One more entry into the
MagiKal AU.
Love, Houdini āNo, Iām afraid, you canāt come with me.ā Clark scratched Houdini's ear sympathetically, before he focused back on the mirror and straightened his tie. He studied his face and turned to both sides, giving his outward appearance one last thorough check.
Houdini whimpered his protest, lowered his head and trudged out of the bedroom - the entire dog a picture of misery. Clark heaved a sigh. He felt bad for leaving the poor dog all on his own, even if it was just for a few hours. Houdini had been his steadfast companion for years. And yet, Clark was also looking forward to showing Lois his favorite restaurant in Paris. His gaze drifted toward the little box with the engagement ring that was sitting on his nightstand.
To propose or not to propose - that was the question.
Before he had a chance to make up his mind, paws tapped across the floor, accompanied by a strange jangling sound. A moment later Houdini appeared in the doorway, tail wagging and carrying - a leash?
Clark blinked.
Houdini put down the usually offending item before Clarkās feet and looked at him with puppy dog eyes, tail still wagging. He gave a hopeful bark.
Clark knelt beside his dog and ran his hand through his thick fur. āYouāre even willing to go on a leash, just so you can come with us? Gosh, this really means a lot to you, huh? Iām so sorry, pal. We both know how much you hate flying. I promise you can come with us next time. But just this once I want to treat her to something really special.ā
The dog stopped wagging his tail, his ears drooping. Then Houdini lay down, giving one last, heart-wrenching wail and lowered his head onto his paws.
Clark heaved another sigh and continued to pet the setter, his stomach clenching with guilt. Once more, his gaze drifted toward the engagement ring. Paris would be the perfect place: the city of love, a romantic dinner, a walk along the Seine.
On the other hand, what if Lois wasnāt ready yet? What if he was reading her wrong? The flight back would be pretty awkward if she told him no.
Houdini followed his line of sight, jumped back to his feet and barked his approval.
āI wish it were that easy, pal.ā Clark said softly. āBut Iām not sure weāre quite there yet. I mean, we havenāt really talked about intimacy. And romantic though Paris may be - it might be a bit unfair to ask her so far from home when she canāt get away on her own for some time to think.ā
Clark didnāt want to pressure Lois. He owed her so much. She'd been his companion in lonelier times, she'd given him hope. It had been her idea to declare Paris the starting point of MagiKalās world tour. After giving his debut as Superman, Clark hadnāt thought his illusionist persona would still be needed, and he had missed MagiKal more than he'd ever assumed he would. But apparently the people still loved his magic so much that he could easily raise large sums for charity. And he enjoyed these shows much more than any charity events he attended as Superman.
It was about time he thanked her properly. And for that he knew just the place.
Clark fondled Houdiniās ears one last time before he stood. With another wistful glance at the box with the ring, he decided to leave it at home. He really should get going. It wasnāt even noon yet, but Paris was five hours ahead of Metropolis and he couldn't exactly dash to the city in a matter of seconds when Lois was flying with him.
āSee you later, pal. Thereās food in your bowl and Iām sure Lois would like to say hello to you, before I walk her home after dinner.ā
The setter looked after him with sad eyes. He barked and wagged his tale as if to wish Clark a nice evening. Suppressing a surge of guilt, Clark closed the door behind himself.
***
Their date had been everything Clark had been hoping for ā amazing food, soft music, a lively conversation and gentle touches. They'd fed each other bites of French delicacies and had shared the best chocolate mousse he'd ever had.
Clark's head was spinning with the memories of heated looks and the feel of her body in his arms as they'd swayed to soft music. He felt like he was still floating, even as his feet touched the ground in an alley behind his apartment.
āThe evening was perfect.ā Lois whispered a kiss onto his cheek.
She lingered in his embrace and he closed his eyes, inhaled her soft scent, savoring the moment to the fullest. Her slender frame was a perfect fit, delicate and intoxicating. Clark didnāt want the night to be over. He wanted for this magic to last a while longer.
She tilted her head back, a smile on her lips before they invited him to kiss her. Clark couldnāt help but comply. The whole flight had been sweet torture. Having her cradled so close to his body, it had taken every ounce of self-control not to plunder her mouth. But now there was no holding back. His tongue brushed past her lips, all the pent-up desire of the evening taking reign over his actions. He lost himself in the silkiness of her mouth, all coherent thoughts leaving him. There was just him and her.
Time stood still.
Both were breathless when they parted. Loisā cheeks were flushed, her eyes glassy with a longing they both felt. She grabbed his tie and pulled him with her, all the way up to his apartment. They tumbled up the steps, exchanging heady kisses, hands exploring each other's bodies. A dam had broken and the flood of desire washed away any lingering doubts.
Blood was rushing in Clarkās ears. He had never felt anything like this. Perhaps being inebriated came close to the experience. If that was the case, he was seriously drunk on love. All he was aware of was Lois, how sweet she smelled, how good she tasted and how much he longed to explore every inch of her skin.
Before too long, Clark's hands fumbled with the keys, somehow managing to open the door despite the massive distraction Lois provided.
She brushed his jacket off his shoulders and started to unbutton his shirt. He could barely keep his hands off of her long enough so they could both go down the stairs without falling. But as soon as theyād reached the bottom safely, they were all over each other again.
Clark couldnāt get enough of Loisā kisses. They were highly intoxicating and only for a brief moment he wondered how long he would be able to keep this up without losing his mind. Her hands still working their way down to expose his chest, she pushed him toward the couch.
Then, suddenly, his legs hit something. Clark tried to stop, but Lois pushed him on. His brain foggy with desire, he lost his balance and fell. Houdini whimpered and jumped out of their way. Just in time Clark realized what was happening and caught himself before crashing to the floor.
He held Lois cradled in his arms and lowered them both to the ground.
Houdini sat before him, head tilted to the side and gave him a reproachful look.
āSorry, pal, I didnāt notice you were standing there,ā Clark murmured.
He reached out to pet the setterās head. Houdini tapped toward him to give Clark better access to his favorite spot behind his ear.
āI'm so sorry, Houdini,ā Lois reached out to take care of the dogās other ear. āHey, what are you carrying between your teeth?ā
Confused, Clark realized that the dog was indeed holding something. But before he had a chance to have a look at the item in Houdiniās mouth, the dog opened his lips and dropped it into his lap.
Clark did a double take as he recognized the box with the engagement ring.
āWhatās that?ā The excitement in Loisā voice betrayed that she had a fair idea what the box contained.
Houdini barked.
Clark blushed. āSeems like he thinks this is the right moment to ask.ā
Lois laughed. āOr heās trying to protect my virtue.ā
The dog barked again, his nose seeming to point at the small box in his master's hands. Clarkās heart suddenly raced. Heād imagined this a thousand times, though admittedly, Houdini had never been a part of these fantasies. He wanted nothing more than for Lois to be his wife. But as his hands flipped open the box, his tongue was tied. He opened and closed his mouth a few times, trying to gather his courage. When words wouldnāt come, he changed his position, figuring it might be easier to ask her if he knelt.
But words still failed him.
āYou know Iām going to say yes, donāt you?ā she asked.
He nodded. Tears filled his eyes. Heād been hoping she would.
His voice cracked. āLois Lane, will you marry me?ā
āYes!ā she squealed.
She flung her arms around him, kissing him like he wasnāt sure sheād ever kissed him before. And he knew without a shadow of doubt that she was the true magic in his life.
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