September 18-Metropolis, Delaware
You were currently in a predicament. It was Sunday, one of the few days off that you got. Zeeke was with his dad, and you were free to do whatever you wanted. Until your pipes broke that is.
"What do you mean you can't come until Monday?" You said over the phone to your landlord. "I need you to come now!"
After failing to convince him, you sat on the couch and placed your head in your hands. You thought about hiring someone, but you didn't have the money for that. You picked up your phone and hesitantly texted Clark.
'Hey, I know it's your day off, but I need a favor.'
'Okay. What is it?'
'The pipes under my sink are clogged, and my landlord won't come until Monday. Do you know how to fix them?'
'Lucky for you, when I was sixteen, I had a summer job as a plumber 😁.'
'Thank you!'
'I'll be there with my tool box in twenty minutes.'
You tried to tidy up a bit before Clark came. Not that you cared what he thought. It was just a common curtesy. You were picking up Zeeke's toys when he knocked on the door.
"Coming!" You yelled as you ran to the door.
"Someone call for a plumber?"
"You're a life saver, Clark. Thank you."
"Anything for you."
You nervously laughed and led him into the kitchen.
"This is it."
"Alright, let's see what the problem is." He said as he opened the cabinet doors. "Oh."
"What?"
"Nothing. It's just a lot of plastic bags."
"You never know when you might need one."
You cleared away the bags so that he had room to work. He knelt down and opened the tool box.
"Do you want a beer or something?" You asked.
"Trying to get me drunk?."
"No, that part comes later."
"Water is fine for now."
You filled up a glass and set it on the counter.
"So, how's your Superman thing going?" He asked.
"Not very well. I haven't seen him since the bus crash."
"I'm sure you'll see him again."
"Is it weird that I want to be in danger again just so he can save me?"
"Little bit, yeah." He laughed.
"I don't know how I'm supposed to get his attention."
"Something tells me you'll get to talk to him sooner than you think."
"Why? Are you his publicist or something?"
"You caught me."
He took off his jacket to reveal a simple white t-shirt.
"Jesus, Clark. You been working out?"
"Perks of growing up on a farm." He joked.
With every bolt he turned, every move he made, his arms flexed in different ways. He had you in a trace.
"Amber?"
"Huh?"
"Did you hear me?"
"No, sorry."
"I fixed the pipe."
He got up and turned the handle. Water immediately began to fall out. He shut it off again and put his tools away.
"Thank you, Clark. I totally owe you one."
"Let's just call it compensation for me spilling coffee on you."
"Oh! How about I cook you dinner?"
"No, I couldn't ask you to do that."
"You're not asking. I'm offering."
"Amber, seriously, it's no big deal."
"How do you feel about lasagna?"
"I hate it." He lied.
"Sit down, Clark. You're a horrible liar."
"You have no idea."
"What?"
"Oh, nothing."
♡
The two of you sat across each other eating and talking. The conversation flowed effortlessly. It had never been this easy for you to talk to someone like this before.
You grabbed the bottle of wine and topped off his glass. He looked up at you and smiled.
"Is this the part where you get me drunk?"
"That's the plan."
"So, have you heard about the gala yet?"
"The gala?"
"Every year, Bruce Wayne hosts a gala to close business deals and pursued reporters. And every year, Perry picks one of us to go cover it. Whoever goes gets two free night at one of Gotham's best hotels."
"When is it?"
"October eight."
"So, I should probably start working overtime now, right?"
"Good luck. I started weeks ago."
"I'm sure you did."
His gaze shifted to his pocket when his phone began to ring. He pulled it out and set it on the table.
"Let me guess, your mom?" You joked.
"Yes, actually. I'll have to call her back later."
"You can take it."
"No, it's fine. It's probably not that important. You know how parents are."
"I wish I did."
"What do you mean?"
"I'm not close with my parents. I haven't talked to them since my wedding."
"I'm sorry."
"It's okay. They were never supportive of me, my decisions, my dreams."
"Do you miss them?"
"Actually, I don't. I haven't spoken with them in ten years, and I don't miss them at all. I do miss feeling apart of a family, though."
You heard a knock on the door followed by sounds of laughter.
"What day is it?" You asked.
"Sunday."
"I forgot that Zeeke comes home tonight."
You ran over to the door and opened it. You saw Zeeke, Anthony, and a short brunette woman that you didn't know.
"Mommy!" He exclaimed as he gave you a hug.
"Hi, honey!"
"Amber, this is Cassie."
"Hi, I've heard so much about you." She smiled.
"And I've heard way too much about you."
She was younger, thinner, more put together. Honestly, she kind of intimidated you.
"I was hoping you two could get to know each other. Mind if we come in?"
"You know what, now is not a good time."
"Who's that?" Zeeke asked.
"Um, this is Clark."
"Hi." He awkwardly smiled.
"Hey, I'm Anthony." He said as he led Cassie inside.
"Come on in why don't you." You rolled you eyes as you closed the door.
"I'm Cassie."
"Nice to meet you."
"I'm Zeeke! I like your glasses!"
"Thank you, Zeeke."
"Like I said, now isn't a good time."
"I should probably go anyway. We have to work tomorrow." Clark told you.
"You sure? You don't have to."
"Yeah, it's getting late. But, thank you for dinner. It was delicious."
"Thank you for unclogging my pipes."
"Anytime. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Goodnight."
"It was very nice meeting you all."
"You too, man."
He smiled and walked out the door, leaving the four of you alone.
"So, he unclogged your pipes?"
"Yeah."
"But did he unclog your pipes?"
"You're disgusting."
"And you're avoiding the question."
"No. My pipes are still very clogged."
"What are you talking about?" Zeeke asked.
"Nothing!"