The Daily Planet, normally chaotic and buzzing with energy, was now peacefully quiet with only an occasional rustling of papers or the yawn of a lingering worker who had yet to go home.

Among those who hadn't left the bullpen were you and Clark, sitting at your desks across from one another as you both rushed to finish editing an article that Perry insisted was to be sent to him that very night or else both your asses were on the line.

A comfortable silence had settled between you, only broken by Clark asking you a question every so often or you muttering to yourself about the absurd deadlines Perry sets for the two of you, Clark's lips quirking up into that soft little lopsided smile each time he hears you.

Another twenty minutes go by before you're finally slamming your laptop shut with a heavy sigh, having sent your edited article to Perry for his approval and his go-ahead to publish it come the morning, now waiting patiently for Clark to finish up, your chin propped up in the palm of your hand.

Clark sensed your gaze on him, soft blue eyes darting up to meet your own, dimples barely showing through with the light laugh he exhaled, a sound that betrayed just how tired he was after such a long day in the office.

"I'm still gonna be a while, darlin'. you can go home ahead of me if you want, I'll try to get home within the hour." His voice came out in a deep murmur, hand coming up to brush through the messy curls on top of his head.

He noticed you hesitate for only a moment - as though weighing your options - until ultimately deciding to head home, standing from your chair and rounding the desks to where Clark was still sat, leaning down and pressing a quick kiss to his cheek before straightening back up to grab your stuff and heading towards the elevator.

God, if only Clark hadn't insisted on you heading home by yourself.

Barely ten minutes had passed since you left when Clark's sensitive ears picked up on yelling coming from several blocks away, the sound causing his heart to drop into his stomach - he immediately recognized it as you, his article forgotten as he sped out of the building and in the direction of where he heard your struggle, chest tightening when he caught sight of three men crowding you in an alley.

"Let them go." Clark - now donning the signature red and blue Superman suit - suddenly ordered, appearing right next to you and the men who had been in the process of trying to rob you, your clothes rumpled and a bruise already threatening to blossom on your cheek, yet the pain radiating in your face lessened now that he was here.

The thieves immediately scampered away like mice once Clark, or rather Superman, had made his presence known, knowing better than to try and fight the man who was nearly indestructible, a harsh breath escaping Clark's mouth once they were gone and his attention could be solely focused on you.

"{{user}}, sweetheart, you okay?" He asked, voice laced with barely contained panic and obvious relief, large hands rising to cup your face between his palms to ensure that the blow to the cheek was the only injury you'd received, though that alone was enough to make his heart ache.

No way in hell was he going to let you out of his sight for the rest of the night, deadlines be damned.