Superman Fanfic
Clark shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Two jobs in not even three months, he mentally kicked himself.
His file was being looked over thoroughly for the third time by the unemployment office lady, Mrs. Kowalski. “So, construction fell through, Mr. Kent.”
“I'm sorry.” he rubbed his thumbs together apprehensively.
“Mmhmmm, don't be sorry to me, Mr. Kent.” she said. “Shame, after telling me about how you and your father rebuilt the family barn after that tornado incident I thought you might like construction work.”
“It was going well, it's just…” he paused.
“You started showing up later and later, then not at all.” she finished.
He winced, there was no way he could tell her what he was really up to instead of making it to work on time.
“What's the matter, Mr. Kent? If there is something going on, issues, we have programs and departments to help people like you onto their feet.”
He shrugged, definitely more than a little frustrated at himself, “I, I'm not sure what to tell you?” he sighed.
“Well, we have your file open. If a factory position opens up this office will send you a call. The number on file is still up to date, yes?”
“Ye, yeah,” he looked over the paper she was showing him, “that's my number still.”
She nodded, “This is the third time I've seen you here in three months, Clark, if you want a minute of real advice. Go to college, there are loans and government grants, all sorts of stuff you could apply for. You're not lazy, and I know you're not a dumb boy. I've looked over your files three times now and I know you graduated with an almost perfect grade point average, and that you volunteered with your mother since you were thirteen years old. You don't need another job you'll get bored off in two weeks, you need a career that engages you. Give it a thought, Clark.”
Mrs. Kowalski printed off several pages and stapled them. She set them next to his I.D and social in front of him.
Clark looked at the papers wide eyes, “I will...think about it, I mean. I'll think about it. Thank you.”
“You're welcome, Mr. Kent. Now, unless you have any other questions I think we are done here for today.”
“No, I think I'm good for now.”
“Have a nice day, Mr. Clark.”
With a nod, he smiled, “You too, Mrs. Kowalski.” With that the Farmer's son from Smallville grabbed his info and also the papers she printed out for him.
He left the office and out of the Metropolis government center, pausing to hold the door for an older man with a cane. “Why, thank you.”
“You're welcome.” he replied and started walking, wondering how he was going to eat tonight.
If I find seventy five cents I can buy a can of ravioli from the gas station. If I find a dollar fifty then I could also get a cup of coffee.
A career that engages me...Clark's thoughts raced, and kept returning to what the lady at the unemployment office told him. He gripped the papers in his hand tightly, maybe it was time to start looking into college. See what his financial aid options were-why was his shirt wet?
A lady gasped, "Oh my God, I'm so sorry!"
Clark snapped out of his thoughts, "Hmm?" Hot coffee was just spilt over his shirt and he pulled the material away from his skin, "Oh! It's alright, it isn't that hot." He reassured her.
The concerned woman suddenly raised her eyebrow skeptically, "That was a fresh latte."
"Yeah, well, lots of layers." Clark said, "Cold weather."
She looked at him with a puzzled look, "Wait…." Her eyes widened, "Smallville?"
"I'm sorry, do I know you?" He asked
"My cousin's birthday parties." She replied, "Your creepy friend tried to get a game of seven minutes in heaven going and my dad flexed on him."
Clark suddenly recognized her, "Lois, General Lane's daughter."
She laughed, "Just go by Lois Lane these days, never liked that stipulation."
He nodded, "Of course, Lois. How have you been?"
"Fine, at least until I walked into a brick wall, Jesus, Smallville," she looked up at him, "What are they putting into the wheaties they feed you on that farm?"
Clark awkwardly cleared his throat, "Well, hard farm work, builds you up."
"Apparently." She said, "So, you're sure I didn't burn you?"
"I'm sure." He reassured her, again.
Lois sighed in relief, "Well, that's good, Smallville. What are you doing in Metropolis anyway?"
"Oh, well…" Clark paused, dwelling momentarily on uncomfortable memories, "I just needed a change. Some personal discovery stuff."
"Uh huh, hey I need to get another coffee, and you look like you could use one too. Come on, Kent."
Clark protested, "No, really. It's fine."
"I wasn't asking, Smallville. My treat." Lois said with effortless determination, she left no room for discussion and Clark haplessly followed along.
"Sundollar?"
"Yeah, no one wanted a latte from Lexbucks, go figure." Lois said, strolling in.
"Lane!" The Barista said, "I thought you said you were cutting back on the caffeine."
"Cut back a little too much this morning, Bev. I, err, dropped my coffee." She said, standing next to the man in a wet shirt, smelling like a sundae was dropped in an espresso.
Bev nodded along, "And for Captain America?"
Lois glanced at him, expectantly.
Clark stood there a moment in silence before awkwardly exclaiming, "Oh! Black, please. Morning blend...if you have it."
Lois tapped his arm, "Come on, Smallville." Leading Clark to a very tall table large enough for two drinks and maybe a folder. "Not one for the Cafe scene, Farmer Kent?"
He looked around at the various pieces of piecemeal modern art decorating the Sundollar, "Not really, I've been drinking coffee since I was fourteen and Dad put me through a few hours of work before school and all he brewed came out of a red can."
Lois snorted, "Yeah? Did he get them out of the cellar next to the Mason jars of peaches?"
Clark raised an eyebrow, "Lois when were you in our cellar?"
"What? No I meant, I was being-" She paused when she saw a little smirk, "Huh, color me impressed, Smallville, I didn't realize you had a funny bone under all that muscle."
“I’ve been known to be occasionally cheeky.” Clark replied, he averted his eyes as she smiled. “Did you ever make it then?”
“Hmm?”
“Journalism? You were going to Metro U to become a reporter right?” Clark asked.
Lois’s eyes lit up, “Yes! Actually, I got into the intern program at the Planet and I’ve been a field reporter for a little over ten months.”
“That’s incredible, Lois! So, what ground breaking news is Lois Lane investigating?” Clark asked, he smiled at Bev as she was kind enough to walk their drinks over to them.
Lois grinned, “The Red-Blue Blur.”
Clark spit out his coffee.
“Jesus, Smallville, it’s probably a fresh pot!” Lois gasped.
Clark swallowed, “Yeah, my tongue.” He cleared his throat. “The Red who what?”
“You really must be new in town, the last three months Metropolis has had its own Vigilante. Like the old days with the Green Lantern, Hawkman, Wonder woman.”
“Lois, I don’t think Superheroes have been a thing since, forever ago.”
“Not if you have your ear to the ground, Smallville. Gotham, Central City.”
“Okay, sure I’ve heard the rumors, too. The Bat in Gotham’s either a myth or someone with a death wish.” He said, echoing his dad.
“Iris West at Picture News had an interview with the Rumor in Central City, Clark. We are seeing a possible resurgence of Superheroes in the world and I think Metropolis has one too.”
Clark tapped the table with his index finger, nervously. “Maybe, I guess I’ve heard of some weirdness going on too. Never seen anything myself though.”
“That’s why I’m on the hunt for proof, evidence, footage.”
“F-footage?”
Lois nodded, taking a somewhat cautious sip of her beverage. “Olsen, a Planet photographer, is working on this case with me. He’s been trying to get a clear picture of the Blur for over a month.”
“How’s that been going for him?” Clark asked, trying to mask his apprehension.
“Not…exactly as well as we hoped.”
Clark sighed. “I can’t imagine this has been an easy story to cover. It’s not like you can sit down with this…Blur for an interview. Or if the Blur is a “him” at all.”
“Nothing solid, though I do think the Blur is a he, some of the people who claim they were rescued by the Blur say he asked if they were alright before vanishing, and they all describe a masculine voice. Not that any of them asked for pronouns.” Lois said.
Clark mulled this over, thinking it best to try and change the subject, “So this photographer, Olsen, friend of yours or just the job?”
“We were interns together for the Planet.”
“Oh, it must be nice to get to work with him again then.” Clark said.
Lois raised an eyebrow, “Yeah, we’re going to meet after work tonight actually?”
“You are?” He asked, surprising himself with how disappointed his voice sounded.
“Yes, we are going to be discussing a new strategy he was coming up with to get evidence of the Blur. Say, Smallville, what are you doing later?”
“Oh, uh, nothing.” Clark said.
“Great, if you’re interested, maybe the three of us could meet up at the Big Belly Burger by the Planet?” She suggested.
“I don’t really want to intrude on a work thing.” Clark replied.
“You won’t, we’ll get a bite and then Olsen and I can talk shop after.”
“I guess, if you’re sure it won’t be a bother.”
Lois rolled her eyes, “It won’t be a bother at all. Promise.”
He smiled a bit, “Okay, it’s a date-plan, sounds like a plan.” He blushed, clearing his throat, “So, what time is afterwork anyway?”
Lois held back a grin at his adorable flustered state, “Hard to say, let’s try to plan for eight o’clock. Actually, it’s hard to say, I don’t always know when I’ll be done for the day.”
“Oh, uhm, maybe we should get each other’s numbers then?” Clark suggested.
“Good idea, give me your phone.” Lois said and he did so, she typed in her number and a moment later her phone buzzed in her purse, “There, now we have each other’s numbers. Hey, catch you later, Smallville, I need to get back into the office.”
“Oh, alright, see you later tonight, Lois.” Clark said as she left.
He took another long slip of his coffee and got up, pulling at his sticky shirt. Started to leave as well when Bev said with a grin as he passed by, “Smooth, Smalls. Smooth.”
