This was the perfect way to end this story. I know it's essentially a cliffhanger, but it doesn't feel like one to me. We know what happens next in canon, and although we don't know what spin you will put on it, I have every confidence that it's going to be spectacular.
Shadbolt took two unsteady steps forward, his eyes never leaving Clark's face. "Mr Kent," he said in a hoarse and crumbly voice. He roughly cleared his throat. "Mr Kent. I'm sorry."
The walls of the small room seemed to close in on them, shrinking the space between them. Shadbolt's eyes didn't waver. In them, Clark could see shame. And such sincere contrition that it was almost painful to observe. Finding his own throat dry, Clark offered his hand and only said, "Mr Shadbolt."
A wonderful, powerful, very important exchange. Important for both Clark and Shadbolt.
He shut the door and stood there, looking acutely uncomfortable. His eyes dwelled on the garment he was carrying. He laughed nervously. "My daughter's project," he said. He thrust the jumpsuit at Clark. "Your disguise."
Clark's mouth fell open. "I'm supposed to wear *that*?" he gasped.
"We asked Layla to design something that a comic hero might wear." He shrugged. "Guess there's no telling what a teenager will dream up."
Heh, this was great. I never would have thought of it on my own, but AmyPrime nailed it in the last feedback thread. Brava to both of you for even coming up with it!
And the whole exchange covering Clark's reaction to it was fantastic. With his history, he would think they were all crazy for even suggesting he wear such a thing. Not to mention how the cut of the suit pushes his modesty button.
I loved how he had his initial reaction in front of Shadbolt, though, and how he asked, "It looks stupid, doesn't it?" when Shadbolt first saw him in it. If nothing else convinced Evan that Clark was just a regular guy, that definitely should do it.
I did think it was a breakthrough that Clark let Lois help him put on the suit, though. Even if he wasn't completely undressed in front of her, that had to be a big mental obstacle for him to overcome. The bedroom therapy helped, as did the urgency of the situation, but it was still probably hard for him. And yes, the red briefs are important for giving him back at least a little modesty -- otherwise it would be like the black suit he got from the NKers. (swoon and
)
One UK/Aussie English bit that slipped in, though:
But Lois wasn't laughing. "Wow," she said softly. "Wow. You look exactly right."
"For a fancy-dress party, maybe," he grumbled.
Clark would say, "For a costume party, maybe." In the US, a "fancy dress party" would mean something like Lex Luthor's White Orchid Ball -- an event where the men wear tuxedos and the women wear ball gowns. We use the word fancy to mean "extra nice" or "elaborate".
Uncertainty flooded his expression, and she waited for him to speak. "Would ... would you like me to kiss you now?" he asked.
"No."
"No?"
"If you kiss me now, it is going to be borne of desperation and fear," she said. "It will feel like we're scared that you won't return."
I truly though this is where you were going to give them their first kiss -- like when Lois kisses Superman in canon -- but this makes more sense. Especially given Clark's concern about negative physical associations, I think Lois is really smart to not have all this fear surrounding their first kiss. Heartbreaking, but well done, Corrina.
I can't wait for Thursday and H1! I am super excited to see what comes next. You absolutely rock, Corrina!
Kathy
