SIX – Fly Me to the Moon
1942
His body seemed at peace, having reconciled its solitary, fourteen years existence upon the moon. A prison where gravity was much weaker than it was on Earth. His body's cellular structure now felt full, the only word he could ascribe to it. And yet, the new found stabilization was fleeting as he descended out of the canopy cloud cover. The air upon his skin, the breath that he took in, it all felt different. Cleaner. Fresher. More words that felt obtuse, but inescapable to him. Diana hovered further below. Her brilliant smile welcomed him, while the sight beyond her, left him speechless. His hand grazed her shoulders as his eyes took in the majesty that was Themyscira. The temperature became noticeably warmer as the large island's vibrancy wrapped around him. The land showcased a palette of colors that felt familiar, but more brilliant. Multiple shades of greenery, dotted spots and beds of exotic flowers, greater clarity of the Aegean Sea, the shimmering beaches of white and gold colored sand. So magnificent to Clark, he had to assure himself several times that his super vision powers were not being used.
Ridiculously tall, waterfalls fell further inland. So magnificent they were, it momentarily distracted him from the decidedly Greek-inspired architecture that made up the Amazons' temples, buildings and homes. So many columns, sharp corners and steps reflecting a harmonious balance amongst nature, function and aesthetic. There was even a massive coliseum situated on one of the island's peaks. Such feats of construction, beauty of nature, left Clark's face frozen in awe.
He felt Diana's hand cup his chin.
"You okay?" she asked amused. "You look a little…"
"Captivated? Stunned?" Clark responded. "Yeah, all of that. It's beautiful, Diana. More than I even imagined. A hidden paradise."
Diana took Clark's hand. "Come," she said. "So much I want you to see. Experience. But first, a favor. Stealth. Look to the top of the hill, the west side of the island. The large structure is mother's home. To its side, the smaller one, is where I live."
"Got it," Clark replied. "Your home."
"Yes," Diana confirmed. "Without a sonic boom, how fast can you get us…"
Clark quickly, yet gently, took hold of Diana, and accelerated downward at just under seven hundred miles per hour. He slowed down considerably as they moved through an open doorway of her home. There they floated until Clark tapped his feet down upon the central room's floor.
"…inside, I was going to say," she finished, removing strands of windblown, dangling hair off her face.
Clark sheepishly smiled, placing a tuft of Diana's errant hair behind her shoulder.
"Welcome," she greeted Clark to her home.
Clark surveyed what looked to be a main living area. Sunlight streamed down through a mushroom plume, circular glass skylight. The white stone walls, at least five meters tall, were adorned with engaging, surreal and abstract paintings. The room was sparse with furniture, a large white, with gold-trim circular table dominated the area. A lovely vase, with equally lovely flowers resided on its top.
Clark envisioned Diana placing the flowers just right.
Several pillowy pieces, made for sitting, were strewn about the space. A very tall floor mirror was placed near an entranceway. Diana's sword and shield resided in one of the room's corners. Clark's overriding thought, however, was the origin of everything before him. Were the Amazons not only a fierce society of deadly warriors, but also a labor force of incredibly skilled architects, builders and artisans?
He felt Diana's eyes upon him, she keenly observed his facial expressions.
"I'm going to say it," Clark started with a grin. "Our homes are polar opposites."
Diana's crinkled, bewildered brow left Clark realizing his joke missed the mark. "Just a little," Diana covered with an artificial, ha-ha smile. "Intent was funny, but logistically, Themyscira is not the North Pole."
"Ouch, princess," Clark feigned his hurt.
Diana hooked arms with Clark as she stood against him near an open rectangular window. Soft, white fabric curtains flowed, bopped around with the incoming warm, wind currents off the sea.
"I can understand why no one would ever want to leave here," he said, looking out to a tall, rocky cliff side; white spray waves crashed against it far below.
Several Amazons could be seen spear fishing. Diana's eyes glazed slightly over enjoying a moment of infrequent serenity that man's twentieth century allowed her.
"Most likely, we don't have much time," Diana broke the comfortable silence. "You were fast enough for most of them, but she will have seen us coming in."
"Really?" Clark questioned. "Your mother would have still caught that?"
"Not my mother," Diana said, tapping Clark's backpack. "She is not always on guard. You may want to go full Kryptonian attire now."
Diana herself, barely finished changing her clothes when she heard the noticeable footsteps of her Amazonian sister. The big, beautiful, brown-skin woman walked towards, and stood in front of Clark. With a suspicious scour, she surveyed him from head to feet. Phillipus was a couple inches taller than Clark, and nearly as big. She cast a look to Diana, who was seated in a very plush chair, which made it appear she was melting down into it. Phillipus strode casually around Clark, who moved only his eyes to track her movement. She snorted lightly as she came back into his view.
"I give you this, Clark Kent," she said. "Your attire is compelling. You and Diana share an affinity for similar uniform style, and coloring."
"F-chary-sto," Clark said in his most gentle, yet commanding voice; at least he hoped.
Phillipus' intrigued looked went from Clark to Diana and back to Clark. "You know our language?"
"If as Diana told me, not as many languages as you and your sisters do," Clark hypothesized.
"We've been taught every language used on this planet," Phillipus said. "Events off of Themyscira lend us balance in understanding man's world. The languages spoken become our way of insight to your world's events. Your people. We've been English-centric now, for what, Diana, at least a century?"
"And my language?" Clark asked.
"You jest, Clark Kent?" Phillipus questioned. "Isn't that knowledge a party of one, you?"
"I meant no disrespect," Clark countered. "I published papers, decades ago, about Krypton. I wrote of our language. Thought, maybe it came into your sphere of learning. As where there are twenty-four letters in your native language, there are thirty-three as part of Kryptonian linguistics. I would be honored to present it to you."
"I am intrigued, Clark Kent," Phillipus managed a tight smile.
"And I will take that as not a, no," Clark replied.
"The cape is fantastic, don't you think?" Diana sought to steer the conversation back to the mundane, as she fiddled with the fabric of her sleeveless white dress. A clothes decision she continued to mentally debate, whether she dressed for Clark or her station as daughter of a queen.
Phillipus' side-eye was enough for Diana to feel unreasonably intimidated, and to shrink down a little more into the chair.
"So, Clark Kent," Phillipus enunciated quite distinctly.
"Please," Clark mildly interrupted. "Just Clark is good."
Phillipus sharply smiled, not very appreciative of the correction. "I see," she said. "Clark. Clark, let me be direct. Has my sister told you the history between man and the Amazons; specifically those on Themyscira?"
"Enough to know it has not been a good one since the betrayal," Clark said. "My hope, sincere, is that you will see me, beyond the label of man. More a comrade; maybe someday a friend."
"I would be hard-pressed to believe such a day will come," Phillipus responded. "You are not the first man my sister has acquainted herself with."
"Philla!" Diana said, a little louder than she wanted, as she rose out of the chair. "That's not appropriate."
"Histrionics, sister?" Phillipus observed of Diana. "Is your man incapable of speaking for himself?"
Clark and Diana both, could not help themselves with sheepish smiles at Phillipus' categorization of Clark.
"He can," Clark said.
"So, you admit," Phillipus observed. " You see yourself as Diana's?"
Clark looked to Diana, who had the silliest grin on her face, as she waited for his answer. Clark was about to respond when Diana and Phillipus heard more familiar footfalls from an adjoining room. Phillipus stood at attention, looking past Clark, out a window to the natural beauty that was her home. Diana took a long breath, and saddled close to Clark's left arm.
"Is that…?" Clark began to ask when Queen Hippolyta walked into the room.
She wore a light gold-colored gown, its hem danced upon the white, marble floor. Her tight, sculpted arms and bare shoulders contrasted nicely against the loose, flowing dress. A sparkling jewel-encrusted, leather choker wore around her neck. And, a sheathed sword upon her back.
"It is," Hippolyta said to Clark. "My hearing is quite adept, but as I understand, not as good as yours."
Clark's immediate thought was why she wore her sword.
Phillipus turned and exchanged a glance with Hippolyta. She turned to Diana, and mouthed, "Good luck."
The Amazon quickly exited from Diana's living area, and her home.
"So," Hippolyta began as she moved closer to Clark. "You are here. The outside world calls you Superman. If anything, an oxymoron, I would declare."
"I am honored to meet you, Queen Hippolyta," Clark said, ignoring the verbal slight. His arms remained close to his sides. "I would be honored if you called me, Clark."
Hippolyta graciously smiled. "Able deflection, Clark," she observed. "My daughter taught you the correct pronunciation of my name. Throughout my history, a long history, it was always man who mispronounced it. You are not from this planet."
"Krypton," Clark replied. "A world that was many light years away. Gone, now."
"Destroyed?" she asked.
"My understanding was a planetary, natural event," Clark responded. "I was researching its end. Before events pulled me away."
Hippolyta eyed Clark, taking deep measure. She moved past both, he and Diana towards another open window. Clark questioned once again his eyesight when the streaming sunlight created a glow around Hippolyta.
"I have you to thank for saving this world alongside my daughter?" she questioned as much stated.
"And thousands of other women and men," Clark answered as he looked to and from daughter and mother.
"Assuredly," she replied, her visual attention still to the sea and surrounding vista. "To stop another malcontent man bent on dominance."
"Yes," Clark said.
Hippolyta turned her full attention to Clark. "No further commentary?"
"What you said is fact," Clark said. "As I have asked of your daughter, her fellow sisters, and now you, Queen Hippolyta. Judge me and all other men on this planet for who we are, rather than what we as a whole, represent to you."
"Diana mentioned you were well versed," Hippolyta said. "But words. Pretty words. Soothing words. Can and do have hidden agendas."
"Once again," Clark replied. "I cannot argue that. And once again, judge me within the lens of Clark Kent, Kal-El."
"Your uniform," Hippolyta observed. "It is quite a statement."
"It represents my Kryptonian heritage," Clark answered. "It is an ambassadorial uniform. I felt it, appropriate in my introducing myself to this world. My adopted home. To you."
"Then it is I who should be honored," Hippolyta said with a hint of true graciousness. "My daughter is no fool, so I give appropriate weight to her judgment of you. That is the sole reason you have been allowed to step foot on Themyscira. You hold affection for my daughter?"
Clark pivoted his head to Diana at his side, and failed to realize when their hands had found each other. He provided a reassuring smile at the concern that emanated from her eyes. His free hand graced her smooth cheek.
"As I told her earlier today," Clark said, looking at Diana. "I do hold great affection for your daughter."
Diana squeezed Clark's hand harder, she leaned her cheek into his caress, and then broke slightly away.
"Mother?" she addressed, walking over to Hippolyta, whose visual attention was still upon the singing nature outside of Diana's house. "I ask that you allow Kal admittance, to and from Themyscira. I respectfully request you accept him as a part of my life."
Hippolyta turned to Diana, looking past her, to Clark.
"A man you have known for barely a blink of your existence," Hippolyta said. "You would give your heart. Your body to him."
"Yes," Diana said.
"You trust him?" Hippolyta questioned.
"With my life," Diana said. "Which he has protected many times."
"Queen Hippolyta," Clark interjected. "Diana saved my life, at a risk of giving hers. Just one of many incredible things about her, she would have done that for anyone. Her heart. It's so pure. Determined. And that is one of many reasons mine is hers."
Diana could barely contain a sensation of wanting to just meld into Clark's essence. She managed to catch her mother's mouth twitch, a sign that Clark's declaration affected her. For the good.
Hippolyta breathed out a long sigh. "That, was good, Clark," she started. "Man does put its best foot forward when it desires something. My daughter is immortal. Few things can hurt her. Even fewer could end her life. You. Her. This, relationship. Tell me, Clark, how long will you live?"
Clark walked over, stopping just behind Diana. "I studied my physiology, structure. Its inevitable break down is much slower than a native Earth human. My initial results, if there is a yellow sun, the cellular decay is minimal."
"Immortal?" Hippolyta asked.
"No," Clark answered. "There is a degradation. I will die, but if from a natural case of old age, it could be several centuries, maybe longer."
"And you accept that?" Hippolyta asked of Diana.
"I would accept much less, mother," Diana responded.
Hippolyta stood there as she watched her daughter fall back against Clark's chest. His hands placed upon her shoulders.
"I say this in front of my daughter, Clark Kent, Kal-El," she declared. "I will honor this relationship, but if you endanger my daughter without her consent, if you endanger Themyscira without my consent, I will bring forth all my abilities to punish you."
"Then you will never punish me," Clark quickly responded.
"Time will tell," Hippolyta said. "We will have food in my home. I do have curiosity about the outside world that has not been as forthcoming. Are you a good storyteller, Clark?"
Several hours later, with dinner, song and conversation having ran its course, Clark and Diana strolled a Themyscira beach side. Clark had changed back into the clothes he met Diana with earlier on the island of Crete. He left his boots in Diana's home. She wore Clark's cape over her dress, carried her shoes in hand, enjoying the tickling, fine grains of sand that passed through her toes. The cape's bottom edge slid a bit heavy across the sand, sweeping over her footprints.
"She does," Diana assured, playing with Clark's hand as they walked.
The sun neared its setting as dusk was near. Clark looked upward into the looming night sky, countless stars were more apparent.
"I do like her," Clark said, turning his attention back to Diana. "For which, I think she tolerates me, which I find more than acceptable. Considering her history. I'm still not sure she believed my moon story."
Diana turned into Clark's body, clasping her arms around his waist. "You promised me a trip there," she said. "I intend to take you up on that."
"We get our world back moving in the right direction," Clark said, fixating on her arched eyebrows. "I'll take you anywhere."
"Ideas on how we do that?" Diana asked, as they resumed walking, close enough to the edge for their feet to get wet from the lapping waves.
"It must be the people," Clark said. "The more I think about this United Nations project, it seems the right direction. With growing technologies, the world becomes ever smaller. We, countries, cannot remain isolationists."
"Would you include Themyscira in that?" Diana said.
"Someday," Clark replied. "Maybe, Hippolyta will see the benefit of being part of the world's affairs. She could be a powerful voice."
"An overpowering voice," Diana hedged. "Mother can be, a bit much."
Clark laughed, Diana so enjoyed the sight of his happiness.
"Was it that funny?" she grinned.
"More, the absurdity that is our lives," Clark said. "Here we are, in a, paradise. Five weeks ago, I was paralyzed on the moon's surface. Make my way home to find the world at war, again. For even higher stakes. I meet a, wonder woman, who becomes my partner in staving off evil. An evil that left so many broken pieces to put together out here. Broken people. Pain, can it ever be healed? I know the world needs us, but finding you, I don't want to lose us to the world."
"Never," Diana assured. "One day at a time, Kal. One of so many days we know, even if we're not together, we'll always find our way back."
Clark stopped walking, he held onto Diana's arm. She turned to him as the quarter moon overtook the sun for sky dominance. The low light reflected off of Diana's moist lips. Clark could not resist, bringing Diana closer to him. Her body willingly arched further into his. Her lips felt so soft, pliable, as he tasted the wine they drank minutes ago.
"I, I," he said. "Should I be going?"
"Going where?" Diana asked, as a bubbling, aching desire stirred within her.
"We, didn't discuss," Clark said, his fingers pressed, massaging Diana's lower back. "I, should probably head back to the Fortress. Plenty to do before the meeting next week."
Diana's warm breath, her face nuzzled, against Clark's neck. "Take me," she whispered loud enough for him to hear. Clearly.
Clark lifted her chin up to become lost again in Diana's dark brown eyes. They seemed so open to him. Her strong hands upon his chest. Assuredly, she must have felt his pounding heart.
"Kal," she breathed, their mouths so close to touching.
Clark brought Diana into his body, and he soared upward. Her lips pressed so wonderfully hard, and probing, against his. Her taut legs wrapped around his waist. As they reached high above Themyscira, Clark thought he saw a lightning bolt, but there was no following thunderclap. He dropped down to an open balcony, just outside Diana's sleeping quarters. She took Clark's hand, led him towards her bed. Her body felt so alive, wired, as she turned back to him. Fingers found buttons on his shirt, which soon came off. His bare torso exposed before her, she could not resist, the feel of his so muscular chest, arms. His unyielding stomach.
She stepped back to remove her dress. Clark was rooted to the spot, words failed to materialize in his thoughts. His mouth. His eyes pulsed a soft red as his heartbeat quickened even more. Barely controlled lust raced through his body as her clothing fell to the warm, marble floor. There was no shyness from Diana, as she stood naked in front of him.
"Of course you keep the cape on," Clark whispered-breathed.
"You like?" Diana asked, her body moved, posed provocatively with the cape opened and then closed around her inviting flesh.
"I need to tell you something," he managed with more control.
"Anything," she said, floating slightly upward, her clasped hands came down around Clark's neck, then unclasped as they carried from his shoulders, down his body, to his belt that she went to remove.
His eyes closed as her kisses rained upon his chest.
"Diana," Clark said, his body twitched repeatedly, ever so slightly, in whether to interact or remain still. He sensed himself losing control again, over a control he had always placed upon himself.
"Yes," she almost moaned.
"I've," Clark said, his hands moved up to caress, wander upon Diana's shoulders and arms. He removed the cape, tossed it to a nearby chair. "I've, I've never been with a woman. In this way."
Diana stopped as Clark's pants crumpled to the floor; she looked up to find his embarrassed eyes.
"Kal?" she soothed. "I, I assumed, you and Lois."
"No," he replied. "There was a moment, between us, but it didn't happen."
"Oh. No one else?" Diana asked. "Lana, that you mentioned, before you went to Metropolis?"
"Teenage stuff," Clark said. "Nothing, like this. Here. You and me."
"How is that possible?" Diana continued. "You must have had opportunity. I'm sorry, these last fifteen years. Goddess, every time I think of you up there. Alone. Okay, stop Diana. Kal, what woman could you not have been with before the moon? Just today, several of my sisters looked at you in a way that, well, I'll let that be. There is not a better man alive."
"I, I," Clark stammered. "How do I respond to that? I've always been, kind of an introvert. There were some, women that approached me at the university. Later, at the Institute in Metropolis. They were smart. Pretty. Interesting, I guess. I did go out on dates, but I really never felt a certain way, until Lois. But. Lois, me, we found ourselves in two different worlds. With my life, I guess I should clarify that figuratively. How ridiculous this sounds, now, me here, naked with the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. I ruined it, this, didn't I? You look, troubled."
"No," Diana answered as her hands rested on Clark's hips. "No. Just playing what-ifs in my mind. We're here now. You and me, right? You chose me, Kal. I, you. And you, still, appear eager to continue."
Diana pulled down and off Clark's briefs, her cheek skimmed against one of his thighs.
"Very eager," she observed, as her hands continued to explore Clark's body.
He scooped her up, floated and hovered over to her pillow-laden bed. Clark gently brought himself down on top of her. His kisses lingered upon her body. All that followed became a blissful haze of crested, pent up tension, released as bodies came together. Under the moonlit skylight, they gave into an ever heightened level of sensation, received and given, ultimately succumbing to a pleasurable exhaustion. There, the two most powerful people on the planet fell asleep amidst intertwined arms and legs.
Diana awakened the next morning as the rays of the rising sun washed over her body. Clark, however, was not there. For a few worrisome seconds, she wondered if last night had been all in her imagination, until she saw his cape on the foot of the bed. A smile creeped on her face as she recalled the cape's usage from hours ago.
"Kal?" she tested with a barely-there whisper as she got out of the bed.
"In the kitchen, I think," he said from several rooms away.
Diana smiled, and caught a glance of Clark's t-shirt hanging out of his bag. She grabbed it, brought it to her face and nose, taking in Clark's scent. She threw it on, and walked towards his voice.
"Is that coffee I smell?" she asked, at the sight of Clark reaching into a large, paper bag.
"It is indeed," he said. "Your first and favorite coffee was in Brazil. So, a little trip to Minas Gerais. Also, have pastries. Fresh fruit. And, let's see, what else…"
Diana sped into Clark's arms. Her kisses caused him to laugh uncontrollably as he lifted her in the air.
"Good morning," he said. "Nice shirt."
"Thank you. Good morning, my love," she said.
"My love?" Clark asked, still adrift in the kitchen space.
"Does that bother you?" Diana asked, her arms firmly around Clark's upper shoulders and neck.
"No," Clark replied. "I like it, a lot. Say it again."
"My love," Diana over enunciated. "My love, my love, my love."
"Last night," Clark started, his eyes grew bigger.
Diana buried her head against Clark's chest, his shirt was mostly unbuttoned. Her nose tickled against enough chest hair to still have her puzzled over his slow facial hair growth. "Were you pleased?" she teased, slowly looking up into Clark's eyes.
Clark stifled a laugh. "Ask me in a few minutes."
"A few minutes?" Diana questioned.
"I need…," he whispered softly into her ear.
"Kal," Diana grinned. "What have I unleashed?"
Clark, rather than move with Diana towards the bedroom, instead flew them out and up, high above Themyscira. Diana lost not a second of composure as she maintained eye contact with Clark. In concert with him, she once again clasped her legs around his mid-section.
"You know," she said, feeling the warmth of Clark and the sun. "Our coffee is going to get cold."
"Really?" he questioned, as his eyes glowed a light red. "I think I have that covered."
A couple miles below on Themyscira, several Amazons jogged a dirt trail only to pause when they heard the sound of laughter descend from high above.
Much further above, on another plane of existence, additional eyes and ears were also attuned to the strengthened coupling of Clark and Diana. The Almighty Zeus stood in the center courtyard of Mt. Olympus Gardens. Several birds of majestic color swooped down and past him. Spouting water fountains, carved in the images of the Gods and Goddesses, served as artistic edge points to the squared shaped area. Despite the bountiful, sensory overload of beauty before him, Zeus still heard the approaching of his Goddess wife, Hera.
"Your demi-daughter," she said with an icy chill. "Has solidified a relationship with the Kryptonian."
"We knew the possibility existed as soon as the Kryptonian came into his power," Zeus replied. "It was only a matter of time before they would find each other."
"The mortals will look to them, do look to them as modern day deities," Hera warned. "They stopped another foolish war, started by another foolish mortal."
"This concerns you," Zeus observed, seemingly apathetic to that realization.
"It should also you, my Lord," Hera claimed. "The Earth-bound world needs to be reminded."
Zeus placed his hand upon Hera's arm. "What do you propose?" he asked.
As Zeus listened to Hera's persuasive argument, the days and weeks sped along for Clark and Diana. The world sought its way forward after the events of World War Two. A war in which forty million lives were lost during Hitler's rampage. Formalized and operationalized in 1942, the United Nations, in concert with Clark and Diana, created a blueprint and set of protocols for the over two hundred countries around the world. A check-and-balance process that theoretically, would never again allow a power-hungry individual or country to bring forth chaos and destruction. The world was eager to adopt this stance, for the two and a half billion remaining lives would continue to internally harbor the World War Two stain of evil perpetrated to and by their fellow humans.
The remainder of 1942 saw Clark and Diana spearheading the "rebuild the world" movement. Ideologies, both political and religious, were placed to the side in favor of individuals helping individuals. The movement became known as, We Are One. WAO branches popped up all across the world. It reached its height in 1947 with over five hundred offices across the globe. Clark and Diana made it a point to have at least one of them visit each office at least once a year. The work seemed never ending, but the world was at relative peace. Clark and Diana fell into a familiar pattern of supplying inspiration and tangible results to the peoples of Earth. Countries still had differences, internally and externally, but decades passed before such an incident would reach a worrisome level causing Clark and Diana's direct intervention.
In a world ideology still based upon male hierarchy, Clark noticed the rise of outlier organizations that came to worship him as a new god. They grew to become House of El worship temples. Temples ran by a gamut of individuals who previously viewed either Christianity, Islam, Hindu, Buddhism or Judaism as their spiritual savior and road to enlightenment. Clark became their new savior. He had never identified himself with any one religious group, despite his Earth parents being Christians. They never pushed their beliefs upon him, which led Clark to his own spiritual journey and path. A quite singular path that led to his acceptance of a non-denominational, higher-plane presence greater than himself.
The alien and scientist that was Clark, hampered that acceptance to it becoming an all-in belief. The scientist in him argued there was nothing beyond what his senses provided, what his calculations proved. He was steadfast in the recognition process of why mysteries still existed. It was due simply to an unrealized science explanation that would eventually reveal itself. Then there was Clark's origin, an alien from another world. Born in another star system many light years away from Earth. A world in which Kryptonians too, had their own religion, Raoism. A singular religion to be adhered and practiced as detailed in its bible, the Book of Rao. A religion where there was not one deity to worship and follow, but fourteen. Clark learned of these Rao tenets thanks to the technology left by Jor-El in his Kryptonian escape vessel, but Clark always wondered how such a science-based society could also practice a religion based solely on belief.
Such thoughts continued to play in his mind when he met a certain Amazon and her immortal mother and sisters, whose lives were drawn from learned mythology that may have actually existed in some fashion.
Clark's beliefs continued to take shape as a marriage of science and religion seemed possible to him. He spent considerable time in conversation with the new Superman worshipping groups. They were undeterred in their newfound beliefs. Clark saw no viable way to change their opinions. They praised his good and fantastical deeds, and explained away his failures when he could not save everyone. Clark asked Patrick Wayne, and other established contacts around the world, to assist in monitoring them. It made him extremely uneasy to allow such groups to continue, but there was no viable alternative. Their teachings and way of life were principles Clark could not argue against because they were also his – provide hope where there is none, and to never put oneself above another. His fear of becoming a cult of personality was matched by a fear the worship groups could be falsely manipulated.
By 1945, Clark and Diana were splitting their residences between Themyscira and the Fortress. When they were not at the Fortress, Martha Kent chose occasionally to spend time with family back in the United States. Both, Diana and Clark had wanted Martha to visit Themyscira, but Hippolyta had been adamant since Clark's first visit that he was still in a Themyscira probationary period. Diana was greatly surprised when in the Spring of 1945, she mentioned to her mother that Martha would soon be celebrating her eightieth birthday. Rather than a throwaway response, Hippolyta offered to hold a celebration for Martha. The celebration would lead to many more visits by Martha to Themyscira, which led to her setting up permanent residence, within Hippolyta's own home.
As Clark witnessed an immediate connection between his mother and Hippolyta, he felt the time was right in October of 1945 to propose a more official union to Diana. Months earlier, he had designed and created an engagement ring made of tungsten and steel. At its center was a round, brilliant diamond that he spent an inordinate amount of time cutting and shaping. Clark knew exactly how and where he would ask for Diana's hand in marriage on October 21, 1945.
"Are you sure?" she asked, looking up at the full moon.
Clark leaned against the main front, doorframe in Diana's home. He held two, breathing-type devices in his hand. They had been refined, and made more compact than his last iteration.
"You'll be able to breathe. Speak," Clark assured. "Enough air to last for hours. Your body has already been space tested. No blown out eyeballs. Ear drums."
"You make it sound so appealing," Diana teased, playing with one of the breathing devices in Clark's hand. "Okay, when do we go, tomorrow morning?"
"No time like the present," Clark offered. "We're still in our gear. By the time we hit the exosphere, you'll see a most beautiful breaking of the sun over the Eastern Hemisphere. Shall we?"
Diana's wide smile was the answer Clark sought. He instructed her on the breathing device's operational features and safety measures. The device was mostly constructed of a Clark Kent proprietary hard, transparent material, suction secured over the face like a bubble.
"How do I look?" she asked. "I thought it would feel claustrophobic, but it's comfortable."
Clark ran his fingers through Diana's hair to loosen any errant strands from the device's hold. "Everything looks good," he responded.
He placed his device on, and tapped the shield near his ear. He motioned for Diana to remain grounded while he flew up, stopping about a mile high.
"You hear me?" she heard Clark's voice from the inside of the shield.
"I do," Diana said as she took flight to join Clark above. "Is this like the ear transmitters?"
"Similar principle," Clark said. "But, space and the moon present their own challenges when it comes to communication. You got satellites, receivers, networking. The potential of latency, which shouldn't be a problem, though. Let's see, radiation interference…"
"Okay, okay," Diana said, taking his hand. "I get it. Your brilliance will not only keep us breathing, but also talking to each other."
"Well," Clark smiled. "I want to show off my brain side to you sometimes, too."
Diana squeezed Clark's arm. "I love all sides of you. Serious question, you okay? It will be your first time."
"I'm good," Clark replied. "Actually, eager to get back there. The sight from there, upon Earth. It's indescribable."
"So, this is why you asked me to wear this," Diana said pantomiming to the black, form-fitting body suit she wore. "I thought we were going to have, some role-play. The villainess in black seduces the hero."
"That, sounds interesting," Clark replied. "But, yes, staying on focus, yes, the suit is nearly indestructible. Perfect for the journey."
"So, how do we travel?" Diana asked while purposely teasing Clark with an alluring pose. "Back or arms?"
"You know I can't concentrate when you do that," Clark said. "My thoughts go elsewhere."
"I see," Diana smiled looking down. "I'll be good. Back or arms?"
"Behind," Clark managed, as Diana floated around him and saddled his back. "Ready?"
"How far is it again?" Diana asked.
"Give or take, two hundred fifty thousand miles," Clark answered trying to dismiss the pleasurable tightness of Diana's legs around his waist. "I'm curious to see how fast I can make the flight. My body is different this time. My mentality."
"Don't slow down on my account," Diana said, giving Clark a quick shoulder massage. "Let's fly."
"Let's fly," Clark echoed as he moved upward, his speed increased every second.
They soon broke through the Earth's atmosphere into outer space. That was when Clark tapped into his personal speed force, his arms were outstretched before him, aimed squarely towards the Earth's moon. He heard Diana's high-pitched giggling, cheering him on. Her hands pleasantly dug deeper into his shoulders.
"Remember," he said. "Gravity is different on the surface. Take a few small steps to get your legs."
"Kal!" she exclaimed. "This is incredible! I can't believe the majesty of it all. And a reminder."
"Reminder?" he asked, as their deceleration commenced, the moon loomed very close.
"How small we are," she said, looking back behind her to the shrinking Earth. "We must always protect it."
"We will," Clark assured, reaching up and back to feel her hand. "Here we are."
Clark touched down on a fairly open spot of the moon's surface. He felt Diana get off of him, and immediately wobble.
"You good?" he smiled, holding her arm as she regained balance.
She laughed, placing a hand on Clark's arm. "By the Goddesses, Kal," she said, turning in all directions, stopping at the view of Earth. "I have no words. No suitable words. Just, thank you."
"You're not cold?" he asked. "Body feeling strange?"
"No," Diana said. "If anything, I feel invigorated."
From behind, Clark placed his arms around Diana to enjoy a vision that could only be imagined by the masses back on Earth. To see a blue marble, with swirls, blobs of white, brown and green, hanging in the blackness of space, illuminated by a distant sun and thousands of other even more distant stars. Time on the moon was lost again to Clark, but this time, it was too perfect. The potential symmetry played in his head, that the moon gave him one of his darker moments, but it would now potentially give him one of his brightest.
"Were you as fast as you hoped?" Diana asked, resting her head on the back of Clark's chest.
"My internal clock has it no more than six minutes," Clark replied. "Much faster than last time. Another self-study project for me to do."
"Can I get a relative perspective?" Diana asked.
Clark placed his chin upon Diana's shoulder. "Relative perspective? My science ways rubbing off on you," he observed. "Think, one time around Earth, little more than half a minute. It used to take me five. And I still feel like I'm not tapping into my fastest."
"Is it possible you will get stronger, faster as you continue to age?" Diana asked.
"For the time being," he offered. "That seems probable."
"My Superman," Diana said, as she turned to him. "You bring me all this way, and I can't reward you with a kiss."
"Can you hold your breath?" Clark asked taking a small, deep breath, and he then removed his breathing device.
He smiled, looked to Diana as she nodded her head affirmatively. Clark carefully removed her device. With the Earth just beyond her head, Clark gently grabbed Diana by her waist, bringing her into him.
"Have I told you how happy you make me?" Diana asked after Clark placed their devices back on.
"Yes, you do," he replied. "But, I can only give what I receive."
"Kal?" Diana said with a hint of seriousness. "Show me. Where you were."
Clark took a deep breath despite having plenty of breathable air. He nodded and swept an arm under Diana's arm. They took off, flew several meters above the moon's surface until Clark saw shards of the luminescent green rocks strewn across the ground in the distance. As he got closer, a rush of dizziness hit him, but quickly passed. He landed near a large batch of the rock pieces, most were embedded into the dirt. Diana picked up a sizeable chunk. She felt its heft, smoothness.
"It no longer hurts you?" she asked.
"No," Clark said, picking up a piece himself. "Whatever poisonous effect it initially had, my body built up a tolerance."
Clark examined the rock in his hands for a few second, and then tossed it downward. As did Diana with the piece she held. Clark noticed a glistening sheen in her eyes.
"Don't cry," he soothed.
"It hurt you," she said. "That hurts me. I will never let anything, anyone hurt you."
"My warrior, you are," Clark observed. "Strength, intelligence, beauty, compassion. All that I could ever dream, more than I could ever expect, and yet here you are."
Clark went down to one knee, Diana was unsure of what exactly was happening. She thought the green rocks were having an adverse effect upon Clark. Instead, she watched Clark bring something from the inside of one of his boots. A small, cloth bag. His eyes never left hers as his fingers pulled out the engagement ring.
"Diana, of Themyscira," Clark said. "I love you. Honor, respect you. And will always be only yours. I ask you, if you feel the same about me, marry me. Become my wife."
Clark watched as more tears streamed down Diana's face. She dropped glided down in front of him, placed her hands on either side of his shield.
"Tears and not being able to wipe," observed Clark.
Diana laughed, and looked down at the ring. "Kal," she replied. "Nothing. Nothing on Earth, this moon, the galaxy, would make me happier than to call you husband."
"So, it's a yes," Clark confirmed.
"Of course it is," she replied.
Clark placed the ring on Diana's finger. The just engaged couple would share one more kiss before heading back to Earth. Maybe two kisses.