For Clark: SuperAnna!

[downsidedarling]

Anna leads Clark through a handy-dandy Nexus portal into her living room.

The front door to her apartment is looking distinctly unwell.

In the way where the doorknob is lying crumpled on the floor, dented with what appear to be finger-marks.

Comments

[hero_farmboy]

Clark gave Anna some impromptu space for a day. And also himself. Besides, he figures, it's not like they need to see each other every day and he doesn't want her to think that he doesn't trust her and is checking up on her for his own purposes.

Of course, it's entirely possible she'll think he's avoiding her, which may not necessarily be untrue, but that's just the way it'll have to go. So, almost 48 hours after their last conversation, Clark knocks on Anna's door again. And again, waits to be let, or told to come in.

[downsidedarling]

"Come in," she calls softly.

She's been spending a lot of time on her couch reading. It's a worthier form of escapism than harming herself, at least. Today's no different: she's sitting there with a book in one hand, drumming the fingers of the other on the armrest. Lightly enough that it suffers no damage, even.

[hero_farmboy]

"Hey," he says quietly, entering and setting some bags on her kitchen counter. "I brought dinner."

[downsidedarling]

"Good to see you, cheri."

And it is.

Really.

Which is why she's putting her book down and walking over to give him a hug.

[hero_farmboy]

"You too." She gets a one-armed hug in return. "It's Italian. I've been on an Italian kick lately."

[downsidedarling]

"Vraiment?"

Anna chuckles.

"Italian sounds good to me."

[hero_farmboy]

"Yeah." That answer could be for either of Anna's questions. "It's from this place right near the Daily Planet. It's awesome. And cheap."

[downsidedarling]

"Awesome," she echoes, kissing Clark's cheek and moving to inspect the food.

[hero_farmboy]

"I got you spaghetti and meatballs," he tells her, rummaging around for plates and cutlery. "Basic, I know, but I wasn't sure what you'd really like."

[downsidedarling]

"Sounds good to me."

She nabs a plate and a fork from him, opens up a bag, and begins distributing food. Mm, food.

[hero_farmboy]

Mmm food, indeed. They may not necessarily need to eat, but Clark is fully conditioned to three meals a day.

For the record, he has penne alfredo for himself. He thinks, possibly, he could live on it if he had to.

[downsidedarling]

Anna finds her spaghetti highly enjoyable.

Other things she finds highly enjoyable include being in the same room with Clark without either of them getting angry, standing beside Clark to eat (table? what table? the kitchen counter's always served her just as well), and snuggling him while she does so.

[hero_farmboy]

Food, it must be said, improves Clark's mood immensely. He's been eating a lot the last day and half. He even broke out the pie his mom left for him.

"Work okay today?"

[downsidedarling]

Nod.

"Yeah, bien."

She quirks a smile.

"Mbem, even. And I didn't have to--" Reluctant to name her last resort, she taps one of her pockets, which clacks hollowly.

[hero_farmboy]

"Good," he nods, finishing up his dinner and setting his plate to the side. "Progress."

[downsidedarling]

"Ouais."

Yes, that is pride in her voice.

She hasn't opened the box since yesterday.

She hasn't felt pain since yesterday, and she isn't dissolving into a neurotic wreck.

Progress indeed.