(Untitled)

[downsidedarling]

Ice cream.

Van Halen.

Larry Niven's Ringworld.

Comfortable couch.

Yeah, it's good times in Anna-land, all right.

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[hero_farmboy]

When things get comfortable, there's a routine that settles in. Clark works the farm. On the days Anna's working, he visits Chloe for lunch, or whenever he just gets bored in those few hours in the afternoon when occasionally, there's nothing to do. Most nights are spent with Anna, either going out or just hanging around her place.

Tonight is one of those nights and as is now usual, he lets himself in to her apartment and greets her with a kiss on top of her head, where she's reading on the couch.

As usual.

[downsidedarling]

Anna puts down her copy of The Mote in God's Eye and kisses Clark's cheek.

"It's good to see you, cheri."

It always is, but saying it can't possibly hurt, right?

[hero_farmboy]

You too," he replies, helping himself to a glass of juice from her fridge and then settling beside her.

"What's up?"

[downsidedarling]

She holds up the book. "Larry Niven. Other than that, not much. The usual. Viv cut her hair again - at this rate it's going to end up shorter than yours, at which point I will have to laugh."

[hero_farmboy]

"Short hair is a bad thing?" Some women can carry it, he knows, but then, he's never met Viv in person, so he can't make that determination in this particular case.

[downsidedarling]

"Not on Vivien, it's not."

Why no, Anna's not acting like a ditzy lesbian. That slightly lecherous grin is just a trick of the light.

"But c'mon, it'd still be funny to actually be able to tell her she's got shorter hair than my boyfriend."

This is the woman who once renamed a friend 'Chickpea' as an allusion to her cup size. Being nice to people about their appearances, even when she likes said appearances, has never come naturally to her.

[hero_farmboy]

She's always been nice to Clark about his. More than nice, actually.

"I think if she likes it and it makes her happy, it's probably not the best idea to ruin that, even a little."

[downsidedarling]

Possibly it's different with men.

Either that or Anna's just a bastion of illogic.

Pick one, really.

"Oh, whatever," she says with mock-grumpiness overshadowing some of the non-mock kind. Damn Clark and his being sensitive and reasonable. Ruins all her fun, it does.

[hero_farmboy]

"Oh, come on now," he bumps her shoulder lightly. "There are plenty of ways you can tease her without bruising her ego."

[downsidedarling]

"Yeah, yeah. She knows I'm joking."

All right, she's cheery again. Really, it doesn't take much to secure Anna's forgiveness. Never has.

See? Clark gets a kiss on the cheek, to prove it.

[hero_farmboy]

"Probably. I do get to actually meet her one day, don't I? You know all my friends." And even his not friends.

[downsidedarling]

"Yeah, 'course. Her birthday's coming up - May 18th, only a few months away - and she's planning on inviting us both to the celebration. Don't worry, you don't need to bring a present. I'm making the cake. She says that's gift enough for two people."

Anna grins brightly. C'mon, cake. What's not to love about cake?

[hero_farmboy]

"Yeah, sure. We can do that." He'll probably get her something anyway. Clark's just like that.

[downsidedarling]

"Bien."

She smiles up at him triumphantly.

"So how've you been?"

[hero_farmboy]

He smiles back.

"Oh, you know. Same old stuff. Cows. Tractors. Chickens, who miss you, by the way. You know I'm a horrible dancer."

[downsidedarling]

Anna can't help but giggle. "I can come by some morning or other and put on a good show for them, if you insist."