Fic: Three Winter Wonders Clark And Chloe Shared
Author: sephiruto/ Darkfirelight
Title: Three Winter Wonders Clark And Chloe Shared
Rating: PG-13
Notes: A prompt written for legendarytobes. Contains all of the stuff she wanted. :)
Summary: For legendarytobes. Clark and Chloe experience their first family New Years Eve together. Happy New Year!
He could remember the last couple of times it had snowed like this; as it went i didn't snow frequently in Kansas, and it had only actually snowed three times in the past ten years. (Not including that one time he’d gone on a red K bender with Zod, of all people.)
The first time had been almost exactly eight years ago, the air was cold and the streets were slippery with frost and sleet as he’d sat there, side-by-side with a certain blonde, watching the people go by on their day-to-day lives, shaking off the hustle and bustle that typically came with a Christmas rush, woolen hats and scarves adorning many a person, including the girl sat beside him.
“Do we have to be out here?” She whined, pouting down at the many buildings currently surrounding them.
“Come on, Chlo, it’s beautiful!” He protested, looking around the city below. “The roads gleaming with shimmering ice, the air fresh and light, the trees shining with snow, the-“
“-Freezing cold turning me into a human popsicle.” She cut across, glaring dourly up at him. “Clark, maybe you love the snow, but I can’t feel my fingers up here. Can we go inside?”
Sighing and shaking his head mockingly, the Kryptonian nonetheless led her back into the building, laughing to himself as she stared up at him through frosted lashes.
“So not that I’m not grateful to you for this reprieve from Steptoedom, but why aren't you enjoying everyone’s favourite time of the year with Lois?” She queried, raising an eyebrow.
He seemed to droop slightly at her words, pouting. “She’s on assignment.” He grumbled, stuffing his hands in his pockets and gazing out at the hurried, frenzied reporters rushing through the bullpen with a frown.
“At Christmas?” She tsk’ed. “That’s rough. What about the rest of the league?”
“Diana doesn’t celebrate it, Victor’s with his girlfriend, AC’s got his kingdom to run, Bart’s with his family and I don’t really hang out with Dinah.” He admitted, slouching.
“Your mom?” She queried, raising an eyebrow.
If it were possible his posture seemed to slump even further.
“Well, you’re welcome to spend it with us.” She offered.
“I couldn’t do that to you!” He protested, eyes wide. “This is you and Oliver’s first Christmas together. Chloe...”
“It’ll be fine, Clark. Besides which, Oliver’s working.” She huffed.
He paused, spinning on his heel to look down at her. “On New Year’s Eve?” He asked, stunned.
“On Christmas.” She iterated bitterly, pursing her lips.
“Chloe...” He eyed her. “Who works on Christmas?”
“Business owners, apparently. The corporate world waits for no-one.” Chloe spoke, imitating his posture with a juddering sigh.
“So what did you do then?” He asked her, brow furrowing in concern.
The blonde grit her teeth, looking away out of one of the small windows in the bullpen, following the drifting snow with a weary gaze. “Absolutely nothing.”
Clark’s frown lightened and he stood up straight. “Well, let’s have another Christmas.” He decided.
“Wanna run that by me again?” Chloe raised an eyebrow in query, quirking her lips.
“Let’s have our own Christmas! We can go and get coffee and go bowling and watch a movie. Order some pizza, grab a late lunch. You could stay at the farm tonight!” He beamed.
Chloe laughed aloud at his childish glee. “Well... Alright, I guess. Let’s do that.” She smiled.
Two hours of bowling and a lunch consisting of a meal of Clark’s choice (Ham on rye. Damnit, Clark.) and the two twenty-five year olds were walking down the road, laughing as they stepped down the road towards his old farmhouse, grinning ear-to-ear as they stepped in.
Clark casually took off his coat as he stepped into the main house, walking further in as Chloe divested of the many layers encompassing her form. “So, we’ve got the new Pirates of the Caribbean, if you wanna watch it?”
Chloe paused beside the door. “Sure. I’m always up for some Johnny Depp. Any alcohol in the house?”
He gave her a look for a moment before, shrugging, he pointed to one of the corner cabinets. “Sure, I’ll have some red too while you’re at it.” She gave him a strange look. “I like the taste.” He defended.
Chloe chuckled at his defensive stance. “Well, that makes one of us.” She reached into the small wooden space and moved aside a bottle of white wine and a small bottle of whiskey, smiling as she found a red wine with at least a third remaining. “That’ll do.”
The next four hours were a blur of terrible movie, bawdy laughter and stumbling around before she seemed to black out.
When she woke up the next morning Chloe froze at the large arm wrapped around her, taking in the sight of a sleeping Clark and feeling his muscular form against her. “Oh my god.” She whispered, edging out from under his arm and hopping out of the bed as though it physically burned her.
Her mind ran back over the previous evening and she froze once more, remembering the label of the bottle they had drunk out of. Rushing back into the living door clad in nothing but a sheet she brushed aside the scattered snacks and broken movie cover, gripping the neck of the wine bottle and looking down at the ‘logo’.
A grinning woman winked back at her, fishnet clad legs crossed over the last letter of the name, a tophat and tuxedo jacket adorning her.
In a sudden fit of stunned disbelief she grabbed her clothing and rushed out the door, barely dressed and clutching the ‘Jinx’ in one hand, desperately trying not to cry at the confused feelings that rushed through her.
Two months later and she discovered she was pregnant.
*****
The second time it snowed was in early December, just over two years ago.
Clark stared out at the weather shifting across the docks, briefly wondering what he was even doing here. Up on stage Lex Luthor was speaking, gesturing with much bravado towards his latest ‘revolutionary’ invention; a new discovery in the field of engineering. Lois was already among the crowd, impossible for even him to find unless he started focusing his hearing through the cacophony of noise; something he wasn’t particularly keen on doing.
“Clark?” He spun on the spot, eyebrows rising almost into his hairline as he stared at the person that had spoken.
“Chloe?” He asked her, looking from her smile to the camera clutched in her hands to the press badge adorning her lapel. “You’re at the journal?” He voiced, stunned to see her.
“Yeah.” Her smile widened slightly. “I’m back in the field. I was thinking of coming back to the Planet actually, so...” She trailed off.
Although the two had spoken a lot over the past six years he still felt that familiar rush of positive emotion that often swelled through him at the sight of her. “That’s great!” He grinned widely, rushing towards her and sweeping her up in a hug.
Chloe hesitated for a moment before returning the embrace, burying her face in his shoulder.
He slowly pulled away, both sporting identical smiles. “So, how’ve you been?” He prompted, blue eyes locked onto her face.
“Great!” She exclaimed, turning to look at the billionaire on stage. “A story’s a story, so I managed to get the assignment to come down here and see what Q-ball’s up to.” She blushed under his scrutiny. “I know, I know. A little immature. Still...”
Clark followed her gaze up to the Luthor, glaring at the man on stage. “Something to do with prosthetics. Apparently.” He clipped.
“”Apparently”?” She quoted, raising an eyebrow.
Clark scoffed. “Come on, you know as well as I do that any time Lex comes up with something it’s not going to be for the betterment of mankind.” He turned back to the bald billionaire up on stage, glaring. “He’s up to something.”
As if on cue one of the warehouses off to the side of the stage blew up, causing the crowd to start panicking.
Clark turned to Chloe, only to stop as he noticed her already several feet away, heading in the opposite direction of the fleeing crowd. “Chloe! Damnit.” He cursed, hurrying to chase after her, all the while making sure to keep at a human pace.
In the distance Clark spotted a figure with glowing eyes emerging from the destroyed warehouse, a shredded jacket barely covering the off-white shirt beneath.
He froze as he felt a sudden sickness assault him, eyes widening as the silhouetted figure emerged from the smoke. “John Corben?” He murmured, confused.
“LUTHOR!” The half-man called out. “YOU AND I HAVE BUSINESS!”
Clark turned and spotted Lex’s security covering his escape and sprung forward, ignoring the sickness in favour of grabbing Chloe from her spot taking pictures.
“Clark, what the hell?” She yelped, finding her feet suddenly leaving the ground as he sped through one of the other warehouses and out of sight.
“You’re as bad as Lois.” He griped as he set her down, disappearing almost immediately, though not quickly enough to avoid the look she shot him.
In the time it took him to get back John Corben was already marching across the now-empty space towards Lex, clearly having knocked out his security. (Or worse.)
In the ensuing struggle Clark completely set both Chloe and Lois out of his mind, unaware of Chloe’s current plan of action.
He became aware an hour later when he stepped into Perry White’s office and found the Editor-in-chief sitting behind his desk.
“Hey Chief, I’ve got the story on what happened down at the Robotics convention for you.” He grinned.
“You’re late, Kent; and don’t call me chief!” the older man grunted, twirling an electric cigarette distastefully between his fingers. “That blonde lady editor of yours beat you to it.”
“Blonde lady... Chloe?” His grin dimmed slightly as he received an ambiguous grunt in return. “I thought you didn't like to run outside stories?”
“I don’t.” He smirked. A knock on the door that seemed almost rehearsed drew their attention, and Perry casually leaned forward in his chair. “Kent, I’d like you to meet your new partner.”
Staring at the blonde that stepped through the door and spotting the Planet tag affixed to her lapel, Clark’s confusion couldn't prevent his grin widening once more.
*****
The third time it snowed was today, and he couldn’t shake the feeling that it would bring something good into his life once more. Snow almost always did.
“Come on, Clark.” Petite, well-manicured fingers pulled at his arms and the Kansas-grown journalist laughingly submitted, allowing the tiny blonde to pull him away from the window and the fresh whiteness beyond. “I know you love the snow, but you can play outside later.” She offered, giving a teasing smile.
“Fine, fine.” He huffed, allowing himself to be dragged into the living room without resistance. “But I’d like it on record that I’m doing this under duress.”
“Duly noted.” She responded wryly.
As he stepped over the threshold into the well-lit room Clark couldn’t help smiling at the sight of the leftover tinsel hanging from the ceiling, glittering as it ran across the walls.
With a sudden burst of speed he pulled the decorations down, instantaneously removing any trace of glitter or card, the table seemingly setting itself within the same breathe.
A burble of laughter bought his attention back to a tiny blond toddler, laughingly clapping in delight. “There’s my little man,” He grinned, lifting the boy into the air and wrapping his arms around him gingerly. “And where, exactly, have you been hiding?” He directed accusingly, giving a pointed glance at Chloe as he did so.
The blonde laughingly raised her palms in surrender. “He was hiding under the table; I’m surprised you didn’t notice.” She raised an eyebrow in mock-disbelief.
Pretending he didn't hear her, Clark set the boy down once more beside the table, pouting over at the box of Christmas decorations. “Can’t we just leave them up?” He whined, another laughing clap signalling Jonathan’s agreement.
“Leave ‘em up!” The seven year old cheered, jumping up on one of the seats.
Chloe rolled her eyes at the dual-puppy dog eyes she received in return. “There’s always next year, guys. Now hurry up and get dressed!” She pressed, pushing at Clark’s shoulders and getting a joking protest in turn.
Another sudden blur heralded his leave and return, now dressed in a decidedly less than immaculate shirt-trousers combo. “It’s family.” He pouted at her narrow eyes.
Sighing in defeat, Chloe made her way over to the table, doing her own part to set the dishes. “Fine. But your mom’s going to kill you. You know that, right?” She smirked, grinning when he winced and blurred once more, returning in a two-piece suit that still seemed to be too large for him. “Don’t forget your glasses.” She reminded, wincing herself as he lifted the large frames to his face.
A few minutes were spent with the two hurriedly ensuring the table was set, Chloe leaping into the kitchen as Clark sat Jonathan at the table before, finally, the doorbell rang.
“I’ll get it.” Clark volunteered, rushing off into the hallway before she could stop him.
Chloe chuckled as she heard his frantic, though still human speed, footsteps, followed closely by another, decidedly less loud pair joining him on the way back.
“Chloe!” The graying redhead following him gasped in delight, rushing forward with speed belaying her age and wrapping the younger woman in a tight hug. “How are you?” She queried happily, backing away and giving the blonde her space.
“I’m fine Mrs. Kent.” She smiled, “You know me, always busy.” She chuckled.
“I’ll bet. I've had to deal with two Kent men myself you know.” She joked, regarding both Clark and Jonathan with a baleful eye and earning an embarrassed chuckle and an innocent look in turn.
“About that...” Chloe hedged, smile dimming slightly.
“Is something wrong?” The Kent matriarch asked, brow furrowing at the look Chloe gave her.
Hesitating, the blonde bit her lip, seemingly warring with herself over something in her head. “...It’s nothing! I’m just being silly, I guess.” She grinned once more. “Why don’t you take a seat, Martha?” She gestured invitingly, guiding the other woman over to the long, candle-lit table in the center of the room.
Clark’s own smile seemed to become strained at the words, and he caught Chloe’s eye with a head-tilt, pointedly looking towards the hallway.
“I’ll be right back.” She promised, stepping out with him and turning at his judgmental look.
“You’re not going to tell her.” He stated disappointedly, frowning down at the petite blonde.
She grimaced at his blunt words, worrying at her lower lip. “I want to, Clark. But... I’m scared.” She relented at his knowing look, wrapping her arms around herself. “I mean, with everything that’s happened, and Oliver and Dinah, the league, Lex, Darkseid and that whole “Crisis” event... I’m just scared that something, anything, could happen.”
His expression melted at the anxiety she displayed, lips quirking as he stepped forward to wrap his arms around her shoulders. “Nothing’s going to happen. I know that things haven’t been easy and it all seems too quiet but it’s not. It’s not too good to be true. Jonathan’s here, we’re here, we’ve both got our dream jobs, we both have good lives and nothing’s going to happen. I’m here to stay.” He promised, and the watery look she gave him told him that he’d said the right thing. “We’re both ‘under the Tiffany lamps’, right? I don’t think Perry would let us go if we tried.” He teased, earning an airy chuckle.
A small knock on the living room door told them that they’d been gone long enough. “Is everything alright out there?”
Chloe quickly wiped at her eyes with a sleeve, backing away and leading back into the living room. “We’re fine, Mrs. Kent. I’ve got something to tell you.”
Martha blinked at her. “Alright. What’s wrong Chloe?”
“Nothing’s wrong.” She quickly denied. “It’s just hard to explain.”
“Take your time, dear. There’s not much that can surprise me these days.” She spoke, eyes twinkling.
“Right...” Chloe bit her lower lip, looking over at Jonathan making his way from his chair, his hyperactivity clearly showing as he energetically hopped from his chair. “It’s about Jonathan...”
Martha’s teasing smile lowered, her eyes affixed to Chloe’s expression, brow furrowing. “What’s hard to explain?” Martha asked slowly, and there was a glimmer to her expression now, halfway between sadness and confusion.
Both women turned to look over at the sound of a sudden crash, taking in the sight of Jonathan hurriedly trying to put out a table fire with his tiny hands. The two Kent women hurriedly rushed over to the young boy, though Chloe already knew there was nothing to fear.
Sure enough Martha gasped as she pulled Jonathan’s hands from the fire, seeing the clearly unmarred skin of his palms. She jerked upright and turned to Chloe, a sort of hope beginning to enter her eyes, blending with both suspicion and understanding, taking in certain things she hadn’t noticed; The blue of Jonathan’s eyes, the high cheek bones and the curl of his hair. The redhead spun back to find the blonde awkwardly smiling back at her.
“...Surprise.” She offered up weakly.
Martha shot to her feet, looking between Jonathan and Chloe with wide eyes before, speechless, she held her hands to her mouth, tears gathering.
“Mrs. Kent,” Chloe started, cut off as the other woman quickly stepped forward to gather into a wide hug, joy bubbling out in a half-cry, half-laugh.
From his side of the room Clark watched his mother, stepping forward to gently rub her back as she calmed down.
“I- You-“ She sputtered, looking between the proud parents and Jonathan.
Clark pulled off the glasses, causing her to laugh once more as she compared both father and joy. “Hey, mom. Meet Jonathan Kent; my son.”
Chloe gave the older woman one last gently shoulder squeeze before going back into the kitchen, shutting off the oven and watching as Martha babbled to Clark with the energy of a woman twenty years younger.
Beside the duo Jonathan looked between his parents and grandmother, blinking in confusion.
*****
“I’m glad we told your mom.” Chloe spoke, burrowing into his side and watching their son with a fond gaze. “I don’t think it would’ve been concealable for much longer. He looks more like you every day.”
He raised an eyebrow at her, garnering an impish grin from the petite woman. “Not that that’s a bad thing. He’ll be beating off the girls with a stick.”
Clark smiled as he held Chloe, watching as Jonathan sped through the back forty, the impedance of snow and sleet doing nothing to hinder him. “He’s growing up fast.” He commented, watching as the energetic child slowed down, staring into one of the holes in a nearby tree.
“I’ll say. Have you noticed his hair?” The blonde spoke.
He stared back at the child, nodding. While she had told him that she’d gone from blonde to brown hair at a young age he hadn't realized that it may have been genetic, though Jonathan’s hair did seem to be darkening even further, already a deep honey blonde and obviously darkening even further.
“Sullivan hair. It keeps darkening until we hit ten. Me, Lucy and Lois had it, though Lois’ was always darkest.” She paused as she watched their son rush across the yard once more, leaving footprints in the snow. “I bet he’ll get as dark as yours.” She commented, following him with her eyes.
Clark smiled gently and pulled her closer, resting his chin in her locks and sighing. “I guess we’d better head inside. It’ll be dark soon.” He noted, turning his gaze up towards the shifting hues of red and orange consuming the sky.
“Yeah.” She nodded in agreement, wistfully pulling away. “Jonathan! Time to go in!”
“Okay mom!” He seemed almost as eager as they were to head inside, dashing towards and then past them and earning a chuckle from both parents.
“That’s all you.” Clark commented, smirking down at her in amusement. “I clearly remember a certain fourteen-year old dragging me to crime scenes at that kind of speed.”
She laughingly whacked him on the arm, rolling her eyes. “Come on, let’s go ‘Superman’.
Grinning, Clark made to follow her in.
*****
Chloe leaned against the doorframe, watching as Clark exited the room, gingerly pulling the door closed behind him. “Is he asleep?” She whispered.
“Nearly.” He stepped to the side, letting her head down the stairs first and following after. “Isn't it about our bedtime?” He whispered.
Chloe chuckled under her breathe, turning her emerald-green eyes to his face. “Maybe in a little while. Right now I don’t want to miss midnight.”
He smiled as he followed her into the front room, raising an eyebrow and pausing as she pulled a glass bottle from beneath the cabinet. “Is that...?”
“No. Just the bottle. I filled it up with some ‘regular’ stuff.” She assured him. “I felt guilty as hell when I first did it, but after I had the bottle analyzed again I couldn't bring myself to throw it away. Call it a memento, or something. I thought we could drink from it at midnight.”
“That’s sentimental of you.” He grinned, taking his glass from the table and watching her do the same.
She slowly filled the glasses with red wine, watching the clock and matching his grin. “To a wonderful life.” She toasted.
“To a wonderful life.
The End
Title: Three Winter Wonders Clark And Chloe Shared
Rating: PG-13
Notes: A prompt written for legendarytobes. Contains all of the stuff she wanted. :)
Summary: For legendarytobes. Clark and Chloe experience their first family New Years Eve together. Happy New Year!
He could remember the last couple of times it had snowed like this; as it went i didn't snow frequently in Kansas, and it had only actually snowed three times in the past ten years. (Not including that one time he’d gone on a red K bender with Zod, of all people.)
The first time had been almost exactly eight years ago, the air was cold and the streets were slippery with frost and sleet as he’d sat there, side-by-side with a certain blonde, watching the people go by on their day-to-day lives, shaking off the hustle and bustle that typically came with a Christmas rush, woolen hats and scarves adorning many a person, including the girl sat beside him.
“Do we have to be out here?” She whined, pouting down at the many buildings currently surrounding them.
“Come on, Chlo, it’s beautiful!” He protested, looking around the city below. “The roads gleaming with shimmering ice, the air fresh and light, the trees shining with snow, the-“
“-Freezing cold turning me into a human popsicle.” She cut across, glaring dourly up at him. “Clark, maybe you love the snow, but I can’t feel my fingers up here. Can we go inside?”
Sighing and shaking his head mockingly, the Kryptonian nonetheless led her back into the building, laughing to himself as she stared up at him through frosted lashes.
“So not that I’m not grateful to you for this reprieve from Steptoedom, but why aren't you enjoying everyone’s favourite time of the year with Lois?” She queried, raising an eyebrow.
He seemed to droop slightly at her words, pouting. “She’s on assignment.” He grumbled, stuffing his hands in his pockets and gazing out at the hurried, frenzied reporters rushing through the bullpen with a frown.
“At Christmas?” She tsk’ed. “That’s rough. What about the rest of the league?”
“Diana doesn’t celebrate it, Victor’s with his girlfriend, AC’s got his kingdom to run, Bart’s with his family and I don’t really hang out with Dinah.” He admitted, slouching.
“Your mom?” She queried, raising an eyebrow.
If it were possible his posture seemed to slump even further.
“Well, you’re welcome to spend it with us.” She offered.
“I couldn’t do that to you!” He protested, eyes wide. “This is you and Oliver’s first Christmas together. Chloe...”
“It’ll be fine, Clark. Besides which, Oliver’s working.” She huffed.
He paused, spinning on his heel to look down at her. “On New Year’s Eve?” He asked, stunned.
“On Christmas.” She iterated bitterly, pursing her lips.
“Chloe...” He eyed her. “Who works on Christmas?”
“Business owners, apparently. The corporate world waits for no-one.” Chloe spoke, imitating his posture with a juddering sigh.
“So what did you do then?” He asked her, brow furrowing in concern.
The blonde grit her teeth, looking away out of one of the small windows in the bullpen, following the drifting snow with a weary gaze. “Absolutely nothing.”
Clark’s frown lightened and he stood up straight. “Well, let’s have another Christmas.” He decided.
“Wanna run that by me again?” Chloe raised an eyebrow in query, quirking her lips.
“Let’s have our own Christmas! We can go and get coffee and go bowling and watch a movie. Order some pizza, grab a late lunch. You could stay at the farm tonight!” He beamed.
Chloe laughed aloud at his childish glee. “Well... Alright, I guess. Let’s do that.” She smiled.
Two hours of bowling and a lunch consisting of a meal of Clark’s choice (Ham on rye. Damnit, Clark.) and the two twenty-five year olds were walking down the road, laughing as they stepped down the road towards his old farmhouse, grinning ear-to-ear as they stepped in.
Clark casually took off his coat as he stepped into the main house, walking further in as Chloe divested of the many layers encompassing her form. “So, we’ve got the new Pirates of the Caribbean, if you wanna watch it?”
Chloe paused beside the door. “Sure. I’m always up for some Johnny Depp. Any alcohol in the house?”
He gave her a look for a moment before, shrugging, he pointed to one of the corner cabinets. “Sure, I’ll have some red too while you’re at it.” She gave him a strange look. “I like the taste.” He defended.
Chloe chuckled at his defensive stance. “Well, that makes one of us.” She reached into the small wooden space and moved aside a bottle of white wine and a small bottle of whiskey, smiling as she found a red wine with at least a third remaining. “That’ll do.”
The next four hours were a blur of terrible movie, bawdy laughter and stumbling around before she seemed to black out.
When she woke up the next morning Chloe froze at the large arm wrapped around her, taking in the sight of a sleeping Clark and feeling his muscular form against her. “Oh my god.” She whispered, edging out from under his arm and hopping out of the bed as though it physically burned her.
Her mind ran back over the previous evening and she froze once more, remembering the label of the bottle they had drunk out of. Rushing back into the living door clad in nothing but a sheet she brushed aside the scattered snacks and broken movie cover, gripping the neck of the wine bottle and looking down at the ‘logo’.
A grinning woman winked back at her, fishnet clad legs crossed over the last letter of the name, a tophat and tuxedo jacket adorning her.
In a sudden fit of stunned disbelief she grabbed her clothing and rushed out the door, barely dressed and clutching the ‘Jinx’ in one hand, desperately trying not to cry at the confused feelings that rushed through her.
Two months later and she discovered she was pregnant.
*****
The second time it snowed was in early December, just over two years ago.
Clark stared out at the weather shifting across the docks, briefly wondering what he was even doing here. Up on stage Lex Luthor was speaking, gesturing with much bravado towards his latest ‘revolutionary’ invention; a new discovery in the field of engineering. Lois was already among the crowd, impossible for even him to find unless he started focusing his hearing through the cacophony of noise; something he wasn’t particularly keen on doing.
“Clark?” He spun on the spot, eyebrows rising almost into his hairline as he stared at the person that had spoken.
“Chloe?” He asked her, looking from her smile to the camera clutched in her hands to the press badge adorning her lapel. “You’re at the journal?” He voiced, stunned to see her.
“Yeah.” Her smile widened slightly. “I’m back in the field. I was thinking of coming back to the Planet actually, so...” She trailed off.
Although the two had spoken a lot over the past six years he still felt that familiar rush of positive emotion that often swelled through him at the sight of her. “That’s great!” He grinned widely, rushing towards her and sweeping her up in a hug.
Chloe hesitated for a moment before returning the embrace, burying her face in his shoulder.
He slowly pulled away, both sporting identical smiles. “So, how’ve you been?” He prompted, blue eyes locked onto her face.
“Great!” She exclaimed, turning to look at the billionaire on stage. “A story’s a story, so I managed to get the assignment to come down here and see what Q-ball’s up to.” She blushed under his scrutiny. “I know, I know. A little immature. Still...”
Clark followed her gaze up to the Luthor, glaring at the man on stage. “Something to do with prosthetics. Apparently.” He clipped.
“”Apparently”?” She quoted, raising an eyebrow.
Clark scoffed. “Come on, you know as well as I do that any time Lex comes up with something it’s not going to be for the betterment of mankind.” He turned back to the bald billionaire up on stage, glaring. “He’s up to something.”
As if on cue one of the warehouses off to the side of the stage blew up, causing the crowd to start panicking.
Clark turned to Chloe, only to stop as he noticed her already several feet away, heading in the opposite direction of the fleeing crowd. “Chloe! Damnit.” He cursed, hurrying to chase after her, all the while making sure to keep at a human pace.
In the distance Clark spotted a figure with glowing eyes emerging from the destroyed warehouse, a shredded jacket barely covering the off-white shirt beneath.
He froze as he felt a sudden sickness assault him, eyes widening as the silhouetted figure emerged from the smoke. “John Corben?” He murmured, confused.
“LUTHOR!” The half-man called out. “YOU AND I HAVE BUSINESS!”
Clark turned and spotted Lex’s security covering his escape and sprung forward, ignoring the sickness in favour of grabbing Chloe from her spot taking pictures.
“Clark, what the hell?” She yelped, finding her feet suddenly leaving the ground as he sped through one of the other warehouses and out of sight.
“You’re as bad as Lois.” He griped as he set her down, disappearing almost immediately, though not quickly enough to avoid the look she shot him.
In the time it took him to get back John Corben was already marching across the now-empty space towards Lex, clearly having knocked out his security. (Or worse.)
In the ensuing struggle Clark completely set both Chloe and Lois out of his mind, unaware of Chloe’s current plan of action.
He became aware an hour later when he stepped into Perry White’s office and found the Editor-in-chief sitting behind his desk.
“Hey Chief, I’ve got the story on what happened down at the Robotics convention for you.” He grinned.
“You’re late, Kent; and don’t call me chief!” the older man grunted, twirling an electric cigarette distastefully between his fingers. “That blonde lady editor of yours beat you to it.”
“Blonde lady... Chloe?” His grin dimmed slightly as he received an ambiguous grunt in return. “I thought you didn't like to run outside stories?”
“I don’t.” He smirked. A knock on the door that seemed almost rehearsed drew their attention, and Perry casually leaned forward in his chair. “Kent, I’d like you to meet your new partner.”
Staring at the blonde that stepped through the door and spotting the Planet tag affixed to her lapel, Clark’s confusion couldn't prevent his grin widening once more.
*****
The third time it snowed was today, and he couldn’t shake the feeling that it would bring something good into his life once more. Snow almost always did.
“Come on, Clark.” Petite, well-manicured fingers pulled at his arms and the Kansas-grown journalist laughingly submitted, allowing the tiny blonde to pull him away from the window and the fresh whiteness beyond. “I know you love the snow, but you can play outside later.” She offered, giving a teasing smile.
“Fine, fine.” He huffed, allowing himself to be dragged into the living room without resistance. “But I’d like it on record that I’m doing this under duress.”
“Duly noted.” She responded wryly.
As he stepped over the threshold into the well-lit room Clark couldn’t help smiling at the sight of the leftover tinsel hanging from the ceiling, glittering as it ran across the walls.
With a sudden burst of speed he pulled the decorations down, instantaneously removing any trace of glitter or card, the table seemingly setting itself within the same breathe.
A burble of laughter bought his attention back to a tiny blond toddler, laughingly clapping in delight. “There’s my little man,” He grinned, lifting the boy into the air and wrapping his arms around him gingerly. “And where, exactly, have you been hiding?” He directed accusingly, giving a pointed glance at Chloe as he did so.
The blonde laughingly raised her palms in surrender. “He was hiding under the table; I’m surprised you didn’t notice.” She raised an eyebrow in mock-disbelief.
Pretending he didn't hear her, Clark set the boy down once more beside the table, pouting over at the box of Christmas decorations. “Can’t we just leave them up?” He whined, another laughing clap signalling Jonathan’s agreement.
“Leave ‘em up!” The seven year old cheered, jumping up on one of the seats.
Chloe rolled her eyes at the dual-puppy dog eyes she received in return. “There’s always next year, guys. Now hurry up and get dressed!” She pressed, pushing at Clark’s shoulders and getting a joking protest in turn.
Another sudden blur heralded his leave and return, now dressed in a decidedly less than immaculate shirt-trousers combo. “It’s family.” He pouted at her narrow eyes.
Sighing in defeat, Chloe made her way over to the table, doing her own part to set the dishes. “Fine. But your mom’s going to kill you. You know that, right?” She smirked, grinning when he winced and blurred once more, returning in a two-piece suit that still seemed to be too large for him. “Don’t forget your glasses.” She reminded, wincing herself as he lifted the large frames to his face.
A few minutes were spent with the two hurriedly ensuring the table was set, Chloe leaping into the kitchen as Clark sat Jonathan at the table before, finally, the doorbell rang.
“I’ll get it.” Clark volunteered, rushing off into the hallway before she could stop him.
Chloe chuckled as she heard his frantic, though still human speed, footsteps, followed closely by another, decidedly less loud pair joining him on the way back.
“Chloe!” The graying redhead following him gasped in delight, rushing forward with speed belaying her age and wrapping the younger woman in a tight hug. “How are you?” She queried happily, backing away and giving the blonde her space.
“I’m fine Mrs. Kent.” She smiled, “You know me, always busy.” She chuckled.
“I’ll bet. I've had to deal with two Kent men myself you know.” She joked, regarding both Clark and Jonathan with a baleful eye and earning an embarrassed chuckle and an innocent look in turn.
“About that...” Chloe hedged, smile dimming slightly.
“Is something wrong?” The Kent matriarch asked, brow furrowing at the look Chloe gave her.
Hesitating, the blonde bit her lip, seemingly warring with herself over something in her head. “...It’s nothing! I’m just being silly, I guess.” She grinned once more. “Why don’t you take a seat, Martha?” She gestured invitingly, guiding the other woman over to the long, candle-lit table in the center of the room.
Clark’s own smile seemed to become strained at the words, and he caught Chloe’s eye with a head-tilt, pointedly looking towards the hallway.
“I’ll be right back.” She promised, stepping out with him and turning at his judgmental look.
“You’re not going to tell her.” He stated disappointedly, frowning down at the petite blonde.
She grimaced at his blunt words, worrying at her lower lip. “I want to, Clark. But... I’m scared.” She relented at his knowing look, wrapping her arms around herself. “I mean, with everything that’s happened, and Oliver and Dinah, the league, Lex, Darkseid and that whole “Crisis” event... I’m just scared that something, anything, could happen.”
His expression melted at the anxiety she displayed, lips quirking as he stepped forward to wrap his arms around her shoulders. “Nothing’s going to happen. I know that things haven’t been easy and it all seems too quiet but it’s not. It’s not too good to be true. Jonathan’s here, we’re here, we’ve both got our dream jobs, we both have good lives and nothing’s going to happen. I’m here to stay.” He promised, and the watery look she gave him told him that he’d said the right thing. “We’re both ‘under the Tiffany lamps’, right? I don’t think Perry would let us go if we tried.” He teased, earning an airy chuckle.
A small knock on the living room door told them that they’d been gone long enough. “Is everything alright out there?”
Chloe quickly wiped at her eyes with a sleeve, backing away and leading back into the living room. “We’re fine, Mrs. Kent. I’ve got something to tell you.”
Martha blinked at her. “Alright. What’s wrong Chloe?”
“Nothing’s wrong.” She quickly denied. “It’s just hard to explain.”
“Take your time, dear. There’s not much that can surprise me these days.” She spoke, eyes twinkling.
“Right...” Chloe bit her lower lip, looking over at Jonathan making his way from his chair, his hyperactivity clearly showing as he energetically hopped from his chair. “It’s about Jonathan...”
Martha’s teasing smile lowered, her eyes affixed to Chloe’s expression, brow furrowing. “What’s hard to explain?” Martha asked slowly, and there was a glimmer to her expression now, halfway between sadness and confusion.
Both women turned to look over at the sound of a sudden crash, taking in the sight of Jonathan hurriedly trying to put out a table fire with his tiny hands. The two Kent women hurriedly rushed over to the young boy, though Chloe already knew there was nothing to fear.
Sure enough Martha gasped as she pulled Jonathan’s hands from the fire, seeing the clearly unmarred skin of his palms. She jerked upright and turned to Chloe, a sort of hope beginning to enter her eyes, blending with both suspicion and understanding, taking in certain things she hadn’t noticed; The blue of Jonathan’s eyes, the high cheek bones and the curl of his hair. The redhead spun back to find the blonde awkwardly smiling back at her.
“...Surprise.” She offered up weakly.
Martha shot to her feet, looking between Jonathan and Chloe with wide eyes before, speechless, she held her hands to her mouth, tears gathering.
“Mrs. Kent,” Chloe started, cut off as the other woman quickly stepped forward to gather into a wide hug, joy bubbling out in a half-cry, half-laugh.
From his side of the room Clark watched his mother, stepping forward to gently rub her back as she calmed down.
“I- You-“ She sputtered, looking between the proud parents and Jonathan.
Clark pulled off the glasses, causing her to laugh once more as she compared both father and joy. “Hey, mom. Meet Jonathan Kent; my son.”
Chloe gave the older woman one last gently shoulder squeeze before going back into the kitchen, shutting off the oven and watching as Martha babbled to Clark with the energy of a woman twenty years younger.
Beside the duo Jonathan looked between his parents and grandmother, blinking in confusion.
*****
“I’m glad we told your mom.” Chloe spoke, burrowing into his side and watching their son with a fond gaze. “I don’t think it would’ve been concealable for much longer. He looks more like you every day.”
He raised an eyebrow at her, garnering an impish grin from the petite woman. “Not that that’s a bad thing. He’ll be beating off the girls with a stick.”
Clark smiled as he held Chloe, watching as Jonathan sped through the back forty, the impedance of snow and sleet doing nothing to hinder him. “He’s growing up fast.” He commented, watching as the energetic child slowed down, staring into one of the holes in a nearby tree.
“I’ll say. Have you noticed his hair?” The blonde spoke.
He stared back at the child, nodding. While she had told him that she’d gone from blonde to brown hair at a young age he hadn't realized that it may have been genetic, though Jonathan’s hair did seem to be darkening even further, already a deep honey blonde and obviously darkening even further.
“Sullivan hair. It keeps darkening until we hit ten. Me, Lucy and Lois had it, though Lois’ was always darkest.” She paused as she watched their son rush across the yard once more, leaving footprints in the snow. “I bet he’ll get as dark as yours.” She commented, following him with her eyes.
Clark smiled gently and pulled her closer, resting his chin in her locks and sighing. “I guess we’d better head inside. It’ll be dark soon.” He noted, turning his gaze up towards the shifting hues of red and orange consuming the sky.
“Yeah.” She nodded in agreement, wistfully pulling away. “Jonathan! Time to go in!”
“Okay mom!” He seemed almost as eager as they were to head inside, dashing towards and then past them and earning a chuckle from both parents.
“That’s all you.” Clark commented, smirking down at her in amusement. “I clearly remember a certain fourteen-year old dragging me to crime scenes at that kind of speed.”
She laughingly whacked him on the arm, rolling her eyes. “Come on, let’s go ‘Superman’.
Grinning, Clark made to follow her in.
*****
Chloe leaned against the doorframe, watching as Clark exited the room, gingerly pulling the door closed behind him. “Is he asleep?” She whispered.
“Nearly.” He stepped to the side, letting her head down the stairs first and following after. “Isn't it about our bedtime?” He whispered.
Chloe chuckled under her breathe, turning her emerald-green eyes to his face. “Maybe in a little while. Right now I don’t want to miss midnight.”
He smiled as he followed her into the front room, raising an eyebrow and pausing as she pulled a glass bottle from beneath the cabinet. “Is that...?”
“No. Just the bottle. I filled it up with some ‘regular’ stuff.” She assured him. “I felt guilty as hell when I first did it, but after I had the bottle analyzed again I couldn't bring myself to throw it away. Call it a memento, or something. I thought we could drink from it at midnight.”
“That’s sentimental of you.” He grinned, taking his glass from the table and watching her do the same.
She slowly filled the glasses with red wine, watching the clock and matching his grin. “To a wonderful life.” She toasted.
“To a wonderful life.
The End