FIC: You Could Be Happy
Name: You Could Be Happy
Rating: PG-13
Fandom: Smallville/Supernatural
Pairing/Characters: Chloe/Dean (Chloe/Jimmy), Sam, Clark, Lois (Lois/Sam).
Words: 3,067
Summary: You could be happy and I won’t know, but you weren’t happy the day I watched you go.
Disclaimer: I don’t own Smallville or Supernatural, and the title and summary are owned by Snow Patrol. The fic idea is mine.
Author’s Note: Started off as a video, will probably still be one, but for now it’s going to be this fic instead. I’ve messed with the dates, so just assume Dean was in his last year of high school in 2001.
Beta: skullgirl013. Thanks, sweetie.
Also, I know I'm crap at replying to comments at the moment but I will reply soon. I promise. xx
2004/February
“Well, admittedly, I can think of worse things to have been up against on my birthday,” Chloe says as she and Dean head back to the Impala after a particularly rough hunt. “Not many... but I can think of some.”
Dean laughs and grabs her around the waist, pulling her in to seal his lips against hers, softly. “I still think you’re gorgeous,” he says, picking demon guts out of her blonde hair.
She grins at him. “You sweet talker,” she says, taking his hand, even as she shoulders the shotgun she’s carrying. “You’re still coming to my prom, right?” she asks, after a moment.
“Try and stop me,” Dean says, with a smile.
Chloe smiles back. “I got a dress and everything. Lois helped me choose it. You’ll like it. I hope.”
Dean grins widely. “I bet I will.”
“Just promise me you’ll be there, okay?” she says. “Even if the world is ending?”
Dean smiles, wraps his arm around her as they walk. “Promise.”
2009/September
Chloe looks down at the pieces of paper she’s addressing: wedding invitations.
Dean Winchester, it says.
Dean Winchester.
She strokes her fingertips over the name.
Dean Winchester.
2001/May
“Hi, are you Chloe Sullivan?”
Chloe looks up from her desk as he walks in. Tall, wearing a leather jacket and a big smirk. “Who wants to know?” she asks.
“Dean Winchester.” He steps in further. “I’m looking for the editor of the paper.”
“Well, you found her. Looking for extra credit?” She eyes him. “You’re new, aren’t you?”
Dean nods. “Just started here today.”
“And you’re already seeking me out?” She smirks as she stands up. “I’m touched.”
He grins. “Actually,” he says. “I’m not looking for a job here. My brother might...he’s the wordy type... but I’m really not. I’m just after some information on...” His eyes widen as he sees the Wall of Weird. “Wow.”
Chloe grins at him. “Ah, so you like my Wall of Weird, huh?” she says, skipping across to it. “Every strange thing that’s happened in Smallville since the meteor shower.”
“I’m impressed,” Dean says. “Most people don't see the weird in the world.” He walks over to it, stands next to her as he observes the wall. “Interesting. But you don't have demons on here.”
She snorts. “Demons aren’t real.”
He looks at her.
2009/September
“Dude, this is for you.”
Dean looks up at Sam stood over his bed, a letter in his hand. “You got the mail?” he asks.
Sam nods. “And this is for you.” He looks at it. “Who’s sending you mail, anyway?”
Dean snatches the envelope. “None of your business,” he says, flopping back onto the pillow. “Go get me pie, Sasquatch.”
Sam rolls his eyes. “You’re going to have to release me from slavery sooner or later,” he says.
“You’re the one that lost the bet,” Dean retorts.
“Should have never made it in the first place,” Sam shouts as he leaves.
Dean sits up in bed, ghosts his fingertips over the name on the front of the envelope.
Dean Winchester.
In her writing.
Dean Winchester.
He turns it over, uses his knife to open it and slides the card out from inside.
“You are cordially invited to the wedding of Chloe Sullivan and James Olsen,” he reads out, quietly. His hand clenches around the hilt of his knife.
...the wedding of Chloe Sullivan and James Olsen.
He throws his knife at the wall where it embeds itself.
The door opens.
“Dean, are you okay?” Sam asks, quietly.
Dean shakes his head.
2004/February
“Wow, Chloe, he’s going to be speechless,” Lois says, staring at her cousin. “You’re stunning. I mean... really. Wow.”
“You really think he’ll like it?” Chloe asks. “I want it to be special, you know? I want to make an impression he’ll never forget.”
Lois smiles. “You will, Chloe. I promise.”
Chloe grins back.
“You going to tell me who this mystery man is now?” Lois asks. “The one that’s worth dressing up so much?”
Chloe just grins and shakes her head.
2009/September
“Wow,” Lois says. “Chloe, you’re going to look beautiful in that dress.”
Chloe touches the white fabric. “You think?”
Lois nods. “Absolutely. Chloe, you’ll be lucky if Jimmy can get his vows out.”
Chloe laughs. “You seem to think I have the ability to render men speechless.”
“You do,” Lois promises. “You really, really do. I mean, look at your prom...”
Chloe strokes her hand down the dress. “I really don't want to talk about my prom...” she says, softly.
2001/June
Chloe smacks Dean’s hand with a ruler. “Touch my computer again and die.”
Dean grins up at her. “Possessive much?” he asks. “Where did you come from anyway?”
“Class,” Chloe says. “Where you should have been.” She hits him on the head with the ruler this time.
“Ow!” Dean complains. “Stop that!”
Chloe grins and leans against his seat. “What are you looking for, anyway? Another demon?”
“Yeah, I think there’s another one around,” Dean says. “Thought I might as well check it out before Dad decides we need to move on.”
“You’re moving on?” Chloe asks.
“I don't know. Dad’s still on a hunt... I have no idea how long we’ll be here.” He clicks a button. “Ooh, what’s this?” He loads her emails. “Emails to Lana Lang titled ‘Dean’?”
“Ah, ah, ah!” Chloe exclaims. “Don't click on that!” She goes to hit him with the ruler again and he catches it before she can, sliding his hand up to grab and trap her wrist. Then he jumps to his feet, pushes her backwards even as she tries to whack him with the ruler again.
He pins her backwards, holding her hands out to the side even as she leans into the desk and he pushes her. “Don't hit me with a ruler,” he tells her.
Her eyes flicker to his lips then back to his eyes and she leans in to kiss him.
“Chloe, I just spoke to Pete and -”
Dean and Chloe jump apart like they’ve been stung as Clark charges in.
“Gee, Clark, knock much?” Chloe says, running her fingers through her hair, guiltily.
Clark blinks. “I’ve never knocked before... I just... Who’s this?”
2009/September
“I didn’t even know she was engaged.”
Sam sits down next to him. “You didn’t keep in contact.”
“No.” Dean shakes his head. “Not after...”
“Tell me,” Sam says.
Dean takes a deep breath.
2004/March
“What’s this?” Chloe asks.
“It’s a necklace,” Dean says, with a laugh. “What do you think it is?”
“It looks like a pentagram. Most guys buy their prom dates diamonds.” She grins. “Even if they are fake.”
“It’s an anti-possession charm.”
“Ooh.” She touches it. “That’s more romantic.”
Dean smirks. “Shall I put it on for you? I don't want you getting possessed on prom night.”
Chloe nods, lifts her hair from her neck and turns around. She shivers when his fingertips brush over her skin as he fastens the catch, then turns and catches his lips in a kiss. “Thank you.”
2009/October
“There’s one missing,” Chloe says.
“One what?” Lois asks.
“RSVP. There’s one missing.”
“Just one?” Clark enquires.
Chloe looks at the missing name.
Dean Winchester.
2001/June
“We should probably discuss that almost-kiss...” Chloe says as Dean walks into the Torch, all swagger and leather jacket, Sam trailing in his wake. She breaks off her sentence, seeing him. “Oh, hey Sam.”
Sam smiles at her. “Hey, Chloe.”
Dean walks across to Chloe, brushes his lips to her ear. “Life’s too complicated for discussions.” Then he kisses her on the lips, chastely, straightens up and walks off towards the door. “Come on, Sammy, let’s go find that Chubacabra.”
“What, don't I get an invite? Chubacabra hunting sounds fun,” Chloe says, looking up from her latest article.
“Hey, Chloe, want to come Chubacabra hunting?” Dean says.
Chloe grins. “Thought you’d never ask.”
2009/October
“Dean, what’s this?” Sam asks.
Dean looks up from where he’s cleaning his gun. Sam has the invitation. The one he’s been sleeping with under his pillow. “Put that back, Sammy.”
Sam looks at it. “You haven’t RSVP’d.”
“I’m not going.”
“Should have told her that.”
Dean shrugs. “Can’t be bothered. Not worth it.”
“So shall I bin it then?” Sam asks. He holds his hand over the bin, card in his fingers.
Dean is at his side in an instant, pulling the card from his grasp. “I wouldn't go that far.”
2004/March
“Aw, come on, Lois. You could ask Clark.”
“You’re actually encouraging me to ask Smallville to the prom?” Lois says. “I’m not going. I don't even go to Smallville High anymore!”
“Clark does, though. And I’ve seen you look at him,” Chloe says.
“Hey, I’m not saying he’s not... good looking. How can a girl not look? I just mean...” She sighs. “Sam Winchester asked me.”
Chloe’s jaw drops.
2001/August
“Meteors, really?” Sam asks.
“Yeah. They affect people and give them weird abilities. Like this one girl could look like other people.” Chloe shrugs. “So you want a job at the Torch researching this or what?”
Sam nods. “Anything for extra credit.”
2009/October
“He’s not RSVP’ing, is he? I just want to know he’s alive.” Chloe sighs, runs a hand through her hair.
“Chloe, I’m sure he’s fine. He probably just doesn’t want to come to your wedding.” Clark reaches out, touches her cheek. “Just concentrate on the happy, okay? You’re getting married to Jimmy, who you love.” He smiles at her. “Forget Dean Winchester.”
Chloe nods. “I will,” she says. “I will.”
2004/March
“Are you going to hide in here all day?” Dean asks, stepping into the Torch.
Chloe nods and whimpers. “No, for my entire life. I can’t bear this humiliation.”
Dean laughs and walks over to her. “Most girls are happy to be nominated to be prom Queen.”
“It’s a popularity contest I boycott,” Chloe says. “I’m not going to prom.”
“Yes, you are. You’re going with me, remember? In your dress, with your hair, with me in a tux. Come on.” Dean grins. “You have to want to see me in a tux. Me in a tux. That’s a once in a lifetime opportunity, Chloe.”
Chloe smiles and leans against him. He puts his arms around her. “Okay. Just for the tux.”
2001/September
“You must be the only girl who spent summer at school,” Dean says, “and was in before nine on the first day of term.”
“Mm, but you were here too,” Chloe points out.
“With you.” Dean grins, sits on the edge of the desk. “Hey, Chloe?”
Chloe looks up.
“There’s something I’ve been wanting to do for a few months now.”
“What’s that?” she asks.
Dean leans down and kisses her.
2004/April
“Here.” Lois puts a flower in Chloe’s hair. “Perfect.”
Chloe blushes and smiles at her.
“You know, most girls have a limo to go to the prom in,” Lois says. “We get an old car.”
“It’s a nineteen sixty-seven Chevy Impala,” Chloe says, with a laugh. “It beats a limo.”
“Whatever you say, Chloe,” Lois says. “I just can’t believe I said yes to Sam.”
“Who wouldn't?” Chloe says. “He’s changed a lot since when I first met him. You should have seen him then, Lois. He looked like he was four years too high.”
Lois smiles. “But now he’s all...”
“Dean calls him Sasquatch. I think that sums it up.”
Lois laughs. “Very.”
2009/November
“If we leave now we’ll make it there before the wedding,” Sam says, quietly.
“Why?” Dean asks.
“I don't know!” Sam says. “So you can swoop in and claim your lady love?”
“You’re so gay,” Dean says.
Sam rolls his eyes. “Or just so you can kiss her on the cheek and tell her to be happy.”
Dean looks up at him.
2001/December
“Aw, what’s this?” Chloe asks, as Dean gives her a box.
“Present,” Dean says. “Merry Christmas.”
She looks up at him, smiling and tilts her Santa hat a bit as she opens the wrapping. There’s a shotgun inside, loaded with rock-salt. She smiles more and looks up at him. “Dean, are you okay?” she asks.
Dean shakes his head. “Dad says we might be moving on soon.”
Chloe swallows. “Dean, you don't get a girl a present like this and then just...leave.”
Dean strokes her face, gently. “I’m not going anywhere. I promise.”
2004/April
The car pulls up outside and Chloe and Lois are waiting in their dresses. Chloe is in pink, Lois is in lemon. They look stunning. Lois looks slightly uncomfortable, but when Dean and Sam get out of the car to greet them with a kiss each and usher them into the backseat, Lois seems to forget to feel uncomfortable. Dean brushes his fingertips over the anti-possession charm and Chloe smiles at him as she gets in and they drive to the prom.
2009/November
“Two hours, Chloe.” Lois smiles at her. “In two hours you’ll be Missus Jimmy Olsen.”
Chloe swallows, looks at herself in the mirror, smoothes down the dress she’s wearing. “Do I look okay?” she asks, quietly.
“You look like an angel,” Lois says.
“So long as I don't look like a demon,” Chloe says, touching her necklace. The one she’s never taken off.
“Huh?” Lois says.
“Doesn't matter.”
2004/April
“Did I mention you look gorgeous in your tux?” Chloe asks, quietly, looking up at Dean as they slow dance. She can see Clark and Lana in the background, next to Lois and Sam.
“No, I don't think you did,” Dean says.
Chloe smiles. “You look gorgeous, Dean.”
He smiles back at her and so he doesn’t see Sam’s face change as he walks off across the dance floor. He’s too busy dancing with Chloe.
2009/November
“Can't you drive any faster?” Dean demands.
Sam looks at him. “I’m driving at the same pace as you were when you drove. So just get some sleep and we can swap back over before we get to Smallville.”
“I don't want to be late,” Dean says.
“We won’t be,” Sam promises.
2004/April
“Son, we have to go.”
Dean turns to see John stood there in the middle of the prom. “Dad? What’s going on?”
“I found it, Dean. I know where the demon is,” John says. Dean can see Sam in the background. Talking to Lois. Explaining. She looks upset, but not as upset as Chloe will be in a minute. He can see Chloe across the dance floor, talking, excitedly, to Lana.
“Dad, I can’t,” Dean says. “I told her I’d stay.”
“It’s the demon, Dean. The one we do this to find. We need to go.”
Dean’s eyes flicker across the dance floor at Chloe. “Dad, I can’t.”
2009/November
“Chloe? Are you okay?” Lois asks.
“I’m fine,” Chloe says. “I just... I guess he’s not coming.”
Lois looks at the door and back at Chloe. “Do you really want your ex here?”
Chloe looks at her bouquet. “I guess not,” she says.
2004/April
“What are you talking about?” Chloe asks, taking her hand from Dean’s.
“I have to, Chloe. I have to go.” Dean looks down at her, his heart break visible in his eyes. “It’s the demon that killed our mom.”
“You said you wouldn't go...” Chloe says, quietly.
“It’s the demon.”
“This is the prom. Dean, if you leave me now, don't come back. I’ve been left too many times before.”
Dean strokes her face, gently. “I love you, Chloe,” he says, for the first time. “But this is what my life has been leading up to. I can’t abandon Dad and Sammy now.”
“Dean, I -”
“And the results are in!” the woman on the stage exclaims. “This year’s Smallville High Prom Queen is... Chloe Sullivan!”
Chloe turns to look at the stage and when she turns back around Dean is gone.
2009/November
Lois looks gorgeous in orange, Chloe thinks. She’s surprised Clark isn’t a drooling mess at her feet. Then again, Chloe thinks she doesn’t look too bad herself.
“...and if anyone can think of a reason this wedding cannot go ahead, speak now or forever hold your peace,” the celebrant says.
Chloe holds her breath. Looks to the doors. It’s too cliché. She knows this. Dean won’t storm in, waving a shotgun of rock-salt and exclaiming “You can’t marry Jimmy! I love you!” because it’s not his style. He’s more likely to make a scene later. More likely to do a lot of things.
It’s unlikely Dean is coming now, Chloe realises. Unlikely he’ll save her from marrying second best.
And it’s as she thinks this that the real realisation hits.
She looks at Jimmy. “Jimmy, I can’t,” she says.
Jimmy looks so hurt, but she thinks she’d hurt him more if she married him. More if she was selfish enough to choose second best. He’s second best to Clark, let alone to Dean. He’s down the list of possible grooms. And that’s just not fair.
“Why not?” he asks, in a small voice.
“I can’t do that to you.” She touches his cheek. “I care about you too much.”
She walks down the aisle, through the barn, past the assembled crowd and out into the yard, getting dust all over the hem of her dress. Then she takes a deep breath and it’s the most free she’s felt for a long time.
She turns her head and she sees it there. The nineteen sixty-seven Chevrolet Impala. Just sat there. And then Dean climbs out. And he stands by the door and looks at her.
He looks different. Five years has changed him. Five long, long years. He looks like he’s been to hell and back.
He hasn’t even got his leather jacket. Now he’s just in a jacket.
“You didn’t RSVP,” Chloe says.
“You told me not to come back,” Dean says.
“Nice jacket.”
“Nice dress.”
They stare at each other across the yard.
“Do I get a hug?” Dean asks.
“Do I get an apology?” Chloe retorts.
“I’m sorry,” Dean says.
Chloe walks across and hugs him, her dress rustling. She sees Sam stood behind the car. She didn’t see him before. “Hey Sam,” she says.
He smiles at her. “Hey Chloe.”
She looks at Dean as everyone from inside the barn starts to file out, one by one, starting with Lois, who sees Sam immediately. “Where do we go from here?” she asks Dean.
“That’s up to you,” he replies.