Power Couple Chapter 4, a justice league fanfic

Story 4: We Are Myths

Author's Note:

This story oscillates between Diana's and Clark's points of view, covering parts of issues four and five. We all know, in romantic relationships, there is much that is said and even more that goes unspoken between couples. The unspoken emotions of the heart, the fears of the mind, and the confusion of the soul, often find expression in the rhythmic beats and lyrics of music. This is such a story, a songfic for Diana and Clark. Plato once said, "Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything."

London

The secret is out, and Clark was not a happy camper. He'd tried, for both their sakes, to push it to the back of his mind so they could enjoy the holiday season and the New Year. Now, well, now Christmas was over and the New Year in full swing, yet the news of the relationship between Superman and Wonder Woman had ceased to die down. If anything, the ridiculously dubbed "the blog read around the world," was on its second and third wind, with no end in sight.

Hell.

"What are they saying?"

Clark watched Diana from his spot on her bed. They'd had a late breakfast, showered then dressed. Clark had to admit, in spite of his foul mood, he so did enjoy watching Diana dress, almost as much as he enjoyed watching her undress.

She ignored his attentions, as she often did when his eyes wandered to her, an unconscious act that was both embarrassing and unavoidable. The woman was gorgeous and unbelievably self-assured, how could Clark not be drawn to her, a magnet to Diana's steel core?

"Everything," he answered, their eyes meeting.

"I know. Don't listen to them, listen to me. You wish they could understand. It doesn't matter if you are with a goddess, because you are just like them. You are Clark Kent, raised in Kansas. But you cannot tell them that because the moment you do, Clark Kent ceases to exist. There will only be Superman."

Diana was right. Clark was both. He needed to be both.

"But would that be such a bad thing? Why hide what brings you such joy? Whether me, or your powers. I know the truth. I see it every time you fly. The way you look at me when you think I'm not watching."

This time, Diana was only partially correct. Being Superman gave him immense joy, so did being with Diana. In truth, they both filled Clark with wonder and fear because of how much pleasure he derived from them, how powerful both made him feel. But being Clark Kent kept him grounded in a way being Superman never would, so, yes, if the world knew his secret, it would indeed be a "bad thing."

"Do you know why I chose to be a writer, Diana? Because writing is difficult. Choosing the words, forming ideas, precision—it's never easy. It's the same reason I'm still Clark Kent. Being Clark is hard. The same way ordinary life is hard for billions of people on this planet."

Sitting on her loveseat, back to Clark, Diana slipped on one boot then the other. She didn't immediately respond. This was an area in which they differed, just as they had disagreed over keeping their relationship a secret.

Diana was open in many ways Clark was closed. When it was just the two of them, holed up in her London flat or his Metropolis apartment, such differences mattered little. Well, they mattered then as well, it was just that Clark could so easily ignore them. With the whole damn world knowing their secret, their differences were becoming more and more apparent.

And is that why you took such a hard stand about going public, Clark? Do you think Diana will see or learn something about the real Clark Kent that will scare her away, make her think twice about aligning herself with a man who's not super 24/7, and is okay with that?

"We are different, Clark, but also the same. Superman. Kal-El."

"You're right. About both things. But isn't that the way it should be? We have things we share, and things we bring to each other."

"It should be, yes."

Again, Clark watched Diana's expression for any hint that she was displeased with him or the uncomfortable situation they now found themselves. True, she and Clark were a lot alike. Well, Superman and Wonder Woman were a lot alike, Diana and Clark, in a few important ways, were quite dissimilar. Which always made Clark wonder what would happen if he fully let Diana into his world, because, whether she knew it or not, she was completely in his heart.

There's something that I want to say
But words sometimes get in the way
I just want to show
My feelings for you
There's nothing that I'd rather do
Than spend ev'ry moment with you
I guess you should know
I love you so

You are my lady
You're ev'rything I need and more
You are my lady
You're all I'm living for

There's no way that I can resist
Your precious kiss
Girl, you've got me
So hypnotized
Just say that you'll stay with me
'Cause our love was meant to be
I promise to love you
More each day

You are my lady, my love
You're ev'rything I need and more
You are my lady
You're all I'm living for

I love your shine, shine, shine
Let's make it last until the end of time (You Are My Lady by Freddie Jackson)

Instead of speaking his heart, lowering the wall to his secrets, Clark said, "There's something I have to do. Will I see you later?"

Tiara in hand, Diana glanced over her right shoulder and at Clark. There was as much earnestness in him as there were shields. A part of Diana was disappointed, as well as hurt that he still felt the need to erect barriers between her and his life as Clark Kent.

"You have to go be Clark Kent, you mean." The words were spoken calmly and softly, though with an undertone of frustration she couldn't keep from her voice. For all that Clark asked for Diana's understanding, his own lack of comprehension of Diana, the woman, was downright infuriating.

What I need from you is understanding,
How can we communicate,
If you don't hear what I say.
What I need from you is understanding,
So simple as 1-2-3,
Understanding is what we need.

You don't really know me,
You just wanna do what you wanna do.
That's not the way it should be,
No, you should listen to me boy.
I try so very hard to make you understand,
But the choices you make, baby they're all demands.

I try so very hard to keep our love alive,
But you don't wanna meet me half way,
Then the understanding dies.

There's no way that we can work it out,
If we don't pull together.
I don't mean to be demanding,
But I want some understanding,
I want to be with you.(Understanding by Xscape)

Clark didn't like the way Diana was looking at him, though the fact she'd figured out what he hadn't said shouldn't have surprised him. Diana was as intelligent as she was beautiful, and quite capable of seeing through him.

"This story," be began, needing her to know he wasn't blowing her off. "About us. Came from my website. I have to find out how that happened. And I need to check in with Zod to see what he knows about Doomsday. We could meet at the Fortress . . .?" he added at the end, hoping she wasn't as upset as he believed her to be.

Again, Diana just stared at Clark with those penetrating blue eyes of hers. With discomfort, he found himself shifting under their weighty gaze. Her "Go then," didn't release him from his discomfort. It was a regally spoken dismissal, one that had Clark regretting his handling of the entire conversation.

Diana was upset. That much was clear, though she'd uttered no harsh words. But there was a tension in the way she stood, gathered up her lasso and sword and walked to the balcony doors off her bedroom.

Clark followed in silence, exiting the room after Diana did, closing the door behind him. Normally when they parted, particularly after having spent the night together, Clark would gather Diana in his arms, hold her tightly and kiss her goodbye, lingering as long as he could. Now, however, Clark doubted Diana would permit him a handshake much less the sensual kiss he very much wanted to give her.

"So, ah, the Fortress later?"

They stared, neither smiling nor moving to embrace the other, to reconcile the growing gulf between them. Clark wanted to ask Diana her plans for the day, to narrow her down to a time he could expect her at the Fortress, or simply grab her hand and take her back into her room, closing the door and locking out the world until no one cared about the private lives of Wonder Woman and Superman.

Instead, dammit, he did or said nothing as Diana lifted into the sky. A curt nod of her head the only farewell she afforded him, leaving Clark torn. He wanted to fly after her, make an apology for shutting her out, but he also wanted to know who had taken the picture of Superman and Wonder Woman kissing then sent it to Cat to publish. Hell, Clark didn't even know when or where the picture had been taken. And that was definitely his fault. His superior senses should've picked up on someone spying on them. If he had, none of this would be happening.

But Diana isn't just upset about the picture, and you know it. Stop pretending, Clark, Diana deserves better than that.

She did, but Clark needed answers. Because of him, Diana had been hurt twice, once by Doomsday and then by his blog and partner. Diana was a formidable woman, but she didn't need his shortcomings adding to an already complex and dangerous life.

Clark lifted into the air, eyes still trained on the flying form of his Amazon, streaking through the afternoon sky with refined poise. The desire to go after her returned, with it the disturbing thought that Diana was flying away from him and his walls. Because she doesn't know how I feel about her, not really.

It's undeniable
That we should be together
It's unbelievable
How I used to say that I'd fall never
The basis is need to know
If you don't know just how I feel
Then let me show you now that I'm for real
If all things in time
Time will reveal
Yeah...

One - you're like a dream come true
Two - just wanna be with you
Three - Girl it's plain to see
That you're the only one for me
Four - repeat steps one through three
Five - make you fall in love with me
If ever I believe my work is done
Then I'll start back at one... Yeah...

So Incredible
The way things work themselves out
And all emotional
Once you know what it's all about, babe
And undesirable
For us to be apart
Never would of made it very far
Cause you know you got the keys to my heart

Say farewell to the dark of night
I see the coming of the sun
I feel like a little child
Whose life has just begun
You came and breathed new life
Into this lonely heart of mine
You threw out the life line
Just in the nick of time...

Themyscria

Later . . .

Diana hated and loved returning home. Paradise Island's beauty was unmatched. But where music and laughter had once been silence and stillness now reigned. And her heart broke, with guilt and powerlessness.

Dropping to her knees, in a form of supplication befitting the Queen of the Amazons, Diana took in her mother's clay body. Hera had done this to Hippolyta, her revenge against a woman who'd slept with her husband, a woman whose fealty should've been to her goddess. But Hippolyta had paid dearly for her sins. Her affair with Zeus did not make her a bad person only a woman blinded by love.

This, Diana understood.

"Forgive me for not releasing you from this prison. . . . Forgive me for not visiting more often. Like so many daughters, I come only to you when I need you. I wonder if I would have come to you at all, if you were able to speak. For I have come to confess weakness."

Diana reached out and grasped the hand of her mother. She nearly wept from the contact, so desperately did she need to feel her mother's warmth, have Hippolyta wrap Diana in a maternal embrace she haven't had in far too many moons.

"I have chosen a companion. A man. Like us, but not. A god, in his way. But he chooses a second life, one that turns from his gifts, and that is a place I cannot go. I am not certain that he wants me to go. I am not used to this doubt. I hate it. I can call my visit here a strategic retreat—an effort to regroup and find victory another day, but do I believe that? I am Diana of Themsycria, daughter of Zeus, with all the power and tragedy that entails."

Like that Diana stayed, holding her mother's unfeeling hand while deep in thought. She didn't know how long she stayed like that, mind too full of thoughts of Clark and his double life. But she was tired of this, tired of the power she'd given Clark over her life. With reluctance, Diana allowed her fingers to slip from her mother's. She stood, took one last look at a woman she owed her life to, and then turned her back, her strategic retreat over.

"Why should I wonder about any man? Even him."

I don't know what it is that you've done to me...
but it's caused me to act in such a crazy way.
Whatever it is that you do when you do what you're doing...
it's a feeling I want to stay

'Cause my heart starts beating triple time,
with thoughts of loving you on my mind.
I can't figure out just what to do,
when the cause and cure is you.

I get so weak in the knees I can hardly speak.
I lose all control and something takes over me.
In a daze you look so amazing,
it's not a phase, I want you to stay with me
by my side, I swallow my pride
your love is so sweet.
It knocks me right off of my feet...
I can't explain why your loving makes me weak.

Time after time after time I've tried to fight it.
But your love is strong it keeps on holding on.
Resistance is down when you're around, prides fading.
In my condition I don't want to be alone.

'Cause my heart starts beating triple time,
with thoughts of loving you on my mind.
I can't figure out just what to do,
when the cause and cure is you. (Weak by SWV)

Somewhere over the Pacific Northwest

Later . . .

Five minutes ago, Diana had received an emergency call from Cyborg. "Superman needs assistance . . . Now. He's dealing with two heavy hitters in the Pacific Northwest."

Her heart had thudded uncontrollably. She didn't know who the enemies were who dared to attack Superman, but it didn't matter. Once she reached Clark, Diana would help him defeat them.

But when she did, her worry quickly morphed into anger. Zod and some unknown female were viciously attacking Superman. Zod, the Kryptonian Clark had taken into his home and protected from the United States government. The ungrateful cur.

"How far do we take this?" Diana heard the dark-haired woman ask of Zod. She spoke Kryptonian, which meant only one thing. Another Kryptonian has come through the breach. How is that possible?

Right now, the answer to that question didn't matter, especially when Zod responded with, "As far as we have to. I don't imagine he'll be able to take much more. He's powerful, but he's not trained."

Diana's anger increased tenfold.

"Perhaps not—but you are fools to challenge him nonetheless. He's mine."

He's mine. The admission reverberated in her head, as did thoughts of retribution. No matter their earlier disagreement, no matter the cultural bridges they needed to build, no one hurt what an Amazon has claimed.

Each time I pray
I search for words that say all that I'm going through

Here's what to say each time you pray
I give it all to you

How can I know what's real

Oh trust in yourself believe in what you feel

I don't understand what's the Master plan
will it ever come together?
Yes love will find the way
Open up your heart
Give the greater part

And it will
Yes it will
Oh Yes it will
Love will find a way

Its all a part of youth
searching for the truth
seeing the way roads will lead you

Now I realize though problems may arise
There's someone I can come to

Time waits for no man
Don't give up
It's time to take a stand

I don't understand what's the Master plan
Will it ever come together?
Yes love will find the way
Open up your heart
Give the greater part
And it will
Yes it will

Love will find the way

In the middle of the night
Love will lead you to the light
You can win {Oh yes you can}
Just hold on
Don't give up the fight {Don't give up the fight}
love will make things right

You can win
You can win
You can win
You can win
You can win

I know it will
Just believe it
I do believe it

Love will find a way (Love Will Find a Way by Whitney Houston)

From his spot amongst the trees, where he'd slammed into the unforgiving earthen ground after yet another double-teamed assault by Zod and Faora, Clark watched, in awe, as Diana took on the Kryptonians. On my behalf. She came.

It wasn't the first time Diana had come to Clark's side in a battle. It wasn't unusual for either of them to aid each other on the field of battle. But those fights were always with the Justice League. This battle was so much more personal than those others. When Diana hadn't answered Clark's call after Zod and Faora had escaped the Fortress, he was sure she was intentionally ignoring him, still upset over their discussion.

But here she was, an avenging Amazon warrior. And she was glorious. So damn fierce. His sunshine.

You are the sunshine of my life
That's why I'll always be around
You are the apple of my eye
Forever you'll stay in my heart

I feel like this is the beginning
Though I've loved you for a million years
And if I thought our love was ending
I'd find myself drowning in my own tears

You are the sunshine of my life
That's why I'll always stay around
You are the apple of my eye
Forever you'll stay in my heart

You must have known that I was lonely
Because you came to my rescue
And I know that this must be Heaven
How could so much love be inside of you?

You are the sunshine of my life, yeah
That's why I'll always stay around
You are the apple of my eye
Forever you'll stay in my soul

You are the sunshine of my life, baby
That's why I'll always stay around (You Are The Sunshine of My Life by Stevie Wonder)

He dragged his beaten body into the air, bloody and hurt but unwilling to sit back and watch Diana take on the two alone. My fault. It's all my fault. I shouldn't have trusted Zod.

Clark deferred to Diana in a way he never had in their romantic lives, completely trusting her when he flew towards Diana and asked, "Where do you need me?"

"We are myths. I am the child of old stories, and he is the child of new. That does not make us any less real. But it doesn't make us any less mythical either. Myths are tragedies, in almost every case. I don't want that. Not for him. Not for me. Not for us. . . ." -Diana, Wonder Woman (SMWW #5)