Clark's House
The sky was already painted in shades of orange as Clark parked the truck in front of his house. The sound of muffled laughter escaped through the open window, where Diana and Tina were chatting animatedly in the living room. Clark walked through the front door, his face lit by a rare smile, something that didn't go unnoticed.
"Clark, looks like someone had a good day," Diana said, leaning slightly on the couch, her eyes fixed on him. "What's the reason for your happiness?"
Clark dropped his backpack in a corner and looked at her, still smiling. "I had an important conversation with Chloe. It seems we're finally on the same page."
Tina, who was next to Diana, crossed her arms with a curious smile. "Let me guess... something about the harem?"
THUD!
The sound of the backpack hitting the floor harder than expected echoed, making Clark shoot a slightly embarrassed look at Tina. "Not quite like that, Tina. But let's just say things are going better than I expected."
Diana got up from the couch, approaching Clark with an intrigued look. "So, Chloe accepted the idea? Or is she still thinking about it?"
Clark ran a hand through his hair, a habitual gesture when he was a bit nervous. "She's processing it. But today was a big step. She even joked about being my 'favorite mistress'." He laughed at the memory.
Diana raised an eyebrow, a slight smile curving her lips. "Interesting. She's braver than I expected. This might get fun."
Tina tapped her leg lightly, laughing. "I knew Chloe had something special! She's too smart to turn you down, Clark. And it seems Diana approves."
Clark shook his head, still smiling, though a hint of shyness showed. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. It's still early, but I'm glad to see she's trying to deal with everything."
Diana placed a hand on Clark's shoulder, her expression soft. "Happiness looks good on you, Clark. You should smile like this more often."
Clark looked at Diana, his smile growing even wider. "And you should tell me that more often, Diana. Maybe I'd smile more."
BAM!
The sound of Tina clapping exaggeratedly echoed through the room.
"Okay, okay, before this turns into a romantic moment, let's have dinner. The bacon I made this morning is still in the oven, and you don't want to miss it."
Clark chuckled as he followed Diana and Tina to the kitchen. The house was filled with a light and carefree energy, a rare moment of peace amidst their complicated lives.
---
Clark's Office
Night had already fallen when Clark entered his office. The room was simple, with a sturdy wooden desk, a lamp illuminating the space, and a computer already on, waiting for him. He sat in the chair, adjusting his posture before starting to type.
"Okay, let's see where I left off," he murmured to himself as he opened the file titled "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets." He scanned the last lines he had written and smiled. "Ah, the duel between Harry and Malfoy. I need to make this more interesting."
Clark's fingers moved quickly across the keyboard, as if the text was flowing directly from his mind to the screen. He alternated between the tension of the confrontation and the characters' reactions, crafting sharp dialogues and vibrant descriptions.
"Snape shoots Malfoy a severe glare... perfect," he said as he finished the paragraph. "Now, I need to capture the drama of the snake in the arena."
After about forty minutes of uninterrupted writing, Clark stopped, reclining in his chair as he reread the text. He let out a satisfied sigh, looking at the screen with pride. "I'll finish the other half another day," he said, saving the file and shutting down the computer.
Standing up, Clark stretched his arms, feeling his muscles relax. He looked out the window for a moment, appreciating the silence of the night before leaving the office and heading to his bedroom, ready to rest after another productive day.
---
Motel
Nathan POV
The sun hadn't fully risen when I left the motel room. The morning air in Smallville had that damp earth smell, something that usually annoyed me, but today, for some reason, I was in a great mood. "Desirée is insane, but at least she knows how to play the game." I tightened my leather gloves, adjusting my helmet before mounting my motorcycle.
VRUMM! VRUMM!
The engine roared loudly, a sound that echoed my sense of control. The road ahead was empty, perfect for speeding. "Nothing like the sound of freedom," I murmured as I shifted gears, feeling the cold wind on my face. My destination was clear: the school where the target spent most of his time.
VRUUUM!
The sound of the motorcycle cut through the silence as I sped down the deserted road. "I just need the right moment, the right place... one sonic scream, and no one will ever hear from me or the jewels again." The thought brought a smile to my face. This plan would be perfect, and the chaos would just be a bonus.
"First, observe, Nathan," I told myself, my voice muffled by the helmet. "Don't rush. Track the schedule, find the blind spots... then the show begins." The engine seemed to respond to my excitement, as if the machine understood what was about to happen.
"I'm not here to play games," I thought, slowing down as I approached the town. "A teenager won't be a match for me. One scream, and he's out of the game." Passing by a cluster of trees, I caught sight of the school appearing on the horizon. One step at a time.
"First the school, then the jewels," I murmured, a cold smile forming again. The motorcycle purred softly as I stopped near a field close to the parking lot. Turning off the engine, the silence returned. "Time to scout." I adjusted my hood, observing the movement from a distance.
---
VRUUUM!
The soft hum of Clark's truck echoed on the quiet street. He was parked in front of Chloe's house, his elbow resting on the open window as he waited.
"Good morning, mistress. Did you sleep well?" Clark asked with a playful smile as Chloe appeared at the door, radiant and lively.
"Clark!" Chloe exclaimed, immediately blushing as she closed the door behind her. "Do you really have to start the day teasing me like this?"
Clark chuckled softly, shaking his head as he opened the passenger door. "It's not teasing, Chloe. It's just a reminder of the agreement you made yesterday."
Chloe climbed into the truck, avoiding his gaze as she adjusted her backpack on her lap. "Agreement? I don't recall signing anything."
"Oh, then I'll have to remind you," Clark replied, starting the engine and smiling as she blushed even more.
VRUUUM!
The truck moved down the road as Chloe crossed her arms, trying to regain composure. "You're terrible, you know that?"
"Me? Terrible?" Clark asked, feigning surprise. "I think you're confusing charm with mischief."
Chloe sighed but couldn't help the small smile that appeared on her lips. "If I'd known it would be like this, I'd have taken the bus."
"But then you'd miss the chance to start the day with me," Clark said, winking at her.
Chloe shook her head, trying to suppress her laughter. "Seriously, Clark. You should be fined for excessive confidence."
Clark laughed, enjoying the silence that followed as he drove toward the school. The smile on his face showed he was savoring every second of their exchange.
"Chloe," he said after a few minutes of silence. "Thank you for being part of this. It means a lot to me."
Chloe looked at him, finally setting aside her embarrassment. "I'm still trying to understand everything, Clark. But for now, I'm glad to be by your side."
Clark gave a small smile, his eyes shining with sincerity. "And I couldn't ask for anything more."
The truck continued down the road, the sound of the engine now blending with the harmony between them as they prepared for another day together.
---
Smallville High School
Clark's truck parked in the school lot, drawing little attention due to the usual morning rush. Chloe stepped out of the vehicle, adjusting her backpack as Clark followed, closing the door with a smooth motion.
"Clark, if I start getting weird looks because of that smile of yours, it's all your fault," Chloe joked, crossing her arms as she looked at him.
"Then I'll make sure everyone knows how happy I am to have you here with me," Clark replied with a teasing smile.
Before Chloe could respond, Pete appeared from across the lot, waving enthusiastically as he approached.
"Hey, you two!" Pete exclaimed with a broad grin. "Finally! It's so good to see you together again. I thought I'd have to step in as the 'best friend mediator.'"
Chloe rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her smile. "Pete, don't be so dramatic. We were fine, just... needed a talk."
"Well, it seems like that talk worked wonders," Pete said, giving Clark a playful look. "You'll have to teach me that technique, man."
Clark laughed, shaking his head. "No miracles, Pete. Just honesty. But speaking of which, why don't you walk with Chloe? I need to hit the bathroom before class."
Chloe raised an eyebrow but nodded. "Alright, but don't take too long. I'm not waiting to hear more of Pete's jokes alone."
"Don't worry," Clark said, waving as he walked away. "I'll be there before you notice."
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