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Buck blinks at the book he’s reading, trying to read the same sentence for the fifth time. He loves reading and has amassed a sizable collection, mostly filled with recommendations from Clark, but right now the words on the page are starting to blur together. His ADHD meds have worn off and it’s slowly becoming harder to focus.
Clark hums contentedly next to him, casually flipping through the pages of his own book. He’s dressed in his pajamas, a flannel top and bottom emblazoned with the Superman logo that Buck got him as a joke. The next day, a package arrived at Buck’s apartment with the exact same pajamas, which he’s wearing right now.
Their home is practically filled with Superman merchandise, which Clark rolls his eyes at, though Buck can tell he secretly likes some of it. The Superman action figures have a permanent residence on their bookshelves and Buck secretly bought himself a Superman body pillow, which Clark discovered by pure accident when he was looking for extra blankets. They both turned bright red and decided to never speak of it again.
Once Buck moved in with Clark, they both decided to put aside some time to read in bed. Sometimes they read the same book, but they don’t limit themselves.
Buck prefers non-fiction books, always coming away with a plethora of new information to share. Clark always smiles and looks positively endeared with everything Buck has to say, encouraging him to ramble on. On multiple occasions, he’s told Buck he could listen to him forever.
Comparatively, Clark enjoys light-hearted books or ones about heroes. As someone who grew up in rural Kansas, and took care of horses, he always likes to read books about cowboys, even if he does wrinkle his nose at the inaccuracies.
Buck had been nervous to meet Clark’s parents, but they welcomed him the second he stepped foot in the farmhouse, excited to brag about their son’s accolades. He’d worked as a ranch hand in Montana for a brief time, so he was more than happy to help with chores. Buck loves his family at the one-eighteen, but the warmth he felt from the Kents was unrivaled.
Clark adjusts his glasses, turning to the next page. He doesn’t technically need to wear them at home, but sometimes he forgets, which Buck thinks is adorable.
By now, Buck has abandoned his own book, placing a bookmark between the pages and leaving it on his night stand. He smiles at Clark, reaching over to push the book down.
“Need something?” Clark asks, turning his head to look at Buck and offering a smile of his own.
“Just wanted to see my boyfriend’s face, that’s all,” Buck says.
Clark laughs softly. “Yeah?”
“Yeah.” Buck takes Clark’s book, careful to keep his page, and moves it out of the way. He rolls over and lays right next to Clark, letting his head rest on Clark’s shoulder. “And maybe I wanted to cuddle a little bit.”
“You don’t have to ask me twice,” Clark says, resting his hand on Buck’s hair, scratching lightly. He uses his other hand to pick up his discarded book. The warmth emanating from Clark makes Buck feel comforted and he feels his eyes start to close, turning his head to get more comfortable.
Something Buck loves to do is cuddle. It wasn’t until Clark came along that he was truly able to get the physical touch that he needed, too nervous to ask for it in his previous relationships. Even before Buck moved in, they’d fall asleep on the couch together and Clark would still be there in the morning. It definitely didn’t hurt that Clark’s super strength, which makes him impervious to practically anything, means that Buck can splay his whole body weight on him with no problems. He never expected that he’d like to feel small, taken care of, but it’s exactly what he needs.
“You look cozy,” Clark rumbles, still petting Buck’s curls. The base of his voice travels, sending goosebumps up and down Buck’s arms.
“You feel cozy. Like my own personal heater,” Buck mumbles into Clark’s shirt.
“Is that all I am to you?” Clark teases. They both know Buck runs cold, needing to sleep with socks on when he’s alone.
“You’ve also got looks,” Buck says. “It’s a nice bonus.”
“Oh really?”
“I blame the glasses. They make you look irresistible.”
Buck loves how Clark looks, whether he’s Clark Kent or Superman. Still, when Clark pulls Buck into a building for a moment, grin on his face and loose curl hanging out, he feels much freer than he is when he’s out in front of everyone as Superman. Buck feels privileged to get special moments like this with Clark, able to see him the way no one else does.
“I know how much you like my glasses.” Clark presses a kiss to Buck’s birthmark with slightly chapped lips. “I’m wearing them just for you.”
Buck opens his eyes and mock glares. “So you haven’t been forgetting?”
“Maybe at first,” Clark admits. “But then I realized how cuddly they made you.”
“I’m always cuddly.” Buck pouts.
“Yeah, you are, sweetheart,” Clark agrees, not even pretending to read his book anymore. “It’s adorable. If I could, I’d stay here forever, just me and you.
“Sounds nice,” Buck says with a yawn. “Put away the book. I’m in desperate need of more cuddles.”
Clark laughs and shimmies down, gently maneuvering Buck until they’re spooning under the covers. He holds Buck tight, engulfing him in his strong arms.. “This good?” He whispers, hot breath grazing against Buck’s ear.
“Perfect,” Buck replies.
“You’re just a regular cuddle bug, huh?” Clark says, voice laced with sap.
Buck rolls his eyes sleepily. “And you’re a cornball.”
“Hey, I’d argue that it’s one of my more redeeming qualities,” Clark defends. Buck likes to tease him about his Midwestern-isms, finding his (over-)use of ‘gosh darn’ sweet.
“You might be right,” Buck murmurs, turning his face into the warm pillow.
“Love you,” Clark says, so filled with love that it makes Buck’s heart beat embarrassingly fast.
“Love you, too.”
When Buck finally drifts away, Clark’s already snoring behind him, face smushed into Buck’s back. He wouldn’t trade this for the world.