slayers_desire | Christmas time in Smallville

Clark arrives back a lot earlier than he expected, a little baffled and still wearing the Santa hat, but he has enough presence of mind to look like he's been working outside for a while, getting some snow on his boots and ankles, before going into the house. The air smells like pine needles and freshly-baked cookies, and he greets a few of the guests who are gathered near the door when he enters.

April is serving some trays of goodies to their guests. She smiles up at surprise at the early arrival of Clark.

Moving over to his side after the other guests greet him, April hugs him. "Hey handsome. No mistletoe over that door... but still..." She plants a chaste kiss on his cheek.

"Since when have we needed an excuse?" he asks, and before she can draw back he steals a more direct kiss, brief enough to not draw too much attention. "The chores didn't take as long as I thought. I, ah, had some help."

Keeping her voice low, April asked, "Help? From who?"

"Oh, some guy who stopped by." He reaches up to adjust his Santa hat a little. "He didn't stay very long."

Catching his gesture, April grinned. "Well I couldn't ask for a better Christmas present."

He lets out a little laugh, and lowers his voice. "Well, you could. But we already got that one."

April does her best not to blush. And drops her voice, "And in return for that lovely Christmas gift, I have private ones for you. Later."

"Ooh, that sounds promising."

He isn't able to tease more out of her, though, because his mom spots him. "Clark! You must be cold from being outside so long. Come and have some cookies and cocoa." She sounds just like any mother, not letting on in front of the guests that her son doesn't get cold, ever.

That is something that April envys about Clark some times. But then again, he is always willing to be her own personal electric snuggler. So all is fair.

"I helped bake some of the cookies." She grins.

"Did you now?" he asks, taking a small handful and the mug of steaming hot cocoa that his mother was holding out for him. It has a cluster of cheery pink and green marshmallows overflowing the top. "Let me guess, Dad tried to get away with eating some before the party started."

"I had thought it weird for the kitchen to be fortified for attack, until the cookie raids started." April chuckled. Her cookies were OK. Not as spectacular as Martha's of course. But she made up for it by decorating with artistic style.

Clark enjoys hers just as much as his mom's, because they were all baked with love and that's what counts. Other than the sugar. And the frosting.

He also spots a few broken bits of cookie in Shelby's dish. "Did they break, or did he get into the trays before anyone could stop him?" he laughs.

"So I dropped a couple." April looks so innocent.

"Accidentally, I'm sure." He takes a big gulp of cocoa and gets melted marshmallow foam on the tip of his nose in the process.

This of course results in a giggle from April. "Careful there. You might get licked." And she is not talking about Shelby.

If they were alone, of course, Clark would definitely be encouraging her to do just that. But they're not, so he has to content himself with just broadcasting those images to her while he gets a napkin and wipes it off.

He sits down on the couch next to the tree and tugs her down to join him, watching all the people. Shelby's weaving in between all the different humans, a pair of red felt antlers on his head, tail wagging. Something tells Clark that dog is going to get a lot of bits from people's snack plates before the night is done.

Of course such broadcast images make it even harder not to grin like the Dickens. Or blush for that matter. Both of which would raise questions.

Watching Shelby use cuteness to get treats from people makes April chuckle lightly. And she snuggles close to Clark. "I am so excited for my present to your parents."

Mostly because of all the work and love she put into it.

He puts his arm around her, setting his mug of cocoa on the armrest. "Oh yeah?" he asks, resisting the urge to x-ray all the stuff under the tree. Not all the gifts are there yet, of course, but a few are.

April pokes him, and whispers, "Am I going to have to find lead wrapping paper?"

"I replaced some lost family history." The meteor shower had destroyed a lot of the Kent's belongings after all.

"No, I'll be good," he promises with a grin.

He gets a little more serious when she mentions what she did, though. And though he doesn't know specifics, he knows that it will be a big deal. "Oh... how?"

"Good boys get their presents. Bad boys..." She just leaves that one hang.

With a soft blush, April tries not to ruin the surprise. "Lets just say me and the Kansas State library were good friends for a while. Researching. Copying. And detailing."

He gives her a bit of a squeeze. "You're amazing. Have I told you that lately?"

"You always find ways to remind me." April returned the affectionate squeeze. She really couldn't afford a lot of nice things for Christmas. So relied on her own talents to give gifts from the heart.

The Kents probably appreciate that more than she knows. They've had people attempt to buy their love with expensive, flashy gifts before. Knowing that April spent tons of time and effort on something for them is worth far more than any car or house or enormously priced luxury item.

He gives her a kiss on the forehead, not quite the kind of guy who'll make out with his girlfriend in front of other people, but wanting to show his appreciation anyway. "Chloe should be showing up in a little while. She has to drive all the way back from Metropolis."

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