He'd done a good job heating the water, he thought, as the soothing warmth did wonders for his body. No wonder Diana preferred baths to showers.
Instead of sitting next to her, the way his body demanded, Clark sat across from Diana.
Diana smirked with knowing. "I guess you were serious about talking first and enjoying the holiday season later. Fine, let's begin the ten minutes now."
"Okay, well . . . first I want to apologize. I have no idea how Cat got that picture of us or why she ran the story without first contacting me. But I promise to get to the bottom of it."
"I know you will. I'm not concerned about that."
"Then what does concern you?"
Diana didn't answer right away. When she did, Clark didn't think her response captured fully her thoughts and feelings.
"I know you didn't want others to know about us yet. I also know how important it is for you to keep Clark Kent separate from Superman."
And Clark knew that Diana didn't truly comprehend what it meant for him to be Clark Kent, the man, the writer. No more than he understood how it felt to live his life the way Diana did, without artifice, free to always be oneself. Some days, he envied her, other days he wished she would walk with him as Clark Kent, seeing the world from the ground instead of from the sky.
And on those days, when he desperately wanted to share his relationship with Diana with friends like Lois, Jon, Cat, and Jimmy, Clark considered asking Diana to adopt a secret identity so they could openly date like regular people. Then he would remember that they weren't exactly "regular" people and Diana shouldn't have to pretend to be someone else for Clark to openly acknowledge what they've shared in private for months.
"It is important, Diana. I was raised as Clark Kent. But I am also Superman to the world, and I hate that some of them think us capable of world domination simply because we've found happiness with each other."
"True, especially since we don't need to be in a romantic relationship to rule the world. We only have to be amoral and motivated. Like most of my family. I won't lower myself to defend against such baseless claims. In the end, people invariably think what they will. I doubt there is much we could say to change their minds. And I won't bother trying. We've done nothing wrong, and it's no one's business but our own whom we chose to date."
With that, Diana slipped down the tub and under the water. She stayed like that for a full minute, coming up with a short exhalation, hair wet and matted against her face and scalp. Wiping the water and hair out of her eyes, she found his eyes on her and smiled wanly.
"This isn't what I wanted. Not like this, never like this."
"I know."
And Clark did. What Diana had wanted was, despite how simple it appeared on the surface, quite complex for Clark. She'd wanted him to make their relationship public, to bring it from the darkness and place it into the light. Now, some yet to be revealed person, had ripped the decision from them, and the news was quickly spiraling out of control. No, this wasn't what Diana or Clark had wanted. But it was, unfortunately, the hand they were dealt.
Could I have prevented some of this madness if I had sat down with Diana and come up with a plan to inform the public of our private relationship, a press release co-authored by us, perhaps? Shit, Clark didn't know. The reaction could have very well been the same. But at least it would've been on our terms instead of someone else's.
"Two minutes."
There wasn't a clock in the bathroom, so Clark had no idea how Diana knew how much of their ten minutes remained. But he had no doubt she was correct. There was one other thing he wanted to mention before their time was up. A topic, in all honesty, Clark didn't want to spend a lot of time on, but one that had been bothering him for a while.
Reaching out, Clark found one of Diana's legs and pulled it onto his lap. Taking her foot in his hand, he began a slow foot massage.
Sighing, Diana leaned against the tub and closed her eyes. She looked so beautiful and serene, nothing like the Amazon-on-the-verge-of-world-domination some pundits often portrayed her as being. If they could see the soft, caring side of her Clark saw, the public would know that only villains would ever have to fear her wrath.
"I think Steve knows about us."
"Of course he does, the entire world now knows about us."
Clark shook his head, then realized Diana couldn't see it because she still had her eyes closed, clearly enjoying his pampering.
"No. I mean I think he knew about us before today."
That got those blue eyes of Diana's opened.
"Why would you think that?"
Why did he indeed?
"Nothing concrete like him just telling me that he knows."
"Then what?"
"A gut feeling, I guess. I don't know how to explain it, Diana. But the guy just seems mad at me for no reason. When I first noticed, I chocked it up to him being upset about losing the liaison gig with the Justice League. But after a while, I realize that his anger was leveled not at all the League but just me. I didn't get it. Even today, when we found him with Zod, his reaction to me was more like a man upset about another guy having what he believes is rightfully his."
And there went those arched eyebrows of Diana's again.
"I belong to no man, Clark."
Yeah, and no man would ever be able to control her. Clark often wondered if that was part of the reason why Diana broke things off with Steve. No matter, Clark had no interest in controlling Diana, even if it were possible .
He tickled her foot, and, as he'd hoped, she began to laugh.
"I know that, Diana, but you do belong with me. And I think your former boyfriend knew about us before today. I will probably never know for sure, but I believe it to be true. It would explain so much."
Diana pulled her foot from his hand.
He wanted to know her thoughts on his theory, but she said nothing, just stared back at him with unreadable eyes. Then he understood. It would have to wait.
"That was a fast two minutes."
And the topic of Steve Trevor and Diana's relationship with the colonel was now off the table.
Dammit, I should've proposed fifteen minutes.
"What's next? May I have my present now?"
"Which one?"
"You decide. We're already in the tub, so we could stand to get a little dirty, if you like."
The grin she gave him was all sexy devilment, and Clark knew the rest of his plan would have to wait.
This time when Clark pulled Diana to him it was more than her enticing foot. He wanted all of her. And that was exactly what he got.
By the time they finished, night had completely fallen and Diana's outer room was cast in darkness, save for a few strategically placed lit candles and Clark's second gift.
Diana stood, with the most rewarding awestruck smile on her face, in front of Clark's Christmas gift.
"How in the world did you get that thing in here without anyone noticing?"
"Do you like it?"
"I've never had one of my own before." Diana snuggled in deeper to the arms wrapped around her waist. "I love it. It's the most spectacular Christmas tree I've ever seen."
Clark pulled Diana closer to the tree then began to share the history of each of the ornaments he'd lovingly placed on their first Christmas tree.
"When I was six, Pa brought home this bird house. When plugged in, the way it is now, the red bird sings and chirps. Over the years, the poor thing gave out, sounding more like a bird being choked to death." Clark laughed at the fond memory. "But Pa wouldn't let Ma throw the old thing away, no matter how awful the so-called singing became. When I got older and learned how to control my powers, I figured out how to get the little thing going again."
"I bet that made your father very happy."
"It did. It was the first time I realized I could use my powers to help others, that I wasn't some alien without a purpose."
"We must all find our purpose in life, Clark. That's one of the reasons I left home. I could do so much, but my sisters and mother never needed my gifts, my birthright. I had to leave home to discover my purpose, who I was other than a child born of clay and Princess of Themyscira. Now, five years later, I'm no longer either."
There was strained sadness there, in her voice and the eyes that shifted away from the tree and to the window it was placed in front of, and out into the cold, London night.
Clark kept talking, knowing, when Diana was ready, she would return to him. Two more ornament stories later, Diana was back, nodding and smiling and sharing a cup of egg nog with him.
Taking her hand, Clark led her to the sofa where they'd sat earlier, watching and listening to reporters discuss them and their relationship as if they had any real clue who Superman and Wonder Woman were beyond the battle lines and gossip pages.
Focusing on just Diana, Clark pushed the constant chattering to the back of his mind.
"I have something else for you."
Long, tempting legs crossed on the sofa, a distraction Clark forced himself to ignore. There was plenty of time for more of that later.
Digging into a duffel back, where he'd packed a week's worth of clothing, Clark found the first item he was searching for.
He handed a box to a patient Diana. He didn't know how she did it. When he was a kid, he could barely contain himself, so anxious was he to rip into his Christmas gifts. As a grown man, he'd changed little in that department.
"It's pretty. I like the red paper and little white bow."
Clark cleared his throat. "You do know, Diana, the gift is inside the box and not the prettily wrapped box itself."
"Ha. Ha. Very funny. Keep that up and I might just forego wearing the black, laced two-piece I purchased while shopping with Hessia."
Now Clark was intrigued and more than a little turned on.
"Know this, Diana, the sooner you open my gift, the sooner we can gift each other for the rest of the night. Your choice on how long it'll take us to get to that big bed of yours, which, I noticed, is decked out in smooth red silk. I can't wait to see your golden, naked body against those expensive Egyptians sheets."
Diana tore off the paper and opened the box. With care, she lifted the gift out of the box. The crystal ornament dangled from her fingers. A simple design, but one that expressed Clark's hope for their future.
She glanced from the ornament and back to Clark. Aloud, she read the words inscribed on the ornament, below the silver, entwined hearts.
"Diana and Clark. Our first Christmas, 2013."
For long seconds, Diana said nothing, just stared at the ornament. Then, she floated off the sofa and to the tree. Hovering, she circled, looking for something. A minute later, apparently having found what she was looking for, Diana placed the ornament on the tree, right next to the ornament that held a baby picture of Clark. Like this first Christmas together as a couple, the baby picture represented the first Christmas Clark had shared with the Kents, as their newly adopted son.
When Diana returned, it was to his lap, her mouth pressed against his, her soft, "Thank you, Clark. I love it," had him pulling her even closer to him.
They kissed, and Clark nearly forgot his last present.
Still kissing, he reached into the bag again and pulled the final item out.
"One more, Diana, then I'm going to fly us to your bed and worship at your altar."
"The tree and ornament are gifts enough. I need nothing else, Clark."
"Not need, Diana, I know. But Christmas is more about giving than receiving, and I've found that I enjoy giving you gifts."
Sliding a hand down her right leg and to her ankle, Clark produced his last gift. It had taken him weeks to get it just right. And now, as he clasped it around her ankle, Clark knew all the work had been worth it.
Perfect. It was a symbol of what this special woman meant to Clark.
"I was thinking it would be nice if you wore it with your Wonder Woman boots. I've found that I like the idea of you wearing something close to your skin that I crafted for you. And maybe you'll think of me when I'm not with you. The same way I think of you when you aren't with me."
And he was the biggest sap in the world, sounding like a sugary-sweet Hallmark card on Valentine's Day.
Diana hugged him, long and hard and full of heat. "It's wonderful. And, of course, I'll wear it with my boots. It'd be an honor." She lifted her ankle, thoroughly examining the piece of jewelry. "The words are Kryptonian?"
"They are. Do you want me to tell you what it says?"
She nodded.
Fingering the alien alloy, a tough and beautiful Kryptonian element, it was ideal for jewelry.
Magnificent, like Diana.
"It says simply: 'My Diana. Her Clark.'"
They held each other. No words were needed after that, nor did they immediately move to the bed. But when they did, when they stripped each other of their bathrobes, the loving was slow and achingly beautiful for all that went unsaid between them, for all the love it expressed, and for the secret, no longer hidden.
Days later, when they finally emerged from the cocoon they'd enveloped themselves in, the world still talked of Superman and Wonder Woman.
And Diana was the first to burst the bubble by asking, "What are they saying?"
Knowing now was the time to deal with the situation head-on, Clark answered her.
"Everything."