fic: Contingencies 1/7

[xparrot]

I need to start posting this now, before the final eps of the season blow it completely out of the water. Hopefully I'll finish it before they start airing...hope no one minds a bit of fic spamming in the next couple weeks.

This is about my favorite non-futurefic SV scenario, which I've been wanting to try my hand at, though this...got a bit out of hand. It's the classic 'Lex turns up at the Kent farmhouse in dire straits', given a 6th season twist. This is not quite the story I was intending to write. I have a feeling it needs a warning, but I'm not exactly sure for what. Let's see: it's dark, it's angsty, it's sappy, and it may go shamelessly over the top in any of these directions. I can promise a light at the end of the tunnel, but it's going to be a long tunnel.

Major spoilers for the entire series, especially "Solitude" and "Vessel"/"Zod," and all of 6th season aired thus far.

Smallville: Contingencies, 1/7 {5,957 words}
PG-13; Clark/Lex; 6th season; angst, drama, h/c
Lex, forced to his last resort, comes to the Kent home. And Clark must rise to the occasion, as he finds himself questioning his assumptions about his dying enemy.

Read it on AO3

Comments

[danceswithgary]

Wow! This is great so far. The Lex / Clark relationship is so painful, yet Lex still comes to Clark and Clark takes the chance for Lex. Incredible. Can't wait for more!

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

Thanks, glad you're liking this one, too! Yeah, it does hurt, writing them like this, but...

[(Anonymous)]

I'm incoherent. That's...more? Soon? Please?

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

More soon - thanks!

[lukita.livejournal.com]

This needs a not fluffy warning. eeee~ Six hours left, Lex is really cutting this kinda close, but is six hours going to be enough for Clark to figure some things out about Lex?

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

Well, I did say angst ^^; And yeah, cutting it close...Clark is Lex's very last resort!

[bagheera-san.livejournal.com]

Oh man. So, so good. I need more now.

This:
and whatever you are, whatever your reasons, you've saved our planet enough times before that you're the best bet we have now
is absolutely fascinating, even better than Lex seeing Clark as an evil invader.
And the exchange with Chloe on the phone, her suggesting to let Lex die and Clark being... hero enough not to do it. And Clark Kent with a shotgun... for some reason that's almost wronger and creepier than Bruce Wayne with a shotgun. I love how much time Clark and Martha take before Clark runs to get the not-cure. This isn't fluffy at all and that's great. The rift is awesome when it's done right.

I need to start posting this now, before the final eps of the season blow it completely out of the water.
Do you dread those eps as well? I do.

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

I love how much time Clark and Martha take before Clark runs to get the not-cure

This is like the hardest h/c I've ever written. Well, the h is easy enough. But the c? Geeze. I am trying to be true to Clark's 6th season character, and it's quite the bitch...

Do you dread those eps as well? I do.

Oh, so very much. At the same time I'm dying to see them, I want to know what will happen, whether they'll save Lex's characterization (if not his soul...) But then that's what it's like, the whole show...on the one hand, I am kinda jonesing to see the advent of really evil Lex, in all his badass wicked glory. But on the other hand, the death of the happy!Clex hurts...I like happy endings! Darn it! Why am I in this fandom, again?

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

Did Lex do this to himself to get away from Lana?

BWAHAH! I wish! XD
More soon! ^_^

[hils.livejournal.com]

Wow! This is an amazing start. I'm on the edge of my seat waiting for more

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

More soon - thanks!

[attaccabottoni.livejournal.com]

Maybe it's an effect of having just watched a sci-fi thriller movie before I read this, but I had to stop myself from clutching my laptop monitor and shaking it like I want to clutch Clark (and Chloe) and scream at them in blind panic and anger. And I haven't taken any coffee for the past 72 hours, so that's a feat.

The suspense, coupled with Lex in pain, and then the countdown to him dying, was making me want to do something crazy. This is why I can't say I like stories like this or watch fast-paced high tension scenes without something comforting to cling on to. In this one, I take comfort in your good writing and your promise of light at the end of the tunnel.

Eeep, I think I was more upset about that movie that it carried over to my reading of this fic more than I realize. I can't help but stand to see this one through the end though, because of Lex, and you of course. :D

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

Yeah, this story is rather angstier and maybe more suspenseful than what I meant to write. I blame the angst of 6th season! Hope I don't drive you too crazy with the tension! But there will be light at the end, yes, which is more than the show guarantees us...

[bradygirl_12]

Ooh, this is *so* good! I love the pace you've set, the questions, the tension, and the fact that Lex came to the Kent farm when he was on his last legs. Yes, I agree that the Chloe/Clark exchange about letting Lex die and the shotgun were extraordinary scenes. Can't wait for more!

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'm so glad the shotgun scene worked, I debated about whether it was too much, but then...having a proto-supervillain on one's porch, one must take precautions...

[frelling-tralk.livejournal.com]

Great fic!

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[jakrar.livejournal.com]

This HURTS! And, yes, you've done a fantastic job of capturing 6th-season Clark and Lex and their deep suspicions of each other and their drive (each in his own way) to do the right thing, regardless of that. Can't wait to see more! What, exactly, is the monster, and why did it pick Luthorcorp -- and Lex -- to attack first? Where is it now, and how does Lex know just when it will be back? Is the stuff Lex had Clark pick up intended to destroy it before it can infect the whole human race, and did Lex develop the stuff just in case Fine or someone like him turned up again? Is Lex really, truly going to die? *wails with fear and frustration* Write quickly!

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

This HURTS!

Then I am confident I am capturing 6th season emotionally! (ouchie...)

Next part will actually answer a lot of questions, as for the others...well, I need to write & post pretty fast, if I want this finished by the week after next! so you need not wail for too too long~...

[norwich36.livejournal.com]

Excellent beginning! You definitely have me on the edge of my seat with anticipation.

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

Thank you, more soon!

[blue-gold.livejournal.com]

This is just great. I was reading and wondering what the hell why is Clark such a bitch! Stupid Clark and froze. Those are my thought processes while watching the show. You nailed season 6 Clark for better or worse. And I really gotta wonder what will happen n the next secen hours.

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

I find this Clark quite difficult to write (or watch...); much prefer either his early self, or his future superhero self. But there's catharsis in this, writing what I watch, and making it better (and it will get better! eventually...)

[brandil.livejournal.com]

Intrigued ...

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

More soon, hope it keeps your intrigue! ^^

Love the story so far....

[greenlady2.livejournal.com]

... and just a few comments that might be germane to the whole Lex/Clark situation.

I haven't been able to really watch SV since the second season, but I've kept up with the plot advancements to a certain extent. The other day, I caught the last 15 minutes of a episode from last season. Don't know what it was called, but Martha had contracted a virus and Clark tried to save her. Lex has been possessed by General Zod, at this point, but I don't think the viewing audience yet knew it. Anyway, as I watched, I had the following thoughts:

When Clark joins forces with the wrong people (e.g. Fine), his father and mother are understanding, and comfort him. When Lex joins forces with the wrong people, he's evil.

When Chloe investigates Lex by breaking into his warehouses, she's being a good citizen and a good reporter, and everyone supports her. When Lex investigates Clark, he's evil.

When Clark does bad things because of Red K, he's forgiven. When Lex does bad things because of being possessed by General Zod, he's evil.

I'm trying to figure out the ethical basis of this show, and I can't. I mean, I wonder if the writers/producers believe in the judgements of the characters, or not. If they believe that Lex is culpable, and Clark and his friends aren't, what is their reasoning? If they don't believe in it, why do they go on pretending that Clark is the hero?

I'm not asking for the producers of SV to give us simplistic answers. I'd just like some sort of explanation of what their reasoning is. That's all. But I suppose it's too much to ask. Maybe there is no reasoning, and they're just winging it. But that's scary. A lot of young people watch this show. What are they learning from it? See above.

Re: Love the story so far....

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

Glad you're enjoying the story! And yeah, the morality of SV is rather quite mixed. A lot of times it seems like the writers just expect you to judge everything Lex does as evil, just because we the audience all know he's destined to be a supervillain. And then other times I'm left wondering if we're supposed to be judging him at all; I sort of suspect some of the writers secretly consider him to be the protagonist of the show. So even if Clark & co. judge Lex as evil, maybe the audience isn't; maybe we're supposed to be thinking Superman is actually the wrong one...

A lot of the portrayal of Lex in this story is going to be based on my own theories about him, (I don't think he's the villain! At least not in the usual sense...) I've written a lot of ridiculously long essay on his character in SV, which you can read here, if you're interested!

[ficchica.livejournal.com]

Ooh I can't wait to see what happens next. Six hours? Cutting it a bit fine isn't he?

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

Yeah, he is...Clark was his very, very last resort!

[lapetite-kiki.livejournal.com]

Oh! Great start!

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

I hate you ...

[bonnysprite.livejournal.com]

... no really, I do. You've dragged me into another WIP, when I've managed to swear off WIPs through out my SV addiction!! Why do you have to be so darn addictive! :P

You suck.

Okay, now that my rant is over with ...

My heart aches. The ashes line ... god, Clark. I just wanted to hug him and Lex.

Please, please, assure me that the end will bring us Clex, otherwise I need to stop reading now. I'm a complete wimp, I can't see our Clex falling apart on screen and read it in fic too.

I read your analysis on Lex being the reluctant villain. I've not watched nearly enough SV to comment fairly but if this fic is inspired by that ... I very much hope both our reluctant parties do what they have to do then move on together.

Re: I hate you ...

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

I apologize deeply for the WiP thing. But you won't have too long to wait! I am really hoping to finish this before the new eps air...

Yes, this is very much based on all my recent Lex-nalysis (hence the need to finish before the new eps, because I'm not confident our theories are going to hold up through the season finale.)

And, while I really don't like to spoil my own stories...you don't have to stop reading. Really!

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

More to come soon, and thanks! ^_^

[withafireinside.livejournal.com]

You've made me very afraid. Can't wait to see what happens next. :)

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

More soon, hope you enjoy it! (your icon is terribly appropriate!)

[tasabian.livejournal.com]

Oh, no! *cuddles poor sick Lex*

What an exciting story; I'm on the edge of my chair! And hard as it is to salvage interesting Clex out of the morass of S6, once again you've managed it!

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

Eee, to be told so by the mistress of 6th season Clex - I'm honored! ^_^ Will try not to keep you balanced on your seat's edge for too long...

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

Thank you - will be posting more now! ^_^

[itsaslashything.livejournal.com]

This is amazing...easily one of the best new fics around! I can't wait for more!!

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

Glad you're enjoying it! The next part was just posted...

[aerynvala.livejournal.com]

oh...wow! I'm so freaking excited by this!

seriously. I love the characterization here. Has all the outer trappings of Season 6, but with a deeper thread running underneath that you're hinting at ever so well. *bounces*

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

Hee, glad you're enjoying it! Yeah, I'm trying to look under s6 and find what I love...it's still gotta be there, somewhere!

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

Thanks! (the next part is up, hope you enjoy it!)

[ender24]

dear hell, you brought me to hell!!!!!!!
I read this a couple of days ago at work, but didn't dare to comment *g*

god , how I wish, I mean, I am just on the trip of liking the idea of chloe/clark, and then you made me wish, I would hit chloe!!!!!!

I don't have a clue how you manage, but your dark fics don't make me go all desperate but rather so excited how it will play out, that I could even imagine to accept lex death!... theoretically *g*

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

Awww, sorry to spoil your Chlark-vibes! But...Clex! you cannot forsake the Clex! Where would that leave all of us, without your recs?!

Glad you're enjoying it, dark or not! (it's odd, I don't like reading darkfic so much...I just like writing it! ^^;)