Yay! Anti-K! Omigosh, so glad you're back! And with not one, not two, but *three* updates?!
Chapter 34: So sweet! This was made all the better because I just watched these episodes recently, and Clark's nerves here and shine through perfectly.
But she doesn’t take it, this golden opportunity he has given her to back out of the date she didn’t want and only agreed to after he all but cornered her on it. Her eyes cloud over and her lips purse in what he could almost swear is a pout.
As if she doesn’t want the out.
As if…she wants the date?
This was adorable! Clark's confusion about why she wanted the date
“Well,” she says, slowly, hesitantly, “what if we say this is our almost first date?”
And he smiles. Smiles, and breathes, and thinks that maybe, finally, this is his time.
Awww!
So perfect!
Chapter 35: This was probably the most powerful and touching of the three. Jonathan's fears aren't as addressed in this episode, and you cover it in such a powerful, evocative way.
It dogged his steps, persistent and pervasive. A nightmare that could all too easily become reality.
After all, his dream had come true.
Awwww, poor sweet Jonathan.
Because his boy was so innocent and hopeful and good that he would never think to be careful, would never expect bad things to happen, until Jonathan warned him.
This is really sweet too, that Jonathan knows Clark is so optimistic, that he has to rein him in a little so that he doesn't just go flying off the deep end.
And it was all coming true, wasn’t it? Just like his nightmare.
Just a farmer. Just a man who had a dream that came true. Just a boy from a town no one even knew existed who grew up and got his wish cast down at him from the heavens.
This whole passage really added a lot to Jonathan's character in this episode. The quote didn't mean half as much to me before you added all this in. Very well done indeed.
Chapter 36: But truthfully--way more truthfully than she ever liked to get since she knew it never cast her in a good light--as much as Lois knew she needed Clark in her life in some form and fashion…she’d never really given him his due as a reporter.
Awww. I guess that's mostly true isn't it? Poor Clark. Poor, sweet, stubborn Lois.
Which was why, when she was in the room with the President of the United States sitting across from her and a clock ticking down in her head, she’d taken a chance…and asked the question Clark had suggested.
This is sweet, because it's something only Clark (maybe Jimmy too, IIRC) knows, and he knows how hard it would be for her to admit that she used his question even. Her admission even to herself, that she has a really good partner was a perfect way to end it.
Excellent job! Three chapters in a row! Very impressive, and exceedingly well done, as usual. I hope you post again soon! Only, what, 46 more to go? (Not doing the actual math, in case that's wrong...) No sweat.
In any case, it's good to see you back!