paradisalost | (no subject)

Not at all. Want to go do something, or...?

It's a surprise. Meet me by the town's entrance.

Alright.

[down there soon.]

[ waiting and staring at some shop window, sipping the last of a latte out of a paper cup ]

[comes to a stop a few feet away]

Hey.

[ turns just as she's dumping the cup, smiling ]

You're on time! Let's see if we can make this a habit.

[ strolls up to him ]

It's not far from here, but we can't have you peeking. It'll ruin the surprise.

[... realizes that he's supposed to be habitually late, and that Lois has maybe been trying to "Rules of Journalism: Be On Time" that out of him lately, so...]

... I'll try.

[smile]

Alright.

Then close your eyes.

[ takes his arm so she can begin walking with him, leading the way ]

And no cheating. [ LIKE X-RAY, MISTER ]

[closes his eyes. and it's nice to have her hold his arm. Almost playful]

And ruin a good surprise? I don't think so.

[ is quiet while they walk, careful so she doesn't slip in the snow. Not that she'd really have to worry about falling while holding on to him, but habit is habit ]

Almost there.

[ glances up at him occasionally, remembering the last time she walked with him in the snow, and it feels like eons ago. Eventually, after a long walk, she stops ]

Okay. Open your eyes.

[ they're just outside of town, standing in front of some stables inside a large barn. He could probably have guessed where they were heading just from familiar scents. There's a light brown and white Appaloosa stallion standing right in front of him, tied to one of the poles. Yes, it has a blue ribbon tied to it's mane ]

[has the luck to be surefooted despite being visually impaired. He can guess where they're going -- it smells like the farm during winter, and he can hear everything well enough. Big smile as he opens his eyes.]

Wow, Lana. This is great.

We haven't gone riding together in a long time.

No, we haven't. And I thought ahead, so...

[ very excitedly, she moved down a ways, and reaches out to gently rub at a black Arabian's muzzle ]

I got my own. I rented out their stalls so they have a place to stay, but he's all yours.

[very happy. He approaches the stallion and reaches out to rub his face, and kind of laughs to himself. yeah, riding with Lana again will be great]

It was a really good idea. Thanks.

Does he have a name yet?

[ shakes her head ]

The man who sold him to me said he has a bit of a temper, and that he's been looking for an excuse to get rid of him, but that most people he talks to are, and I quote 'city slickers that wouldn't know the difference between a saddle and a seat cover'.

[laughs]

Good thing I was raised on a farm, then. I'm sure he's fine, and it's not like he can do much bad if he does have a temper.

That's part of why I thought he was perfect for you.

[ leans against a stall ]

And I was hoping you might rub off on him a little. Everybody could use a little Clark Kent in their lives.

I hope I will.

[glance at her, smiling]

Our universe has so many versions it seems like everyone really does have a Clark Kent in their life.

Well, somehow I think I got the best Clark.

[in a toss up between him, the evil one, the stuttering one, and the one who protects the world from alien invasions on a daily basis...]

Why's that?

Because I know you.

[ looks down ]

You inspire people. Just by being yourself, you inspired me, and it's because of you that I strive to be a better person.

[oh, he has to pull her into a hug for that one. He's happy, but part of him is just reminded that she thinks that, but she leaves anyway.]

It means a lot that you think that, Lana. Thank you.

[ d'aw, her face is warm, but she's very happy that HE'S happy, and she hugs him back, resting her head against his chest ]

I should be the one thanking you.

[holds her, because he hasn't done this in months and months, and he missed it, but he also tries to keep in mind that he's supposed to never have had this, other than that short stint forever ago]

I don't know about that.

[ leans back to look up at him ]

Why do you say that?

[smiling]

Because... I'm the one lucky to have you. I don't think it's a long shot to say that being with me makes things complicated, and knowing my life it's never normal. So having you makes me the one that has to be thankful.