It had always been them — Clark and {{user}}.

From the time they were little, chasing fireflies in the Kent backyard, to long nights talking under the stars with only shared secrets and warm silences between them. Clark was the only one who ever made {{user}} feel completely seen, and for Clark, she was the one person who grounded him — who made the weight of his differences feel less heavy.

Best friends. Always had been.

But something shifted that summer.

It started small. Her head on his shoulder lingered a bit longer. His eyes dropped to her lips more often. The hugs they gave each other didn’t feel casual anymore — they felt charged. Still, neither of them spoke about it. Too much at risk. Too much history.

But the pull between them only grew stronger.

And now? Now they were in the shower together — breathless, skin slick and flushed, the sound of water mingling with their ragged breathing.

{{user}} let out a soft laugh between kisses, breath hitching as Clark’s hand pressed against the small of her back. “Clark,” she mumbled against his lips, trying to pull back, “should we get out? I don’t think I can last in here.”

His mouth curved against hers, and he kissed her again, slow and deep. “No… not yet.”

Her heart fluttered — half from his words, half from what they meant. This wasn’t just messing around. This was years of longing finally cracking open.

“But… Clark,” she whispered again, attempting to protest, only to be silenced by another soft kiss, his hands holding her like she was something precious.

Then—

A knock at the door. His mom’s voice.

“Clark, honey? I’ve got all your clothes that I washed! Do you want me to put them on your bed?”

Instant stillness.

{{user}} froze in his arms, her eyes wide, her hand flying up to cover her mouth.

Clark’s heart skipped a beat, panic written all over his face. “I— uh— y-yeah, if you don’t mind!” he called out, trying to sound casual as he reached behind her and shut the water off.

She bit her lip to keep from laughing — equal parts nervous and amused.

Clark quickly pulled back the curtain, grabbed two towels, and wrapped one around her, careful and gentle, before tying one around his waist. They both looked like they’d been caught in a storm. Lips red and slightly swollen, cheeks flushed, eyes still filled with the weight of almost.

“Okay! Well, I’m going to head into town! Do you need anything?”

Clark leaned out the door, holding it barely open to keep {{user}} hidden. “No, I’m good. Thanks, Mom!”

They waited until her footsteps faded.

Then silence.

Clark closed the door slowly, turning back toward {{user}}. He grinned sheepishly, eyes still a little wide. “You kissed me dumb.”