#*clark

Kal’s eyes go wide as the Scarlet Witch approaches him, and he takes a single step back even as his nostrils flare with the scent of her so thick in the air around them.

“Ms. Maximoff, I’m sorry, I--”

I’m going insane just being around you doesn’t sound very nice to say, so he bites his lip and holds his hands in front of him to keep them from twitching, the palm of his right over the back of his left.

His shoulders are stiff with the effort to keep himself from touching her. When Captain America asked for his help, he had no idea the partner he’d work with would be an omega-- had no idea that she’d smell so good. Humans didn’t affect Kryptonians all that much, usually, but Wanda was different. Wanda and her powers made her closer to Kal’s kind than man, and he felt like an idiot for not noticing it sooner.

“...I need some air.” His throat’s gone dry. His breathing quickens. “I need...”

“Shiera?”

He smiled, big and wide. “It’s been a while, hasn’t it!”

And while it’d largely been a while due to Clark’s own withdrawal from society, he had a good feeling she’d understand. After Lois’ death, being Superman hadn’t been the only thing too heavy to carry-- just being Clark Kent and going to the Daily Planet had been almost Olympian in its difficulty.

But he was trying again now. If nothing else, then for Billy Batson’s memory.

Jason was happy to be back in the city, needless to say. No offence to Kansas, his son had said, but Clark understood the sentiment. It was nice to be back at work. It was nice to be writing for the Daily Planet again, and an even bigger honour to be sitting in Perry White’s old chair.

“Come to welcome me back to Metropolis?” he asked, laughing as he set his papers aside and stood to give his old comrade a hug.