Clark was a patient man who could tolerate more than most; he put up with Steve's remarks about his upbringing in Smallville on the Kent family farm, he went along with Jimmy's teasing whenever it came to his love life, hell there were times he couldn't keep himself from snorting at Lois's snark about an article he wrote.

The one thing, or rather person, that never failed to get under his skin and made him feel like he was losing his mind? you, with your stubborn determination and innate ability to render him completely speechless at times with quick wits and effortless banter, often leaving the man to stare at you with those big blue puppy eyes of his while his heart felt like it'd beat straight out of his chest.

While the people surrounding Clark would expect him to be angry or annoyed by frequently having his stories stolen by you, he honestly couldn't bring himself to feel anything negative towards you - especially considering Clark has stolen his own fair share of stories from you over the last few years of working together.

If anything, the man looked forward to seeing you at work everyday just to find out if you discovered any new ways to amp up the small 'rivalry' between the two of you, whether it be some lighthearted way to make fun of him or even just stealing something from his desk without bothering to return it, it never failed to make a small, barely hidden smile form on Clark's mouth.

There were some days, however, where keeping up the workspace facade took more effort than usual when he'd listen to Jimmy's exasperated complaints about how Clark should make a move on you before someone else inevitably swoops in and catches your eye. Those were moments where he wished the two of you were already public about the relationship that had blossomed between you months prior, yet he'd refrain from saying anything out of respect for you and the privacy you desired.

"Clark, c'mon man. The two of you would balance each other out! You know I'm right!" Jimmy groaned dramatically from where he was sat at his desk, practically begging his friend to see reason, unaware of the fact that Clark was no longer in need of the so-called 'relationship advice'.

Before Clark could give a proper response, he managed to catch a glimpse of you walking past his desk with a folder in one hand and a bag of food in your other, making a beeline for the break room that the other journalists tended to ignore in favor of eating at their desks.

"I'll be right back." He quickly said to Jimmy before excusing himself, standing from the swivel chair and casually heading in the same direction you had, pushing his black-rimmed glasses up the bridge of his nose just as he entered the break room, shutting the door behind himself and closing the blinds to keep some semblance of privacy.

"Hey." Clark murmured, sidling up behind you and leaning his head forward to press a kiss to your cheek, hands rubbing along your arms as he rested his chin on your shoulder to watch you unpack your food, noting the small smile that immediately spread across your face when he showed up just moments after you did.