synopsis: Clark asks you on a date, you have your period, but he makes it work
tw: cursing, menstrual descriptions, angst
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I've been working with Clark for about two months, and he's shown to be very sweet... Though we became so close, he was stuttering over his own words. Even Jimmy had to translate for me, and even then I knew he was trying to ask me out. And then I found out he was Superman, and apparently Jimmy knew too. Crazy.
Could I just ask him out? Sure... But Jimmy told me not to. It was around 9 a.m. when I came into the Daily Planet and spotted Jimmy typing on his computer, as always. He always has a story.
"Hey... Jimmy." I lean against his desk. We've become very good friends.
He looked up from his computer. "Oh, hey, y/n. You okay?" He saw the subtle slouch.
I nodded. "Yeah. So, that text last night... you said I shouldn't ask him on a date, and then you sent me a voice message yelling."
Jimmy stared off into space... "Uh, yeah. I mean, he really talks about you a lot, so if you ask him out, he might freak out and— and, you know." He shrugs.
"You have no idea why, do you?" I say.
Jimmy sighs. "Just... wait for him to ask, okay? Seriously."
I roll my eyes and pat his back. "Got it." I walk to my desk just in front of Clark's.
Clark hasn't shown up yet, and I thought— or I was hoping— he wouldn't ask me out. Since tomorrow is Saturday, I got my period and was feeling like crap. The last thing I wanted was to go out unless I planned it.
I just looked at my computer. Clark came in almost out of breath with a coffee in his hands. He knew I knew about his secret, but he trusted me enough to keep it. Clark sat down at his desk in front of me. "You okay?"
I nodded and watched him sit down. "Yeah... you?"
He nods. "Yeah... watch the phone for me, I'll be right back." I stood up, wanting to avoid the conversation.
Clark seemed confused, but then he caught a glimpse of my skirt... His eyes widened. He saw the blood stain, and he didn't feel anything but concern. He stood up as I walked off and went over to Jimmy.
"Hey, uh, we've got a problem," Clark said.
Jimmy looked up from his computer. "Yeah? What, she ask you out?"
Clark's eyes widened even more. "What?" He was overwhelmed.
Jimmy corrected himself, clearing his throat. "W- what? No- no! I meant, what's wrong?"
Clark couldn't shake that off. "She's got what looks like her... period."
Jimmy spits out his water and puts his mug down. "And?? Clark, you don't just say things like that about coworkers—."
Clark cut him off. "She's more than a coworker to me, you know that!" He didn't mean to shout.
Everyone glanced at him for only a couple seconds before returning to their work.
"Crap." Jimmy almost smiled but quickly wiped it off. "Finally someone admitted it. You guys are so awkward."
Clark rolled his eyes a little as Jimmy stood up. "Okay," Jimmy began. "What do you mean?"
"She's got a stain on the back of her skirt," Clark explained.
Jimmy's eyes widened. "And... where is she now?"
"She asked me to watch her phone and then left."
Jimmy groans. "So you just let her walk off?" he whispered.
Clark bit his cheek. "I couldn't process it till she left."
"I didn't know Superman was so stupid." Jimmy sat back in his chair.
Clark looks around. "What, you're not gonna help me?"
Jimmy chuckles a little and leans back. "You got yourself into this mess. Go get her and tell her. If you're lucky, she won't know you let her walk off like that."
Clark glared at him before walking off to where I left... Did I take the elevator? Bathroom? Probably bathroom, but he couldn't be sure. He walked toward the restrooms down the left hall until he reached the women's bathroom. He tapped his foot and struggled to even open the door... but when he was about to, I came out. I jumped at his tall presence.
"Clark!"
"I didn't mean to scare you." He rubs the back of his neck. "I just wanted to tell you... you have a stain—."
I cut him off. "Oh." I blush. "I know, I saw in the mirror. Sorry."
Clark shook his head. "No, no. It's fine. I just... I should have told you before."
I shrug a little. "I sort of heard you yelling at Jimmy anyway."
Clark got a little defensive. "Hey, he was yelling at me. You should've seen him—." He cut off when he saw me holding my stomach.
His eyes soften, and he looks around to make sure no one is watching. "Do you need anything?"
I look up at him. "I'm fine, Clark. I know Jimmy keeps his ibuprofen in his desk."
Clark nodded, wanting to help more, but I insisted anyway. He couldn't help but find that a little agitating. He walked me back to my desk, and Jimmy immediately tossed the medicine bottle to me like he knew the drill.
Clark sat down and watched me, reluctant to stop asking if I needed help. But then he still needed to ask me out. I thought the same. I shouldn't bother him with this, and I still needed to ask him out. How embarrassing.
Jimmy felt the tension, and it honestly entertained him watching, but it also pissed him off. "Clark wants to ask you out," he said bluntly.
Clark turned red in the face and closed his eyes. I smile a little and nod to him. "That true?"
Clark glanced up at me. "Yeah."
Jimmy smirked from across us. I smiled again. "I'd love to."
Clark released his breath and felt a little surprised. "...should we, um—"
"How about dinner and a movie? At my place?" I say, helping his further embarrassment as I felt my own.
Clark nods and feels a little more relieved, but embarrassed he didn't think of that. Stupid Jimmy, he thought. Clark could only think of one thing now— if I'd be in too much pain to actually enjoy the movie.
So after work, he went to his place to change... He thought about it multiple times, putting on his Superman suit, but then realized maybe that's not the best "show up to a date" outfit. So he put on black dress pants and a white button-up.
He also stopped at a store to pick me up a basket... chocolate, something spicy and sweet, a stuffed bear, strawberry-scented lotion, and Midol. He even thought about getting a small pack of pads, but... maybe I already had some? He was overthinking.
"Stop it, Clark," he said to himself as he grabbed the small packet.
He finally situated the basket in his car, wanting it to be perfect. "Okay." He nods to himself. "Not bad."
Once he drove to my apartment, he found the number... second floor, door 110. He knocks.
I heard a knock at my door and put the pizza box down on the coffee table. Is this even a good date dinner? I was nervous. I tried to dress nice and comfortable— a white off-the-shoulder sweater and soft leggings.
I open the door and expected him to be dressed so neatly, but it was comforting and simple. Then I saw the basket he carried and blush.
"Oh, Clark. You didn't have to—."
He smiles down at me as I gesture him in. He puts the basket on the table near the door. "I thought a first date on your period isn't what you were planning, and when Jimmy asked, I didn't want you to feel forced. I'm glad you wanted this at home."
I shake my head. "No... no, not at all. I just— you're very handsome, Clark... thank you." I stand on my toes and kiss his cheek.
He smiles at the gesture and puts his hand on my lower back. "You look beautiful tonight— I mean, you always look beautiful."
I smile up at him. "Thank you. I ordered pizza. Is that okay?"
"Okay? Honey, pizza on a date night is exactly what I was thinking." He guides me to the living room and sits me down before bringing over the basket.
"I got you a couple things. I know you probably have some of it."
"No." I laugh a little. "It's cute." I look at the soft brown bear and then back at Clark. "Thank you."
He nods and leans closer. "You sure you're feeling alright?"
I nod. "Yeah. Not as bad as this morning."
He didn't want to crowd me, but the way I leaned toward him gaave him the okay. He kisses me gently, tilting my head for better access, his hands in my hair as he deepens it slightly before pulling away.
It was a beautiful night— just pizza and a horror movie he picked out. He didn't enjoy it as much as I did and thought it was insane that I actually liked it, but he found it endearing.
He held me against his chest, his hand on my lower back, rubbing gently, and suddenly... his hand warmed up— some sort of Superman ability— and it made me jump.
He immediately apologized and pulled his hand away. "Sorry! Sorry... did I burn you?"
I shake my head and calm myself. "No, sorry. It was just unexpected."
He nodded. "I thought it would help the cramps."
I smile a little and curl back into him. He relaxes when he sees me calm down... He returns his hand to my lower back and warms it again. It helps me relax into him— so much that I close my eyes and rest against him.
He knew now it was helping, seeing the difference in my posture and expression. He kisses the top of my head as I relax... This was all he needed right now.
I was surprised when we woke up in the morning still cuddled on the couch. The pizza was cold, and my chocolate half-eaten. He woke up first and gently set my head on a pillow before getting up.
He cleaned up the coffee table, put the pizza away, picked up the wrappers, washed the dishes, and turned off the TV before making coffee from what he found in my cupboard.
I woke up slowly, my hair a mess. I thought he left, but then I smelled the coffee. I lifted my head and saw his tall figure in the kitchen. He glanced at me and smiled.
"How are you feeling? Any more cramps?"
I shake my head. "Not as much." I grab the Midol and take one.
I notice the clean room and feel a little embarrassed. "Clark, you didn't have to—."
He smiled and walked over with a mug, just how I liked it. "I made the mess too." He kisses me before sipping his coffee.
I inhale the smell— comforting— and take a sip. He brushes my hair from my face. "You sure you're okay?"
I nod and set the mug down. "Thank you, Clark... for all this. You really know how to spoil someone."
He laughs softly and rubs my back. "I think I'd enjoy doing it a lot more."
And he didn't lie. We had so many beautiful dates, turning into sleepovers... He took care of me in ways I didn't even take care of myself.
Sometimes he'd bathe with me, wash my hair, and even when I was sick— because Superman doesn't get sick— he helped me take care of myself... And when we made love, he was gentle and patient with me.
I saw another prediction for who Matthew Lillard could be in the DCU being Captain Cold since the Flash may be in the next Superman and I already love Len because of the comics and Wentworth's portrayal in the CW show, but if this happens I will become the most OBNOXIOUS Captain Cold fan on the planet and there would be nothing anyone could do to stop it.
