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“Your mother thinks what?!”
Several nosy reporters poked their heads up from where they had been working on their latest scoops. Only to be greeted with the sight of you dragging Clark by the sleeve of his shirt and into the empty conference room. To anyone new it would’ve been an unusual sight, seeing someone as tall as Clark Kent be dragged by someone at least a head or two shorter them him. But the workers at the Daily Planet were used to seeing the two of you together.
Once inside the conference room and assured that no one else would hear you or Clark, you turned you attention back to him
“Keep your voice down!” You huffed, before giving a small shrug. “And its not a big deal.”
“A big deal?! Y/n, you lied to your mother.” The corner of your mouth twitched and you were unable to meet the disappointed look in his blue eyes. “I didn’t lie to her per se.”
Clark rolled his eyes, arms crossing over his broad chest. “Well you didn’t correct her either.”
Pouting slightly you threw him an accusing look. “Yeah well, its your fault isn’t it? You shouldn’t have gotten me such an expensive gift for my birthday! She just saw the necklace and when she asked who gave it to me I said you did, and then she just assumed we were going out and I…….I didn’t correct her.” Your voice trailed off, seeing that you weren’t really going to win this argument.
At the mention of the necklace, your fingers had unconsciously lifted to run the tips of them along the piece of jewelry that you had taken to wearing since Clark gave it to you.
It was truly a gorgeous piece, and now counted as one of your most prized possessions. Not because it was probably expensive, but because Clark had been the one to give it to you. His gaze dropped to your throat as well, where the necklace lay just between your collarbone.
“And now she has invited us over this weekend to meet me?” Clark confirmed, finally meeting your eyes once more to which you gave a nod. “Well she wants to meet the new beau, her words not mine.” You were quick to clarify, your eyes widening in horror at the word that had slipped you. “So you’re suggesting we spend an entire evening together, and pretend that we’re dating?”
You gave a little flinch. “Sounds cliché, I know.” Clark only shook his head. “I should really stop you from watching those rom-coms you’re always crying over.” He grumbled under his breath. “Too many romantic ideas in your head makes for these kinds of situations.”
You bristled. “Hey! I’ll have you know I watch classical rom-coms, none of those new hallmark rom-coms that makes you wanna puke.” You had a particular taste when it came to the movies you watched, although your best friend’s taste was significantly different then yours.
Yes.
Best friends.
You and Clark were best friends who were now being roped into fake-dating. Why? Because you were too much of a coward to come out and tell the truth to your over-bearing hard to please mother.
This would either go really good or turn into a complete disaster.
A few hours later you and Clark were both at his apartment, sharing the food you had ordered to bribe him further.
“Well I suppose we should start setting the rules and such? At least thats what they do in movies.” You suggested, once the Kryptonian had managed to go through half the food. A well-fed Clark was a happy Clark, you had learned long ago.
“Remind me again why am I doing this for you?” He asked, digging into your takeout container to steal one your chicken pieces. You smacked his chopsticks away with your own, pulling the container out of his reach.
“Because I’m buying you dinner here, and also because you love me.” You stated in such a off-handed manner as you stuffed your mouth with chicken that you didn’t even notice how Clark stiffened at your side at your words.
Polishing off the food you began to speak. “They’ll be coming in a couple days, so dress nice, and appropriately. Make sure to wear your coat. I know you have an internal heater given that you’re freakin’ E.T.” You gestured to his overall physique, to which he rolled his eyes at you. “But us puny humans get cold a lot, so coat, hat, and gloves.”
“I know, Y/n.” He said in an exasperated tone, to which you grinned. You loved messing with him, acting all delicate and weak just to tease him about his strength and powers. It was all in good fun though.
“She already knows how we met, and will probably ask really nosy questions. Dad will just sit there quietly and let her do all the talking. Besides he already likes you so you don’t have to win him over.” Clark looked up from where he had been pouring himself a drink.
“He does?” You smiled at him. His blue eyes were so hopeful and the smile he wore was so adorable. Did it really matter to him that your parents liked him?
You shrugged. “Well yeah. I mean I did tell him how you helped me out with the stalker situation, without telling him that you were Superman, and he was really grateful. Said it was good that I had someone sensible looking out for me.” You poked your tongue out at the triumphant look in his eyes. “I agree with your father, between the two of us one of us should be the sensible one.”
Raising an eyebrow at him you leaned towards him, arms wrapped around your legs which you had pulled up on the couch. Your eyes narrowed. “Remind me which one of us flies around wearing a cape and goes around actually looking for trouble?”
Clark gave a smug smile, leaning back against the couch and resting the back of his head on his forearm. “At least I can handle trouble. If I didn’t, I couldn’t have handled you all these years now could I?”
You scoffed, though you were unable to fight off the smirk that pulled at your lips. “Oh please. You? Handle me? I’d like to see you try.”
“Is that an invitation?”
“Do you honestly need one Kent?”
“I am a gentleman Y/L/N. Of course I do.”
“Alright fine! If you pull off convincing my mother we’re dating, I’ll let you handle me however you want.”
Translation: You would do whatever he asked you to do.
“And if I loose, I’ll take you up to the Watch Tower again.”
“Sounds good! I’m due for a gossip session with Wally and Diana.”
He stuck out his hand. “May the best of us win.” You grinned, grasping his hand within your own and giving it a firm shake. “Oh, I will.”
Clark only smirked. When it came to betting and competitions, you both had rather competitive streaks. Sometimes he would win, and other times you were the victor. It was always fun to one-up the other.
And you had a feeling this little competition would take the cake.
The day of the dinner arrived, and you spent the entire day pampering yourself. Just because it was a fake dinner date with your parents, with your fake boyfriend, it didn’t mean you couldn’t be looking nice.
Good think it was a Saturday. You were meeting your parents in the evening, and Clark would be picking you up. You had only just put the finishing touches on your makeup when the bell rang. Dashing to the door, quite the feat since you were wearing heels, you pulled it open.
The sight that greeted you had your mind short-circuiting.
Both of your office attires were semi-formal at best, and at home both of you wore the worst of your clothes. And though the image of Clark as Superman was impressive enough, nothing could beat the sight that your eyes feasted on right then.
You had told him to dress nicely, and clean up. And damn, did he clean up good. Under the winter coat he had on, he was wearing a black suit that was tailored to show off his muscular body perfectly. The shirt under the jacket was a deep red, which actually looked quite good with the black tie. You had a sudden urge to tug him forward by grabbing it, but you refrained yourself.
Little did you know, Clark was battling his own inner dilemma. Seeing you standing there in the dress you had chosen for the evening. Wearing the necklace he had gotten you. You were already beautiful on a daily basis, but right then you looked absolutely stunning.
Managing to come back to the present, you gave him a quick smile. “You clean up nice Kent. Just let me grab my coat and we’ll get going.” You pivoted on your heel to retrieve the garment, completely missing the way his blue eyes roamed the expanse of bare skin the dress left exposed.
Tonight would be a long night for him.
“So far so good.”
You heaved a sigh as you slumped into your chair, with Clark drawing gentle circles on the back of your hand. You mother had gone to the powder room while your father stepped out for a quick smoke, under the pretense of a phone call.
“I now understand where you get your perceptive nature from.” He attempted to joke, recalling to all the questions your mother had thrown at the both of you over the course of the evening.
“Yes, but unlike my mother, I know when to stop.” You muttered, taking yet another sip of your wine. You had topped off long ago, and were still going strong. You needed all the alcohol you could get when it came to dealing with your mother.
“Well we’re just left with dessert.” He pointed out as the waiter brought their choice of desserts and left. You didn’t even wait for your parents to get back, starting to dig into the chocolate tart you had ordered. Clark shot you an amused glance to which you held out a spoonful of chocolatey goodness for him to taste. He obliged, never once breaking eye contact with you. And the absolutely sinful way his mouth wrapped around the spoon had an involuntary shudder course through your entire body.
The feeling had become rather frequent since the start of the evening.
When Clark had taken your hand to help you out of the cab.
When his hand had rested against the bare skin of your exposed back.
When he had settled beside you and offered you a reassuring smile.
When you had rested a comforting hand on his thigh when your mother’s words had become a little too harsh and you had defended him.
When your foot had slid to touch his under the table and had stayed there for the rest of the evening.
When you had allowed your pinkies to touch when both your hands had rested next to one another on the table.
When your eyes had met and he had recounted the time he had first met you. You had never considered the moment from his point of view, and your heart had nearly melted at what he had described.
How he had thought you were one of the most gorgeous woman he had ever seen. How he adored the way you were able to call him out on his bullshit. How he could just be himself when he was around you.
It was a pity all of this was pretend.
Or was it?
As he pulled away from the spoon, your eyes drifted to his lips where a small chocolate smudge had remained. You had no idea what compelled you to reach out and gently wipe away the thick chocolate.
Only to bring the digit to your lips and licking it clean.
You definitely weren’t imagining the way Clark’s eyes darkened, his light blue orbs suddenly taking on a stormy sheen that had you shivering deliciously.
This had to be an award-winning performance right?
Whatever trance the two of you were in was broken by the arrival of your mother, loudly complaining about something in the powder room that wasn’t to her liking. You turned your attention back to her, with Clark a little surprised that your mother had been so oblivious to the moment you and him had been having just a moment ago.
Suddenly Clark sat up straight. You frowned at him as he quickly stood and muttering something about a phone call walked out of the restaurant, just as your father returned.
He returned moments later. “I apologize everyone, but Mr. White needs me to cover a story and I need to get going right now.” He said, picking up his coat from the back of his chair as he did. From the urgency in his voice you quickly deduced that it was superhero business.
“Well now!’ Your mother began indignantly to which you quickly cut her off. "The life of a reporter. Always on the clock.” You said with a small laugh as you stood as well.
“Enjoy the rest of the evening everyone. And don’t worry about the bill.” Clark added with a charming smile. He was doing that on purpose, you knew.
He turned his attention to you and you smiled at him. “Well go do your job then and be careful.” You straightened the collar of his coat. He nodded. “Yes ma'am.”
Before you could say anything else he quickly leaned down, cupping the side of your face, to press a chaste kiss to your lips. It was a simple brush of the lips, and yet you felt it to the very tips of your toes.
It was over just as soon as it had begun.
“I’ll see you later.” He muttered as he pulled back before he was off.
You stood there for a few more seconds before slowly sliding into your seat once more.
“I suppose your taste in men has improved significantly Y/n.” You heard your mother say. You glanced up at her, still a little lost from having Clark kiss you.
“He’s a good one, honey.” Your father said gently, giving your hand a small pat.
Just then the big screen television that had been playing some program in the background was interrupted with some breaking news. News that showed Superman and the Justice League fighting yet another threat to Earth.
And while the rest of the patrons and staff clamored to get closer to the screen your eyes never left Clark’s face as the camera showed him as Superman, as he rescued civilians.
“He is.” You softly spoke, more so to yourself then your parents, as you smiled at the next thought.
Seems he won your little bet this time around.
The first thing you did, once you got back home, was remove your heels. What had possessed you to wear the ones that were the strappiest was beyond you. The entire lower half of your legs was imprinted with the straps once they were off your feet. Slumping into the couch, you turned on the television to catch up on the latest news about the newest villain terrorizing the world.
It would seem that during your travel time from the restaurant to your apartment, the Justice League had managed to subdue the would-be conqueror. You watched as the man was being led away in handcuffs and under maximum security. The camera cut to Superman speaking to the Press.
They very sight of him was enough to make you blush to the very tips of your ears and for your heart to skip a beat.
Utterly ridiculous.
You were acting like a love-struck teen who had just had their first kiss. From their first crush. Who also happened to be the most popular guy in school.
Good Lord, so many clichés came to your mind that you groaned. “Maybe I should stop watching rom-coms.” You spoke to yourself, hands lifting to undo the pins in your hair to allow the soft tresses to tumble down around your bare shoulders.
Leaving the television on in the background, you moved to your bedroom, intent on getting out of the dress and into something more comfortable.
However, the sight of Superman hovering just outside the glass partition of your balcony had you stopping in your tracks.
Your lips parted and you glanced over your shoulder where you could see the television screen. Seems Wonder Woman had taken over talking to the Press.
Had Clark cut his interview short to come here?
A smile pulled at your lips as you slowly walked towards the double doors, but you didn’t open them. He landed on the balcony, and you took a few moments to take in the sheer power that radiated from him even with the glass between you both. His light blue eyes somehow stood out against the dark blue of his suit, making them appear all the more mesmerizing. And then there was his smile.
You knew you were mirroring that smile as you laid a hand against the glass. He copied your action, resting his own hand where yours was on the other side.
That was all that separated the two of you. All you wanted was to get rid of the final wall that stood between you, but you hesitated. Your eyes flickered from your hands to meet his gaze. You could practically feel the warmth that radiated from him in that moment as his eyes locked with your own.
The kiss from earlier replayed in your mind, and suddenly you wanted to feel his lips upon yours once more.
Your breath fogged the glass since you were standing so close to it. Your mind raced. You knew if you opened the door there would be no going back. No more walls or pretenses between the both of you. No more keeping the other at arm’s length for the sake of the friendship you shared. Having your friendship change into a relationship wouldn’t be so bad. It would be the same wouldn’t it? Or would the dynamic change completely? Would you become a target for every villain that wanted to harm Superman? Not that you weren’t one already. Being one of his best friends and all.
Neither of you knew how long you both stood there, simply looking at one another. But then, suddenly his demeanor changed. His smile turned…….sad, and a with a slight nod of acceptance, he began to turn away.
Your heart jolted. You felt as if you were falling into a dark chasm. Your entire body felt numb.
All this at the sight of him turning away from you.
With a strength that rattled the glass doors in their frames, you threw them open and wrapped your arms around Clark from behind. You buried your face in his cape, squeezing with all your might, hoping he would be able to pick on the extent of your feelings for him.
“Don’t go.” You whispered. “Don’t leave.”
A moment of silence before he laughed softly. In relief. You felt the vibrations of it against his strong back as you sighed and smiled.
He wouldn’t leave.
You felt his hand come up to place atop yours. “It’ll take more then your words to get me to stay.” He said, his voice soft. So soft, in fact, you didn’t think you had ever heard him speak like that before. It caused a warmth to settle inside you, which only grew when he turned around to face you.
Your arms dropped to your side, as you tilted your head back to look at him properly. Seeing that playful glint in his eyes and the smirk he wore, prompted you to return the smirk and push your chin out in defiance. “What’ll it be then? Dinner at your favorite place?” You asked.
He only shook his head, taking a step closer and reaching a hand out towards you. You simply took a step back. He looked confused for a moment before he realized what you were doing and that smirk returned.
Game on.
“Dinner does sound nice, but it isn’t enough to warrant my presence.” You hummed under your breath, pretending to think.
“Tickets to the next Country Fair?” He shook his head. Another step forward, with you mirroring his action, but in the opposite direction.
“Wally already invited me.”
“A puppy?”
“I already have Krypto.”
“A new watch?”
“You gave me a new one on my birthday this year.”
“A massage?”
“Won’t do me any good. Alien skin remember?”
“A month of no rom-coms?”
“Tempting, but still not enough to convince me to stay.”
With every question he would step towards you and you would step back. Your eyes never strayed from his, and the smiles the both of you wore never wavered. There was something palpable between the both of you, a tension that had never been there before. One that was urging you to end your little game of cat and mouse and simply give in.
But you wouldn’t.
The buildup was just as sweet as the result. And you knew Clark was enjoying it as much as you were. With the way his smile was equal parts playful and sexy, and how his eyes kept dropping to your lips. You weren’t any better though. Your gaze kept roaming over his entire body, watching the Kevlar of his suit stretch with every movement he made.
It was enough to make you a little weak in the knees.
Your back hit the wall, and you knew your game would be over soon.
He loomed over you, arms coming up to rest his hands against the wall on either side of your head to cage you in. In an effort to not swoon from having him stand so close to you, or to see just how dark his eyes had gotten, you turned your head away, choosing to focus on his hand instead.
“A good story?” You whispered, biting your lip when you felt his warm hot breath fan over your exposed neck and decolletage. Your skin felt so warm that the necklace you wore was cool against your neck.
“I’m already backed up at work.” He responded, his voice low and slightly hoarse. His nose brushed against your chin, causing an involuntary shudder to run the entire length of your body.
“I’ll make a pie for you?” You offered, your words coming out in a breathy whisper as you attempted to keep your hands at your sides by gripping the fabric of your dress. A dark chuckle sounded in the room.
“You’re a shit baker, Y/n.” God, the way he said your name. There had to be a law against it. His nose moved to run along the side of your neck, where he inhaled deeply.
Fuck! He was inhaling your scent. A sinful sound fell from your lips, a combination of a sigh and a moan. You decided to change tactics. He had already won once tonight, and you’d be damned before you let him win again by wearing you down.
Forcing your head to move so your eyes could meet his, you spoke. “Swearing in front of a lady? I am so disappointed in you Clark. I took you to be a gentleman.”
To hell with self-control.
One of your hands came up to rest against the center of his chest, where the crest for his family was inlaid into the uniform. The other came to run your fingers in a teasing manner up and down the length of his arm. While your own body burned, you could practically feel the heat radiating from his as well.
Your hands on him did make him pause for a few seconds, and you smiled in triumph, thinking that you had him.
But then his lips found the shell of your ear and he kissed you.
Sweet. Heated. Gentle.
He leaned back so he could look at you and you gave him a slightly annoyed look. “This is cheating, you’re distracting me.” You pouted, to which he raised an eyebrow. “As if you’re doing anything different.” He motioned to where your fingers were now running along the side of his neck and slowly making their way into his hair.
You shrugged. “Maybe this is how I will bribe you to stay.” He shook his head, a gentle loving smile pulling at his lips as he cupped the side of your face. You leaned into his warm palm, marveling at how gentle and soft he was with you given his super-strength.
“I don’t need to be bribed Y/n. I already have my reason to stay.” He stated, to which you gave a little look of confusion. “What's that?” You asked.
“You.”
Checkmate.
Your face burned with how violently you blushed. Your heart picked up speed. And you were sure you had stopped breathing for a few seconds as your brain tried to process what he had just said.
Your lips parted in surprise, as you stared up at him.
And that look of smug triumph and tease in his blue eyes was enough to break you from your trance.
With a growl you ducked out from under him and grabbed one of your many pillows from your bed. You began to hit him from every angle you could, while he had the audacity to laugh as he tried to shield himself from your fluffy assault.
“You are such an ass Clark! I should’ve let you freeze outside.” You yelled with each hit, his laughter only adding fuel to your embarrassment of how easily he had won you over.
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry.” He managed to say in-between his laughter. But hitting him with the pillow wasn’t enough. You wanted to win, you wanted to one-up him.
So when he tripped over your discarded heels and fell to the ground, you threw aside the pillow. Giving him no time to recover you straddled his waist, before leaning down and fusing both your lips in a kiss.
You were the one doing the kissing, since Clark laid underneath you completely unresponsive. His entire body had stiffened, and you felt a surge of satisfaction run through you, knowing you had caught him off guard.
Just as he had done to you earlier that night, you pulled back, though you didn’t pull away. You were still laying on him as you smiled smugly.
“Convinced?” Your voice sounded breathless.
Clark continued to stare up at you dumbfounded. “Didn’t think I had it in me did you?” You chuckled, enjoying every moment of your victory.
Suddenly your world flipped, and you found yourself laying on your back with Clark above you. You didn’t care though, you continued smiling up at him. “Fine.” He stated begrudgingly. “You won this round. But I still have a win from earlier tonight. After all I did convince your parents that we were dating.” He was slowly leaning down, his gaze never once breaking away from yours.
“Then why don’t you stop talking and claim your prize?” You teased, arms coming up to wrap around his strong shoulders. His answering smile was as brilliant as the sun.
“Gladly.”
And then he was kissing you. Kissing you with all he was worth as you laid underneath him, his strong body hovering over you. A sensual sigh sounded from deep in your throat as you finally gave into the feelings of pure want and need that had been clawing their way to get out from where you had caged them the entire night. Your fingers played with his hair, your body arched against his. The latter prompted him to bite your lower lip, and taking your open mouth as an invitation, began to explore you with his tongue. He groaned as his arms wrapped around you so he could shift the both of you to lay on your sides. The change in position allowed him to explore with his hands. Running them all along your body and mapping every dip and curve.
“Does kissing you mean what I think it means?” He whispered against your lips, unable to pull away from your intoxicating taste. “Sometimes actions speak louder than words.” You returned, before gripping the hair at the back of his head and pulling slightly, silently cuing him to kiss you again.
He gladly did so, kissing you deep and true whilst cupping your face between his hands. “Think I’m your new Kryptonite E.T.?” You asked with a gentle look in your eyes as you panted for breath once he had pulled back.
Clark shook his head, bringing one of your hands up to his lips and kissing your wrist. “You are my sun, Y/n.” He stated in a strong voice, prompting you to giggle and blush at the same time.
“You sure you haven’t been watching rom-coms behind my back Clark? Didn’t know you were such a romantic.”
“Mention this to anyone from the League and I will withhold further kisses.”
“I won’t tell a soul.”