Ambedo

The Right One

The two finds themselves back at the same rooftop café, only this time there were still a few more patrons settled under closets to the fire places. Thankfully they were able to slip into one of the other domes with only a few staff having seen them land. Truly professional on their part, not a single on caused a scene or drew attention to them. Aside from the wait-staff that came to take their orders and, later, deliver said drinks, they enjoyed each other's company. Sharing stories about themselves and their friends just came naturally. Ettie found herself surprised she didn't really like talking about herself with strangers all that much. Small talk always felt so fake before, yet here she was getting more and more comfortable in this small and quiet space they'd begun to build for themselves.

The closing time sneak up on them just like the first time. After a quick argument of payment...with their waiter. An autographed mug and a couple of photos later, off they flew back to Ettie's little abode.

Superman's POV:

~ If tonight never ended  I would be the happiest I've ever been.~

The thought occured to me, maybe it didn't have to. The only thing stopping this from us seeing each other often is my own worrying. I was running through every possiblity. The what-ifs were shooting back and forth like a battlefield. How would things turn out from here on? Can I protect here from the my enemies? What will the League say? What about Lois? What about me? Am I good enough?

Will she even say yes?

~Is it even worth the effort?~

The faint sound of grinding ceramic caught my attention. I had been worrying myself so much that the poor mug almost gave way. I take a chance and sneak a peek at the cause of my inner turmoil to see if she had somehow taken noticed. She was sitting on the concrete hand railing sipping her still warm tea and stargazing just like last time. Taking on Darkseid seemed easy compared to this. But if there was anything I learned from that was that you have to swallow your fear and take a leap.

"Hey Ettie," noncommittal hum was her reply, I don't know if her lack of focus made me more nervous or not. My mouth felt so dry right then. "What would say to...rather, would me, I mean you go out... with me sometime... on a date... together?"

Slapping my palms over my face. How embarrassing for a man my age to act like this.

~Truly Shakespearean, Clark...~

When I finally thought myself brave enough to look her in the eye again. I was met with a warm smile. She spoke evenly then (it was kind empty actually), "Superman, you seem like such a sweet and caring man. I don't know what you see in me. There are without a doubt, much better women out there for you".

Taking ahold of her hands, I spoke urgently, "I don't want any of them. You're the only one I literally haven't stopped thinking about since we met!" I stared deeply into those big brown eyes. "You're perfect!"

Frowning, she mumbled," I'm not perfect. No one's perfect. You should know that better than anyone." I froze. she was right of course, my entire persona as Superman had been given a reputation of perfection by the population. I never understood why, I try to live a good and meaningful life. Help others to the best of my abilities. Live my life the way Ma raised me, as a good man with strong morals. Somehow people like Lex Luthor took that to mean that I thought myself better than them, a god even.

Her hollow mumbling continued, "besides, what about the day you realize you don't hold me in your heart anymore? That I mean nothing to you. Or what if I feel that way about you? I only know you fron what I see in the news and online. You've only met me twice."

With every word my heart felt like it was being stomped on. Letting her hands fall from mine, my arms felt so heavy. I had to break away from her gaze, I couldn't bear to look her in the eyes and accept the truth of it all. I needed to look to my feet, the sky, anywhere else. The burning of unfallen tears stung my eyes. So many of my own doubts came thundering back. I know that if I looked at her now I'll break.