#clexa fanfic recs

[clexmas24]

Dec. 21 - Day 6: Secret Santa

REMEMBER TO TAG! #Clexmas24 #7DaysofClexa #Day 6 Secret Santa

[hadtochangemyurlquick]

it's really late but here's the fic recs for clextober!!!

Day 1: Spirit Week! 

who are you wearing? by geralehane (@geralehane)

is your classic halloween soulmate au that, thanks to the quality of the writing, hits extremely hard everytime. for a simple concept i have layed awake at night thinking about it.

Day 2: Pumpkin Spice & Everything Nice 

A Bit of Clarity by Aphrodites Law (@aphrodites-law)

is a sweet fall themed supernatural au that I'm sure we all know and love but is always worth giving a shout out. everyone begins to get visions of their past lives and it's a coffee shop au. If you like soulmates, read this asap.

Day 3: Annual Fall Festival 

the river's deep (but I swam it) by isawet (@sunspill)

i love isawet's one shots and this collection of halloween prompt fills written in 2017 is some of my favorite that they've done. highly recommend to anyone who wants to stay in the halloween spirit. mostly modern aus and all absolutely perfectly bite sized while still remaining filling.

Day 4: Magical Nights 

oh where do we begin? (the rubble or our sins) by the_crownless_queen

this is one of those lost in the clexa tag one shots that i always think gets overlooked. i always wished they would continue it, but even as a one shot it is so fantastic to think about and adore, and absolutely worth the read.

Day 5: The Other Side 

breathe into my lips the life i do not have by ur_the_puppy (@ur-the-puppy)

ur_the_puppy's ability to put 40k words into one chapter and still have it be not only coherent but heart wrenching and gorgeous is unparalleled. this one follows clarke in a haunted house, falling in love with her roommate. would highly recommend if you need to cry and also feel joy but in the way zadie smith defines it.

Day 6: Vampires vs. Werewolves 

bleeding love by geralehane (@geralehane)

you know, i try to avoid reccing the same author twice in a rec list, but i could not decide between these two, and i gave up. especially since i'm supposed to be doing a reading rn lol. i can't telly ou how many times ive read this goddamn story and lost my fucking mind. it wouldn't be possible, honestly. young vampire clarke and elder vampire lexa fall in love. trust me.

Day 7: Free Day

Shifters by DreamsAreMyWords (@dreamsaremywords)

damw is fairly (and rightfully) well known in the fandom for specifically their ability with craft in the fantastical genre. I like to pick less well known fics for my free day and i have to say, this one is entirely overlooked. i love a zombie apocalypse and this is a total twist on the genre. the line "birth is always violent" has stayed with me not as just a powerful line but as a mantra to remind myself that becoming will hurt but is worth it. would highly recommend you move it up your marked for later lists.

[hedawanheda]

So High School

Moving back to her hometown should be Clarke’s much needed fresh start after her divorce, but the world has other plans.

Madi finds Clarke’s old yearbook, questioning her mom on the intimate message written by a Lexa Woods over twenty years ago. Clarke swears they never dated, but Madi is unconvinced. So is about everyone else.

Everyone, including Lexa Woods.

or

a modern clexa au about miscommunication and second chances, slightly on theme for the first day of Clexmas 2024 “Home for the Holidays”

(kind of) based on a true story

read on ao3

[toolateintheday]

Snippet Sunday (on a Monday)

The fabulous @grenanigans tagged me so here's a very small snippet from the next chapter of False Dichotomy.

//////////

Shadowheart lifts her head from the pillow and with considerable effort, pushes herself into an upright position, propped up against the headboard. Her head feels thick, as though its stuffed with cotton wool and her mouth is dry when she runs her tongue over chapped lips.

It occurs to her that the room is unususlly quiet. She squints past Lae'zel - sees no one.

"Where is everyone?"

"Downstairs having breakfast. I asked them to give us some privacy."

Shadowheart sighs, rubs the heels of her palms into her tired eyes. "I'm flattered, but I'm really not in the mood."

"Not so that we may-" Lae'zel pauses, starts again. "So that I may help you get washed and dressed without an audience."

"I don't need your help," Shadowheart says flatly. "I'm fine. And perfectly capable of-"

"You are not fine. Its been three days now. You smell like a tavern."

"It may have escaped your keen notice but we're in a tavern."

I'll tag the queen of Clexa fanfics @dreamsaremywords

Check out her work, she's awesome.

[commander-heart-eyes]

Clexa fics if you're a masochist

Clexa fics if you want...

...angst

Personal Demons | Eyeofthehurricane

Marine Clarke Griffin shows up at Raven's apartment after a horrific experience. Closed off and all over the place, can Raven's mysterious next door neighbor help Clarke move forward and start to live again?

or...

The one where Clarke and Lexa meet in a stairwell.

we owe nothing now | ur_the_puppy

For as long as Clarke could remember, every year on the third of March, her soul would die.

(my) Destruction Within Your Mouth | KL_Morgan

He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction. Proverbs 13:3 

Clarke loses: her head, her voice, her heart.

(Canon divergent from 1x03)

what the ground grows | coldmackerel

There is nothing a little bedrest and irony can't cure.

Lexa is sure the only thing that heals Clarke's mind and keeps her heart thumping against her ribs is an ill-advised amount of the first and a frustrating amount of the second. But Clarke has never been anything less than ill-advised and frustrating. If anybody will survive a hole in their brain, Lexa is sure it will be Clarke.

(At Heda's expense, of course.)

[complete]

i fell from the sky (and then i fell for you) | orphan account

Fix-it (kind of?) canon-divergent from season 2 ep. 16 in which Clarke is not captured and brought to the commander but rather captured and brought to the Ice Nation….but not to be executed.

The White Queen Running | KL Morgan

Were you ever punished? “Only for faults,” said Alice. “And you were all the better for it, I know!” the Queen said triumphantly. “Yes, but then I had done the things I was punished for,” said Alice: “that makes all the difference.” “But if you hadn't done them,' the Queen said, “that would have been better still; better, and better, and better!”

Clarke wakes up wearing the tattoos of the Ice Nation.

(OR: Soulmates, parallel worlds, and Ice Queen Clarke; oh my. Canon divergent from 2x16.)

...slow burn

when my heart is at war | mopeytropey

Lexa is primed for great leadership and will not be deviated from her agenda.

Clarke is driven by her insatiable curiosity and is not easily deterred.

There is plenty at work to drive them apart, but the strength of their combined determination will change the course of an entire civilization.

Griffins Anatomy | Clexanation

Clarke was just trying to survive the first year of her internship. That was until she fell into bed with a beautiful brunette, who was running from her past. Maybe life should be about more than just surviving.

The 100 hospital AU that nobody asked for. Inspired by the hit tv show Greys Anatomy. All hail the great Shonda Rhimes. We will embark on this drama/love-filled journey through the eyes of our fan favorites in the medical field.

*THIS FOLLOWS GREYS ANATOMY STORYLINE, SO DONT COME FOR ME ACTING SHOCKED BY ANYTHING*

The shows been around damn near 20 yrs ppl 🤦♀️

[kailoraurelius]

Hey! I’m curious what are YOUR fic recs 0_o

My fic recs??? Oooh, okay, hold on. Lemme pull up all the hundreds of tabs on my phone.

Of course, Experimentation by Redlance. Tried and true and NOW COMPLETE OMG???

Literally anything by iPhone. Hella creative, great voice and characterization. I've had multiple iPhone stories open in my tabs for literally years.

I used to reread over and over a story called Favorite Record, where Beca was a single mother and Chloe was an old schoolmate and they reconnect. But it's GONE AND I'M SAD, SO IF YOU FIND IT, SEND IT TO ME PLS AND THX.

Baby, I Know Places We Won't Be Found by hedaswolf (amazing author name, I'm js.)

Forgive Me These November Days by obstinate_questionings. So good. There's a specific line that I've never forgotten even though it's been years since I read it. "Chloe’s heart was too full as she stared at the girl who, so it appeared, would follow her anywhere." Like, stab me in the face, it would be a faster death than this wtf.

Irrational by Grotchon, which I just recently found. It's still in progress and I'm STRESSED waiting for more! But so worth reading immediately so we can all hold hands and wait for more together.

And if you're looking for something that ISN'T Bechloe, I will offer up:

Allegiance and, its second part, Avowal, by fullyajar. Shannara Chronicles, Princess Rover. Hella well written. An exceptional talent for setting and horror. So good, dude.

Satin Town by coalitiongirl/absolutely anything by coalitiongirl. Once Upon A Time, Swan Queen. Love me some fantasy setting and dark intrigue. Like, Ow, but it's real good.

Safe by SgtMac. Another story I revisit often because it's so well written and because it really touches on healing sometimes needing space and pain.

Our Hearts (Have Minds of their Own) by EffortlesslyOpulent. It's been a while since I read this one, but I seem to recall a VERY interesting scene on the edge of a bed somewhere? Hm.

Banishment by tothevision. It's been a very long time since I read this one, but I remember it being very well written and having a great portrayal of guilt vs. anger.

And A Different Landing by RhinoMouse. The 100, Clexa. Amazing writing style and a real gift for switching perspectives that I haven't found elsewhere. That story's writing style has inspired a (secret) future Bechloe story of mine, so it deserves some reads.

Think that's enough for now lol. Hope y'all enjoy!

[procrastinationstation101]

HELP! ISO a Clexa fic I read, here’s what I remember: Clarke owns a bar and Lexa is famous for sports (I think) and Clarke saw Costia cheating in the bar and didn’t say anything so Lexa is trying to get the bar shut down by opening a night club across the street. She then feels like shit when she finds out Clarke has a disabled child (Madi) and starts showing up to therapy appointments with her nephew(Aden) so she can see Clarke. They stop taking Clarke’s insurance and Lexa winds up secretly paying for the appointments.

I just remember this fic was so damn good and it made me cry and I want to reread it so bad BUT I CANT FIND IT😭

[bigg1999]

“It’s the twin’s birthday today, we need to get ready to go.”

Lexa glances at the clock behind her, then at the blonde, who is already heading to the bathroom.

“We’ve still got plenty of time,” Lexa defends, getting out of bed herself.

“I wanna eat you out in the shower,” Clarke explains, throwing her shirt towards the hamper.

“Why can’t I eat you out in the shower?” Lexa questions, taking off her shirt, grabbing Clarke’s discarded one, and putting them inside the hamper.

“I woke up and called dibs. You were still asleep, you didn’t hear it,” Clarke says, turning on the shower.

“What if I called dibs last night, after you were to sleep?” Lexa questions, entering the bathroom, eyes drawn to Clarke’s nude body.

“Then I play the pregnancy card,” Clarke argues, “And I’m still four behind.”

“We aren’t keeping count,” Lexa says, shaking her head.

Read it here

[owl127]

single moms meet at boyband show

(Ao3)

Lexa focused on the green at the tip of Serah’s braid as she followed her daughter through the never-ending crowd.

"Mom, I want to be up front for the starting band!" Serah cried from right in front of Lexa, and Lexa took three long strides to catch up with her daughter. 

"Do you have your phone?" Lexa asked for the fourth time, to which Serah rolled her eyes.

"Yes."

"Full battery?"

"93%."

"And the location tags?"

Serah looked around them, biting her lips as other teens—mostly girls—ran to the front of the stage. "Yes, one in my purse and one in my belt," she said between gritted teeth, all unnecessary teen rage. Lexa nodded, reaching for her daughter’s hand. God, she would be taller than Lexa soon. 

"I’ll be back at the food stalls. I’ll call you, but we meet here after the concert, okay?"

"Okay, mom, now please can I go? The opening band is about to start!" 

"Alright. And Serah?" 

The fourteen-year-old stopped in her tracks to turn back and glare at her mom. "What!"

"Have fun." Okay, it was true: Lexa liked to torture her daughter sometimes, but just a little bit, so she wouldn’t get completely lost in her head. One of her books said it was a way to bond with teenagers.

A small smile cracked Serah’s frown, and she nodded, all limbs and gracelessness as she followed the flow of screaming girls to the front of the stage.

Lexa had no idea what she had done to have a daughter who liked boy bands, but there she was, escorting her only baby to said band’s show. Lexa had been a hardcore punk at that age, parading black, rebellion, and a couple real, unmemorable tattoos. At the same time, that was the lifestyle that led to an early pregnancy, so maybe having a daughter who loved bands with an odd number of boys was a good thing.

Lexa looked back at the kiosks line and started to look for anything that said coffee when someone stumbled at her back. Lexa tripped forward but reacted in time to hold the person, who would for sure fall on the dirty grass if Lexa hadn’t reached for their hips and arms.

"Oh my God, mom! You’re so clumsy!"

"I’m so sorry," the woman in Lexa’s arms said, flushing a beautiful shade of pink. Lexa’s hands were warm where she touched her.

"Mom!"

They broke apart at the teenager's yelling at them.

"Are you alright?" Lexa asked, but the woman faced the teen instead.

"I tripped because you’ve been running since the gate. Now where’s your phone?"

"I have it. Now can I go?"

"Don’t lose your phone!"

"I won’t!" The teen bobbed her head in excitement, her tight curls, a coppery shade of auburn, bouncing in her head. "Now can I go? The opening band is on the stage!"

"Yeah, but stay close to your phone!" The woman’s plea was lost as her daughter rushed in the same direction Serah had disappeared into.

"They always seem to lose the phone," Lexa said, and she found herself staring at that pink blush again.

"Right?  And fuck, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to trip all over you."

"It’s okay. This grass is horrible." Lexa looked down at the woman’s red converse, a stark contrast to her boots.

"Do you want some coffee? Or a drink?" Lexa looked up again to get lost in freckles and blue. "I’m sorry, maybe my daughter is right and I’m always talking too much," the woman continued before Lexa could respond. "I don’t even know if you’re here with a partner or whatever; I just assumed you’d be another mom."

"I’m mom. I mean, yes, I’m with my fourteen-year-old. She also ditched me for the opening band."

"I think they all sound the same."

"And coffee sounds good. I’m going to need some to survive the night. And—" Lexa cleared her throat, falling into step next to the woman "—No partner. It’s just me and Serah." There was that beautiful blush again.

"Coffee it is, then. And it’s just me and that thirteen-year-old you met. Lumi. But she’ll tell you she’s fourteen. This is her birthday present, actually."

They sat at the kiosk, far from the screaming crowd, with the bartender making espresso shot after espresso shot for the multiple parents. A couple dads talked about football next to their stools while a flock of suburban moms ordered margaritas.

"I’m Lexa." She extended her hand and offered to pay for the coffee.

"Clarke." She accepted the coffee with another blush, and Lexa realized she loved to watch those cheeks fire up. Maybe it wouldn’t be a bad concert after all.

0000

Lexa wasn’t sure how that happened. Okay, maybe she had a clue, since the only time she had been with a man ended up with Serah, and she had enough flings with coworkers to have a certain reputation in her station. But whatever the reasons, Lexa was not complaining about having Clarke’s tongue in her mouth or her legs wrapped tightly around her as they made out behind the dirty alley of stalls that served terrible coffee. Under the sound of broken-hearted love, Lexa pressed closer until Clarke moaned in her mouth, all velvet and want. Lexa pulled back to allow curious lips to explore her neck and moaned low under Clarke’s ears. Clarke pressed harder, uncaring that the two single, thirty-something moms were dry-humping in the dark while their daughters screamed at hairless boys.

"You okay?" Lexa whispered the question when Clarke hissed after a hard kiss.

"Oh, I’m great!" Clarke gasped, finding Lexa’s lips again. "It’s just... it’s been a while. Single mom and all."

Lexa nodded. She knew the drama.

"I wish I could touch you," Lexa confessed between blonde tresses, inhaling the lingering scent of rose shampoo. Clarke moaned in response, grinding harder on Lexa’s thigh. "I bet you’re—"

The loud ringing of their phones cut off Lexa’s, admittedly, dirty talk, and they parted at the accompanying vibrations in their pockets.

"Shit," Clarke mumbled as she checked her phone. There was a lack of endless screams in the air. "I think the concert’s already ended."

Lexa was focused on her phone, Serah’s calls and texts, typing furiously back. "Let’s go back to the stalls."

"Oh, shit." Clarke, flushed and grinning with kiss-swollen lips, placed both hands on Lexa’s abs, stopping her. "I might have given you a hickey. Sorry." Lexa’s eyes widened, and she touched her neck. "The other side… I think you should lose the braid."

And that was how Lexa found her daughter in front of the coffee stall, typing furiously on her phone. "Mom!" she yelled when Lexa approached.

"Hey, honey, how was it?" Lexa placed both hands in her pockets, running her fingers through her hair.

"Why are you acting weird? And what happened to your braid?"

"Mom!" They looked to see Clarke hugging her daughter; there was an excited squeak between them. "It was awesome!"

"I’m glad, baby." Clarke waved at Lexa, and Serah looked between them, eyes narrowing.

"Clarke." Lexa cleared her throat when Clarke approached while holding her daughter’s hands. "This is my daughter, Serah."

"Hi," Serah said while eyeing Clarke up and down.

"Hey. This is Lumi, my daughter."

"Hi." Lumi waved at Serah, then saw the pin in her jacket. "Which song is your favorite from the new album?"

Serah’s frown melted into a smile as the girls started to talk about the show. Lexa took a step closer to Clarke but didn’t touch her. "Where did you park?"

"Oh." Lexa would never get tired of seeing that beautiful blush. "We took the bus here. We’ll probably Uber back."

"Can I offer you a ride?"

"It’s alright, we’re used to it." Both moms stared at the girls as they talked non-stop about the concert and the band, and Clarke shrugged. "Yeah, a ride would be nice." 

As they walked to the parking lot, Serah pulled Lexa to one side. "Mom."

"What’s up, kiddo? I hope you don’t mind that we’re giving them a ride."

"It’s not that." Serah kicked a pebble on the dirty road parking lot. "Lux is fun. I want to be friends with her."

"That’s great."

Serah kept staring at Lexa, their eyes so much alike that it gave Lexa the chills sometimes, like now. Lexa did have a reputation, but she also had a daughter who was too smart for her own good.

"Please don’t ruin this," Serah pleaded. "Don’t make it like my swim teacher. Or my violin teacher."

"You didn’t even like violin."

"That’s not the point."

"We got a discount for three months."

"Lux is nice, and she also has a PS4. Please don’t mess up with her mom, please."

Lexa scoffed. "Why do you even—"

"You have a hickey, mom."

Damn kid. 

"Alright, I’ll behave. For you," she promised.

Serah kissed Lexa’s cheek. "I love you, mom."

Lexa looked behind them to find Clarke listening to her daughter, but her eyes were focused on Lexa. She winked, her cheeks flushed with the wind. 

Okay, Lexa might be in trouble with that promise.

[socialmediaau]

Someone please help me find tattoo artist!lexa and florist!clarke fanfic

I need it for me pls

[mylesficfavs]

thefooliam wrote a classic Clexa fic with She. These two are soulmates 🥰.

[clexmas24]

Dec. 22 - Day 7: Free Day

REMEMBER TO TAG! #Clexmas24 #7DaysofClexa #Day 7 Free Day

[femslashhistorian]

Gold, red by AphroditesLaw

Summary: Lexa has a hobby. Clarke has the target.

Hello! I'm looking for a Clexa fic that had dark fall, Dexter vibes. Lexa is a serial killer and Clarke doesn't know. Lexa notices a man in town fixating on a teen. Clarke notices too and I think at some point she is the one who kills him? Then it turns out the guy was actually planning to hurt Clarke and was using the teen to get closer to her. I think this is all one fic...

Fandom: the 100

Pairing: Clarke Griffin/Lexa

Please, help us find this fic! Leave your suggestions in the comments. Thank you! 🙏😊

Edit:

This fic has been found. Thank you, @rifewit204 !

It's "Gold, red" by AphroditesLaw.

[toolateintheday]

Not to complain about my health again but last night I had chest pains and wound up having to go for an ECG at 4am which was pretty fucking scary.

Luckily my heart is all good. I do have a chest infection tho 😫

I humbly ask you to please rec me your favourite fics, whether you wrote them or they're by another author. I need some good stories to cheer me up.

WLW only please. I like: Clexa, any BG3 pairing with a preference for Shadowzel, harlivy and bishova.

[commander-heart-eyes]

Clexa - Canon Divergence/Alternate Universe (b/c the show didn't give us enough clexa content)

Canon Divergence

(my) destruction within your mouth | KL_Morgan

He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life:but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction. Proverbs 13:3   

Clarke loses: her head, her voice, her heart.  

(Canon divergent from 1x03)

[AKA: the one where Clarke wanders from the dropship and ends up in Polis with the Commander - but no one knows she's from the sky]

The White Queen Running | KL_Morgan

Clarke wakes up wearing the tattoos of the Ice Nation.

[AKA: the one where after the mountain, Clarke gets sent to another universe where she's Azgeda]

i fell from the sky (and then i fell for you) | orphan account

Fix-it (kind of?) canon-divergent from season 2 ep. 16 in which Clarke is not captured and brought to the commander but rather captured and brought to the Ice Nation….but not to be executed.

[AKA: the one where after the mountain, Clarke is brought to Azegda by the request of Nia who wants to recruit her to the revolution]

Alternate Universe

when my heart is at war | mopeytropey (scriptmanip)

Lexa is primed for great leadership and will not be deviated from her agenda.

Clarke is driven by her insatiable curiosity and is not easily deterred.

There is plenty at work to drive them apart, but the strength of their combined determination will change the course of an entire civilization.

[AKA: the one where the Ark lands sooner, so Skaikru grows up with the grounders]

In The Shallows | blindwire

Raised for war and forged in fire, Clarke has vowed to be a leader for her people, to protect them and to make sacrifices so that they do not have to. This is what it means to be Commander and the spirit has chosen her for a reason.

Or

Role reversal au

[AKA: the one where Clarke is commander and Lexa is from the sky]

A Different Landing | RhinoMouse

The drop ship was always going to have problems coming down. Unfortunately for the 100 they ended up in Ice Nation territory where the locals were far less forgiving. With all the wristbands gone and the survivors unable to contact the ark, the ark never came down. Now four years later the surviving members of the 100 have been assimilated into Nia's army. When Lexa calls for the armies of the coalition to march on the mountain Clarke finds herself leading the Ice Nation forces.

[AKA: the one where the dropship lands in Azgeda instead of Trikru, so the 100 are immersed in their culture]

[leatafandom]

So happy the muse came back to you on this! I love it so much ❤️

We Make Our Own Destiny: Ageless (Ch.5)

Fandom: Smallville

Rating: M (E overall)

Pairing: Clex

Characters: Clark Kent, Lex Luthor, Lana Lang, Evan, Chloe Sullivan, Jonathan Kent, Tanner Sutherland

Word Count: 2779

Warnings: angst, episode rewrite, teen parenthood

Summary: Clark tracks down Tanner, everyone deals with bad news.

A/N: I probably could have added another scene to this, but I kinda wanted to blend a couple scenes together in the next chapter, and am still working out altering Tanner's fate slightly. Sorry this fic keeps taking so long to write, I really think I got in over my a head a bit with this series 😅

Clark had managed to make it to the school just as the last class was dismissed, and within seconds, he tracked Chloe down, and caught her up on the situation as they head through the halls to the Torch's office. 

“Well, our friendly phone company just got friendlier. I was able to trace the 911 call back to a cell phone. His mother was Karen Gallagher. She was a senior here.”

Chloe hands him the Smallville High yearbook, showing him a picture of Karen.

“I remember hearing about her. Was she Wall of Weird material?”

Entering the office, Chloe heads straight for the computer, setting things up as they talk.

“I got a couple blips on the radar when I heard that she had a knack for shorting monitors whenever she walked into the computer lab, but I had no idea that super-fast pregnancy powers were part of the equation.”

“How long was she pregnant for?”

“Well, last weekend, Christina Varrano had a party at her house, and Karen apparently went NC-17 with some guy in the bedroom. Christina has no idea who the guy was.”

“So she got pregnant and delivered a baby a week later?”

Chloe nods an affirmative, just as bewildered. 

“We need to find Evan's father. He's the only real hope we have at saving him.”

Chloe settles into her chair, Clark's pain obvious in his eyes. Even Lana had sounded like she'd been crying recently when she had called a few minutes before Clark showed up. This kid must really be something.

“Okay, gimme a minute.”

She's not typing for long before she finds a trail to follow.

“Looks like Christina used e-vite to send out all her invitations. I guess ours got lost in the electronic mail. Let's just check all the RSVP's and try to track him down.”

Chloe pulls up a list of names and Clark looks over them. She separates the boys from the list, and after five minutes of applied knowledge of the current rumor mill, whittles the list down to five names. Printing up the list, she turns to Clark. She feels a tug of guilt at what she really wants to ask, more leading questions that would push him into telling her about his abilities, and forces out a more relevant question.

“You really care about this kid, huh?”

“Yeah, Chlo, I do. And so do Lana and Lex. It's…it's really hard, knowing that this is mostly out of our hands, what happens to him.”

It hurts, to see him put on that forced smile even as his eyes grow watery, and not be able to comfort him the way he needs to be, to not be able to pull him into her arms and tell him that no one expects him to save everyone, even with all his powers. She feels it, deep down in some place she cannot name, that that will never be her privilege. Maybe someday she'll at least be granted the honor of acknowledging what she already knows, but this is not that day.

“I'm sorry there isn't more I can do to help, but if you need any more info, just gimme a call, okay?”

Clark nods and rushes out the door. Chloe turns back to her computer screen, unnerved. It's not often that Clark is faced with something his powers couldn't fix, and she remembers how bad it got for him when he lost Ryan. She just hoped Lana could help keep him from sinking into that funk this time. Or Lex. Lex always had a special knack for brightening Clark's world; when they weren't on the outs, anyway. And considering how close Clark is keeping Lex in the midst of all this, she's more apt to put her money on Lex this time around. She senses a shift of monumental proportions has taken place, and honestly, it's about damn time. 

The first two guys on the list had led to dead ends, one having hooked up with a different girl at the party, the other embarrassedly admiting to getting sick after a few beers and leaving early. Neither had any idea who Karen even was, let alone who she'd snuck off with to one of the guest rooms. Checking into the third name on the list, Clark entered Massey's Garage, paper still in hand. He steps up to a middle-aged man working under a lifted car.

“Excuse me. Does Tanner Sutherland work here?”

The man paused and looked up at Clark. “Yeah, he's over there.” He points towards the back of the garage with his wrench.

“Thank you.”

Clark walks to the back where Tanner is working on a car, hidden behind the lifted hood, tinkering.

“Tanner?”

Without straightening up from his work, Tanner calls out.

“Leave your car around back, I'll get to it.”

Clark walks around the hood to see Tanner. He recognizes the kid from one of his classes last semester, remembers he hadn't been all that social, time split between studying and picking up extra shifts to help his parents out. And now, he might have a kid of his own. A dying kid who's already almost their own age. Clark takes a breath and approaches the young man.

“Hey, were you at Christina Varrano's party last week?”

Tanner hedges, finally looking away from the engine he was fiddling with. There's a nervousness to his demeanor that even Clark can pick up on. 

“Uh, I don't remember. I…” He wipes his hands with a rag, avoiding eye contact with Clark. “I think I was working that night.”

“So you didn't hook up with Karen Gallagher?”

“What do you want?” Tanner's tone sharpens, stepping around the car towards Clark. “Who the hell are you?”

“I'm the guy who found your son, laying in the middle of a field.” 

Clark feels a surge of protective anger, sure that Tanner is Evan's father. He knows evasive when he hears it. Tanner's face pales, even as he shakes his head in denial. 

“Look, dude, I don't have a son, and...and I don't know what you're talking about, all right? I got work to do.”

Tanner tries to walk away and Clark grabs his arm roughly. He knows it's a lot to lay at someone’s feet, but he can't lose this one chance to save Evan’s life. 

“I'm not going to let you walk away from this.” Clark pulls Tanner around to face him, schooling the building anger off his face. “Look, I know you didn't mean for it to happen, but it did. You have a responsibility.”

Tanner tugs at his unbreakable grip, his voice breaking.

“Get off me, man. What's your problem?”

“My problem is that your son needs your help. Now tell me how he got in that field.” 

Clark feels Tanner's defeat, the shorter teen slumping in his grasp. He lets him go, watches him remember.

“I got with this girl at a party. I was drunk, we both were. I didn't even think about condoms or anything, I screwed up. The next day, she calls me up, crying, saying she's...she's pregnant. And yeah, seemed a bit early to know that, right? But, I go over, and her stomach...it was already…” Tanner shakes his head in disbelief. “A week later, we were in my car, we're speeding to the hospital and she's screaming, it's coming!, and she starts glowing! And then the car, it went up like a freakin' a-bomb! That wasn't a baby. It was some kind of monster. It killed Karen.”

Rage wars with understanding, and Clark struggles to keep his voice even.

“He's a human being, Tanner, and he's your son. His name is Evan. He's aging rapidly.” Clark steps closer, like he's approaching a wounded animal, needing Tanner to understand “He needs your help. He needs a bone marrow transplant. You're the only one who can help him. He such a brilliant kid, if you could just-”

“What? No! Look, I can't deal with this. I never wanted any of this to happen, but, I'm sorry. I can't. I hate that I just left Karen like that, but I was so scared. Christ, I'm just a kid myself, man, how…how am I supposed to deal with this? I just want out of this crazy-ass town!”

Clark feels a warning rush of sad calmness, Lex, soothing his growing ire as Tanner steps around him and walks out of the garage. He lets Lex's projected stoicism surround him, stopping him from speeding after the teen and forcing him to understand. The cell Lex gave him rings in his pocket, and he pulls it out, grateful for this weird bond between him and his boyfriend. 

“Lex…”

“I know. I'll meet you back at the farm in half an hour. We'll find a way.”

Back home, Clark distracts himself with chores as he waits for Lex, moving bags of feed in the barn and talking to Jonathan. He still has to fight against the urge to run through Smallville and track Tanner down.

“How could someone do that to their own son?”

Jonathan sets his own bag down onto the pile and steps over to Clark, hating the anger and fear he sees in his son's eyes.

“Clark, being a father is an enormous responsibility. The kid is just too young to handle it.” 

“I'm handling it! Lex and Lana are handling it! He's Evan's only hope,” Clark can't stop his voice from cracking, “and Evan's going to die if we can't convince him to help.”

“I know that, son, and we're gonna figure it out.” God, he hopes they figure it out. That Lex can use that genius brain of his to save his son from this heartache. “But what's more important right now is what are we gonna tell Evan?”

“Maybe it's best I don't even tell him I found his father. He's gonna take it pretty hard.”

Jonathan claps a hand on Clark's shoulder, sighing.

“Son, an orphaned child has every right to know about his origins. You should know that better than anybody. I'll tell you what...I'll talk to him, okay? I mean, I do have a little experience in that department.”

Clark gives his father a half-smile, shaking his head.

“Thanks, Dad, but I think I should tell him.”

“Tell him what?” Clark turns to see Lana and Evan walking through the open doorway, Evan's face lighting up. “Did you find my father?

Clark doesn't answer, his throat dry, and his heart clenching. He had hoped Lex would get here before they did, to help ease Evan into the bad news. Another wave of comfort trickles through the connection, a ballast for his nerves. 

“Clark, where is he?” Lana's lips curve in a worried frown, and he suspects she's figured it out. 

“He works downtown...at Massey's Auto Garage. His name's Tanner Sutherland.”

“When can I see him?” 

The hopeful look on Evan's face tears at Clark’s already shredded heart. He flounders for a response, and breathes a quiet sigh of relief when Jonathan intervenes.

“Look, Evan, um, sometimes, when you meet your biological father, it can be painful.”

“Why? I don't understand.”

Clark thinks of Jor-El's imprint, of the pain and confusion and disappointment. 

“They don't always live up to your expectations, Evan. Trust me, I know.”

“But I want to see him.”

Lana turns to Evan, the weight of the situation heavy on her heart.

“Evan, we're just trying to protect you.”

“You can't protect me. No one can.”

“Just calm down, okay?” Lord knew Clark was angry enough for the both of them. 

“Stop telling me what to do, Clark!” Evan aims his words to hurt, lashing out through his own pain. “You're not my father.”

Evan runs up the stairs to the loft.

“Evan!”

“Clark.” Jonathan shakes his head, stopping him from following after Evan. He knows from angsty teenagers. “Give him some time to cool down.”

Clark is about to protest as Lex steps into the barn behind them. 

“From the sound of things, looks like I missed some upsetting news.”

It takes everything in Clark not to rush to Lex, to pull him into a tight embrace. Settles for the split-second glance of sympathy cast his way, the mental brush of warmth along his spine. Receives a placebo in Lana wrapping an arm around him in Lex's place; not the comfort he wants, but the comfort the trio knows Jonathan will not think to question. 

“Evan's father, Tanner, refuses to have anything to do with this.” Jonathan feels a little more of his icy regard for Lex melt away at the obvious pain radiating from the young man's eyes, the only hint at emotion the stoic businessman will let show through. He reminds himself that Lex has felt loss far too often for his age, an infant brother, followed too soon by his mother. “Have your scientists found any other option to slow this thing down?” 

“No, Mr. Kent. None of the tests so far have yielded any positive results. I've even flown in a doctor that specializes in progeria, but she thinks the treatment will only buy us a few hours, a day at most. But I haven't given up.” 

Jonathan looks between the three younger adults, for that's what Lana, what his son, are now. Adults, with a responsibility thrust upon them that they are ill prepared to handle, and he feels a swell of sadness, and pride, for this trio, dealing with this hard task so bravely. A major shift had taken place, and Jonathan had the feeling he wasn't seeing the entire picture, something niggling at the back of his mind that he couldn't pin down.

“Look, why don't the three of you go help Martha with dinner. She's already called the school to excuse you and Lana, for today and tomorrow. The rest of the chores can wait till later. I'll see if I can get Evan to come back to the house.”

“Thanks, Dad.” 

Clark gave Jonathan a watery smile and followed behind Lex, easing himself out of Lana's embrace as nonchalantly as he could. He appreciated the gesture, but it didn't compare. As soon as they were out of sight of the barn window, he fell into step beside Lex, taking up the offered hand. He could feel pain and anger to match his flowing between them, knows Lex has become just as attached to Evan as he has. 

Lex slows their pace, letting Lana continue up to the house ahead of them. 

“Where does this Tanner kid work? Maybe I can…convince…him to change his mind.”

“Lex-”

“With money, Clark, not threats. The procedure for a bone marrow transplant often leads to a lengthy recovery, so many people decline donating. Maybe if I take care of the financial aspect, talk to his boss about time off, he'll agree.”

“Maybe. He did say he wanted outta Smallville.” Clark looked at Lex, seeing only earnest desperation. “Okay. He works over at Massey's Garage. I don't know how late his shift runs.” 

Lex is interrupted from responding by the shrill ring of his cell. 

“Luthor.” Lex's expression darkens as he listens to the person on the other end, and Clark feels a spike of fear through the bond. He tunes his hearing to listen to the other side of the conversation. “Is there any possibility of an error?” 

“We've run the projections three times, sir. Even with the progeria treatment, there's no way to stall it without the donor marrow.”

Lex growls and flips his phone closed, squeezing it tightly in his hand. Clark tries to soothe him through the bond as he steps closer, taking Lex's hand and uncurling his fingers from around the cell that would have gained a cracked screen if Lex had been any stronger.

“What's wrong?”

“I've just been informed that Evan's cell division is increasing exponentially, along with the energy he expels when he ages. We have only a few hours to stabilize Evan with Tanner's marrow. According to the projections, Evan is building towards a massive chronological event.”

Clark gasps, calculations and permutations running through his speeding mind.

“So he'll, what? Be about eighty the next time he ages? He's still going to die too soon?”

“It's even worse than that, Clark. The next time Evan ages, he'll release enough energy to kill himself and anyone else at hand. We have to find Tanner and make him change his mind. Evan doesn't deserve this, he deserves a full life.”

Clark wrenches his teary gaze from Lex's at the sound of Jonathan shouting.

“Evan ran off. Three guesses where he's headed.”

~~~~~

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