slayers_desire | better to seek permission than forgiveness

Entry tags:

art projects,
clark

better to seek permission than forgiveness

April returned to her Kansas apartment fueled with inspiration, and eager to return to some awaiting art projects after receiving good advice from the Nexus. It was good timing too, as her university had its Spring Art Show, where she won first place for Freshman the year before. It would be harder to achieve another first in her second year of university, with increased competition, but April was going to submit her best work and hope for the best.

She had a couple of pieces that were uncompleted, but inspiration hit her to start from scratch on a new piece, using metals as her medium. As her heart and mind were on Clark, and the struggles he had faced recently, that flowed into the art piece. She was expressing her belief of him, the unspoken turmoil of not having a lot of 'relationship' time, and the emotions she felt from their bond as Clark struggled with issues that were often kept unexpressed.

It was a good piece when it was completed, but there was one problem. April couldn't submit the artwork without checking with Clark first. Last year, her worries were that she was expressing too much of herself. This time, she really didn't want to accidentally betray his trust or his secret.

Covering the piece for now, April picked up the phone and called him. A glance around her apartment at other options just in case she needed them.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Maybe it is not the right name to start. But it is at least something." April wonders how many names Clark will actually go through, before he is ready to be Superman. For her... Dark Oak fit perfectly.

He just hasn't found that fit yet.

Speaking of fitting, she is being quite professional with the measuring. Starting with his neck, then upper bicep and lower bicep, followed by the length of the arm, and the chest and stomach measurements.

"Yeah. I've been thinking a lot about the name, and... I guess I want the people to choose what to call me. When the time comes for me to be him. It seems more right, to let it happen rather than forcing it, and I don't want to introduce myself by that name and have everyone think I'm being superior. I want it to happen because it's right, not because I try to make it happen."

"Although that doesn't help with picking a codename," he admits. "I think I'll have to work on that." Still, she's given him something to think about.

"Have you done this sort of thing before?" he asks. He knows she makes a lot of her own clothing, but measuring yourself is a little different than other people.

"Having a codename like Dark Oak is easier on a hero. Superman really does sound like something remarkable. But then again... you are remarkable."

April nods. "I measure myself for clothing. A man's body is different, of course. But still the same principles."

"So long as the people agree." He may not know that Superman is the guardian of truth, justice, and the American way, but he's already taken those concepts to heart. And if he's to be Superman one day, he wants it to happen democratically, because it's what the people want.

"How do you do your own shoulders?" he asks. "I mean you probably know your own measurements by now, but you had to get a baseline at least once."

His comment makes April pause. And smile. And randomly kiss him. Because it is nice to hear Clark being so democratic, especially after learning some things from that Soviet Union version.

"The tape measure has this neat this device on its end, I just slide the tape around my shoulders." She pauses to demonstrate, bringing down the top of her shirt slightly so she can use the tape around her shoulders. "Bring the device in nice and tight, and then when I take off the tape, I use the device to judge the distance. Makes it easier to measure myself. Since I don't have anyone to do it for me."

He's a bit puzzled by the kiss, but doesn't mind getting one regardless.

"Well, you do now," he amends with a small smile. "But it's a bit late for that, unless you forget your numbers."

"Numbers change, and I could be a willing model anytime you want to learn."

"I think I'll leave the clothing-making to you," he says. "But anytime you need a hand, I might be able to help."

"And here you had your opportunity to feel me up... tsk tsk." April teased. She wrote down the numbers she collected.

"I need you to stand for the rest."

He obeys, trusting her own skills for this. "Are you making more than just the jacket?"

"If you wanted me to, I could. I just needed you to stand for a better hip and waist reading. The jacket should also be tailored to your height."

"I was just curious," he assures her. "I'm going to be wearing it, after all. It seems like it's a nice, simple way to start. And easy to change in a rush."

"I figured regular jeans would work. The jacket will call most of the attention." And she agreed with the point of making it simple to change into. Her own costume took some time for the change.

Her fingers lightly trace along his waist as she takes her measurements.

"Besides," he adds, "it'll keep people from making jokes about the tights that I'm not wearing." Even though he has the glasses now, the ones he always thought were ridiculous.

"Yes. Because you in tights would just be horrible." Her tone is light. Because of course she thought Future-him looked wonderful in the full costume.

Her tape measure lowers for the measurement around his hips.

"Yeah, I don't really have the legs for it."

His body reacts in mild interest, though he knows nothing's going to come of it, at least not today. "I've never really had a lot of tailor-made clothes before. Just the suit I had to wear during Dad's campaign."

"Let me guess, I would?"

Finishing by placing one end of the tape on the floor, April instructs, "Stand on this with your heel."

It will make it easier for her to bring the tape measure up to get his full height. "I hope the tailor didn't get too personal with you for the suit. Because... that's my job."

"Better than I do," he agrees with a faint grin.

He follows her instructions, letting her get all the measurements she needs. Clark's a tall boy, naturally, and he's long been in the habit of slouching slightly to let his shorter friends and family make some vague attempt at looking him in the eye. But for her, he stands up straight, like he will when he's in uniform. "No, he was very professional."

Getting her last measurement will require some reaching for April. But she smiles at his straightness. Admiring the body of the man she loves, the man that will come to save the world countless times.

And she places her hands around his chest, and her chin on his shoulder when the measurement is completed. "All done."

He chuckles a little, enjoying her closeness. "And here I thought this was the hug capacity measurement."

"You better not be hugging other woman, Mister, unless it is an emergency and not a real hug." She tsks lightly in his ear.

"You never know what might save someone's life," he answers innocently. Though she'll know that he would never think of cheating on her in any capacity. He doesn't use his superpowers for 'evil'.

"You are very lucky that I am accepting of the fact that there might be hundreds of women who you will have to wisk away, and hold tight to save." She teases back. Closing her eyes to just hold him. Enjoying the closeness, while she can.

"I will just start thinking of ways you can make it up to me after the day is done and the world is saved."

"Just remember, they're not the ones I'm going home with. And I probably won't be needing to save you all the time. Dark Oak will be able to handle herself." He knows she doesn't want to be his damsel in distress, and he doesn't want her to be either. And he knows she has the skills to pull it off.

"More the reason to find other reasons to be held tight by my hero." April has not yet gone out as Dark Oak again. But this is good timing to talk to Clark about her plans, as her confidence is returning.

"I want to channel my voices to track down those art thieves. Bring them to justice."

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