Update! Update!! Read all about it!!!
Sorry for the wait, guys...had to work some Chlark smut outta my system. ;-)
And speaking of Chlark...no, your eyes are not decieving you: that is a Chlark icon at the top of the page. That's because ***WARNING*** Oliver Queen does not appear in this
Enjoy! Hopefully, some of Chloe's fears will start to make sense to y'all. And some of Clark's dickish behaviour. Not that anyone around here cares much about Clark, anymore... :-)
...I'll just leave you to read the story, yeah? :-P
Title: Love For Realsies
Author: BabyDee
Pairing: Chlollie
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Clark POV, no Ollie in this chapter (but still very Chollie-heavy!!!)
Timeline: Season 9 (Conspiracy - Checkmate), sequel to Just for Funsies
Disclaimer: All characters belong to the CW & DC comics.
Summary: Chloe finds it increasingly difficult to resist Ollie’s affections.
Feedback: …makes me squee. J
Read previous chapter here.
Read story from the beginning here.
Chapter 18
Chloe must honestly think he had shit for brains.
“You know, a lot of love and care went into preparing that steak, Chloe,” he admonished sternly. “You could at least try to eat some of it.”
“Hey, I’ve almost finished,” she said defensively, tilting the plate to prove it to him. “See?”
“Yes, I see,” he said derisively. “I see you’ve almost finished passing sizeable morsels of beef to the very happy dogs under the table.”
Chloe’s face reddened guiltily as two wagging tails swept the floor at her feet, ratting her out.
“I’m sorry,” she said meekly. “I’m just not really that hungry.”
He sighed. Chloe would never admit it, but she was totally heartsick. She had it bad. He’d never seen her like this, ever.
“Do you want to go for a walk?” he suggested. “It’ll do you good, and the dogs will appreciate the fresh air and freedom.”
She nodded. “That sounds good.”
He smiled and held out his hand. “’Kay. Let’s go.”
Chloe took his proffered hand and together they walked down the porch steps and into the late afternoon sunshine. They let the dogs lead the way, and just walked slowly in companionable silence, each one alone with their thoughts.
After about a half hour or so of walking, they emerged on the banks of
“So what happened?” he asked when he felt enough time had passed.
Chloe took a deep breath, and then answered. “Oliver said he loved me.”
Her eyes shuttered over as she shook her head. “You wouldn’t understand.”
“Try me.”
She ran her hands through her hair and sighed. “I didn’t want him to get all emotional about me, because I specifically told him I only wanted a physical relationship.”
She flushed wildly. “I never said I loved him.”
“You didn’t have to.”
“I mean, I care about him, sure, but –”
“Oh, stop with the denial, Chloe,” he said, sounding mildly irritated. “You were bawling your eyes out pretty hard for a girl who just dumped someone she wasn’t serious about.”
“Well, I…I was just upset about a lot of different things…”
“You looked like you’d just had your heart ripped out. So did he, for that matter.”
Chloe lowered her gaze to the rippling water. “How’s he doing?” she asked quietly.
“Is he drinking again?” she asked sharply.
“No,” he said firmly. “Definitely not.”
She smiled sadly. “Well, there’s your proof that he can’t be hurting all that bad.”
“He’s not drinking because he’s not that person anymore,” he said harshly. “You of all people know how far he fell before getting his life back on track.”
“And he did all that without a woman by his side,” she replied. “He doesn’t need me to stay sober. Oliver’s strong,
“You really think distancing yourself from him will facilitate that?” he challenged. “Chloe, running away from him isn’t going to change how he feels about you; it doesn’t work that way.”
She folded her arms. “Well, it worked when you left. I got over you, didn’t I?”
He flinched as if he’d been struck by kryptonite. He knew he had no right to be offended by her words, after everything he’d put her through, but still…
That one hurt.
Suddenly she shifted, and he realised she was waiting for an answer.
“We’re not talking about me, we’re talking about you and Oliver,” he eventually replied.
“Not anymore,” she said bluntly. “I’ve made up my mind, and that’s that. Oliver and I are through.”
“My God, Chloe, have you lost your mind?” he yelled, exasperated. “He’s heartbroken, and your stubborn pride is just killing him-”
“I’m saving his life!” she cried.
He stared, and then narrowed his eyes at her. “What?”
Her shoulder slumped and she lifted a hand to wipe the tears that came to her eyes. “I’m saving his life,
“By…breaking his heart?” he asked, more than puzzled.
“By getting away from him while I still can,” she said softly.
“Isn’t it obvious?” she asked wryly. “I’m cursed,
He stared at her, dumbfounded.
“Okay, now that? is the craziest thing I have ever heard.” he said when he could finally speak. “You’re saying you let Oliver go because you think you’ll bring him bad luck??”
“I know what I’m talking about,
“I came back!” he exclaimed, grabbing her arms. “Chloe, I’m right here!”
“But we lost what we had,” she whispered numbly. “We were never the same after that, and you know it.”
His lips thinned. “Then your logic’s flawed, Chloe, because you never told me you loved me.”
“I told Jor-El,” she said softly. “Up at the fortress, when I went to plead with him to restore Kara’s powers.”
His eyes widened in shock, and he stared at her for what felt like ages. He’d always suspected, but she’d never said…
Eventually he swallowed and spoke. “You never told me. Why did you never tell me?”
She shrugged. “It was irrelevant. You never felt the same way.”
“You don’t know that,” he said softly.
She snorted. “Please. Your actions over the last year put me in my place about your feelings – or lack thereof – for me, thank you. But enough about that. My concern is for Oliver and how his feelings for me keep putting him in danger.”
“Long before Oliver met you he was putting himself in dangerous situations,” Clark reasoned. “He swings from rooftops of skyscrapers and wields a compound bow, for heaven’s sake. We’re crimefighters, Chloe; danger’s pretty much a given. It has nothing to do how he feels about you.”
"You think I'm pulling this stuff out of my ass?" she cried. "I had to hold Jimmy while he was dying, Clark. I felt him growing colder, saw the blood draining out of him…and there wasn’t a thing I could do to stop it.”
“That wasn’t your fault,” he said softly, but she barrelled on.
“You think I'd risk letting something like that happen to Ollie?” she asked, and shook her head vigorously. “My God, I would sooner die than see him get hurt, so if I can prevent it, I will. Even if I have to live in pain for the rest of my own life."
"But you're hurting him right now, Chloe,” he pointed out. “Both of you are hurting, and the only thing that can heal you is each other."
But Chloe shook her head, determined to believe the worst of herself. "I'm bad news,
"Then let him be the judge of that," he said wisely. "Tell him your fears, and let him decide if you're worth the risk or not. He deserves that much, at least."
Chloe’s pretty features clouded over, and he could see her resolve wavering. Encouraged, he went on.
"He loves you so much, Chloe," he went on softly. "I've never seen him like this about anyone. Both of you deserve the chance to be happy. Don't stand in the way of that."
For a second, her eyes lit up with hope, but then the look was gone and she shook her head stubbornly.
“No,” she said with an air of finality. “Oliver’s better off without me.”
A seriously frustrated
“Oh, is that what you want?” he exploded harshly. “Fine! Make the biggest mistake of your life and walk away from him. You’ll get to sit by and watch while he breaks some poor girl’s heart over and over because he can’t get you out of his mind.”
She stared at him with wide eyes, and he laughed cruelly. “Or worse, watch while he does get over you; then you can experience your heart breaking into a million little pieces every time you see them together because you can’t stop loving him. You’ll be tormented everyday because you had it all, but chose to throw it all away. Is that really what you want? Because trust me, you don’t want to live with that kind of pain!”
Shaken, Chloe dropped her head into her hands and cried. He didn’t try to soothe her or comfort her; just let his words sink in and take effect, as he’d hoped they would.
Finally she spoke. “Okay, I admit it; I feel the same way for him as he does for me,” she sobbed. But…I’m scared,
“You can’t control the universe, Chloe,” he said gently. “I know that’s why you set up Watchtower, to try and have a hand in everything that goes on so that you can fix it when it starts going pear-shaped…but sometimes, shit happens. Bad shit. And there’s nothing we can do about it but learn to live with what’s left behind.”
“But in this case, the bad shit’s all my fault, and as long as I stay away from Ollie…”
“Like you on National I’m to Blame Day?” she supplied helpfully.
He chuckled. “Not the exact words I would have chosen, but the point is clear. How many times did you lecture me on blaming myself for things I couldn’t possibly have caused or prevented? How often have you cautioned me on harbouring unnecessary guilt?”
She said nothing and idly fingered a pebble on the dock.
“Chloe, Jimmy dying…it wasn’t your fault,” he said. “We didn’t blame you-”
“Yeah, you did,” she said, her voice hard and eyes cold. “You all did. And you were right, I deserved it-”
“No,” he said forcefully. “All you did, all you tried to do, was keep
“But…” she swallowed. “Jimmy died saving my life…”
“And you think he’d be happy to know that you plan on spending that life in misery, denying yourself of love out of guilt?” he pointed out. “Chloe, you knew him better than the rest of us. Is that something he’d have wanted for you?”
Slowly she shook her head. “All he ever tried to do was make me happy,” she whispered.
“I want to be with him, Clark – I really do,” she said brokenly. “I feel so empty without him. But if I say those words to him, and something happens…”
“Then don’t say the words,” he replied simply. “Create your own loophole, if you will.”
She frowned. “What do you mean?”
“If you can’t tell him how you feel, then show it to him. You can work your way around that, can’t you?”
She nodded slowly, her eyes slowly brightening as she considered this new idea. “I think…I think that could work.”
***
no subject
Date: 2010-08-19 02:18 am (UTC)Attn: Clark...
This is allowed just this once. After this, you best not be raising your voice at my girl.
Lovely Chap my dear! I can't not wait for more!
StaySix. :)
no subject
Date: 2010-08-19 02:20 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-08-19 02:24 am (UTC)I'll reply properly in the morning...I need to go to bed, it's almost 3.30am here. See how much I love you guys? :-D
Thanks!
no subject
Date: 2010-08-19 02:42 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-08-19 03:25 am (UTC)I really loved this chapter. I am really looking forward to your next chapter!
*hugs tight*
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Date: 2010-08-19 03:42 am (UTC)His lips thinned. “Then your logic’s flawed, Chloe, because you never told me you loved me.”
“I told Jor-El,” she said softly. “Up at the fortress, when I went to plead with him to restore Kara’s powers.”
His eyes widened in shock, and he stared at her for what felt like ages. He’d always suspected, but she’d never said…
Eventually he swallowed and spoke. “You never told me. Why did you never tell me?”
She shrugged. “It was irrelevant. You never felt the same way.”
“You don’t know that,” he said softly.
She snorted. “Please. Your actions over the last year put me in my place about your feelings – or lack thereof – for me, thank you. But enough about that. My concern is for Oliver and how his feelings for me keep putting him in danger.” END QUOTE
You go tell it like it is, sister! I'm so mad at Clark for treating Chloe like he did last season! It's about time he got some of his own medicine.
no subject
Date: 2010-08-19 04:03 am (UTC)I actually agreed with him which is a scary thought but he was right in everything he said to Chle and I'm glad that he seems to have gotten through to her.
Can't wait for the next chapter.
no subject
Date: 2010-08-19 04:17 am (UTC)Now, the moment I remember the end of Doomsday, I start disliking him again. So Im gonna try to keep Doomsday away from my mind for a while.
no subject
Date: 2010-08-19 07:17 am (UTC)"Not that anyone around here cares much about Clark, anymore... "
[QUOTE]\
...ohhhh, lonesome meeee...
...ah, yes, Miss No-one sitting here in a little corner all by her lonesome still caring A LOT about Clark... (and not that imitation Clark of TPTB's S9...)
/[QUOTE]:
"Eventually he swallowed and spoke. “You never told me. Why did you never tell me?”
She shrugged. “It was irrelevant. You never felt the same way.”
“You don’t know that,” he said softly...."
[QUOTE]\
My heart still breaks at the obviousness of their love for each other, so stupidly ignored by TPTB. But I thank you so much, Dee, for touching on it even in this heart-wrenching Chlollie story.
And, omg, could you have made Chloe any more stubborn? Doesn't she know that in the dangerous business these boys are all in, the odds of them getting hurt or killed are so high, that she would have even more regrets if Ollie got hurt and she had wasted all that time staying away from him? When she could be happy with him with whatever time any of them have?
I AM glad that Clark didn't back down in trying to convince her of what she was throwing away:
/[QUOTE]:
"...and he laughed cruelly. “Or worse, watch while he does get over you; then you can experience your heart breaking into a million little pieces every time you see them together because you can’t stop loving him. You’ll be tormented everyday because you had it all, but chose to throw it all away. Is that really what you want? Because trust me, you don’t want to live with that kind of pain!”
[QUOTE]\
I could be totally wrong, but I feel you meant this as Clark describing his own pain, the regret he lives with every day for not taking a chance with Chloe...?
Very, very excellent update! I hope Chloe gets the message.
no subject
Date: 2010-08-19 07:40 am (UTC)Chloe must honestly think he had shit for brains.
*snort, giggle, cackle*
Not going to lie but if you had just left the chapter there I wouldn't have complained... much!!!
“So what happened?” he asked when he felt enough time had passed.
Wut?????!!!!! Clark wants to talk about Chloe's problems??? Not just rush in demand info and leave without so much as a thank you??? Well this is surprising!!!
Clark stared hard at her, a shuttered expression on his face. “But that was before you fell in love with him, right?”
She flushed wildly. “I never said I loved him.”
You don't have to!!!! You love him!!!! You LUV him!!! You know, you do!!! Stop lying to yourself!!!
“You really think distancing yourself from him will facilitate that?” he challenged. “Chloe, running away from him isn’t going to change how he feels about you; it doesn’t work that way.”
I'm still surprised he is still focusing on Chloe and not but in with woe-is-me bs.
She folded her arms. “Well, it worked when you left. I got over you, didn’t I?”
Ohhhhhh, karmic bitch slap!!!! Hope it stings!!!
He flinched as if he’d been struck by kryptonite. He knew he had no right to be offended by her words, after everything he’d put her through, but still…
That one hurt.
Good!!! Sorry but he deserved it!!! Actually he deserves harsher words and a bunch of curses words as well!!!
“We’re not talking about me, we’re talking about you and Oliver,” he eventually replied.
*yeah still shocked he is not being me, me, me, me*
Her shoulder slumped and she lifted a hand to wipe the tears that came to her eyes. “I’m saving his life, Clark.”
Wut???? Chloe, I love you but damn I want to smack you and yell: stop being a frigging idiot!!!!
“I know what I’m talking about, Clark,” she said stubbornly. “Everyone I love either leaves or dies. My Mom, my Dad, Lana, Jimmy, even you -”
Nope, Chloe you don't know what you're talking about!!! Moira left because of her illness and because she wanted to make sure you were safe. Still don't know what happened with Gabe. Lana, please that selfish bitch. Jimmy, douche!!! Need I say more??? Clark an even bigger douche than Jimmy-boy!!!
no subject
Date: 2010-08-19 07:41 am (UTC)His eyes widened in shock, and he stared at her for what felt like ages. He’d always suspected, but she’d never said…
Eventually he swallowed and spoke. “You never told me. Why did you never tell me?”
Yeah, not surprised that Clark turned around about himself!!
She shrugged. “It was irrelevant. You never felt the same way.”
“You don’t know that,” he said softly.
0_o Seriously??? Is he seriously trying to bring this up????
She snorted. “Please. Your actions over the last year put me in my place about your feelings – or lack thereof – for me, thank you. But enough about that. My concern is for Oliver and how his feelings for me keep putting him in danger.”
Yes!!! Enough of Clark's stupidity and blindness!!! Let's focus on the much better man, Oliver!!! And how the hell does Ollie's feelings put him in danger??? Chloe's head is really scrambled!!!
You’ll be tormented everyday because you had it all, but chose to throw it all away. Is that really what you want? Because trust me, you don’t want to live with that kind of pain!”
Even though that last bit was about Clark, I'm glad he is making Chloe realize what she is throwing away!!!
Finally she spoke. “Okay, I admit it; I feel the same way for him as he does for me,” she sobbed. But…I’m scared, Clark. I’m so scared. I can’t lose him. If I stayed with him and something bad happened…”
ABOUT FUCKING TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And even if something happened you still would have memories of the times that were amazing and good!!!
Slowly she shook her head. “All he ever tried to do was make me happy,” she whispered.
*takes a deep breathe* Will not rant against Jimmy. Will not rant against Jimmy. Will not rant against Jimmy!!!
“If you can’t tell him how you feel, then show it to him. You can work your way around that, can’t you?”
She nodded slowly, her eyes slowly brightening as she considered this new idea. “I think…I think that could work.”
*sighs* I swear I was about to clobber her!!!! But YAY, Chlollie reunion and sexy tiems in the next chapter!!! Right????
Great chapter, babe!!!!
no subject
Date: 2010-08-19 09:48 am (UTC)I still wanna shove some Greeen K down his miuth but hes warming to me again! lols.
LOVVVVED THIS, CANT WAIT FOR NEXT CHAPTER! *COUGH COUGH* im sick tooo, *sniffles* lol
xx
no subject
Date: 2010-08-19 12:43 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-08-19 01:28 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-08-19 02:54 pm (UTC)Clark was so wonderfully mature and supportive of Chloe, and I'm beginning to wonder, could this little diatribe:
“Or worse, watch while he does get over you; then you can experience your heart breaking into a million little pieces every time you see them together because you can’t stop loving him. You’ll be tormented everyday because you had it all, but chose to throw it all away. Is that really what you want? Because trust me, you don’t want to live with that kind of pain!”
be directed at himself? Because he's in love with Chloe but lost her because of his own stupidity??!!
Then I'm even prouder of him because he's pushing his own pain aside to help Chloe realize just how deeply she loves Oliver.
Fabulous, work Dee :)
no subject
Date: 2010-08-19 03:01 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-08-19 03:52 pm (UTC)my gosh, chloe is stubborn as a pig!
and clark being all understanding and supporting...that's new, I like it:-)
"Tell him your fears, and let him decide if you're worth the risk or not. He deserves that much, at least."
I second that!!!!:-)
“Or worse, watch while he does get over you; then you can experience your heart breaking into a million little pieces every time you see them together because you can’t stop loving him. You’ll be tormented everyday because you had it all, but chose to throw it all away. Is that really what you want? Because trust me, you don’t want to live with that kind of pain!”
Jesus Clark, what's with all the enthusiasm^^:-) completely new side of clark:-)
I think it was about time that someone yelled at chloe for letting the best thing in her life just slip away.
“Like you on National I’m to Blame Day?”
haha, good one:-)
so what can I see...brilliant and awesome as always:-)can't wait for the next chapter. there'll better be a chlollie reunion in it;-)^^
no subject
Date: 2010-08-19 05:37 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-08-19 07:55 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-08-20 02:59 am (UTC)Now to my naughty thoughts: Can't wait for Chloe to show Ollie how much she cares
no subject
Date: 2010-08-21 12:28 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-08-21 01:12 am (UTC)And Chloe *sigh* she has definitely joined the brooding club of doom, and it was sooo good when she finally admitted her feelings for Oliver out loud - acceptance is the first step towards healing;)
Loved, loved, loved it. Another wonderful chapter from you!
no subject
Date: 2010-08-22 01:29 am (UTC)I keeps hitting the 'recent entry' button, hoping and praying BabyDee posted chapter 19.
no subject
Date: 2010-08-22 09:36 am (UTC)"Please...can we have some more? <---tried to say it in a Brit accent, but it came out really bad!!! sorry"
Ha ha! No worries, I think in a British accent, so it all came out perfectly this end! :-D
I'm working on updating Crisis first, but the good news is that Chapter 19 of Realsies is already half-written. If the kids are in the mood to play quietly today, I may be able to sort Ch 19 out and post it in the evening.
Fingers crossed, and thanks so much for all your awesome comments! Sorry I haven't replied those in Ch 18 yet; I figured you'd all prefer I got the next chapter ready first, posted that, and then came round to do my 'thank-you's! ;-)
no subject
Date: 2010-08-27 11:06 pm (UTC)But enough about it. I love this chapter. The only thing I can think to say about it is that you left me speechless. I never had a Ollie-less chapter make me so happy as this one. Seriously.
I like, no, love Chlark in this chapter. It's like he embraced his inner fangirl and told Chloe everything we would like to scream at her - because sometimes she's too stubborn to hear (ok, ok, most of the time). And the ending?! Omg, I would so hug him for that suggestion. That BDA can be awesome sometimes.
Now, I just want to know how Ollie is taking Chloe's little trip to the farm with Chlark and their puppy (their puppy!!). Will we see why Green is Ollie's color in the next chapter? Now I am curious =D
no subject
Date: 2010-08-29 04:44 am (UTC)“You never told me. Why did you never tell me?”
She said it more than twice, and considering his advice to her, I'm sure he should have noticed in what she's done for him over the years. Thickheaded alien. Sometimes he can be so insightful and other times he can be as dense as lead.
no subject
Date: 2010-09-03 07:49 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-10-29 04:47 pm (UTC)Clark felt his heart constrict at her words,"
That's because she used to love YOU, and you know you're a frickin' moron for blowing it! *glares at Clark*
"She folded her arms. “Well, it worked when you left. I got over you, didn’t I?”
Chloe Sullivan, ladies and gentlemen. Master of Self-Denial. ;-)
"“You never told me. Why did you never tell me?”
She shrugged. “It was irrelevant. You never felt the same way.”
“You don’t know that,” he said softly."
*sniffs* My Chlark-heart! Why must it torment me so?
"“Fine! Make the biggest mistake of your life and walk away from him. You’ll get to sit by and watch while he breaks some poor girl’s heart over and over because he can’t get you out of his mind.”
She stared at him with wide eyes, and he laughed cruelly. “Or worse, watch while he does get over you; then you can experience your heart breaking into a million little pieces every time you see them together because you can’t stop loving him. You’ll be tormented everyday because you had it all, but chose to throw it all away. Is that really what you want? Because trust me, you don’t want to live with that kind of pain!”
WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! You're killing me! He's talking about himself and how he lost her! GAH!! *runs for the tissues*
"“If you can’t tell him how you feel, then show it to him. You can work your way around that, can’t you?”
You'd BETTER, Chloe. Because if you make BOTH my boys miserable, I will personally step into fiction-land and introduce you to my left fist, lady!
*marches off to next chapter*