SuperWonder || DC || SuperWonder || (Hu)Man's World || SuperWonder || DC || SuperWonder
Title: Wonder Woman & Superman: (Hu)Man's World
Fandom: DC Comics / Arrowverse
Disclaimer: All rights concerning the Arrowverse reserved to Greg Berlanti and Marc Guggenheim, all rights for the comics reserved to DC. This fanfiction on the other hand is entirely mine. No money is made with this, though reviews are more than welcomed.
Tags: m/f, off-screen character death (Jonathan Kent), grieving, fluff, falling in love, wedding, f/f
Main Pairing: SuperWonder
Side Pairings: Lois/Cat, James/Chloe, Lex/Lana
DC Characters: Diana Prince, Clark Kent, Jonathan Kent Jr., Martha Kent, Kara Danvers, Alexandra Danvers, Arthur Curry, James Olsen, Chloe Sullivan, Lois Lane, Catherine 'Cat' Grant, Carter Grant, Lex Luthor, Lana Lang, Alexander Luthor Jr., Kryptonite
Summary: Diana is in Man's World as an ambassador for the Amazons. The best way to spread word of that, she thinks, is through a reputable newspaper. That's how she first meets Clark Kent and first encounters Superman.
Wonder Woman & Superman
(Hu)Man's World
Jonathan Kent
1941-2005
Beloved Husband and Father
A heart-attack. Superman could fight criminals, monsters and villains, but... he was completely helpless against a heart-attack. Of all the things that could have taken his father, it was something that Clark Kent was completely powerless against. All he could do was stand with his mother and hold her as she cried at Jonathan's funeral, surrounded by their family and friends.
"I'm so sorry for your loss, Martha," offered Lex Luthor in a pained voice. "He was... one of the best men I ever had the privilege of knowing."
Martha forced a thin-lipped smile, knowing his words to be true. While Jonathan had held his parentage against Lex at first, the man had soon come around on a boy in need of a father figure; Lex was only a few years older than Clark, after all. Instead of condemning Lex for the sins of his father, Jonathan had taken it upon himself to fill the role of father-figure and decided to instead steer Lex into the right direction and teach the boy the right values. Over the past two years, Lex had even come to seek out the Kent Farm as a refuge, to get away from the city, from the expectations. On more than one occasion, Martha had baked the boy a pie and listened to his worries. It had, of course, helped that Lex's then fiance Lana Lang was from Smallville; a good excuse to come to town, for Martha doubted he would have come all on his own. Lana knew what her man needed though and when he needed a little nudge.
"I'm glad Jonathan got to meet Alex before he..." said Martha gently.
Her eyes found Lana, Lex's now wife, with their still rather newborn son against her chest. Alexander Luthor Junior had been born only months before Jonathan died and Jonathan had gotten to be there at Alex's christening and been able to toast Lex to fatherhood. Something Martha knew had meant the world to Lex, to hear Jonathan tell him he would be a good father.
"I'm so sorry, Clark", whispered Lana where she stood with Clark.
He was surrounded by her, Lois Lane and Cat Grant. During the funeral itself, James Olsen and Chloe Sullivan had stood right with them too, but now during the wake, the two had gravitated toward Chloe's family to speak to them for a while too.
"Thank you. I... I don't know how to imagine a world without him," admitted Clark.
Lois slipped a hand into his, squeezing. "And you're sure about staying here? I mean, I understand being there for your mother – but... your work... Is it..."
"Ma needs me. The farm needs me, without... without pa," argued Clark with a small head-shake. "And I can't... I think that I need it, for me. To be here, not to be in Metropolis."
"Whatever you need, you call us," ordered Cat in her firmest voice, not allowing an argument.
That made Clark smile just a little bit. He couldn't express just how grateful he was for the friends he had – the family he had. He knew he could rely on them all, he knew they had his back, would help him through this in whatever way he needed.
"It'll be nice to get away from Jim and Chloe constantly making out," tried Clark weakly.
It wasn't convincing, wasn't as funny as he had intended it, but the three women accepted his attempt and laughed nonetheless. It wasn't bad, living with Jim and Chloe. He loved them both. Though he still didn't quite know when or how Jim had moved in with them; he had simply stopped leaving at one point. Perhaps it was due to him? Chloe and Jim were the only ones who knew that Clark was Superman – the only ones aside from his parents, of course.
"Take all the time you need," advised Lana. "And, what Catherine said. If you need anything, you call us, okay? My husband owns a jet, I would be over quicker than Superman."
Clark was so lucky to have such caring and loving friends. Even Perry White was very understanding, Clark took some time off and afterward, he would be able to work from Smallville for a certain time so he could help his ma with the farm. Clark needed time. Time to come into a world without Jonathan Kent in it.
/break\
He hadn't realized just how much he had missed the farm. Working every day was good. The fresh air, the atmosphere of Smallville. The world seemed so much bigger here. After doing his chores, he joined his ma in the kitchen, kissing her cheek and then sitting down at the table. He opened the Daily Planet to read what his friends had been writing. Once again, Wonder Woman was all over the front page. Her and Aquaman, they had been the talk of the season, really.
Not that Superman was necessarily old news, but he had been around for a year by the time Wonder Woman and Aquaman first entered the scene and considering that Metropolis, in particular, could call Superman their own, for them those new heroes were more than just new – they were different.
Clark himself was probably even more interested than the average public. When Aquaman and Wonder Woman had first made a big appearance, Clark had been the one to name them, to write an article about how they saved an oil tanker outside of Maine, and giving them their names. The same way Lois Lane had named Superman. The names took off; the Daily Planet was such a big newspaper and due to the close relation to Superman, a bit of a voice of authority on superheroes. But some voices claimed that the so-called Wonder Woman might be more a Superwoman.
It made Clark blush a bit on association, but he understood where the public came from; same color-scheme on their costumes, similar powers. So far, she had displayed flight, super-strength and invulnerability. A part of Clark was hopeful too, maybe him and his cousin Kara were not the last Kryptonians, maybe this wonderful woman was also a survivor – how realistic was it, truly, that Kara and Clark had been the only ones to survive Krypton's destruction. Surely others had pods or ships too, many must have been out of Krypton, on vacation or immigrants who had moved to other planets a long time ago. It was impossible that only Kara and Clark had survived. Maybe this woman was a survivor like them. Clark surely had never seen anyone as similar to them as her.
"Clark, dear..." started Martha, interrupting Clark's thoughts.
He put the paper down and looked up at her. "Yes, ma?"
"I appreciate having you here. You've been a great help around the farm and... it's just so good to have you home again. Especially with... your father gone. But it's been a couple of weeks now and... you can't stop living your life, Clark. He was always so proud of you, he wouldn't want you to stop on his behalf, he'd want you to keep going. The world needs you too."
"I'm... still going out there, as Superman," argued Clark with a frown.
The look on Martha's face was so soft as she grasped his hands. "No, not Superman. Well, yes, also Superman. But... the world needs Clark Kent. Your father..."
As she paused, she got up and walked over toward a book-shelf. Clark watched her with curious and confused eyes. When she returned, she was carrying a photo-album, putting it down in front of Clark. Though as he opened it, he realized it wasn't filled with photos. Newspaper articles. Not about Superman, but by Clark Kent. Clark started flipping through it, eyes stinging as he realized that there was every article he had ever written in there – even going back to the things he had written for the school newspaper. Even the obituaries he used to write when he first started out at the Daily Planet. Everything neatly cut and glued into the album.
"Your father was very proud of what you did as Superman, but even before you ever put on a cape, he was so very proud of what you did as Clark Kent. And so am I. Every time I open the newspaper and see your name, it warms my heart. I'm so proud of you, Clark. And I do appreciate your help around the farm, but I... I don't want you to forget your own life."
Clark blinked away tears as he looked at his articles. He'd put going back to Metropolis off, because he didn't know what to do. When what was appropriate. He knew this feeling was never going to go away, regardless of how long he was going to hide away at the farm.
"Are... you sure you'll be alright, ma?" asked Clark with worried eyes.
She smiled at him and smoothed his hair down, kissing the top of his head. "I'm alright, darling. We've had hired help around the farm for a while now. And I'm not alone. Eliza is just a few minutes away and she has very much insisted that there is a standing invitation to come over. And I know you're only a phone-call away too. I want you to live your best life, Clark. Make us proud."
/break\
Clark had been back to work and back in Metropolis for about two weeks when he slowly put the phone down, a dazed expression on his face. It must have drawn Chloe's attention because she turned away from her computer to look at him curiously.
"What's gotten into you? Who was on the phone?"
"...Either I just got a prank call, or Wonder Woman just called to request an interview."
Now that got the attention of the others close-by too. Cat laughed, thinking it was a joke. Her girlfriend Lois next to her looked more intrigued. All Clark could do was blink a few times.
"She says that her and Aquaman have been reading about all the theories about them. And they want to set the record straight. Since I'm the one who... gave them their names," elaborated Clark.
"Well, by that standard, I should be expecting a phone-call from Superman," quipped Lois.
"Any day now, darling, any day," assured Cat amused, patting Lois' thigh.
"That's one way to get back into the job," offered James surprised. "You know, you're going to need a photographer for that interview, right? My best friend and roommate."
He slung a name around Clark, grinning. Clark nodded vaguely. He still wasn't sure what to think about that phone-call. Part of him could see that, see it being real. Because he had read the theories about his own origins too and a part of him wanted to set the record straight. The rest of him was a bit afraid of what people would think; he would be reduced to being an alien. The alien. He saw the media portrayal of aliens as threats and overlords, enemies to fight. He knew it would only make his life harder and he had only been Superman for over a year now, he wasn't ready for that.
"Well, you're going to figure out if it's real or not on the day of the interview. Nothing you can do now," stated Cat casually. "For now, more important things! You people are still coming over tonight for game night, right? Carter is looking forward to seeing you."
Clark adored Carter, Cat's infant son with the chubby cheeks and bright smiles. He loved babysitting the kid and yes, Carter was definitely the main appeal of going over to Cat and Lois' place. Clark was also aware that these weekly movie or game nights were mostly held for his sake, ever since he came back from Smallville. To help him through the loss, let him know his friends were there for him. Especially with how paired up they were – Cat and Lois, James and Chloe, Lex and Lana – they wanted to make sure he knew they loved him, were there for him, to not let him feel left out or like a third wheel. He was grateful for that, grateful for them.
/break\
Right up until the moment that Wonder Woman and Aquaman stepped through the door, Clark wasn't sure whether this was a prank. His mouth hung open just a little as the two approached him. He'd seen them from farther away, though his eyes were far better than those of humans, it still felt different to stand right in front of them like this. She was breathtaking. Wonder Woman. Thick, black hair falling in waves around her face, her eyes a deep blue, lips pulled into a polite smile. The golden tiara on her head with the star on it, the red v-neck top with the blue skirt, she reminded him of Kara's favorite fictional hero – Sailor Moon (Kara had been devastated when she learned that Sailor Moon wasn't real and she was not the actual princess of Earth's moon).
"Mister Kent. Thank you for having us," started Wonder Woman, reaching a hand out.
Clark hurried to get up, accepting her hand and shaking it. She was so much more beautiful up close. Not just the physical beauty that was so apparent; her eyes were filled with so much warmth and kindness and it was a whole different kind of beauty. Aquaman cleared his throat when the handshake and eye-staring went on a bit too long. With flushed cheeks did Clark turn toward him and accept Aquaman's hand too. The other man offered him an aloof smile.
"I... Thank you for reaching out. I admit, I... didn't quite know if this was real? Or a prank?"
Aquaman laughed, a hollering sound but so genuine that it made Clark smile slightly too. After a moment, Clark motioned for the two to take a seat on the couch, right opposite him.
"I understand why you would think that," admitted Aquaman amused.
"So... Seeing as you were the instigators of this interview, I think you have something to say. Why don't we start with that?", suggested Clark once everyone was settled in.
Wonder Woman offered him a smile and a head-tilt at that. "Yes, that is why we're here, after all. We're here as... Oh, I'm not sure where to start."
"Mh... How about this? I'm the prince of Atlantis," Aquaman offered with a large grin.
Clark was recording everything, but he still also liked to make physical notes while in the moment, though he didn't quite know what to do with that. Atlantis? Like the Disney movie?
"And I am Princess Diana of Themyscira," stated Wonder Woman.
"Themyscira? Like the... mythological island of amazons?" asked Clark surprised.
"Never met anyone who knew what that was," chuckled Aquaman impressed.
"Ah. Yes, my cousin, she held a presentation on Greek mythology in school last year and she was so enraptured by the amazons, it was all she talked about for weeks," explained Clark a bit embarrassed. "But... surely... those are merely... stories?"
"She looking like a story, mate?" asked Aquaman, both eyebrows raised. "No, my dude, she's the real deal. Daughter of Zeus and Queen Hippolyta. Half god, half amazon, all badass."
A light flush lit up her cheeks as Wonder Woman brushed her hair out of her face, a very fond smile on her lips. It was clear that the two were incredibly close. Clark made a note, to ask later. For now, he had to focus on this revelation. Half god. That sure explained her powers.
"So... So you are telling me that... the Greek gods are real? And you are a direct descendant of one? You have to excuse my disbelief; that is a lot to take in," stated Clark reluctantly.
"We both are, actually," corrected Aquaman, leaning forward some, his arms on his knees. "My great... great whatever, was a son of Poseidon. And he was the founder of Atlantis."
"Of course," muttered Clark beneath his breath, blinking a couple times.
It made Aquaman laugh. "Yeah. That's why we're here, actually. Princess of Themyscira, prince of Atlantis. We're here as... official ambassadors of our homes."
"Ambassadors? So you are here in a political function?" inquired Clark, perking up a little.
"Yes. I want to... rekindle the relationship between man's world and Themyscira."
"Ye—ep. Same, just between the surface and the ocean," agreed Aquaman. "We've been isolated for so long, people think what's fact is mere fiction. Millennia ago, the world knew and respected Atlantis and Themyscira. Now, we're a faded note in history books."
"It's time to rekindle relations between our worlds," declared Wonder Woman with fierce eyes.
Clark made so many notes, completely in awe. He'd never had a story like this before. It wasn't what he had hoped for – very naively, he had hoped that she was a Kryptonian – but it was more than he could have ever imagined, really. Gods. Atlantis. Amazons.
"Why... now?" asked Clark after a moment, when it became apparent that the two were lost on what to say next. "I'm assuming Themyscira and Atlantis have been around for a long time. Why now?"
"I'm mortal," offered Aquaman with a casual gesture. "So, I haven't been around as long."
"But he... influenced me," interjected Diana with a soft smile. "His stories of man's world-"
"Uhm, how does that work?" interrupted Clark, holding one hand up. "I'm sorry, but before you continue, I'm confused. You said you are Atlantean?"
"Yeah. I am Atlantean. And human. I'm of both worlds, so to speak. When I was a kid, I was introduced to this bonkers new world – and it blew my mind. The people I met, the culture, the... everything. I'll tell you one thing, you ain't ever seen anything like Themyscira or Atlantis. So much knowledge, so many amazing things, that were closed off to me. To the world. And it shouldn't."
"Okay, so, you have been born in the human world and then joined this... other world?" asked Clark, actively trying to hold back writing inhumanly fast. "That is how the two of you met?"
"It is. Themyscira and Atlantis have worked together for a long time, they have an alliance. We met when our mothers, the queens, met on a diplomatic mission many years ago," replied Diana.
"So the two of you are childhood friends?" asked Clark with a smile, thinking of himself and Chloe.
"Not entirely. I'm a few...centuries... older than him," corrected Diana, clearing her throat. "I am a demigod and an amazon. That... This immortality is one of the reasons I think it is important for my people to get back in touch with the human world. We have been isolated for over two millennia now and... we are stuck in our ways. All that I've seen in the past months of living here... Humans changed so much, this world changed so much. Evolved. It is very far from perfect, but all these new things that you have? The way humans changed. I need amazons to change too."
Clark looked up, looked at Diana – not at Wonder Woman, but at the woman behind the tiara and costume. The woman who genuinely wanted to help her people. She was amazing. It was as though she was glowing, glowing with strength and confidence. The conviction with which she spoke. Clark had never met anyone like her. All he did was stare for a little while before he continued the interview, though throughout it, he couldn't shake this feeling of awe.
/break\
"C'mon, we gotta see the sights while we're here!"
Arthur was laughing, arms linked with Diana as he dragged her along. They had come to Metropolis for their interview with Clark Kent, but since it was both their first time in Metropolis, they had decided to stay a couple of days and take in the city. Diana was humbled and impressed. It was so large and so high – where she lived with Arthur, the highest building was the light-tower. Here, everything scratched the sky. She truly couldn't grow tired of all that humans have brought into the world while Themyscira had been locked off.
"Aaaaahhh!"
Screaming interrupted their fun afternoon shopping trip. Before either of them could react, a gust of wind blew past them. The two exchanged a look and then took off after the gust and toward the source of the screaming. By the time they got there, Superman was already wrestling what appeared to be a gigantic cat. He got pinned down by the beast – far larger than a horse or a regular wild cat. It was looming tall over them as it had Superman pinned down.
"Distract it, while I'll catch it," instructed Diana, readying her lasso.
Arthur nodded in confirmation and rounded the beast to reach its head and yell at it. Diana all the while flew up, around it a could of times and then above it, slowly pulling on the lasso to pull the beast off Superman. Arthur had his trident at the ready to attack the beast.
"No! Don't hurt her!" the loud call made both Diana and Arthur pause.
They turned toward Superman, who came crawling out beneath the giant cat, holding what looked like a giant shard of glass covered in blood. Standing up, Superman put the shard aside and then unclasped his cape from his costume and wrapped it around the beast's paw.
"She wasn't attacking, she was... scared and hurt," explained Superman. "She does not belong here and she got scared by the... different surroundings that she isn't used to."
Once he had tied the cape around the paw, he reached up to caress the beast's face. It had calmed down, meowing like a big kitten as it dangled in the improvised net Diana had spun. She watched, baffled, just how gentle Superman was with the monster that had just attacked him. She could see the kindness in his eyes as he soothed the beast. It hadn't managed to pin Superman by overpowering him, he had let it – so he could get to the injured paw.
"Animal rescue. Cool. What... do you propose we do with that now? Usually, when I find an obscenely large sea-creature I just dump it far out in the ocean again," commented Arthur.
"Let's not dump her in the ocean," suggested Superman, an amused look on his face that quickly turned thoughtful. "I think I have an idea where to put her, where she can't harm others and heal in peace without being in the way and frightening people. I'd like to borrow your rope to carry her."
"I'm afraid I'm very attached to that 'rope', so... if it's all the same to you, Superman, I'll accompany you and give you a hand," offered Diana with a smile.
For a moment, Superman looked surprised, before he nodded. "I suppose it'll be easier to carry her without hurting her if it's the two of us. Thank you, Wonder Woman."
He pushed off the ground and the next moment, he was hovering in the air beside Diana, taking one end of the lasso from her. It was her first chance to look at him up close. In the pictures he was already very handsome, but even more so up close. His eyes were so warm and kind.
"Sure, I'll just... clean up after the thing while you guys go on your date," Arthur grunted.
It was strangely endearing to see Superman's eyes widen and his cheeks flush. Still, she gave Arthur a reprimanding look. He was dear to her more like a brother truly, and just like siblings, he liked to tease her on occasion. Admittedly, she had been admiring Superman – every time news covered a rescue or other heroic act from Superman.
The very reason Diana had come to this world was because of Arthur's ambitions. Yet she had no grasp on what 'becoming a hero' was supposed to mean until she first saw footage of Superman. He was the image of a hero, the way Arthur had spoken of. A real hero.
"I admit, I had hopes of meeting you while we're in Metropolis," it was as good an ice-breaker as Diana could think of, about ten minutes into flying somewhere with Superman.
"You had?" asked Superman surprised. "I... have been following the news about you and Aquaman too. It is... nice to see other heroes rise to the occasion. Makes me feel... less alone, on an abstract level, since I haven't really met you or know you."
"I understand what you mean," Diana assured him with a kind smile. "When I first saw you fly and bend steel... I've never seen anyone do that. No one has ever been like me, in these manners."
"I feel the same!" Superman exclaimed, maybe a bit too eager, because his ears turned red. "I have felt very alone as a hero in general. But even among the heroes there are, or were – the Flash, Black Lightning, Batman – none of them are like me."
"I gather I'm not entirely like you either, I've seen the... laser-eyes and the freeze-breath," offered Diana reluctantly. "Though... I have been wondering... are you like me? Are you a demigod? The son of a different god perhaps, with your different powers, but the question arises."
"I'm not," was the quick reply, a strained smile on his face. "I'm sorry to disappoint."
It made Diana laugh just slightly, the shaking of her jostling their charge enough to make it meow in protest. "I'm sorry, down there. Say, are you going to tell me where we're going?"
There was a thoughtful look on Superman's face. "It's hard to explain. We're going to a place where she can heal in peace. We're going to the Antarctica. You'll see then, I suppose."
"Antarctica?" Diana echoed startled. "You are full of surprises... Mister Kent."
Superman's eyes widened, a panicked look on his face. "Wha—How-"
Diana's face softened as she looked at him. "We've been flying side by side for half an hour now, I've... noticed the similarities. Most of all your eyes. You have very blue and very kind eyes. I noticed that during the interview yesterday already, but now that I got close enough to Superman to look into his eyes... I have noticed your eyes. I have to say, it's... I wasn't expecting Superman to work as a journalist."
"I was a journalist first, before I became Superman," Superman corrected her. "And... please, keep this to yourself. I admire the way you own your dual identity, however I... have been taught to keep what I am close to my chest, for my own safety. I understand that, as a goddess, that... doesn't seem to be a concern for you. Which, I... am still trying to wrap my head around that..."
"Of course. Your secret is safe with me," Diana promised him honestly. "If you are not a demigod... what are you? A metahuman, like the Flash and the Black Lightning?"
"I'm not a metahuman, I'm an alien," was the quick reply that earned her another surprised look.
That was when Diana remembered that she was not just having an idle chat with the man, they were both holding onto her lasso. Her brows furrowed in an apologetic manner.
"My lasso compels those who hold it to speak the truth. I'm sorry, I... forgot that we're carrying a monstrous cat with it," Diana blinked bemused at the sound of that sentence. "This is not a situation I've ever anticipated before. But I am genuinely sorry, I did not mean for you to share something with me that you're not willing to share."
Clark looked thoughtful for a moment, before he smiled and shook his head. "I suppose the place we're going would be hard to explain otherwise anyway and... you already know my real name, so this makes... little difference. I'm an alien."
"Like... in Star Trek? Arthur watches this show. That there are whole... worlds out there, filled with life and non-human civilizations," asked Diana intrigued.
"Not exactly like Star Trek, but yes," Clark laughed. "Other planets, aliens."
"Where are you from? What planet? How... Are you simply visiting then, or...? Do all aliens from your planet have powers?" asked Diana in a rapid speed before she caught herself. "I'm sorry, I'm being... nosy. That's not... This is a lot, I had never expected..."
"Now you know how I felt yesterday," Clark laughed again, a bright and joyful sound that made Diana smile too. "I understand the questions you're having. I had the same yesterday. And... I got to ask mine. Though I do not like that your lasso would give me little choice to answer. So... let me tell you what I am willing to share, instead of answering questions?"
"That sounds like a good compromise," Diana agreed with a nod.
"I'm not from a planet you ever heard of. I'm from Krypton, a planet... that is now long dead. I'm one of the last survivors of my planet," he started in a soft, sorrowful voice. "We do have these powers, yes. On Earth, at least. I... have always felt the need to help. It's why I became Superman."
Aliens. That was so... unreal. To her, at least. As unreal as hearing about the gods must have been for him yesterday. She had thought he might be like her – and he had thought she might be like him. But in a way, they were quite similar, even if they came from entirely different worlds.
"I'm... sorry to hear that," Diana's voice dropped to a comforting whisper. "Though I am the only one of my... kind... the only daughter of Zeus and Hippolyta, I have always had the camaraderie of the other amazons, with whom I shared that, at least. I've... always felt different, but I also always knew I had my place with them."
"I had my place too," Superman assured her, a far-off look on his face. "They may not have had powers, but they made me feel like I belonged, even when I was completely different from them."
"Family means the world," Diana agreed, thinking warmly of her mother and her amazonian sisters.
"They are," Clark confirmed, though he sounded pained. "I'm sorry, you are right. I just... I've recently lost my father, rather unexpectedly."
"I'm sorry for your loss," offered Diana. "I... can't imagine. Though I also never had a father."
"King of the gods. If the record's anything close to true, I suppose he's not the kind who teaches you how to drive and throw a ball around in the park on Sundays," Clark quipped.
"No, not at all," again, Diana laughed a little.
"Ah. We're here. Welcome to my... humble abode."
Diana's eyes widened as she saw that the iceberg in front of them was in fact not a mountain of snow and ice. It was a structure, like a frozen castle. They landed in front of a gigantic door. Superman handed her his end of the rope and then went to dig out a huge, golden key from the snow that looked as though it weighted a lot. Diana held the large cat back while Clark unlocked the door and then, she followed him inside. Awe was written all over her face as she looked around.
"What... is this place? This is... mesmerizing."
Clark took one of the ends of the rope back again and then led the way down the hall. "This is my Fortress of Solitude. A... last remnant of Krypton."
"Amazing," whispered Diana as she kept looking around.
"Wait until you see the zoo," Clark chuckled playfully.
Before she could ask what he meant, they reached the zoo. A huge section of the castle, wide and tall, with various cells filled with greenery and... creatures. Not animals, not Earthly. Alien beings, kept in large pens. A zoo. A zoo filled with alien animals!
"There we go. This one's empty and looks good. Help me put her in..."
"You can call me Diana," offered Wonder Woman with a smile.
"Diana. Please, call me Clark – at least when I'm out of costume, or we're not in public."
Diana nodded, pleased. The two of them put the large cat in an empty pen, a see-through capsule filled with lush greenery and a pond. The big cat meowed as it was lowered onto the ground again.
"The pen is going to automatically scan her for injuries and my little robot pal is going to administer any medical aid she may need," Clark informed Diana, patting the cat.
"Little robot pal," echoed Diana curiously.
"Would you like a tour of the place?" offered Superman after a moment.
/break\
"You have been smiling a lot lately, Clark."
Frowning, he turned toward a slyly smirking Cat Grant, cutting vegetables. Oh no. This was going to kick loose an entire interrogation by the journalist squad. Which was already bad enough on a regular day, however his mother was standing right there with them, because they were at the Kent Farm. Ever since Clark had moved back home, his friends, bless their hearts, had made it a regular thing to come over for dinner at least once a month. Sure, he returned to Metropolis for work and they had their weekly movie/game nights, but it was still different. They used to hang out so much more, back when Clark was still living with Chloe and James and though for him as Superman it would be a very quick journey to go to Metropolis all the time, not all his friends knew he was Superman. Not yet, anyway. He was considering telling Lois and Cat, but he also feared that it'd endanger them now that Superman was becoming more of a name – and making more enemies too.
"I've noticed that too," Lois agreed, stealing a mushroom from her girlfriend.
"Hey. I'm working hard here, stop eating my work," chided Cat irritated.
"I'm not. I guess maybe I've just been... getting a better hang of things, after pa..."
The mood dropped, naturally. He regretted bringing it up, the evenings with his friends at the farm like this were probably his favorites. Though he knew there was a core of truth to his words. His father's death had been five months ago now and he did find himself more able to look at the good things in life once more. He missed his father dearly, every day, and would always. But he could also hear his father's voice in his head, reminding him to live.
"No, no. This is something else," Martha spoke up, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"Ma-," Clark started, a frustrated groan escaping him.
"C'mon, Clark. We could use some gossip. Some good news," James spoke up, nudging him.
"I... might have met someone," Clark admitted after a moment.
"O—Oh!" Chloe whistled excited. "Tell us more. Where and how would you even meet someone?"
"She's right. Between working at the farm and working at the Daily Planet, and the drive back and forth between Smallville and Metropolis every day, I... wonder when you even sleep," noted Lois.
"I met her..." Clark paused, trying to find a reasonable thing to say. "We rescued a kitten together."
"How are you even real, Smallville?" Lois asked amused, slapping his chest. "Rescuing kittens."
"We brought her to a shelter together and... we... talked, a lot, on our way there and waiting for the kitten to be taken care of. And we have both been visiting her at the shelter. Talking... more."
"Don't be so vague," Cat chided. "What's her name, where's she from, is she single, did you go on a date already and if not, why not?"
"Her name is Diana, she is... visiting, she's from Greece. She... is single, right now, but... I don't... I don't know how to... How would I even ask her out?" Clark made a face, cheeks red.
"Diana, I like you, would you like to go out with me?" offered James, imitating Clark's voice.
"That's a very solid approach, babe," confirmed Chloe with a grin, leaning in to kiss James' cheek.
"Yeah, that's the recipe that worked for all of us," confirmed Lois, motioning between herself and Cat, before pointing over at James and Chloe. "If I were to call Lana, she would confirm the same to be true for herself and Lex too. Martha, input?"
"They're right," Martha nodded her head, smiling a little. "Your pa came to me after school, with a single, beautiful rose that he had stolen from his neighbor's garden, and told me he had saved up to invite me to dinner and a movie because he couldn't stop thinking about me."
They all made it sound so easy. He furrowed his brows and flushed at the thought of just... asking Wonder Woman out on a date. James threw him a smirk and a look, elbowing him a little. Sure, his friends only meant well, they wanted him to be happy and to find love, like they had.
/break\
"Look what I've got for you, Nite. Do you like it?"
Diana laughed as Kryptonite meowed and lowered her upper body onto the ground and wiggled her butt, zooming in on the over-sized cat-toy Diana had brought her. The name was foreign on her tongue, but that figured – Kryptonite, it was what the gems of Krypton were called, according to Clark. It was also his weakness and, in a playful manner, he had stated that the big kitten-eyes were definitely also his weakness. So they had named her Kryptonite, but Diana mostly called her Nite.
"You're very good with her," Clark's voice was warm and fond.
He hadn't been here when she got to the fortress; he'd given her a standing invitation to come and visit Kryptonite, after the second time he had found Diana waiting outside the fortress when he got there. It was a great sign of trust, at least to Diana – there were so many... treasures here. The last remains of Clark's culture. Yet there had been no hesitation, only a kind smile. He seemed like the trusting type, the kind of person who saw the best in people whenever given the chance.
"I... suppose, perhaps I am a cat-person after all," was Diana's reply. "Hello, Clark."
"Hello, Diana. I brought something for you, well, I had hoped to maybe find you here..."
While Kryptonite was busy playing with her new toy, Diana turned fully toward Clark to see him touch ground. He was carrying something. Curiously, she approached him and as she got closer, she could already smell it. Apple pie. That was one of the things she had come to love about man's world; Arthur had introduced her to it, among many other delicious things.
"My ma's apple pie. We made it for dessert yesterday and... I thought you might enjoy it."
"That's... very thoughtful of you, thank you," Diana smiled as she accepted the pie.
The two of them left the pen together and walked toward a seating area, a bit like a living room. Diana had gotten oddly comfortable at the fortress; Clark had shown her around and she had explored it a bit herself on occasion – not necessarily snooping, but looking around.
"I... I was wondering. I thought. I mean, I enjoy your company here. And, in costume, we have teamed up on a few occasions now. But I was wonder if perhaps..."
"Out with it, Clark," Diana prompted amused, taking another bite of her pie.
"Would you like to go out with me? On a date?" Clark's cheeks were red as he asked.
Blinking slowly, Diana looked at him. A date? She hadn't had one of those in a while – certainly not since she had come to man's world. Though she had to admit, she had a... freak-out was what Arthur called it, the first time she met a man she found attractive. For her, growing up on Themyscira, liking women was... the default, the only option, really. There were those who were not interested in sex or romance at all, of course, but most were interested in women themselves. Diana herself had had many girlfriends in the past. But man's world, well, men, they made her realize – she didn't only like women. She liked men too. There was a word for that, out here. Bisexual. Arthur had taught her that, had introduced her to the wide variety of what mortals today recognized as sexualities.
So, she did like men. And, very specifically, she liked Clark Kent. She'd found him attractive as Superman already, but ever since their first conversation with each other, and they kept meeting and talking, she had found herself falling for him. His kindness, he was so sweet and good, but also funny and sarcastic if he wanted to be. She'd also been reading his work in the Daily Planet and she admired his way with words and the way he used his job to do even more good.
"I'm... not sure how good that's going to be for your secret identity, if Clark Kent is seen on a date with Wonder Woman...?" Diana argued softly, her eyebrows furrowed.
"Well... you might be right with that. But... You must have a public persona? When you go out? Shopping, or eating, or... meeting with your cousin?" Clark asked confused.
"...No. I am Diana, I have always been... Diana. You are the one who has given me the name Wonder Woman. But... I don't do it like you, separating my life," explained Diana.
Now it was Clark's turn to frown. "But... you came to man's world to experience it. Those were your words. I... doubt you truly get to experience it much, especially since Wonder Woman made a name for herself. You can't go out in public without people wanting your photo."
"That's... true, I suppose," Diana blinked a couple of times. "Being Clark Kent... it helps you? Experience the human world, be a part of it, instead of..."
"Instead of an alien? Yeah, it does," Clark smiled a little. "Look at the way the people look at Superman. Many admire me, adore me, some... call me a god, especially in light of your interview. Others fear me, fear what I might be, what I could be and could do. I'm an alien and I've seen enough Hollywood blockbusters to know what people at large think of aliens. But as Clark Kent I'm neither an alien nor Superman, I'm just... a guy. Hanging out with my friends, having a regular job, a family, a... life. Getting to be a part of the human world."
Diana tilted her head thoughtfully. "I... suppose. Even before I became Wonder Woman, people have looked at me strangely for... my choice in attire."
"I bet," Clark grunted a little, grinning. "Okay. How about this then, would you go on a date with me, as Diana, not as Wonder Woman?"
"I don't know how we'd do that," admitted Diana curiously.
Clark lifted a finger and was gone in a blur. A couple moments later and he returned with a set of clothes in one arm and... glasses in his other hand. Doubtfully, Diana accepted both.
"You really think that'll work?" Diana lifted the glasses up to her face.
"It's worked for me. Well, until I met you. Humans, they... see what they want to see. They see bumbling country boy Clark Kent and they can't see Superman, the man of steel. It doesn't comprehend for them so even without a face-mask, people don't see it. Give it a try, Diana?"
It made her smile, so she nodded. "Give me a moment to change and then... take me out on a normal, human date in man's world. I expect to be wowed, Mister Kent."
"I will do my best, Miss... you need a last name, Diana."
Clark left the room to give her privacy to change. She took off her armor and put it on the couch before putting on the outfit Clark had brought her. A lavender button-down blouse and a white pencil skirt. The glasses had a violet rim that matched the blouse, the shape complimenting her face. She checked herself in the reflection of the window, smiling pleased.
"You are a man of taste," declared Diana as she exited the room.
When Clark turned around, he stared stunned at her, gaping a little before he gathered his bearings. "I... You... You look beautiful, Diana."
The way he said it and the way he stared at her. It was so honest and deep, making her blush.
"Well then, lead the way to our first date," prompted Diana.
Clark held out his arm, accepting hers. The two took off and flew out of the fortress, Diana letting Clark take the lead. They touched out in a field somewhere, the sun painting everything pink. It was beautiful and as the wind picked up, it carried a fresh, wild scent with it.
"This is beautiful. Where are we...?"
"Smallville. My home town. I want to show you my world today, Diana."
Biting her lip, she looked around. This was a side of America she hadn't gotten to see yet. The coast, Metropolis, but the rural area? Not yet. It was beautiful. She took everything in as they walked hand in hand from the field toward town. Clark talked about his childhood, voice animated and filled with excitement as he told stories of his adventures as a little boy with Chloe and Lana.
"What would you like to do first? Movie or dinner?" asked Clark.
"Well, the flight here did make me hungry, so why don't we eat first?"
"Great, then I'll get to introduce you to the best burgers in the states," declared Clark proudly.
"Setting the expectations very high there, Clark," teased Diana with a smile.
They walked down the streets and Diana had to admit that the feeling was entirely different than anywhere she'd been before. Everyone they passed greeted them with a smile, greeted Clark by name, some even engaged for quick pleasantries. It was so idyllic. In the end, Clark had led them to a diner that looked right of a 50s movie.
"Hey, Clark. Your usual?" asked the waitress.
A teenage girl with brown hair, she couldn't be older than seventeen really. Clark offered her a warm smile and ruffled her hair, which she didn't protest aloud though she huffed annoyed.
"Hey, Alex. How's school? And no, not the usual. Bring us the menus?"
"School's boring, like always. I wanna go to Metropolis, to college, get out of this place."
"Don't say that," Clark requested. "One day, you're going to miss this place."
"Doubt it," Alex huffed as she handed out the menus. "Can I get you anything to drink already?"
"How do you feel about milkshakes, Diana?" asked Clark, turning to Diana.
"Oh! Oh, I love those! Strawberry are my favorite."
"Two milkshakes then, one strawberry and one chocolate for me," ordered Clark.
Alex saluted playfully and then headed toward the kitchen. Diana's attention turned to the menu now, scanning it. There were a lot of things that sounded delicious. She loved pancakes, Clark had promised her the best burger, but there was also pie on the menu.
"I'd recommend the burgers, especially the Dad's Special, though that's a load," warned Clark.
"I can eat a lot," countered Diana with a smirk. "And I am tempted by a few things... The pancakes and the pie sound good too?"
"They are. Pie's not as good as ma's, but it's great. And I'd like the omelet."
"Those, I am a fan of too. Arthur loves making those on Sundays..."
"Okay, a suggestion: We order all of that and split it?" Clark grinned at her excitedly.
The youthful joy in his eyes made her laugh. She nodded in confirmation, liking that idea. Pleased, Clark nodded and waved their waitress over again to give their order. She brought them their milkshakes and then took their order, though once she was out of sigh, Clark groaned.
"I should have ordered a second serving of fries. We definitely both can eat a full serving of those. And they taste so good when you dip them in the milkshake. I'll just go and tell Alex quickly."
Chuckling, she watched him go and when she turned her head back toward the menu, just to read it once more, she noticed that suddenly, there was someone sitting in Clark's seat. Where had she come from? A girl, a very young teenager, with long, blonde hair, her arms crossed on the table.
"Hello?" offered Diana unsure. "Are you lost? Are your parents here somewhere?"
"Are you Clark's girlfriend?" asked the girl instead, ignoring her.
Everybody here really did know Clark. She blinked a couple times, unsure how to answer this.
"Kara. What are you doing here?" Clark asked as he returned. "Is she bothering you, Diana?"
"Diana?" the girl perked up as she echoed the name. "So you are Clark's lady friend."
"She is not bothering me, though she surprised me. She just... popped up, after you left."
Diana scooted over to let Clark sit down next to her. He smiled as he did so and the next moment, a light flashed. Both turned toward the blonde, who was now holding a camera, grinning broadly.
"Seriously, Kara, what are you doing?" wanted Clark to know.
"I want to win the price," declared Kara, chest puffed out.
"...What... price?" Clark stirred his milkshake, looking at her suspiciously.
"Chloe told me you have a lady friend. And there is a price out for whoever can first provide actual evidence of said lady friend's actual existence. A photo should suffice."
"...Lois," Clark grunted with narrowed eyes.
"What? You think Lois is gonna waste her money on that? She has diapers to buy and stuff. She's after the money herself. But I am going to beat her to it," Kara hummed pleased. "Lex is the one with the big money and the one who gets to see you the least, so he believes it even less than the others. He thinks you're trying to appease him and make him ease off on trying to set you up."
"Well. You can see that Diana is very real. Now go away," Clark frowned at the girl.
Kara had the broadest grin on her lips as she got up and waved at them before walked over to the counter to pick up a bag from the brunette waitress. Clark looked adorably embarrassed as he got up to get back to his own place. He smoothed down his shirt in what looked like a nervous habit.
"I apologize. That was my cousin, Kara. It seems my friends are more noisy than anticipated."
"It's okay. She seems very endearing. I'd much rather hear about what you have been telling your friends about me that your cousin thinks I am your 'lady friend'," Diana's voice was teasing.
Clark's ears turned a darker shade of red at that. "I didn't... I didn't tell them that you were. I just told them that I... liked you. And I might have talked about you... a lot... recently."
"And only good things it seems," noted Diana pleased.
"There you go. Enjoy your meals. And sorry about my sister being an embarrassment."
Diana turned to look at their waitress in surprise, though Clark simply laughed. "It's okay. I'm used to Kara. She's a good kid. And I suppose I understand the... incentive."
"So our waitress is also your cousin?" asked Diana after Alex left again.
"Mh..." the pause was confusing to Diana. "I do think of her as that by now, yes. But... it's... It's more complicated than that? Our family tree is... strange."
"He said, to the daughter of Zeus," countered Diana. "You know my mother is the daughter of Ares. Who is also a son of Zeus. So, technically, my father is also my great-grandfather."
"That is a whole different kind of complicated, but fair," Clark laughed brightly. "Kara is my biological cousin. She is... aside from me... the only survivor of... our people. She arrived on Earth... two years ago. She's only fifteen. But also... already fifteen. I couldn't take her in, back then. She was adopted by a very nice family, by Alex's family."
"She... How?" Diana's voice was soft, confused.
"Her... ship was adrift... so she only arrived years after me, kept in stasis for years."
"I'm sorry. But... I am also glad you have blood family, someone from your... culture, with you."
"Yeah," Clark's voice dropped to an even lower whisper, a smile on his lips. "I was a baby when I arrived here, I have no own memories of it. Kara though, she does. For her, it's all been... just two years ago. She keeps teaching me about our culture, our traditions. And I think sharing that with me helps her deal with her trauma too."
The mood changed, loosened, after that, when Diana took her first bite of the burger, which indeed was the best burger she had eaten so far. Clark and Diana talked lightly while they ate, Diana telling Clark about her last visit on Themyscira and Clark excitedly talking about his latest case.
/break\
The interesting thing was that, the more they got to know each other romantically and privately, the better they fought side by side on the battlefield. It wasn't a daily occurrence, seeing as they lived in different cities. Diana had by now chosen Washington as her base of operation, now that Wonder Woman was an established hero too. After she had announced to be an ambassador from a foreign country, the government had reached out to her. She was working closely with a man named Steve Trevor and a woman named Etta Candy, who had both become good friends to her. Her work as an ambassador had drawn her away from Maine, though Arthur refused to leave his home, he was the guardian of the ocean, he wanted to stay at the coast.
So on a normal day to day base, Clark and Diana had their own cities to protect. Robberies, dangers, but when there was an actual bigger threat, they called upon each other to help and the two really had developed an understanding of each other's bodies, movements and thinking.
"Stop being so nervous, Clark. They are your friends. And one of them is a famous billionaire. If anything, I should be the one being nervous here," Diana nudged him playfully.
Clark adjusted his glasses awkwardly. "I know they are. I just... I have never gotten serious enough with anyone to introduce them to my friends. I want you to like them."
He had let it slip to Lex that Diana was living in Washington and, living in Washington himself, Lex had insisted on paying for a flight for Clark to come see his girlfriend and, on that occasion, introduce her to Lex and Lana. To really bribe Clark, Lex had also mentioned just how big Alex had gotten. Of course did Clark want to see his godson again before the kid got too big.
Diana grasped his hand, linking their fingers and lifting their linked hands up to kiss his knuckles. "Relax. They are your friends, your family. You are an excellent judge of character, I am sure I will love them as much as you love them. I'm your partner, I got your back."
Taking one last deep breath, Clark pressed the button. The elevator doors opened, releasing the couple into the Luthor penthouse. It was still as gorgeous as Clark remembered it, but far less fancy. Toddler toys were sprawled out all over the floor, all breakable art had been removed or moved up high onto shelves where grabby little hands couldn't reach them. Particularly one corner of the wall caught his eyes, where pink and blue and purple crayons had left an interesting mark.
"Luthors? You home?" Clark called out after a moment.
"Oh. You're already here. We... I... I meant to be changed and have my hair done by the time you are here, but Alex decided to... redecorate with my business files that are due tomorrow and by the-"
"Woah, woah, slow down, Lana. Hand over my favorite godson and then take a deep breath."
Lana looked winded as she rounded the corner, baby against her chest, hair a mess. She gratefully thrust the baby at him and then blinked a couple of times as she looked at Diana.
"Now I feel even worse about not being dressed and ready. Clark Kent, you forgot to mention just how gorgeous your girlfriend is," Lana slapped Clark playfully on the chest before pulling Diana in for a hug. "Hello, hi, it is so good to finally meet you, Clark's been hiding you away long enough."
Diana seemed startled for only a moment before she returned the hug. "Likewise, Mrs. Luthor."
"Oh, please. Call me Lana. And... do excuse me. I'll go and get ready quickly, make yourself at home, you know your way around the place, Clark. Lex... will be here. But you know him."
"Busy saving the world, as usual," Clark nodded amused. "And what about you, Alex?"
He lifted his godson high up in the air, making the boy giggle happily which in return made Clark smile. When he brought the baby in again, he kissed his cheek and then held him close.
"You are incredibly good with children," noted Diana as she watched him. "Alex, Kara, Carter... Alex. Mh. The name seems to be something that leads to confusion."
"You tell me. Alexander here is named after his father. And to avoid confusion there, this one is Alex and the old version is Lex. That I happen to have a cousin named Alexandra..."
"Did you just call me old, Clark?"
The couple turned around to see the bald billionaire exit his elevator. Clark carefully shifted Alex onto one arm so he could pull his friend in for a one-armed hug, Lex laughing into their hug.
"If the shoe fits, old man," Clark teased. "You're now a father. That makes you an old man."
"That makes me his old man and if he knows what's good for him, he won't start calling me that for another twenty years," Lex huffed as the two parted. "Hello, sonny boy. How was your day."
He gently traced his son's face before kissing his nose. Only then did he turn his attention onto his other guest. Clark really hoped Lex and Diana would get along. Well, he really hoped Diana and all his friends were going to get along. She had already met Lois and Cat – they claimed on accident, but Clark knew the two better than that. They'd been bugging him about meeting his girlfriend ever since Kara had sent around the photo of Diana and Clark, but he didn't want to put too much pressure on either Diana or their still young relationship. At this point, Clark and Diana had been dating for three months and he felt more comfortable in exposing Diana to his very intense friends.
"Miss Prince, it's a pleasure to meet you, Clark doesn't shut up about you and a woman who is capable of stealing his heart, she must be special. So we've been very much looking forward to meeting you," offered Lex, holding out his hand.
"Please, call me Diana. And I can... only return the compliment. Clark speaks so highly of you."
"Diana it is. Then do call me Lex. Now, where is my lovely wife?"
"Lana went to get changed and showered. If you want to get changed and greet your wife, I'll go to the balcony with Diana and Alex, okay? Take your time, take a breath," instructed Clark.
Lex smiled amused, though he nodded and left after a quick wave. Clark led the way down the hall in the other direction, through a living room and out onto a balcony with an amazing view.
"I love this. I know, I know. I can fly, I get this POV a lot, but... standing here and feeling the breath of the city on my face as I stand here and it... it's different."
Diana came to stand next to him, also taking it all in. "You're right. Standing here feels like standing on Olympus, looking down on the world. It's pretty."
"Thank you," Clark's voice dropped to a whisper. "For agreeing to this. I know how busy you are-"
"We have to make time for each other, otherwise this relationship can't work. Clark the reporter, Diana the ambassador, Wonder Woman and Superman, they all have to step aside and make time for Clark and Diana. And part of that is getting to know each other's family."
"I dread meeting your family," admitted Clark, ducking his head. "Your mom's a queen."
"You're not getting out of meeting her at one point," Diana warned him amused.
Though she then leaned in to kiss Clark's cheek. He turned his head toward her to allow a proper kiss. The two of them leaned in, closer to each other, kissing slowly deeper. Someone clearing their throat, causing them to part with flushed cheeks. The Luthors looked at them amused.
"Dinner is ready. And since it's such a beautiful day, why don't we eat out here?"
"That is a wonderful idea, Lana. I'll help set the table," offered Clark.
He put Alex in his playpen next to the table, in view of them, before he accompanied Lex to the kitchen to get everything they'd need to eat. Despite not being over as often as he wished he could (he could, physically, but it'd be suspicious), he still knew his way around the place.
"Not gonna lie, I was half sure that you made her up to appease us," offered Lex sheepishly. "I know we – all of us – have put a lot of pressure on you, intentionally or unintentionally by getting engaged, married, having kids. But she... When Lana and I just came outside, the two of you seem really... enthralled with each other. You seem happy."
"I am happy," admitted Clark with a blush. "She is... She understands me, in a way I have... never felt understood before. With her, I feel like I can... truly, fully be me."
Lex looked at him, slow and long, before he smiled. "I'm happy for you, Clark. I really am. Now, let's get back out to our women so I can get to know Diana."
/2006\
"You made a mistake inviting me here, Martha, I might never leave again."
Martha laughed at that and gladly put another slice of pie on his plate. "Do take me seriously when I tell you that you have a standing invitation to come here, Arthur."
Diana shook her head as she watched Arthur eat his sixth slice of pie. Family dinners at the Kent Farm were a warm and delightful thing. And, soon into Clark and Diana's relationship, Martha extended the invitation to Diana's cousin, since Diana didn't have a lot of family. Well, Diana had a lot of family – her mother and the other amazons – but those were quite all the way over on Themyscira and, despite Diana's best efforts, not keen on visiting the states.
"Stop eating all of the pie," complained Chloe with a pout. "I wanted another slice."
"Gotta be faster then, Chlo," countered Arthur with a smirk, stuffing his face some more.
"No fighting over pies, children. You think I only made two pies when all of you come?"
"Let me give you a hand, Martha," offered Diana and got up before anyone else.
Meeting Martha Kent had explained a lot about Clark. The woman had such a large heart, so much love and warmth to give, accepting everyone into her family. Kara, Kara's adopted sister Alex, all of Clark's friends, Diana and now even Arthur. It was like coming home, coming to the Kent Farm, and it was always... warm, loud too. Someone was always there. Clark and Martha might be the only ones living there, but someone was always visiting – Alex and Kara doing their homework, Carter having been left with 'granny Martha' when Lois and Cat wanted some alone time and thought that some fresh air would be good for their son, the Luthors on a visit from Washington.
"You should really take more time for yourself, Diana," noted Martha concerned. "I've seen you on the news. You are stretching yourself thin. You may be a goddess, but you are still only human."
Diana chuckled to herself as she looked at Martha. "I am, I promise. I've had a 'girls night' with Lana and Etta just last Friday and it only got interrupted by a criminal once."
"That is... good to hear," Martha smiled at her. "You and Clark are cut from the same cloth. You work so hard to help others, putting your everything in it. I'm glad that the two of you find comfort in each other. And someone to have your back, in all aspects of your life."
There was no need for Diana to say anything, she simply returned Martha's smile. What she said was true, it felt incredibly good to have someone who understood. Admittedly, before Clark had asked her out, she had tried going on a few dates with Steve Trevor. In the end, she thought it was better to keep their relationship professional. Clark, he understood the double life, he also understood the dual identity – not as Diana and Wonder Woman, but the identity of being both human and not really human at all. Trying to fit in among mortals. They both didn't, couldn't, hold it against each other when something came up to keep them from dates. They understood each other's lives, each other's needs and worries. They gave each other solace.
"I love being Diana Prince," Diana offered after a moment, while she brewed more tea. "I hadn't considered that before. But I enjoy... just being one of... you."
"And not just one of us humans," Martha interjected, a knowing look on her face. "You make a wonderful farmer too. Seeing you out in the fields, I think the labor here... you enjoyed it."
"It's relaxing. It reminds me of home. We, of course, grew everything ourselves on the island too. And being the princess didn't exempt me from it. I enjoy the farm-work," confirmed Diana.
"I think you would make a wonderful Kent too," Martha teased with a hum.
Diana paused at that, looking at the woman in flushed surprise.
/break\
"Uncle Clark! Uncle Clark!"
It warmed Clark's entire heart to hear those words, his whole face lighting up as Carter came running (or rather, stumbling) toward him. At two years old, Carter Grant was quite the handful, but the most adorable handful possible. Opening his arms, he accepted the boy and picked him up.
"Where are your moms?" asked Clark as he whirled Carter around.
The toddler giggled happily, waving his arms around. "Kitchen!"
Though Lois hadn't intended to sign up to being a mom, the relationship between Lois and Cat had been going so steady and strong and Lois had gotten more and more involved with Carter, inevitably falling completely in love with the kid like he was her own. When Clark walked into the kitchen, he smiled as he found his two friends. Lois was laughing at something, her head leaned forward, forehead resting against Cat's arm as she too laughed.
"What's so funny?" wanted Clark to know. "And hey, you two don't look ready for date night."
"Barely. We just... We got distracted," admitted Cat, brushing her hair out of her face. "Work."
One of the things that made the two work so well. They both prioritized their work, they were both passionate journalists. Approaching them, Clark put Carter down.
"What's the angle?" asked Clark. "What story are you guys working on?"
"Once again, Superman," offered Lois, tapping against a picture on her desk. "You know the rumor mill is going ten miles an hour, with every time Superman and Wonder Woman team up."
"Over the past year, the voices claiming Superman to be a literal god have grown louder and louder, the suspicions on what the relationship between Superman and Wonder Woman is..." continued Cat.
That made Clark frown. The rumor mill was indeed going very strong these days, because despite his best efforts, Clark couldn't help but look 'like a love-sick puppy' (to quote the Daily Planet, thank you, Lois) when Wonder Woman saved the day and they did have their lingering looks and touches. Which would already be problematic enough without part of the conspiracies being that they were related and he was some demigod, or full god. Some claimed he was Zeus himself, since his powers somewhat overlapped with Wonder Woman's powers. He furrowed his brows.
/break\
"I... Do you think... We should come... out?"
"You know I'm bisexual," noted Diana confused, side-eyeing Clark.
"No, not like that," Clark laughed as he threw a dragon over his shoulder. "I mean, our... relationship. We have been together for a year now and I..."
"The rumors are getting to you," Diana nodded to herself. "They have been... bothering me too, but you said you weren't ready to be public about your... origins."
"Perhaps it's time I do tell my own story. Control my own narrative," Clark sighed.
"Good for you, darling," Diana smiled pleased, punching a bigger dragon.
"Can you two cease the chit-chat and concentrate on the motherfucking dragons!?"
Arthur looked annoyed as he used his trident to control a large wave into washing away four of the dragons. They didn't quite know where they had come from, but considering how many dragon kinds there were, it wasn't a surprise they would breach and attack populated areas. When Amnesty Bay had a problem with dragons, Arthur was quick to call his cousin and her boyfriend.
"Sorry, Aquaman," Clark called out, sounding a little sheepish.
Diana smiled at her boyfriend. At this point in time, she was basically part-time living at the Kent Farm, really. She only went to Washington when she knew she had a lot of work coming up, but her apartment there had stopped feeling like home a few months ago. The farm, its warmth and the fact that there was always someone home. Martha welcoming her with a kind smile and a warm piece of pie, Kara and Alex coming over to hang out or ask for help with homework, and of course Clark.
"Okay, I think that takes care of them all," announced Diana.
She watched the last dragons slither away, leaving the city. There was no reason to kill them, they were misplaced, nothing more. And they had only caused property damage so far. A startled laugh escaped her as Clark grabbed her by the waist and whirled her around once. Smiling, she wrapped her arms around his neck, getting lost in his deep, blue eyes.
"Now?" asked Diana curiously, fingers entangling in his dark hair.
"If... you don't mind, yes. I'd like to kiss you right now," replied Clark.
A soft smile laid on her lips as she leaned down and kissed him. Slow and deep, the both of them still hovering in the air, spinning very slowly. She'd spotted James in the crowd earlier. Dragons were a draw and Clark sometimes gave his best friend a lift to get the best pictures.
/break\
"Diana is Wonder Woman! Diana is Wonder Woman and you haven't told us!"
That was a conversation Clark had expected after his kiss with Diana. He'd let James capture the moment, if anyone was going to break the news on his relationship with Wonder Woman, it would be the Daily Planet. After cleaning up the mess the dragons (dragons. Clark was still struggling with that), Clark had parted with Diana and made his way to Metropolis, with James, who had held his tongue until they reached Chloe and James' apartment.
"...You really hadn't put that together yourself yet, Jimmy?" asked Chloe surprised.
"What. You. What," James grunted and let himself sink onto the couch next to Chloe.
She smiled and patted his hand before kissing his cheek. "The longing glances between Superman and Wonder Woman. You know Clark, he's a faithful guy."
"I'm not good at reading those. I didn't see that," James grunted again, this time pouting. "Still."
"Not my secret to tell," offered Clark after a moment. "But... We do think it's time we go public with our relationship. Make the rumors stop. Take control of it all."
"I sure got some nice pictures that are going to end up on the front page tomorrow morning."
"The question is, what text is going along with it?" asked Chloe, eyebrows raised.
"Well, get out a notepad and let's get on the record," declared Clark.
That made Chloe perk up, causing Clark to grin. This was going to be one of the biggest stories the Daily Planet had printed in a while. And Clark was incredibly nervous about it. He took a shaky breath, wringing his hands as he came to sit opposite the couple.
/break\
"Clark, you've been pacing for the past ten minutes now."
Martha looked up from her book in amusement. She'd refrained from commenting for about five minutes now, but it was getting distracting. Slowly, she closed her book and put it aside, giving her son a patient look. Clark paused, in the middle of pacing, looking surprised.
"I am not... am I...?" Clark looked around, perhaps a little startled.
"Is this about Diana?" Martha guessed, smiling to herself. "Do you... miss her since she's been away all week on business? Or are you worried that she is... fighting bad guys on her own?"
"No. No, I know that she can hold her own in any fight, I know I don't need to worry about her. I mean, I do miss her, you're right with that, ma... The bed's... empty and cold without her. But..."
"But?" Martha echoed curiously, raising her eyebrows.
She patted the spot next to her on the couch, prompting her son to sit down next to her. "But that's just it. This is my bed. It's never been too big or empty before. I love this farm, being here again brought me joy after... after pa. But... now? It feels duller when she is away. It feels warmer when she is here. Even the chores, sharing them with her. This is what I always pictured my life to be, one day, down the road. Find someone I love, keep the Kent Farm in the family, but what city girl would I find who'd be happy on a farm and who I could honestly be with, no secrets."
For a moment, he paused, leaning his head back against the back-rest. "And then I met her. And she is... she understands, me, in a way I don't... I didn't think possible. The way we work together? On the field, both the battlefield and the field out here. I'm... She's everything."
"Then why are you pacing, sweetie?" asked Martha once more.
"I've been thinking," admitted Clark, still staring up at the ceiling. "About my life, as it is. About her, in my life. About the life I always pictured and... how, when I picture it now, that vague figure that I imagined to be my maybe one day wife... that spot's now very clearly filled with her."
"Ah," Martha nodded in understanding, a smile playing on her lips.
Getting up, she walked over to the antique dresser in the corner and unlocked the upper drawer. After a little rummaging, she reached what she wanted and returned to Clark with it in her hand. He looked confused at first, though as he opened the beautifully carved little wooden box, his eyes widened in realization. He stared up at her, box in hand.
"Your great-gerat-grandfather proposed to your great-great-grandmother with this and it has been passed down your father's family since. Your father proposed to me with this ring and ever since we got married, it has been resting in this box, waiting for the day that... that we could give it to you so you could propose to our daughter-in-law. I... regret that your father isn't here."
Her heart was heavy. When Clark had been going steady with Alicia Baker during high school, Jonathan and Martha had first started talking about this. About their son's wedding, about how one day Clark would be an adult, all grown up, with a wife and kids. How excited they both were for the day they'd have grandchildren to spoil, hearing tiny feed run around the farm again.
Every time Lex and Lana would bring Alex over, or Lois and Cat had Carter with them, she felt saddened. Jonathan would adore them so much. They were such special, precious boys.
"A... Are you... sure? I mean, we've only been dating for nineteen months-"
"The fact that you know how many months it's been like that, without having to think about it..." Martha chuckled, shaking her head. "You love her, Clark. You say you think about the future, with her. Don't waste your time, son. Your father... died very suddenly, very unexpectedly. You never know what life holds. Don't waste a single moment of it."
She grasped his hand, squeezing it gently, reassuringly. He smiled at her, gratefully.
/break\
This weekend, they were in Washington, in Diana's apartment. Clark had taken an assignment about a senator, putting him here for work for a week. It was nice, being in Diana's space like this. Usually, she would be the one finding her place in his space, be that the farm or the fortress. And as much as he loved the farm life, it was nice waking up and not needing to worry about chores, waking up to city sounds again, like he had when he had lived in Metropolis. Stretching slowly, lazily, he rolled over to look at his girlfriend. Smiling, he folded an arm under his head and just looked at her. She was still deep asleep, wearing nothing but an over-sized blue shirt with the Superman logo on it. There was now hero merchandise available, clothes with the logos of Wonder Woman, Superman and Aquaman, even toys. When Diana had seen this shirt, she had laughed so loudly and held it up before declaring she'd buy it. Clark had to admit he loved seeing her in it.
"Hey... you're awake already," whispered Diana in a sleepy voice.
Clark hummed and leaned in to kiss her on the cheek. "Good morning, love."
"Morning," replied Diana, smiling. "I should get up and get ready. I can't believe they manage to turn food into work. A brunch. And you're sure you can't just come with me, save me?"
"I'm afraid that a reporter at the table is going to be counterproductive, Di," argued Clark, watching how Diana got out of the bed. "Besides, while I am in Washington, I do want to see Lex and Lana."
"If I could, I would trade. Your brunch sounds far more fun than mine," Diana sighed.
"I'm just glad Superman doesn't come with his own bureaucracy," Clark chuckled.
She disappeared into the bathroom and as Clark heard the shower, he decided to get out and get ready for the day too. He was looking forward to seeing the Luthors. It had been a little while now, between work, the farm and his relationship with Diana, not to mention the distance. Once dressed, he patted his pocket, feeling the weight of the engagement ring. Its weight was burning a hole in Clark's pocket after two weeks. The right moment hadn't come yet, though he also didn't quite know what that right moment looked like. Hopefully, Lex could give him some advise on that.
"I'm leaving, love. Have fun on your brunch and don't forget to invite Etta and her girlfriend over!"
"I will! Give Lex and Lana my best, okay?" called Diana from the bathroom.
On his way out, Clark paused for only a moment in front of the wall next to the door, where Diana kept her photos. What had caught his attention was the photo of him behind Diana, an arm around her shoulders, Diana holding onto his arm. Kara had taken that one, in front of the farm house. He smiled as he left the apartment and kept smiling until he reached the Luthor penthouse.
"Brunch is ready and served!" were Lana's words as she welcomed him in.
"Hello to you too, Lana," Clark chuckled and kissed her on the cheek.
"Bru—unch!" called Alex loudly from somewhere.
Together, Lana and Clark walked out onto the balcony, where a very huge brunch was set up indeed. Everything. Food, sponsored by a billionaire, was always nice. It tasted delicious and there was always enough to even fill Superman. Lex and Alex were already sitting at the table, Alex perched on his dad's lap. Clark went over and half-hugged Lex before kissing Alex's forehead.
"How is it, living in Washington? Even just for a short time?" asked Lana.
"Reminds me of Metropolis. It's... a nice change. And definitely improved by Diana being here for business this week too," admitted Clark a little flushed. "How are things going with you?"
"I am incredibly happy to be back at work. I love Alex, but I was slowly going out of my mind staying at home. I need contact to adults again," Lana sighed. "And Lex is, well. Lex is, once again, obsessing over Superman. But what else is new?"
She smiled playfully and threw a piece of balled-up bread at her husband, who dodged it in good humor. "I'm not obsessing. I'm being concerned, that's all. And you know I'm right."
Lana rolled her eyes good-natured. "Love, you run the danger of sounding like a tinfoil hat conspirator. Superman is leading an invasion, he has come to probe us all."
"That's ridiculous, even I can say that," Lex muttered, grabbing a croissant. "But there does lay real danger in one individual having this much power. Even more so now that the all-powerful alien is dating a demigod. Clark, back me up on this one. She has the power of ancient gods."
"I... You lost me there, Lex," admitted Clark confused. "I know you think that their power is dangerous, but what does their relationship have to do with it...?"
"Do you know how destructive normal people are when they have a marital spat? Can you imagine what that'd look like between an overpowered alien and a demigod? When a normal man hits a wall in anger, his fist bleeds. When Superman does it, the wall crumbles. Their power together is already intimidating to think about, but imagine the casual destruction if they split up?"
For a couple times, Clark simply opened and closed his mouth, unsure what to say to that. Lex was his mirror, the one to speak plainly to him and show him where regular people saw a danger in him. It had not occurred to Clark that some would think of his relationship with Wonder Woman as one such danger. To keep his mouth busy, he put a piece of cheese in it.
"Enough of that now," declared Lana, waving a hand around. "You sounded like you wanted to talk about something specific on the phone, Clark. Is something up?"
"Ah. I... no. I just..." his hand went to his pocket, tapping against the box in it.
"Out with it, Clark," prompted Lex, giving him a hard look.
Heaving a sigh, he did pull the box out of his pocket and placed it on the table, immediately making Lana gasp in excitement and slap his arm. Lex took until Clark opened the wooden box.
"I'm afraid I can't say yes, Clark. I'm already happily married," Lex sighed sadly.
"Ha, ha, ha. You're so funny, Lex," Clark huffed. "I want to propose to Diana."
"And you're... asking for our blessing? Because you absolutely have it. I love her," declared Lana.
"No, not... though I'm happy to hear that," Clark smiled a little. "No, I need your help, because you're the one happily married couple I know. How do I... I just..."
"Well, I invited Lana for dinner, in Paris. And proposed to her at the top of the Eiffel tower."
"Which, I think might be a bit out of Clark's price-range, love," noted Lana.
"Right. Yes. Well, we have good restaurants in Washington too. And beautiful landmarks that work as a backdrop too. What's important isn't the where, it's the who. As long as you love her and she loves you, you could propose to her in a dirty back-alley and it'd be perfect."
"But maybe don't do that," interrupted Lana with one eyebrow raised. "Make it, at the bare minimum, a story you can one day tell your children or grandchildren, mh?"
"Those are very good parameters," agreed Lex, waving his fork a little. "Don't... Don't overthink it. Not where you do it or what you say. Just think about her, everything else will come naturally."
The way Lex looked at Lana when he said that gave Clark genuine pause. He was right. Clark was completely overthinking this, just like he had with their first date. In the end, all he had to do was ask. And the answer had been yes and the rest was history. This... wasn't so different from that.
/break\
"No! No, bad, Nite! Nite, no! Kryptonite, don't eat that!"
The loud yelling drew Diana's attention nearly as soon as she entered the fortress. At least the yelling was aimed at Kryptonite, so there wasn't an intruder. Even at her large size, Kryptonite was still a cat at heart. Meaning she liked to throw things off flat surfaces and she liked to eat things she most definitely should not be eating. Smiling to herself, Diana made her way toward where she could hear Clark's voice come from. The smile grew as she saw Clark wrestling with the cat that was more than twice his size. Kryptonite seemed clearly unhappy as she fought him.
"No—o, don't, please don't eat it, please," Clark was pleading with her quite desperately.
"Hello, Nite. Whatever you have there, drop it," ordered Diana.
She wrapped her lasso around the cat in a safe manner and pulled her off Clark. A box fell from the startled cat's mouth and as it hit the floor, it cracked open and something small and round rolled out of it. Letting go of Nite, Diana went to pick it up. Her eyes widened as she realized it was a ring.
"...I was trying to tie the box to Nite's neck. She doesn't like collars. Then she figured she could eat it. This is not how I had planned this," Clark sighed, sounding disappointed.
Diana turned toward him, a smile on her lips as she handed the ring over to Clark. "Ask me."
She'd be lying if she said she hadn't thought about it. After Clark had first introduced her to Lex and Lana, she had started hanging out with Lana a lot. Seeing the happily married couple, or seeing Lois and Cat with Carter, it had made her question where she wanted to take her own relationship. Even Chloe and James, they had gotten engaged three months ago. The problem was knowing when the right time for something was. This relationship was relatively young, but then many things were relative for an immortal. On the island, she'd had relationships that had lasted for decades but had at no point felt as real and deep as this relationship with Clark did.
"Diana, do you... do you want to be the Wonder Woman to my Superman?" asked Clark with a slightly cheesy grin on his lips, kneeling down in front of her. "Would you... make me the happiest man? Do you want to marry me? Because I do. I love you."
"Yes, Clark," replied Diana, her whole face lighting up. "Yes, I do."
Now his face matched hers, bright smile, happiness radiating off of him as he got up and picked her up by the waist, whirling her around in the air. She laughed, her arms around his neck before she leaned down to kiss him softly. Kryptonite started chasing around them until they touched ground.
"I think your idea was very sweet," offered Diana amused. "Since Nite was how we met, officially."
"If only she was more cooperative," Clark huffed, glaring at the cat.
Kryptonite meowed in an unapologetic manner, curling together.
/break\
"A toast! To the happy couple!" announced Arthur in a booming voice, glass lifted.
Clark flushed and leaned closer against Diana. Of course did they have to celebrate their engagement. Lex and Lana had even flown in to celebrate it with , Lois and Cat, James and Chloe. Clark felt a little bad that most were his friends, but Diana had reasoned that they had become her friends too. Steve had felt strange about being here. Him and Clark didn't entirely see eye to eye; there was some jealousy lingering. And all of Diana's other friends lived on an island in Europe.
"Show me the ring again," demanded Chloe, holding a hand out for Diana.
She laughed and entertained the blonde, offering her hand. Cat threw a judgmental look at it too.
"A woman like you deserves a few more karat, but I suppose what it lacks in that, it makes up in sentimental value, doesn't it? Kent family heirloom," offered Cat.
"It's beautiful, is what she meant to say," corrected Lois, nudging her girlfriend.
"You better treat her right," warned Arthur as he wrapped an arm around Clark's shoulders.
"Believe me, I have no intentions of doing wrong by her," promised Clark. "And if I do, you can feed me to the sharks, Arthur. How's that sound?"
"Overly dramatic," supplied Cat with two raised eyebrows.
Though Arthur simply laughed loudly in agreement. They toasted to it once more, drinking, laughing and talking all evening. A casual evening like this was... refreshing. Clark had spent the past nine evenings in a row out there, hearing some kind of disaster. Diana kept telling him that they couldn't save everyone, that that could not be their responsibility, if they wanted to live. And they needed to live. For Superman to exist, Clark Kent needed to exist. He'd drown if being Superman was all he did. He loved his work as a journalist, he loved his work at the farm, he loved his friends and family, he needed food and sleep. The police existed for a reason. Minor crimes were not Superman's responsibility, he needed to learn to delegate. Diana had helped him realize that.
"You're happier than I have ever seen you," noted James as he joined Clark outside.
About three hours into the party, Clark had needed some fresh air. Also, Lois and Diana were giving a very loud, drunk and off-key rendition of Jolene, as the evening had reached the karaoke stage. Clark definitely needed a breather from that. Turning a little, he looked at his friend.
"She... has helped me balance my life better," whispered Clark before he turned back to look out over at the field. "Not just by being at my side in... costume. Or being at my side like this. She taught me some good lessons about myself. I do think she... makes me better."
"Which is saying a lot, seeing as you might be the best man on the planet already," noted James.
He came to lean next to Clark, nudging against him gently. "You think too highly of me."
"Your humbleness is part of what makes you such a good man, Clark Kent. And you deserve the world. You've lived all your life for others. You are allowed to live for yourself too."
"You are a wise man, James Olsen," declared Clark, a playful smile on his lips.
"I know. Took you long to notice," James smirked at him. "You know, we could turn it into a double-wedding? You, me, Chloe, Diana."
"I've heard somewhere that a bride doesn't like to share her big day and I gotta say, in that case, I might be the bride," Clark argued. "I want our wedding day to be all about Diana and me."
"That's fair... I was hoping I could hand over some responsibilities to you," James chuckled.
"Yeah. You two workaholics are really struggling with putting a date to the wedding."
"Guilty as charged," James groaned, leaning his head forward.
"Get it together, Olsen," advised Clark, patting him on the back.
Chuckling, Clark pushed off the rail, heading back inside. Immediately, he had to smile as he saw Lana and Diana dance with each other on the table while Lex was singing I Need A Hero.
"-He's gotta be strong and he's gotta be fast and he's gotta be fresh from the fi—ight!"
Clark covered his mouth to smother his laughter as a drunk Lex Luthor sang his heart out. Still laughing, he collapsed on the couch, right next to Cat, who was slowly nursing a cocktail.
"I love this, we have to do this more often," declared Cat. "Adults. Having adult conversations. I missed this. I have had way too many mommy conversations..."
"You wanted a child. These come with those kind of things," pointed Clark out.
"Shush, don't be sassy, it doesn't suit you," chided Cat with a pout. "I know. I know. And I love Carter. It's just that, on occasion, you forget that you are actually a full human yourself."
"I'm sure Lois is helping you with that," argued Clark gently.
"I... She is. And she is... wonderful with Carter. She's an amazing mother."
Cat smiled, such a loving look in her eyes. Clark grinned and nudged her playfully, though it didn't last long because then Lois was all up in his face, grabbing his hand and pulling on it.
"C'mon. You. Me. Duet. Now," ordered Lois seriously.
Cat didn't get to sit much longer either, because Arthur pulled her up for a dance. Across the dance-floor, Clark locked eyes with Diana, who was now dancing with Etta. She smiled at him warmly, her eyes sparkling nearly purple in this light. Cat was right. They should do this more often. It was nice, being among his friends, simply having fun.
/2007\
It was the middle of the night when Clark suddenly sat upright in their bed. So suddenly that it also woke Diana. She frowned, sleepily, rubbing her eyes. They'd had a long day, a bomb-threat in Washington had kept Superman and Wonder Woman busy for hours today. Usually, it'd have been easier to take care of, but the bank had been old, too much lead in the vault. No help from Clark's x-ray vision to assess the situation. No one had died though, only minor injuries. Normally, they both slept very good after a day like that. Concern was written all over her face as she grasped his arm.
"A heartbeat," whispered Clark, voice low but slightly panicked. "I can hear a heartbeat."
"You mean there is an intruder in the house?" Diana quickly sat up, face hardening. "You go to Martha, keep your mother safe, I will go downstairs and-"
"No. No intruder," Clark shook his head, a baffled smile on his lips.
He had grasped her hand, but now his was slipping down, resting on her stomach. It took her a bit to understand what he was talking about and as she caught on with it, her eyes widened. She rested her hand on top of Clark's, on her stomach. Truly? She had put on some weight, but she had honestly been blaming Martha's cooking and the excessive amount of pies. Not...
"You know Lana's been asking me about this," whispered Diana, voice wavering. "Since Carter and Alex are close in age. If, once we're married, we plan on having children."
"And... uh... what did you answer?" there was a certain amount of anxiety in his voice.
"I... told her yes, but that we haven't talked about it ourselves yet," replied Diana.
"I... I had a similar conversation with Lex before," admitted Clark, a smile growing on his lips.
"So, we agree that we are... surprised but happy?" Diana had to ask, just to be sure.
"Yes. Yes I am... I... a... a baby..." Clark's voice was filled with awe now. "Our baby."
Their baby. Well, now neither of them could fall asleep again. They laid with each other for a few minutes, before giving up on that and getting something done instead. Clark reached for his glasses – out of habit more than out of need – before turning on his laptop.
"Do we tell people?" wondered Diana. "If you can already hear the heartbeat..."
"If you want to, yes? But maybe... slowly rolling it out?" suggested Clark. "Arthur and our mothers first."
"Yes, definitely," agreed Diana and got her phone out. "I'll text him that he's going to be an uncle."
"Works as well, with your strange family tree," Clark chuckled, before his face darkened. "Oh no."
"What? What's wrong, Clark?" Diana lowered her phone, turning toward him worried.
"Robert Queen shipwrecked. His son... he was with him on the ship. It was a father son trip. Oliver Queen was only twenty-two. He was just a year younger than me. I've seen him on the news, a lot. A party-boy. Playboy bigger than Bruce Wayne, really. Just... younger. And now..." Clark paused. "I wonder what's going to happen to Queen Industry, with the head and the heir dead."
"Let me guess, you are already texting Perry about going to Star City?" Diana smirked amused.
"You know me too well," Clark grinned sheepishly. "Though now with the baby-"
"Clark. Please. You have your job. Don't step back. I'm not going to step back from work just yet either. I'm not even really showing yet. Relax, okay? Let's take this one day at a time. Go and chase that next big story, you've only done smaller, local issues lately," assured Diana, kissing his cheek.
/break\
Clark couldn't be happier or prouder as he stood straight, wearing an uncomfortable tux. James and Lex stood next to him, his best men. Looking like penguins too. Clark felt silly, he was much more comfortable in his costume or even his flannel. But this? Fancy wasn't him. At least not until Arthur and Diana rounded the corner and walked out toward them and the guests. Since Diana didn't have a father-figure in her life, her cousin had agreed to bring her down the isle. Their mothers sat in the front row, whispering with each other, at least until the music started. While Hippolyta seemed cold and wary toward Clark, she was getting along very well with Martha, at least.
"You look so beautiful," Clark whispered in awe as Diana stopped in front of him.
He instinctively leaned in to kiss her, but she stopped him with a hand and a laugh. "Not yet."
"Oh. Right. I'm sorry. I just... want to kiss you when I see you," Clark smiled sheepishly.
"Well then, let's get this started so you can kiss the bride," offered the priest.
The guests laughed and Clark blushed. Admittedly, Clark wasn't paying much attention to the ceremony itself. He was staring at Diana. Her white wedding dress was in a distinct Greek style, her hair put up and stacked higher than he thought possible, but in an elegant way. They had decided to put together the wedding quickly after they found out Diana was pregnant; they wanted to be married before the baby was born, especially since they had already been engaged before they found out. They were going to spend their honeymoon on Themyscira, where Diana wanted to stay for a couple of months afterward. Wonder Woman couldn't be seen pregnant, it would put a target on their baby and might make people realize who they were. For the first time, she seemed to fully understand the need for a dual identity. She had gathered enemies as Wonder Woman, among them the Cheetah, if those enemies knew she had a vulnerable child and knew where she lived, then her child might fall victim to an attack. No, they were going to their honeymoon and Diana would be spending some time with her 'sick mother' afterward, while Wonder Woman had already left a few weeks ago, supposedly on a very important and dangerous mission in the underworld, for the gods. Who was going to disprove that, after all? Clark just worried about not being with her for months.
"Clark. Clark, this is your cue to say 'I do'," James whispered, elbowing him.
"I'm sorry, I got lost in my fiance's eyes," blurted Clark out with flushed cheeks.
"Well, if you say 'I do', you can get lost in your wife's eyes," offered Lex bemused.
"I do," stated Clark quickly, firmly. "I do."
"And do you, Diana Prince, want to take Clark Kent to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
"I do," replied Diana, an honest, little smile on her lips.
"Now you may kiss the bride," instructed the priest.
Clark leaned in, cradling Diana's neck gently and pulling her into a slow, deep kiss as cheers from their friends and family erupted around them. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, firmly pushing down, holding him grounded, which was a blessing because he would have taken off in that moment, overcome with happiness. He laughed into their kiss, his own hands on her hips.
"How... does Missus Diana Kent sound?" whispered Diana teasingly.
"A... Are you... uh... sure? It sounds lovely, but I mean-"
"Prince is a name I made up for a persona. It doesn't mean anything. Kent... Kent does. And it's a family I want to be a part of. We want to be a part of," offered Diana, a hand on her stomach.
Clark smiled, squeezing his eyes shut to keep from crying out. He only wished his father was here.
/break\
Many of the amazons didn't take too well to their guest as Clark spent a week with them on their honeymoon, but most respected that he was now Diana's husband and Diana was their princess. It wasn't like men couldn't physically enter, men had entered Themyscira before, after all. And over the next couple of months, he kept visiting daily, even if just quickly peeking in. Diana knew that staying here was for the best during her pregnancy. Themyscira was where she wanted her child to be born. And while Hippolyta had had her opinions about Clark at first, she had eased off after the wedding and more so after Diana told her that she was pregnant. Diana guessed that Hippolyta was appeased by knowing that unlike her, Diana was having her child with the man she loved, who would also be there for her and support her and raise the child with her. Unlike Zeus.
"Push," instructed Hippolyta firmly, holding her daughter's hand.
"Is Clark here yet?" asked Diana before a contraction hit her.
"He will be soon, I promise. For now, concentrate on the task at hand," Hippolyta pressed a kiss to her daughter's head. "I'm sorry I have given you a hard time about him. He... seems to be a good man. Those are... very rare. What matters now is your child."
Diana's scream tore through Themyscira, her worry about Clark not being here distracting her, until he finally came flying through an open window, a bewildered look on his face as he stumbled toward them. One of the guards caught him by the arm before he could crash into something in his haste and helped guide him toward Diana. He sank down beside her, taking her free hand.
"I'm here, love. I'm here," declared Clark.
"And so is your son," announced the healer, holding up a baby. "The prince of Themyscira."
/break\
"He's so tiny. And squishable," declared Kara as she poked the baby's cheek.
"He's... pretty cute. For a baby," offered Alex next to her sister, wiggling her nose a little. "Hey."
"He is perfect," Martha smiled as she bounced her grandson on her lap.
Clark's chest was puffed out as he watched his ma and the baby. Him and Diana had returned to the US a few days after the birth – and after all amazons had been appeased by getting to hold the only man who was now an accepted member of the amazons, their new little prince. Diana was about to open her mouth when her phone rang. She held up a finger and walked out. When he saw Arthur's ID flash, Clark couldn't help but listen, see if he needed their help.
"Art? You're up early today," Diana's voice sounded concerned.
"Nothing happened. Don't worry, cuz. I just-" Arthur paused. "I met this bird-"
Clark raised one eyebrow, turning toward the window to watch his wife pace.
"Arthur," Diana interrupted pointedly, a scowl on her face.
"Sorry. A lady. She's a spitfire. Nothing like any girl I ever met. Di, I'm telling you, she's one of a kind", he sounded very at ease, in a way Clark had rarely heard.
"That's wonderful, Art. I'm looking forward to meeting her, you should bring her by the next time you're over to dinner. You wouldn't pout about being a third wheel then", Diana teased him.
It was true that Arthur had been the odd man out when they met as a group, though occasionally, he did meet someone to hook up with. Clark smiled to himself, wondering what kind of woman would catch Arthur Curry's attention. Though he didn't wonder for long, because his son's crying caught his attention. He took her from Martha, lifting him up high, which made him giggle.
"What's his name?" asked Kara curiously, kicking her feet back and forth.
Having hung up the phone, Diana returned back inside and came to stand next to Clark, gently brushing a hand over their son's head and leaning against Clark. Clark couldn't express how much he wished his father could be here to share this moment with them.
"Jonathan," replied Diana. "Jonathan Kent."
~*~ The End ~*~
Author's note: As you may have noticed if you read my Superman oneshot, I am leaning heavily onto "Smallville" for Clark's story. And one of my biggest problems with that show was that Lex never had to be a villain, if Jonathan had not been so prejudiced against the Luthor-name and treated Lex with the kindness he was capable of for others, if the Kents had gotten to be a family and influence on Lex, then the Clark-Lex friendship would have won out. Rant over.
Kryptonite the giant super-cat is taken from the 1998 comic "Distant Fires". She has become a vital part to the SuperWonder family for me, so she had to be in here.
I occasionally yell about SuperWonder on tumblr (come visit me at takaraphoenix), if you want to, come and yell with me or at me! ;D
