Here's a ficlet, just shy of 1000 words - the idea came to me earlier today, after watching Brutal Youth.
This hasn't been betaed, I hope this has come out okay.
Happy anniversary ficlet friday.
Jimmy’s pen hovered over a piece of paper. He needed to share the discovery he’d made today, but at the same time, he couldn’t risk telling another person. It was too big. Superman had saved his life today… again. But that wasn’t the most shocking part. The real revelation was who stood behind the suit and cape.
Clark. His friend. His mentor.
So, instead of telling anyone, he decided to write it down, pouring his thoughts into a letter he’d never send.
***
Dear Lois and Clark,
I’ll probably never share this with you, but I need to get my thoughts out. Today I discovered plenty of things, but most of all, how incredibly lucky I am to have both of you in my life.
First, Clark. For so long, you were the guy with the glasses, always there to have my back at The Planet. You didn’t just cover for me when I screwed up; you helped me grow. You convinced Perry to take me seriously as a photographer, even when I barely believed in myself. You were the quiet hero in the newsroom. Turns out, you were the hero in tights, too.
Looking back, the signs were there. Your sudden disappearances, the way Superman always seemed to know exactly what we were working on. But none of that prepared me for the truth I learned today. You, Clark, gave up a part of yourself to save me. Not just your time or your energy. You gave up something precious and irreplaceable: your lifeforce.
And that’s what leaves me speechless.
And Lois… what can I say? You’ve always been the heart and soul of *The Daily Planet*. Fierce, fearless and sometimes a little scary (in the best way). You never treated me like the “kid” everyone else saw. You believed in me.
Lois, you always say what you’re thinking, but I wonder if you’ve had time to process this. You just got married. The two of you should be planning your future together, not worrying about whether this machine, this sacrifice, will shorten Clark’s life. And yet, in the moment, you didn’t hesitate. You protected both of us, me and your husband, when we were in Veda Doodsen’s machine. You never flinched. You always put yourself between us and danger, no matter what it costs you.
It’s not just Clark who’s a hero. Lois, you’re the strongest person I know.
The two of you are newlyweds, yet you’ve already had to face challenges that most people couldn’t even imagine. And you still find a way to show up every day, for each other, for the people who rely on you, and somehow even for me.
The two of you… it seems you've been through it all, doesn't it? From tracking down Intergang to stopping mad scientists, I was there when you two uncovered government conspiracies, exposed corruption, and even stopped alien invasions. Those investigations, fueled by stale coffee and the thrill of the chase, were some of the best times of my life. And through it all, you always made time for me.
And then there’s Superman. He’s saved me more times than I can count, but now I know it’s always been you, Clark. You didn’t just save me with your powers. You saved me by being my friend. By believing in me. By showing me that even the most extraordinary people can still be human.
***
Jimmy paused, staring at the page. His hand trembled as he thought about what he’d just written. The truth was heavy, but it was also freeing. He took a deep breath and continued.
***
Both of you give so freely, even when it comes at great risk. I don’t think I’ll ever fully understand how you do it, how you carry the weight of the world and still find time to lift up the people around you. I’m honored to be your friend.
I don’t want you to worry. Your secret is safe with me. I know you’ve both been through so much, and the last thing I want is to add to that burden. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from watching you, it’s that real strength isn’t just about power. It’s about showing up, day after day, for the people who need you.
One day, maybe I’ll tell you that I know. Maybe we’ll laugh about all the times I almost figured it out but didn’t. But for now, I’ll keep this to myself. You deserve that peace.
Thank you for everything, for every rescue, for every piece of advice, for every moment of quiet support. You’ve shown me what it means to be truly heroic, and I’ll never forget it. I’ll always be grateful for both of you. And I’ll always be here, ready to help in any way I can. Even if it’s just making sure you get the first copies of the next front-page story.
Your friend,
Jimmy
***
Jimmy folded the letter carefully and placed it behind a framed photo of him, Lois, and Clark. It was one of his favorite shots, taken during a rare moment of downtime in the newsroom. The three of them, laughing, caught in a candid moment of joy. He smiled, knowing it was the perfect place to hide the letter.
He’d heard they were looking to buy a house, a place to finally call their own. When the time was right, he’d give them this picture as a housewarming gift. And if he ever decided to share his secret, he could simply tell them to look behind the photo.
As he turned off the light and lay back on his bed, he felt a strange sense of peace. Maybe he would never tell. Maybe they didn’t need to know. But he’d said what he needed to say, and that was enough. For now.
