Actually Bakasi, I like the way you wrapped up the story. (I did read the last two nfic version chapters.) True, all the problems may not be wrapped up neatly and bow tied! But realistically, when is that ever the case? Life just doesn’t work that way.
In a very succinct and effective way, you convinced this reader that we are leaving Clark in a good place.
Clark is not running away.
He sat up, beginning to turn away from her, because staying with her suddenly hurt too much. But he soon stopped himself, knowing that running out on her now wouldn’t solve any problems. And it was going to hurt her even more. She didn’t deserve that kind of pain. He looked back at her and saw that she, too, had sat up. Her eyebrows were furrowed. He gave her an awkward half smile that he hoped would serve as an apology.
Clark has already proven that he can be the investigative reporter he so wants to be. Just ask Lois!
She laid a hand and his shoulder and gave him a firm shake of her head. "Don't go down that train of thought, Clark. I'm glad you're not a regular guy. I don't want you to be regular! I want you to be just as you are. I want this guy who works himself into the belly of a retirement home to reveal the ugly story of suffering and profit. I want the guy who risks everything to get an evil psychopath arrested. I want the guy who went through hell and has managed to retain his kind heart. I want you."
Clark can be the hero. (This may be my favorite passage)
Clark stared at her, completely taken aback. His heart was pounding in his chest, twisting with fear at the mere prospect of anyone else but the woman in front of him finding out about his abilities. But there was also that tiny spark of excitement, the quiet voice of hope that made an effort to be heard among the agonized screams of terror inside his soul. And he wanted so badly to focus on that sense of hope and get rid of all the fear consuming him. What would his life be like, if he’d be able to help - really help - instead of slipping into the shadows at the first sign of trouble.
It was a fantastic dream. And he badly wanted to believe it could come true. And maybe it could. Because he was with Lois, had found a friend in her, an ally, had made love to her. So many things that had seemed absolutely impossible just six months ago, had come true. So, why shouldn’t this become true as well? With Lois it seemed, everything was possible.
Clark is facing his fears and remembering who he is.
I just…uh… found out that if I embrace my powers instead of fighting them, they don’t fight back - if that makes any sense.”
A smile appeared on her lips. “I don’t claim to be an expert on your powers, but maybe it does make sense. Didn’t you tell me that your parents managed to help you control your powers without punishing you?”
“They did.” Clark heaved a wistful sigh. “I guess I kind of forgot about that - with everything that happened since then. When I was a kid - I thought that my mom had been scared of my powers, too. But she was just afraid because she knew that those powers meant she was going to lose me.”
His throat tightened and his heart clenched with the same kind of pain he’d felt when he’d been shipped out of his parent’s home and into a world that had been cold and void of love. It had been easier to forget about love all together than constantly agonizing over what he’d lost. He’d caved under the fear of people who’d known next to nothing about him. And he’d adopted their fear as his own, and had been convinced that his powers were something to be scared of.
And it was true that they could be terrible - if he let them. That was his decision. But he’d choose hope over destruction any time.
So, you've accomplished what you set out to do with the story. Lois and Clark did indeed find their way to intimacy! And oh so much more!! I enjoyed taking this journey with them through both stories. And if you ever revisit this universe, I would love to come along too.
Thanks again for sharing your work with us. Very well done.
