babydee1: (0Chlark - HappySmiley by Miranda Strangc)
[personal profile] babydee1
Finally finished with this one!  Thanks for all the lovely comments, I really had a blast reading them. :-)

...and congratulations to [livejournal.com profile] marikologyon her birthday, and for her kind donation to the [livejournal.com profile] help_superrobynappeal.  *hugs*

Psst!  Mariko, darling: you badgered, whined, threatened, cried, cajoled and pretty much guilt-tripped me into writing this gig.  If I don’t get detailed reviews from you on every single chapter, I’m never speaking to you again! :-P

Banner by Jennyspring

Title:              Peach Bikini
Author:          BabyDee
Pairing:          Chlark
Rating:           PG13
Warnings:     None 
Timeline:      Season 3-ish; companion piece/prequel to The Perfect Gift 
Disclaimer:   All characters belong to the CW & DC comics. 
Summary:     When Chloe loses to Clark in a debate she has to wear a two-piece swimsuit to Crater Lake – much to his delight. 
Feedback:      …makes me squee. :)

Fantastic banner by the awesome [livejournal.com profile] jennyspring.  Thanks so much, babes!
 
 
Read previous chapter here.
Read story from the beginning here.
 
 
Chapter 5 
 

“Chloe, are you having a baby in there, or what?” a foot-tapping Carly said impatiently.  “Just come on out!  I do have other things to do, you know!”  
 
Chloe stared at her reflection in the changing room cubicle, and cringed.  Now that the dreaded bikini was actually on her it seemed even tinier and far more revealing that she remembered.  The halter-neck straps were spaghetti-thin, and the cut of the bra showed way more cleavage than she’d bargained for.   She pulled at the sides of the bikini top, trying to arrange as much coverage as possible.  The cups were held together by a gold ring between her breasts, and she had an awful feeling it would snap and the entire bra would fly off like in that campy Carry On movie. 
 
As for the bottom half, that was even worse.  There were no sides to the damn thing; not ones that were made of fabric, at any rate.  No, it simply consisted of the same gold rings that were holding her top half together.  To make matters worse, the manufacturers hadn’t been too generous fabric of the seat area, so a fair amount of butt-cheek was on show.   Fortunately it was a good-looking butt, thanks to Carly’s intensive work-out sessions. 
 
She sighed again, wishing she’d had the foresight to try the bikini on before today; then she could have claimed it didn’t fit, and been able to talk Clark into getting her something else, something less racy. 
 
But despite all what she considered were design flaws, her biggest peeve with the bikini was by far its colour.  It was a soft, creamy shade of peach that matched her skin tone to perfection.  She believed those in the industry referred to it as nude. 
 
Which meant she looked just about naked.  Not bad, by any means, just nearly…well, naked.    
 
“Chloe, the sooner you get out there, the sooner this is all over,” Lana added from the other side of the door. 
 
 “Okay, just…promise not to laugh!” she pleaded.  Mentally she counted to three, and then opened the stall door. 
 
Both girls turned to look at her, and Carly rolled her eyes with a sigh. 
 
“Okay, we can’t really make an informed decision until you drop the towel and put your hands by your sides,” she said dryly.  “So drop it.” 
 
Chloe took a deep breath, and dropped the towel.  Carly’s tapping foot immediately stilled, Lana’s eyes widened like saucers, and they both just…stared.  And stared
 
And stared some more. 
 
“Well?” Chloe asked, apprehension filling her at their drawn-out silence.
 
“Wow!” Carly finally exclaimed.  “What the hell were you worrying for?  You look amazing!”
 
Chloe cast a doubtful glance down at herself.  “Really?” 
 
“Really!” Lana agreed.  “I mean, if I were a guy, I’d totally want to get with you.”
 
“Lana!” she gasped. 
 
“Trust me, you look that good,” Carly enthused.  “I think the guys will be very happy with this.” 
 
“That’s the problem!” Chloe wailed, frantically trying to adjust the seat of the bikini.  “Half my ass is hanging out.  There just isn’t enough fabric in this thing!”
 
“It’s Brazilian cut,” Lana explained.  “They, um...celebrate their curves in South America.”
 
“Yeah?  Well, last time I checked, this was North America and I do not ascribe to that school of thought,” Chloe grumbled as she headed for the door.  “Whatever.  Let’s just get this over with-”
 
“Not so fast,” Carly drawled, tugging her back.  “You are not going out there in flip-flops.  Did you bring the sandals, like I said?  And the bracelets?”
 
Chloe nodded.  “In the bag, but-”
 
“No buts.  Put ‘em on.”
 
Meekly Chloe dug out the strappy gold sandals she’d had for years but never worn, and put them on, then slipped two slim gold bracelets onto her left wrist.  “Okay, what next?”    
 
Lana shook a small pouch at her.  “Make-up.”
 
Make-up?”  Chloe echoed.  “Why?  We’re going swimming in a lake!”
 
Carly and Lana exchanged a knowing look.  “Clearly, your friend has a lot to learn,” Carly quipped as Lana powdered her face with a puff.  “Oh, and brush her hair until it gleams.” 
 
“Ladies, this isn’t a beauty pageant!” Chloe protested.
 
“Doesn’t mean you shouldn’t look your best,” Lana responded as she finished applying the make-up and started brushing Chloe’s hair.  “You’re always stuck in the Torch surrounded by computers.  It’s about time you socialised a little.  Okay…all done here.”   
 
“One last thing…” Carly rummaged in her purse and pulled out a spray can which she started to shake vigorously. 
 
Chloe closed her eyes and groaned.  “No.  No way.  I draw the line at spray tan.”
 
“It’s not spray tan, its body shimmer,” Carly explained.  “Just gives the skin a nice, healthy glow.” 
 
“This is all a lot of fuss and bother just to step out in a two-piece,” Chloe grumbled as the vaporised moisture cooled her skin.  “What happened to slapping on some sunscreen and jumping in the lake?” 
 
“Those days are over,” Carly said, grinning triumphantly as she dropped the small spray can in her purse.  “Go take a look.” 
 
Chloe went over to the full-length mirror – and gasped.  There was a familiar-looking stunner staring back at her with a very surprised look on her face.
 
“Is…is that me?” she breathed.  “I can’t believe it!”
 
“Believe it,” Lana said warmly.  “You look that good.” 
 
Chloe’s lower lip trembled and she suddenly felt overwhelmed with emotion.  She turned to the two girls with a ton of gratitude and grabbed them in a group-hug. 
 
“Thanks so much, both of you,” she mumbled tearfully.  “I’d be a nervous wreck if it weren’t for all your support.” 
 
Carly smiled.  “A pleasure.  And you’re actually not so bad now that I’ve gotten to know you.”  She glanced at her watch.  “Ready to face the world now?”
 
Despite Chloe’s new-found confidence, there was still a strong thread of shyness that just wouldn’t budge. “Ready as I’ll ever be, I suppose,” she replied ruefully.   
 
“Don’t worry,” Lana reassured her as they stepped out of the changing room and into the sunshine.  “We’re right beside you.” 
 
***
 
Smallville High’s 9th Grade boys were engaged in a game of lakeside volleyball when Chloe and the girls emerged from the changing rooms. 
 
Clark did a double-take as soon as he saw her.  The ball he had just tossed in Pete’s direction hit his friend on the side of the head before bouncing to the ground.  But Pete didn’t even seem to notice, and neither did the rest of the class. 
 
Because Chloe looked utterly and completely breath-taking
 
Her skin gleamed like polished ivory, and the little gold touches she’d added to the ensemble brought out the beauty in the entire outfit.  Not to mention the fact that her body was simply awesome.  The bathing suit complemented her skin so perfectly it was almost as if she weren’t wearing anything.  He honestly hadn’t given it much thought when he’d bought it, but he’d had no idea it was going to look this good. 
 
He’d had no idea Chloe could ever look this good.  
 
She always dressed in eclectic, tomboyish outfits and her hair was just as outlandish, usually worn with a jaunty flip.  Today it was sleekly styled and shone like spun gold, and she looked sexier than he’d ever seen her.  He tried not to use that word to refer to Chloe because she was his friend, but today…it was inevitable. 
 
Because she was undeniably hot
 
Clark swallowed hard and tried to ignore the tightening in his lower regions, reminding himself firmly that Chloe was just a friend.
 
A gorgeous, sexy, bikini-clad friend with golden hair and the body of a goddess, a friend that was turning him on like crazy.  But that was completely beside the point. 
 
She gave him a wink as she breezed past.  Clark, Pete and the rest of the class could only gawp with wide eyes as Chloe sauntered to a sun-lounger and made herself comfortable. 
 
“Ooo-kay,” Pete said when he could finally speak.  “All I can say right now is thanks for not losing, man.”
 
“Uh-huh,” he replied in a daze.  Chloe had put some sunshades on and was relaxing, flipping through a glossy magazine. 
 
“Clark?” he faintly heard one of his classmates whisper near his ear. 
 
“Yeah…?”
 
“You and Chloe are just friends, right?” he asked eagerly.
 
“Back. Off.”
 
The guy took the hint and slunk away.  Others were considerably bolder, approaching her with flirty grins and cheesy pick-up lines every five minutes, much to his chagrin. 
 
Luckily for him, Chloe was smart enough not to fall for any of their crap, and one by one they flitted by until she was alone again.  As soon as there was an opening he made his way over to the lounger where she lay. 
 
“Hi there, Bikini Girl.” 
 
“Happy now?” she said coolly as he crouched down under the shade of her beach parasol. 
 
Definitely,” he replied.  “Chloe, you look beautiful.”
 
She lowered her shades and smiled, her eyes twinkling.  “Beautiful, huh?” she drawled.  “I suppose it’s worth losing to you in a debate to hear you say that.”
 
He groaned.  “Surely you’re not still sore about that?” 
 
“Of course I’m still sore about that!” she pouted.  “Not only did I lose, but you got me wearing a bikini, Clark!”
 
“And, as I just pointed out, you look great in it!” he argued.  “Besides, did you really want to hear me rap?” 
 
She flashed him a bright smile and got to her feet.  “Excellent point, but a rather moot one.  You won, and these were your terms.  So take a long, hard look at me, Clark,” she said, gesturing to her body, “…’cause this is the first and last time you get to see me like this.” 
 
She flounced off and joined a small group of other girls dipping their toes in the water’s edge.  Soon they were splashing about and shrieking with laughter, and he could see that her initial self-consciousness was starting to wear off as she relaxed and simply had a good time.
 
He fervently hoped that she was kidding about her threat to never wear a bikini again, because it would be absolutely criminal to deprive the world of the view he was currently enjoying.  He stood and stared, unable to take his eyes off her. 
 
“Oh, just take a freakin’ picture, Clark,” Carly teased with a wink as she walked past, arm in arm with Jeff.  “It’ll last longer.” 
 
***
 
He was alone in the loft when Chloe came by several hours later – back in her usual clothes, he noted with a twinge of disappointment.
 
“So,” she said cheerily as she ascended the stairs.  “That went well, I think.” 
 
He smiled as her head came into view.  “Best bet I ever won,” he said, stretching languidly and folding his arms behind his head.  “I still can’t believe I actually beat you in a debate.” 
 
“Oh, I can,” she grimaced, sitting down beside him.  “True, you started off on the wrong foot, but by the time you were done with your closing speech, I was ready to vote for you.  That was…something else.”
 
His chest warmed with pride.  “Really?”
 
She nodded.  “Oh, yeah.  You argued with conviction, Clark.  It was obvious the chosen topic really meant something to you.”  She paused and studied him, then smiled.  “Somewhere underneath all that plaid, there’s a super man ready and waiting to save the world.” 
 
He laughed and pulled her to his side in a hug.  “Wow.  You got all that from one debate?”  
 
She giggled and snuggled closer.  “That, and all the times you’ve risked life and limb to save me,” she declared.  “Most recently and most notably my meteor-rock assisted, near-naked trip up the flagpole.”
 
He smiled, remembering her last birthday gift and its disastrous results from the water-based kryptonite stones. “Ah yes, that.  My apologies once again for that little mishap.”
 
“Forgiven, as you very well know, but I still wish you hadn’t tossed those earrings,” she mused with a nostalgic smile.  “I adored them, they were my favourite.”
 
“Well, maybe one day I’ll get you another piece of jewellery that you’ll love,” he replied warmly.  “One that isn’t made of meteor rocks and that comes as far away from Smallville as possible.” 
 
“I’ll hold you to it.”  She glanced at her watch and stood with a sigh.  “Gotta go.  Congratulations again, Clark – on winning both the debate, and the bet.” 
 
She extended her hand, which he shook warmly.  “At least I got you do to do something you’ve never done before,” he pointed out. 
 
“…and shall never do again,” she declared.  “Pity; I’d have loved to have gotten some pictures.”  She gave him a brief hug.  “See you tomorrow.”
 
She descended the stairs and headed out the barn.  Clark made sure she was in her car and driving off down the road before returning to sit on the couch. 
 
Carefully he lifted the solid lid of the trunk and unearthed a small wooden box from within.  He opened it and a mischievous grin lit his face as his gaze fell upon the small stack of photographs he’d taken and printed off that very afternoon.
 
If Chloe never wore that bikini again, it would be a damn shame.  So it was a good thing that he’d managed to preserve the memories in print – purely for the sake of posterity.
 
At least, he thought as he leafed through the images with a sly smile, that was the excuse he was sticking to.
 
***
 
The End. 
 
(Read the sequel/prequel, The Perfect Gift

PS: There will be a smutty oneshot to accompany this piece (title to be announced), to be posted later on in the week. ;-)

***


Date: 2011-09-19 11:10 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] babydee1.livejournal.com
Oh, me too. They end up coming in very, er...useful...down the line! ;-)

Thanks for commenting, Jen!

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