Lois blinked awake to find Clark watching her with a soft smile.
“Morning,” she murmured, her voice still thick with sleep. “How about we just stay in bed today? Maybe Perry won’t notice we’re missing.”
Clark chuckled, leaning in to kiss her forehead. “Morning, beautiful. Tempting, but you know Perry. If we’re not on that power outage follow-up, he’ll have us cornered faster than you can say ‘Great shades of Elvis.’”
She groaned and buried her face in the pillow. “Fine. But only if there’s coffee waiting when I make it to the kitchen.”
“Your wish is my command, milady,” he teased, brushing his lips over her nose before disappearing into the bathroom at super-speed.
By the time Lois made her way to the kitchen, Clark had already set the table with a light breakfast and was waiting for her, coffee in hand, perfectly mixed with milk and sweetener.
Next to her plate sat the small bag from her advent calendar, its familiar red ribbon tied neatly at the top.
“Thanks honey,” she said, accepting the coffee with a grateful smile and reaching for the bag.
Inside, she found a tiny wooden spoon.
Lois inspected the ornament more closely. “Are we cooking something today?”
“Well,” Clark began, pointing to the spoon, “this ornament represents a Finnish Christmas sauna. It’s a tradition where families visit the sauna together, usually on Christmas Eve or around the holidays. It’s about purifying the body and mind, kind of like resetting before the celebrations. The steam, the warmth… It's meant to bring peace and reflection, which is a big part of their holiday spirit. I found a small finnish spa and booked the sauna just for us after work.”
Lois twirled the spoon between her fingers, her expression softening. “Peace and quiet, huh?”
Clark chuckled. “It’s a moment of togetherness. Families sit in the warmth, talk and just enjoy the calm before the holiday rush.”
Lois folded her arms, her smile widening. “You do realize this is going to be pretty one-sided, right? A sauna won’t do much for you, Mr. Invincible.”
Clark laughed. “True, but that just means I’ll be your personal fan, keeping you company while you enjoy it.”
Lois rolled her eyes, though she couldn’t hide her amusement.
---
After work, they packed their bags and stepped into the spa, the crisp winter air giving way to a warm, inviting atmosphere. The faint sound of trickling water and soft instrumental Christmas music greeted them as they entered, setting a peaceful tone. Lois glanced around, taking in the tranquil environment with a raised brow. “Okay, I’ll admit, this feels… promising.”
Clark smiled, his hand resting on the small of her back as he guided her toward the sauna. “Just wait. You’ll love it.”
Inside the sauna, the wood-scented air enveloped them, thick and warm, like an embrace. Lois settled onto the wooden bench, adjusting her towel as the heat instantly worked its way into her skin. Clark sat beside her, looking perfectly unaffected, as if the intense warmth were no more than a summer breeze - which it probably was, for him.
Lois shot him a playful glare, brushing a damp strand of hair from her forehead. “You know, it’s kind of annoying how you don’t even break a sweat,” she quipped, dabbing at her face with a towel.
Clark chuckled, his eyes twinkling. “I’m sorry?,” he teased, leaning back against the wall. Then, with a grin, he picked up some birch twigs from the wooden bucket near his feet and gave them a light shake. “Would it help if I did the traditional birch whisking? Adds to the whole experience.”
Lois laughed, the sound ringing softly in the quiet space. “You’re enjoying this way too much.”
“Guilty,” Clark said, flashing her a sheepish grin.
As the sauna’s soothing heat worked its magic, Lois leaned back and closed her eyes, surrendering to the warmth. The tension from her day began to melt away. “Okay,” she murmured, her tone softer now. “I get it. This is actually really nice.”
Clark smiled at her, his gaze tender. “I’m glad you’re enjoying it.”
Lois cracked one eye open, turning her head to look at him. “You’re sneakily turning me into a reflective holiday person.”
“Just giving you a chance to see Christmas in a new light,” he replied with an easy shrug.
She reached for his hand, her fingers warm against his. “Thanks for always sticking with me,” she said quietly. “Even when I’m being… resistant.”
Clark squeezed her hand gently, his thumb brushing over her knuckles. “Lois, anytime. For me, the best part of all of this is just being here with you.”
The heat and quiet created a space of intimacy and calm, wrapping around them like a shared secret. For a while, neither of them spoke, letting the silence stretch out comfortably between them.
When they finally left the sauna, the chill of the air outside felt sharper, though oddly invigorating. Snow had begun to fall lightly, the flakes dusting their hair as they made their way home. Lois glanced up at the night sky, her breath visible in the frosty air. For the first time in a while, she felt genuinely refreshed, her mind clearer and, though she wouldn’t admit it out loud, perhaps a little more open to the season’s magic.
Clark slipped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her close as they walked. “Feeling better?” he asked, his voice low and warm.
She nodded, leaning into him. “Yeah. And… thank you. For today.”
“My pleasure,” he answered, pressing a soft kiss to the top of her head. “Always for us.”
