Enmity in Symmetry: Say It Right
Disclaimer: Smallville belongs to CW, which I obviously don’t work for. Damn it all…
Story: Oliver doesn’t get it. Doesn’t get Clark. Doesn’t get his past with Lex. Doesn’t get why he cares about it. Or maybe he does, and just doesn’t get how that reason is probable.
Set after Justice.
Spoilers: Up until the finale of Season Six, probably.
Warnings: Slash and angst.
Pairings: Collie [Clark/Oliver], implied Clex and Clana.
Enmity in Symmetry
Chapter One: Say it Right
Oliver would like to say he was an honorable and trustworthy man. So he couldn’t quite grasp why Clark Kent was still holding secrets from him after everything that’s happened, and after Oliver had already found out some of his secrets.
The fact doesn’t sit very well with him.
And why should it? Clark knew everything about him by now, and yet all Oliver knew were some of Clark’s powers –not even all of them. Now here he was, sitting quietly and patiently in Clark’s loft alone.
Clark was nowhere to be seen. That also didn’t sit well with Oliver, but that was another fact he couldn’t change. When had things spiraled down so much –
“Ollie?” Clark’s voice.
Oliver looked up and put on his arrogant smirk, faltering only for a second at seeing Clark’s disheveled, dirty and slumped form.
“Hey there, Boy Scout. You look like hell. Rough night?” Oliver teased.
“Rough day,” Clark groaned, walking over to Oliver and then collapsing next to the man on the couch.
“You can tell me about it. It might help,” the blond man suggested, wondering if Clark would actually take up the offer.
Just as he thought, Clark tensed up and stayed quiet.
“I think I’ll be fine,” Clark quietly said.
Oliver scowled, his smirk slipping off his face. Sitting up, he turned his body half-way so that he could face Clark.
“I’m your friend, right Clark?” he demanded to know in an angry tone.
“Yeah, of course Ollie,” the brunet affirmed, confused.
“Then why won’t you confide in me? I tell you everything. Why won’t you do the same?”
Clark stiffened again before relaxing. He suddenly had a thoughtful look on his face.
“Tonight. You can ask me anything tonight only. I’ll either answer truthfully or not answer at all. No skirting around the issue, lying, or giving excuses,” Clark laid it out for him.
Oliver’s eyes widened, “You’re serious, Clark?”
Frowning, Clark nodded reluctantly.
“Alright…why can’t you join the team? What’s this thing you have to do before joining us?”
Clark sighed, running a hand through tousled hair.
“After Dark Thursday, I escaped from a place called the Phantom Zone. But these things escaped with me and it’s my responsibility to put them back into the Zone before they cause anymore damage to the world.”
“Oh…wow. Um, can we start from the beginning? So I can understand what Dark Thursday has to do with all this, and what the hell is the Phantom Zone?”
Clark gave a small quirk of a grin at that before starting his entire story, beginning at finding out about his powers. If he started there, he didn’t have to tell Oliver that he was an alien point-blank. Though the man might just figure it out after his little story-telling.
“Okay, so that’s how Lex became your friend. And all that…complex stuff. Well, this explains a lot of things. Though, I don’t understand how you were just born with powers or how you have a second name. Hell, those Zoners are a little confusing relating to you. And you were a little vague about this Raya,” Oliver accused, but not pushing it.
Clark looked frustrated, so maybe Oliver should’ve kept his mouth shut. But then he started talking.
“I’m an alien, Oliver,” and then Clark began explaining those parts better, explaining how he came to be on Earth in the first place.
Clark fell to silence, waiting from the blond to react. He was expecting violently, but he hoped Oliver just walked out.
“Seeing that look on you face makes me think you don’t think very much of me,” Oliver firmly replied.
Clark blushed, “No…just…aren’t you freaked out?”
“Like I said, not very much of me,” Oliver scowled. “I like you, Clark. If I was truly your friend I’d be like Chloe. I don’t care what you are, as long as you’re still Clark. Got that?” Oliver’s smirk returned ten-fold.
“Yeah, cool,” the brunet grinned. “Anything else you want to know?”
“Yeah…how were you really like with Lex? I mean, how close were you?” Oliver flinched. “Never mind. Don’t answer that.”
Clark grimaced, “It’s fine, Ollie. Lex and I…we were the best of friends. Like I said, after I saved his life it seemed like he was always there.”
Oliver nodded, encouraging him to go on.
“But Lex…was obsessed with finding out my secret. Friendship wasn’t enough for him. I don’t know if it, I, ever was. But I’ve always been there to save him, just like he’s always just grudgingly there for me.”
There was something missing, and Oliver looked expectantly at Clark. He knew this was the only chance he’d have at unraveling the mystery that was Clark Kent and he had to have all the answers he could, or else there might not be another opportunity.
“L-Lex,” it surprised Oliver when Clark’s voice actually cracked, and the blond studied his friend’s face. He noted the straining expression, as if Clark was trying to hold back the tears.
“Lex told me once that he loved me. But I was young and confused and this is Smallville. It’s not really that common. So I was afraid and I told him so. He said he understood…but now I wonder if I –and not just my secrets- were part of what turned Lex away. If I had said maybe then he wouldn’t have turned out like this…”
Oliver shook his head, “Clark, you said it yourself. You were young. Lex had no right approaching you when he could’ve waited a couple more years. Don’t blame Lex’s shortcomings on yourself.”
Oliver didn’t understand how Clark’s confession was making him feel upset. But he did understand he was feeling jealous, but didn’t know why. Despite that, Oliver focused on making Clark feel better.
“I could always dream of what if’s,” Clark said wistfully.
Oliver lightly punched Clark’s shoulder, “And never meet me? What a boring life you would’ve had.”
Clark laughed and Oliver joined him.
Oliver sobered up as he thought of something, “Hey, Clark? Is that why you were so reluctant to become my friend? Did you think I would be like Lex? Just another pretty, rich boy who’d betray your trust?”
Clark’s face looked down ashamed, “I’m sorry, Ollie. But it hurt too much with what happened with Lex. I just didn’t want a repeat.”
Oliver shook his head, blond hair falling into his face and out of its usual spiked-gelled style. He looked back up into Clark’s eyes.
“I understand, Clark. And I hope you know that will never happen,” Oliver said firmly.
“Yeah, I know. It’s just hard to remember that sometimes.”
“Well, always count on it. The last thing I’d ever do is betray you.”
Clark looked hesitantly at him, but there was a sure look of gratefulness that Oliver liked having directed at himself.
“Thanks, Ollie. I…really do appreciate it.”
And Oliver was content with the progess.
Started 6/27/07 –Completed 6/28/07
Story: Oliver doesn’t get it. Doesn’t get Clark. Doesn’t get his past with Lex. Doesn’t get why he cares about it. Or maybe he does, and just doesn’t get how that reason is probable.
Set after Justice.
Spoilers: Up until the finale of Season Six, probably.
Warnings: Slash and angst.
Pairings: Collie [Clark/Oliver], implied Clex and Clana.
Enmity in Symmetry
Chapter One: Say it Right
Oliver would like to say he was an honorable and trustworthy man. So he couldn’t quite grasp why Clark Kent was still holding secrets from him after everything that’s happened, and after Oliver had already found out some of his secrets.
The fact doesn’t sit very well with him.
And why should it? Clark knew everything about him by now, and yet all Oliver knew were some of Clark’s powers –not even all of them. Now here he was, sitting quietly and patiently in Clark’s loft alone.
Clark was nowhere to be seen. That also didn’t sit well with Oliver, but that was another fact he couldn’t change. When had things spiraled down so much –
“Ollie?” Clark’s voice.
Oliver looked up and put on his arrogant smirk, faltering only for a second at seeing Clark’s disheveled, dirty and slumped form.
“Hey there, Boy Scout. You look like hell. Rough night?” Oliver teased.
“Rough day,” Clark groaned, walking over to Oliver and then collapsing next to the man on the couch.
“You can tell me about it. It might help,” the blond man suggested, wondering if Clark would actually take up the offer.
Just as he thought, Clark tensed up and stayed quiet.
“I think I’ll be fine,” Clark quietly said.
Oliver scowled, his smirk slipping off his face. Sitting up, he turned his body half-way so that he could face Clark.
“I’m your friend, right Clark?” he demanded to know in an angry tone.
“Yeah, of course Ollie,” the brunet affirmed, confused.
“Then why won’t you confide in me? I tell you everything. Why won’t you do the same?”
Clark stiffened again before relaxing. He suddenly had a thoughtful look on his face.
“Tonight. You can ask me anything tonight only. I’ll either answer truthfully or not answer at all. No skirting around the issue, lying, or giving excuses,” Clark laid it out for him.
Oliver’s eyes widened, “You’re serious, Clark?”
Frowning, Clark nodded reluctantly.
“Alright…why can’t you join the team? What’s this thing you have to do before joining us?”
Clark sighed, running a hand through tousled hair.
“After Dark Thursday, I escaped from a place called the Phantom Zone. But these things escaped with me and it’s my responsibility to put them back into the Zone before they cause anymore damage to the world.”
“Oh…wow. Um, can we start from the beginning? So I can understand what Dark Thursday has to do with all this, and what the hell is the Phantom Zone?”
Clark gave a small quirk of a grin at that before starting his entire story, beginning at finding out about his powers. If he started there, he didn’t have to tell Oliver that he was an alien point-blank. Though the man might just figure it out after his little story-telling.
“Okay, so that’s how Lex became your friend. And all that…complex stuff. Well, this explains a lot of things. Though, I don’t understand how you were just born with powers or how you have a second name. Hell, those Zoners are a little confusing relating to you. And you were a little vague about this Raya,” Oliver accused, but not pushing it.
Clark looked frustrated, so maybe Oliver should’ve kept his mouth shut. But then he started talking.
“I’m an alien, Oliver,” and then Clark began explaining those parts better, explaining how he came to be on Earth in the first place.
Clark fell to silence, waiting from the blond to react. He was expecting violently, but he hoped Oliver just walked out.
“Seeing that look on you face makes me think you don’t think very much of me,” Oliver firmly replied.
Clark blushed, “No…just…aren’t you freaked out?”
“Like I said, not very much of me,” Oliver scowled. “I like you, Clark. If I was truly your friend I’d be like Chloe. I don’t care what you are, as long as you’re still Clark. Got that?” Oliver’s smirk returned ten-fold.
“Yeah, cool,” the brunet grinned. “Anything else you want to know?”
“Yeah…how were you really like with Lex? I mean, how close were you?” Oliver flinched. “Never mind. Don’t answer that.”
Clark grimaced, “It’s fine, Ollie. Lex and I…we were the best of friends. Like I said, after I saved his life it seemed like he was always there.”
Oliver nodded, encouraging him to go on.
“But Lex…was obsessed with finding out my secret. Friendship wasn’t enough for him. I don’t know if it, I, ever was. But I’ve always been there to save him, just like he’s always just grudgingly there for me.”
There was something missing, and Oliver looked expectantly at Clark. He knew this was the only chance he’d have at unraveling the mystery that was Clark Kent and he had to have all the answers he could, or else there might not be another opportunity.
“L-Lex,” it surprised Oliver when Clark’s voice actually cracked, and the blond studied his friend’s face. He noted the straining expression, as if Clark was trying to hold back the tears.
“Lex told me once that he loved me. But I was young and confused and this is Smallville. It’s not really that common. So I was afraid and I told him so. He said he understood…but now I wonder if I –and not just my secrets- were part of what turned Lex away. If I had said maybe then he wouldn’t have turned out like this…”
Oliver shook his head, “Clark, you said it yourself. You were young. Lex had no right approaching you when he could’ve waited a couple more years. Don’t blame Lex’s shortcomings on yourself.”
Oliver didn’t understand how Clark’s confession was making him feel upset. But he did understand he was feeling jealous, but didn’t know why. Despite that, Oliver focused on making Clark feel better.
“I could always dream of what if’s,” Clark said wistfully.
Oliver lightly punched Clark’s shoulder, “And never meet me? What a boring life you would’ve had.”
Clark laughed and Oliver joined him.
Oliver sobered up as he thought of something, “Hey, Clark? Is that why you were so reluctant to become my friend? Did you think I would be like Lex? Just another pretty, rich boy who’d betray your trust?”
Clark’s face looked down ashamed, “I’m sorry, Ollie. But it hurt too much with what happened with Lex. I just didn’t want a repeat.”
Oliver shook his head, blond hair falling into his face and out of its usual spiked-gelled style. He looked back up into Clark’s eyes.
“I understand, Clark. And I hope you know that will never happen,” Oliver said firmly.
“Yeah, I know. It’s just hard to remember that sometimes.”
“Well, always count on it. The last thing I’d ever do is betray you.”
Clark looked hesitantly at him, but there was a sure look of gratefulness that Oliver liked having directed at himself.
“Thanks, Ollie. I…really do appreciate it.”
And Oliver was content with the progess.
Started 6/27/07 –Completed 6/28/07