Chapter 55

Clark sat in his dimly lit apartment, lost in thought. The weight of his relationship with Lois pressed heavily on his mind. It wasn't working—not in the way he had always imagined love should. There was affection, yes, but something was missing. It felt like he was holding onto her out of fear of being alone rather than genuine love. Every intimate moment was a delicate balance of restraint, a constant effort to suppress his overwhelming power. There was no room for spontaneity, no space for true passion—only caution and calculation.

Lois was patient, but Clark could see the weariness in her eyes. She wanted more, deserved more. But she waited for him to say the words, to make the choice. Deep down, he knew he was being selfish. If he truly loved her, shouldn't he let her go? Yet, the thought of losing her left him adrift, without purpose beyond being Superman.

"If I give her up… what's left of me?" Clark pondered, his fingers clenching into a fist. "Outside of fighting crime, what do I really have?"

A sudden gust of wind blew through the window, and before Clark could react, a familiar blond figure landed gracefully inside.

"Hey Clark, I hope I'm not disturbing you," Naruto Uzumaki grinned, hands tucked casually behind his head.

Clark sighed. "What are you doing here?"

"It's a funny case of eating what was not mine, so I need a place to hide and rest until Kara calms down," Naruto admitted with a sheepish chuckle.

Clark arched a brow. "You stole her food?"

"More like I accidentally knocked over her ice cream stash while trying to fix her room."

Clark simply stared at him.

"Okay, fine," Naruto admitted, rubbing the back of his head. "I kind of messed with her room, and now she wants to hang me over a volcano in retaliation."

Clark shook his head. "Do you really enjoy playing around like that? I thought you'd become more serious because of your goal."

Naruto's playful grin softened. "Why should I? I want people to love each other and have fun—not become cold and subdued. Where's this coming from?"

Clark hesitated. Normally, he wouldn't share his personal thoughts so openly, but Naruto had a way of making people talk. He was sharp when it came to understanding emotions and had given sound advice to countless others, sometimes even without meaning to. Maybe it was worth saying out loud, at least to clear his head.

"I'm having relationship problems," Clark finally admitted. "I'm not sure if I love Lois anymore… or if she loves me."

Naruto's expression shifted into one of deep thought. He pulled up a chair and sat down across from Clark. He had heard similar stories before—people struggling with love, clinging to something that had long since lost its meaning.

"This is something between the two of you," Naruto began. "No one else can decide for you. Lois is a good woman. She's compromised for you just like you've compromised for her. But love isn't supposed to be just about sacrifice. If all you're doing is holding back and making things work out of obligation, then what's left of the relationship?"

Clark leaned forward, elbows on his knees, listening intently.

"Don't let other people's opinions cloud your heart," Naruto continued. "Let it beat freely. And Clark, you control yourself too much. You've been holding everything in—your thoughts, your emotions, even your desires. That's not healthy, man. Let go, even if it's just a little. Let your mind and heart be free. If you do, maybe you'll see things more clearly."

Clark frowned. "And if that clarity tells me that this relationship isn't meant to last?"

"Then that's something you both deserve to know," Naruto said honestly. "Holding onto something out of fear or obligation isn't love, it's just comfort. And comfort alone won't make either of you truly happy."

Clark exhaled, his shoulders sagging slightly. "She's human, Naruto. No matter what I do, no matter how much we try, she'll always be fragile to me."

Naruto scoffed. "And does that matter? Did you love her because you wanted sex? Obviously not. Love isn't about that—it's not about what someone can't do. It's about what you feel. If you still feel something for her, you fight for it. If you don't… then don't drag it out just because you're afraid of being alone."

Clark was silent for a long moment.

Naruto stood up and stretched. "I'm not saying break up with her or stay with her. I'm saying be honest with yourself—and with Lois. She deserves that much, don't you think?"

Naruto stood in the dimly lit room, his arms crossed, his expression unusually serious. Across from him, Clark Kent—Superman—sat deep in thought, his fingers lightly gripping the edge of the table. The weight of their conversation hung between them, thick and unyielding.

"Only once in your life," Naruto began, his voice steady yet filled with emotion, "I truly believe, you find someone who can completely turn your world around." His gaze softened, not with inexperience, but with an understanding that came from years of observing, learning, and yearning.

Clark looked up, intrigued by Naruto's words.

"You tell them things you've never shared with another soul, and they actually want to hear more," Naruto continued, his blue eyes shimmering as he recalled the countless stories he had heard. "Your hopes, dreams—those that will never come true—your failures, your disappointments. And yet, they never turn away. Instead, they stay. They listen."

Superman exhaled deeply, processing Naruto's words.

"When something wonderful happens, they're the first person you want to tell because you know they'll share in your joy. And when you're at your lowest, they won't hesitate to cry with you, or laugh when you make a fool of yourself. They never make you feel less, never belittle your struggles. Instead, they remind you of what makes you special."

Naruto's words resonated deeply, cutting through Clark's confusion like a blade through the storm.

"Love isn't about pressure or jealousy. It's about peace, about knowing that no matter how insane the world becomes, there's always that one person who grounds you, who accepts you, flaws and all," Naruto added, his tone wistful. "You don't have to pretend. You don't have to perform. Just being yourself is enough."

Clark felt a lump form in his throat. Lois had always been there, steadfast and unwavering, but he had let his doubts cloud his judgment.

"The things that seem small to others—a simple note, a walk under the stars, a shared meal—become memories you hold onto forever," Naruto continued. "They remind you of who you were before the world made you forget. Love makes everything brighter, sharper—like you're seeing the world for the first time."

Clark swallowed, nodding slightly as the words settled.

"You open your heart, knowing there's a chance it could be broken. But without that risk, you'll never experience true joy. And even if that pain comes, you find solace in knowing you had something real."

A silence stretched between them, but it wasn't empty. It was filled with understanding.

"That's what you and Lois have," Naruto finally said, his voice softer now. "And that's why you need to stop running from it. Put everything on the table and talk to her."

Clark looked up sharply, his brows furrowed. "How do you know so much about this when you have no experience?"

Naruto chuckled, rubbing the back of his head. "Because I've always wished for it. And because my master—Jiraiya—loved one woman his entire life. He never gave another a chance in his heart. He taught me many things, but one of the greatest lessons was respecting the sacredness of love."

Naruto's expression turned nostalgic. "He made me work as a priest at weddings. At first, I thought it was a joke, but over time, I saw things—pure moments between people. The love, the fears, the joy. I saw so much that all my misconceptions about love were wiped away."

Clark's lips twitched into a small smile. "He must have been a great teacher."

Naruto grinned. "The best. And I'll bring him back someday." Then, as if remembering something, he stretched. "Anyway, I need to head back before Kara burns my ramen."

Before Clark could respond, Naruto tossed something at him.

Clark caught it instinctively and opened his palm to find a small jewelry set alongside a cluster of flowers that bloomed upon his touch. His eyes widened, surprised.

Naruto smirked. "Just a little push in the right direction."

Then, in a flash, he vanished.

Clark stood there for a moment, staring at the flowers before turning toward the door, sensing a presence. He opened it to find Lois standing outside, her expression awkward, as if she had overheard more than she had intended.

He didn't need words.

He simply pulled her into his arms, holding her close before stepping back inside, closing the door behind them.

Lois let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding as Clark's arms wrapped around her. His embrace was warm, strong—familiar in a way that made her heart ache. She pressed her face against his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

For a long moment, neither of them spoke. The tension that had been brewing between them for weeks, the uncertainty, the unspoken words, all melted away in the quiet sanctuary of each other's presence.

Clark finally pulled back slightly, his hands still resting on her waist. He looked down at her with an expression that was both tender and regretful. "I'm sorry," he murmured.

Lois arched a brow, tilting her head. "For what exactly? Because I have a long list."

Clark chuckled, though there was a nervous edge to it. "For being distant. For getting caught up in my own head. For making you feel like you had to wait for me to figure things out when you've always been so sure." His fingers brushed against her cheek, his touch feather-light. "I should have told you sooner. I should have let you in."

Lois sighed, her hands resting against his chest. "Clark, I know what I signed up for when I fell in love with you. You being Superman doesn't scare me. What scares me is when you shut me out." She paused before adding, "I don't need you to have all the answers. I just need you to let me be there with you."

Clark swallowed, guilt flickering across his face. "I know. And you're right." He exhaled slowly. "I guess… sometimes I forget that I don't have to carry everything alone."

Lois smirked. "That's what I'm here for, Smallville." She poked his chest lightly. "To remind you that even the strongest man in the world isn't invincible to love."

Clark chuckled, his hands sliding down to hold hers. "Naruto gave me something," he said, opening his palm to reveal the delicate jewelry set and the cluster of flowers that still shimmered as if touched by magic.

Lois gasped softly, her fingers tracing over the petals. "These are… beautiful." She looked up at him, her eyes shining with curiosity. "What did he say when he gave them to you?"

Clark smiled fondly. "That love isn't about pressure or perfection—it's about peace. It's about having someone who sees you, who stays no matter what." He hesitated before adding, "And that I need to stop running from it."

Lois's expression softened. "Smart kid."

Clark nodded. "Yeah. He sees things most people don't."

Lois took a deep breath before squeezing his hand. "So, what now?" Her voice was steady, but there was an undeniable vulnerability in her gaze.

Clark didn't hesitate. "Now, I stop running." He lifted her hand to his lips, pressing a gentle kiss against her fingers. "And I spend the rest of my life making sure you never doubt how much I love you."

Lois swallowed, blinking rapidly as emotion swelled in her chest. "You always know the right thing to say when it really matters, don't you?" she teased, though her voice was thick with feeling.

Clark smiled softly. "I learned from the best."

She grinned, then leaned in, pressing her lips to his in a kiss that was both fierce and full of promise. The weight of their past struggles, the uncertainties of the future—all of it faded in that moment. Because no matter what came next, they had each other.

And that was enough.