Don't Leave
Millcreek Mall
Clark shook his head. "I'll be back, Diana. I'm going to figure this out. I promise."
"This is Hailey Bradshaw with channel 34 news. There's seem to be some type of wolf? A werewolf? Yes, a werewolf, terrorizing shoppers!"
"Come on! Let's go!" A man yelled. "Get the children out now! Get th-"
He froze suddenly as the werewolf jumped in front of him.
"Please…no…"
The werewolf raised its claws about to strike though a gust of wind suddenly went by and the wolf was gone.
Superman rushed tackling the wolf.
"Oh lookie, lookie, the Kryptonian is right on time."
"Strife! What are you doing?!"
"Will she save him or be the one to kill him? She has Zeus' blood running through her veins…as well as the Amazons. Selfish, ruthless…that should be her true nature."
Strife grinned mischievously as her hand started to glow. As Superman and the wolf were at a stand still only eye to eye, the wolf began to glow. Shaking its head, and howling, it felt a power surge: teeth, paws, and claws larger, eyes turning fiery red.
"What the hell?!"
The wolf immediately launched itself at Superman starting to strike him matching his speed.
Superman was able to dodge most of the strike but his uniform was taking a lot of damage bring torn apart so easily.
"Clark! What's happening?" Bruce asked over his communicator in his ear.
"This thing has unbelievable strength. I'm…sensing a bit of magic in the air."
"Zatanna and Constantine's team can hel-"
"No! This isn't that kind of fight. Something is wrong. I can handle it!"
"Don't be an idiot."
"If keeping teammates and everyone else out of danger is being an idiot, I'll stand by being so proudly."
Superman punched the wolf but to not avail, it was slowing down, it seemed to only be getting angrier.
"Strife!"
"Just a moment…"
Back at Diana's condominium, Diana was watching the TV in terror.
"Hessia, I need to go! He needs me!"
"I'm not understanding you, Diana. A while ago you were angry with him but now…?"
"I don't know what's going on with me! My heart…is so torn. I know that I care for him but it's something that's keeping me distant. I have to try, Hessia. I can't let him get hurt."
Hessia exhaled deeply. "Diana…I…I can't let you go."
"Hessia, please!"
"I'll have to go with you. You won't stand on the sidelines of a battle but you aren't in the right state to fight."
"You are right. I won't stand on the sidelines. Not when I see the man I love needs me."
"Will you know the difference of who your enemy is? Because you are treating him as one."
"Because he is. You don't love him. He is nothing."
Diana closed her eyes and clenched her fists.
"It's all a lie!" Diana opened her eyes. "I know my truth. I'm going, Hessia. I don't know what will happen...I'm taking that risk. But I know he knows me."
"Does he? Pathetic. Giving yourself to this man. You are a Princess. A goddess!"
Hessia smirked. "That's my little Goddess, I know. Go to him, Diana."
Diana nodded slightly and flew off.
She was fighting her own inner battle. This manipulative evil voice in her head repeating these vicious lies. She wasn't going to give up. Not on herself and definitely not on Clark.
Superman was struggling to keep conscious. Blow by blow, strike by strike, he couldn't understand why this thing wasn't letting up.
"Out of my way!" He heard a familiar voice yell. He can't say he wasn't relieved but he knew this would cause even more problems. "Diana."
She kicked the wolf in the face. Without any hesitation, she continued her attack and was relentless. Diana felt her own rage starting to rise.
"You see? He is weak. Do you think he is a worthy mate?"
She looked at the wolf. "You will die, now, monster! To the depths of Hades with you!"
Strife laughed. "He will see now. The true way of the Amazons."
The wolf was down half conscious. All of a sudden his body began to glow. Instead of becoming even larger, it's body was decreasing and changing.
Clark watched in shock. "Diana! No!"
As she was about to strike with her sword, Clark dashed in front of her and caught her blade. He winced as the blade sliced his palm.
"What are you doing?!" She yelled at him. "You dare protect a monster?"
"Diana, he isn't a monster. He's just a man."
"Just a man?!" She frowned becoming angrier. "Men are monsters! Every last one will perish for what they've done!Starting with you!"
Clark remained still letting her stab him in his right shoulder.
It was if time stood still. They locked eyes. His filled with sorrow while hers was of rage.
"Kill me, Diana…if that's what you really want to do."
"Kill him. He is nothing to you. He will hurt you just as your mother was hurt by Hercules…Zeus…just as all the men our sisters have dealt with. You can not escape that treacherous fate unless you kill him."
He walked closer to her with the blade going deeper through his shoulder.
"This isn't you, Diana. I need you to fight it. I know your Amazon sisters…your mother went through hell. But I'm not one of those men. You know that you can trust me. Try to think back on us, Diana." He wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her into an embrace. Feeling her body so tense, he held her even tighter. "I'm not giving up on us. I'm not letting them take you away from me."
"He is trying to manipulate you. Remember what Mother has told you."
Tears started to well up in Diana's eyes. "K…Kal…I'm…" her body started to relax. "…sorry." Tears ran down her face. She closed her eyes letting her weight fall all on him. Letting him hold her.
"He doesn't love you. He just wants to control you. An Amazon should never bow to any man. He doesn't deserve your heart."
"I'm sorry," she repeated. "It's a lie…it's all a lie!"
Clark's heart shattered. His Diana was still there just as he knew so.
"I'm right here, Di. I got you. No matter what…I got you."
Realizing she had fallen unconscious, he hoisted her up on his left shoulder.
"Superman?! Dude!" Shazam questioned.
He saw Flash, Shazam, and Green Lantern.
"I told Batman I had this handled."
"Um yeah… sure? I mean you're still standing even with a sword stuck in your shoulder."
"Manny Humphries. Not much on the fellow besides being a cliche out of a low budget horror movie," Constantine said lighting up a cigarette. "We'll take him in, Superman."
"I really can't keep looking at that." Green Lantern conjured large medical tweezers taking out the sword.
Superman winced.
"Dude, you really need to get that checked out."
"I'm fine. Give me the sword."
Lantern gave him the sword looking at him with bewilderment.
"I gotta ask….Is this some type of weird kink thing going on with you and Diana?"
"What?! No!"
Flash smacked him in the back of the head.
"This is serious," Superman said sternly. "You saw what happened yesterday with her. There's something wrong and I'm going to figure it out and help bring her back. But I don't need any of your bullshit. Nor from Bruce, either, got it?!"
Lantern raised his hands in defense. "Okay…okay…"
Superman took off up to the skies.
"Wait…wait…did Big Blue just say bullshit?!" Shazam asked shocked.
"That's all you got from that?" Flash asked.
"It's best not to test the Boy Scout. His lady there is being consumed by something mighty powerful," Constantine informed. "What he says is true. No one else needs involvement. Let'em be."
Diana's condominium
Clark landed on the balcony with a thud. Hessia opened the door and gasped seeing blood all over his right arm and the bloody sword.
"Clark! You're wounded!"
"It's nothing. Just need to bandage it up."
"Diana?"
"She's going to be alright."
"She did that?"
"It's okay, Hessia. It wasn't her. Not intentionally. Could you help get her into bed while I wash all this off."
"Yes, of course."
Clark walked into Diana's room with Hessia, laying Diana down as gently as he could.
"I'll help you cover your wound."
He slightly nodded to Hessia before going into the bathroom.
"Oh, little Goddess…you have quite the guardian."
Mount Olympus
"His will is strong. So loyal and dedicated."
"Maybe so...there is still more to be seen."
20 minutes later, Clark was sitting at the table while Hessia assessed his wounds.
"She said that every last man will perish for what they've done."
"Clark, you know the history of the Amazons. Lost souls from centuries of women who were betrayed, abused, tortured and murdered. We were to have a fresh start again, but men came unto our shores and disrupted our peace."
"I know I can't take that pain away. But Diana's mission was to bring that peace back in a way. To bring not only knowledge of the Amazons but for the Amazons to find forgiveness in their hearts for man and move forward. She doesn't want her mother and other sisters separated from the world any longer."
"Little Goddess has always been quite ambitious."
"But Hessia, you and I both know Diana is the one to make that change. I will be right by her side to help her and make sure it happens."
"Maybe she needs to go home for a while?"
"No, she has to be here. I sort of have a plan. She won't like it and she will be annoyed with me but I don't care. She is the woman I love and I've already vowed to stay right by her side."
Hessia smiled. "You are very loyal, dedicated to her. I can see why Diana has fallen for such a man as you."
Clark smiled back. "Diana and I…it's been a very complicated tough road for us. This is just one of the many obstacles, speed bumps…curves whatever you want to call it... we have to go through it together. Honestly, Hessia, I'll do it all over again for Diana. I'll take any pain, make any sacrifice for her."
"She would never want you to do all that just for her though, Clark."
"Our responsibilities as Superman and Wonder Woman is a priority. Pretty much number one. Yeah, we talked about that. The world will always come first. But the world needs Wonder Woman just as much as Superman…if not more. I need her."
Hessia nodded. "I understand. Believe it or not, I was in love once or twice before. I know that you two do have a very special bond."
"I'm going to get my Diana back. When this is over, Diana and I are going to truly give this a shot. No more hesitating. I hate that it took something like this too make that decision. But we were just trying to take our time."
"Love is patient but maybe not that patient after all," Hessia joked.
Clark chuckled.
"Would you like for me to stay?"
"No. I can handle Diana. Like I said, I have a plan."
"I'm curious to know what this plan is…if you don't mind telling."
"I'm going to break that wall back down. Show Diana how much I love her."
"So the plan is courting?"
"In a way, yeah. But not only that, but I have to remind Diana of why she is here. All the women and children she's inspired."
"You have my trust, Clark." Hessia sighed. "Well I'll get going then. But peek on Little Goddess first."
Clark nodded and slouched more in the chair trying to relax a bit.
Hessia quietly stepped into Diana's room. She walked over to her to see she was still sound asleep.
"To me, you are still that little girl of Themyscira. Such innocence yet a fierce fighter. There will never be anything wrong with that. I need you to fight, Diana. Fight like I know you can. Do not let the Gods take away who you are. Clark is with you. He truly is the man you've said he is, Diana. Trust him as you know you can."
Hessia tucked the blanket more for Diana then quietly left out of the room.
"She's still sound asleep," she said to him walking back to the table to gather her things.
"Good. She needs rest."
"You need to get rest as well, Clark. Those wounds need to heal."
"I know. Thanks for your help."
"Don't hesitate. Call me immediately if anything occurs."
Clark nodded, "Yes, I will."
After Hessia left, Clark went into the bedroom. He stood watching Diana for a moment. She was so beautiful. He eased into bed on the left side and caressed her cheek ever so lightly before laying down.
"No hesitation…" he said to himself as he placed his injured arm around her.
He moved closer for her back against his chest, her frame fitting perfectly into him. He held her as tight as he could baring the pain he was feeling in his arm. He inhaled the scent of her hair and kissed the back of her head.
"Please, Di…come back to me."
The next Morning….
Diana gasped and sat up quickly.
"Hey! What's wrong?" She heard beside her.
She frowned looking toward Clark. As she was just about to jump out of bed, he grabbed her arm.
"No."
She yanked away from him. "Why are you here…and in my bed?!"
"Calm down, Diana. I was watching over you last night!"
"Sure you were…" She closed her eyes for a moment as flashes of what occurred hours ago replayed in her mind. She looked at his shoulder. "You're hurt…"
"It's just a scratch."
"Don't lie to me."
"It's fine."
"I…I stabbed you."
"And?"
Diana sighed and stood up. "I don't have time for you're arroga-"
Clark quickly wrapped his arms around her waist.
"Let me go right now!"
"We will be leaving out for the day. I need you to get ready so we can have breakfast."
"Who are you to tell me what to do?! Let me go!"
Clark let her go and she pushed him out her way to get back in bed. She covered herself completely with the blanket.
Clark let out a deep sigh. "So be it."
Diana gasped and squirmed feeling herself be lifted from the bed.
"Put me down, right now, you barbaric nea-!"
Clark put her down and grabbed her upper arms making her look at him.
"Diana, stop and listen to me, dammit!" he yelled.
"Oh…yes…there's that passion, space creature," Strife laughed looking down from the scrying pool. "Show her your dominance."
"Strife!" Eros warned.
"Relax, Eros. Just watch."
Diana's heart dropped, shocked. Clark stared at her intently. He can see it in her eyes. No longer innocent, bright and full of love but full of anger, mistrust, and sadness.
"I am not going to argue with you anymore! You can be pissed off at me all damn day. Try to stab me again. I don't care, because that won't stop me from being here to try to help you!"
"I…" she frowned.
"I'm sorry. I don't mean to yell at you. But I need you to know how serious I am. Just give me this one chance, okay? If I screw anything up, you have all the right not to ever speak to me again."
Eros smirked. "He's taking quite the gamble. I knew I liked him for some reason."
Strife grinned. "I told you this would be fun."
"Don't try to get ahead of yourself."
"Diana, please. You know me. You know you can trust me."
She averted her eyes for a moment then looked back up at him.
"Where are you taking me?"
"It's a surprise but you will love it."
"Fine."
Clark smiled and pulled her close kissing her forehead.
Diana pushed him away again. "Don't you dare do that again!"
"No promises with that."
"Ugh!" Diana stormed into the bathroom and slammed the door locking it. "Damn him!"
"That's right, Diana. Damn him to Hades. He is worthless. He is just like all the vermin mortal men crawling around."
Diana looked at herself on the mirror. She stared at her reflection trying to make sense of all of this.
"Don't be like Mother. Falling so easily for that man's manipulation."
Diana shook her head. "No…he isn't like that. He-"
"You heard him. That tone of authority and control he thinks he can have over you."
"No that…" she could still feel his warm lips against her forehead. "He cares. He isn't like any other man."
Meanwhile in the kitchen…
Clark was lost in his own thoughts while trying to make breakfast.
"I didn't mean to yell at her. Not in that way," he sighed. "This is frustrating for both of us. This isn't some kind of easy fix. The lasso is in-effect. I have to do this on my own."
After 30 minutes, Clark was done cooking and Diana finally came out of her room. She was dressed in a tank top and thigh high jean shorts.
Clark double took. Yeah, he loved seeing her in her Wonder Woman attire: body suit and boots leaving almost nothing to the imagination for him. Even the gowns she wore at events had him mesmerized. But what he loved most of all was her casual wear such as this or maybe even a tunic or dress made from Themyscira. She seemed so much more comfortable and care free.
"Why are you staring at me like that?" Diana asked annoyed snapping him out of his thoughts.
"You are beautiful as always," he answered turning back to put the finishing touches to Diana's plate.
She tried not to blush and rolled her eyes.
Clark brought her plate and setting it down with her cup of coffee just how she liked as well as a glasses of water, he stood behind her.
"I don't need a guard dog."
"Just eat, Diana, so we can go."
Her heart fluttered. His voice sounded so commanding yet filled with care.
She looked over her shoulder. "You poisoned this didn't you?"
"What the hell, Diana?! No. If you aren't hungry then just say that!" Clark reached over about to take her plate but Diana slapped his hand away.
"I was just asking. Becoming defensive seems suspicious."
Clark was confused. "Do you want it or not?"
Diana grabbed her fork and cut into the omelette. Taking the first bite, she couldn't help her natural reaction, letting out a soft moan.
Clark smirked. "See? You've always loved my cooking."
Diana rolled her eyes. "It doesn't mean anything. It's a skill you posses."
"I'll look pass the back handed compliment. But I'm glad you acknowledged it's a skill."
Diana sighed. "Typical. Male pride."
"That's not male pride, Diana. Not in the way you think. I'm proud to do this because you know how I loved being in the kitchen with my Ma learning from her. So yeah, I take pride in my cooking seeing you enjoy it."
Diana looked over her shoulder. "Why are you still standing behind me?"
"I don't need water splashed in my face again."
Diana turned back. "I'm…You didn't deserve that."
"You're frustrated and not happy with me right now, I know."
"Sit down."
"If you say please."
Diana turned narrowing her eyes.
Clark chuckled and bent down kissing her forehead.
"What did I say about that?!"
"A day or so ago, you loved it."
Diana averted her eyes. "Individuals change…"
"Sure… but of their own will."
"What do you mean by that?! I'm not a weak child!"
"I never said that, Diana. I just know that this attitude isn't you."
"I am an Amazon! Daughter of Queen Hippolyta! I don't need a man telling me who I am!"
"I didn't say that either." Clark stood up. "Finish your food."
As he went into the kitchen to wash the dishes, Diana kept staring at him.
Gods this man.
Diana frowned eating the last bit of her breakfast.
She stood up and picked up her plate taking it to him.
Clark smiled. "I'm glad you ate it all this time. Later, I'll make you're favorite for dinner."
"Why won't you leave?"
"Why would I?"
"What does being here with me do for you? Especially when I don't even want you here."
"If you really didn't want me here, you would've kicked my ass out by now. I mean literally kicked my ass. And being here with you, Diana, is where I'm suppose to be."
She scuffed.
He says all the right things. But he doesn't mean them.
Diana was snapped out of her thoughts when Clark started taking his shirt off.
"Wha-what are you doing?!"
"I spilled coffee on my shirt. Need to clean it right quick." He quirked his brow. "What did you think I was going to do?"
Diana shook her head and averted her eyes. "Nothing." She side eyed him, then looking directly at him, she couldn't help but stare at his Godly body.
Clark smirked, noticing her staring.
"I'd rather you look at me like that then a death stare."
Diana frowned and quickly turned away walking into the living room. She sat down on the couch with her arms folded.
Clark finished cleaning his shirt and made sure everything else in the kitchen was cleaned. He went into the living room putting his shirt back on.
"Are you ready to go?"
"I guess so."
Clark held out his hand for her to take. Diana stood up on her own with her arms still folded and walked toward the balcony.
Clark sighed and walked over with her to open the door.
Walking out, Clark took the key from underneath the plant pot and locked the door.
"How did you know that was there?!"
"Relax. You are the one that told me. I always use it." Clark took her hand after locking the door. "Let's go."
Diana snatched away.
"Nah uh!" Clark took her hand again.
"I'm not a child!"
"No, but I know you! You will fly off the moment you get a chance and I'm not letting you. This is important, Diana!"
"I won't fly off. Just let me go."
Clark stared into her eyes intently.
"Let me go, Clark."
He let her go and sighed. "Just trust me."
They flew off with Diana following slightly behind.
Their flight was quiet with the tension strong between them.
Victoria Park
Clark stopped and pointed. "You see there?"
"The children?"
"This is your city, Diana. How do you think it would make those kids feel seeing Wonder Woman?" His suit started to generate.
Although hesitant, Diana took her lasso twirling it around her body.
Clark nodded. "Come on."
As they flew down, everyone looked up and gasped excited.
"It's WONDER WOMAN and SUPERMAN!"
Diana smiled as she and Clark landed in the middle of the crowd and the children quickly surrounded them.
"Hello, little ones!"
"This is so cool!"
"Wonder Woman! You are the best! I'm going to be just like you when I grow up!
Diana smiled and laughed picking up a little girl. "And what is your name?"
"Tatiana."
"That's a beautiful name. And well Tatiana, you can be whatever you want to be. Never let anyone tell you otherwise. You, little one, are an honorary Amazon!"
"I want to be an honorary Amazon!" A young boy said.
Diana placed her hand gently in the top of his head. "Your name?"
"Berkley!"
"Berkley, you are an honorary Amazon, as well."
"But Berkley isn't a girl!" Another boy said.
Clark kneeled down and smiled. "Hey, Berkley, Wonder Woman is the best isn't she?"
"Yes, Sir! Oh but you're awesome, too, Superman!"
"Honestly, Wonder Woman is way more awesome! I want to be like her, too!"
Clark looked up at Diana with a smile. She blushed and smiled back.
"It does not matter a girl or boy, you are all Honorary Amazons! Be all of who you believe you are!"
All the children looked at Wonder Woman in awe.
"Who's up for a fight with Superman?!"
"I DO! I DO!" The children said in unison jumping up and down.
Clark looked at her shocked. Diana shrugged slightly with a smirk.
"Yeah! Let's go kiddos!"
Hours passed. Clark and Diana took the children flying, helped with face painting and other activities until the event was completely over. The children did not want to leave having so much fun even started to cry.
"Don't worry. Next time our friends will join us to have even more fun!" Diana assured.
The children crowded around here once again wanting to hug her. The children started a line of their own to get a hug from Wonder Woman and high five from Superman before leaving with their parents.
"This was the best day ever!"
"Mom, you have the pictures!"
When all the children were gone and just left were the event staff packing their things to go, Wonder Woman started walking to the park path. Superman of course followed her. He caught up with her and took her hand. She stopped walking and frowned looking down.
"You are pushing it."
"Am I?"
"Today was for the children and nothing more."
Clark held her hand tighter. "Don't be like that. Today was a good day, wasn't it?"
"Not because of you." Diana twisted her hand making him let her hand go. "Just like a typical man to use innocent children to get your way. What did you expect? Me to fall into your arms?"
"That's not at all what this was! This was a reminder of who you used to be...who you are! You care for every child, woman and man. It never mattered to you. It's been two miserable days without hearing you laugh and seeing you smile like you just were. Diana, if this is how it has to be between me and you, so be it. But I'm not going to let you lose yourself and be someone even the children you have inspired and made happy don't recognize!"
Diana looked down at the ground. "I want to go home."
Clark sighed. "Fine."
They flew off though remained distant. Clark felt as if he was so close but now right back to where he was or even more steps back.
Diana's condominium
Clark opened the door for Diana.
"Are you hungry?"
She nodded.
"Well go get yourself relaxed. I was going to make your favorite but I'll wait for that and make something simpler. But did you want something specific?"
Diana shook her head.
"Alright." Clark went to the kitchen.
Watching him walk away, Diana felt her heart sink. She could feel his disappointment and possible anger with her.
She walked to her bedroom leaving the door open.
Clark stopped what he was doing and sighed. His phone started to ring.
"Hey Hessia," he said immediately answering.
"Hi, Clark. I was just checking to make sure everything was going okay."
"It's still complicated. Diana had a good time at the event and I thought I was making a breakthrough but she became distant with me when it was over."
"Don't worry, Clark. The fact that you saw signs there is someway still for a turn around is more than completely nothing."
"Yeah. I'm going to stick with my plan…taking her places that I know will make her happy. I know my Diana is still there and I'm not giving up."
"That's good to hear! I know you can bring her back."
"Thanks again, Hessia, entrusting me with Diana."
"There's no dying how much you love her, Clark. Anyone can see that. I'll talk with you later."
"Okay, bye Hessia."
"Bye."
Hanging up Clark nodded. "I will never give up on her."
In the shower, Diana let the steaming hot water cascade down her body. She closed her eyes, hearing Clark's voice. Wanting him to be right with her.
He cares so much for me.
Does he?
Yes! He damn well does!
Be careful, Princess. Do not fall as Mother did!
He is not like Father…nor Hercules or any other.
He will how his true self soon enough, Princess. Kill him before his reign begins.
No! I will not harm the man I love! That's not who we are…
Diana turned off the water and reached for the large towel to dry off with. She wrapped the towel around her body and walked out of the bathroom.
She didn't hear anything from the kitchen. She got dressed and stepped out of her room. She still didn't hear anything. He wasn't sitting on the couch nor at the table but yet there was a pot on the stove on low heat simmering.
He left you
No, he did not. He-
"Diana?"
She turned to see Clark with grocery bags.
"I'm sorry. Nothing is burning. I had it on a low temperature. You didn't have all the ingredients I needed to finish the soup so I went to the store."
Clark walked over to set the bags down and started taking everything out. "I got you some ice cream and multi flavored cheese cake. Each slice is a different flavor I mean."
"Oh…thank you."
Clark nodded slightly with a small smile.
"Is your arm okay?" she asked.
"Yeah…I told you it would be."
Awkward silence fell over them as Diana still stood there leaning her her hip against the counter a bit, watching Clark finish their dinner.
Clark went over to her setting the cutting board in front of her.
"Did you want to help finish?"
"I don't want to ruin anything."
Clark smiled. "You won't and never have. You've always helped me."
Diana nodded. Clark stepped behind her and eased his hands on top of hers taking the knife.
Diana tensed slightly then breathed out slowly feeling his chest against her back.
"So just chop all of this finely."
"I…I remember how you taught me before."
"Oh…okay."
When he let her hands go and moved his body, her body started screaming for him. He turned back to the stove stirring the soup.
"You trust me with the knife?"
"Yes, I do. You wouldn't stab me in the back. I mean that literally and metaphorically."
Diana finished cutting the fresh parsley and cilantro. She picked up the cutting board bring it to him. Clark nodded for her to dump it in the pot.
She inhaled and the smell was divine.
"What is it?"
"Gnocchi soup."
Clark leaned over and kissed her forehead. "Thank you for cutting that for me and not stabbing me."
Diana nodded slightly but quickly turned away for him not to see her blushing. She put the board down and walked out the kitchen.
Clark smirked. "Go ahead and sit at the table. 5 more minutes to boil and thicken."
Diana sat at the table with her arms and legs crossed.
No more than 5 minutes, Clark came with the full bowl on a plate with a breadstick on the side.
"You aren't going to eat?"
"Yeah, I was going to stay in the kit-."
"Sit here."
"Oh…you sure?"
Diana nodded.
Clark went to make sure everything was turned off then got his own bowl and sat next to Diana.
"You like it?"
"Yes."
They ate in silence but the atmosphere was a bit better. Diana seemed more relaxed.
Finishing up with their bowls empty, Clark took their bowls into the kitchen to wash them.
Diana got up from the table going to into the kitchen with him.
"Thank you," she said lowly.
"No need to thank me."
"I'm going to bed."
Clark nodded and turned back to finish the dishes.
Diana was hesitant but then walked away going to her room. She again, purposely left the door open.
After Clark washed up everything, he went into her room for a shower. He saw that Diana was curled under her blanket with her back turned away from facing the bathroom.
Maybe he knew…maybe he didn't…but Diana was still wide awake listening to his every move.
Clark got out the shower and got dressed. He walked over the other side of the bed but he didn't lay down. Instead, he took a few pillows and the extra quilt draped across the end edge of the bed and made himself a pallet on the floor.
"Hmm…a new strategy it seems," Eros said watching from the scrying pool. This is good, Kryptonian. Very good."
Clark walked over to her and bent down gently kissing her temple.
"Good night, Di," he whispered.
Diana remained still pretending to be sleep. She was surprised he didn't even try to get in bed with her. She listened as he settled on the floor.
Her heart fluttered and she felt tears welling up in her eyes.
After an hour, Diana was still not asleep. She sat up and moved forward trying to peek over to the floor. Clark was laying on his back snoring a bit.
He was never a heavy sleeper. Actually, he didn't need sleep much at all. But maybe these last 2 days have drained him. He was injured after all, caused by her but instead of giving attention to himself, he had all his focus on her.
She laid back down just looking up at the ceiling. She closed her eyes trying to make herself go to sleep.
Another 3 hours passed and Diana wasn't comfortable at all knowing Clark was on the floor.
She got out of bed with her pillow and placed it on the floor. She laid down moving to get under the quilt with him and curled close to his side.
Clark's eyes shot open but he didn't move so he wouldn't startle Diana.
"Di?" He whispered.
She groaned and curled closer into him.
He chuckled. "You need to get back in the bed."
"No."
"Why not?"
She didn't answer.
"Okay."
He wrapped his arms around her and got up carrying her back to bed. He gently laid her down and pulled the blanket over her.
"I'm just right here, Diana. Okay?"
"Lay down, Kal," she said in a low tone.
He stood there bewildered. "Diana?"
"Get in the damn bed…"
Clark smirked. "Remember, you said to do so."
He eased under the cover and moved closer to her. Diana moved over laying her head on his chest and held on tightly to his shirt.
"Diana?"
"Don't leave. Don't ever leave. I'm not trying to hurt you nor push you away." She buried her face deeper into his chest.
"I know." He wrapped his arms around her and held her as tight as he could. "It's going to be okay. I promise." He kissed the top of her head. "I will never leave you, Di. No matter what. I will never leave you."
She nodded and relaxed, finally drifting off to sleep.
"I will always love you, Diana."