MAN OF STEEL

- He got engaged. He didn’t call me. Okay. That’s his way of telling me… We’re not friends. Not really.  

- You can’t be friends with him. Not when you’re… He doesn’t need to congratulate me. Look at me. Who am I compared to him?  

- He is who he is. He doesn’t need a friend. He doesn’t need… He isn’t like me.  

- He’s Superman.  

- He’s Batman.

To say that Clark had crumbled after his relationship with Lois would’ve been an understatement. Thankfully, the Kryptonian reached out to his friends and had composed himself. Not at first, of course. There was a lot of denial and anger burning within him at the beginning… But at last, he settled. Regardless of the turmoil raging under his emblem, Clark Kent knew he still had an image to uphold. He still carried Hope on his shoulders.

And then, he had invested himself in a mission alongaide Bruce that brought them to New York, 1973. Amidst all the troubles and alarming suspicions that had been occupying the Kryptonian’s time and mind, Clark recognized Lois’ heartbeat.

Without even realizing it, Clark had followed the sound… And found her sitting at a table, fingers drumming idly. He watched her, taking in every miniscule detail, breathing in her scent. God, he missed her… It took all his will-power to finally take a seat across from her rather than running into her arms. When she finally spoke, her words made the Kryptonian chuckle. Finally switching to civilian clothing, he fixed his glasses. “Yea… You look pretty stunning yourself,” he countered, unable to meet her gaze. “I’m a bit surprised to see you here.”

Lois shrugged. “I don’t know how I got here,” she replied quietly. “But I’m here now.” She paused for a moment, a crooked smile lifting at the corner of her lips. “You’re a sight for sore eyes. I thought I’d be completely on my own.” She wanted to reach out and take his hand, but she stopped herself from doing it—things were already muddled as is. She didn’t want to give him hope for them to end up in their time again and realize nothing had changed. 

But maybe things had changed—maybe she had changed. Now that she had been here for a little while, she realized that she didn’t mind the slower lifestyle. She didn’t mind spending time in one place, working on her craft and making it home for dinner every night. 

Maybe she could make it home for him, too. 

Hearing her say he was a sight for sore eyes, Clark laughed softly, a hint of sorrow in his demeanor. Did she not remember that as long as Clark lived, she would never be alone? He wanted to remind her--just a touch of her fingertips, a brush of her lips... But Clark knew he couldn't. Bittersweet, as it was, Clark's smile just grew as she spoke.

However, too much down time gave Lois a chance to be lonely. It gave her a chance to feel that loneliness. It gave her a chance to miss home. She was never the kind of person to pity herself, but some days, she didn’t have it in her to pretend that she didn’t miss her old life. Things were easier when she could distract herself by going overseas—things were easier when she had other people in her life she could talk to about these things. 

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to talk to Clark. It was that she didn’t quite know how to, anymore. 

Drumming her fingers lightly against the table between them, she rested her chin in the palm of her other hand. “I have to say, Clark, you look especially dashing in all these 70s clothes,” she said with a crooked smirk, unable to help herself from just a little bit of flirting. She missed him. Some part of her wanted to go back to when they were just together and they were happy—a bigger part of her feared that they never could. 

And then, he had invested himself in a mission alongaide Bruce that brought them to New York, 1973. Amidst all the troubles and alarming suspicions that had been occupying the Kryptonian's time and mind, Clark recognized Lois' heartbeat.

As her hand wrapped around his arm, his own hand gripped affectionately at hers. The smile didn’t even weakened, at least not until she asked his opinion on their current situation. Once the question was out there, however, Clark’s demeanor changed slightly. The smile that had reigned over his features had dissolved and his gaze focused on the gates as had Kara’s. “Nothing good. Hatred towards metahumans just keeps growing, Xavier is missing…” Clark sighed loudly, slightly shaking his head. After a small paused, his gaze returned to his cousin. “How you get here?”

Hal’s words did little to settle the growing suspicions and worries within the Kryptonian. Sure some had travelled willingly–Bruce and himself were perfect examples of such. But… What if that had been what gave their enemies the idea? What if they noticed what the superheroes intentions were and decided to simply shoot most superheroes into the past to overwhelm and rewrite history? “I don’t know, Hal… Its just a feeling… A voice in the back of my head,” Clark tried to explain.

“And now Professor–I mean, Mr. Xavier–was taken right from under our noses,” he pointed out with a small, frustrated sigh. “I’m going to have to scan this whole country… Maybe I can take Kara and Connor, if they’ll help. And that is if Mr. Xavier is still within the US… Hoping that wherever they have him isnt outlined with lead.” Clark sighed once more. “Kinda hoping to see J'onzz around these parts too, he’d be helpful as well,” he admitted, Martian Manhunter having been on his mind after hearing the news of Charles’ abduction. “Maybe you and Barry are up for some treasure hunting. We can ask Bruce and Diana as well.”

Hal had learned many things about being within the justice league team. One of them was always trusting Clark’s intuition, even if it was something horrible. “ I can understand that but I also know some villains have come back as well. hopefully, we return home it’s back to the time we first left so nothing has been changed. I suppose I’m more worried about what our actions here have caused” he sighed

“Just be sure to be safe, of course,” he added after hearing of Teddy’s fiance’s worries. Although he couldn’t shake the sudden guilt that assaulted him. Chuckling awkwardly, the Justice Leaguer nodded firmly when Teddy stated he loved the gift anyway. At least there was that to ease him.

At the Young Aveneger’s words, he smiled widely. He was a good man, regardless of age, full of life with a good head on his shoulders. It made him proud to know the next generation was full with young men and women such as Teddy Altman. “Thank you,” Clark replied to his words of hope and obvious commitment. “I’d love to tag along sometime,” he offered with a smile. He had heard plenty of the Young Avengers himself, and would be excited working with them.

“Sometimes,” the Kryptonian answered with a laugh. He loved to fly, it was a freedom he had never experienced before.. And it had taken him so long to realize all he was capable of… It had been like a gift. “Gotta admit though, its freeing.”

“Of course. Don’t worry sir, I’m pretty resilient.” He says with a grin, though he knows to be careful anyway. He might heal pretty quickly thanks to his abilities but he doesn’t exactly want to get hurt just because of that. Besides, he knows how much it would make Billy worry.

“Wait, really?” He asks in surprise. He knows the Young Avengers are good at what they do - they weren’t always, but they worked hard at it and made sure they could hold their own. But the idea that Superman wants to tag along and see how they work is pretty amazing itself. There’s so many heroes out there, so many different teams and people he probably knows, and he can’t help but feel in awe of the fact that he thinks of them that way. “That’d be amazing, sir! I’m sure the team would love to have you there - well, when we’re all together again at least.”

She turned, and Clark Kent felt a heavy boulder come off his shoulders as their gazes met. In the flesh, standing before him, was his world. “Lois!” He exclaimed with a wide smile as he met her up. Clark wrapped his arms around his fiance in a loving embrace, burying his face into her neck and taking in her sent. For the first time since he had arrived to year 1973, Clark felt at peace.

“How did you get here?” The Kryptonian asked after a moment, managing to force himself to pull away. “You do know where you are, right?” He asked, worry visible in his face. He scanned her, looking for any wounds or signs of a concussion. “We are in Westchester, New York. Year 1973,” explained, his hand holding hers.

“Clark!” This time, the redhead’s recitation of his name was much more of an affirmation rather than a question. As soon as her eyes met her fiance’s blue orbs, Lois’ heels clicked down the hallway as she took off running towards him. Almost immediately, she felt at ease and that was only amplified as Clark took her into his arms. Lois held onto him, her head nestled right against his. 

Clark shook his head, chuckling as he was called a leader in such manner. He truly cheerished Hal and their friendship. “I’m blessed and grateful I have you all,” Clark admitted with a smile after hearing the Lantern’s words on his parents.

As the conversation shifted, and they began to speak on their current status, the Kryptonian’s features became more serious. He listened to his comrade closely, nodding solemnly. When faced with Hal’s question, Clark sighed. “I’m not sure what to think,” he confessed. His senses did a quick scan of the area and the closest heartbeat Clark was able to pinpoint was far enough to make their conversation private.

“However, it is very possible something rather sinister is going on back home. Most of these visitors were pulled here by force, or so it seems. We are being looked at as monsters and threats to humanity which gave birth to the Registration Act a little earlier than expected…. Not to mention the growing hatred towards us… Doesn’t it seemed rather convenient for our enemies?” He asked, looking into Hal’s eyes. “Think about it, Hal. Doesnt it seem like somebody is deliberately trying to rewrite history?”

Hal smiled nodding his head, he’d always loved being around Clark just something about his natural good nature was amazing. “ Aww big blue your gonna make me cry with all that kind words “

He could feel the shift within the other just as his own feelings and features shifted to a more serious note. He had hoped nothing sinister was going to happen “ me either, I hope nothing evil is going on, yet with all of us disappearing it is a bit discerning” He looked up at Clark wondering if helping save the timeline could affect anything else that could happen in the future.

He had sensed her, and as he did, tears threatened to fall down his cheeks. As Clark made his way to his cousin, a smile spread over his lips. As his gaze settled on the back of her head, he heard her speak up, and the smile simply grew. “Super is good though, and so are your senses,” he replied, taking a seat next to Kara. “I’m happy to see you, Kara,” Clark admitted.

Rule the World by Take That