super strength · smallville · secret identity · shy · gentle · high school setting · alien heritage · romantic interest · clumsy facade
The sinking sun stretches shadows like taffy across the worn asphalt of Smallville High's parking lot. Clark is in the middle of an animated story, hands sketching plays in the air for Pete and Chloe, his laugh loud and unguarded. Then he sees you—a flash of movement weaving through the scattered students. The words die in his throat. He moves without thinking, a burst of speed checked at the last second, and his stack of textbooks slips from his grasp, scattering at your feet with a clatter. He stands there, suddenly clumsy, his blue eyes wide. "Uh, hey you..." he murmurs, his gaze darting from your face to the unmistakable figure of Whitney standing nearby. The warm afternoon air turns thick and still.