(no subject)
After not seeing Xander for a while, Clark goes to search for him. Xander reveals that Buffy has left the island, and Clark tries to console him.
It had been a few days since Buffy's disappearance and while he still kept mostly to himself or near Spike, Xander was feeling a bit braver and had ventured out to the waterfall. He figured Spike wouldn't miss his constant presence outside his cave and he himself was less afraid of his last link to home disappearing now. He didn't even want to think about it honestly, but the worry was still fresh in his mind. Which was why he'd sought out one of his favorite spots on the island, to help calm his nerves. He sat on the edge of the small pool, pants rolled up to his knees as he sat with his feet in the water, his head resting in hand as he idoly watched his feet move under the water and tried very hard to think of nothing.
Clark Kent hadn't seen Xander around for a while, which considering Xander's usually cheery disposition ( well, maybe not cheery, but definitely friendly), it was strange not seeing him around. Eventually, he went searching for him. His first spot? The waterfall. He knew that it was Xander's favorite spot and so he hoped maybe he'd find him there. What he found was someone with bright green hair sitting in Xander's usual spot. "Oh my God," he said, eyes wide with surprise. Correction: It was Xander in his usual spot with bright green hair.
Even lost in thought, his Sunnydale instinct to that phrase made Xander jerk his head up and look around for the source of it. When he spotted Clark, he stared wide eyedly back as it took his brain a moment to process what was going on. Finally he sighed and gave Clark a half hearted smile. "Let me guess? The hair. It's all Spike's fault." He said in a small voice as he tried to sound more like himself for Clark...but he just couldn't manage. It was like functioning with a vital piece missing, the piece being Buffy of course.
Though they'd only been friends for a short time, Clark could tell that something was wrong. There was a light to Xander's smile, a glint in his eyes. Usually, anyway. "It's...nice," Clark offered, trying to put on a supportive smile. "It's not that bad." Clark was usually such a good liar. He slipped off his shoes and socks, stuffing them in his shoes, and then rolled up his jeans. Clark sat next to Xander, and dipped his feet in the water, and set his shoes beside him. "What's wrong," he asked softly, glancing at him silently examining him closely.
Xander gave Clark a sideways look as he ran a hand through the green mop of hair. "Believe, this isn't bad. You should have seen the rest of get up. I was Spike's personal gothic ken doll for a day." He explained away, since thinking about Spike and hair dye and weird clothes was so much easier then disppearing best friends. And after the embarassing day in the rec room, he didn't think anything would make reliving it seem easy. He was quiet for a few long moments, eyes back to watching his feet through the rips on the water. "Buffy's gone." He said quietly and simply, so much so that Clark would have missed it if he wasn't sitting so close. He had to admit, he was proud that he could finally say it without bursting into tears.
Clark's brows furrowed when he heard the news. He hadn't met Buffy, but he knew how close she was to Xander. Clark was never good with grief. He never knew what to say in these sorts of moments. "I'm so sorry," he said softly, slipping an arm around Xander's shoulder for a small comforting hug.
Anyone who knew Xander knew that Buffy was important to him. It was a given almost. And it's why he felt so lost without her. He'd only known her for four years (three at home and one on the island) but that didn't matter. Unable to help himself, he leaned into the hug, not ashmed to admit he needed the comfort. There silence again for a few moments, before Xander lifted his head again after wiping his eyes with the back of his hand. "My automatic response is 'it's okay' but it's really not." He said softly though finally looking up and at Clark, his eyes only slightly red.
Clark gave him a squeeze and pulled away just a little bit. "I know," he said, softly. "But at least she's home, right?" That's how Clark would choose to think of these "disappearances." He had to. Or else living on this stupid island would only mean tragedy and pain.
Back to what? If he'd understood right...it means Buffy was dead. Oh, Willow would convince him, Anya and Tara to bring her back to life, according to Spike, but still. It didn't make it any easier. "Yeah...yeah." He agreed readily, managing another small smile. "Still miss her though." He sighed before looking down. "Sorry, I'm not the best company at the moment."
Clark shrugged. "I've had worse." He smiled softly and brushed some hair out of his eyes. "You'll see her again." Another thing he told himself he had to believe in order to deal with life on the island.
"I hope." His crestfallen tone turned to one of kidding as he lightly elbowed Clark in the side. "Though of course you'd say that, you have people from home turning up left and right." While he kidded, it still pained Xander to say. It was like, Clark had gotten his best friend back...and Xander had lost his. He couldn't help feeling jealous.
Clark shrugged but gave him a soft smile. He wasn't sure what to make of Lex being on the island. He wanted to be happy, but after four years of lies and deception, Clark wasn't sure if there was enough of him left to give - if that made sense at all. "Do you want to go for a swim," he asked, glancing at Xander's hair. Perhaps the more he washed/got it wet, the sooner it'd fade away?
Lex wasn't a subject Xander wanted to think about either. It wasn't just the obvious, but also...the way he'd looked and acted with Clark. It bothered Xander, more then he'd admit to the other teenager. His smile become a bit more relaxed though the expression still didn't reach his eyes. "Yeah...a swim sounds good."
Clark nodded and squeezed Xander's shoulder before slipping his shirt off. "Well, come on then," he said, standing up with a soft grin on his face, nudging Xander's side with his foot. "We're by a waterfall. What're you waiting for?"
That made Xander chuckle more warmly this time as he slipped his own shirt off, chuckling again to himself how he felt more comfrotable without a shirt then the odd webbed thing Spike had dressed him in. "You obviously."
Clark shook his head as he slipped off his jeans, carefully folding them off to the side so that they wouldn't get wet. Wet jeans were uncomfortable and he quickly slipped into the water, wading further in as he waited for his friend to join him.
Xander quickly followed suit before joining Clark, wading after him untill he was almost treading water. Then, he let himself just flost in the water, giving a sigh. "This does feel good."
"Refreshing," Clark replied, splashing some water at him. He laid on his back, floating, staring up at the sky, squinting when he saw the sun, and then closed them. It was nice and peaceful. Usually about this time, he'd be pummeling a meteor freak. It was a nice, though strange, change of pace.
It was too early for the kind of pummeling Xander helped with. The sun was still out afterall. But it was very relaxing and just what he needed. He sighed again, a much happier on this time. "Thanks."
"No problem," Clark replied with a small grin as he bumped into Xander, nudging him with an elbow. Clark was happy to oblige. This was one of the few times he could actually help his friends, instead of making their lives that much more complicated.
Xander turned his head to offer Clark a smile. "You and me...we come from complicated places. Smallville, Sunnydale...you'd think an island like this couldn't get any worse. But it is worse. At least at home...you know your friends are there for you. Here? Who knows..." He unconsiously reached out and grabbed Clark's arm lightly, as if to reassure himself the other teenager was there.
Clark tried not to think about the similarities of their towns. It was just...weird. But feeling Xander's hand on his arm made him sad, almost, because he knew that his friend just needed a sign that he wasn't alone (even though he had many friends on the island). Clark placed his right hand over Xander's and squeezed, a silent, 'It's going to be okay.' And he hoped it would be, too.
Many friends that he was glad for. Very glad for. But Buffy was...Buffy. Xander bit his lip and stared up at the sky for a few long minutes to settle his thoughts before squeezing Clark's arm and standing up in the water. "Here you are trying to cheer me up and I'm being a total downer. Sorry man." He said with a small smile.
Clark shrugged, slipping his hand behind his head, and floated up, his eyes still closed. "I'd be a bad friend if I let you sink into a spiral of darkness, now wouldn't I?" He wore a small grin on his lips.
Xander lightly splashed him as he chuckled. "I appreciate your efforts. Really/ I've seen the effects of long term brooding and it ain't pretty. Does nothing for your forehead." He said cryptically as he took a private pot shot at Angel. That amazingly helped.
"Brooding generally leads to more brooding," he replied in agreement. He smirked, though, trying not to lose his balance and flicked more water at Xander. "It's okay. What else would I be doing?" He just wished he could do more to make him feel better. "I'm still here, though, right?" He turned his head a little, using his hands to shield his eyes from the shiny sun. "So is Chloe and Lois and all of your other friends."
Seeing Clark almost loose his balance, Xander couldn't help a small immature grin as he sent a larger splash at his friend before answering. "Yeah, I know, and don't get me wrong, I'm glad to have all of you here. Just...Buffy was my best friend. With her around...everything was alright, ya know?" He couldn't help the melcancholy that returned to his voice.
Clark frowned and reached out to touch Xander's arm to comfort him and ended up with his hand, which he squeezed a bit to show some support. He hated that his friend was in such a funk and he hated that the island did this.
Xander looked up through green bangs at Clark, not even trying a smile this time as he sighed. "Sorry. I know your trying and I appreciate it." He squeezed Clark's hand in return as he spoke. "I just can't seem to shake this. Give me some time, yeah?"
"You don't have to apologize," he replied, threading his fingers with Xanders, tugging back down into the water playfully. "I know it's hard," he said softly afterward, with a small frown. "All I can do is say sorry and take you swimming. I'm not very good at this kind of thing." It was more Chloe's territory. Lana's, even.
The tug made Xander drift closer till they were side by side and the standing Xander smiled down at the floating Clark, thier hands still tangled together. "Your doing just fine." He squeezed Clark's hand again, as if to reafirm it.
Clark just shrugged, pulling his hand away as he sunk into the water, coming back and throwing his hair back. "We should've brought towels," he said, nudging him. "I should've pre-planned or something." He chuckled, eyes falling on the green hair again, and ran his hands through it. "You must have really hated Spike."
"You know I was always plan guy back home. I credit this to your bad influence since I hadn't planned on going swimming in the first place." Xander retorted, a small smile appearing again. He leaned his head into Clark's hand unconsiously as he touched his hair, though he shrugged as he replied, "Nah, it's Spike being Spike. He won a day of whatever he wanted fair and square and he wanted a punkish gothic me. As humilitating as the green hair and leather pants were, it could have been worse."
"He could've put you a dress and a wig," he said, chuckling. "Made you shave, too." That would've been so much worse, wouldn't it? Clark nudged Xander's head and kept chuckling. He wore a soft smile, still wishing he could do something, and slipped his arms around Xander and gave him a hug. "I hope you feel better soon.' 'I'm Sorry About Buffy', he hoped, was the silent message for the hug.
Xander hadn't even had the chance to respond vice a soft chuckle before Clark wrapped him up in a hug. He was still for a long moment, before returning the hug, accepting the silent message and replying with how much it meant to him.
Clark gave him a comforting squeeze before pulling away. "You know I'm around," he said quietly. "If you need anything."
Xander looked up at Clark as he bit his lip. He just looked at him, before nodding. "Yeah...I know." He moved to take a step back...before he paused again. "Clark?"
Clark's brow furrowed. "Yeah?" Was something wrong? Did he have something on his face? Unconsciously, he brought his hands to face and pressed his fingers lightly on his forehead.
Reaching up, Xander brought Clark's hands down and away from his face. He just kept looking at him for a moment, before he made a decision with a small shake of his head. "Thank you. For everything." Was what he finally seemed to decide on before dropping Clark's hands and stepping towards the edge of the pool.
Clark stared at him a little confused but nodded at his comment. "Sure," he said. "No problem." He squeezed his shoulder and then followed him to the edge.
It had been a few days since Buffy's disappearance and while he still kept mostly to himself or near Spike, Xander was feeling a bit braver and had ventured out to the waterfall. He figured Spike wouldn't miss his constant presence outside his cave and he himself was less afraid of his last link to home disappearing now. He didn't even want to think about it honestly, but the worry was still fresh in his mind. Which was why he'd sought out one of his favorite spots on the island, to help calm his nerves. He sat on the edge of the small pool, pants rolled up to his knees as he sat with his feet in the water, his head resting in hand as he idoly watched his feet move under the water and tried very hard to think of nothing.
Clark Kent hadn't seen Xander around for a while, which considering Xander's usually cheery disposition ( well, maybe not cheery, but definitely friendly), it was strange not seeing him around. Eventually, he went searching for him. His first spot? The waterfall. He knew that it was Xander's favorite spot and so he hoped maybe he'd find him there. What he found was someone with bright green hair sitting in Xander's usual spot. "Oh my God," he said, eyes wide with surprise. Correction: It was Xander in his usual spot with bright green hair.
Even lost in thought, his Sunnydale instinct to that phrase made Xander jerk his head up and look around for the source of it. When he spotted Clark, he stared wide eyedly back as it took his brain a moment to process what was going on. Finally he sighed and gave Clark a half hearted smile. "Let me guess? The hair. It's all Spike's fault." He said in a small voice as he tried to sound more like himself for Clark...but he just couldn't manage. It was like functioning with a vital piece missing, the piece being Buffy of course.
Though they'd only been friends for a short time, Clark could tell that something was wrong. There was a light to Xander's smile, a glint in his eyes. Usually, anyway. "It's...nice," Clark offered, trying to put on a supportive smile. "It's not that bad." Clark was usually such a good liar. He slipped off his shoes and socks, stuffing them in his shoes, and then rolled up his jeans. Clark sat next to Xander, and dipped his feet in the water, and set his shoes beside him. "What's wrong," he asked softly, glancing at him silently examining him closely.
Xander gave Clark a sideways look as he ran a hand through the green mop of hair. "Believe, this isn't bad. You should have seen the rest of get up. I was Spike's personal gothic ken doll for a day." He explained away, since thinking about Spike and hair dye and weird clothes was so much easier then disppearing best friends. And after the embarassing day in the rec room, he didn't think anything would make reliving it seem easy. He was quiet for a few long moments, eyes back to watching his feet through the rips on the water. "Buffy's gone." He said quietly and simply, so much so that Clark would have missed it if he wasn't sitting so close. He had to admit, he was proud that he could finally say it without bursting into tears.
Clark's brows furrowed when he heard the news. He hadn't met Buffy, but he knew how close she was to Xander. Clark was never good with grief. He never knew what to say in these sorts of moments. "I'm so sorry," he said softly, slipping an arm around Xander's shoulder for a small comforting hug.
Anyone who knew Xander knew that Buffy was important to him. It was a given almost. And it's why he felt so lost without her. He'd only known her for four years (three at home and one on the island) but that didn't matter. Unable to help himself, he leaned into the hug, not ashmed to admit he needed the comfort. There silence again for a few moments, before Xander lifted his head again after wiping his eyes with the back of his hand. "My automatic response is 'it's okay' but it's really not." He said softly though finally looking up and at Clark, his eyes only slightly red.
Clark gave him a squeeze and pulled away just a little bit. "I know," he said, softly. "But at least she's home, right?" That's how Clark would choose to think of these "disappearances." He had to. Or else living on this stupid island would only mean tragedy and pain.
Back to what? If he'd understood right...it means Buffy was dead. Oh, Willow would convince him, Anya and Tara to bring her back to life, according to Spike, but still. It didn't make it any easier. "Yeah...yeah." He agreed readily, managing another small smile. "Still miss her though." He sighed before looking down. "Sorry, I'm not the best company at the moment."
Clark shrugged. "I've had worse." He smiled softly and brushed some hair out of his eyes. "You'll see her again." Another thing he told himself he had to believe in order to deal with life on the island.
"I hope." His crestfallen tone turned to one of kidding as he lightly elbowed Clark in the side. "Though of course you'd say that, you have people from home turning up left and right." While he kidded, it still pained Xander to say. It was like, Clark had gotten his best friend back...and Xander had lost his. He couldn't help feeling jealous.
Clark shrugged but gave him a soft smile. He wasn't sure what to make of Lex being on the island. He wanted to be happy, but after four years of lies and deception, Clark wasn't sure if there was enough of him left to give - if that made sense at all. "Do you want to go for a swim," he asked, glancing at Xander's hair. Perhaps the more he washed/got it wet, the sooner it'd fade away?
Lex wasn't a subject Xander wanted to think about either. It wasn't just the obvious, but also...the way he'd looked and acted with Clark. It bothered Xander, more then he'd admit to the other teenager. His smile become a bit more relaxed though the expression still didn't reach his eyes. "Yeah...a swim sounds good."
Clark nodded and squeezed Xander's shoulder before slipping his shirt off. "Well, come on then," he said, standing up with a soft grin on his face, nudging Xander's side with his foot. "We're by a waterfall. What're you waiting for?"
That made Xander chuckle more warmly this time as he slipped his own shirt off, chuckling again to himself how he felt more comfrotable without a shirt then the odd webbed thing Spike had dressed him in. "You obviously."
Clark shook his head as he slipped off his jeans, carefully folding them off to the side so that they wouldn't get wet. Wet jeans were uncomfortable and he quickly slipped into the water, wading further in as he waited for his friend to join him.
Xander quickly followed suit before joining Clark, wading after him untill he was almost treading water. Then, he let himself just flost in the water, giving a sigh. "This does feel good."
"Refreshing," Clark replied, splashing some water at him. He laid on his back, floating, staring up at the sky, squinting when he saw the sun, and then closed them. It was nice and peaceful. Usually about this time, he'd be pummeling a meteor freak. It was a nice, though strange, change of pace.
It was too early for the kind of pummeling Xander helped with. The sun was still out afterall. But it was very relaxing and just what he needed. He sighed again, a much happier on this time. "Thanks."
"No problem," Clark replied with a small grin as he bumped into Xander, nudging him with an elbow. Clark was happy to oblige. This was one of the few times he could actually help his friends, instead of making their lives that much more complicated.
Xander turned his head to offer Clark a smile. "You and me...we come from complicated places. Smallville, Sunnydale...you'd think an island like this couldn't get any worse. But it is worse. At least at home...you know your friends are there for you. Here? Who knows..." He unconsiously reached out and grabbed Clark's arm lightly, as if to reassure himself the other teenager was there.
Clark tried not to think about the similarities of their towns. It was just...weird. But feeling Xander's hand on his arm made him sad, almost, because he knew that his friend just needed a sign that he wasn't alone (even though he had many friends on the island). Clark placed his right hand over Xander's and squeezed, a silent, 'It's going to be okay.' And he hoped it would be, too.
Many friends that he was glad for. Very glad for. But Buffy was...Buffy. Xander bit his lip and stared up at the sky for a few long minutes to settle his thoughts before squeezing Clark's arm and standing up in the water. "Here you are trying to cheer me up and I'm being a total downer. Sorry man." He said with a small smile.
Clark shrugged, slipping his hand behind his head, and floated up, his eyes still closed. "I'd be a bad friend if I let you sink into a spiral of darkness, now wouldn't I?" He wore a small grin on his lips.
Xander lightly splashed him as he chuckled. "I appreciate your efforts. Really/ I've seen the effects of long term brooding and it ain't pretty. Does nothing for your forehead." He said cryptically as he took a private pot shot at Angel. That amazingly helped.
"Brooding generally leads to more brooding," he replied in agreement. He smirked, though, trying not to lose his balance and flicked more water at Xander. "It's okay. What else would I be doing?" He just wished he could do more to make him feel better. "I'm still here, though, right?" He turned his head a little, using his hands to shield his eyes from the shiny sun. "So is Chloe and Lois and all of your other friends."
Seeing Clark almost loose his balance, Xander couldn't help a small immature grin as he sent a larger splash at his friend before answering. "Yeah, I know, and don't get me wrong, I'm glad to have all of you here. Just...Buffy was my best friend. With her around...everything was alright, ya know?" He couldn't help the melcancholy that returned to his voice.
Clark frowned and reached out to touch Xander's arm to comfort him and ended up with his hand, which he squeezed a bit to show some support. He hated that his friend was in such a funk and he hated that the island did this.
Xander looked up through green bangs at Clark, not even trying a smile this time as he sighed. "Sorry. I know your trying and I appreciate it." He squeezed Clark's hand in return as he spoke. "I just can't seem to shake this. Give me some time, yeah?"
"You don't have to apologize," he replied, threading his fingers with Xanders, tugging back down into the water playfully. "I know it's hard," he said softly afterward, with a small frown. "All I can do is say sorry and take you swimming. I'm not very good at this kind of thing." It was more Chloe's territory. Lana's, even.
The tug made Xander drift closer till they were side by side and the standing Xander smiled down at the floating Clark, thier hands still tangled together. "Your doing just fine." He squeezed Clark's hand again, as if to reafirm it.
Clark just shrugged, pulling his hand away as he sunk into the water, coming back and throwing his hair back. "We should've brought towels," he said, nudging him. "I should've pre-planned or something." He chuckled, eyes falling on the green hair again, and ran his hands through it. "You must have really hated Spike."
"You know I was always plan guy back home. I credit this to your bad influence since I hadn't planned on going swimming in the first place." Xander retorted, a small smile appearing again. He leaned his head into Clark's hand unconsiously as he touched his hair, though he shrugged as he replied, "Nah, it's Spike being Spike. He won a day of whatever he wanted fair and square and he wanted a punkish gothic me. As humilitating as the green hair and leather pants were, it could have been worse."
"He could've put you a dress and a wig," he said, chuckling. "Made you shave, too." That would've been so much worse, wouldn't it? Clark nudged Xander's head and kept chuckling. He wore a soft smile, still wishing he could do something, and slipped his arms around Xander and gave him a hug. "I hope you feel better soon.' 'I'm Sorry About Buffy', he hoped, was the silent message for the hug.
Xander hadn't even had the chance to respond vice a soft chuckle before Clark wrapped him up in a hug. He was still for a long moment, before returning the hug, accepting the silent message and replying with how much it meant to him.
Clark gave him a comforting squeeze before pulling away. "You know I'm around," he said quietly. "If you need anything."
Xander looked up at Clark as he bit his lip. He just looked at him, before nodding. "Yeah...I know." He moved to take a step back...before he paused again. "Clark?"
Clark's brow furrowed. "Yeah?" Was something wrong? Did he have something on his face? Unconsciously, he brought his hands to face and pressed his fingers lightly on his forehead.
Reaching up, Xander brought Clark's hands down and away from his face. He just kept looking at him for a moment, before he made a decision with a small shake of his head. "Thank you. For everything." Was what he finally seemed to decide on before dropping Clark's hands and stepping towards the edge of the pool.
Clark stared at him a little confused but nodded at his comment. "Sure," he said. "No problem." He squeezed his shoulder and then followed him to the edge.