When Devils Speak the Truth - chapter four
Title: When Devils Speak the Truth
Fandom: Smallville
Characters: As many of them as possible, from as many other fandoms as I can manage and still keep track
Genre: Future Fic, AU, slash, whumpage abounds
Pairings: Clark/Oliver, rest are surprises
Rating: R - that means adults only people, you have been informed
Warnings: MM Slash, death, torture, genocide, apocalyptic themes, sex, sacrifice,
persecution, religious stupidity.
Summary: Clark refuses his destiny and is thrust into the future, a future where he never became the hero he was meant to be. He must survive on an Earth that is dying and face friends and loved ones who can no longer be trusted. Reuniting with Oliver tests the bond they once thought unbreakable and Clark must decide what being a hero actually means.
Link to other Chapters and Stories: AshtakRa Master File
Chapter Four: Of Friends and Love
The ship ploughed across the ocean and on the starboard side Clark stood gazing over the side. It was meant to be almost midday but the gloom was more like twilight. At first Clark had offered to fly them all wherever they needed to go but not only did all three refuse (Robbie was keen, his earlier experience was almost all he could talk about) but Ben explained that they only knew where Oliver would be in two weeks, not where he was right now.
That had been a week ago and Clark was out in the open air - freezing as it was, to get a break. The ship was not small but nor did it allow too much space for four passengers plus five crew, in fact Clark was fairly sure it used to be a commercial fishing boat if his nose was any guide. Now instead of nets and lines it had missile launchers and torpedo tubes criss-crossing the deck. They had avoided any trouble so far but then if Robbie was to be believed the only navy left was Lex’s and some rumoured pirate fleets. Neither were likely this far in the Southern Ocean.
Their course was risky, taking them down and around New Zealand, then across the bottom of Australia and out into the Indian Ocean. They were tight lipped about the final destination; perhaps a decade or more of distrust would do that.
“Hey there beautiful.”
Clark almost winced but instead found himself breaking into a smile. He should have known he was not safe even out here, after all Johnny was probably immune to the cold as well.
Clark spun around, putting his back to the rail. “Hey Johnny.”
The man was wearing several layers of clothing but his physique was still impressive and Clark put down the fact that he kept noticing to his extended dry spell. Prior to Oliver Clark had pretty much been a eunuch, but after he was used to sexual activity several times a day. A week in confined quarters with someone like Johnny was getting decisively uncomfortable, and there was at least another week to go. Clark strongly suspected Johnny knew the effect he was having; certainly Ben and Lana did if their comments were anything to go by.
“You can call me John if you like,” he said and sidled up next to Clark. “Sorry,” he murmured as his hip connected with Clark’s. “I can create a bit of heat out here but that wind is bloody awful, and you make such a good wind-breaker.” To make his point the smaller man snuggled in against Clark and chuckled at the glare he got. “Awe come on, you think I’m gonna jump you out here?”
“I was just taking a moment that’s all,” said Clark, neatly side-stepping the issue. “This is all so unbelievable. I mean a week ago I was looking forward to spending a summer in Mexico, and Tahiti, the Mediterranean and maybe even Thailand - flying makes the choices harder not easier you know.”
“Good luck finding a summer place anywhere now,” said Johnny, his smile fading. “You should know Clark that hard as this is for you… imagine what it was to live all this and not just lose the ones you love but actually have to watch them die.”
“I’m sorry,” answered a chastened Clark. “I’m being insensitive.” He tentatively put an arm around Johnny to show his sincerity.
“That’s not what I meant,” said Johnny, shaking his head. “Its just I know you have lots of questions but there’s just not time to fill you in about everything.” He put a head on Clark’s shoulder and lifted an arm, pointing at the dull orb that was the sun. “Our time is almost up. So many have died fighting yet here we are - still losing and more and more there are people going over to the other side.”
“What use is that,” scoffed Clark. “No matter what side you’re on the Earth will still freeze.”
“Exactly,” whispered Johnny, his head remaining where it was, so much so that Clark could feel the heat emanating from him. He resisted the urge to adjust himself since Johnny’s proximity was having a physical effect on him. Mentally chastising himself yet again Clark listened carefully as Johnny explained. “The rumour is Lex has built a ship capable of escaping the soon to be ice sphere of planet Earth. That’s enough for some to sell their loyalty; survival can do strange things.”
“Have you considered it?” Clark had to ask although the answer was obvious.
“If I was on the same ship as Lex I would go Nova just to see him dead,” snarked Johnny, pulling away, then seemed to catch himself. “Sorry, lot of baggage I guess.”
Turning to face him Clark smiled an apology himself. “My fault, I should have known. If I can ask though - what did he take from you?”
Johnny’s eyes misted over and he hesitated before answering. “Our leader, who was more family to me than my own; Reed was always there for me you know…then one day he wasn’t.” His gaze shifted to the side, and Clark knew the expression - he had the same look when he thought of his father. Not hesitating Clark brought Johnny closer and hugged him tight. How many similar stories would there be wondered Clark.
“The Lex I knew,” said Clark softly, “Could be ruthless but he was not cruel. His schemes always had a purpose, deluded as they seemed to others; he managed to justify almost anything for the greater good.”
“Almost?”
“He was… capable of caring, even love - but once his trust was broken.” Clark shook his head sadly, “Not long before this happened to me Oliver and I went up against Lex…and I saw a side of him I had thought impossible. Vicious and inflicting pain for the joy of it, I was tempted to finish it there and then.” Glancing back up at the red sun a sigh escaped his lips, “If I had just had the courage then all of this would not have happened.”
A hand dug into his shoulder. “No,” said Johnny firmly. “The moment we think it right to commit murder for the cause we become the very evil we fight against. Maybe I want to kill Lex but then what happens? No - we must be better than them”
“A friend taught you that?” asked Clark after a few seconds. He was slightly amazed, expecting the people of this world to be ruthless and without too much conscience. Here though, was a man who although only moments ago threatening to blow Lex up if he had the chance, admitting that he could not do it - no matter how good the reason.”
“Reed,” answered Johnny, the name catching in his throat.
Thinking about it for only a moment Clark grabbed Johnny and spun him around, pushing him up against the cabin wall. With arms on either side Johnny could not escape, not that he was trying as the shorter man raised his head to look directly into Clark’s eyes, his expression half excited but questioning. “Maybe,” explained Clark, “If time is short then we’re wasting it worrying about the past.” He leant forward and grazed lips against Johnny’s, the heat from the other man rose and he arched his body, pressing into Clark.
“You know,” whispered Johnny, a little breathless. “I really didn’t come out here to seduce you.”
“Good,” growled Clark, “because I’m the one making the moves.” He raised his eyes suggestively, taking the seriousness out of the situation and Johnny laughed. At that exact moment a particularly large waved smashed against the hull, sending icy cold water over both men. The sudden cold made Clark realise this was not the place to get intimate.
“Cabin” they said simultaneously. Not wanting to wait Clark picked Johnny up bodily and supersped to his room. Once inside Johnny stepped back and grinned wickedly, his clothes started steaming and in moments were dry. “Well that’s mine taken care of,” he said huskily. “Now yours.” Stepping back into Clark’s embrace Clark was enveloped by heat, so much more than outside and not being whipped away by any icy wind. His clothes steamed and were dry. “Cool,” said Johnny. “You just may be the first person I can truly let go with and not cause third degree burns.”
“Just hold off a moment,” said Clark and laughed at the disappointed look on Johnny’s face. “Until I get out of these,” he started removing his clothes and Johnny’s eyes lit up again, literally as small flames burned around his retinas. Much as it would be entirely erotic to have Johnny burn his clothes off the practical side of Clark kicked in - where was he going to get a change of clothing here? He hesitated when he reached his underwear but Johnny was obviously not patient and simple pointed, the expensive cloth disintegrating in a jet of flame. “Hey!” protested Clark, his objection kind of nullified by his visible excitement.
Nodding appreciatively Johnny smiled and started removing his own clothes. “You can borrow mine, I’ve got plenty - Ben doesn’t call me the underwear model for nothing.”
As luck had it Clark had got the cabin with a large bed, by maritime standards, so when they fell back on it there was only a mild risk of one falling off to the floor. All thoughts of Oliver, the past and the future evaporated as Johnny’s head dived into his lap and Clark gasped, Johnny’s ministrations giving new meaning to the phrase ‘hot mouth’. Not long after Clark repaid the favour by using his super-strength to create positions impossible for any human couple. They eventually did end up on the floor since Johnny repeatedly smouldered and the bed had almost caught fire, the metal deck was more able to handle the abuse but did not muffle the sounds. As he held Johnny above him and slid in and out, bringing them both to a noisy climax, Clark did worry for a moment about the whole boat hearing them. He had after all dented the decking and Johnny had burst into flame as he orgasmed, not exactly discreet. Clark then decided he didn’t care as only a minute later Johnny started nuzzling again. His thoughts turned to pleasure as he realised they had a week of this to go. Just for once the future was turning out not too bad.
A Week Later…
“I give you Christmas Island,” announced the captain and Clark had to restrain his disappointment, the view was rather unremarkable. They had docked at a dilapidated jetty and from here all he could see was ruins buried in snow drifts with at least some bare patches of ground. If Oliver was here then he had to be underground, it seemed the way to go in this arctic world.
They walked out onto the jetty, watching their step as the boards creaked and several were already broken. Amazingly Ben made his way across them with falling though. Once on solid ground Clark glanced back at their ship, it was sitting low in the water as the crew worked on the deck. There were no other ships, or aircraft as far as Clark could see.
“Is he here?” asked Clark, trying not to sound too eager as he caught Johnny’s eye.
Ben was holding a radio but getting only static, and Clark could see the concern even on his rocky features. “Something’s wrong,” muttered Ben and tensed up. “Get behind me your grace - I think we’ve been set-up.”
Lana obeyed, although Clark suspected that she had powers of her own. For himself he stood by Robbie, ready to shield the boy in an instant. Johnny pulled a gun from nowhere and surveyed the area through the eyepiece. “Infrared is clear,” he said softly. Swinging the scope to the ocean he swept across the bay then hesitated, “Wait, I think-.”
He was interrupted as the boat erupted in a fireball, the sound and concussion wave hitting them a moment later. Ben held his ground easily but Robbie was flung back, Clark caught him and placed him with Lana in the blink of an eye. Johnny had been knocked back as well but waved an arm at Clark, letting him know he was fine. “Torpedos,” announced Johnny, standing back up. “I saw a scope out there - Clark, take the Seer and Robbie and get out of here.” He gave it as an order as he burned of his outer clothes, leaving only the blue uniform beneath. Ben had shrugged off the oversized jacket, revealing a similar blue uniform on his lower body, for a moment Clark saw what seemed to be a faded insignia in the shape of the letter four. Johnny saw Clark’s hesitation, “Don’t argue Clark - they have weapons that can kill even you!” He stepped up and gave Clark a quick but firm kiss, the heat lingering on Clark’s lips. “Ben and I can take care of this.” As he said that two units of heavily armoured and gun-toting soldiers appeared from either end of the ruins and started running their way. “Get to McMurdo - Robbie knows the way!”
“I can help you,” said Clark.
“Help them,” demanded Johnny and shot a ball of flame at the oncoming troops. Bullets started hitting the ground near them and Ben stepped in front of Johnny, the rounds bouncing off his skin.
There was no time so Clark spun around and picked up Robbie in one arm, Lana threw an arm around his shoulder as he grabbed her waist. “Hold tight” he ordered, giving Johnny a final look.
The man was now in flames but glanced back and nodded solemnly. “Find him Clark, together you can fix this.” He said it with such conviction that Clark almost believed him. Johnny flinched as his arm sparked, a bullet must have gotten through and his shoulder sparked as another hit. “Go!” he screamed, seeing Clark hesitate. Johnny took the choice out of Clark’s hands as his flame grew stronger and he lifted off, arcing around and streaking towards the soldiers. Ben took off in the other direction and Clark knew he had to take this opportunity to save Lana and Robbie. He crouched slightly and jumped; tearing into the sky he was out of range in seconds and dared to look down. From this height it was hard to see but the beach head was in chaos, flame and smoke with flashes of gunfire.
“I know you want to go back Clark,” said Lana, her hood had fallen back and her grey hair whipped around in the icy atmosphere. “But Johnny is right - they have anti-kryptonian weapons, you are not invulnerable in this world.”
“I’ve still got speed - and strength-.”
“But we don’t Clark.”
He nodded in defeat and looked down at Robbie. The kid may have grown up in this world but the sudden violence and death of their crew mates had obviously spooked him. “So, where’s McMurdo?” The name rang a bell but Clark couldn’t place it.
“The last place Lex would look,” answered Robbie, his grin returning half-heartedly. “Antarctica.”
“You’ve got to be kidding?” gasped Clark. Robbie’s expression indicated he was not.
“Great,” said Clark, “It’s never easy.”
Tbc…