A/N: Hey there True Believers, how has it been going? I know it has been a while since I have updated and I apologize, life has been consistently getting in my way. I know I have mentioned this before, but I feel it needs to be repeated. My work is taking up the vast majority of my time leaving precious few hours for writing, which is why my pace has slowed over the past few years.
However you can rest assured this story will be finished, it is essentially blocked out to the very end and all major plot points are established. So for those invested and interested, there is no need to worry, the story will be told no matter how bad of a writer I am (haha). I appreciate everyone who has stuck around and hope you all enjoy what I produce going forward. All that being said, I hope you enjoy the next chapter of "It's Superman!"
The end of the weekend came about without much fanfare or issue. The party atmosphere had slowly reduced to the point of lazy days and relaxation before everyone went back and started to help with preparations for the festival. Campsites were packed up and cleaned, and it was almost as if they hadn't even been there. Clark and Team RWBY had gone back to the Kent farm, and everything seemed normal, at least Clark hoped it appeared that.
Clark wished he was more confident, he wished he knew how to read people better, he wished he could just know things for certain. Yang's responses had wrong-footed him, especially with how she acted, and not just how she had acted when she was drunk, but in general. Clark knew there was truth to what Lana and Willie had told him, but he was just so nervous and unprepared for these situations.
Put him against a tank, a grim, or any opponent in a fight, he'd know what to do, or at the very least, he wouldn't be so petrified. But when it came to matters of romance, he just couldn't function like he would in other moments of stress. It was like she did something to him, his superior perception was stunted, his reaction was reduced, he even felt slower whenever she talked to him, at least whenever the situation seemed to turn towards matters of the heart.
Clark had done a good job of acting normal, he was convinced of that. The years of hiding his origins had made him quite adept at hiding things and putting on a false face, which is not something he particularly liked about himself, but he did recognize its necessity. Regardless he felt pretty lousy, and despite his skill at hiding things, his parents could still tell he was feeling down, and it didn't take them long to recognize and address it. Less than an hour after arriving back at the farm and unpacking, Jonathan Kent had commandeered his son.
"You ladies don't mind if I steal Clark for a bit, do you? I need a hand down at the fairgrounds getting some things set up," he said merrily, causing Clark to shoot his father a look as he stood up from where he had been sitting on the couch.
"I'll help too," Yang offered in a chipper voice as she stood too and began to follow.
"Don't you dare young lady, you're a guest here," Jonathan said in a playfully stern voice, wagging his finger at her.
"I don't mind. I can get the lay of the fairgrounds. Let me optimize my time," she said in an equally playful seriousness.
"Me and Clark can handle it, and he'll be able to guide you around the fair just fine, don't you fret. You just stay here and relax," he told her cheerily and turned away, a tiny grin on his face having noticed the slightly dejected look that had flashed across her face.
He could tell she was trying to get Clark away from the other girls for some reason, and he thought he knew what that reason was. But Clark, bless the boy, couldn't seem to see what was plainly clear to Jonathan and Martha. For all his gifts, Clark could be exceptionally dense and blind when it came to this particular matter. So he'd have to have a little talk with his son, he wouldn't spell it out, but a little nudge could hurt. So they drove in silence towards the grounds before Jonathan spoke.
"So, how'd things go? Did you have a good time with your friends?" Jonathan asked plainly.
"Yeah, it was alright; I think they had fun," Clark responded in a happy tone that didn't fool his father.
"So why are you so down in the dumps?" he asked.
"I'm not," Clark lied.
"Clark," was all his father said, his voice sounding almost disappointed, and Clark seemed to relent a bit.
"I don't know, dad, I'm just not sure about…things," he said evasively.
"What things?" he asked, his voice sounding conversational and not prying.
Clark didn't answer. He just looked at his hands and let out a long sigh before leaning back and just letting his gaze drift out the window. They stayed in silence until they arrived at the fairgrounds. Jonathan just let him be for the moment. But once they parked, neither of them made any motion to get out.
"I just feel like life has gotten a lot more complicated over the past few months, and I don't know how to deal with it," Clark said, not turning to look at his father.
"Well, son, that's just how life goes sometimes. It's not fun, but you gotta just adapt and keep going," he said simply.
"Sometimes I think I should have never left Smallville. Life was just…simpler," Clark said.
"We both know you were meant for bigger things than Smallville. You knew things were going to be different when you left," he said to Clark.
"I know, but I guess I just wasn't prepared for…certain things," Clark responded, still being evasive.
"Well, sometimes things aren't as bad as we think. Sometimes we just need to meet them head-on, and whatever happens, well, it happens," his father said plainly.
"But what if I make things worse or screw up something important?" Calrk asked, almost panicked and afraid.
Jonathan gave a small shrug "That's for you to decide, Clark, but I think you'll be happier if you take a little risk," he said slyly, earning him a quizzical look from Clark. "Come on, let's get the booth set up," he finished with a grin and got out of the truck.
The next day, once the fair had properly opened, Clark spent the first few hours giving the girls the "Grand Tour", or as grand as it could be. Ruby seemed particularly excited about the games, all of which were, of course, gaffed, but this only seemed to make her more excited, seeming to take it as a challenge. He had to assure her there would be plenty of time for all of them. They had two weeks, and there was a lot more to do. Rides, entertainment, contests, and Clark's personal favorite, the food. The festival was a time when you could get what Clark considered the best food on Remanent.
But all the attractions and touring couldn't do anything to get Clark's mind off what his father had told him. Did his father know what he feeling and thinking? Probably, his parents knew him too well. He knew, on a logical level, that his father had been right. He should say something. For better or worse, it would be out in the open, and he could move on from this constant stress, whatever that outcome might be.
Regardless of what his logical mind told him, his emotional reaction was utter terror. Whatever happened, there would be ramifications. On the one hand, he might ruin a friendship, multiple friendships, he had come to cherish. On the other hand, the constant thought of the full truth of what he was. He had already decided he would tell the whole truth to anyone he was with if it became serious, but the thought was still a scary one for him. All this was compounded by his uncertainty about Yang's feelings, she had said something and done others, and his lack of experience had him paralyzed.
So, for now he simply allowed himself to enjoy the company of his new friends. Now wasn't the time to push things, at least that's what he kept telling himself. He'd address it. One way or another, he'd address it, just not right now. Now wasn't the time.
"Reamnent to Clark, you at home space cadet?" Yang's voice cut through Clark's thoughts.
"Huh? What's up?" he asked hurriedly, not having realized how far into his own head he had gotten.
"I said, what's good to eat here? Ruby, might wither away if she doesn't eat soon," she said, joking, gesturing to her sister with her thumb.
"I'm fine, Yang. Come on, let's-" Ruby started, but a very audible growl from her stomach told another story, causing her face to turn bright red, and Clark just chuckled.
"Well, it's all great. We'll start towards my dad's stand and see what we find on the way," he said, motioning them to follow.
As they walked through the corridor full of food stands and carts, the smell of good food filled the air. All of it, of course, would kill a man as surely as a saber, but it was okay to indulge every once in a while. As they made their way past all the stands, Clark heard Weiss make a sound of disgust.
"Is there anything hear you can eat with dignity?" she asked in a tone that almost bordered on horror as she looked at all the stalls.
"Umm…" Clark started as he looked around, seeing people with sauce and grease around their mouths and on their fingers, some with stains on their shirts. Then glancing from person to person and thinking for a moment before answering "No," simply.
"Come on, you gotta embrace a bit a mess. It'll do you some good," Yang told her cheekily.
"I think I'd rather not," Weiss answered haughtily.
"I think she's scared," Ruby stage-whispered conspiratorially to Blake, who had to cover her mouth to stifle a snicker as the younger girl grinned.
"Don't say such foolish things. Maybe I just have a little more pride in my appearance," she responded cooly, the flush in her cheeks ruining the effect.
"She's scared," Blake said back to Ruby, and the two giggle.
"Oh hush," Weiss snapped, her cheeks puffing out in irritation.
"Don't worry, Weiss, I'll find you something," Clark said with a grin.
"Thank you, Clark," Weiss said in a tone that bordered on snobbish, but she was unable to deliver her words with enough conviction to pull off the effect she wanted.
"Not a problem, have a seat, and I'll get you guys set up. I have a few suggestions," Clark said with a large grin as they all took a seat at one of the large tables between all the food vendors. The moment he turned away, however, his grin fell as his thoughts fell unwillingly back into his thoughts and predicament, but he did manage to put them aside as he set about his particular task. So after a good bit of moving around and going from booth to booth, he came back to them.
"Alright, we have a rack of ribs for Yang, deep-fried butter, and cola for Ruby. Yes, that is a thing." Clark offered in a cheeky tone at the expressions he was given at this proclamation before he continued. "A bowl of Swai chili for Blake made with the best seafood and a "relatively" neat sandwich for Weiss," Clark offered merrily and placed all the dishes in front of them.
All of them appeared happy with his choices, except for Weiss, who seemed enticed by the smell of her meal but still weary of the messy nature.
"Well, let's dig in!...Hmmm…oh gods that smells good-" Yang exclaimed excitedly, her mouth already half full with meat and muffled by an almost indecent groan of pleasure from the flavor.
While Blake and Ruby followed with relative eagerness, Ruby with overt gusto and Blake with reserved delight, Wiess was a different story. Despite her best efforts, she could not prevent the mess of her meal nor her delight in the flavor she experienced, and Clark couldn't help but smile.
"Don't worry too much, Weiss. Barbeque is supposed to be messy," Clark offered through his chuckle. But this only earned him a glare from the girl in question, but it did nothing to stop his rather goofy grin.
"Oh, Oh! Let's get a pic!" Yang suddenly declared excitedly after seeing Weiss's messy visage, sauce smeared around her mouth, and pulling out her scroll. Blake and Ruby looked mildly abashed with some food and sauce on their faces. However, Weiss looked utterly horrified, sauce and juices somehow finding its way all over her face and into her hair somehow despite her measured "fork and knife" approach.
"I don't think-" Weiss began, but Yang cut her off.
"Oh hush, come here Clark smoosh in," Yang called happily as she pulled a distant Clark close and pressed her cheek against his, and grinning broadly, with Clark not being able to suppress his own goofy and cheery grin, despite his own inner turmoil,
A quick click and flash and image was taken. Yang snickered mischievously as she looked at the image.
"Oh, this is a good one. Weiss looks amazing," she said with a glee that bordered on maliciousness.
"Don't you dare share that!" Weiss shrieked as she wiped sauce from her face, reaching for Yang's scroll.
"Oh hush, Vanilla Weiss, I wouldn't do that. This is just for my own enjoyment," Yang said playfully as she held Weiss at bay with a hand pressed to her face.
After a fair bit of playful argument, mainly from Weiss, the general mirth, excitement, and energy did moderate and die down. However, that didn't seem to stem the appetite of certain members. A taste of good, and more importantly, cheap, food seemed to whet the appetites of a certain pair of sisters.
Both Ruby and Yang both seemed to have become enamored with the food the fair offered. Ruby was attracted almost magnetically by the myriad of sweets, and Yang likewise by the meats. Regardless of this development, Blake and Weiss took it in stride and even seemed to be almost amused by this development.
The evident delight on Yang and Ruby's faces seemed to be able to mollify the normally harder edges of Weiss and Blake. In fact they seemed to almost be amused by this behavior. However things seemed to change when Ruby started to become adamant that they start to try some of the rides.
"I'm not sure that's terribly wise," Weiss said, giving Ruby a quick glance. The younger girl was practically bouncing and jittering from the almost obscene amount of sweets she had consumed.
"Why's that?" Ruby asked, seeming to be genuinely confused by Weiss' words.
"Seriously? You just ate about fifteen pounds of sugar," Weiss said, sounding a little exasperated.
"So?" Ruby said back and Weiss just stared at her, clearly not sure if she was being messed with.
"She's saying you might give the ride of a new coat of paint," Yang offered with a grin.
"Huh?" Was all Ruby said in response, clearly still not getting it.
"She said you're going to vomit," Blake offered plainly, a mildly amused smirk on her face.
"OH. Pfft, that won't happen. We've dealt with way crazier stuff than any carnival ride," Ruby said dismissively with a wave of hand.
"Not with your gullet full of our processed sugar," Weiss shot back, causing Ruby's cheeks to puff out in irritation and she was about to retort when Yang cut in.
"If Ruby says she's fine, she'll be fine," Yang said confidently.
"Thanks Yang," Ruby said cheerily before sticking her tongue out at Weiss and blowing a raspberry at the older girl.
"Fine, but I reserve the right to laugh after you get sick," Weiss said in a faux haughty voice.
"Pfft, okay. Come on Clark, what's the best ride?" Yang said merrily as she grabbed Clark Bay the wrist and dragged him towards the flashing lights and sounds of joyful screams.
"Well, uhh," Clark began but he hesitated. He thought Weiss might have a point. They had eaten quite a lot and he had seen plenty of people get sick and lose their lunches on some of these rides. However, Yang seemed confident that neither she nor Ruby would get sick and he supposed she knew better than him. So he brought them to his personal favorite ride.
"It's called Gravitron, it spins you around so fast it actually pins you against the wall of the ride. They say you experience up the three times the gravity of Remnant at top speed," Clark explained.
"Woof, never picked you as a thrill seeker," Yang said with a wink as she elbowed him lightly.
"Not sure I'd say that, but I have always enjoyed this ride," Clark said a little chagrined.
"WELL, let's get to this!" Ruby shouted excitedly as she ran to the queue, causing Clark and Yang to chuckle. Before too long they were all inside and waiting, the low thrum of the ride sending vibrations through the floor and up into their bodies.
"Oh, tingly" Yang said in a suggestive tone, causing Clark to roll his eyes.
"Sooo…where are the-" Ruby began to say, but Clark cut her off, anticipating her question.
"No belts or bars, the momentum keeps you in place," Clark told her.
"Oh…" was all she said in response.
Clark though for a moment she might say something else, but a loud buzz and the slamming of a door stifled any potential words. The ride started to hum and move. The escalation was slow and relatively even, but the instant everyone became pinned to the wall of the ride things seemed to change. People screamed and shouted in fear and glee. Clark couldn't help but grin, the ride was one of the few things that seemed to exert any type of force on his being. It wasn't much, but the simple fact he felt anything a normal could come close to feeling meant more to him than anyone could really understand thus didn't last too long unfortunately, as Clark soon felt a warm his cheek. This was soon followed by a shriek of indignation and the slowing of the ride.
The whole ride ground to a sudden halt amid shouts and cries of confusion and anger. Clark knew exactly what seemed to have happened. However, he didn't know who had gotten sick until he walked off the ride.
"Well…that happens from time to time," Clark said simply as he wiped his face witht the tail of his shirt.
""Sure, but it still still sucks," Yang responded, her body rigid and stiff, seemingly para;yized by the bile that she had encountered.
Clark saw that she had "sickness" on her clothing. However he also noticed it had found it's way into her hair, which he reconisniced was much worse. However he did notice she did seeme to not want make a big deal out of it. That's when he saw a noricably sick and abasjed Ruby walk out of the ride.
"Yang…I'm so sorry, I did'ny think-" Ruby began, but Yang cut her off.
"Don't worry Rubes…it happens," Yang Started to say very reasonably.
"But you-" Ruby started to say, however she way cut off.
"OH DON'T GET ME WRONG! I DON'T LOVE IT!" Yang nearly screamed, causing Ruby to shrink back, which seemed to temper Yang as she let out a long sigh before seeming to regain her composure.
"I'm sorry-" Ruby started, her voice abashed ans ashamedn,but her sister stopped her.
"Don't worry Rubes…it happens," Yang said, still dapping at the vomit stains on her clothing.
"I hate to say I told you so-" Weiss began, in a borderline pompous tone, but Blake seemd to cut other off.
"You know by saying that, it seems like you really delight in saying "I told you so" Balke said with a slight smirk as Weiss seemed to glower at her.
"Well, regardless, I need to go change and so does Yang, So why dont't I just drive her back to the farmhouse, we can change clothes and all is well," Clark offered without really thinking as he picked at his own soiled clothing.
"I'd appreciate that," Yang offered as she cautionaly pinched an end of her own hair strands.
"Perhapes it would be best if I…" Blake started to say but seemed to loose her voice part way through her own thoughts as Yang voiced a rather uncouth though.
"Please Clark just get this stuff off me!" she nearly shouted as she waved her hands in seeming distress, much to Ruby's dismay.
"Alright, alright we'll take care of this," Clark offered with a mild laugh. "We'll get you cleaned up, and be back before you know it." Clark offered before giving Ruby a reassuring look that caused her to flush in embarrassment, Clark didn't notice as he turned to start back towards the truck. The pair climbed in and Clark started the engine.
As he drove he slowly realized he'd inadvertently put himself in a situation he'd been trying to avoid as best he could. He was alone with Yang, and to make matters worse it wasn't like she was in a particularly good mood.
It wasn't like she was shouting or making any overtly audible signs of her mood. However she was uncharacteristically quiet, and he did hear occasional long sigh, as if she was trying hard not to breathe too often. Clark could also tell she seemed to be nearly paralyzed, though she did occasionally, and very gingerly, try to dab what she could out of her hair and subsequently shiver. So Clark put a little more weight on the gas than he normally would have, and they arrived at the Kent farmhouse.
Yang leapt from the truck without a word and briskly began to make her way towards the front door, already beginning to pull her shirt off. Clark watched her go feeling as though the day couldn't really have gone much worse. It had started out just fine, and now things had really gone belly up.
"Well, maybe she'll feel better after a shower," Clark said to himself as he entered his home. Hearing the shower upstairs was already running, so he washed using the sink in the kitchen, and he was clean and changed in short order, afterwards he just sat in the living room and waited, feeling a lot more nervous than the situation probably warranted. He knew he hadn't done anything wrong, but he still felt responsible. His parents had told him time and again not to worry about things beyond his control. The problem was that it was hard to do when he could literally move mountains and outrace a bullet. He was capable of so much, it felt like sometimes he should be able to prevent everything bad. Which was probably why he could fall into these neurotic episodes. Before he could spiral his thoughts were interrupted.
"Ahhhh, that's better," Yang said cheerily as she walked down the stairs. " Sorry about being a bit of grump, but I can get that way when something happens to my hair, haha," she finished a little awkwardly as she finished tying her hair in a loose braid over her shoulder.
" Oh, it's no trouble, I understand," Clark answered back, a little surprised at how quickly the atmosphere seemed to change.
"Hehe, I doubt that, but I appreciate it," she said back cheerily, flashing a shining sunny smile that seemed to make Clark's heart skip a beat.
In that moment Clark recalled what his father had said, and before he even knew what he was doing words seemed to be spilling out of his mouth. He didn't know where this was coming from, it was so unlike him. Yet there was a sense of exhilaration, granted it was mixed with abject terror, but it was still there.
"Hey Yang, can I ask you something?" Clark began, and suddenly his voice seemed far too loud for the situation and his tone and pitch seemed just plain wrong, and he could feel heat rising in his face.
"Sure thing," she said giggling slightly at his flustered state.
"Ahem, well, I was wondering…" he trailed off after locking eyes with her for a moment. He thought for just a second he might be able to stop, but that just didn't seem to be in the cards.
"Yeah?...Spit it out Smallville," she said playfully, a tiny smirk gracing her lips. Clark notice the slight flush of her cheeks in his flustered state.
"Ah…uhh…" Clark stammered and his mind seemed to stutter and stale. Clark suddenly found himself unable to look directly at her and he fixed his eyes at a spot on the wall past her. He stood up ramrod straight and stiffly began to blurt out what he wanted to say. "MISS XIAO LONG," he began, abundantly aware he was nearly shouting.
"Yeah?" She said back in what was an almost eager tone.
Clark didn't pick up on this, he was beyond flustered and nervous. But he was in too deep now. One way or another, for better or worse, he needed to continue.
"Miss Xiao Long, I was wondering. Perhaps you would like to go out some time," Clark blurted out, still not looking at her. He at least was able to moderate his voice. However the silence that followed unsettled him.
Finally he allowed his eyes to drift down to Yang. She was staring at him, her cheeks puffed out and her hands covering her mouth, her face bright. She was trying desperately to stop herself from laughing, and Clark felt his heart drop and his organs turn to lead.
"Well-" Clark began, feeling utterly mortified, but he was cut off by the raucous and snorting laughter, and suddenly he felt very small.
" HAHAHA, ARE YOU SERIOUS?!" Yang nearly shouted through her laughter, and Clark began to feel defensive.
" You didn't have to laugh, you could have just said no. You didn't need to laugh in my face," Clark mumbled, his voice still managing to carry a steely and stern tone. He thought her reaction seemed to be unnecessary, at least in his opinion.
"I'm sorry Clark, I am, it's just… I mean, come on," she said through her snorts of laughter, but managing to calm down.
"I-" Clark began, but she cut him off again.
"I mean " MISS XIAO LONG WOULD YOU CARE TO GO OUT" She said, puffing her chest out like a gorilla, and deepening her voice to a parodic baritone. She then broke down in laughter again.
"I'm not sure what you're-" Clark started, now more than a little more confused, but she cut him off again.
"Maybe if you tried asking like a normal person," she teased with a grin.
Clark suddenly found himself more wrong-footed than he had been before. Was she messing with him? He didn't think so, but he was in uncharted waters, at least for himself. But he wanted this and he found himself willing to risk more humiliation. So, he cleared his throat and pressed forward.
" Ahem, well uh Yang…would you-" he started to stammer out, but she cut him off yet again.
"YES!" She practically shouted through her laughter before regaining her composure." I mean… sure, whatever if you want," she muttered trying to sound cool and calm, but still almost bashfully. "Took you long enough," she said through a giggle as she walked over to him, wrapping her arms around one of his and leaning her head on his shoulder, her face burning bright red, which was an odd reversal of roles Clark noted in his mind and was now able to hear her rapid heart beat.
"Oh, I guess," Clark muttered, his mind rushing, still not quite sure this was happening.
"OH,I GUESS," She responded in the same playful and mocking deep voice from before, snickering and playfully swatting him arm.
"Well, you could have asked me out," Clark offered back, trying and failing spectacularly to sound reproachful, the broad and goofy grin plastered on his face.
"Oh hush," Yang said before giving him another swat, this time on the chest and leaving her hand there. "God's you're like-"
"Like warm marble?" Clark said with a teasing tone, causing her to give him an almost shocked look, before laughing nervously.
"Hehe, why would you say something like that?" She nervously, and Clark just shrugged, grinning the whole time.
"Just came to mind I suppose, why?" he asked playfully, knowing exactly what she was thinking and taking a little too much joy in teasing her. Maybe a little taste of her own medicine would do her some good.
"Oh gods, I did make a fool of myself…what else did I do?" Yang groaned in a miserable tone as she buried her face in her hands and Clark just laughed, and she glared at him between her fingers. Seeing how embarrassed she seemed to be, he decided back off, at least a little bit.
"Don't worry, there wasn't anything too bad," Clark offered gently as he gingerly pulled her hands from her face and held them in his own, his heart racing.
"You're not messing with me are you?" She asked, slowly raising her eyes to need his, her tone uncharacteristically meek and guarded.
"Well… maybe I'll tell you eventually-" Clark began, unable to keep himself from teasing her, even in spite of his sympathy. He was just now really getting why she liked to poke and tease him.
"CLARK!" She shrieked in shock and disbelief before she began to stammer our incoherent sounds and syllables. Clark, despite his best efforts, began to chuckle.
"Come Yang, would I ever do that?" He asked, still unable to suppress a grin.
Yang just looked at him, in what appeared to be shock, but only for an instant. For that moment before her expression changed from shock to embarrassment. Her cheeks puffed out in irritation and her complexion changed from flushed to a full beet red from her collar to her ears and hairline.
"You better not…" she grumbled before trailing off, and Clark couldn't suppress a chuckle.
"Not so fun when you're on the receiving end, is it?" Clark said through a playful grin.
"I hope you know that means it's open season now, you shot back so the kid gloves are coming off," Yang said back, the corners of her mouth turning up in a mischievous smirk. Clark just rolled his eyes, noticing her voice still seemed to lack its normal confidence and she still seemed somewhat abashed.
"Sure, a small price to pay if such a fine lady will give me the time of day," Clark teased back, running his thumbs gently over the back of Yang's hands, his nerves still stretched like an overturned violin.
While extremely nervous with his comments, still unsure and nervous with his choice of words for and instant, he felt his nerves calm when he noticed her face turn noticeably redder and her manner become more flustered.
"I…well…JUST HUSH!" She stammered, and almost laughed, before her tone raised to a shout. She swatted at him playfully, a large grin stretching across her face. Despite her best efforts, she was unable to keep her amusement and excitement contained.
"So…you still want to go out sometime?" Clark asked, half joking but still unsure of himself.
"Well…duh-" Yang answered in an uncharacteristically unsure tone before she began to snicker lightly.
"Good to hear," Clark said back, still sounding a little nervous, something Yang seemed to pick up on.
"You're such a dork…you're lucky you're cute and sweet," Yang stammered through much more noticeable laughter.
"I-" Clark began, not stammering or unsure this time, regardless Yang cut him off.
"Just hush and don't worry," Yang said softly and nearly abashedly as she gently, almost with hesitancy, raised one of his hands and gently placed her lips on his knuckles and kissed it softly.
Neither of them spoke, they just looked at one another. Ethereal blue eyes meet lilac and there was a moment, an instant, of nonverbal communication before they smirked and snickered, snickering tired to chuckles, which turned to full laughter.
That's how they stood there, laughing and holding hands.