Post-Zack Snyder's Justice League

The door slowly creaks shut behind her. She's always loved that sound - it's the exact same one theirs used to make, back when she was just a kid and they were stationed in Florida. Her mother hated it, she truly did, and her and Lucy used to tease her about how that unimportant, barely noticeable little thing was the only one that could get her mad in a world where apparently, nothing else could.

She was always so calm - so kind. Lois' been thinking a lot about her, lately. Missing her more, too.

The day is almost over now, and the sky has turned a beautiful shade of orange that covers all of Kansas. In the distance, both Kents are still chatting with the movers and neighbours that have shown up to help, Dusty happily jumping and running circles around Clark, who distractively reaches to pat him as he throws his head back and laughs at what's just been said.

He looks perfect.

The stupid, love-struck smile that grows on her face at the mere sight of him should probably be considered embarrassing, but she's too busy memorizing every detail of what she's seeing to care.

Without looking away, she leans on the wooden balustrade and hands him a bottle. From the corner of her eye, she makes out his small nod of gratitude. "Thanks."

Ironic, really, that he's the one uttering the word first.

"Well, thank you, actually." The happiness on their faces today, and days ago, when they first understood Martha had the family farm back, made her heart soar.

It still does. "It really means the world to them."

He shrugs it off. "It was nothing," and she guesses it must indeed be a drop in the ocean that is the Wayne fortune.

Still. Oddly enough, the words 'it's the gesture that counts' do apply, despite it implying a gigantic amount of money. "As I've said to Clark, I just undid a mistake, that's all."

More than one, in fact.

"Thank you for bringing him back to us," and he finally looks at her at that. "To me. Yeah, I know - you did it to save the world and all that," she smirks, glancing in his direction when he chuckles. "But that really doesn't change anything. So, thank you," she says again softly, making sure to meet his eyes this time.

There's a lot behind them, all of the sudden. Guilt too, she thinks. But soon enough, they light up, just a little.

"You're very welcome. Although you did save our asses at Heroes' Park - and after, technically, so that thanking each other thing could go on for a while." Lois snorts, amused, and takes a sip of her drink.

"Yeah, let's not."

"Congratulations, though," he adds, gesturing in her general direction with his own. She smiles, her thumb finding the diamond of her ring on instinct.

"Given that you brought the groom back to life, and that you bought back his childhood home we're going to have it in, you won't be surprised to know that you're invited to the wedding, of course. Alfred too, by the way - I don't think they've talked much, but Clark really likes him."

It's his turn to snort, and the fact that she's chatting and laughing with Batman as they both wait for Superman to end his own conversation almost makes her do the same.

"Yeah, Alfred likes him too. We'll be happy to come."

He glances back at her, just long enough for Lois to see something close to smugness reflect on his face. "But I wasn't referring to your engagement - I was actually talking about the baby."

Well. She's willing to admit that on this one, the Dark Knight did manage to sneak up on her.

"Don't tell me I'm showing already - it's barely been two months, I'm not mentally ready to accept that."

The amusement is clear in his voice. "Not at all, no. The non-alcoholic beer you're currently sipping on is a big clue, though."

"Maybe I just prefer them to the regular ones," and this time, it's his disgust that transpires.

"I think it's safe to assume that nobody in the world does. Also, this afternoon you and Martha were carrying around a baby basket, baby toys, and I saw her take heavy boxes from you with a very impressive scowl a couple of times."

Lois chuckles. "Spoken like a true detective, I see - you should join us at the Planet."

"Well, to be fair, I don't deserve all the credit: I was pointed in the right direction from the start," he adds. Then, continues at her questioning look. "Let's just say the way Clark touched and looked at your stomach when I arrived was pretty telling. The non-stop beaming didn't help his case, either."

Her stomach warms up at that, at that dork of hers whose happiness had indeed done nothing more than grow since she told him he was going to be a dad, his blue eyes sparkling and the most beautiful smile on his face.

"Yeah, he's pretty excited." So is she. Excited, happy - so happy, when just a couple of weeks before, she thought she'd never get to be ever again.

If only she could shake off the heavy weight that settled in her gut. "Let's just hope that baby doesn't get to live in a world ruled by Darseid."

She doesn't have to look at him to feel the tension that suddenly fills him. She's starting to know it pretty well herself, after all.

"We'll make sure he won't." She can see it in his eyes: the same worry, the same fear that's been haunting her since Clark told her everything. There's something else behind them, too, something she can't quite put her finger on. A burden.

He looks so sure, though - so determined. A hero taking up a mission to save the world, once again.

Before Lois can add anything, the sound of engines starting up resonate, and they both look ahead to see the cars backing up the alley, and Martha and Clark turning away from them to head up to the house.

"I better go, too," he says, straightening up.

Following his lead, Lois leans back, smiling when her eyes find Clark's in the distance. When she looks back at him, the shadow has left Bruce's face, the troubles of the world's fate momentarily fading. She has no doubt it will be back soon enough.

Lois smirks, raising an eyebrow at him. "You can try. But I hope you don't have dinner plans, because there's no way Martha is letting you leave her house before she puts food in you."

Taking a sip of his beer, Bruce smiles.