I have way too many HoL fics in progress already, but there was some discussion on the discord which fired up the muse, so here is yet another alternate ending to Season 1.
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“Let me go first, please.”
“No Lois. Not this time.” Alright fine. I guess after everything I’ve put him through in the last few weeks, I can humor him, just for a little bit. Who says I can’t be patient? I can be patient.
“I’m sorry.” Heh. That should probably be my line. Not that he doesn’t have anything to apologise for. I’m glad he’s decided to be the bigger person. “About a lot of things. I wanted to bring Luthor down, but I never wanted to hurt you.” Right. There’s the perfect opening.
“Clark, it’s-”
“I should never have told you about my feelings. It put you in an incredibly awkward position.”
“No, Clark, I-”
“The fact of the matter is, it wasn’t true.” The tires screeching must be in my head, but that seems more realistic than what he just said. “I’m not in love with you.” I’m sorry, what? My body reacts on instinct, and I slap him square across the jaw. Pretty sure it hurt me more than him though. Seriously, he must have some thick jaw muscles.
“That was for lying to me.”
“Lois, I’m sorry, I-”
“No, no, no. Not at the park. Just now, when you said you didn’t love me. That’s a lie, and we both know it.” It had to be. No one could have faked the sincerity in his voice when he’d told me, or the disappointment, and heartbreak in his eyes when I let him down, least of all Clark, boy scout, Kent. He could give even Superman a run for his money where truth and justice is concerned.
Wait a minute, why are his hands behind his back? Sneaking a glance, I cannot believe what I see. “Crossing your fingers, really? What are you, ten?”
“Lois-”
“No. I don’t want to hear it. You know, that was a very mean thing to do, telling me you loved me, and then taking it back right as I-” Nope. Not going there.
“Lois?” Clark raises an eyebrow, and he appears concerned, but there is no way I'm going to tell him I love him when he just took back what he said about being in love with me, even if it was a lie, so I simply shrug, and turn away from him.
“I’m not going to say it.” Clark sighs.
“What do you want me to say, Lois? That I love you, that I want to spend the rest of my life with you, that I’ve never had a better friend, or partner, and I’m scared to death of losing you?”
“Yes.” Oh, goodness yes. Ok, fine. Turning back to face him, I take a deep breath. “Clark, I…” Another deep breath. This really shouldn’t be so hard. It’s three little words. Besides, he said them first, even if he did take it back afterwards… “I love you. I’m sorry it took me so long to admit it. I’m sorry I didn’t listen to you, I-”
“Lois, you can’t do this to me.” I’m sorry, what?
“What? Aren’t you listening? I-”
“No, Lois-”
“No? What do you mean, no?" How can he say no? "Don’t you believe me?”
“I wish I could, but-”
Oh.
Oh.
OH.
Of course, that’s the moment something clicks, and I realise that I’ve been completely, and totally blind.
But there’ll be time to deal with that later.
“But what?” I raise my eyebrow at him challengingly.
“Last week, you were getting ready to marry Luthor.” But I didn’t. “Two weeks before that, you confessed your undying love to Superman.” Ok, he has a point there, but he is Superman, so what does it matter, really? And yes, I realise that it matters, because I told him I’d love him if he was an ordinary man, but that’s besides the point. “ If Perry and Henderson hadn’t gotten the evidence, you’d be Mrs. Lois Luthor right now.” Wait, what?
“No I wouldn’t.” What does he mean I’d be Mrs. Luthor? He was there when I-
Wait. No, he wasn’t. He didn’t come until after. (Somewhere in the back of my mind, there’s a recollection of “I can’t” that’s just begging to be addressed, but I’m choosing to ignore it for the time being) That means he didn’t see- he doesn’t know…
“Clark, I told Lex no.”
“What?” Finally, it’s his turn to stare at me in disbelief. Though I wish he wouldn’t.
“I didn’t go through with the wedding.” Well, obviously, he knows that. “I couldn’t. I told him I couldn’t.”
“Why?” Really? Why does it matter why, when- Internally, I sigh, and remind myself to be calm. I suppose it’s not that difficult of a question. A little uncomfortable, maybe, but… oh, alright, fine. This time, my sigh is audible.
“Because you were right.” Oh, I hate that. Not because he was right, but because it means I was wrong. “I was blinded by his charm, and his power, and when I finally sat down, and thought about what a future with Lex would look like… I didn’t like the picture. But…” Now here’s the really difficult part, “I also started thinking about what you said, about… the kind of future we could have… if you still want one with me, that is.” Because realistically., after everything I’ve put him through, I wouldn’t blame him if he doesn’t.
“Lois, of course I want-” Oh. Good. Wait, why did he cut himself off? To my surprise, he chuckles. “Why don’t we start with dinner first?” He grins, and offers me a hand, and I know exactly what to say.
“Perfect.” Taking his arm, I grin. “So, where are we going? Paris? Rome? Hong Kong? Personally, I prefer Paris, but-”
“Lois, what are you talking about?” Now he’s looking at me as if I was flying, and shooting lasers out of my eyes, and I can’t help the devious smirk that plays across my lips as I lean forward to kiss him ever so softly.
“I finally figured you out.” His eyes widen in disbelief, then fear, and I can feel him tense up beneath me. But I fight to keep a smile, so he knows he has nothing to be worried about. Not yet, anyway. “And I was right.” Clearly he doesn’t know what I’m talking about, if his eyebrows are any indication. “I love you even more because you’re an ordinary man beneath the suit.”
He relaxes, and smiles at me, with that smile that should be illegal.
“What time is it in Paris?” I was only half-joking before. Fresh crepes and croissants really do sound amazing. Plus, I’ve always wanted to go to Paris. To my surprise, Clark checks his watch before answering.
“Almost eight, but if you want the best crepes in the world, you have to go to Strasbourg.”
“Well then, what are we waiting for?”
