post-traumatic stress (tag Clark)

[slayers_desire]

April felt uneasy, and just couldn't ease her mind. In the back of her mind, she knew it was post-traumatic stress from assisting Alex Mercer escape Manhatten. There were things she saw that she would never forget. Lives lost, their voices forever taken.

The one good thing from the whole situation is that Alex's sister Dana was saved, and currently staying in the Buffyverse universe.

But still, it was hard for April to sleep well. Sometimes the screaming in her mind never stopped.

Comments

[kalel_ofkrypton]

He turns a little to put his arms around her. He can't make her stop hurting, but he can let her know that he's here for her. "I can't imagine what it must've been like for you."

[slayers_desire]

"I am trying hard to focus on the joys in my life, so that emptiness doesn't overwhelm me."

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"Can I do anything for you?"

[slayers_desire]

"Surround me with the joy in my life..."

[kalel_ofkrypton]

He kisses the top of her head and holds her close. "We could go somewhere with the kids, just the four of us."

[slayers_desire]

"I want to surround myself with hope. Possibilities. Could we go to the garden?"

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"Sure. Laura hasn't been to the greenhouse yet." The newborn is still too young to get involved with the gardening, obviously, but it's a special place that they've already shared with Jonathan. And Clark thinks that maybe getting to help new life grow will help April come to terms with the deaths she saw.

[slayers_desire]

"Alex's sister, Dana, was taken to my universe. We could check on her too."

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"She was?" Clark is a little surprised by this, though not overly so.

[slayers_desire]

"She would have been killed if we left her there. I didn't know where else to take her."

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"I'm glad she had a place to go. Is she staying at Lorne's?" There are few other guaranteed safe places he can think of, in her world.

[slayers_desire]

"Yes. Lorne was the best person to make sure she was cared for."

[kalel_ofkrypton]

He pauses a moment, phrasing his question delicately. "Is she... like her brother?" It'd be the natural assumption, but in their line of work, he knows it isn't always the case, not even close.

[slayers_desire]

"No. Her brother... was tainted with a virus, until it consumed him."

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"That sounds... complicated." But it does help Clark understand the situation better. Alex's sister has been involved in some kind of situation with greater than ordinary human powers, but she is without any abilities herself.

[slayers_desire]

"I don't know if she will ever see her brother again..."

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"As long as there's life, there's hope." He kisses the top of her head, hoping that she'll be able to find peace with this situation.

[slayers_desire]

"You always remind me of the good things in my life."

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"That's my job." He smiles a little. "Why don't you get yourself around, and I'll get the kids up?"

[slayers_desire]

"You spoil me. Thank you." April knows there is no point trying to sleep anymore. And she slids out of bed.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

It's times like these that Clark is glad his morning routine is so short. Especially now that there are two children to dress and feed before the day begins.

The dogs also need to be let out before they leave, a task that Clark also does gladly.

[slayers_desire]

April steps into the shower, getting ready for the day. She is glad that Clark is tending to the children, and the dogs. It is one less thing to worry about, when her mind is full of worries.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

Superdad to the rescue, something he's getting very good at. And before long the dogs are settled and the kids are fed, ready to head out with their parents.

"Hey buddy," Clark says, giving Jonathan some cheese crackers to munch on while they're waiting for April. "You ready to go see Lorne?"

"Yeah! Go see Lorne!"

[slayers_desire]

It doesn't take long for April to shower, and then change. She feels a little more refreshed...

She comes out to the kitchen, smiling at the sight of her son and daughter. "Hello lovelies."

[kalel_ofkrypton]

Jonathan beams at her. "Hi mommy!"

Clark is holding Laura, who is still young enough that now that she's fed, she's more interested in sleeping than paying attention to what's going on. "I left some breakfast for you," Clark says, nodding towards the table.