Title: Hot Mess
Rating: R
Chapter: 3
Fandom: Degrassi: The Next Generation
Summary: Clare uses her womanly whiles to protect Eli. Eclare. Flare. Misfits!
Comments: "Hot Mess" by Cobra Starship.
Disclaimer: I own nothing except the idea.

Clare sat on a bouncy ball in the media immersions room, staring blankly at the empty document before her while chewing on her bottom lip in thought. She tilted her head to the side, her hair falling in her face. She pulled at the sleeve of her olive green sweater which was keeping her warm. The sweater rested over her white camisole with lacy edges while tight blue jeans covered her legs. She clicked her black boots together while pushing her hair out of her eyes.

Suddenly, a hand grabbed the curve of her elbow, spinning her around on the ball, and immediately into a kiss. She gasped in shock, her eyes going wide, afraid it was Fitz. When she saw Eli at the other end of the kiss, she relaxed, sighing against his lips. She closed her eyes, kissing him back only to have him suddenly pull away.

"I thought you look stressed," Eli shrugged nonchalantly.

Clare nodded, exhaling heavily, "Yeah. Very stressed."

Eli nodded with his signature smug smirk.

Clare went to move, but realized his hand was still holding her arm. She smiled, raising an eyebrow, "Need something?"

"Yeah," Eli nodded. He leaned down, kissing her again, but a bit harder this time, sliding his arm around her back and pulling her into him.

Clare wrapped an arm around his neck, holding tight to him as she kissed him back. She dug her nails into his back as his tongue delicately brushed across her lips. She slipped her tongue out, tangling with his, causing a soft moan from both of them.

DTNG

Fitz had been looking for Clare all day, only to no avail. She had not shown up at the ravine during lunch like she had the day before. Now he was starting to wonder. He stopped by the window that overlooked into the media immersions room, peering inside. This was the only other place she could possibly be. And there she was, sitting on one of the bouncy balls, wrapped in the arms of Eli Goldsworthy as they kissed urgently.

Fitz felt anger growing inside of him. He turned around, finding Dave standing there, and shoved him into the wall. "Get the fuck out of my way!" he growled at Dave, wanting the innocent boy to tremble in fear. When Dave did exactly that, Fitz stormed away.

DTNG

Clare stood at her locker, looking for Alli's vampire books she had promised to have back as soon as Alli asked for them. It just turned out that Alli asked for them today. She sighed in frustration, running a hand through her hair. "Where the hell…"

"I was actually thinking 'what'."

Clare glanced into the mirror on her locker to make sure it was Fitz and then closed her eyes. "Not now, Fitz." She got on her knees, flipping through all the crap that had piled up in her locker so suddenly. "I have to find Alli's books."

Fitz shook his head, pulling her back up to her feet by the elbow, "No. Now." He spun her to face him. "What were you doing sucking face with Goldilocks?"

Clare's eyes went wide in annoyance, crossing her arms over her chest. She consciously covered her purity ring with her opposite hand so he did not notice. "He's my boyfriend," she stated. As soon as the words fell out of her mouth, she paused, biting her bottom lip in thought, "I mean… I think he is…"

Fitz shook his head, "You really just enjoy being scandalous, Mary."

Clare winced at the sound of her first name, frowning as she corrected him, "Its Clare."

Fitz rolled his eyes before pulling her into him and kissing her hard on the lips. She pulled back quickly, running backwards and smacking into her locker painfully. She winced, rubbing the back of her neck, and looked up at him nervously.

Fitz leaned down to her level, whispering in her ear, "You know you'll always be mine. Remember what your God dude said? Two become one."

Clare's eyes closed, the sound of his voice making her weak, yet she felt as if she would throw up from hearing his words. God had said that. She turned pale, starting to shake. She was Fitz's. Forever.

She took in a deep breath and started running, tears cascading down her face. She did not know exactly where she was running; she just was.

DTNG

Clare slammed the front door behind her, shaking as she stood in the entry way of her house. She held her hands out, her body shaking from fear and exhaustion. She bit her bottom lip, wiping the tears falling from her eyes, while taking shallow breaths.

"Clare, come here please."

Her mother's command made Clare jump at first, but when she realized whom it was, she settled down. She walked into the kitchen where her mother's voice had called from.

"What?" she asked, only to freeze in the entrance of kitchen, her face lighting up instantly. "Darcy!" she squealed, rushing to wrap her arms around her sister.

Darcy laughed, hugging her sister tightly, "Hey Clare." She ran a hand through Clare's short hair. "You're hair is so short! Why didn't you send me pictures?"

Clare shook her head, looking up at her sister, "I dunno. I – I… I got busy, I guess." She smiled, sighing heavily, and hugged her again. "I missed you so much!"

Darcy smiled, assuring softly, "Its okay, Clare. I'm home."

DTNG

Darcy and Clare sat across from each other at a table at the Dot, waiting for someone to come around and take their order. Clare stared at the glass table top, biting her bottom lip, while her feet dangled below her. She kicked at the table stand and bit her bottom lip in regret when her toe started to hurt.

Darcy quirked an eyebrow, watching her sister in silence. She sighed heavily, tilting her head to the side, "Clare… what's going on?"

Clare briefly directed her attention to her older sister before looking back down at the table. She gave a pathetic smile, shrugging, "Nothing."

Darcy opened her mouth to speak, only to be cut off by the familiar voice of their server, "Hey Clare. What can I get - Darcy?"

Darcy looked to her left, her eyes going wide in surprise, "Peter."

Peter stood there, clutching his pad shakily as his mouth hung agape in shock. "Wow…" he whispered in awe.

Darcy could not help but smile, blushing bashfully as she looked down. "I was expecting Spinner."

Peter shook his head, finally finding his words, "No. Um… Spinner got married. To Emma."

"Emma Nelson?" Darcy laughed, looking back at him.

Peter nodded and then reached out¸ running his hand through her long brown hair, "You look amazing."

Darcy bit her bottom lip, sighing, "Peter, I'm so sorry." She looked up at him sadly, her eyes piercing his heart. "I'm sorry."

Peter shook his head, "Darc'…"

Clare sat awkwardly, clearing her throat.

Darcy turned to her sister, pulling back from Peter's touch. "Um… Clare, you order first. They changed the menu…"

Clare nodded, speaking quietly, "I'll just take a carmel late."

Darcy frowned, biting her lips together in concern. She looked up at Peter and sighed, "I'll have a cheese burger and a coke."

Peter wrote it down and nodded for Darcy to follow him to the bar, which she gladly obliged.

As soon as they disappeared to the bar, arms wrapped around Clare's torso from behind, causing her to jump.

Eli laughed, kissing her cheek as if to soothe her, "You okay?"

Clare sighed in relief, "It's you…"

Eli furrowed his brow in confusion, "Of course it's me. No one else would do this."

"Do wh…" But before Clare could finish her question, she had been spun around with her lips attached to Eli's. She smiled softly, wrapping her arms around Eli's shoulders as she deepened the kiss ever so slightly. Eli tilted his head to the side, sliding his tongue into her mouth. She gasped softly, wrapping her tongue around his.

Then suddenly, the warmth of his tongue was gone. Clare opened her eyes to find Eli beaming his smug smirk. He pecked her softly on the lips and whispered, "Clare..."

Clare smiled a bit, nodding, as she whispered back, "What?"

"Can I keep you?" Eli asked softly.

The words sent goosebumps throughout her whole body, causing Clare to shiver in his arms. She nodded, staring into his intense green eyes, "Yes."

Eli smiled, leaning in closer.

Clare bit her bottom lip, looking down bashfully. Only to never be met with lips.

Suddenly Eli moved back into the wall. Not moved; shoved.

Clare looked up, flabbergasted, gasping, "Fitz!"

Fitz stood over Eli, who had crumbled up on the floor, coughing to catch his breath. Fitz glared at Clare, pointing at her, "You fucking slept with me! You're mine!"

Eli did not even bother looking at Clare as he stood up, immediately throwing his whole body into a punch that met Fitz's face. Fitz stumbled slightly, shoving Eli again.

Clare screamed, standing up, "Stop it!" She looked at everyone in the grill, who just stared. "Peter!" she called out for help.

Peter rushed out of the back and stood between the two. "Hey! Quit it! Get out!" he shouted, standing between Eli and Fitz, grabbing Fitz.

Fitz snapped himself away from Peter, getting out of the grill as he wiped the blood from his dripping nose.

Peter looked at Eli. "Both of you," he stated with a sigh.

Eli looked at Clare helplessly before leaving in a huff.

Clare watched him, her eyes filling with tears. She closed her eyes, covering her face with her hands as she started to cry.

Darcy rushed to her sister and wrapped Clare up in her arms protectively. She sighed heavily, still slightly in shock, "Clare…"

Clare shook her head, pulling back from Darcy. "I have to… I have to fix this," she mumbled under her breath as she rushed out of The Dot.

DTNG

Eli sighed heavily and kicked at one of the wheels of his hearse. "Fuck," he shouted, closing his eyes in both physical and mental pain.

"Eli!"

Eli looked up from where he stood on the curb, his eyes falling upon Clare. He sighed, turning to get into the passenger seat of his car, but Clare grabbed his arm to pull him back.

"Eli, please!" Clare begged, her heart breaking as she tried to turn him towards her.

Eli swallowed his pride as he turned to look at her. His eyes were filled with more hurt than anger and he felt as if he would yell at her; shove her off of him; make her feel as miserable as he. Yet he could never say a foul word nor do a bad deed to her. He just tugged his arm gently out of her grip and shoved his hands in his pockets, muttering, "What?"

Clare sighed in relief, wiping at her eyes. "I did sleep with Fitz. But it was before I started dating you. It was before you asked me out. Back when you were just… an infatuation. He promised not to hurt you if I slept with him…"

"Yeah. That turned out well," Eli spat bitterly, immediately regretting his choice of words.

Clare could not help but cry, "But I love you, Eli. I love you. Not Fitz. You - you are… my best friend. I can't lose you just because I slept with another guy."

Eli shook his head, his eyes filling with tears, as he shouted, "But it wasn't just some other guy, Clare! It was Fitz! Sav is just some other guy. Drew is just some other guy. Fitz is the biggest asshole who is trying to make my life a living hell! And you slept with the enemy!"

Clare covered her face with her hands, sobbing uncontrollably at his words.

"Dammit, Clare!" Eli cursed as he started to cry. He looked at her, taking her biceps in his hands. He pulled her closer to him and brought his lips to her ear, whispering, "I have to go because I don't want to hurt you. I would never hurt you." With that, he let her go and made his way to his car.

DTNG

Fitz took a long swig out of the beer bottle, gazing into the fire as it flickered in the darkness. His eyes went wide when he swore he saw a body dancing in the fire.

"Fitz…" a soft voice called out to him.

Fitz shot up from the lawn chair he was lazing in, staring into the fire. "Clare…"

"Look up, Fitz."

Fitz closed his eyes before turning his head up and opening his eyes to find Clare on the opposite side of the fire. He rushed around the fire to her, cupping her cheek in his hand. He leaned in to kiss her, but she turned her head away.

Clare looked away from him, her body trembling. Her makeup had run down her face, leaving black and brown smudges from her eyes down her cheeks. Her lips were a faded red. Her bloodshot eyes stood out against the darkness of her ruined makeup. She bit her bottom lip as if it would keep her from shaking. She sniffled, starting to cry again, "You said you wouldn't hurt him…"

For the first time in his life, Fitz could feel his heart breaking. "Clare…" he frowned, running a hand through her hair. He sighed heavily, "I… I couldn't help myself. You're really screwing with me… You're just…" He trailed off, his eyes linking with hers her hurt ate him alive.

Clare leaned up slightly, closing her eyes as she kissed him softly on the lips, wrapping her arm around his neck for leverage. Fitz kissed her back willingly, pulling her closer to him. He carefully lifted her off the ground, his hands dropping to rest on her butt. She wrapped her legs around his waist, fastening on him for dear life, as she deepened the kiss.

Fitz stumbled slightly over to a picnic table, laying Clare down and placing himself between her legs. He looked at her in awe, sliding his hands up under her layers of clothing covering her stomach to feel the warmth of her skin.

Clare shuttered slightly, curving up towards him. She bit her bottom lip innocently, her eyes looking up into his shyly.

Fitz swallowed hard as his fingers traced her bra line. He leaned down slowly and kissed her hungrily. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, kissing him back. Her nails raked his jacket up his back, trying to get it off of his body.

Fitz could not help but smirk, pulling back a bit. "Want to make our own heat, huh?" he whispered hotly in her ear, causing her to shutter underneath him. He shook his head, "It's getting too cold, Gorgeous."

Clare sighed heavily, her lips jutting out into an adorable pout. She wrapped her legs around his waist, grinding her pelvis against his. His eyes rolled to the back of his head, groaning softly. He shook his head with a smile, sliding his hands up the curve of her legs and under her skirt as he whispered, "You asked for this." He lifted his hips back from hers ever so slightly, sliding down her underwear. She smirked, fumbling with his belt and then his jeans. Once both were undone, she shoved his jeans and boxers down quickly.

Fitz kissed her softly on the lips, pushing hard into her. Clare gasped in shock, closing her eyes tight. She bit her bottom lip hard to keep from making too much noise as he slid slowly in and out of her.

He ran his hand through her hair, kissing her nose. "Baby, look at me," he whispered.

She fluttered her eyes open, meeting his gaze and smiled a little, letting out a soft moan, "Fitz…" He smirked, pulling her closer to him. She arched her back, her chest pressing up against his, and suddenly an overwhelming warmth filled her entire body. She clawed at his shoulders, gasping for air and tightening her legs around his waist, "God, yes…"

He felt her tighten quickly, moaning softly in her air, "Clare…" He shuttered, finishing much too quickly, at least for him. He smirked slightly when he felt her shriveling around him with a string of moans. He wrapped his arms around her, kissing her cheeks. "Feels good, huh?" he whispered comfortingly.

Clare nodded, looking up at him in exhaustion, "Yeah."

Fitz smiled, brushing her hair out of her face, "I'm glad you came back."

Clare laid underneath him in astonishment. She could not believe how honest and genuine he was being. His eyes were filled with concern, care, love, fear – so much emotion she had never imagined he felt. She could suddenly read him like an open book – and she wanted to read more.

Clare ran her hand through Fitz's hair, pulling him closer while tilting her head to the side. "Me too," she whispered before pressing her lips softly against his.