The afternoon moved without hurry when Clark closed the gate and stepped into the house. The distant sound of a pan in the kitchen suggested Kyla or Tina were busy with something, but he went straight to the bedroom, where he knew Diana would be.
She was sitting at the edge of the bed, adjusting the strap of a simple bag laid out on the mattress. She looked up the moment he appeared at the door.
"Took you long enough."
"Traffic." Clark leaned against the doorframe, tone light. "School decided to exist more than necessary today."
"So surviving class is still a battle." She smiled faintly. "And here I was thinking your biggest problems involved gods, entities, and stubborn holograms."
"Sometimes the real trouble is teenagers." He approached, stopping in front of her. "Speaking of stubbornness, you still want to visit the Fortress."
"I do." Diana replied without hesitation. "You promised. And I want to meet this famous Jor-El who thinks he can give you orders."
Clark let out a short breath, almost amused.
"He tries. I don't obey."
"I know." She nodded, practical. "But I still want to look him in the eyes — even if they're made of light. Understand the kind of father who tries to create a god and forgets the son."
"You don't need to understand Kryptonian technology."
"I don't." She agreed. "I just need to be there, by your side, to see how you handle it."
Clark stayed quiet for a moment, observing her steady conviction.
"We can go today." He decided. "Just you and me. No homework. No school."
"Great plan." Diana tilted her head. "How long until we get there?"
"For you, a few seconds." He gave her a half-smile. "For the rest of the world, nothing."
His phone vibrated in his pocket.
Bzz
Bzz
Clark took it out, glanced at the screen, and let out a nasal laugh.
"Lex."
"He always picks the perfect moment." Diana said calmly. "What does he want?"
"He wants to know when I'm finishing the third book." Clark swiped the notification and opened the message. "Apparently the second one is selling better than he expected."
"That's good." She rested her elbow on her knee. "You're writing stories for a world that needs them."
"And I'm feeling lazy." Clark admitted without shame. "I could write half a chapter before we leave, but I'd rather… not."
Diana raised an eyebrow, amused. "So the great problem of Luthor Publishing's new best-selling author is laziness."
"It's a powerful obstacle." Clark typed quickly. "I'll solve it the traditional way."
"What way?"
"Lying." He tapped the screen. "Writer's block. Creative crisis. Tormented soul. That part they understand."
Diana laughed softly.
"If Lex finds out you use super speed for everything except writing manuscripts, he'll be personally offended."
"He doesn't need to know." Clark slid the phone back into his pocket. "Message sent. Creative block official."
"And the truth?"
"The truth is I'd rather take you to the Arctic than spend the afternoon describing Quidditch."
"Good choice." She stood up and walked toward a corner where she'd left a few items. "If we're meeting your holographic father, I'm not going empty-handed."
Clark frowned slightly when he saw her pick up her sword and shield.
"You know this is just a visit, right? Not a temple raid or a war against Ares."
"It's a meeting with a Kryptonian who thinks he can dictate the world's destiny." She fastened the sword across her back with natural ease. "That, in my experience, qualifies as potentially dangerous."
"He's condensed light, not a general with an army."
"Light cuts too, sometimes." Diana adjusted the shield under her arm. "And I feel better like this."
Clark watched her for a second, then smiled.
"You know that if he tries anything, I'll handle it before you even get that shield in place."
"I know." She met his gaze calmly. "But if he tries anything, I want to be there to see you handle it."
"Fair."
His phone vibrated again.
Bzz
Clark checked the screen, expecting another message from Lex, but the name was different.
"Lana."
Diana stayed silent, simply watching as he answered.
"Hey, Lana."
Her voice on the other end was controlled — but without the heaviness of the morning.
"Hi, Clark. I… I wanted to apologize for the way I talked to you in the parking lot. I was nervous, and I took it out on someone who had nothing to do with it."
"It's fine." Clark replied calmly. "You were having a rough day."
"It still wasn't right." She insisted, more composed. "I don't want anything weird between us. We've been through too much already."
"I understand." Clark glanced at Diana, who remained still, serene. "We're fine. Really."
On the other end, Lana drew a slow breath.
"Thank you. I really… needed to hear that."
"Lana."
"Yeah?"
"Did you talk to Chloe?"
A short pause — subtle but noticeable.
"Not yet."
"She's pretty worried about you." Clark said, not pushing. "Might be good to call her later. You two argued, but that doesn't have to last forever."
"I know." Her voice dropped. "I'll call. Not right now, but… still today."
"Good." He kept his tone steady. "She'll be relieved. And if you want to talk to me later, I'm here."
"Okay." Lana sounded a little stronger. "Thanks, Clark. For everything."
"You're welcome."
The call ended with a soft click.
Clark put the phone away unhurriedly.
"She apologized." Diana observed, without judgment.
"She did." He nodded. "Said she doesn't want anything strange between us."
"And you?" She asked. "Do you want anything strange between you two?"
"No." Clark answered instantly. "I just want her to stop destroying herself in silence."
"Then you did the right thing." Diana nodded. "You sent her to talk to Chloe, not you."
"Chloe understands how she feels." Clark agreed. "I understand what happens around her. Not the same thing."
Diana stepped closer, shield still resting at her side.
"You move the pieces, Clark. But you still let people choose how to deal with what's left."
"When they're able to choose, yes."
"And that's why I'm still here." She said simply. "You do questionable things sometimes. But you haven't lost sight of what matters."
"You'll still think that after you meet Jor-El?"
"If he tries to control you, not for long." Diana tapped his chest lightly with two fingers. "I trust you. Not him."
Clark held her hand for a moment.
"Then let's go."
"Now?" She asked, ready.
"Not yet." He smiled. "Kyla and Tina are still home. If I just vanish with you, I'll have two questions waiting later — and one of them probably involves food."
"Fair point." Diana stepped back slightly. "So, what's the plan?"
"You tell them you'll be out with me for a few hours." Clark said. "No Arctic, no fortress — just a walk. Once things calm down, we go."
"And you?"
"I'll text Chloe later, ask if she talked to Lana." He breathed in deeply, pleased with how the day was unfolding. "If those two patch things up, I can go a few days without having to put out emotional fires."
Diana smiled subtly.
"And you can focus on simpler fights — like you versus the holographic father."
"That's much easier." Clark agreed.
She headed toward the door.
"I'll tell the girls. If I take too long, it's because they want details. About you."
"Try not to make up too much." He asked, half serious, half amused. "I already have enough reputation."
"Too late to control that." Diana glanced over her shoulder. "You chose this chaos when you put everyone under the same roof."
Clark stayed alone for a moment, listening to the distant movement in the hallway. His phone remained silent. School was behind him, Jason was out of the picture, Lana was beginning to stabilize, Chloe was probably buried in work.
Everything was in order.
When Diana returned minutes later, her expression was calm — mission accomplished.
"They know we're going out." She said. "Kyla asked you not to bring back anything that explodes. Tina asked you not to bring anything that eats too much."
"I'll consider both." Clark replied.
"All set then." Diana adjusted the shield's strap. "Whenever you're ready."
Clark gave his phone one last glance to make sure nothing urgent remained, then turned fully to her.
"Let's introduce Krypton to an Amazon."
"And an Amazon to Krypton." She added.
He extended his hand. Diana took it without hesitation.
They were still home. There was still a step before the journey. The world outside continued spinning at its usual pace.
But for them, the next move was already decided.