Chapter 4: "The Truth Is Out There… and It Hurts"

Chris slowly gained consciousness, opening his eyes to see Wyatt sitting across the tiny living room. Clark had obviously managed to get a hold of Wyatt. Realizing that his hand was being clasped by Clark's larger one, Chris smiled, glad that Clark hadn't run off on him. "So, crazy first date, huh?" Chris commented, as he slowly pushed himself into a seating position.

"Well, that's one way to describe it, I guess," Clark replied with a frown, pulling his hand back and folding his arms. "Care to explain what happened? And what you two are?" Clark waved his arms, pointing at both of the brothers.

Chris winced, Clark sounded angrier than he previously thought. Glancing over at Wyatt, Chris could tell that he was getting increasingly worried. "Wyatt, could you please let us talk alone?"

"Chris, I'm not sure –" Wyatt stopped in mid sentence. He recognized the look on Chris's face, pure Halliwell stubbornness. "Okay," Wyatt said standing up. "But call me if you need me."

"And don't tell mom," Chris added. The last thing he needed was their mom freaking out over the attack, let alone that his date had witnessed the attack itself.

"Fine. But she'll figure it out eventually Chris, and then you will have to explain to her why your new boyfriend or whatever he is knows about us." Wyatt replied, waving in Clark's general direction. He then orbed out, but stayed on a nearby rooftop, just in case Chris still needed him.

Clark had kept quiet during the brothers' conversation but had raised his eyebrows at Wyatt's reference to him as Chris's boyfriend. It was a little too soon to be throwing that term around, which made him wonder what Chris had told Wyatt about him. But now that Wyatt had left in those blue and white swirly lights, he turned back to Chris, as he had lots of questions that needed answering. Before he could even open his mouth though, he was interrupted by Chris.

"I know that you will have tons of questions Clark, but I need you to promise me something first." Chris quickly said, sensing the barrage of questions that were about to fly out of Clark's mouth. "What I am going to tell you needs to be kept a secret. It's not just my secret, it's also my family's secret. And I can't be the one who puts them at risk." He concluded seriously.

Clark nodded. He of all people could understand the need to keep some things a secret. He replied "I promise. You can trust me to keep this a secret."

Chris looked deep into Clark's eyes, searching for any sign of dishonesty. "Thank you," Chris replied, believing the sincerity in Clark's words. "Now, I think we might need a couple drinks for this conversation." And with a wave of his hand, Chris orbed two beers into the living room and after passing one to Clark, started explaining his heritage.

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Chris took another swig of his now warm beer as he anxiously waited for Clark to say something. He had just finished telling Clark a Cliff Notes version of what it meant for him to be part witch, part whitelighter, and was waiting for some type of response. But Clark was just sitting there, with a blank expression on his face.

Chris shifted on the couch, tugging on the sleeves of his shirt. This was his first time explaining his powers to someone with no magical knowledge or background and he wasn't sure that he had done a decent job. Chris had tried to emphasize that he only used his powers for good, but he had no idea how much Clark had managed to take in.

Clark let out a long sigh. He wanted to tell Chris that everything would be alright, that he was comfortable Chris being a witch, and that they could keep dating as though nothing happened. But he would be lying. Ever since that time when Isobel and her fellow witches took over Lana, Chloe, and Lois, he had been uncomfortable with the idea of magic. And even though Chris repeatedly commented that his family came from a long line of good witches, he still wasn't convinced. And besides, he had his own secrets to keep.

Clark shook his head, standing up, and setting his empty beer bottle on the table. "Chris, I won't tell anyone what I've learned tonight," Clark promised, trying to reassure Chris. "But I'm going to need some time to process everything, and to figure out what this means for us."

Chris nodded dejectedly. He knew this could be a possible outcome of telling Clark his secret, but was hoping that Clark would be accepting of him. Clark had stuck by and helped him with the darklighters, contacting Wyatt, and making sure that he was fine after Wyatt healed him, so he thought Clark could handle the rest. He sure was really fooling himself.

"I'll let myself out," Clark said, heading towards the door. Chris looked devastated, and Clark couldn't stand to stay and look at him, knowing that it was his words that made Chris feel that way. Clark allowed himself once more glance at Chris, who was still sitting on the couch with his head in his hands, before heading out, closing the door quietly behind him.

Wyatt orbed back into Chris's apartment. He had heard the entire conversation and knew how Chris must be feeling. He had told a girlfriend about his own powers and ended up having to do a spell to erase her memory. Sitting down on the couch next to Chris, Wyatt placed his arm around his shoulder. "I'm sorry Chris."

Chris smiled at his brother. He knew that Wyatt would stick around to make sure that he was okay. "It's okay Wyatt, it's not like we've been dating a long time or anything. I'll be fine." Chris said. He wasn't sure who he was trying to convince, Wyatt or himself.

Wyatt just nodded. He could tell how much his younger brother liked Clark and wasn't convinced by his words. Wyatt had decided earlier that he was going to keep a close eye on this Clark Kent. He knew that Chris trusted him, but he had no reason to. Besides, it was in the job description of an older brother to watch out for his younger brother.

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Author's Notes: Sorry for the shorter chapter, but it seemed like an appropriate place to cut off. Chapter 5 will be completed in the near future and it will be longer to make up for this short chapter. Thanks for reading!