Lois & Clark Forums Forums Fan Fiction Lois & Clark Fanfic FDK: And Then There Was Light 15/22

His eyes were tight as he sat down. He had shaved, but a few nicks on his cheeks testified to the fact that he still wasn't quite back to normal.

No, I decided. Better just to say nothing and work it out on my own. He wanted me to test Superman--fine, I'd test Superman. And whatever the outcome, I'd be ready to face it.

Clark might not have been sent from the stars, but he had given me those stars. He had punctured the darkness of my life with tiny pinpricks of light that never failed or wavered in their courses. He had brightened my world as if he were the moon--no, I corrected myself. Not the moon. Clark was the sun, bright and vivid and fixed and never to be outshone by another. Others might look at him and see only a single glowing star, but I was close to him now--close enough to realize that what to one person was a star was to another the brilliance of an anchoring sun.

Superman took me flying...but Clark made me feel as if *I* could fly.

Superman gave me the world...but Clark could very easily *be* my world.

Superman saved my life...but Clark made me believe that my life was more precious and valuable and important than anyone else's.

I loved Superman...but Clark loved *me*.

I paused but could not hold back my next question. "And are you wearing a mask now?"

He met my gaze without any hesitation. "No. The mask always has to come off sooner or later. Although," he added, withdrawing his hand as if *I* had burned him, "most people only show their true selves when they're passionate about something. Like when they're angry and fighting."

"Or when they're in a life-and-death situation." As if we were magnetized, my hand was drawn to his cheek. "Do you know, Clark, that even when you're asleep, you smile if you hear me speak or feel my touch? You can't fake that. And you risked your life for me--another thing that's hard to fake. But then...you're lousy at pretending or wearing masks."

"But I do," he whispered urgently. "I do wear a mask."

And then he moved his mouth back to mine, and thought was obliterated. I was no longer able to catalogue a specific touch or movement; all I knew was that I felt as if I had come home, as if I belonged there, as if warmth and light and hope had all been personified in the form of Clark Kent.

I had not even thought of Superman as I kissed Clark. Not once. Not at all.

And I tore myself from his grip and ran to the bedroom and slammed the door shut on his stunned silence. Running from myself--running from him--running from the scarcity--the enormity--of Superman in my thoughts.