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"How'd I guess that you took on the responsibilities for a superhero holiday party?" Lois interjected before Clark even had the time to get the words out of his mouth. She had known exactly what was going to happen when he'd talked about finding someone 'outgoing and friendly' to host the Justice League's New Year's event. Like any group project, these things inevitably fell to burden one person.
"I mean, it's only our first year of operation, so it's understandable that not everyone is ready to plan for a group of strangers." Clark looked and sounded embarrassed, still pacing the floor in his Superman suit. He hadn't yet had time to change into his civilian clothes, since he and Lois had started talking about the event immediately upon his return. "Plus, the whole thing was my idea to begin with."
"It's very sweet of you to step up." Lois wasn't a huge fan of corporate-mandated fun, but she knew Clark had spent a majority of the last year worrying about the success of the League and the cohesion of its members. With so many clashing personalities, he'd made it a personal mission to make sure everyone felt included and valued. "If you need a date, I'm available."
Clark laughed, rubbing the back of his neck with one hand. "I'm not sure many of them will be thrilled to have a reporter in attendance, but I know no one will have to worry about identities getting leaked. I'll make sure of it."
"I know how to keep my sources confidential," she assured him, knowing that satisfying her curiosity would be more than enough.
At the end of December, the party date arrived and Lois was attending as Superman's plus one. She was even willing to sacrifice her love of personal comfort for a fancy new cocktail dress. It wasn't her job to play hostess, so she didn't set out to mingle.
Instead, she exchanged brief pleasantries with the heroes she'd met previously (she always enjoyed catching up with Diana), and partook of some cookies and punch. Typical party activities, with a hint of eavesdropping and collecting tea.
Eventually, people began clinking their glasses to get their host to make a speech. Superman made his way to the center of the hall, shaking a few hands and looking a lot more comfortable than he had at this time roughly a year ago.
"I'm so glad that you all are here tonight," he began, looking out at the sea of masked faces. "It seemed like a crazy dream a year ago, but now, we're a strong group of people looking out for this planet that counts on us." His voice got stronger as he went on. "I couldn't have made this idea into a reality without each and every one of you. Because you believed in this dream with me, I know we'll have many more years and celebrations just like this one in the future."
A hero that Lois didn't recognize (since she hadn't learned everyone's names yet and there were metas from all over the world here now) called for a toast. and the champagne began to flow.
She waited until Superman was finally free of his hosting duties and met him on one of the decks that looked out into space and the Earth below. She had acquired two glasses of champagne and handed one to him as they took in the view. "Great job tonight, Fearless Leader," she said, clinking her glass against his. "We'll make a true extrovert out of you yet."
Clark smiled and raised his glass to her. "To be honest, my social battery is drained. Everything went well, but now that it's over, I just want to go home and crash on the couch with you."
"In due time." Lois took a few sips and turned her attention back to the window. "It's amazing that you get to see the Earth from this perspective all the time."
Clark followed her gaze. "It's the second-most beautiful thing I've ever seen."
"Charmer." Lois set her glass aside and wrapped her arms around his waist. He hugged her back, leaning down for a kiss. "You didn't even wait for midnight, not that I even know what time zone we're in..."
Clark kissed her again, cutting her off. "Then we can just ring in the new year as many times as we want."