Dave, this is ... gah, I don't even have words for what this vignette is. Amazing. Haunting. Layered. Wonderful. Heart-rending.
I've always love love loved the lyrics to Nickelback's "Hero" — you've incorporated my favorite lines flawlessly to start things off.
And this line, in particular, just got me right *there*:
He watched until he couldn't, and then buried himself in her arms and let himself cry.
That's perfect. *Perfect.* What a telling sentence — you show us Clark in a completely unguarded moment, and Lois is there to save him from himself.
Again, I'm at a loss for proper FDK. Just ... *loves* Thanks for sharing this, Dave.
