Title: Remind Me to Forget You
Story by: k3josai
Written by: Deliverance Territory and k3josai
Pairing: Smallville Clark and Lois
Rating: T
Summary: A kiss… A smile… A letter… A pendant… A baby photo… These things are their connections. But how can they hold on together if someone is letting go?
Disclaimer: We own nothing. The characters are owned by CW/WB/DC. Superman created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster
Authors' notes:
k3josai: Wow! Thank you so much for the heartwarming messages. Jessica Morales of The Blurrific Superman Group – thanks also for the support. As of now, this is my most commented story since the first time I wrote my Clois fanfic and Enid is one of the reasons why we have Remind Me to Forget You. She's really, really, really talented and very supportive.
I wanna answer each and every question the readers put on the review portion on each site but I and Enid have limited time staying online. We posted the story in 3 sites so far. I'll answer those questions that are safe enough not to give spoilers on the story. Someone is asking if there's Chloe and Oliver here. The answer is 'No', I'm so sorry about that (*puppy-dog eyes*); still we're hoping that it won't lessen your interest in reading this story. Another one, if Clark is older than Lois. Yes, Clark is about four years older than Lois here but he's a year younger than Oliver.
If you read The Roads Not Taken, my first story written with the help of Enid and Lilah, that storyline is more serious and angsty than RMTFY. Here, you can expect angst, humor, sweet and cute moments. These things make this story special. Like our first story, I'm asking again for your patience because each chapter is important and you must read between the lines.
Right now, we don't have a betareader, I and Enid reviewed and revised this story so many times. Still, we will apologize for the all the shortcomings we made or about to make. English is our second language. I am a Filipino and Enid is Puerto Rican. Message us if you find something 'not-so-good' to read or you can't comprehend. We're just a click away. ^_^ I'm giving the floor to Enid for her message. *whisper* She's a li'l bit late due to her vacation. ^_^ Enid, let me see your Disney photos! ^_^
Deliverance Territory thank you message:
After ten years of incredible adventures, I feel only joy because Smallville will live on forever. I want to thank all of you for taking the time of reading this wonderful story, though it is in an alternate reality, it features the characters we all love and miss terribly. We poured our soul and time into this fic hoping for it to never be forgotten as Smallville magic will never leave our hearts. Thank you once again. You are the best fans ever.
*hugs*
Enid
Remind Me to Forget You
CHAPTER 1: The Wedding
2011 – Present timeline
Weddings were supposed to be joyful events. Not for Clark Kent. They were only a reminder of the happiness he could not afford to have, being destined to save the world. He sat on the back of the ballroom, stirring his drink, watching the ice melt into the liquored liquid, but not really drinking any of it. A few charming women looked at him, but he didn't mind one bit, he didn't mind at all. He wasn't there to flirt with them; he was there to celebrate the union of his friend and her fiancé, now husband.
Though he was thrilled that Chloe, his best friend since forever, had finally found her soul mate, he wanted nothing but to block away the memories this moment brought to his mind. She had met Jimmy in an internship a couple of years ago, and it was love at first sight. Jimmy was a nice guy, hardworking, always smiling and full of energy, just what she needed. He sighed.
As he watched the happy couple, and more specifically the glowing bride, he could only think of the only girl who captured his heart fully. How wrong he had been to let her go or better yet to run away from her. And adding insult to injury, the circumstances of their broken relationship made him cringe in resentment, in a wedding no less.
"Hey buddy, why don't you come over and ask one of the ladies to dance with you?" His other best friend, Pete Ross, said as he sat beside him.
"That one…" He continued, pointing at a table not so far form them. "Clark, she's super hot! Creamy skin, long blonde hair, sexy body, what more you could ask for? " Pete chortled.
Clark shook his head. Looking around absently, he asked calmly. "Which one?"
"You're such a blind man. How come you can't notice her or any other girls for that matter?" Clark chuckled softly at his friend's remarks. The truth was he noticed the Mexican-looking lady with sophisticated smile and mannerisms, but he wasn't that interested. He was not interested in any other girl at the ballroom at all.
"If I only had that pretty boy face of yours, I could date all the hot babes that came across my way, especially the ones here tonight." Pete gently tapped Clark's face and took a sip of his drink.
Clark shook his head once more while listening to Pete's carefree rant. He had always been like that, ever since they knew each other, close to a lifetime. Pete was a player, in all terms possible. Back in high school they played together for the football team, later he had coached Clark in the matters of love with not much luck.
"Hey, hey, hey! I'm not joking." He thought better of the situation Clark was in. "Seriously man, I sort of apologize for bringing you here, but this is Chloe's wedding. She would have killed us both if you skipped the wedding ceremony AND the reception." Pete made his eyes bigger to emphasize his point.
Clark took a look around the wedding reception room, he was truly happy to see Chloe and Jimmy finally 'tying the knot'. They were talking to a group of people and taking pictures with them. Their smiles were solid proof of how happy they were.
"It's okay Pete. No worries." Clark answered Pete while he looking at the newlyweds. Pete followed where Clark focused his full attention at the moment and shook his head. He could feel his best friend was still hurting, though things happened a long time ago.
Pete patted Clark on the back. "Man, I know you. You still miss her. I'm not asking the question because it's obvious. Whenever someone says her name or you witness wedding and stuff like that, you turn to gloomy eyes even when you're smiling on the outside. Clark, it has been three years…"
Clark suddenly found the table as a special thing to look at. "…and it was all my fault." He completed Pete's sentence. The words slipped out of his mouth for the thousandth time since he had hurt her.
Pete stood up, shaking his head. "You know what? If I told you 'yes, it was your fault', would that change the facts?" He nodded at Clark and finished his statement. "It's time to move on, buddy." Clark stared at the sympathetic face of his friend; he couldn't help but to nod softly back at him.
Clark looked at his friend, now serious. "Pete, I love you man, but you are totally wrong about me." He lied again. "I have to go now. I'm starting a new job on Monday and still need to settle some things in my new apartment. See you later." He stood up and went straight to the door, not even stopping to say good bye to Chloe or Jimmy. "See you." Pete said more to himself, watching his tormented friend virtually run away, again.
\S/
"Move on buddy." Pete's voice kept on echoing in his head as he super sped from one town to another – wearing his all black suit with the 'S' insignia on his chest. But another hum was caught in his head, her voice. Her voice resounded deep in his mind and the memory of her touch sent thousands of shivers down his spine, just like when they shared their most intimate moments. Those moments they held dearly to keep the hope alive.
"Morning, Smallville!" Lois whispered while looking at him under sleepy eyelashes. Clark's view was temporarily blocked by her blonde hair. He breathed in the cherry vanilla scent of her hair, her favorite shampoo, while she softly drew circles on his naked chest.
Her voice and touch brought a huge grin on Clark's face. He wouldn't tell her, at least not for the moment that he was awake almost an hour earlier than her. He silently adored her beautiful face while she slept like an angel in his arms – he dreamt of this scene before it happened, many times before.
"Morning, gorgeous!" He brought their naked bodies closer and cupped her cheeks to look into her twinkling hazel eyes.
"What?" Lois asked him smiling.
"Nothing." He responded mirroring her smile.
"Aww, come on, Smallville, that bad?" She teased.
"It was perfect." He answered sincerely. "You are perfect." His eyes never left hers. "I will never get tired of having you in my arms."
"Too sugary words, Smallville." A smirk was almost tattooed on her face after the first time they made love and since she woke up it was far form fading.
She was happy and so was he. Her attitude about life had improved and so had his. They smiled to each other, and to the world, for no apparent reason - yet the cause was more obvious than they cared to recognize: LOVE.
He kissed her as passionate as he did the night before. His tongue sought for an entrance, but not for long. She granted him full access opening slowly her mouth. He felt her hands roaming back and forth his muscled back while he was on top of her. They both became aware that he was ready for more, but she was still tired and sore. She would need the whole day to rest it out. Clark let go of their kiss and let her breathe for a while. Unlike him she was only human and her lungs needed more oxygen than his. He watched Lois' lips, swollen from his kisses.
They loved spending time with one another. The more they learnt about the other, the more they wanted to be together. They were so different and yet so alike. Lois, being so extrovert, loved doing adventurous activities and pushed him to do things out of the ordinary. Clark, the reserved and introvert, showed her to stop and breathe sometimes. Their basic differences had lead to some heated discussions from time to time, but they complemented each other in so many ways it was hard to think they would ever be apart.
"I love you Lo." He said wholeheartedly but didn't get the response he expected, instead she asked him with hopeful expression. "What if one day things happen the way they aren't supposed to? Would you still hold me like this? Would you shed tears for me?"
The cool wind caressed his face as stray tears fell from his eyes. 'Would you shed tears for me?' He knew he wasn't as brave as the others presumed he was. He might be a hero on the eyes of the people he saved, but for this one particular girl, he was the most coward and evil person in the world. If he ever had the chance to see her again, he wouldn't know what to say or do. And though he had all the means to find her, he opted not to. At the very least he would give her a choice, whether she wanted to see him again or not.
He just hoped that time would heal all the wrongs he had done by sacrificing their future together. He wasn't man enough to stay at her side as he had promised to her. On that moment, that was the best alternative for both of them. He couldn't remember how many times he had shed tears for this extraordinary girl. He wished that she was okay. Maybe she would forgive him someday. Maybe… Someday…
Clark stood on top a building waiting for the sound of sirens or cries for help. His saves had been known for the places where he traveled. The local newspapers printed news about the miraculous saves, but no one could tell how he looked like – all they knew was he was too fast.
There was the reason behind it all. He was not a nonsense coward to his relationship; he was destined to be Earth's savior. A task he needed to perform using all the knowledge and skills bestowed on him by his biological father, Jor-El, and his rigorous training. He was the chosen one, the Last Son of Krypton, sent to this planet to set it straight. At that one moment, the realization of past mistakes shrank. His personal happiness must take the back seat; sacrifices were a necessary course of action for the greater good. Even if that meant leaving the woman he loved behind.
He tried to concentrate on his task once more, but another batch of memories of his past flooded his mind…
Metropolis, Kansas – Year 2007
Leaving the comfort of his hometown, Smallville, was one of the hardest decisions he ever had to make. Denying his powers and his Kryptonian heritage became part of who he was then, but he knew that life changing decisions needed to be taken soon. Clark attended Central Kansas University for short period of time to help run the farm, to support his parents, and to stay close to Lana. But after a while, Martha convinced him that it was time for him to make a life of his own. Time to find his true destiny. Time to move on. And so he moved to Metropolis, the City of Tomorrow.
It was the first semester of his senior year in a metropolitan college. He had changed majors so many times; it was hard to know what he was studying at the moment. He jumped from general studies to law enforcement to everything between academic curriculums. But this was Metropolis University, no undecided farmer from Smallville held a chance to survive without a clear goal. Sadly on the outside, his indecision made him seem weak and ambivalent, but truth to be told, his heart and mind were set for a bigger future than a college diploma. But somehow Clark managed to save the Dean of Met U from a mugger, just a few months ago, and the man seized the opportunity to thank him and let him enroll the current session, though classes had already started a few weeks back.
"How about journalism?" Chloe's words echoed in his head. His short-lived career at Smallville High's Torch could finally be put to good use. He had the skills, but the motivation that lacked back then had taken a new course as he wanted to know first hand about crimes and altercations. Accepting his hero fate would definitively turn his life's direction. He thought he was ready, at least some times, but others he just dwelled on what was left behind.
He often brooded over his high school sweetheart, Lana, and how he had left her to pursue a life he wasn't even sure he would fit in. That was before he met her: Lois. She was a typical city girl from a wealthy family, he was sure of that. The way she dressed, the way she spoke, the way she fitted in, it amazed him. Maybe there was a smoother way to finally fit in.
In any case, it was not a weakness but the balance that gave him strength. He was the toughest being alive, an almost indestructible alien, but he also had the biggest and most compassionate heart of all humankind. It was a double bladed sword.
"Help!"
Clark's reverie was cut as his ears picked up the shrieking sound. He focused where the yelp came from and decided to speed away as the bank alarm on the east side of the city and sirens of fire trucks on the west part caught his attention. This might be another long night for him.
Rescuing people eased his pained heart. It was the time to feel powerful and confident; it was the time to shine. Even though he carefully avoided showing himself to the people he saved, their eyes filled with hope and his overflowing with the gratifying feeling that he had done well. Saving people was not a burden, but a gift. The only thing he regretted was not being able to share this secret, this gift, with anyone else. Maybe denying who he was to the people he loved was not that bad of an idea after all. There was good in him, more good than a million humans could carry. If only he could see him through the eyes of those who looked up to him, things would be different. Maybe his life was meant for loneliness, but in the end it was all worth it.
\S/
TBC
Reviews are welcome! ^_^
