slayers_desire | 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.

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Clark's been spending a bit of time alone since the night at the fight club. Busying himself with chores and his training at the Fortress, and spending most of his time away from people, to try sorting out his thoughts. Today he's sitting up in the barn loft, contemplating the Phantom Zone crystal. Wondering how long it will be before the last Zoner is captured.

The phonecall is an interruption to those thoughts, but when he sees who's calling, he doesn't mind so much. "Hey, you."

"Hey stranger." Her voice is soft and understanding. April knows that Clark needs time to sort his head.

"I have this art piece I finished. And sort of need your approval on it."

There's a slight pause, and when he answers, he sounds a little puzzled. "My approval?" He remembers when she was concerned about her previous big project, but this sounds more like she needs his personal approval instead of reassurance on whether she's revealing too much of herself. Which has him curious on what this is.

"I channeled you into the piece." April admits. "And of course, I can see you in it. And I would rather not display it publicly if it is that obvious."

"Oh." Well, that makes a bit more sense. "I'll be over in a minute. See you soon."

((Aah, go figure, I'm being pulled away for RL stuff for the moment. Right when we got going, too! I'll be back as soon as possible.))

"Arrive safe." April says before disconnecting the call. There is an unfinished painting that she decides to work on while waiting. One thing about being so comfortable around Clark means she doesn't have to worry about being in her painters clothes, or looked 'unpolished' when he arrives.

((No probs))

At least it isn't an emergency. Clark takes his time, flying at a leisurely pace for his standards, arriving at her apartment a minute or two later. He knocks as he unlocks and opens the door, to let her know he's here. "Wow. You've been busy."

((Sorry it took so long! Got roped into doing family stuff for a few hours.))

"I got good advice from the Nexus." She smiles and waves a brush.

((and LJ gave me problems))

"I can see that." He shuts the door behind him and approaches her works, taking in the new pieces and staying out of range of mischievous brushes and paint spatters. "Has it helped?"

((Ah, what a day, right?))

"It has. Doing something I am good at has reminded me of a lot of my strengths." April pauses in her painting to ensure none gets splattered on him.

He smiles slightly at that. "Glad to hear it." He's been kind of useless for moral support for the past little while, and he's always proud of her for playing to her strengths in dealing with crises.

"So... what's this special piece you want me to see?"

Placing the paintbrush behind her ear, April gestured to the covered piece. "I used Phosphorescent technologies in some metals to create this, so by plugging it in it will glow to add to the piece."

She plugs in the piece, then removes the tarp hiding it.

"Like I said, I see you in the piece."

He kind of stares at it for a long moment, a little stunned. He was expecting just a simple sort of painting, the type he's more accustomed to. This is a few steps beyond his usual realm of expertise. "Wow. Um, yeah, I can see why."

"Metals are really cool to work with. They speak strongly to how they want to be used. And you kept coming back to my thoughts, again and again."

April pulls at her hair. "But I did do another piece. Just in case."

"Why? Is there something wrong with it?" He's not entirely sure what she's worried about, in regards to someone identifying it as him. Although anyone who knows her, and knows who she's dating, is likely to pick it out as Clark Kent right away.

Although... He takes a closer look, a thought coming to mind. "No glasses. So this is... me. Underneath."

"Um yah... that's why I just want to protect it. The name of the piece is On The Edge."

"It's a good work. A lot better than I could do." But then there's that lingering question, of what happens if someone puts the pieces together.

"You will find your own passion, the thing you succeed at." April smiled. She looked at it again. "I could always save it for our personal collection."

"I still have this one that is more appropriate of showing." Another piece that has to be plugged in before it has to be unveiled.

"It seems a shame that you have to hide some of your talent." But he knows that she accepted that when they became involved. Part of Clark's life must always stay secret from the world, in one way or another.

The second work gets a faint flush of red in his cheeks. "That's, uh, pretty bold."

"I can always share any of my pieces with you." Thus to her, it wouldn't be hidden.

"I call it Untamed. It channels some recent emotions too."

Okay, now she's lost him again, though he tries not to act like she has. "This one's pretty good too. I didn't know you could do this sort of thing."

And since April doesn't know that Clark is lost, she can't really explain.

"Work with metals? It is difficult. And time consuming. But they have a fire all their own that speaks brilliantly when I allow it."

"Yeah. I don't know much about it but you seem really talented with this too. Not that I'm surprised. You're the most artistic person I know."

He reaches out to touch the work, just feeling the texture of it.

April smiles. The compliments help strengthen her confidence. And she is really glad that she listened to the advice of the Nexusites.

The metals might feel a little warm as they glow under the electrical power. It is a Earth metal. Feels like Magnesium.

"You're comfortable showing this off?" he asks, not quite sure of the motivations behind it. It seems a bit personal to him, but of course it's her decision that's important. And he trusts her judgment, especially when it comes to art.

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