(no subject)

[dovelike]

Eirene kicks at a rock, her face set in a thoughtful scowl, and watches it bounce across the dirt lane only to vanish into grazing land beyond a dilapidated fence. The last week seems to have taken its toll on Clark and she's not even sure that her reason for talking him into taking her to Smallville is valid anymore. Chloe doesn't even remember her, not as the friend Eirene had hoped she'd turned into. So many deaths in so little time, it isn't a wonder that Clark opted to hide in the loft, and she can't blame him for the desire to set things aside for a little while and just exist.

She's beginning to wonder if he even heard her come in and let him know she was going for a walk. Probably did, with that super-hearing, but he didn't seem like he was paying attention, another thing she can't fault him for.

Well, that's what this little stroll down a country lane is for: thinking. For tonight she's borrowing the guest room at the house, and tomorrow Clark will probably suggest she return to Milliways. It's not something Eirene wants to do; abandon him when he needs someone just to be around, but she's also never overstayed her welcome.

She's also not paying attention to the road behind her, so when the old Caddy veers and hits her, all Eirene feels is a sudden burst of pain across her back, and something break inside when she lands just past the base of the ancient oak a few feet away. The car, and it's elderly driver, end up ramming right into the tree trunk, its horn blaring uselessly.

Thump-thump-thump-thump, thump thump thump thump...

Comments

[hero_farmboy]

He takes a deep breath and starts to smile, just a little. "You guys have to stop doing this to me."

[eirenikos]

Eirene wrinkles her nose, and lifts her chin to place a brief kiss against his forehead.

"Sorry. It's not like I died on purpose."

[hero_farmboy]

"I know." And with a final squeeze, he sets her back down on the floor. "We need to get you out of here."

[eirenikos]

"That would probably be a good idea." But first, she's going to ... snap her fingers and change from sheet into jeans and a flannel shirt.

What? She's trying to blend in.

[hero_farmboy]

Clothes are very good in this case. As is blending in.

"Okay. I'm going to walk out, let them see me leave alone and you," he waves a hand vaguely, "do your goddess thing and I'll meet you back at the farm. All right?"

[eirenikos]

"Of course." She tries for a smile and mostly succeeds, but with the death and Clark's uncharacteristic hugging, things are a little shaky.

"See you in ten minutes."

[hero_farmboy]

"Okay." Clark takes a deep breath, sets his features back to sad/concerned, and heads back out into the hallways, lost in the panic created by the brief power outage.

[eirenikos]

Three minutes after Clark departs, the room is empty, save for a pile of bloodied clothing (which vanishes shortly after) as do the memories of a doctor and a nurse regarding his illegal visit.

Eirene takes to the air in her dove form, having not had the joy of soaring across the air currents in what seems like forever.

She lands on the ledge of Clark's loft near his telescope, transforming several seconds later back into her currently plaid'd self.

[hero_farmboy]

Clark is already there, waiting for what feels like forever, but such are the drawbacks of moving as fast as he does.

When she turns back into herself, she'll be drawn back in for another hug, his arms wrapping around her tightly, though her feet stay on the floor this time.

"Don't do that again, okay?"

[eirenikos]

"I can't unless I seriously piss off Dad again," she mumbles against his chest, just happy to be alive and herself and, if she's really honest, to be hugged by Clark.

Even if it doesn't last.

"But I'll try not to, okay?"

[hero_farmboy]

"I'd appreciate it."

No, he won't be letting go anytime soon.

[eirenikos]

Well, Eirene will just hug him back. It's not like she has a deep-seated need to breathe when it comes right down to it. Though air is nice.

About five minutes later: "Ok, breathing is a good thing, Clark."

[hero_farmboy]

"Sorry." He'll let her go at that, but he won't step too far away, looking down at her with still genuine concern.

"Are you sure you're all right now?"

[eirenikos]

There's a head tilt, and a curious expression marching across her face. It's not like she's any good at concealing whatever she happens to be thinking at a particular time.

"Yep. I'm my old, boring, accident-prone self."

[hero_farmboy]

Clark eyes her for another moment, and then sighs.

"I need to sit down." And so he does, taking seat on the couch.

[eirenikos]

There may be copious biting of lip now. "Do you want me to go find somewhere else to be, or stay?" Eirene actually takes a step or two towards him before pausing.

[hero_farmboy]

"No." That's immediate and firm. "Don't go away."

[eirenikos]

"Alright." Which means she settles on the other end of the couch and glances out towards the sky.

[hero_farmboy]

It's a few minutes before he says anything more.

Finally, "I thought I'd lost you, too."

[eirenikos]

"Not permenantly. Apparently." She scoots over close enough to reach out and curl her fingers around his. "Hey. I'm still here, still your friend. Okay?"

[hero_farmboy]

"You almost weren't."

Beat.

"It was my fault."

[eirenikos]

"That's true."

Beat.

"How in Tartarus was my being hit by a car your fault?"

[hero_farmboy]

"I--" Clark stops and frowns. "You told me you were going for a walk. I should have gone with you."

[eirenikos]

"Dude, how much have you been through the last few days? We'll go with a truck load of stuff. You are under no obligation to babysit me while I'm here."

Pause.

"But I appreciate that you think you need to."

She squeezes his hand.

[hero_farmboy]

He glances at her, brow furrowing. "Yes, I am. It's my world; you wouldn't be here, this wouldn't have happened it if weren't for me."