Ash

Ash
Flora Winters

I do not own characters from Smallville or Charmed. I also do not own any of the songs used in this fic as well.

Summary: After the Charmed Ones defeat the Source of all evil (again) they discover that they have a baby brother named Phoenix who is Paige’s twin. Looks like Mom and Grams have been keeping secrets (again). Phoenix is dating a reporter for the Daily Planet who is really the demon Phyre who has plans for the half witch/half whitelighter. Will Phoenix be able to choose between his family and a love that burns hotter and darker than the very flames of the Underworld? M/M, Language, OC, Crossover, Character Death

Chapter Two

Eight Years Ago

Phyre heard a knock on his door and opened it to see Phoenix in mid knock looking at him in surprise, “You’re home.”

Phyre hid his dark thoughts behind a dazzling smile, “I’ve been busy,” He told Phoenix as he motioned for him to come in, “What’s up?”

Phoenix walked by him as Phyre watched his hair flow behind him, each strand shining like garnets in the sunlight, “I have not seen you in a few days and I got worried about you,” Phoenix told him as he flicked a few strands of hair behind his ear, “I like what you’ve done with the place.”

Phyre smiled at the compliment and then his thoughts turned dark as he thought of how his father had walked into his apartment in the shell of a possessed human. His father had not been happy with him at all. Phyre had watched his father pace the apartment in the short fat woman’s body ranting up a storm at what a disgrace he was and how he should be ashamed. Phyre tried to take him seriously but his father shrieking was hilarious until her eyes went black and that pleasant voice shown through, “You’re coming home now.”

That’s when Phyre exploded and demanded, “Why? I have the human where I want him.”

“In your bed!” The Source shrieked.

Phyre blushed redder than any exploding volcano ever could, “No!”

“And he still blushes,” The Source said with scorn and mock humor, “The Council of Demons will never let me live this down.”

Phyre rolled his eyes, “Whatever.”

Flames engulfed the Source’s possessed shell and it burned away revealing the Source in all his dark glory, “What was that?”

Phyre slowly backed away keeping his eyes on his father as he paced forward, “You’re coming home before you embarrass me further. Do you have any idea how many demons I have killed today alone?”

Phyre shook his head carefully and the Source bellowed, “Too many!”

Phyre steadied his voice, “You’re the Source of all evil. The most powerful being in the Underworld whose anger alone makes the very foundation of the Underworld quake and groan in fear. Who cares what a few lowly demons think? You’re the lord, master, and emperor.”

The Source stood very still and looked at his son out from under his black hood, “Your words flatter me my son, but there are rules.”

“Fuck the rules!” Phyre shouted and his hair burst into black flames rolling down and around his shoulders in his rage. The Source noticed that this was new, “I am tired of rules, laws, and regulations! We’re evil for god’s sake!”

The Source let out a deep, tired sigh, “Those rules, laws, and regulations has what kept the Underworld stable for thousands of years.”

Phyre wanted to hit him. He wanted to hit him so hard that he would shatter as the Source stated calmly, “You wish to hit me my son. Go ahead, but the first blow had better kill me.”

The black fire that had become his hair slowly became silky black locks again as he got his anger under control, “No, I don’t want to hit you. I want to break you.”

“Honesty,” The Source said, “Can get you killed my son.”

Phyre did something he never thought he would ever do in his entire life. He got right in his father’s face, “They can try.”

The Source glared darkly, “What makes you so confident?”

Phyre looked into the Source’s eyes and the Source actually blinked. His son’s eyes were so dark they were blinding, “I am invulnerable and your power flows through my veins as well as the power of my people who died with my planet.”

The Source hissed, “Every great power has a weakness my son.”

“That only you and the Oracle know of.” Phyre told him.

The Source laughed, “Indeed.”

“If it was not for the stones, the Underworld and this world would belong to me yesterday.” Phyre told him and the Source mentally shook at the truth those words held. His son was a force all it’s own that none could hope to ever reckon with or hope to understand except for him.

“Am I going to have to shorten and tighten your leash my son?” The Source asked as he walked into the kitchen.

“I would break free sooner or later.” Phyre told him.

The Source laughed, “Teenage rebellion! Now I see what the humans have to go through, and here I hoped you would just commit arson. But no, you had to go and fall in love with a human.”

“I’m not in love with him.” Phyre lied as he got some orange juice from the fridge and drank from the carton.

“Where did you learn your manners?” The Source yelled as he handed him a glass that materialized in his hand.

Phyre snorted, “Hell.”

The Source of all evil actually rolled his eyes under his hood, “Fine, you want to play lover demon with a mortal, so be it.”

Phyre looked at his father with some hope in his eyes but the Source laughed scornfully which made Phyre flinch, “It will never last my son. You’re a demon and alien to this world. He will never accept you.”

Phyre hid the hurt deep inside of him at the possibility that this might be true. The Source looked at his son and said softly, “For the Source of all evil I must be getting soft raising you in my dark and cruel ways.”

Phyre looked up to see his father holding a ring in the palm of his hand. He reached out and gently took his sons right hand and slid it on his middle finger. The black stone flashed and the Source said, “As long as you wear this ring no demon will be able to track you, well except for me.”

He looked at the ring and then at his father, “You’re letting me go?”

“For now,” The Source said and was gone in a great roar of flames as his voice echoed, “I will send for you when I need you.”

Phyre was brought back to himself by Phoenix poking him in the shoulder, “Hey, you ok? You spaced out for a bit.”

Phyre shook his head, “Sorry, what were you saying?”

Phoenix laughed and turned his head to the side to look into his eyes, “I said that the Talon is having a talent show tonight and I wanted to know if you wanted to come with me.”

Phyre felt like he was drowning in those emerald flames and he took a deep breath, “That sounds like fun.”

Phoenix lips formed a beautiful smile, “Really?”

“Sure,” Phyre told him, “Do you want something to drink?”

“I’ll have some water,” Phoenix told him as he followed him into the kitchen to watch him pour the water into glass from a pitcher, “Thanks.” Phoenix said taking the glass from him.

Phyre watched him drink the water down in three big gulps, “Wow.”

“What?” Phoenix asked, “It was a long drive over here.”

“I see,” Phyre said as he watched Phoenix put the glass in the sink, “God I want him.”

“What was that?” Phoenix asked as he turned back around.

“What time?” Phyre asked smoothly as he mentally kicked himself.

“It’s at eight,” Phoenix told him as he walked to the door to leave, “See you then Clark.”

Phyre smiled and Phoenix opened the door to leave, “Yeah, see you then.”

Phoenix paused in the sunlight and turned back around to look at him. Phyre’s breath went away. Phoenix’s hair burned like a fiery halo around his pale face as emerald eyes burned into blue ones, “Thanks Clark.”

Phyre smiled brightly and Phoenix felt himself blush slightly which really pleased Phyre all the more, “You’re welcome Phoenix.”

Phoenix laughed and gracefully stumbled out the door and laughed some more as he quickly closed the door behind him. He floated all the way to his truck in a daze, “I’m such an idiot.”

Phyre watched through the curtain as Phoenix drove away. He jumped up in the air and clicked both his heels together, “YES!”
***************************************

Present 2001

Clark brought Phoenix a glass of water and handed it to him. He reached out slowly and took it taking a big long sip. He took a deep breath and let it out nice and slow as he asked Clark again, “Do you believe in Destiny Clark?”

Clark looked at his lover with deep concern, “Phoenix, maybe you should take a nice long nap. You have not been sleeping well at all lately.”

All of a sudden Phoenix jumped up from the couch and threw the glass at the wall getting deep satisfaction from hearing it hit and shatter. He watched the pieces fall to the floor and screamed, “I don’t need a nap! I want you to answer my question!”

Clark looked perplexed, “Phoenix calm down,” He said softly as he watched Phoenix set down with a glare on his beautiful face, “That’s it, now calm down.”

“I had that dream for a reason Clark,” Phoenix told him, “That woman died in no explosion.”

Clark closed his eyes in what looked like to Phoenix as frustration but Clark was really thinking, “Oh shit.”

“Ok,” Phoenix said, “It was an explosion, but it was not an explosion.”

Clark opened one eye and just looked at him, “Run that by me again.”

Phoenix groaned and rolled his eyes in growing frustration, “I saw her chanting with two other women but their faces were hidden in shadow. The man in the glowing bubble thing of light exploded and I woke up as she fell to the ground with a scream.”

“Shit, shit, shit,” Clark thought, “This is bad.”

“Are you even listening to me?” Phoenix yelled over his thinking.

“Yes, I am,” Clark told him, “What are you doing?”

“I told you,” Phoenix said walking to the bedroom, “I got that dream for a reason.”

Clark followed him into the bedroom to see him grab a luggage bag, “What the hell are you doing?”

“I’m going to San Francisco.” Phoenix told him as he opened the bag to throw clothes and stuff in.

“Excuse me?” Clark asked with his mouth gaping like a fish out of water.

“You heard me.” Phoenix said as he started to throw more stuff in the bag.

“You’re not going to San Francisco.” Clark told him matter of fact.

Phoenix raised an eyebrow and put his hands on his hips, “Excuse me?”

“You heard me. You’re not going to San Francisco,” Clark told him as he thought, “There are demons and charmed ones running around.”

Phoenix walked right up to Clark and emerald met sapphire, “How are you going to stop me?”

“I’ll tie you to that damn bed if I have to,” Clark said, “Just listen to yourself. You sound like a crazy person.”

Phoenix took a step back making Clark flinch with the hurt he saw in those emerald orbs. Phoenix shook his head, “After all those years in Smallville, you actually think all this is crazy.”

Clark reached out to take his hand but Phoenix pulled away, “Phe, I’m sorry.”

Phoenix took another step back, “You know what? I think I’m going to go for a walk.”

Clark took a step forward, “Phe?”

Phoenix walked past him, “I don’t want to talk to you right now.”

Clark hid his hurt and cursed himself for being so stupid, “I’m sorry Phe.”

“I heard you the first time.” Phoenix told him as Clark reached out to stop him but he vanished in swirling blue lights.
*****************************************

Back in the Past Eight Years Ago

Phoenix walked into the Talon to see that it was packed with students from school. Lana Lang was still wearing that green necklace with the meteor that killed her parents. Phoenix thought it was sweet and yet really morbid. It was like saying, “Yes, I will wear this evil thing close to my heart, because it killed my mommy and daddy.”

He could not help but shake his head. If Nell had been his aunt and she gave him a piece of something that had killed his parents he would have smashed it to bits. He would have stomped on it, spit on it, drop a nuke on it. He was suddenly brought back to reality to see Lana standing at his side poking him in the shoulder, “Hi.”

Phoenix blushed, “Hi, sorry. I just got lost in my thoughts. You have a great turnout Lana.”

Lana beamed brightly while looking around her establishment, “It has turned out really well. I think I saw Chloe and Pete, oh there they are.”

She pointed and we made our way over to them, “Hey all,” I Said, “You must have gotten here early to get a seat this good.”

Pete laughed, “Actually Chloe got here early to get the seat.”

She punched him the shoulder, “I did, now make room for everyone.”

Pete moaned and then laughed as Lana and I sat down, “So, where’s your hero?”

Phoenix blushed and looked at Chloe, “He’ll be here.”

Lana smiled, “I can’t wait to meet him.”

All three watched her get up and make her way through the crowd to the stage. She smiled and waved to the audience and received clapping and whistles in return. She rolled her pretty almond eyes, “Hello and welcome to the Talon Talent Show. We have a list of people who volunteered and those who were volunteered to perform. First place will win a hundred dollar shopping spree at the mall in Metropolis. Second place will win a twenty dollar gift card to be used here at the Talon, and third place will win a ten dollar gift card to be used here as well.”

The audience cheered as Phoenix looked at his two best friends, “You didn’t, did you?”

Chloe looked at Pete who looked right back at her. Both turned to look at him with blank stares as two identical evil grins formed on their faces. Phoenix slumped low in his seat, “Oh god.”

Both cracked up laughing and ordered drinks and chicken wings just as Chloe turned and yelled, “Clark, over here!”

Phoenix looked up to see Clark walking over to the table to smile down at them, “Hi,” He said and then looked at Phoenix who had a sour look on his beautiful face, “You ok?”

Phoenix looked up at him and sour turned to sweet, “I’m fine,” He said as he glared daggers at his two best friends, “But these two little traitors won’t be when this night is over.”

Chloe and Pete both looked at each other and then cracked the hell up, “Have a seat Clark, the show is just starting.” Chloe told him as Phoenix scooted over so Clark could sit next to him.

Phoenix felt himself blushing as Clark’s leg touched his and Clark looked over at him, “What’s up?”

“Just waiting for my name to be called so I can embarrass myself in front of all these people I go to school with.” Phoenix told him as he bit into a chicken wing.

Chloe leaned over Pete who was fighting to get at his straw as she punched Phoenix in the shoulder, “What are you talking about? You have a beautiful voice Phe.”

“You sing?” Phyre asked him.

Phoenix shook his head, “The only reason these two know is because Chloe heard me in the barn when I brushing my horse,” Phoenix told him, “And she then ran and told Pete.”

Chloe laughed and handed Clark a drink, “We didn’t know what you liked so we got you a coke.”

Phyre laughed, “Cokes my favorite.”

“So, when do you start at our school?” Pete asked him.

Phyre swallowed and put his coke down, “I start tomorrow.”

Phoenix brightened considerably at that and Clark noticed, “Cool.”

“Ladies and gentleman,” Lana’s voice boomed causing some to jump in their seats as all head turned to look at her, “Sorry about that,” She said walking over to smack the sound guy who was her boyfriend upside the head with her pretty pink clipboard, “Let’s get started!”

All eyes were on her as she looked at her clipboard, “We have Chloe Sullivan and Pete Ross up first singing,” She looked at it again, “Oh my god that’s too funny.”

Chloe and Pete both turned to look at Phoenix who was grinning as evilly as they had been earlier, “Wow, Karma is real.”

Phyre snorted and coke came out his nose. He hissed in pain as it stung his nostrils. Before Phoenix thought he had a napkin up to his nose with Clarks hand on his. Chloe and Pete both watched this in amusement as both blushed furiously under their gaze.

Chloe snorted, “Yes, yes it is.”

Lana yelled, “Will the two of you get up here already?”

Everyone started laughing and cheering as Phoenix called out, “Yes, yes it is Chloe!”

She glared at him and the laughed as she and Pete made their way to the stage to sing Pretty Fly (For a White Guy). The audience went wild. It was the funniest performance Phoenix had ever seen, even Clark laughed out loud. Chloe and Pete were so provocative it was funny as hell. Chloe ended the song with, “Give it to me baby.”

The Crowd cheered and Pete playfully pecked her on the cheek as Lana was rolling with laughter on the steps of the stage. She had tears in her eyes from where she was laughing so hard as she told the crowd to give it up for them. They made their way back to where Phoenix and Clark were clapping madly.

“That was so much fun Pete,” Chloe said laughing, “Maybe we should do another.”

Pete laughed as Phoenix said, “You two were so funny.”

“You do realize we get to kill you later.” Chloe told him.

“Well, it’s a good thing I have Clark here to save me from your evil plots,” Phoenix said, “You know how twisted a blondes mind works.” He said as Clark put a hand on his shoulder looking deadly serious and then cracked up laughing.

“Well, it was worth a try.” Phoenix said as some more acts went on. Some were really good while others made his skin crawl. He dreaded that any moment his name would be called.

They were all laughing when Lana got up to the mike, “Well, it’s now time for our last two acts everyone.”

People groaned because they were having so much fun and didn’t want it to end. This was Smallville and not a lot happened around here that was very entertaining as this was. Lana nodded her head in sympathy with the audience and Phoenix crouched lower hoping to god that he would vanish.

Lana smiled, “Phoenix Kent will be singing Angles or Devils by Dishwalla.”

The crowd clapped as Phoenix got up and Phyre moved for him, “You’ll do great.”

“Thanks.” Phoenix said as he walked to the stage shyly taking the microphone from Lana who gave him a hug whispering in his ear, “Have fun.”

Chloe looked at Pete, “Is that bet still on?”

Pete nodded his head, “You bet.”

Phyre thought the song seemed fitting as he looked at Phoenix standing on the stage looking all shy and beautiful beyond words. He smiled as the music began to play.

Phoenix looked out over the audience and slowly closed his green eyes and he let the song take him. He opened his mouth and all eyes in the house were glued to him.

This is the last time
That I’m ever gonna come here tonight
This is the last time-I will fall
Into a place that fails us all-inside

I can see the pain in you
I can see the love in you
But fighting all the demons will take time
It will take time

The angels they burn inside for us
Are we ever
Are ever gonna learn to fly
The devils they burn inside of us
Are we ever gonna come back down
Come around
I’m always gonna worry about the things that could make us cold

The drums and the guitars lifted the song higher and higher as Chloe and Pete smiled to on another. Chloe looked over at Clark who seemed to not be able to take his eyes off of the gorgeous red head. She put a finger to her mouth and began to tap it silently as the siren continued to sing.

This is the last time
That I’m ever gonna give in tonight
Are there angels or devils crawling here?
I just want to know what blurs and what is clear-to me

Still I can see the pain in you
And I can see the love in you
And fighting all the demons will take time
It will take time

The angels they burn inside of us
Are we ever
Are we ever gonna learn to fly
The devils they burn inside of us
Are we ever gonna come back down-come around
I’m always gonna worry about the things that could break us

Phyre suddenly felt his eyes burn black as he watched and pushed the demon away. He looked back up at Phoenix and smiled as he remembered all those years ago as a child holding the little boy as he fell asleep, “I wish, I wish for a friend. Someone I can talk to.” He opened his eyes to see Chloe smiling at him, he smiled back.

Phoenix opened his eyes and gazed right at Clark. Phyre felt his breath catch in his throat as those eyes burned him with emerald fire. Phoenix smile softly and the rest of the song spilled from his lips in which Clark imagined were petal soft.

If I was to give in-give it up
-and then
Take a breath-make it deep
Cause it might be the last one you get
Be the last one
That could make us cold
You know that they could make us cold

Lana looked to see who Phoenix was looking at and she coughed, “Damn he’s hot,” She looked back at Phoenix and smiled softly, “You lucky bitch.” How could she not know Phoenix was gay? She could have kicked herself. She only looked after him for like ever.

Phoenix smiled at Clark and held his hand out to him as everyone in the audience thought it was for dramatic effect to the beautiful song. Chloe and Lana both knew better, as did Phyre.

I’m always gonna worry about the things that could make us cold.

The song slowly died away and Phoenix stood there in silence as everyone looked at him. He was about to apologize for his terrible voice when everyone jumped to their feet and applauded madly. People were whistling madly, girls were screaming at the top of their lungs, and whoops and cheers followed.

Chloe could not help but laugh at Phoenix who eyes were wide as they looked around in shock. She poked Pete in the side, “See, it’s always the shy ones.”

Pete smiled and looked over at Clark who was grinning madly and clapping. He glanced back over at Chloe and asked, “You don’t think?”

She put a finger to his mouth, “Not our place.”

Phoenix stepped down off the stage and walked through the cheering crowd with people patting him on the back and shaking his hand. Lana’s voice boomed, “Wow, just wow. That was just great. I, I don’t even have words to describe a voice like that. All I can say is, if you ever need a manager call me first.”

Phoenix blushed furiously as he got to his friends, “Kill me, kill me now.”

Chloe pounced on him and squeezed him tightly, “You were so wonderful!”

He looked at Clark for help who just grinned as Lana said, “We are going to take a five minute break and come back for our last act. So order more food and drinks and make Lana happy.”

Chloe let Phoenix go and he said, “I’ll be right back.”

Chloe smiled, “Ok,” And went over to Pete, “Pay up, he ran outside to breathe.”

Pete cursed under his breath and smacked a warm ten dollar hill in the palm of her hand, “Thank you.”

Pete frowned and looked around, “Hey, where did Clark go?”

Chloe smiled and put the money in her pocket, “I think I know.”
*****************************************

Phoenix took a deep breath and leaned back against the cool wall sighing as he gazed up at the stars. He loved to look at them twinkle even now that he was older. Sometimes, in secret, he could use his ‘telepoke’ and gaze up so he could feel closer to his mom. HE blew the long hair out of his eyes, “God, I’m pathetic.”

“Why’s that,” Phyre asked from behind him which caused him to jump in surprise, “Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you.”

Phoenix laughed and playfully punched his shoulder and Clark yelped and rubbed it pretending it hurt, “What was that for?”

Phoenix snorted, “Thanks for coming tonight,” He said as Clark looked at him warmly, “To watch me make a fool of myself.”

Phyre took his hand and pushed the loose strands of hair behind Phoenix’s ear, “You sing like a siren,” He said thinking, “I should know, I’ve heard one.”

Phoenix smiled making Phyre stumble over his next words, “I was wondering,” Phyre started and Phoenix hid the hope in his yes, “That you might want to.” But he was cut off by Pete coming through the door, “Clark, man, Lana’s been shouting for you. You’re up.”

Phoenix looked at Clark with wide eyes, “You’re up?”

Phyre blushed. Oh my god he actually blushed. The great demon Phyre blushed because he was trying to as this beautiful boy out. He looked at Phoenix and his eyes told Phoenix a story, “Maybe this song will explain what I was trying to tell you.”

Phoenix looked surprised and the smiled. He nodded his head which made Phyre literally burn under the skin. Phyre smiled and went inside with Phoenix right behind him to hear Lana, “Well, we were about to give up Clark.”

Phyre smiled apologetically as he made his way to the stage. He looked out at the audience as Lana announced, “Clark will be singing Precious by Depeche Mode.” She smiled warmly and handed him the mike as the music began to play.

Phoenix sat down next to Chloe who was smiling at him ‘all knowingly’ and he wanted to die. Why is it, that she always knows what’s going on before he did? Even Lana was looking over at him with an ‘I know something you don’t know’ smirk. He shook his head and looked to see Clark looking right at him.

Precious and fragile things
Need Special handling
My god what have we done to You?

We always try to share
The tenderest of care
Now look what we have put You though…

Things get damaged
Things get broken
I thought we’d manage
But words left unspoken
Let us so brittle
There was so little left to give.

Phyre could see all those moment’s years ago. They were flashing though his mind. A love that was so sweet, innocent and pure. He looked at the beauty with the green eyes.

Angels who sell their wings
Shouldn’t know suffering
I wish I could take the pain for you

If god has a master plan
That only he understands
I hope it’s your eyes he’s seeing through

Things get damaged
Things get broken
I thought we’d manage
But words left unspoken
Left us so brittle
There was so little left to give

Phoenix was sitting there looking at Clark as though a veil had parted before his eyes. A memory filled his mind and flashed before his eyes. A gentle caress of golden skin, the tender tickle of dark hair softer than silk, and a soft look into gentle blue eyes that had depths deeper than any ocean.

I pray you learn to trust
Have faith in both of us
And keep room in your hearts for two

Things get damaged
Things get broken
I thought we’d manage
But words left unspoken
Left us so brittle
There was so little left to give.

Clark sang out the last note and people were clapping as Lana tripped over her heels going up the steps. Clark was smiling and looked right at Phoenix.

Chloe was laughing and cheering with Pete only to turn around to look at Phoenix who was paler than normal and his eyes were luminous with shock. She turned to him, “Phoenix?” He didn’t answer and she touched him, “Phoenix what’s wrong?”

He looked into her eyes not registering what it was she was saying to him as Lana was announcing into the microphone who the winners for the contest was. All of a sudden he felt that he was in someone’s arms and looked up to see Clark yelling at him. He felt the touch of those gentle hands and the look of concern in those blue eyes. A tear fell from his green eyes as he gently touched Clark’s cheek, “Kal.”

Everything went dark…

TBC…

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