Comfort and Secrets

However, it was because he was constantly sneaking off during his shifts to save the world!

Sigh...

There are no labor rights protections for aliens who were recruited by S.H.I.E.L.D.!

"No way, I don't want that. Academic life isn't for me. I'd much rather stay at S.T.A.R. Labs and research extraterrestrial life," Soren said, trying his best to sound serious.

Clark believed the little liar's story and chuckled softly, not doubting him for a second.

Then he asked, "Are you staying over tonight? I can get the bed ready for you."

They had spent four years together at Metropolis University, and now they were about to graduate.

Clark had already secured a job at >, a position he really wanted, and Soren, thanks to the major papers he had published on extraterrestrial life during college, had been offered a research position at S.T.A.R. Labs.

Even though Clark and Soren each rented apartments close to their workplaces, Soren often came over to Clark's place to eat, hang out, and sometimes even sleep over.

Clark didn't mind at all.

In fact, he liked how comfortable and open Soren was with him.

He gladly spoiled his best friend, who had been by his side for years, and honestly wished he could keep Soren close all the time to look after him.

Soren quickly nodded, a smile tugging at his lips, "Of course! I'm staying over so we can watch that new movie! Where did you put the discs I brought last time?"

"Don't worry, I'll get them after we finish dinner."

They shared some banana cream pudding and watched the uncut Blu-ray version of >.

When it was time to sleep, the two of them squeezed into Clark's small bed—Soren on the inside, Clark on the outside.

Clark had just put fresh sheets and blankets on the bed.

The crisp scent from airing them out in the sun filled the room.

Though people often mistook the scent of sun-dried fabric for that of sunshine itself, it definitely had a comforting and calming magic to it.

Fresh from his shower, Soren slipped into bed, his body still damp and cool.

Without a second thought, he slid his cold feet over to Clark's side, sighing with satisfaction, "Wow, Clark, you're so warm!"

Clark's heart skipped a beat.

He reached over with his large hand, grabbing Soren's small, soft feet and holding them in place, "Stop kicking me. Go to sleep, I'll drive you to work tomorrow."

Soren laughed, rolling over to face Clark.

His eyes sparkled like two bright grapes in the dark, "You're such a grump! What's wrong with sharing a little warmth?"

To Soren, Clark was like a walking heater, powered by the sun.

Since Clark could fly to space anytime to recharge in the sun, using him as a personal heater didn't seem like a waste.

Clark held onto Soren's feet, feeling his heart race and his mouth go dry.

His arm muscles twitched, and without thinking, he lightly brushed his fingers over Soren's ankle bone.

Then, like he touched something hot, he quickly pulled his hand back and rolled over, turning his back to Soren, "Go to sleep, Soren. It's really late."

Soren, oblivious, kept messing around, gently pushing against Clark's broad back, "Clark, are you asleep already? Want to get up and play PSP? I bought a new game..."

Clark pretended to be asleep.

Soren sighed in disappointment, tugged on the blanket, and got ready to sleep.

As he closed his eyes, his mind started wandering: Oh well, it's fine if Clark doesn't want to play tricks with him. In a few days, when he goes to see Batman for his gene suppressor check, he can play with the bat kids...

He lost to Dick in > last time. He'll win next time for sure...

With those thoughts, Soren finally drifted off to sleep.

But in the quiet of the night, not everyone found rest.

It wasn't until Soren's heartbeat began to slow down, showing he was asleep, that Clark opened his eyes.

Clark turned back around, now facing Soren.

The room was cloaked in deep shadows, like layers of darkness that had piled up over centuries.

With his supervision, Clark could clearly see Soren's peaceful face as he slept.

A stray golden curl had fallen over Soren's nose, gently brushing it.

Clark reached out his hand and carefully, tucked the lock of hair behind Soren's ear, his heart swelling with so much affection it felt like it might burst.

How could someone be so sweet and perfect?

Soren was his one-of-a-kind treasure on this planet.

Clark's face softened into a smile.

His eyes grew a bit more serious as he wondered, when would be the right time to tell Soren the truth about who he was?

Then, he could have a real reason to invite Soren to sit with him on top of the highest building in Metropolis for breakfast.

He just hoped that when the time came, Soren wouldn't be too scared of heights to enjoy the sandwiches he made.

...

Saturday morning, Clark and Soren arrived early at S.T.A.R. Labs.

S.T.A.R. Labs, officially called Scientific and Technological Advanced Research, was a private organization founded by scientist Garrison Slate.

Funded by many large companies and corporations, it had around thirty branches worldwide, studying a wide range of topics and holding many of the most cutting-edge technologies on the planet.

The Metropolis branch of S.T.A.R. Labs was located on the east side of the city.

Its building had the shape of a six-pointed star.

At the entrance, Soren and Clark parted ways—Soren flashed his staff ID and entered the building, while Clark headed to the press area outside, where the space rocket launch event was about to begin.

Soren passed through four or five security checkpoints, with electronic scanners sweeping him twice, before finally arriving at the extraterrestrial research department where he worked.