exastris_scientia | retired open post // will still tag in if threads are ongoing!

[ The little bump of his head brought a sigh from TJ, a degree of relief. His brows furrow and he breathes in deeply. The scent brings back memories of that first night they went out, when TJ got them kicked out of the bar and they still went for ice cream after. Somewhere along the line, he made a good impression on Clark.

But this was too real to be some grief-induced dream. Enough people came and went from his apartment in the interim for TJ to recognize the real weight of Clark’s touch, the real scent of him. ]

I believe you.

[ Clark remembers that night fondly and well. He remembers sharing his ice cream under faux duress. He also remembers TJ being frustrated that Clark wasn't even tipsy. He didn't find out until months later the exact reasons why. He definitely made a good impression on Clark, and this doesn't set him back.

Everyone grieves in a different way, he knows from experience with his father. ]

Good. Now how about we get you cleaned up?

[ A weak laugh answers him and TJ pries open his eyes to gaze at Clark with nothing short of loving warmth. ]

My bath isn’t big enough for two.

[ Clark can't help the smile that comes to his face, hurting his cheeks with it, and the fond sigh that escapes him. ]

Well, it might be a bit of a squeeze, but I think we can manage just this once. Or I may just owe the landlord for water damage. Wouldn't be the first time.

[ A look of feigned shock overtakes his features leaving TJ wide-eyed and agape. ]

Scandalous! Who else have you been squeezing into tiny bathtubs with?

[ The mock expression and the way he leans back to stare causes him to chuckle heartily. ]

Only one person, and you know just who that is. I don't think I have it in me to handle any more than that. [ A gentle tease, but also the truth. He also, wouldn't want to. He loves the both of them, and that is more than enough. ]

[ He can't help smiling, even if it's a little worn, a little tired from all that's happened. ]

Pretty sure hers is bigger than mine.

[ He wishes he could do more to smooth away that worn look and those lines of grief that have aged both Lois, TJ, and his mother. He wants to erase it, but he knows he can't.

That hurts worse than anything. ]

You'll just have to use me as a pillow or sorts then. Safety flotation device, maybe?

[ TJ can't help laughing at the suggestion. ] My hero.

[ He doesn't say anything more, the relief that Clark is alive so extreme he lacks the language to express it. Instead, he hauls himself off the couch and holds out a hand. ]

[ Oh, he'd have turned down Heaven and clawed his way out of Hell in order to hear that laugh just once more before all of this. Clark is worn in his own ways, but like Atlas, he stubbornly refuses to show it.

The only slip that might give it away is his response, even as he takes TJ's hand to get up and follow the other man. ]

No, just Clark tonight.

[ TJ's fingers curl between Clark's, leading him through the apartment to the bathroom. It's small, sure, but with two of them in there it's downright cramped. Without a word, TJ starts the water running, letting it getting hot before stoppering the drain. Then he turns back, a serious expression on his face. ]

Clark's all I ever need.

[ The gentle way he curls his hand, fingers winding between TJ's is the same as ever. His strength, unchecked, could easily do damage, but he reserves such reverence for those in his life. It isn't that they are always fragile, but that they are compared to him, and so caution is needed.

He watches as TJ starts the water and stops the tub after it is hot enough, ducking his head at the serious expression. When he raises his head there's a coy look ghosting over his face. ]

Even when I didn't want to share my ice cream and I got us kicked out of a bar?

[ A slow smile spreads over TJ's lips. He draws nearer -- as if they're terribly far apart in the small space -- and lays his hands on Clark's chest. ]

Especially then. I should probably thank Bruce for giving me your number one of these days.

[ His eyes fall quick, hands trailing over the familiar lines of Clark's torso before slipping under the hem to pull it up and off. ]

[ He likes the way the smile crosses TJ's features and changes, softens, his expression. When he feels the hands press to his chest, he almost reaches up to wrap his hands around his wrist, but stops when he pulls away to help Clark with his t-shirt. ]

So, the hard part is figuring out how to thank a man who has everything.

[ Bruce needs to visit him still, but that will have to wait. He has more pressing things to attend to. ]

I'll worry about that later. Right now, I only want to think about you.

[ TJ flashes a quick grin before tossing the shirt toward the small counter. He glances toward the narrow bath tub and tries to repress a laugh. There's no way they're going to be very comfortable in it. Maybe it's time to consider a more spacious place. ]

I suppose that'll be all right.

[ He says it, ducking his head a little, and a flush coming to his cheeks. It was amazing to him, sometimes, what he felt around TJ. They might have to consider a bigger place, but for now, it will do just as long as he has the other man there with him.

He climbs into the tub, hot water sloshing gently, and shifts so that there is (hopefully) enough room for them both. If not, he'll end up climbing out and that's fine too. As long as he's close.]

You suppose?

[ TJ's grin widens, brows lifting as if that were a legitimate question. Once Clark gets in the water, TJ sheds the rest of his clothes to join him. It's a tight squeeze with two grown men in the bath, but somehow it doesn't feel cramped. TJ settles between Clark's legs and leans back. Now, it finally seems real. ]

Mmm, I suppose.

[ Said with a teasing lilt to his voice. Clark chuckles softly, waiting until TJ joins him in the water, and wrapping his arms around the other man securely. ]

[ He closes his eyes, breathing out a sigh as he relaxesinto Clark's embrace. This feels real: the rise and fall of Clark's chest as he breathes, the steady thud of his heart, the sturdiness of his body against TJ's. His brows furrow and he tries, and fails, to keep from being overcome by his emotions. ]

I'll get clean again...

retired open post // will still tag in if threads are ongoing!

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