The workday wound down, and the noise of the Daily Planet slowly faded into the hum of the evening. Desks were clearing, reporters packing up, some heading out to chase last-minute tips, others just grateful to go home.
Johnny remained at his desk a bit longer, calmly reviewing the article he'd written. It was a piece on the city's lesser-known heroes—the firefighters, the street medics, the everyday saviors. No capes, no cosmic battles. Just people. Real people.
He liked writing about them.
As he leaned back and stretched, a soft voice came from the side.
"You're Johnny, right?"
He turned his head to see a tall man in a neat suit, dark hair slightly tousled, glasses perched perfectly on his nose. His energy was quiet, humble even, but Johnny could feel the gravity behind the man. Not through magic or power—just presence.
"Yeah," Johnny replied with a relaxed smile. "And you're Clark Kent. Heard the name a lot today."
Clark chuckled and extended his hand. "I figured it was time I introduced myself. Welcome to the Planet. You settling in alright?"
Johnny shook his hand firmly. "Yeah. Place is loud, chaotic, and kind of amazing. I like it."
"Good to hear." Clark smiled genuinely. "You've got a calm energy. That's rare around here. This place runs on caffeine and adrenaline most days."
Johnny shrugged. "Guess I'm just good at staying grounded."
Clark nodded. "Well, if you ever need help navigating this jungle, I'm around. Lois and I have been here long enough to know where the coffee machine breaks down and which elevators trap you for twenty minutes."
"I'll keep that in mind." Johnny chuckled. "Thanks, Clark."
There was a brief pause—an unspoken recognition of something in each other neither could quite define. Not suspicion. Not intuition. Just... a sense. But Clark, even with all his powers, didn't sense anything divine or dangerous. Johnny had cloaked himself well.
To Clark, Johnny was just a guy. A new friend.
"Alright," Clark said, stepping back. "Take care, Johnny. See you tomorrow."
"See you, Clark."
Johnny watched him go, then looked out the nearby window, where the first stars were beginning to pierce the city sky. He rested his chin in his hand, smiling to himself.
A god, shaking hands with a god. And neither of them the wiser.
[To Be Continued…]