My apologies to Mouse - we kind of both had the "struck" idea around the same time.
No sweat! It's quite striking.
This fic was really perfect, Vicki. I'm smiling and wistful after reading it. Somehow you captured that feeling of youth and still kept them in character perfectly. Old enough to be on their own, too young to lose that shine they have to them... So sweet!
I was slightly expecting Lois to show up, but I was thoroughly and pleasantly surprised by Bernie! Very clever.
Austin shrugged. “For you, maybe,” he teased gently. “Did they even have museums in Idaho?”
Clark laughed at his friend’s ribbing. “Yes, we had museums in Kansas,” he said, emphasizing the correct state name. “Nothing like this though. I guess it must be old hat for you, growing up in New York and all.”
I like Austin, and it's not always easy to introduce and entirely new character and keep them likable. You've made their relationship realistic, easy, warm. I love to see Clark with other friends outside his core circle in the show, and I can easily imagine Austin being a friend from college that he'd keep in touch with throughout the years. I'd also like to see a fic, maybe ten years down the road from this moment, where Clark runs into Austin and they catch up, and he remembers how smitten he was over Lois. It's a solid relationship. Very well done!
Clark had actually wanted to visit poor, lonely Pluto – mostly because it was so far out into space, and, as a result, rather mysterious.
Clark sympathizing with lonely little outcast like Pluto left me feeling sad, but it's a great way to characterize his feelings without saying it out loud.
Clark smiled. “Couldn’t have put it better myself.” He paused for a moment. “Meat head footballer?” he asked quizzically, giving her a teasing smile.
My favorite paragraph, oddly enough. That beat in the middle and Clark going back for her comment about footballers made the whole thing very real. Love it.
She could be underage.
You could be arrested.
*snork* Priorities, Clark. Glad he had this thought too. Good Clark. *pats head affectionately*
And then, after each half-hearted and heartbreaking self-remonstration, he would slip off into dreamland, where, if he was lucky, Lois sometimes would join him.
Awwww. I cannot overstate how sweet and sad this piece was. I loved it dearly. Beautifully written, too.
