15582/Fortress of Not-Quite-Solitude

Fortress of Not-Quite-Solitude
Date of Scene:	09 September 2023
Location:	Fortress of Solitude, Marie Bryd Land
Synopsis:	Summary needed
Cast of Characters:	Superman, Lois Lane

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Superman has posed:
Clark is at the fortress, and in the costume. He's working on a few files at the computer. Lois has been gone for a bit, on a story. They got engaged, became really close and then the distance started to settle in. She fought so hard to keep them, move them to the next step and then Lois got really quiet.

He knew she wasn't in trouble. Emergency signals would have gone off left and right. It's just the lack of, or minimal, texts and calls. It brought back some bad memories of times their foundation was on shaky ground. Clark tries to ignore that feeling, but it does sting. So, he tries to get lost into his own work. Focusing on the Justice League, news articles, working on the farm, etc. He does stop sometimes.

In the chaos of the moment Lois did visit him when he really needed her. It was after a conference with Lex. Kara and Clark both went. Kara came back fine, but Clark looked, sounded and acted like he had the flu. Clark has never really been sick before. Lois knows he's never been sick before. So, she took care of him. Made him soup, made sure he drank fluids, joined him for various television cuddling. It's a cherished memory that gives him hope.

The only difference between his, and Kara's interaction, is a handshake. The trio of Clark, Kara and Lois believe it to be a ring on Lex's hand. Something about it triggered Clark into that state. They can't confirm it, nor do they know why, but that's where the evidence points. They just haven't had a chance to test the theory. Clark did wear neat white gloves at the last gala he attended where Lex is among the guest. Sadly, they never crossed paths. Too many people.

Clark is just happy that "sickness" is behind him. Even if it is a little sad, or lonely, at least he doesn't feel like death warmed over.

Lois Lane has posed:
It has been a while, and it's not like Lois to go suddenly quiet, especially right after they started to get really close, not to mention the big engagement that happened fairly recently. Was she getting cold feet? She was supposed to be back by now, but either something happened or she's cooled off Clark for some reason..

Perhaps it comes as a surprise when she uses the JLA teleporting device to port her straight to the fortress at this late hour, nearly a week later than expected. She seems exhausted, a bit ruffled up like she hasn't slept in a long while as she wanders through the halls, searching for Clark.

Truth be told she doesn't like to use the fancy teleporting gadget often, but this is a special case. Surely she has a very good reason for everything that's happened - or not happened - lately?

Superman has posed:
Clark floats to the sound as he expect Kara, maybe Diana. They -did- use the teleporter after all. Clark freezes, "Ho---Lois," Clark catches himself from calling her any pet name. He's being cautious. "What are you doing here? It's really late and you should be asleep," he says and floats over to her. Caution be damned he goes to put his hands onto her shoulders. "I've got a spare bed here you can use," and he will try to guide her. Gently, not forcing her, but thinking she probably just needs the sleep.

Lois Lane has posed:
Lois Lane smiles warmly if tiredly as she glances back at Clark. "Clark!" she steps quickly towards him, wrapping her arms around his neck for a tight hug, "You wouldn't believe the hell I went through. First the hellish repeated delays at the airport both there and back, then having my phone stolen so I couldn't even call you. I really hope you don't think I was ignoring or avoiding you.." she pauses for a breath, clearly exhausted and running on empty but determined to explain things. "How have you been? I've missed you like crazy.""

Superman has posed:

Clark lands on the ground. He has question. He has comments. However, he offers his hand, "I missed you, too." A lot of emotions from him just melt away with her tone. It's not even the words that do it, but they help. "Well, you're here now. Do you want to talk about it or just cuddle on the nearest surface that's cushiony?" he asks and is honestly curious.

However, he will admit. "I did start to wonder if I did something to offend you. Or maybe wonder if the ground we were on was unstable. I didn't break out a flow chart, but I was tempted," a trick Clark does when he's stressed and need to compartmentalize.

Lois Lane has posed:
Lois Lane laughs and shakes her head, "It's okay, my phone had insurance, and the worst is over..I'm just tired Clark.." she smiles, still holding him close, shaking her head, "You kidding me? What could you have possibly done to offend me? Of course I'd love to snuggle and relax on a couch and try not to think of that hectic travelling assignment.."

Superman has posed:
Clark nods and holds herr close. He floats to the couch and lays on it. He'll flick on a projector that shows various shows. He'll look at Lois, "Favorite show or film? Or does it matter?" he asks. Just happy to have Lois close again.

Lois Lane has posed:
Lois Lane chuckles, clutching to him, "Oh, you know what I like, cheesy rom-coms. But my brain is jello tonight, so maybe you can choose something?" she yawns sleepily, curling up against him. "Sooo, did you miss me?"

Superman has posed:
Clark pulls her close to him, "I did. It's why I got upset. I thought with you being upset, it made me miss you. I just thought it was an end of good times," he admits and puts on "Parks and Recreation," and he looks back to her. "It's why I tried to get lost into my work. So, I could not feel the emptiness your extended absence can bring," he says knowing -some- absence will happen. That's life. That's work. That's everything. Just when it gets past a certan point wth no communication, that's when everythiing nosedives.

Lois Lane has posed:
"Ohhh Clark.." she sighs, climbing into his lap with a loving smile as she strokes his face gently, "I'm sorry I made you worry or upset you, but you should know, I would never leave you. I don't love easily and I take it seriously." she strokes his hair gently, thoughtfully. "I know..It looked pretty bad..Looking back, I should have borrowed someone else's phone, tried to contact you by email..Something..I guess I was just so exhausted.."

Superman has posed:
A smile pulls at his lips. Sky blue eyes looking into her own. "Yes. You should have," he says honestly. Holding her closely to him. A hand continues to rub at her back slowly. "I'm just happy you're back. Happy you're here," and he leans bakc to enjoy the moment. "You mean a lot to me, Metropols. You don't realize how muh you ground me and make me happy," he says openly, honestly.

Lois Lane has posed:
Lois Lane rolls her eyes. "Yeah yeah, I know." she sighs, pondering, "I suppose just about any explanation I give you will sound like I'm just making weak excuses, so maybe I'll just have to swear I'll never let that happen again..Or.." she grins impishly, peering up at him, "Tell me how I can make it up to you, tonight?"

Superman has posed:
That impish smile on Lois's face catches him offguard. "Miss Lane. Are you trying to bribe your way out of any trouble you might be in," Clark says softly. A smile pulls at hs lip as the sky blue eyes watch her. "What is on the table Lane?" he asks seriously. Lois did put it out there.

Lois Lane has posed:
Lois Lane chuckles and winks playfully, "Now, why would someone of my great moral standing, try to bribe her way out of a faux pas?" she reaches up to boop him on the nose, "Of course, if you could have anything you want in payment for my mistake, what's stopping you from taking it, hmm?"

Superman has posed:
"You are still trying to get out of a faux pas. You're just putting it into different wordsd," Clark smiles at her. He will look toward Miss Lane. "Can you afford my fee?" he asks softly with a curious glance tward Lois.

Lois Lane has posed:
Lois Lane laughs, letting go and folding her arms, that all-too-familiar over confidence shining through as always. She doesn't get to be a pulitzer prize winning report without guts afterall. "Come on Clark, you know I'm tougher than I look. Show me your worst and I'll give you my best." her dark eyes glint with excitement, always up for a challenge.

Superman has posed:
"Alright," Clark will say and then he will move to the woman. Speaking sooftly he will whisper something to Lois and leave it at that. Just letting Lane decide how that is going too play out. Plus, he will speak low so it may take her a few seconds just to pick it apart in her brain. Something intentionally flying low and under the raddar.