Between Honesty and Risk [75]

Kent Farm

Clark remained in the barn, contemplating the empty space where the ship had been just moments ago. The residual glow of its departure to the Fortress of Solitude still lightly illuminated the area, but Clark knew that chapter needed to stay in the past. Now, he was fully focused on the consequences of what he had revealed to Chloe.

He walked back to the main house, his steps light on the damp soil. The warm light spilling through the kitchen windows seemed inviting, but it also carried the weight of the discussions he knew he would face. Upon entering, the familiar sound of the kettle on the stove and the rustling of a newspaper being folded briefly brought him a sense of comfort.

"Clark, is everything alright?" Martha asked, turning with concern as she placed two cups of tea on the table.

"I told Chloe everything," Clark said, sitting down slowly at the table. "She knows about me now. About who I really am." He rested his elbows on the table, his gaze fixed on his hands. "But she needs time to process. It wasn't easy for her to hear everything at once."

"Clark, you did the right thing," Martha said in her soft, soothing voice. "The truth can be hard, but it's always better than hiding who you really are."

Jonathan entered the kitchen at that moment, his gaze moving from Clark to Martha, quickly picking up on the tense atmosphere. He placed his hat on the hook near the door and crossed his arms, his expression serious.

"You told Chloe?" Jonathan asked, his voice filled with concern. "Clark, do you realize the risk this could bring to her? To all of us?"

"Jonathan," Martha interjected, her tone calm but firm, "Clark made the right decision. Chloe is a trusted friend, and he needed to be honest with her."

"Honest or not, Martha," Jonathan said, beginning to pace back and forth, "now she knows something that could put her in danger. And if she can't handle it? If she tells someone, even by accident?" He stopped, looking directly at Clark. "Did you think about that, son?"

"Dad, I trust Chloe," Clark said, standing and meeting his father's gaze. "I know it's a risk, but she deserves the truth. She's always been by my side, and I couldn't keep lying to her."

"Jonathan, you need to calm down," Martha said, placing a hand on her husband's arm. "Stress isn't good for any of us, especially now." She lightly placed her other hand on her belly, reminding Jonathan of the new life growing within her.

Jonathan took a deep breath, closing his eyes for a moment as he tried to regain composure. He looked at Martha, the worry softening slightly in his expression. "I just want to protect my family, Martha. That includes you, the baby, and Clark."

"And you are protecting us, Jonathan," Martha said with a warm smile. "But we need to trust Clark. He knows what he's doing. Chloe is strong. And in the end, his decision to tell the truth shows how much he's matured."

Jonathan sighed, running a hand over his face before turning his gaze back to Clark. "Alright, son. I trust you. But I want you to stay alert. If there's any sign of trouble, you let us know immediately."

"I promise, Dad," Clark said firmly. "I won't let anything happen to Chloe. Or to you."

Jonathan nodded, sitting back down at the table as Martha poured him a cup of tea. The tension in the room lightened, but Clark knew his father's concerns wouldn't dissipate so easily. Still, he felt relieved to have their trust.

"Now, Clark," Martha said with a gentle smile, "why don't you sit and tell us how Chloe reacted? I'm sure it was an intense conversation."

Clark sat again, beginning to recount the details of his conversation with Chloe, as Martha and Jonathan listened intently.

---

Smallville Motel

Desirée Atkins sat on a worn motel bed, the dim yellow light illuminating the small, shabby room. The peeling wallpaper and the smell of mildew mixed with cheap perfume only added to her frustration.

"Damn Luthors," she muttered, running her hands through her disheveled hair. "First Lex, now Lionel. Everything is ruined. My powers…" She paused, staring at her hands. "They're gone. I can't control them anymore. What's left for me now?"

Dark thoughts haunted her as she rose and walked to the window. The curtain was partially torn, and she looked out, watching the distant city lights. A simmering anger burned within her, but so did a cold determination.

"I can't leave Smallville without leaving my mark," Desirée thought, clenching her fists. "If I can't destroy the Luthors, I'll make someone pay. And that damn Talon seems like a good place to start."

She turned, grabbing her bag from the dresser and checking its contents. A few bills, lipstick, and a small vial of mysterious liquid she had kept as a last resort.

"If I can't have power, I can at least cause a little chaos," she said with a bitter smile. "They won't forget me so easily."

---

Clark's House

Diana sat on the living room sofa, her arms crossed as she stared out the window into the night's darkness. The silence of the house was almost oppressive. Since Clark had left, she felt an inexplicable emptiness, as though confined in a space that didn't belong to her.

"Tina, I need to get out of here," Diana said suddenly, interrupting the faint sound of the kettle in the kitchen. "I can't take this boredom anymore. I want to see Smallville, to explore what this place has to offer."

Tina appeared in the doorway, holding a steaming cup of tea. She raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued.

"Go out? At night? Diana, are you sure? Smallville isn't exactly… lively."

"That's exactly why I want to go out," Diana replied with growing enthusiasm. "I want to see where Clark grew up. Besides, I'm tired of doing nothing. Can you take me?"

Tina sighed, setting the cup down on the coffee table. "I guess we can take a quick trip. The Talon is probably still open. It's the town café, and if anything happens in Smallville, it's there."

"The Talon? Sounds interesting," Diana said with an eager smile. "Let's go. I don't want to waste any more time."

Tina grabbed her phone, quickly typing a message to Clark: "Clark, I'm taking Diana to the Talon. She was bored and insisted on going out. I'll keep you updated." She slipped the phone into her pocket and grabbed her car keys.

"Alright, Diana," Tina said, motioning for her to follow. "But you're going to behave, right? No… Amazon things."

Diana chuckled softly as she grabbed her jacket. "I promise. I'll be discreet. Now, let's go before I change my mind."

The two left the house, walking toward Tina's car parked in the driveway. The night air was cool, with a light breeze stirring Diana's hair. As they got into the car, Tina started the engine, and the vehicle rolled onto the quiet road leading to Smallville's center.

"Diana, you'll find that Smallville isn't like Themyscira," Tina said as she drove. "People here live simple lives. It's a small town where everyone knows everyone."

"That sounds charming," Diana replied, gazing out the window at the passing trees and houses. "It's so different from anything I've ever experienced. Maybe this is exactly what I need."

The car drove under the starlit sky, and soon the soft lights of the town's center appeared in the distance. Diana watched with curiosity as Tina parked in front of the Talon, a quaint, inviting building with a discreet sign.

"We're here," Tina said, turning off the engine. "Welcome to the Talon, Diana. I hope you like it."

Diana stepped out of the car, looking around with interest. "It's perfect. Let's go in. I want to see everything."

Tina chuckled as she followed Diana toward the café entrance. "Remember, low profile."

The two entered the Talon, ready to explore Smallville's night scene and, perhaps, encounter something that would break the week's monotony.

---

Chloe's House

Chloe lay on her bed, the pillow damp from the tears that had fallen throughout the night. The faint light of a bedside lamp illuminated the room as she stared at the ceiling, lost in conflicting thoughts about everything she had learned about Clark.

Clark… an alien. Part of me always knew he was different, but hearing it from him, seeing him show me the truth… it was overwhelming. How am I supposed to process this?

Her thoughts wandered to the time they had spent together, to the moments when he seemed to be hiding something, but also to the looks, the smiles, and the gestures she had always interpreted as signs of something deeper. The love she felt for him was undeniable, but now it came with a new layer of complexity.

I always knew loving Clark would be complicated. He's heroic, mysterious, but now… he's not just human. He's from another planet.

The idea of the "harem" Clark had mentioned also haunted her. Chloe had never imagined something so outlandish could be real, let alone that she might be considered part of it. The internal conflict between her desire to be with him and the difficulty of accepting such terms left her restless.

I love him, but to accept something like this? It's too much. It's asking too much. But at the same time, I can't imagine my life without him. Clark has always been my safe haven, my constant in a chaotic world.

She turned onto her side, clutching the pillow as more tears fell. But deep down, a spark of determination began to grow. Chloe had always been resilient, a fighter. And no matter how impossible the situation seemed, she knew she wouldn't give up easily.

Suddenly, a small smile crept across her lips, even as the tears continued to fall. "I always knew Clark was from another planet," she murmured with a mix of melancholy and pride. "And maybe, just maybe, I'm ready to find out what that really means."

Chloe closed her eyes, allowing herself a moment of peace as emotional exhaustion finally overcame her. The future was still uncertain, but she knew that somehow, she would face whatever came her way, as she always had: with courage and heart.

To read 7 chapters ahead, go to

pat reon.com/22Mirko22