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Jason watched as Lois paced furiously back and forth. Like she has been for the past five minutes. He was trying to be the rational one, but it was getting increasingly difficult.
“I can’t believe he would lie to me - us - about being Superman!” she said.
He clenched his hands, “Lois, Clark had his reasons-”
“What reasons! What could be so important that he kept this from us?”
“LOIS!” Jason couldn’t keep listening to this. “If Clark had told you his secret, it would’ve put you in a dangerous position. He has enemies that will go after you to get to him .”
“I can take care of myself!” she said.
“No, you really can’t Lois. He’s dealing with superpowered tech-wielding crazies that could kill you in a second . You shouldn’t have confronted him about this.” Jason crossed the room to stand in front of her.
“My safety was already compromised! Why shouldn’t I confront him when I already know?” she said with her arms crossed and staring up at him.
“Because he was scared? Maybe he wasn’t ready to tell someone else about his secret that in the wrong hands could get him and the people he cares about killed? Maybe he’s scared of what the government would do to him if they found him?” He took a calming breath and lowered his voice. “It takes an incredible amount of trust and courage to tell someone something this big.”
Jason backed off and turned to leave, “It’s ok to feel hurt, I’ve been there too. But really think about what you wanna say before your next conversation with Clark.”
Jason left her to stew on things. It probably won’t change anything, but hopefully she’ll forgive him soon. Jason can’t judge too harshly. Lord knows he can’t forgive easily. He revved his bike and took off to check on Clark.
He wonders how Lois will react to his secrets when they finally get out.
~~~
Oh god, this is why Jason didn’t come to Clark first. He would not have been able to keep from completely snapping at Lois if he saw Clark doing his beaten-rained-on-puppy-dog routine. He took a deep, calming breath as he closed the door to Jimmy and Clark’s apartment and turned to face the music. Clark’s blue, so blue , eyes looked on at him from his sad lump on the couch. Jason sighed and pulled off his leather jacket and work boots.
Jason snagged a thin blanket and sat beside Clark. He took another deep breath and forcibly relaxed his muscles. After a few moments, he turned to Clark. His lips were pursed and eyebrows pinched.
I wanna wrap him up and make him cocoa. Fuck me , “You want silent support, or do you wanna talk about it?”
Clark took a shuddering breath. “I messed up.” He covered his face before leaning back and gesticulating with his hands. “I lied to Lois and now she’s never going to trust me again. And she’s right! I should’ve told her before and it was wrong to keep it to myself but..” Clark threw an arm over his eyes. Jason hummed and shuffled on the couch, his holster was digging into his back.
Clark peeked at him as Jason went to speak. “What I’m hearing is that Lois figured out your identity and you couldn’t gaslight, gatekeep, girlboss you way out of it.” God Dickie has rubbed off on Jason way too much. “She got mad, which is her right, and her feelings are valid.” he said. Clark nodded morosely.
“That doesn’t mean she is right .” Clark lowered his arm and furrowed his brows in confusion.
“You two were practically dating, and that’s something that your partner should know about you. But it was your right to tell Lois, not for her to pressure you into an impossible situation to expose yourself.” Jason stared into his eyes. “Really she should’ve tried to actually have a conversation instead of blowing up about it. We all have our issues though.”
“I almost told her at the gala the other night.” He hugged his knees and looked away. “She was mad about the interview I had with her as Superman. And I’m scared that they’ll look at me differently. I’m not normal , Jason.”
“Clark, they - we - don’t like you because you’re normal. We like you because you’re Clark. You’re kind and innocent in a way I’ve never seen in anyone else. I saw you save a spider the other day. Because you are Clark Kent.” he said. Clark huffed a small laugh and smiled.
Jason looked away, a little overwhelmed.
“I don’t know if you could tell, but as a kid, I was homeless. Born and bred Gotham street rat.” Jason heard clothes rustle as Clark shifted. There was an old coffee ring on their table.
“I’ve had a lot happen in my life, and one day I might tell you, or Lois, or even Jimmy. But barring an emergency, it will be my choice, my decision, to trust you.” He was getting off track . “I - what I’m saying is don’t feel too guilty. Lois will understand, she just needs time.” Jason needed to shut his fat mouth before he said something he shouldn’t.
A warm weight leaned against his shoulder and he stiffened. Jason relaxed with an exhale.
“Yeah, you’re welcome, big guy. But don’t get used to it. I think I’ve used up my emotional intelligence for the next six months .”
He didn’t expect it, but the laugh Clark let out filled his chest with warmth.
~~~
Somewhere, miles away, Jimmy gets kidnapped by a gorilla.