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Metropolis never really slept, but at least people could get to sleep knowing that they were being watched over by their caped hero.
Tonight, a train had nearly ploughed through the blockades at Metropolis’ terminal. There would have been multiple casualties before a blur of blue and red stopped it on the spot, reducing the possible catastrophes to minor whiplash in the front carriage. Lois Lane was on the scene as soon as she had heard about the incident, ready with her recording device as normal.
“Superman!” She called once the rescue was completed.
Superman was reassuring a crying child that her parents were rescued and waiting with the emergency crews, and he turned to face his secret girlfriend. “Miss Lane,” he greeted, in his own friendly manner.
“Just two questions?”
“That’s never the case with you.”
“Okay, three then.”
“Make them quick. I’ve got to get this little lady to her parents,” Superman rested a hand on his hip, the other loosely around the child’s shoulders as she gripped his cape.
Lois clicked the recorder. “Superman, witnesses say you smiled before stopping the train. Perhaps overconfident that you had it?”
“I was confident nobody would get hurt.”
“That wasn’t the question.”
A few nearby reporters sniggered, and Superman raised an eyebrow.
“Next question?” He blinked.
Lois smirked. “You’ve now prevented six major disasters this month alone. Has there been any rescue where you couldn’t save everyone?”
His expression softened at that. “There are always limits, Miss Lane. I do my best.”
She nodded, almost sympathetic. Then she cleared her throat. “So, when you disappear after rescues without answering the follow-up questions, is that because you dislike too much publicity or is it maybe because you’re hiding a personal life?”
The other reporters perked up, and Superman blinked rapidly. Lois saw it and smirked.
“What kind of personal life are you implying I have?” He asked slowly and purposely.
“Well, y’know,“ she replied lightly. “Like friends or family? Perhaps even someone waiting up for you to come home?”
Superman shifted his weight. “I think the important thing tonight is that nobody was injured, and I'll be there for the next rescue.”
“That sounds like you’re dismissing the question.”
“That sounds like the end of the interview,” Superman shot back.
“But?” Lois held the recorder up.
“Goodnight, Miss Lane,” he stepped back and found the child’s parents before vanishing upwards and breaking the sound barrier.
Lois lowered the recorder slowly, and as other reporters around her murmured about deflection, satisfaction spread across her face.
“Gotcha,” she whispered to herself.
Lois was barefoot in her apartment, her heels kicked off and lying somewhere beneath the couch, and she was now in cosy pyjamas with her hair out. The kettle boiled in the kitchen, and she exhaled deeply, relaxing into the quiet. A breeze stirred the curtains behind her, and Lois smiled.
“You know...” she said, not turning around, “Most people use doors and would knock.”
Superman stepped through the open window and landed lightly on the hardwood floor. “Most people don’t get ambushed in front of a crowd either.”
Lois turned then, seeing him standing by the window with his arms crossed over his chest. He looked annoyed. “You came all this way here to complain directly at me?”
“I came because Metropolis now believes I have a secret romance.”
Lois bit the inside of her cheek to suppress a grin. “Terrible, right?”
“You knew exactly what you were doing, Lois.”
“I’m a journalist.”
“You’re a menace.”
“Correction. I’m your menace.”
Superman raised an eyebrow, tapping one boot impatiently against the floor. Meanwhile, Lois leaned against the kitchen counter, stirring her tea and watching him, very amused.
“You should’ve seen your face,” she suddenly laughed, and Superman narrowed his eyes. “Yes!” Lois pointed triumphantly. “That face!”
He dragged a hand down over his face. “Lois.”
“Alright, fine,” she admitted. “I'll admit, the questions were a little personal.”
“Oh, you think so?”
“Maybe. But it was fun watching you panic over hypothetical dating rumours.”
“I did not panic.”
“You fled, Clark!”
“I exited professionally.”
Lois took a sip of tea to hide her smile and Clark rolled his eyes as he settled onto the sofa, crossing his feet at the ankles.
“You really think you’re funny," he sighed.
“No, I know that I am very funny.”
Clark shook his head, smiling now, too. Lois put her mug down and slumped onto the sofa, resting her head across his lap and staring up at him lovingly as his hand automatically settled into her hair draping across the blue of his suit.
“For what it’s worth,” she said softly, “you’re very cute when you’re flustered.”
Clark smirked and suddenly wrapped his arms around the back of her knees, gently scooping her into his arms and they kissed with a laugh.
"You really are my menace," he murmered before embracing her again.