Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Life in the Daily Planet wasn’t as good as many journalist hopefuls expected to be, you included. Sure, when you first started out as an intern, everything seems to be buzzing and fun, you felt alive — the rush sending you a thrill all over your body, and you felt like you belong.

And one bonus to that is of course, your superior and probably crush, Mr. Clark Kent. He was one of the very few people who welcomed you wholeheartedly when you joined the Daily Planet. He was a huge, huge man, yet how he acts make you see him so cute and small. Wow, as if you two don’t have a huge height gap.

Mr. Clark Kent makes your heart race and leap especially whenever he smiles and laughs, and even more when it’s you who’s making him smile. He was shy, but confident, and that contrast is what makes him sexier in your eyes.

Yet you were happy to admire him from afar, knowing full well he won’t be interested in you in that way. To him, you’re probably just one of his subordinates. And you were for a while, until you were finally offered the full-time position you were eyeing from the start.

That brings us to the present, the initial rush you felt when you were just at the beginning, started to dwindle at some point. All you know is that things have started to feel so mundane, and felt like every small thing is just too much work. The only thing that’s helping you go on is to see Clark, now your colleague, which makes you feel a bit closer to him.

That was the beginning of your supposed to be budding relationship, until you really started to become really closer to him, close enough for him to call you friends, that you’ve realized how far apart you really are to each other. You shared a few drinks, sometimes even ate outside. At first you thought it was a date, bonding, and getting to know each other, but he started to talk about Lois. Lois this, Lois that. Damn, you’re tired of hearing about one of the top journalists in the Daily Planet.

Lois Lane — at first, you’ve loved her, looked up to her, admired her for her work. But now, the only thing you feel for her is loathe, and that loathe sometimes cloud your judgment. Objectively speaking, she is a stellar woman. She wrote lots of groundbreaking articles, and is definitely an embodiment of what a journalist should be. And, she’s also probably Superman’s favorite journalist.

Fuck. It’s not just Clark who’s in love with her. Even Superman is in love with her.

You didn’t care about it at first. After all, Lois being Superman’s favorite journalist means more exclusive interviews. More exclusive interviews mean more articles, and more articles means more readers, and more readers means more money and higher paycheck.

But now you hate her, with all your guts. You hate the way Clark would look at her when she isn’t looking. You hate the way she can make Clark smile effortlessly when you have to think about what you’re going to say just to make Clark smile. You hate how she’s the first one Clark is looking for when a supervillain is causing havoc or when you need to evacuate.

And you hate that she can’t see how much Clark is in love with her and goes on canoodling with Superman. Which… brings you to hate the hero now as well.

It’s one of the mundane days in the Daily Planet, not until you were called to the editor-in-chief’s office. You were the last one there, Lois and Clark already seated in front of Mr. White. “Y/N, be seated.” Perry spoke and you did as you were told, taking the seat in front of Clark, almost gritting for Lois is sitting right next to him.

The EIC cleared his throat before he spoke. “Lois, you’re tasked to get a statement from Superman regarding the thing with Lex Luthor. I want the teeniest tiny detail you can get. Is that understood?,”

“Yes, sir,” Lois nods in acceptance. “Clark, good job on writing about that drug raid. I need you to cover Lex Luthor’s point of view. If you have to come with Lois, do it.” The chief said and Clark gave him a curt, polite nod. But you weren’t able to hide a small snicker, which doesn’t go unnoticed by the people in the room. “Is there something funny, Smith?” The chief asked and you were rooted to your spot.

“Nothing, sir. It’s just… It’s Superman.” You say, your head hanging a bit low to cower or hide from the embarrassing thing you just did. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, at this point, I think the people are already tired and bored of reading about him.” You spout, not thinking straight as the anger and hate are starting to bubble up in your chest. Superman and all his glory. The Golden boy. The man of steel, and Clark’s rival in Lois’ love.

Perry White looked at you sharply. “Y/N. Remember, there are only three things that a paper can sell these days. Tragedy, Sex, and Superman. People are already getting tired from all the drama, and we sure as hell cannot write about sex. So, we have to milk writing about Superman for all his worth.” Perry replied, explaining with firmness as if telling you not to say anything else.

But you’re not that kind of person. “He’s an egoistic, maniacal alien in a superhero suit!” You say with a loud voice. “WHICH is why you’re not coming with Clark and Lois. Your task is different.” Mr. White cut you off which finally shut you up. Great, Clark and Lois on a work date. At least you’re not third-wheeling.

“You finally stopped talking. Listen to me, Y/N. You’ve got a great, real potential here, kid. I don’t want you to keep wasting it on the sports section. I’m giving you the real scoop here so don’t let me down.” Mr. White leans back on his chair. “You’re tasked to cover Bruce Wayne, philanthropist, industrialist, wealthy playboy and socialite.” He finishes.

“You want me to go to Gotham?” You asked, curiously. “No, he’s coming in Metropolis on Saturday. They say for vacation, but I don’t think that’s true. I’ve already scheduled an interview with him. Do your best, kid.” Mr. White said and you excitedly stood up, almost running to his side to hug him. “Thank you, sir! I won’t waste this opportunity!”

“Good, you may now leave. Go! I have work to do.” Perry shoos the three of you out of his office. You exited the chief’s office with a huge smile on your face. “Congrats Y/N, you deserve it.” Lois gave you a pat on the back before she walks towards her own office, leaving you in the presence of Clark.

“Congratulations, Y/N.” He says with a smile. “I’m happy for you.”

“Thanks, Clark!” You say as the two of you walk side by side towards your respective cubicles. “On the other hand, I didn’t know… You feel so much about Superman.” He comments, looking at you and you meet his gaze. That’s because he’s your rival on Lois, he’s the reason Lois is still not going out with you. Of course, I only want you to be happy.

“You have to admit I have a point, if not completely right, Clark. I mean, people have been relying on him too much that we have this false sense of security. We are in fact, not safe. I mean, the police have gone lax, always waiting for him to ‘save the day’. What people don’t realize is that he doesn’t give a single fuck about everyone when he’s there smooching with Lois Lane. He might be perfect in the eyes of the public but I’m pretty sure he’ll fuck up, sooner or later.” You reply before you stare straight in his beautiful icy blue eyes. “What do you mean smooching with Lois?” He asks, curiously.

“How do you think Lois is his favorite journalist and how she’s getting those… exclusive interviews?” You ask with a frown, not wanting to hurt Clark. “They’re probably a thing. If not, they’re fucking.” You add before turning on your heel. “Let’s not talk about them, I don’t want to ruin my mood. I still have to see Mr. Wayne this weekend.” You say before you felt Clark’s hand around your arm, pulling you back a bit and making you look at him once more.

“Maybe they’re just friends? And I think Superman is just really doing his best as much as he can to help as much people who needs… saving.” Clark says, surprisingly defending the revered hero.

“Yeah, maybe. But my mind won’t change any time sooner, Clark.” You pull away from him, not really taking what he said so seriously. After all, he’s not Superman.

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Forgive me for not updating this one. I promise, I will. SOON.

For now, you can read this as compensation for my shortcomings. With much love, Kaia <3
https://archiveofourown.org/works/61350949

(Tell me what you think!)