The quiet can be disconcerting ((tag Clark))

[slayers_desire]

It has been a few hours since Clark took April home. In that time, she fed. She bathed. And she tried to lie down for a little bit.

But she can not close her eyes for long. She can not go into a deep slumber. The quiet in her mind is like a blank canvas. Plus, it just gives her more time to go over and over again everything that she experienced.

Slowly, she is remembering the others using her fears against her. The claustrophobia. The flames and the heat of the fire. The fear of losing her children.

"Clark?" He was checking on the children for her, when she got cleaned up.
But April knows that she doesn't have to call out loudly to get his attention.

Comments

[slayers_desire]

"It does." Daphne touches the tree tenderly. When she does, April sort of realizes that there is more significance to Daphne's own apparent age.

"She is a teenager, because that is the stage the tree is stuck in right now."

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"So she needs to grow, too." It makes sense.

[slayers_desire]

"The significance of innocence, love and sacrifice has already helped her mature a little today. But maybe there is something more we can do. How do you help a teenager to grow?"

[kalel_ofkrypton]

Their children aren't teenagers yet, so he can't speak from much personal experience, but he remembers well what it was like to be one himself. "Teach and guide them, encourage their triumphs and help them work through their failures, give them the space they need to discover what person they're going to be."

[slayers_desire]

"So a lot of time and dedication on our end." April knows that it can't be too easy. But she just really wishes it could be.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"Just like with real kids. But it's well worth it."

[slayers_desire]

"It is worth it, to not have to deal with that doll." April leans on him. Daphne has occupied herself by braiding a few roots/hair strands together.

"I just hoped to have things go back to normal, a little faster."

[kalel_ofkrypton]

Clark hugs her, in full agreement. "Me too. But I'll take what we can get."

[slayers_desire]

She strokes her fingers through his hair. "It is good news. That there is a path available to us."

"I might not be complete for awhile, but... with your help, I will get there."

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"I guess... in a way, your voices had to grow up too. We'll learn about them together."

[slayers_desire]

April looks at the sprouts, from the acorn they had planted before. "They are just emerging on their own. They need love and support."

"Excuse me?" Daphne needs to interrupt, after watching them for a moment. "What does that feel like?"

[kalel_ofkrypton]

Clark thinks of the love he has for April, for his parents, for their children. "It's the best feeling in the world."

[slayers_desire]

"Ohhhh that is a very nice feeling." Daphne touches her heart, when he projects his love. "Can I have that?"

April chuckles. "We already do."

"Wow..." Her eyes sparkle brightly. Then after a long, quiet moment, Daphne speaks again. "We won't be as strong as you are used to... but we are here. As long as we have love... we are here."

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"That's all right. It's better this way."

[slayers_desire]

"I don't think there is anything else we need to do here. For now."

[kalel_ofkrypton]

Clark nods in agreement. "All we can do now is be patient."

[slayers_desire]

Breaking the mental mindscape, they return to their apartment. April feels a sense of calm. "Thank you. For taking that chance with me."

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"You know you don't have to thank me for that." He would do it anyway, no matter the risk.

[slayers_desire]

"Don't have to... but with no kids around, going to." She leaned in to kiss him deeply.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

He smiles through the kiss. "Oh really."

[slayers_desire]

"What can I say? I am just so filled with love. Have to express it."

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"That's one thing I've always loved about you. You always have to be yourself."

[slayers_desire]

"You have helped me so much to get to this point. I am so glad you are in my life."

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"I'd do whatever I had to in order to help you."

[slayers_desire]

((awwwwwwwwwwwwww need more ww's for how sweet this was))