Clark had been visiting Gwen's house more frequently.
At first, it had been about studying.
Or at least, that was the excuse they told themselves.
Over time, those study sessions stretched longer—filled with laughter, teasing, and moments that felt… different.
Clark wasn't blind.
He saw the shift in Gwen.
The way she smiled more easily around him.
The way she leaned in just a little closer when they spoke.
The way she held eye contact just a bit longer than necessary.
It was slow. Subtle.
But it was happening.
And someone else had noticed.
The Watchful Eye of a Father
Captain George Stacy was a seasoned cop.
Years on the force had given him an instinct for reading people.
At first, he had brushed off his daughter's "study partner."
Gwen was responsible, a smart girl with a bright future.
But as the weeks passed, Clark's visits became a routine.
And routines, in George's experience, led to attachments.
That was a problem.
It wasn't just fatherly concern. It was his gut instinct—the same instinct that had kept him alive in the field.
Something about Clark Kent rubbed him the wrong way.
Maybe it was his confidence—too natural for a teenage boy.
Maybe it was how he was never caught off guard, never unsure.
Or maybe…
Maybe it was the way Gwen looked at him.
Like she had already made up her mind about him.
And that was the real danger.
The Confrontation
One evening, as Clark stepped onto the Stacy porch, the front door swung open before he could knock.
George Stacy stood there, arms crossed.
"Clark." His voice was even, unreadable.
Clark gave a polite nod. "Captain Stacy."
There was a pause.
Then, George stepped outside, closing the door behind him.
Clark arched an eyebrow.
Ah.
So, it was that kind of talk.
A Father's Warning
George cut straight to the point.
"You've been spending a lot of time with my daughter."
Clark's expression remained relaxed.
"We study together."
George's eyes narrowed slightly.
"That all?"
Clark met his gaze, unreadable.
"For now."
A muscle in George's jaw tightened.
"Listen, son." His voice was measured, firm. "I don't know what your intentions are, but Gwen has a future ahead of her. College. Career. She doesn't need distractions."
Clark smirked.
"You think I'm a distraction?"
George didn't answer immediately.
He studied Clark for a long moment, then finally spoke.
"I think you're trouble. The kind that doesn't show its face until it's too late."
Clark almost laughed.
The irony.
If only George knew.
But instead, Clark just smiled.
"You don't trust me."
George didn't blink. "No. I don't."
Clark tilted his head slightly.
"Then it's a good thing Gwen's old enough to make her own choices."
George stiffened.
Just as he was about to reply—
"Dad."
Both men turned.
Gwen stood in the doorway, arms crossed.
Her eyes flickered between them before landing on her father.
"Really?" She arched an eyebrow. "This is what we're doing now?"
George sighed. "Gwen—"
"No."
She stepped outside, standing beside Clark.
"You don't get to control who I spend time with."
George's jaw tightened.
"I'm just looking out for you."
Gwen softened—just a little.
"I know, Dad. But I can take care of myself."
George hesitated.
Then, he looked at Clark one last time.
Clark just smiled—calm, unbothered.
After a tense moment, George exhaled.
"…Fine."
He turned and walked back inside, shutting the door behind him.
A Shift in the Game
Gwen let out a quiet breath, turning to Clark with a small smile.
"You handled that better than I expected."
Clark smirked.
"Your dad's a cop. Throwing a punch wouldn't exactly win me any points."
Gwen rolled her eyes but chuckled. "He'll come around… eventually."
Clark let out a short laugh.
"Or he won't."
She nudged his arm playfully. "Either way, that's not your problem."
Clark met her gaze, his smirk fading slightly.
"No. I guess it's not."
But she was.
She just didn't realize it yet.