(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]

"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."

[eirenikos]

"Clark, cut it out. You can't save every single person on the planet, even with your super speed. It's impossible. My dad is Zeus and he cant even do that."

There may be some eying.

"Don't make me hug you."

[hero_farmboy]

"I know that." Eirene is eyed right back. "I meant you wouldn't be here if you didn't know me and then maybe this wouldn't have happened. Maybe it would have, I don't know."

[eirenikos]

"It's still not your fault. You didn't steer that car towards me." And now would be when she scoots right into his lap and lifts her hands to cradle his face so he'll understand she's serious.

"Do not blame yourself for this. Don't you dare. I will not have you adding me to the burden you already carry, Clark."

[hero_farmboy]

Clark could continue protesting, really he could, but staring into clear blue eyes, it's kind of hard to think about that anymore.

"I just wanted to say I was sorry." At least it doesn't sound like she holds it against him.

[eirenikos]

She doesn't. There might be throttling in the very near future if he keeps this up, though.

"Apology not accepted if it pertains to the accident. But if you're saying sorry about being a jerk earlier, that one is."

Eirene smiles at him hopefully.

[hero_farmboy]

"For ignoring you?" Which... is probably not the best way to put it, but it's said now. "That's what I mean. If I hadn't, I either would have gone with you and stopped the car or you would have stayed here. No one would have died." And that's going to start him frowning all over again, because the driver, he's betting, didn't come back to life.

[eirenikos]

"Clark? The driver had a heart attack. He was eighty-two." Don't ask how she knows that, Eirene's a goddess again and is just like that. "That's why he swerved into me. It's my fault for ... storming out of here mad, if it's anyone's fault."

"Please don't do this. I can't stand it when you do." Her thumbs are gently stroking across his cheeks now, though she hasn't noticed yet.

[hero_farmboy]

She may not have, but Clark has. It might be why his breathing stops for the briefest of seconds at the feel of her fingers on his skin.

"I'm glad you're all right," he eventually says, voice soft.

[eirenikos]

"Me too." Eirene leans against him, nose to nose, just trying to make sure he isn't going to go into a full-blown guilt trip, because she wasn't kidding about the hugging.

Clark just does that to her.

"Hey, you ok?"

[hero_farmboy]

Clark closes his eyes. "My mom's gone, Lex is in jail, Lionel's missing, you and Chloe are resurrecting yourselves and Lana's..."

Deep breath.

"No, I'm not okay."