That was an overall accurate description of how Clark's days went, after that. Completely and entirely free. For he could see clearly now. Maybe for the first time. His co-workers at the Daily Planet, and his comrades at the Hall of Justice, though Clark cared about them, he could not lay claim to them. They co-existed and cooperated with each other, to achieve shared goals and dreams. To spread the light of truth to the city of Metropolis in the form of printed words and pictures, and to be staunch defenders and champions of the people, to maintain the beacon of hope that was the Justice League.
To no longer mix business and pleasure, and when he thought of that in this way, it didn't seem so painful, in fact it was quite beautiful, immensely rewarding. It also brought to mind an adjacent topic that his parents, unusually, had different views upon. His pa believed work and play to be separate, often telling Clark he could go have fun after he was finished with his chores, while his ma had been more lenient, saying they did not have to be separate categories, a whistle while you work approach, and Clark often heard her humming while she was doing housework, cleaning and cooking and hanging laundry out on the line. She so often had a smile on her face, a smile that he was always happy to see get bigger after he appeared in her sights, when he'd come home after school, joining her in the kitchen, or running in and out, under and through the sheets blowing in the breeze.
Despite his hard line, Clark knew his pa enjoyed his work to a certain extent as well, the satisfaction of that came from tinkering with the tractor engine, hauling hay into town, looking out on a freshly planted field of corn, and then looking out every day after, watching it slowly grow to fruition. His was a more quiet enjoyment.
Clark could combine the best of both, appreciating the rarified air, the mountain top of ideals at work, then retreating to the crystal clear air of the north when he was done. The blinding whiteness that blanketed all.
An albeit extreme version of what his pa liked to do, sitting out on the front porch to watch the sunset after a hard days work, but the concept was the same.
The only thing that truly got in the way of his new routine was some news he had been following about Lex Corp. Specifically news of a rival, a man that had caught the attention of the media both with his mysterious appearance on the scene and the amazing advances in technology he brought with him.
He and Luthor had been seen out together. Some speculated they would join forces, that these meetings were the beginning of a merger of businesses. Some suggested they were simply sizing each other up. The boldest of them were saying this new challenger could even give Wayne Enterprises a run for its money.
He was reading about it at work, when Lois once again approached his desk, her tone in jest, belying her serious expression as she cocked her head towards the paper splayed across his desk.
"What do you think of him? Looks kind of like the Devil to me. That goatee and all."
"I've been keeping an eye on him. I'm not sure." he replied honestly, understanding that they were once again having another undercover conversation with each other. She nodded slowly, seemed satisfied with this answer, then asked while waving two passes in the air.
"Want to find out for yourself? I'm going to meet him – exclusive for the Daily Planet, get to sit down with him and everything – and I've got room for one more."
Clark thought about it for a moment, but he sensed that Lois was truly asking this as a courtesy, and not a journalism related one, so he nodded to her.
"Good. And you know I can handle myself, but I ain't complaining to have you with me on this. Guy gives me the creeps. I can tell just looking at him. Anyone who can make Lex Luthor look that uncomfortable just by standing next to him has to be some piece of work. There's this other woman who works for him, or maybe they're together, or both, I don't know, but I've seen pictures of her too, and I don't like her either… I'm surprised but a little disturbed Kent that you aren't giving me crap about, you know, welcome everyone with open arms. That sort of thing.
Clark turned his attention to the photo, but he agreed with Lois, both that Luthor did look uncomfortable, and about just what sort of man one had to be to accomplish that Herculean task.
"I trust your judgement."
"...Do you now? Actually, I was kind of afraid you'd say that. Well, whatever happens, we'll find out together, won't we? It's next week. We're meeting him downtown at the Plaza Hotel, so finish that article, read a bunch more on him, and then you'll be good to go. It'll be memorable, I can guarantee that much. Till then."
She walked away with a quick flick of her wrist before he could say anymore, and despite their previous conversation, he couldn't deny the gratitude he felt towards her for the opportunity.