Oh, Such Pain

Oh, Such Pain
Flora Winters
I do not own any of the wonderful characters from Smallville or Pet Shop of Horrors.
Summary: A new pet shop has opened its magical doors in Smallville and its mysterious owner has his beautiful mismatched eyes set on wreaking devastation and mayhem on whoever sets foot within its threshold.
Pet shop of Horror/Smallville Crossover
M/M
Language
Chapter Three

Lana was sitting in front of her mirror brushing her hair while Snowflake bounced around her feet with his ball of yarn. She made sure that the incense burner was full and crawled into bed. She laid there for a few minutes and all of a sudden she sat straight up hissing, “Fuck!”

She quickly turned the light back on and ran over into the kitchen area in time to see Snowflake take a sip of water from his dish. Her eyes snapped to the clock to see it read 12:03.

Snowflake turned around and meowed at her and at first it looked like everything was ok. There appeared to be no fire falling from the sky. When she thought the coast was clear that was when Snowflake suddenly began to change right before her eyes.

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Count D smiled evilly as Q-Chan fluttered down to land on his extended finger to chirp happily. D giggled and flicked some loose strands of hair behind his ear sighing, “Another contract broken.”

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Lana could not believe what her olive green eyes were seeing. This was Smallville after all and she should be use to shit like this going down with being possessed by a witch and all. She shook her head and pinched her arm to discover the horrible reality of her situation. This was not a fucking dream.

There was a fucking white tiger in her kitchen looking at her like she was dinner. She took a step back and what use to be Snowflake pounced. She suddenly felt herself fall and her eyes was glowing a deadly violet as a pulse of power radiated from her. Everything seemed to slow to a crawl.

Isobel smiled darkly, “Segmentum!”

Violet light shot from her fingers and the white tiger landed a foot from her to let out a roar of outrage. Blood began to ooze from thousands of slashes as he fell into pieces on the floor.

Isobel stood there admiring the brutal death she had inflicted on the stupid beast that dared to attack her vessel. Her victory was short lived when she suddenly got dizzy.

“Shit,” she hissed and fell painfully to her knees, “Took over too quickly.”

She sat unmoving in that position for quite some time until she felt better. This time she was going to play the role of Lana Lang perfectly. She was going to get those stones this time, but right now she had a mess to clean up and a certain Count that needed to be handed his sign.

She swept up tiger bits and put them into plastic trash bags. She teleported with each bag and dropped them off at the front door of the pet shop. Isobel knocked pleasantly and vanished in a flash of violet light.

Count D answered the door only to see the trash bags and knelt down to open one. His eyes widened in shock and then narrowed in rage when he saw the message glowing in violet fire on the sidewalk reading, “We’re going to pretend this never happened.”

“We’ll see about that,” he said making the bags sink into the earth, “We’ll just see about that.”

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Lex Luthor could not believe his eyes. It had turned out to be such a normal morning until he looked up to see a penguin waddle into his study. At first he thought he had snapped again only to see his dad rush in and see Lex looking at the bird.

Lionel put a fist to his mouth and cleared his throat when Lex asked, “What the fuck is that?”

“This,” Lionel said scooping the cute bird up in his arms, “Would be Herbert.”

“Herbert,” Lex asked thinking his dad had gone mad or was trying to drive him there again, “Why is there a penguin in my house?”

“I bought him Lex,” Lionel said as he petted Herbert’s head, “From the new pet shop.”

“You bought a penguin,” Lex asked in shock, “Why in the hell would you buy a pet. You hate animals.”

“I wouldn’t go so far as to say that I hate animals Lex,” Lionel said trying to find Herbert’s ears so he could cover them from hearing such speak, “I just saw Herbert and here just had to have him.”

“Why,” Lex asked, “Because it’s the one thing you don’t already own?”

“Let’s go with that,” Lionel said leaving the room with Herbert, “Lets go for a swim in the pool Herbert.”

Lex watched his dad leave with his new pet and took a seat at his desk. Clark had been acting funny and now his dad was acting crazier than usual. Maybe being in prison and almost dying warped his mind or something. Had someone just conveniently forgot to inform him that something exploded at Luthorcorp and gotten into the water supply?

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Isobel was sitting in class trying to figure out how in the hell she was suppose to know how to balance out these chemical equations. Potions and evil spells were more her area of expertise. She could just hex the teacher but that would not be looked at as normal Lana activity.

Clark Kent had the power to stop her before and without her spell book she had no idea what the spell was to strip him of his powers again. She needed to get close to him but not too close. She did not need the meddler thinking something sinister was going on.

She knew where the first stone of power was and the one that was located in China. Lana had also gotten rid of that doomed Jason Teague. Now she did not have to worry about him breathing down her neck all the damn time.

She looked across the classroom to see Clark working out the equations and decided to use her supernatural feminine charm. She got up from her seat and made her way over to him.

“Hi Clark,” she said taking a seat next to him.

“Lana,” Clark said moving over to give her some room, “What’s up?”

“I was wondering,” she said, “If you would not mind helping me with these equations.”

“Are you feeling okay,” Clark asked, “Usually you have these things down.”

“Not really,” she said, “I’ve just had a really bad morning.”

“What happened,” he asked in concern.

“Snowflake,” she said, “I found him dead.”

“Your cat died,” Clark asked, “I’m sorry.”

“I left the cabinet under the sink open and he got into some of the chemicals,” she told him sadly.

“I’m sorry Lana,” he said wondering how he would feel if Thor died so suddenly, “What equation do you need help with?”

“Number one,” she said seeing that this was making him uncomfortable, “Just refresh my memory and I can take it from there.”

“Okay,” he said and began to explain to her that both sides of the equation had to be perfectly balanced otherwise it would be wrong.

At first she found this work rather tedious and boring but then it started to make since. It was just like balancing out each property to a potion.

He got done explaining the first three and he watched her do one on her own and she got it. She looked up at him and smiled, “Thanks.”

“No problem,” he said as the bell rang, “I will see you later.”

“Yeah,” she said getting up to head back to her desk, “See you later.”

She watched him walk out of the chemistry lab with glowing violet eyes, “You can count on it farmboy.”

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Clark made his way into the Talon walking by some people to see his mother handing some change to a customer who looked like they were really enjoying their coffee. He walked up to the bar and she smiled, “How’s school?”

“So far so good,” he said looking over the cookie and brownie selections, “Lana’s pet died.”

“Aw,” Martha said with a sad face, “How?”

“He got into some chemicals under the sink,” he told her picking out a brownie.

“Poor Lana,” she said telling him it was on the house.

He smiled, “Thanks mom.”

She nodded and looked over his shoulder to see Lex walk in and he looked highly irritated. She made a face and Clark turned to see him and smiled brightly.

Lex froze in his tracks and smiled back at Clark and Martha was bewildered. One minute the two of them were at each other’s throats and now their smiling at each other.

“Mrs. Kent,” Lex said nodding, “Clark.”

“Hi,” both of them said and Martha asked, “What can I get you?”

“Patience,” Lex said, “I need one large cup of patience.”

Clark snorted and Martha blinked, “The usual.”

“My dad bought a penguin,” he announced out of the blue, “He bought a penguin and named the damn thing Herbert.”

“What,” both Martha and Clark asked at the same time.

“Yeah,” Lex said, “The two of them were in the pool when I left.”

“Wow,” Clark said and Martha went to go get Lex his coffee.

“I need a vacation,” Lex said running his hands over his smooth scalp, “Far away from Smallville.”

“I don’t know what to say,” Clark said honestly.

“At first I thought I had snapped again,” he said, “I looked up to see it come waddling in like it owned the damn place.”

Clark fought not to smile and wound up laughing out loud. Lex had half a mind to jump him right their and strangle him if Mrs. Kent hadn’t walked up with his order.

“Thanks Mrs. Kent,” Lex said taking it from her gently and then pouted at Clark, “Don’t you have school or something?”

“Lunch break,” Clark said with a smug smile while taking a bite of his yummy brownie, “You want some?”

Lex rolled his eyes, “I can’t believe he bought a penguin.”

“Did he come with a contract,” Clark asked.

“A what,” Lex asked in confusion, “Why in the hell would he come with a contract?”

“I don’t know,” Clark said, “But Lana had to sign one and my dad had to sign one.”

“Your dad got a pet,” Lex asked with a cock brow.

“Yeah,” Clark told him, “A black German shepherd named Thor.”

“How is Thor,” a rich creamy smooth voice asked from beside them.

Both Clark and Lex turned to see a man sitting on a stool with his face hidden in a menu.

“Excuse me,” Clark asked.

He watched the man lay the menu down and noticed that his hands were very white with long razor sharp nails that looked to be painted purple. His gaze rose upward and his breath went away.

The man was beautiful. He skin would put alabaster to shame and his hair would make night turn green with envy. It was the eyes that drew Clark in. One iris was solid gold and the other amethyst.

He stood up and Clark noticed that he was wearing a long, body tight oriental robe with pink cherry blossoms on the chest. The rest of it was a solid pearly white that shone in the light. It flowed down his body very gracefully.

“Count D,” Martha said walking over, “What can I get you this fine afternoon?”

Count D smiled and both Clark and Lex found it intimidating, “I’ll have ten of the chocolate brownies,” he said while gazing at Clark with deep interest, “I have a bit of a sweet tooth.”

“Coming right up,” Martha said starting to gather them up in a small box.

“Why is he looking at me like that,” Clark asked himself.

Lex noticed this to and quickly cleared his throat, “It’s a pleasure to meet the man who actually sold my father a penguin.”

“Herbert,” Count D said with a fluid smile, “Such a friendly bird.”

“Why the contracts,” Clark asked and Count D moved those mismatched eyes to his emerald ones and thought them pure and clean.

“To make sure they have a good home,” Count D told him, “It is a way to give me peace of mind.”

“Oh,” Clark said not really sure if he believed the mysterious man, “Thor is good.”

“Wonderful,” Count D said giving Martha the money for his treats, “Come by for tea sometime Clark.”

Clark and Lex watched the mysterious new comer leave the Talon and noticed that everyone had watched him leave also.

“Such a nice young man,” Martha said, “I hope he has a good dentist.”

Lex was frowning. There was no way in hell he could compete with beauty like that for Clark’s affection. Wait! What the hell?

“What’s wrong,” Clark asked in concern for his best friend.

“Nothing,” Lex lied trying to smooth his features, “I’m good.”

“Are you sure,” Clark asked again, “Because you looked like you had taken a sip of something nasty and my mom makes the best coffee in the state.”

“Maybe I’m coming down with something,” Lex said.

“What,” Clark asked, “You’ve never been sick since I’ve known you.”

“There is a first time for everything,” Lex said and then looked at his watch, “What time are you due back at school?”

Clark glanced at the clock and shouted, “Crap!”

He quickly kissed his mom and hugged Lex bye before racing out the door. Lex just stood there in his wake with shock written all over his features. Martha quickly decided that the cookies needed counting.

Lex realized he wasn’t breathing for fear of Mrs. Kent attacking him. He slightly looked out the corner of his eye to see her counting cookies. Why in the hell was she counting cookies? Was everyone going mad in this crazy little town?

He slowly walked over to his usual table and sat down. Clark had hugged him. They hugged sometimes. Why was this one any different? Maybe it was because it was in a public place where people could see the affection.

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Chloe was typing away on her article about the new pet shop thanks to Count D’s helpful interview when Isobel walked in.

“Hey Chloe,” she said walking over to her, “What are you working on?”

“The pet shop,” Chloe told her, “The interview with Count D has really helped it along.”

“Yeah,” Isobel asked not even wanting to discuss the topic, “I have a question.”

“Shoot,” Chloe said while clicking save.

“What are you doing after school,” she asked in a shy timid Lana like voice.

“Not a lot,” Chloe said while putting some books in her bag, “Why?”

“Would you mind coming over and helping me with my English essay,” she asked with bright olive green eyes, “If you have the time?”

“Sure Lana,” Chloe said, “We’ll meet after school.”

“Cool,” Isobel said and then looked at the mini fridge, “Do you mind?”

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Clark was glad that Jason had decided on another free day. It gave him time to finish his chemistry homework and to figure out a title for his English Essay. He was debating on writing his paper on what it was like being an outsider looking in but decided that would get him time with the school therapist.

“How about life on a farm,” Jason offered while peering over Clark’s shoulder at his scribbles and doodles of smiley faces and a thorny vine that would make an awesome tattoo.

Clark jumped and dropped his notebook between the bleachers with a curse.

“Am I going to have to assign you a detention for cursing Mr. Kent,” Jason asked in mock anger.

Clark snorted and reached through to pick up his notebook, “My parents would kill me if you did.”

“Really,” Jason asked taking a seat next to him, “You should write about what life was like growing up on a farm.”

“That has loser written all over it,” Clark said.

“True,” Jason joked because he found the farmboy thing adorable, “But you have the life experience and all the information in your head to write an “A” paper.”

Clark thought it over in his head and decided that it would be easy to write. He did have a ton of funny stories and mishaps to draw from. Chloe and Lana might die from embarrassment and then resurrect themselves to kill him but at least he would have his “A” for the assignment.

“I’ll think about it,” Clark said jotting it down, “Thanks.”

“Not a problem,” Jason said with a big smile, “Glad I could help.”

Clark stuffed his notebook into his backpack and Jason asked, “Why don’t you go join in on the basketball game?”

Clark stiffened and Jason took immediate notice of the drastic change in body language, “Clark?”

“I’m not in the mood,” Clark said trying to think of a quick way to get off the subject of him playing nice with others, “Wanna get a coffee later?”

Jason cocked an eyebrow and Clark immediately blushed, which made Jason snort, “What a way to change a subject, huh Clark?”

Clark’s face was redder than a ripe cherry as he got to his feet, “I’m just gonna go hang myself now.”

“Don’t make a mess,” Jason said putting a hand on his shoulder to stop him from leaving, “I would like that Clark.”

“Really,” Clark asked looking kind of surprised and Jason wondered why that was.

“But I can’t,” he told him regretfully, “A student and a teacher can’t be seen like that in public.”

“Is that the only reason,” Clark asked looking to see that everyone was on the other end of the court yelling about who had the ball last.

“I’m sorry Clark,” Jason told him really regretting it, “I really am.”

“How about in private,” Clark asked, “Like you and Lana was?”

Jason did not know what to think. Was this really happening? His mother would kill him. He was going for it.

“Okay,” Jason said timidly, “Where did you have in mind?”

Clark was running a few well secluded places over in his head where the two of them could hang out at without being discovered only to be interrupted by Jason’s cell ringing. He pulled it out of his pocket and looked at the number with hidden dread.

“I need to take this Clark,” he told him, “Slide a note under my office door.”

Clark nodded and watched him walk off towards the door leading to the hall. He shrugged it off and got out his notepad again in order to write down a note.

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“Hello,” Jason said in a stiff voice.

“Hello Possum,” a silky feminine voice said over the line, “How’s my precious?”

“She’s in my sight mother,” Jason said wishing she was there so he could throttle her good.

“Not her you silly boy,” Genevieve Teague chided, “I mean you darling.”

“I’m fine,” he said, “What do you want?”

“Can’t a mother call and check on her baby,” she asked in a hurt voice.

“This would be a first,” he hissed.

Genevieve giggled, “Has she led you to any of the stones yet?”

“No,” Jason said, “Nothing has happened yet.”

“You could never lie to me Jason,” she told him and then her voice turned venomous, “So why even try?”

“I am telling the truth,” he told her starting to get pissed, “All I know is what I reported.”

Genevieve sighed, “Sometimes I wonder why I didn’t have you sucked from my womb.”

“And sometimes mother,” Jason seethed in rage, “I wished you had.”

She howled with laughter, “You know I love you baby,” she giggled, “Keep me posted you silly boy.”

He shut his phone and started to shake in anger, “Why can’t she just leave me the fuck alone?”

He took a deep breath to help calm him self just as the bell rang and had his way to the restroom. He leaned over the sink and splashed cold water over his face and dried off on a piece of paper towel. He looked at himself in the mirror and wanted to punch what he saw.

He walked back to his office and unlocked the door to look down and see a note that was from Clark. It told him to meet him at Crater Lake at seven. Jason smiled warmly to himself as he shredded the evidence, “Seven it is.”

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The cave was dark and yet he could see everything around him perfectly. There was a great power coming from deep within the walls of this place and he was going to possess that power. It was not that he really needed it, but it would make his plans work a lot faster.

Mismatched eyes fell upon a symbol that looked very familiar to him and he wondered why that was. It could possible be a memory that was passed on to him during birth.

He smiled darkly as he stepped up to a wall where the power was emanating from the strongest. He places smooth hand gently on the cool surface and sighed in pleasure as the power pulsed through him. It made his silk billow and flow around him.

Count D moved his head and opened his eyes to see an octagonal hole in the wall across from him on the opposite wall. He gracefully glided over to inspect the strange shape. It looked as if it was made to fit something into it. Perhaps it was a place to insert a key to unlock the power within this place.

He decided that it was time to leave because he had more love, hopes, and dreams to sell. He laughed wickedly and it echoed all around him. Nature was going to tear humanity apart and he was going to make popcorn smothered in chocolate.

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Chloe sat down on Lana’s couch as Isobel handed her some tea she had just fixed. Chloe took it and said thanks as she took a sip smiling.

“Wow,” she said taking another sip, “This is really good.”

“Thanks,” Isobel said with a hidden smile of pleasure, “I just didn’t know where to start on the essay.”

“What are you interested in,” Chloe asked setting the cup down on the coaster, “That’s always a good place to start gathering ideas.”

“Persecution,” Isobel said thoughtfully, “How people destroy and condemn those that are different or special in some way.”

“That’s a deep topic,” Chloe said actually wondering if Lana felt bad for what happened to her ancestor even though she was an evil bitch, “Plenty of tragedy in history to draw information from.”

“Yeah,” Isobel asked, “That’s what I need your help with.”

“Computer wiz,” Chloe said with a bright smile, “That’s me.”

Isobel giggled very Lana like and Chloe asked, “Where’s Snowflake?”

“Time for some acting,” Isobel thought and put on a sad face, “He died.”

“What,” Chloe asked sitting her cup back down, “How?”

“I left the cabinet under the sink open,” she said wiping away a tear, “He got into some cleaning chemicals.”

“Oh Lana,” Chloe said biting her lower lip, “I’m sorry.”

“Its ok,” she said wondering if she was overdoing it just a bit, “I was careless.”

Chloe didn’t really know what to say so she got out her laptop, “Wanna get started on that essay?”

“Yeah,” Isobel said, “Fire away.”

She smiled while she watched Chloe type away on the device. Now that she had all these fools utterly fooled she was ready to set some plans into motion. But, first things first, she needed to see a Count and tell him to stay the fuck out of her way.

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Clark was out in the field playing with Thor. He would throw the ball and Thor would run and get it. Clark would have to chase after him in order to get the ball back and Thor really liked that part.

Clark laughed, “You catch the ball and then your suppose to bring it back to me so I can throw it for you again.”

Thor barked and took off running with the ball in his mouth again. Clark snickered and took off running after him to look over and see Lois jogging up to the fence.

“You’re going to get flees,” she said keeping her distance from Furry.

“He doesn’t have flees,” Clark said smiling down at him, “Do you boy?”

Thor barked and Lois sneezed, “Perfect.”

“Wow,” Clark laughed, “You’re even allergic to his bark.”

“Funny,” Lois sneered with narrowed eyes, “Your dad told me to tell you that you’re suppose to patch the fence somewhere where it needs patching.”

“Already fixed that,” Clark told her throwing the ball for Thor, “Wanna play with him?”

“Hell no,” she snapped, “I’m not touching that drool covered ball.”

Clark waved his hands in front of her face acting like he was going to touch her and she began to sneeze her head off. He had to hold on to the fence post to keep from falling because he was laughing so hard as he watched her run back to the imagined safety of the house.

Thor dropped the ball at his feet and Clark bent down only for Thor to quickly snatch it and take off running across the field again.

“Hey,” Clark shouted taking off after him, “That was a low down dirty trick!”

Thor ran over a small hill and stopped at the feet of his Lord and Master that just so happened to be standing in the apple orchards. Mismatched eyes looked down at him just as Clark suddenly sped over the hill to suddenly stop and almost fall.

“Count D,” he stuttered wondering if the man noticed how he had just suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

“Good evening Clark,” Count D said with a graceful bow, “You must forgive me. I went to explore the famous Kawatche caves and seem to have lost all since of direction.”

“You’re on my family farm,” Clark wondered how in the hell the man got lost in the first place, “How did you get over the fence?”

“Fence,” D asked in a confused voice while kneeling down in a hiss of expensive flowing garments to pet Thor, “Oh, it was broken.”

“Crap,” Clark hissed, “I’ll just have to fix that later then.”

D giggled and it was like silver bells, “Would you be so kind as to direct me back to town,” he asked, “I have such a terrible sense of direction.”

“Sure,” Clark said and then got an idea, “How about I take you back to the house and I can drive you on my way to Crater Lake.”

“Wonderful,” D said smiling at Thor, “Thank you Clark.”

“Not a problem,” Clark said quickly snatching the ball from a preoccupied Thor.

D laughed as he looked about the property, “I see Thor has lots of room to run around and play.”

“He really does,” Clark said, “If only he knew how to play fetch the correct way.”

Thor barked and D snickered at the dry comment his furry friend just made about the handsome young man, “Shall we?”

Clark was leading D back to the house only for D to turn back around and smile into the orchard. He had been shocked to discover a unicorn living in the Kent’s apple orchard. Its coat was white as fresh fallen snow and its eyes and hooves were the color of pearl. He turned back to stare at Clark who was walking ahead of him with Thor jumping for the ball he had held over his head. Had he found a pure soul not tainted by human greed?

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D was really going to have to check out this Crater Lake. The way Clark talked about it during the drive made it sound wonderful.

He was fixing some tea when he heard the shop door open with a soft jingle. Miss Sullivan’s article had made his pet shop a hit with the local students.

He stepped into his parlor and smiled, “How may I help you?”

“Count D,” a female voice asked with an amusing accent.

“I am,” he said with a polite bow.

“Sheriff Adams,” she said showing him the badge on her vest, “We need to talk.”

“Of course Sheriff,” D said as he led her over to have a seat, “What about?”

“The Price family were discovered dead today,” she told him, “They looked to of been torn apart by a wild animal in their pool.”

D’s mismatched eyes widened in horror, “How tragic,” he mourned, “They were such sweet people.”

“The neighbors said that they had bought some kind of pet from you,” she told him, “They were keeping it in the pool and now it’s missing.”

“Missing,” D asked in a confused voice, “Their albino carp is missing?”

Sheriff Adams forehead wrinkled, “Is that what you sold them?”

“I have a contract,” D told her, “Would you like to see it?”

“I would,” she told him and he walked over to a drawer and pulled it out.

“Here you are,” he said and she noticed his long deadly nails that looked as if they could cut through steel.

She looked it over and sighed, “I’ll have to check this of course.”

“Of course,” he said and then asked, “Tea?”

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“Hey,” Jason said from his seat on the dock, “I was beginning to think you stood me up.”

“Sorry,” Clark said taking a seat next to him, “Thor discovered Count D lost in our apple orchard.”

“Who,” Jason asked not recognizing the name at all.

“The strange owner of the pet shop,” Clark said, “Don’t you read the Torch?”

“No,” Jason snorted and then paled, “Don’t you dare tell Chloe.”

Clark laughed noticing Jason had his pant legs rolled up so he could soak his feet in the water without getting them wet, “How did he get lost in your orchard?”

“He said he was checking out the caves,” Clark told him, “And Thor was running with the ball into the orchard where he was.”

“Interesting,” Jason said, “Now how did he manage to get lost in your orchard when the Kawatche caves are miles away?”

“I don’t know,” Clark told him honestly, “Asking such questions tend to get me into trouble.”

Jason laughed, “You do tend to get into a lot of strange situations Clark.”

“Smallville is a strange place,” Clark told him, “Where anything can happen at anytime.”

“Meteors, freaks, and witches, oh my,” Jason said in a high pitched voice and Clark splashed him which made him laugh even harder.

“Isobel is scary,” Clark told him truthfully because she had put him through hell in that barn, “She almost killed you.”

“About that,” Jason said, “She tossed me out of a second story window with magic when you came in and somehow I walked away with only a few scratches and bruises.”

“You were lucky,” Clark told him.

“Maybe,” Jason said looking up at the now Star filled sky, “Or someone was there to catch me.”

“If so,” Clark said, “You were lucky they were standing there just at the right moment to look up and catch you.”

“Wanna go for a walk,” Jason asked, “Or for a swim?”

Clark thought it over for a minute and decided on a walk. He had seen a very wet Jason before and was lucky to of survived that.

“Well,” Jason asked right in front of Clark’s face which made Clark let out a yelp of surprise. He lost his balance and before Jason could catch him he tumbled over into the water sideways with a splash.

He came up spitting and Jason howled with laughter, “Swimming it is,” he shouted taking off his shirt before he dived in.

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D was in the deeper part of his chambers meditating as vines curled and coiled all around him with exotic blooms of all varieties and colors. The aromas that were given off were sweet and some were even toxic.

His mismatched eyes were glowing with rage in gold and amethyst fire. His and all of Nature’s hatred towards humanity were fueling the “Terra Bomb” he would soon unleash with the secret magic of this place.

A voice suddenly interrupted his mystical mantra and it was dripping with scornful laughter, “I never thought I’d ever see you again Count D.”

With a hiss and whiff of incense he was standing in his bedroom when a violet flash went off and Miss Lang stood before him. She smiled viciously at him, “Hello Count.”

“I must say,” D said, “You’re the first to ever survive a broken contract.”

“Of course,” she said, “I’ve come to far and even outwitted death itself to allow some scorned Spirit of Nature to stop me.”

“Who are you,” D asked feeling the violent and seductive power in her that he could not feel before.

“I’m hurt Count,” she said with a sour pout, “I thought you said you would never forget a face as beautiful as mine?”

D narrowed his eyes, “You must mean either my Grandfather or Father Miss Lang.”

Isobel giggled, “Of course,” she mused while twirling a strand of hair around a newly manicured finger, “He told me that there was more of his kind out there somewhere wreaking vengeance upon humanity. Both of his eyes were gold and he had such lovely long hair.”

“Who are you,” Count D asked for the last time. He was starting to get pissed and when he got pissed bad shit was about to go down.

“I,” she said with violet eyes, “Am Countess Marguerite Isobel Theroux.”

“I know that name,” D said suddenly having a contract in his hand looking it over, “You purchased a very special creature that could sniff out precious stones.”

“I did,” Isobel said while looking around the richly decorated abode, “Onyx was a beautiful familiar.”

“Yes,” D said, “He was burned at the stake with you and your two friends over three hundred years ago.”

“A pity,” Isobel pouted, “Sorry about Snowball. It was survival instinct as you well know.”

“Why, are you possessing the girl,” D asked.

“She was mine even before she was born,” Isobel said, “She is my vessel in this new world.”

“What do you want Countess,” D asked while running sharp nails through his hair.

“Nothing,” she said with a dark smile, “And everything.”

Count D narrowed his eyes once more, “I grow tired Countess,” he hissed while flexing his deadly fingers, “What do you want?”

“For you to stay away from that cave,” she said in a very dangerous tone, “The stone of power that lies there is mine.”

“Stone of power,” D asked, “So that’s what’s behind that wall. The legends my Grandfather said of a God coming from another world is true.”

“Not your concern Count,” Isobel hissed with an ancient madness in her violet eyes, “You just go about torturing those who are contributing to global warming and let me go about killing those who have wronged me.”

“They’re dead,” D said.

“Funny to hear such words coming from your mouth oh hypocritical one,” Isobel laughed, “Hundreds of people wronged me when they watched me and my family burn. Their descendents shall pay a horrible price when all the stones are mine.”

Count D looked at her, “Those stones have power to help me fuel my spell.”

The madness died in Isobel’s eyes and in its wake was a cold, cruel, intelligence so sharp it could cut a God, “The stones of power are mine Count,” she hissed like an angry serpent about to strike his heel, “You have been warned.”

In a violet flash of light and a distant rumble of thunder she was gone. Count D stood there in his chambers shaking with a violent fury about to explode to the surface. He looked over at the picture of Leon on his dresser framed in pure gold. Woods of aloe were burning before it, “Nobody threatens me,” he growled like a pissed off Alligator about to crush something with its snapping jaws, “Nobody!”

He stormed out of his bedchamber in a violent flutter of silk that even the shadows fled from the wrath in his glowing eyes, “I’m going to teach that witch a lesson she’ll never forget,” he roared like a monsoon, “But first things first, I need cake!”

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“That’s cheating,” Jason yelled after Clark who had taken off swimming before he could say three. Clark was laughing as he swam to the wooden plank about twenty feet away from the dock.

Jason was right behind him and then he passed Clark climbing up on top of the wooden plan to rest. Clark folded his arms on it and floated in the water as Jason fought to catch his breath, “See,” he huffed and fell back out of breath on the plank, “Cheaters never win.”

Clark laughed, “I can see that.”

“You’re not even,” Jason huffed turning his head over to look at him, “Out of breath.”

“Nope,” Clark said with a goofy grin, “Someone’s lazy.”

Jason tried to smack him on the head but Clark went under before he even came close. He got up on his knees and crawled to the edge to look over suddenly feeling a foot connecting with his ass. He let out an undignified squawk and fell head over heels into the water.

Clark howled with laughter when Jason came up spitting water from his mouth to glare at him, “So un-cool man.”

“So funny man,” Clark laughed holding his stomach, “You squawked.”

“I did not,” Jason lied in outrage, “You are a little liar Kent.”

Clark snorted and Jason splashed him in the face. Clark frowned and Jason grinned, “What?”

“That wasn’t polite,” Clark said shaking a finger at him which made Jason splash him again as he crawled back up on the plan to rest.

Clark carefully moved over so he would have some room and Jason lay back with his legs still in the water. He looked over to Clark looking out at the dark trees along the shore and smiled. He was really having a good time. This was the most fun he had ever had in a long time. He could be himself around Clark and not have to hide.

“Tell me about your family Jason,” Clark asked out of no where.

“My mother is Satan in Prada and my father is her minion of darkness,” Jason said, “They’re not good people.”

Clark looked at him, “I’m sorry,” he said, “I don’t know why I asked that.”

“Its okay,” Jason said with a reassuring smile, “I don’t mind talking about the Queen of Hell.”

“Really,” Clark asked, “Why are you not close?”

“They wanted me to fit their mold,” he said, “Turns out I didn’t fit.”

“So you left,” Clark asked.

“I did,” Jason told him, “And I’m happier because of it.”

Clark nodded, “Thanks for coming here tonight.”

“I’m glad I did,” Jason smiled, “This has been the most fun I’ve had in a very long time Clark.”

“Yeah,” Jason said, “I don’t have to hide who I am and it’s not everyday I get kicked in the ass and fall head over heels in lo…water.”

Clark snorted and Jason wondered if he had heard his Freudian slip. Love? How in the hell could he be in love? He’s only known Clark for a few months, and this week was the first time they ever really spent any time together.

Clark was looking at Jason’s feet kicking in the water and wondered if he meant to say love instead of water. It had been a very graceful slip of the tongue. Clark would not have caught it had he not been paying attention to every word coming out of Jason’s mouth all night.

Jason was kicking himself. It had to be the big puppy eyes. That had to be it. That was the reason he almost said love. He never said love. What the hell was wrong with him?

Clark saw Jason’s hand and suddenly felt the need to hold it, so he did. Jason was so completely taken off guard so he just sat there wondering what Clark was going to do.

“Jason,” Clark asked timidly not even looking at him.

“Yeah,” he asked almost choking on the air he was silently drawing into his lungs.

“Could we,” Clark asked, “You know?”

Jason sat up so fast that the plank shifted and tossed them both in the water. Both of them came up and gripped the plan as Jason coughed, “We hardly know each other Clark,” he said with wide eyes, “We’re in the middle of a lake.”

Clark looked at him confused and then got the meaning and started to laugh. Jason looked at him even more confused, “What?”

“Not that,” Clark laughed and then calmed him self, “I meant kiss.”

Jason felt like a damn fool. He was glad it was dark so Clark could not see him dying from embarrassment. Clark reached out of the water and placed a big hand over his, “Would you kiss me?”

Jason looked into his eyes, “Are you sure?”

“If I wasn’t,” Clark said with a goofy grin, “I would not have asked.”

Jason smiled and leaned in so both their noses were touching, “I really had fun tonight Clark.”

His breath was warm and smelled of peppermints. Clark shivered at how husky Jason’s voice was, “Me to.”

Jason smiled and titled his head to the side and kissed Clark. At first the kiss was timid and Jason teased Clark’s mouth to open up and invite him inside. Clark moaned and let his friend in and Jason felt like he was in paradise. Clark tasted sweet and his wet skin felt like it was on fire and begging to be touched.

Clark felt like he was floating and hoped to the gods he wasn’t. He paid very close attention to how much strength he used. The last thing he wanted to do was snap Jason in two. Jason was so warm and it felt as though he was breathing fire straight into his lungs. His skin was so wet and Clark fought him for dominance and discovered that it was he who wanted to be dominated.

Jason moaned in happiness as he thought, “Thanks for catching me Clark.”

TBC…

Flora Winter’s playing Around: Part Four

Isobel: (stretches) I’m alive! I’m free! (runs her hands through hair) So the wicked witch is still alive.

Count D: You really are a drama queen.

Isobel: Don’t you have some plants to go water or something?

Count D: Am I going to have to feed you to my friends?

Isobel: Don’t make me laugh. I could smite your beasts in one breath.

Count D: I have a world full my dear.

Isobel: Just leave my stones alone Count.

Count D: But my dear sweet Countess, perhaps we could strike a bargain?

Isobel: I’m listening…

Martha: Why do I get the feeling I’m going to be caught in the middle of all this?

Jonathan: Because you work where the wicked witch lives.

Clark: Someone tell Thor that this is not the correct way to play fetch.

Jason: I like to play do what Mommy says and live for another day.

Chloe: Have you ever thought about seeing a therapist?

Genevieve: Hello possums!

Jason: (screams and jumps into Clark’s arms)

Lex: (standing in the icy shadows growling)

Isobel: You do have a point.

Count D: What do you think?

Isobel: But my spell book was destroyed thanks to that meddling farmboy.

Count D: Maybe your “host” did not throw away the lists you made???

Isobel: Depends on if I have time.

Count D: We have all the time in the world.

Isobel: True, cake?

Count D: Always.