Clark watched as Chloe stumbled down the driveway; she was valiantly trying to stay awake, but was losing the battle. "Chloe, you're too tired to drive. Maybe you should just stay here tonight". He could of swore that he saw her flinch as he spoke those words; her shoulders seemed to automatically tense.
"No Clark, I'm fine. I have that term paper, and I, uh, have to make a few last minute edits." She grumbled nervously, fishing for her keys and making her way towards her Volkswagen Beetle.
"No Chloe." He said, zipping in front of her and placing himself in between her and the car. "I am not going to let you drive back to Metropolis in this state, term paper or no term paper. " She looked back up at him; she opened her mouth to argue but quickly decided against it. Disappointment was written all over her face; a look of frustration as she realized that she wasn't going to get her way. Not this time. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes and sighed dejectedly. Clark immediately felt guilty. There was something about Chloe that made him want to protect her; yet he still wanted her to be happy. "Listen, either I can super speed you back Met U tonight, or you can stay here and drive back in the morning. But no driving tonight, okay?" He deepened his voice slightly, something he did when he meant business. Usually Chloe would jump right back at him with opposition, but her eyelids began to flutter and she nodded.
"I suppose if I get up early enough, I should be able to make it back in time to work on it." She said with a peculiar smile. "Besides, I think I would like to go lie down right now."
They began to make their way up towards the house, the gravel crunching under their feet. "If you give me a minute, I can go fix up my room for you." He said as he held open the front door for her. The two made their way through the darkened hallway and into the kitchen. "My mom's in Granville for a charity benefit." He said as he switched on the lights, flooding the room with a warm glow. For some reason he felt he had to explain away the emptiness. For so long the Kent house was a flurry of activity; friends coming and going, his mother baking in the kitchen. His father could sit for hours, regaling everyone with tales of his old football glories.
Those days seemed like a lifetime ago.
With his mother's duties as a senator, she was hardly home anymore. Her absence helped to magnify the loss of his father. Home to him, which was once a bastion of comfort and security, now was a lonely place. "I'll be right back Chloe." He said, helping her up on a counter stool. He zipped up the stairs to his room. He was a blur, tidying up his room and making the bed, stacking it high with pillows. He knew she couldn't sleep with less than three. After he deemed his room inhabitable, he zoomed back down to the kitchen. "Chloe, I..." He stopped as he turned the corner and saw her; she was slumped over the counter, her head cradled in her arms, fast asleep. Shelby was curled into a ball underneath the stool, her head resting on the bottom rung.
She had instantly taken a liking to Chloe from day one. Whenever she was around, Shelby seemed to flock to her. Her tail began to thump against the tile as she saw Clark approach. "You have good taste girl" He whispered as he bent down to stroke her golden fur. Shelby gave out a long whimper and stood up. She slowly trotted towards the living room and looked back at him, giving out another long whimper. "Good idea girl, I was just thinking the same thing." Clark lifted Chloe up into his arms and began to make his way towards the living room. In her waking hours, Chloe was all determination and drive; she was independent and fearless. But now, as she lay asleep in his arms, he marveled at how vulnerable she was; so small and practically helpless. The contrast was striking.
He placed her gently on the sofa, covering her with his mother's quilt. She let out a soft moan as she stretched out her body to meet the soft surface, but did not wake. Clark lowered himself down to the ground in front of her and propped his back up against the sofa. He heard the jingle of Shelby's collar as she jumped up behind him, curling up at Chloe's feet. The house was quiet and still, save for the slight wind at the windows and Chloe's rhythmic breathing. He felt a sense a déjà vu'; remembering the last time when they both had come to rest in this spot. It was a time he wouldn't soon forget.
True, they were both awake at the time, and seated intimately, side by side on the floor. But the feeling was oddly similar. It was the day, a few months back, when Chloe had found him in the fortress, saving him from Professor Fine; And in turn, his mother, from a deadly Kryptonian disease. When they were safely back at home, he told her how Fine had said that human beings were insignificant, and could not be counted on. He said that Fine obviously didn't know Chloe. And that was the exact moment where everything changed.
Looking back, he realized that his feelings towards her had started to change when they had the talk. He was amazed at the way she accepted him, and his alien origins, without question or hesitation. Then, when Jor-El made him mortal, she came to the rescue, saving not only him, but Lana and his parents. He started to wonder if she was the one with the super powers all along. For the first time, it was as if he was able to finally see how incredible she really was
But it was the night by the fire when he realized that he could easily feel more than friendship towards Chloe. He did once, a few years back, but was so wrapped up in his obsession with Lana Lang, that he pushed those feelings aside. They were messy and complicated, not unlike his relationship with Lana. And now those hidden feelings were beginning to resurface, and it scared him. He was terrified of hurting her again, especially with him Lana still going in circles, nothing resolved. He wouldn't let himself ruin the best friendship in his life. Not after how hard they had worked to preserve it the first time around. But as the months drew on, long hours spent with Chloe at The Planet, his feelings grew even stronger. He fought it, denied it. He hoped that he could save whatever was left of him and Lana, but he never put in the effort. His heart was somewhere else. He knew the reason he was giving up the foolish, childhood fantasy that was Lana Lang.
Chloe.
And now that they were truly over, their relationship fractured beyond repair, he knew it was time to tell her how he felt. He was in love with her. An hour ago, as they sat parked next to Lander's field, he felt something holding him back from telling her. He didn't want to tell her those three special words, prompted by fear. But now all he could think of was Chloe. A certain Kryptonian rebel was a million miles from his mind. And if his father's death had taught him anything, it was to not take the ones you love for granted; to let them know how you feel. He wanted to tell her now, he wanted to shout it from the roof tops. He was ready to look into those big, green eyes and let everything out.
But she was asleep.
Frustrated, Clark leaned even further into the couch, his head nested into a particularly soft spot, and closed his eyes. He would tell her soon, he couldn't wait much longer.
