Chlark Fanfic: Bait & Switch
Crikey, how long has it been?
A lot has gone on since I last posted. I hope everyone’s been doing okay in all your different corners of the world. COVID-19 may have done a number on us all, but we won’t be beaten by this. We’ll rise, and stronger.
I have a wee Chlark ficlet that I wrote for a gift exchange and completely forgot to post, so here it is. Enjoy!
(…now, how does one post in LJ again?!)
Title: Bait & Switch
For: sjlikeslists in the secret_chlark 2016-17 gift exchange.
She wanted: pre-series, friendship, the word "quibble"
Timeline: Pre-series (or mid-Season One?)
Disclaimer: Characters are not mine, etc.
Description: Losing a bet isn't all bad, especially when your best friend's got your back.
Length: 1,800 words. Oneshot.
Rated: G
Bait & Switch
“Your turn.”
“Mmm-hmm.” Chloe squinted at the board, then glanced at the tiles on her rack.
Clark sighed. “Whenever you’re ready, Chlo.”
“Yeah, yeah.” She narrowed her eyes at the board again and tilted her head.
Clark sighed in exasperation. “Any more stalling, and I’ll hit you with a time violation.”
“I’m ready, I’m ready!” she insisted, still making no move to drop her tiles on the board.
His patience ran out. “Okay, you have ten seconds. Ten… nine… eight…seven…”
“Just give me a moment-”
“…six… five… four…”
“One second…”
“…three…two…”
“A-ha! Got it!” She placed all seven of her tiles on the board and beamed in triumph. “Read it and weep, buddy.”
He read the strange word and regarded her with a raised brow. “Really?”
“It’s genuine.”
“Yeah, right!” he scoffed.
“It is!”
“Kibble, I know. Quibble?” He frowned. “You’re scamming me again.”
“I am not!”
“This is piscopal all over again, isn’t it?”
“Hey pal, if you think I’m trying to pull a fast one, you know what to do.” She waved the dictionary in front of him, her mouth curled in a sly grin.
He hesitated. “But if I challenge, and it’s actually in there…”
“…then you lose a turn, and I enjoy 69 sweet points plus the bingo bonus. If I’m wrong, then I lost my turn. Either way, you need to make a decision here. So, what’s it gonna be?”
Clark scowled. Chloe had the world’s worst poker face, and at any other time, he could read her like a book… except when it came to Scrabble. She was on a 5-game winning streak, and if he fell behind by almost 100 points, he wouldn’t be able to find a way back, especially since for once he was so close to beating her.
He stared hard at the board and weighed up his options. If he allowed her word to stand, and then placed his tiles strategically alongside the new word, he would finish all his tiles and win by a single point.
“Fine, keep it,” he said, trying to sound reluctant.
Chloe cackled and tallied the score. “Ooh… looks like you’ll be on the fast train to LoserTown again, Clark,” she said with mock sympathy.
“I wouldn’t be so sure about that.” He put his tiles down and flashed her a smug glance.
She scowled. “Indie?”
“It’s a word.”
“It’s an abbreviation. I don’t buy it.”
“So challenge it.”
“If I do, and I’m wrong…”
He chuckled. “Then you lose. And as I’m the first to finish my tiles, I get the accumulated points of all the ones you have left. So…?”
For the first time since the start of the game, Chloe looked fearful. “I can’t lose this game.”
Clark tsk-tsked. “I think you already have.”
“I challenge,” she said sternly. “Indie is an abbreviation of independent. It’s not a dictionary-approved word on its own. I challenge.”
“Suit yourself.” He slid the heavy book across the carpet until it touched her feet.
Chloe gulped and opened it to the relevant page. Her eyes scanned the words, and he saw her throat moved as she swallowed hard.
“What does it say?” he pressed.
She took a deep breath. “Adjective: of a pop group, record label, or film company; not belonging or affiliated to a major record or film company,” she mumbled, deadpanned.
His eyes brightened. “Wow. It’s actually in there?”
“Also a noun, referring to a small independent pop group, record label, or film company.” She slammed the book shut and folded her arms. “I hate you so much right now.”
“YES!” He cheered, punching the air. “Aren’t you gonna congratulate me on my win?”
“You tricked me!” she accused. “You didn’t even know that it was a real word!”
“Neither did you, Chlo. That’s how we’ve always played the game, and you’ve never complained about it until now.”
“I never lost until now. It sucks!” she wailed.
He raised a cynical brow. “How do you think I felt the last six times in a row?”
She shrugged a listless shoulder. “I figured you’d been there so often, you’d be used to it by now.”
“Ouch. Don’t be a sore loser, it’s just a game. Although you do have to deliver on the loser’s promise for the week…”
“Nooooo!” she groaned. “I don’t wanna!”
“You have to. Come on, it’s only for a week!”
She scowled. “You wouldn’t be saying that if you had to dye your hair blonde for seven whole days.”
“I’d have rocked it, just like I did with all the other challenges, including the lederhosen one. And for what it’s worth, I think you’ll look gorgeous as a brunette.” He got to his feet and pulled her to hers. “Come on - I’ll help you get it done.”
***
“Well?” she said, sounding fearful.
Clark stared at his best friend’s freshly washed and dried hair, his eyes wide with surprise. He’d never expected something as simple as a dark rinse to transform Chloe’s general appearance so dramatically.
“You look… so different,” he said at last.
She narrowed her eyes. “Different good, or different bad?”
“Hmm? Oh, good; definitely good. I really like your hair this way.”
She rolled her eyes. “Given your track record with shiny dark hair, I can’t say that I’m surprised.” She stared mournfully into to the mirror and wailed. “I don’t even look like me!”
“Of course you do; just with chestnut brown hair. And it makes the green of your eyes look really intense. I love it.”
“I look like my mom,” she said, her voice barely a whisper.
“That’s not a bad thing.” He paused. “Is it?”
She shrugged. “Whatever. The sooner this week is over and done with, the better.”
Clark softened. “Chloe, this was meant to be fun, but I get the feeling you’re not really enjoying this. It wasn’t meant to be a big deal, and I thought it would be even less so because brown is your natural colour.”
She stiffened. “I know, I just… I don’t like to lose, is all.”
He regarded her carefully, suspected there was more to her sombre expression than she was ready to reveal.
“Will it make it easier if I get my hair done too?” he asked quietly.
She brightened instantly. “Heck, yeah! But you shouldn’t have to; you won the game.”
“It’s no fun if you’re not smiling with me. So…?”
A grin lifted the corner of her mouth. “Only if you’re absolutely sure…”
“I am.” He went back into the bathroom, the turned back to her with a smile. “Wish me luck!”
***
“Oh. My. GOD.”
Clark struck a pose and flashed his widest grin. “That good, huh?”
“You look like a living, breathing, California beach boy Ken doll!” she exclaimed, her eyes wide in amazement.
His face fell. “I can’t tell whether you like it or not.”
“Don’t get me wrong, you look pretty; really pretty. But…” she paused and smiled. “I kinda miss my dark-haired farmboy.”
“And I miss your snarky blondeness, but I have a feeling the snark isn’t really going anywhere.”
She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tight.
“Thank you for doing this with me, Clark,” she said solemnly. “You really didn’t have to, you know.”
He grinned, his eyes twinkling. “I wanted to. It’s more fun this way. And we’re not back at school until next week, so I fully intend to rock my new look until it wears off.”
“In that case, I insist that you wear a pink shirt at least once in the next 48 hours.”
He made a wry face. “Only if you wear something plaid.”
“It’s a deal.” She rubbed her hands in excitement. “Oh, this week is gonna be crazy. I love it!”
“I know, right?” Oh, and before we head downstairs, we should get a picture. Where’s your cell phone?”
She reached into her pocket and handed it to him, and he activated the front-facing camera and took a picture of them. Chloe giggled and immediately attached it to an email to Pete and Lana, who were both out of town for the holidays.
“They are gonna freak when they see this!” she said, grinning wildly.
“Mmm. And they’ll be bitterly disappointed to find us back in our usual heads on their return.”
“Serves them right for abandoning us,” she said airily. “No matter, though. We had a great time here in Smallville, didn’t we? I kinda dig the whole staycation thing now.”
“Me too,” he said honestly. “Definitely my best ever half-term holiday.”
“That’s because you had me to share it with,” she said smugly.
He simply smiled. “I agree.”
Her eyes widened, surprised at his frank honesty. She never seemed to realise just how much of an impact she’d made in his life since she came to live in Smallville almost a year ago. Yes, he’d had Pete, but the dynamic of that friendship was completely different. Whenever Pete went away, Clark never really missed him, and he was happy to wait until Pete’s return before reopening the lines of communication. With Chloe, on the other hand, he missed her the second she disappeared down the road, and was on the phone to her at every given opportunity when she wasn’t within reach.
It took a moment for him to realise that she was still plastered to his side, having cuddled up close to him to take the picture. Reluctantly he lowered his arms, and she stepped out of his embrace and headed for the stairs.
“Come on,” she called out. “Let’s go find your mom. I can’t wait to see the look on her face when she sees us!”
She chattered on excitedly, and Clark followed her downstairs with a quiet smile on his face. How had he ever managed without her? Chloe Sullivan was without doubt the sunshine in his life, and the only person in the world he would ever voluntarily go blonde for. She meant a lot more to him that she could ever possibly know.
He caught sight of their reflections in the hallway mirror, and they both collapsed into fits of giggles before heading outdoors in search of adventure.
For his parent’s sake, he had to keep his secret from her for now; but one day, in the future, he would share the truth about himself with her. Because he knew, deep down, that their bond was strong enough to weather any storm.
They’d be okay. He was sure of it.
The End.
A lot has gone on since I last posted. I hope everyone’s been doing okay in all your different corners of the world. COVID-19 may have done a number on us all, but we won’t be beaten by this. We’ll rise, and stronger.
I have a wee Chlark ficlet that I wrote for a gift exchange and completely forgot to post, so here it is. Enjoy!
(…now, how does one post in LJ again?!)
Title: Bait & Switch
For: sjlikeslists in the secret_chlark 2016-17 gift exchange.
She wanted: pre-series, friendship, the word "quibble"
Timeline: Pre-series (or mid-Season One?)
Disclaimer: Characters are not mine, etc.
Description: Losing a bet isn't all bad, especially when your best friend's got your back.
Length: 1,800 words. Oneshot.
Rated: G
Bait & Switch
“Your turn.”
“Mmm-hmm.” Chloe squinted at the board, then glanced at the tiles on her rack.
Clark sighed. “Whenever you’re ready, Chlo.”
“Yeah, yeah.” She narrowed her eyes at the board again and tilted her head.
Clark sighed in exasperation. “Any more stalling, and I’ll hit you with a time violation.”
“I’m ready, I’m ready!” she insisted, still making no move to drop her tiles on the board.
His patience ran out. “Okay, you have ten seconds. Ten… nine… eight…seven…”
“Just give me a moment-”
“…six… five… four…”
“One second…”
“…three…two…”
“A-ha! Got it!” She placed all seven of her tiles on the board and beamed in triumph. “Read it and weep, buddy.”
He read the strange word and regarded her with a raised brow. “Really?”
“It’s genuine.”
“Yeah, right!” he scoffed.
“It is!”
“Kibble, I know. Quibble?” He frowned. “You’re scamming me again.”
“I am not!”
“This is piscopal all over again, isn’t it?”
“Hey pal, if you think I’m trying to pull a fast one, you know what to do.” She waved the dictionary in front of him, her mouth curled in a sly grin.
He hesitated. “But if I challenge, and it’s actually in there…”
“…then you lose a turn, and I enjoy 69 sweet points plus the bingo bonus. If I’m wrong, then I lost my turn. Either way, you need to make a decision here. So, what’s it gonna be?”
Clark scowled. Chloe had the world’s worst poker face, and at any other time, he could read her like a book… except when it came to Scrabble. She was on a 5-game winning streak, and if he fell behind by almost 100 points, he wouldn’t be able to find a way back, especially since for once he was so close to beating her.
He stared hard at the board and weighed up his options. If he allowed her word to stand, and then placed his tiles strategically alongside the new word, he would finish all his tiles and win by a single point.
“Fine, keep it,” he said, trying to sound reluctant.
Chloe cackled and tallied the score. “Ooh… looks like you’ll be on the fast train to LoserTown again, Clark,” she said with mock sympathy.
“I wouldn’t be so sure about that.” He put his tiles down and flashed her a smug glance.
She scowled. “Indie?”
“It’s a word.”
“It’s an abbreviation. I don’t buy it.”
“So challenge it.”
“If I do, and I’m wrong…”
He chuckled. “Then you lose. And as I’m the first to finish my tiles, I get the accumulated points of all the ones you have left. So…?”
For the first time since the start of the game, Chloe looked fearful. “I can’t lose this game.”
Clark tsk-tsked. “I think you already have.”
“I challenge,” she said sternly. “Indie is an abbreviation of independent. It’s not a dictionary-approved word on its own. I challenge.”
“Suit yourself.” He slid the heavy book across the carpet until it touched her feet.
Chloe gulped and opened it to the relevant page. Her eyes scanned the words, and he saw her throat moved as she swallowed hard.
“What does it say?” he pressed.
She took a deep breath. “Adjective: of a pop group, record label, or film company; not belonging or affiliated to a major record or film company,” she mumbled, deadpanned.
His eyes brightened. “Wow. It’s actually in there?”
“Also a noun, referring to a small independent pop group, record label, or film company.” She slammed the book shut and folded her arms. “I hate you so much right now.”
“YES!” He cheered, punching the air. “Aren’t you gonna congratulate me on my win?”
“You tricked me!” she accused. “You didn’t even know that it was a real word!”
“Neither did you, Chlo. That’s how we’ve always played the game, and you’ve never complained about it until now.”
“I never lost until now. It sucks!” she wailed.
He raised a cynical brow. “How do you think I felt the last six times in a row?”
She shrugged a listless shoulder. “I figured you’d been there so often, you’d be used to it by now.”
“Ouch. Don’t be a sore loser, it’s just a game. Although you do have to deliver on the loser’s promise for the week…”
“Nooooo!” she groaned. “I don’t wanna!”
“You have to. Come on, it’s only for a week!”
She scowled. “You wouldn’t be saying that if you had to dye your hair blonde for seven whole days.”
“I’d have rocked it, just like I did with all the other challenges, including the lederhosen one. And for what it’s worth, I think you’ll look gorgeous as a brunette.” He got to his feet and pulled her to hers. “Come on - I’ll help you get it done.”
***
“Well?” she said, sounding fearful.
Clark stared at his best friend’s freshly washed and dried hair, his eyes wide with surprise. He’d never expected something as simple as a dark rinse to transform Chloe’s general appearance so dramatically.
“You look… so different,” he said at last.
She narrowed her eyes. “Different good, or different bad?”
“Hmm? Oh, good; definitely good. I really like your hair this way.”
She rolled her eyes. “Given your track record with shiny dark hair, I can’t say that I’m surprised.” She stared mournfully into to the mirror and wailed. “I don’t even look like me!”
“Of course you do; just with chestnut brown hair. And it makes the green of your eyes look really intense. I love it.”
“I look like my mom,” she said, her voice barely a whisper.
“That’s not a bad thing.” He paused. “Is it?”
She shrugged. “Whatever. The sooner this week is over and done with, the better.”
Clark softened. “Chloe, this was meant to be fun, but I get the feeling you’re not really enjoying this. It wasn’t meant to be a big deal, and I thought it would be even less so because brown is your natural colour.”
She stiffened. “I know, I just… I don’t like to lose, is all.”
He regarded her carefully, suspected there was more to her sombre expression than she was ready to reveal.
“Will it make it easier if I get my hair done too?” he asked quietly.
She brightened instantly. “Heck, yeah! But you shouldn’t have to; you won the game.”
“It’s no fun if you’re not smiling with me. So…?”
A grin lifted the corner of her mouth. “Only if you’re absolutely sure…”
“I am.” He went back into the bathroom, the turned back to her with a smile. “Wish me luck!”
***
“Oh. My. GOD.”
Clark struck a pose and flashed his widest grin. “That good, huh?”
“You look like a living, breathing, California beach boy Ken doll!” she exclaimed, her eyes wide in amazement.
His face fell. “I can’t tell whether you like it or not.”
“Don’t get me wrong, you look pretty; really pretty. But…” she paused and smiled. “I kinda miss my dark-haired farmboy.”
“And I miss your snarky blondeness, but I have a feeling the snark isn’t really going anywhere.”
She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tight.
“Thank you for doing this with me, Clark,” she said solemnly. “You really didn’t have to, you know.”
He grinned, his eyes twinkling. “I wanted to. It’s more fun this way. And we’re not back at school until next week, so I fully intend to rock my new look until it wears off.”
“In that case, I insist that you wear a pink shirt at least once in the next 48 hours.”
He made a wry face. “Only if you wear something plaid.”
“It’s a deal.” She rubbed her hands in excitement. “Oh, this week is gonna be crazy. I love it!”
“I know, right?” Oh, and before we head downstairs, we should get a picture. Where’s your cell phone?”
She reached into her pocket and handed it to him, and he activated the front-facing camera and took a picture of them. Chloe giggled and immediately attached it to an email to Pete and Lana, who were both out of town for the holidays.
“They are gonna freak when they see this!” she said, grinning wildly.
“Mmm. And they’ll be bitterly disappointed to find us back in our usual heads on their return.”
“Serves them right for abandoning us,” she said airily. “No matter, though. We had a great time here in Smallville, didn’t we? I kinda dig the whole staycation thing now.”
“Me too,” he said honestly. “Definitely my best ever half-term holiday.”
“That’s because you had me to share it with,” she said smugly.
He simply smiled. “I agree.”
Her eyes widened, surprised at his frank honesty. She never seemed to realise just how much of an impact she’d made in his life since she came to live in Smallville almost a year ago. Yes, he’d had Pete, but the dynamic of that friendship was completely different. Whenever Pete went away, Clark never really missed him, and he was happy to wait until Pete’s return before reopening the lines of communication. With Chloe, on the other hand, he missed her the second she disappeared down the road, and was on the phone to her at every given opportunity when she wasn’t within reach.
It took a moment for him to realise that she was still plastered to his side, having cuddled up close to him to take the picture. Reluctantly he lowered his arms, and she stepped out of his embrace and headed for the stairs.
“Come on,” she called out. “Let’s go find your mom. I can’t wait to see the look on her face when she sees us!”
She chattered on excitedly, and Clark followed her downstairs with a quiet smile on his face. How had he ever managed without her? Chloe Sullivan was without doubt the sunshine in his life, and the only person in the world he would ever voluntarily go blonde for. She meant a lot more to him that she could ever possibly know.
He caught sight of their reflections in the hallway mirror, and they both collapsed into fits of giggles before heading outdoors in search of adventure.
For his parent’s sake, he had to keep his secret from her for now; but one day, in the future, he would share the truth about himself with her. Because he knew, deep down, that their bond was strong enough to weather any storm.
They’d be okay. He was sure of it.
The End.