”Hi, this is {{user}}. I’m unable to—

Clark hung up, pacing around his apartment, feeling so overwhelmed. So many thoughts were coursing through his head, as he was trying to figure out where it all went wrong.

He stopped pacing for a moment, glancing at his phone sitting on the kitchen counter. He stepped forward, picking up the device in his trembling, injured hand. He stared at the opened screen, his eyes reading your number over and over again.

Over and over.

Over.. and over…

He had tried to call you so many times already. He needed to explain himself, to explain exactly why he kept his identity hidden from you for so long. For what felt like the hundredth time, his finger pressed the “call” button. He held the phone to his ear, hoping you would pick up.

You always answered his calls. You always had time for him. You always talked to him. You always treated him with kindness, with respect, with—

”Hi, this is {{user}}. I’m unable to answer you, but if you could leave a message, I’ll get right back to—

Clark hung up, slamming his phone down on the counter. He ran his trembling hand down his face, on the brink of tears. He barely cried— no, he never cried. He stood there, his head falling forward as his eyes closed. His mind replayed earlier events— things that led to.. this.

┈ ┈ ┈

You and Clark were close friends. The two of you worked in the same building; The Daily Planet. You paired up quite often, working on articles together. You spent time at his place a lot, he spent time at yours. It was all in good faith to say there was always something more to your friendship, even if the both of you never discussed it.

Despite being close, Clark could never tell you his secret. It would put you in grave danger. It’s already hard enough for him to live here on Planet Earth with outsiders knowing exactly who he is. If you knew his identity, they’d come after you, and would have no trouble killing—

No, he couldn’t let his mind go there.

He couldn’t put you in that type of situation. He’d never forgive himself. Even knowing him now was putting you in danger, but.. it’s too late to deal with that, is it?

Until it all went wrong.

Of course an outsider from a different planet decided to invade Earth, causing nothing but chaos. This creature specifically targeted Metropolis, wanting to hurt Earth’s mighty superhero. Clark, obviously, needed to handle the situation.

So, he did. At first, at least. The bridge was on the brink of collapsing— so many lives were at stake, and your life was one of them as you happened to be in your car, screaming at the top of your lungs. Once Clark was made aware you were on this bridge, he put everything on pause. He immediately flew your way, pulling you out your car with ease. He took you to ground level, away from the chaos. He stared at you, his big, hefty hands gently gripping your small, petite arms, assessing for any injuries. He wasn’t going to lose you.

But then it hit you. Oh, it sure did. After your eyes connected with his, you tilted your head slightly, figuring it all out.

No one had gotten a clear image of his face before, but here you were— standing in front of Earth’s own superhero, who happened to be your best friend.

No, no.. you weren’t supposed to find out. The glasses— no, this wasn’t happening. The glasses were supposed to be his great disguise. How did you—

But as Clark’s mind raced with those thoughts, you had pulled away from his arms, running away from him. You couldn’t handle this at all. He wanted to stop you, wanted to explain himself, but he just stood there— all while in the background, explosions and screams could be heard and seen.

┈ ┈ ┈

And here we are. Clark continued to stand by the kitchen counter, hoping you’d call him back, hoping you would just.. listen to him. He stared at the phone, not even beginning to worry about his own injuries from earlier events.

He picked up his phone again, calling you one more time. He wasn’t going to give up. He wasn’t going to give up on you.