Never a Bride-19/27
Author: BlueSuede
Title: Never a Bride
Rating: NC17
Genre: Romance/Humor
Pairings/Characters: primarily Chloe/Oliver
Summary: When a newspaper prints a false engagement announcement for Oliver Queen and Chloe Sullivan, and all their friends are thrilled, Chloe and Oliver decide to stage a fake engagement and breakup to prove to their friends how wrong they are for one another. Because, they will break up, won't they?
Warnings: completely Alternate Universe; also, sexual content and occasional language
banner by
dandiandi22
Merry [Early] Christmas, everyone. :) Updates, as of now, will continue to be posted on the 15th of the month while I continue my attempt to finish a full draft of my NaNoWriMo novel. I have given myself a Valentine's Day deadline for that project. Once that first manuscript is finished, however, I will re-evaluate how often I can update this story! So that's good news! Thanks, as always, for the patience and devotion so many readers have shown for this story. I know how frustrating it must be to wait so long between chapters! Also, a lot of people ask me questions for time-frame, etc. on how long this story will be. All I can safely answer without spoilers is that right now I have a vague outline that suggests to me it will be about 27 chapters total. That is subject to change.
First Chapter
Previous (Chapter 18)
Next (Chapter 20)
-19-
"You seem to be doing well," Lois commented over the top of a thermos.
Chloe flushed. "Do I?" she asked.
"Extremely."
They were in a bridal shop in Metropolis, Chloe parading around the dressing room for Lois in various gowns, waiting for some word of approval. Lois had taken a seat, a notepad and pen on her lap, a thermos of coffee in her hands. "Well, nothing's different," Chloe lied through her teeth.
"No? I guess it's just…I don't know," she studied her cousin thoughtfully. "I guess it's like the bridal glow finally set in. It's cute. Maybe it's because you've actually started planning your wedding. You're starting to get excited about it." Lois smiled at her cousin before turning her attention to the dress. "I don't like this one. I know you like empire waists, but I just don't care for it."
Chloe shrugged. She'd liked empire waist dresses as a teenager, feeling less self-conscious about her figure in them, but her tastes had changed over the years. "I'm not especially attached to them anymore. Besides, drop-waists are in fashion thanks to the recent Gatsby movie." Anything to sidetrack her cousin from discovering that Chloe had begun sleeping with her fake fiancé on a regular basis…her fake fiancé whom Lois assumed Chloe was already sleeping with because Lois didn't know about the 'fake' part of the 'fake' engagement. Oh my God my life…
"You're the expert," Lois agreed, looking at the store clerk managing Lois's appointment. "Do you have anything with a drop waist?"
"Of course! How did you feel about the fabric?" Emma looked from Lois to Chloe. She was a cute, wide-hipped girl in her early 20s with honey blonde hair up in a polished french twist and a dusting of freckles across her dainty, upturned nose.
Chloe and Lois shared a look. Again, Chloe shrugged. So Lois answered. "I like the silk, but it's very shiny. I don't know, it makes the blue look so…" she searched for a word, tapping her pen to her mouth.
"Costume-y," Chloe supplied.
"Yes, that's it. It's a great dress, but it's a little more circus-y and flashy than what I want."
Emma nodded. "Great, well I'll go check the stock room and be back in just a few moments. Let's get you out of this one first," she finished, looking at Chloe.
"Thanks," Chloe smiled, following her into the changing room. She reappeared moments later in her jeans and gray zip-up sweatshirt, and Emma disappeared to the stock room. "I think it's cute that you're making the bridesmaids' dresses Metropolis Sharks blue," Chloe grinned, having a seat beside her cousin.
Lois smirked. "Well, his fans are such a big part of his life. And I know it's my wedding and everything, but let's face it…it's going to be a big media ordeal. I think it suits us to embrace his public life as a part of his private one."
Chloe just smiled at her cousin. Lois and Clark really were the perfect team. How did two people so perfect for each other even find one another?
"And anyway I like blue, and the fans don't get any say in what my wedding dress looks like, so that's all there is to it."
"Uh huh. So couldn't Tess or Diana make it? And where's Lucy? I know there's no way you would have let her off the hook for this."
Lois snorted. "Yeah right, like I was letting Lucy anywhere near this. She'll wear what I tell her to. You know if she were here she'd be complaining the whole time about our horrible taste, and I'd end up giving her whatever she wanted just to shut her up."
Chloe raised her her eyebrows grimly. It was only too true.
"As for Tess and Diana, well, it's hard enough getting two of our schedules to coincide. But getting all 3 of you in Metropolis on the same weekend? Forget it. As my Maid of Honor, you get priority. And the rest of the girls will get a courtesy facetime session to make sure they don't hate it before I make the final decision."
"Sounds fair," Chloe smiled. At that moment, Emma reappeared with several bags of dresses in various colors and fabrics.
"Okay, ladies. All of these styles can be made in Sharks blue, and I brought a bunch of different fabrics for you to look at. Anything catch your eye, Miss Lane?"
Lois appraised the dresses. "That one-" she pointed "aaaand…that one…and oh I love that, let's see that first."
Emma beamed and ushered Chloe back into the fitting room.
"Your friend is so much nicer than I expected," Emma whispered to Chloe once the door was closed. "We all figured she has such a reputation as being ruthless with her job, and then she's engaged to a celebrity…we weren't sure what to expect."
Chloe chuckled. "She's hard to predict. I won't say the ruthlessness never comes out in her personal life, but…well, she's a good person," she finished lamely.
"You're much nicer than I expected, too," Emma admitted. "Everyone calls you the Ice Queen."
Chloe stiffened.
"Sorry, I hope I didn't offend you."
"No, no," Chloe waved her off. "It's a hard won nickname. But you should know not to believe everything you hear."
Emma nodded, "Of course." She finished arranging the back of the dress for Chloe, biting her lip and clearly hoping she hadn't said something too insulting. But Chloe knew how to take it in stride these days. It wasn't the girl's fault she had a reputation. She pushed the thought away as she stepped out for Lois to see.
The sample dress was peridot green, but they would order it in the proper shade of blue. The fabric was a stretch jersey, and it had an asymmetrical drop waist.
"I love the back," Chloe announced, turning so Lois could see the low back and and the draping fabric that gave the dress a wistful, romantic look.
"What do you think, Miss Lane?"
Lois was smiling. "Chloe, have you thought of doing green for your wedding? I know you haven't settled on a color scheme yet."
Chloe faltered. "Green?" She looked down. "I mean…this is pretty."
"It's a great color on you," Emma supplied, trying to decide whether she should steer the conversation back into more purchase-friendly territory.
"Definitely. And you're doing a spring wedding now, right? Maybe green and gold?"
"I…guess I'll have to think about it. What about the dress, though?"
"Well, I love the dress. Can we see the other two first, though? Just to be sure?"
Emma smiled. "Of course. And we'll hang onto this one."
"It's the dress to beat," Chloe nodded, still looking at the pretty green fabric thoughtfully. She could see getting bridesmaid's dresses in this fabric. She had been picturing gold, partly because Oliver's mother was so fond of the "golden couple" thing, but maybe….
She shook herself. She wasn't actually planning a wedding. It didn't matter what her color scheme was.
Still…. Maybe one day.
An hour later Chloe had been dressed and undressed and redressed in several bridesmaid's gowns, but none had lived up to the green one. So Lois had done the obligatory camera chat with Diana and Tess, who were waiting by their phones. Approval had been gained (as if Lois would have had it any other way) and an order had been placed for the appropriate sizes.
It seemed odd to think that Lois and Clark would be getting married in just a couple of months, Chloe thought as they dug into lunch and Lois's new favorite restaurant. Losing Dinah to married life had been hard enough, but Chloe genuinely didn't know how she was going to deal with losing Lois.
"Did you hear from Diana, yet?" Lois asked through a mouthful of potatoes au gratin.
"Yeah, she called me last night, too."
"Can you believe it? December?" Lois was referring to the fact that Bruce had finally proposed last night, and they had already decided to get married in December. It was currently early October.
"I know. Such a short engagement. But let's be honest, we all knew it was coming. Plus with Diana's connections, she won't have a lot of trouble putting something together." Diana's mother was a foreign diplomat who frequently served as an emissary in America. There didn't seem to be anyone that Diana hadn't met growing up. Chloe remembered finding it both awe-inspiring and intimidating back in their college days, listening to Diana talk about her travels with her mother. It was almost like Diana led the life of a royal. It had only been natural for her to be crossing paths with the likes of Bruce Wayne, and their romance had been fairy tale-esque, full of elegant parties and exotic settings. "Did she ask you to be in the wedding party?" Chloe asked.
"Maid of Honor," Lois confessed.
Chloe grinned. "I knew she would. I bet you were the first call after her mother."
"And you were the second, no doubt," Lois said. "Well, here's to Diana and Bruce," she lifted her ice tea. "May they both be too drunk to remember my reception speech."
They clinked glasses, laughing.
"So let's see, that's me and Clark in March," Lois held up a finger and began ticking off names. "Diana and Bruce in December. Lana and Lex tie the knot some time in February-"
"Valentine's Day."
Lois grimaced.
"Hey! I love Lana. And…she brings out a…pleasanter side of Lex," Chloe defended.
Lois shrugged. It was hard for her to like Lex. She'd never been a fan of his business dealings. And although she had always liked Lana, one could only harbor so much love for her fiancé's ex. "Anyway, them in February."
"Jimmy and Kara in April," Chloe added as casually as possible, ignoring the sharp look Lois sent her before ticking off another finger.
"You and Oliver in May," Lois added more happily.
"Not to mention Tess and Emil last year," Chloe added. "And Katherine and Vic and Dinah and A.C. this summer."
"That's pretty much the entire gang, except for Hal and Carol, who carried that goddamn ring in his pocket for at least a year, but they still can't seem to set a date." Lois rolled her eyes indulgently. "I can't believe we're all going down the aisle at once like this."
"Neither can I," Chloe said, unable to keep a hint of bitterness out of her voice. Lois, fortunately, didn't notice, as she had just gotten a text from her editor.
"So what's the plan for Thanksgiving this year, by the way?" Chloe steered the subject another way.
Lois tapped something out on her phone as she spoke. "Well, of course, the Sharks have a big game that day, in the afternoon, but it's a home game, so we'll be in Metropolis for it. Then, luckily we get to go to the Kent's on Friday."
"And Lucy and Uncle Sam?"
"She and the General will be there on Thursday. What are you and Oliver doing?"
"Thanksgiving Thursday at my parents', which the Kents might be going to, and then the day after we'll be at the Kents' with you guys."
"Oh, by the way, Lucy's seeing someone."
"Is she?" Chloe raised her eyebrows, taking a bite of her turkey and avocado sandwich.
"Mmhmm. Military guy, surprisingly enough. She usually steers clear of anyone who remotely reminds her of dad. But, well, this guy seems to be the exception."
"Have you met him?"
"Nope, but it sounds like she's bringing him over for Thanksgiving."
"Poor guy."
"Yup."
"Uncle Sam's gonna eat him alive."
"Yup."
"She must really like him, though."
"That's what it seems like. Personally, I think he must be an idiot if he's dating Lu, but you never know. Maybe the misguided fool thinks it will get him in the General's good graces."
Chloe chuckled. If that were the case, the poor sod was in for a serious wakeup call. Clark still didn't talk about the first time he had met Sam Lane. They suspected there had been an actual interrogation involved.
"So how is Clark doing with planning the wedding? I don't see much of him these days."
Lois shrugged. "You know him. And he knows what's good for him. He just smiles and nods and says a lot of "yes, dear"s and only gives his opinion when directly asked for it. I think he likes that we chose Sharks colors, too, though. Wait 'til he sees some of the reception stuff. What about Oliver?"
"He…um…well, he's been out of town so much. His mom's really involved, though. It's sweet."
Lois grinned. "Ah, he's probably like Clark. Doesn't want to get in the way because he thinks we've been planning this moment since we were three years old. I like it when he gets involved, though. It's cute. You'll see. Oliver'll want to stick his oar in, too."
"Oh…yeah, no I'm sure you're right." It was obvious Lois thought Chloe was concerned about this. As her mind turned to Oliver, though, Chloe found herself flushing. Since last weekend with Oliver, her life had become stranger than she ever could have imagined. It wasn't that they were having sex all the time. Just, y'know, twice since then. Two mind-blowing, unbelievably hot, earth-shattering times. "Lois, can I ask you something?" she blurted out before she could stop herself. She wasn't even sure what she was about to say until she said it. "What is Clark like with you? When…you know…you guys…erm…." She trailed off pathetically, just a little too embarrassed to finish the question.
Lois looked confused at first. Then it dawned on her. "Oh my God. Are you actually asking me about sex? For once?"
Chloe could feel her face getting hot. "Look, if you're going to make me embarrassed about it-"
"No, no! Oh my God, ask away! Whatever you want!"
"I just…okay, this is really weird for me." She looked at Lois awkwardly. This was the cousin who had been a big sister to her growing up, who had basically given her the sex talk and helped her navigate the world of boys growing up because Chloe was too embarrassed to talk to her own mother about it. This was the one person whom Chloe had been almost completely honest with about her past relationships, so maybe, in the midst of all the lying she'd done lately, she could actually have a real heart-to-heart about what was bothering her at the moment.
"It's okay," Lois encouraged, sensing that Chloe was genuinely troubled about something. "What did you mean by what is Clark like with me?"
"I just…okay…." She took a deep breath. "I'm really just curious. Um, okay, you know that Jimmy was my first, and then-" she swallowed, clutching her drink tightly "-Davis. But, what I never told you is that-" she broke off, hesitating.
"There hasn't been anyone since then," Lois finished for her, gently. "I wasn't sure, but I guessed as much. I've been worried about you."
"I mean, it wasn't something to be worried about, I just hadn't met anyone that I trusted to have that kind of connection with."
"Not after Davis," Lois nodded. "I can imagine." She suppressed a shudder, thinking back to the dark time in her cousin's life that Lois personally liked to try to forget about.
"So…not to say this in an insulting way, but, you're more experienced than I am."
Lois shrugged dismissively, smiling rather proudly. "That's one way of phrasing it," she wiggled her eyebrows. It wasn't like she'd been easy in the past, just that she'd had far better luck with men than Chloe, and been a little more free in her relationships.
"I'm just…wondering what Clark is like with you. Because…I mean, let's be real, Jimmy and I were both virgins when we first slept with each other and we had a really safe, really inexperienced time with each other. Not that it was bad, just-"
"Young and innocent?" Lois supplied with a teasing lilt.
Chloe smirked, "Well, yeah, actually. Anyway, we were kind of working out the mechanics of it back then, really. And with Davis…I mean, he was…it was…" she took a deep breath "To put it simply, Davis was a selfish lover."
It was a sign of Lois's deep understanding and love for her cousin that her only visible reaction to this statement was a slight ticking in her jaw.
"So it's just…I was just curious about what it's like with you and Clark. Not like I'm looking for the intimate details…just…I don't know." She threw up her hands. "I'm not even really sure what I'm asking."
Lois's lips had drawn into a thin line: a sure sign that she was still thinking about Davis and everything that he had done to her baby cousin. She kept tabs on Davis, not that she told Chloe about it, and he seemed to have turned out all right. He had gone to therapy for years and had steered clear of women for a long time. The last she had checked, he was dating again, so she had done some digging and pulled up the results of his therapy. He had received glowing remarks of excellent progress, so she was content to believe that maybe he'd gotten his life together. She was going to continue keeping an eye on him, though. Just in case. None of it meant that Lois was ready to forgive him. Chloe? Well, Lois had decided only to share her information if Chloe asked. And she had only asked once, over a year ago.
"Lois?"
"Sorry, cuz. What did you ask?"
Chloe rolled her eyes, way too embarrassed to be having this conversation. "I just wanted to know what Clark is like with you when you're…intimate."
Lois smiled a little, a distant look in her eyes. "I mean, it varies. It all depends on the context, but Clark is just so caring. It's remarkable because he's this incredibly strong, powerful guy-Sorry, but it's true," she added, catching Chloe's embarrassed grimace. "But when he's with me he's just so gentle, y'know? For a while I think he was scared he was gonna break me or something." She shook her head at the ridiculous idea.
"And that's…really different from what it was like with other men?"
Lois nodded. "Not that there aren't other great guys and other great lovers out there. But it just felt different with Clark." She gave Chloe a shrewd look. "But if what you're asking is whether the average guy is a Jimmy or a Davis or an Oliver…well, wait. What is Oliver like with you?"
Chloe flushed beat red. "Oh! I mean…I dunno. He's…um…it's…we…."
"I'm gonna need an adjective in there somewhere. Maybe a few verbs and adverbs would be helpful."
Chloe laughed. "I never got used to talking about this stuff, Lois! You know that!"
Lois nodded. She knew it too well. It had been one of the most long-lasting damages that Davis had done to Chloe. She'd been scared to open up about her personal life. Scared to talk about anything too intimate. Frankly, she'd been scared to have anything that resembled intimacy, never mind talk about it. "I know. Listen, you don't have to. Just…let me know if you ever want to ask about anything else, okay? I mean, what are cousins for right? You've gotta be able to dish with somebody." She grinned.
Chloe grinned back. It was true. Maybe one day, when all this was over, she'd come clean to Lois about what had really happened between her and Oliver. It was a relief to talk about even this. "Just…one thing: is it normal for a guy to be more concerned about your pleasure than his?"
Lois smirked. "Unheard of? No. But normal?" She shook her head. "That's how you know you found a good one. I mean, in my opinion, that's rule #1 of how to be a good lover. Take pleasure in the other person's pleasure. That's what makes sex good."
Chloe sipped on her drink thoughtfully. It was a good point. She certainly enjoyed knowing that she could get Oliver just as worked up as he made her. And he was obviously invested in making her feel good when they were together. How…unexpected. Oliver was turning out to be one of the most unusual men she'd ever known.
"So when do you get back?"
"Tomorrow morning."
"So soon?'
"Gotta get back to work."
"How's Lois?"
Chloe sighed, swiping her hotel key card and adjusting the earbud connected to her phone. "Glowing with pre-wedding bliss and playing dress up every day. Oh, and she's on a front-page streak at work. Her editor's practically in love with her. Or…" Chloe frowned. "He's stopped telling her she's fired. Which, from what I remember of Perry White, is the equivalent of love."
Leaning back in his desk chair in his apartment office, Oliver chuckled. "Glad to hear she's happy."
"Yeah, well, her and everyone else we know." Chloe sighed. "Do you ever think about what it will be like when we're done with this, Oliver? Do you think you'll get married?"
He shifted in his seat uncomfortably. "I mean, I'd like to, I've said that before. I'm not gonna say I'll propose to the next girl I meet, but-"
"When you find the right person," Chloe finished. "Don't you think it's weird that of everyone we know, we're the only ones who haven't found someone? Everyone, and I mean everyone we know is with someone."
"Don't exaggerate-"
"Everyone, Oliver."
"What about-"
"Everyone. Even Mia was telling Edward about this Ian Archer kid she met at a martial arts class she's taking. Even Lois's sister, Lucy, is seeing someone. That literally brings the number of single people I know down to zero."
"Okay, but-"
"Tell me that doesn't make you the slightest bit uncomfortable? Aren't you ever scared that there isn't a person for us?"
There was a long pause. "What's bringing this on?"
Chloe shrugged, sitting down on the edge of her bed in her hotel room. Her talk with Lois had unnerved her. "I don't know. I'm just…I don't know. Helping Lois with the wedding and planning my own fake wedding is stressing me out. I think it's just bringing all this anxiety to the surface that I've been burying for a while." She flopped back on her bed and released a long breath of air, trying to release all the tension she seemed to be holding in her gut.
"Okay, Sullivan, just…relax, okay? Take a deep breath. Where are you?"
"My hotel room," she said tightly.
"Do you have any wine?"
"There's a mini bar," she rolled her head to the side, looking at the small kitchenette to the side of her room. The hotel had upgraded her to a suite thanks to her executive platinum status in their rewards program.
"Okay, well I heard the door open, so I'm assuming you just got there a minute ago. So here's what I want you to do: Take off your shoes."
She sighed, rolling her eyes.
"Just do it."
Smirking at his obvious annoyance, she toed off her shoes, and they dropped to the floor with a soft thud. "They're off," she sighed.
"Stockings next."
"I don't feel like moving right now, Oliver," she grumbled.
"I would ask if you really feel the need to argue with everything, but after living with you for the last couple of months, I already know the answer."
She stuck her tongue out at him.
"I'm waiting, Sullivan."
She heaved a long-suffering sigh and sat up to start rolling off her stockings.
"You wearing those lacy thigh highs by the way?"
"Yeah, why?"
"No reason."
She could hear him grinning on the other end of the line, and she paused. "Why?" she asked suspiciously.
"Because I have at least six fantasies with you that feature those stockings."
She was glad he wasn't there to see her blush beet red. "They're off," she said at length, peeling off the second one the rest of the way, and trying not to imagine what Oliver's fantasies might entail. That way lay a lot of frustration.
"Good. Next time I see you I hope you're wearing them again, though."
"Oliver," she chastised, rolling her eyes, still flushed and wishing he would cut it out. What was the point of getting her all worked up when they were on the phone?
"All right now go get yourself a glass of wine. I know you tend to prefer red, but personally I feel like you're having a Chardonnay kind of day."
"Hmm," was Chloe's skeptical response when she opened the fridge and investigated the selection. There were a couple of mini bottles of Chardonnay in there. He was right that she normally preferred the stronger flavors of red wine, but maybe she'd give him the benefit of the doubt. She'd recently learned at a champagne tasting that Laura Queen was a wine enthusiast, and she suspected that Laura had helped to cultivate her son's tastes. So why not? She grabbed two bottles and one of the wine glasses off the top of the counter and carried them over to the bed. "All right I'm pouring myself a glass," she informed him, screwing off the cap.
"Good, now I want you to sit on that big, comfortable, disproportionately-pillowed bed and sip on your glass of wine and try to decide if it tastes like oak or vanilla or peaches or violets for a good hour."
"Trying to teach me about wine now, Oliver?"
"Just trying to get you to relax." Chloe's only reply was a terse 'hmph,' and he chuckled to himself at how stubborn she was. "Now Chloe, I want you to listen to me very carefully because I'm being completely serious when I say that you are far from being past your prime. Just because our friends are all doing the mating ritual does not mean that you and I aren't going to get married. I mean to other people." He frowned. "There's someone out there for us." He included himself rather than incur her protests. The point, after all, was to get her to calm down, not argue with him.
"Very comforting, Queen. Thanks for that." But she couldn't help smiling at his efforts.
"I'm serious. Now, go pull back the covers on that big, over-stuffed hotel bed."
"What exactly are you doing that you have time for this?" Chloe smirked, climbing under the covers as instructed.
"Relaxing with a glass of scotch," he said easily. "It's been a long day here, too."
"Anything serious?"
"Nah. Just work. And parents. Nothing to worry about. Had someone ask about you, though."
"Oh?"Chloe asked, genuinely surprised.
"Yeah, some friend of my dad's who met you at the engagement party. Wanted to know where I was keeping my fiancé locked away."
Chloe giggled. "Right. Very cute."
"So how are you feeling? More relaxed?"
"Mmm…yes…this is definitely an improvement," Chloe sighed.
"Good. Now, listen. I know it's stressful watching all of our friends walk down the aisle without us. I'm going through it, too. But have you really done anything in your life on the same schedule as anyone else, Chloe?"
She couldn't help smiling a little, leaning her head back to rest against the headboard. "No, I guess not."
"Exactly. Take it from me, Sullivan, you are not the average woman. And I would know," he added suggestively.
"Do you ever think about anything else?"
"Are you wearing matching lingerie right now?"
She laughed aloud, "Yes?"
"No. I never think about anything else."
She snorted into her wine glass before taking another sip.
"So what color?"
"What?"
"What color is this matching lingerie?"
"Seriously?" she rolled her eyes, feeling herself flush with warmth.
"Hey, you're there and I'm here. I gotta take what I can get."
She grinned, fully planning to shut him down, but she couldn't quite resist. "Pink and yellow," she said, unable to bite back her smile.
"You're fantastic."
"You're a perv."
"Just wait until you get back, Sullivan. I've got plans for that underwear."
She snickered. It should have been weird, laughing at Oliver's teasing instead of fuming over it. But now that they had had sex…maybe she was just finally appreciating his sense of humor. It wasn't as though it was all meant to be crass. As a matter of fact it was kind of a turn-on sometime. It was oddly comforting to be around someone who was so incredibly open and unreserved about his sex-life. It was beginning to make her think that she really could stand to take a leaf out of Oliver's book.
Did I really just admit that? she wondered. Dear God, he really is getting to me, isn't he?
Previous (Chapter 18)
Next (Chapter 20)