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Good Night, Lois – Fairy Dust

I take a short break from carrying boxes and watch the fading light as dusk settles above the city. Tonight I have to tell Lois that I can't visit her anymore.

It's not fair to either of us.

I'm not really the ‘Lost Boy’ she believes I am. Keeping up that fantasy might make both our lives a little easier for now, but honestly, I‘d just be lying to both of us.

“Hey, Kent, stop staring, start working,” my boss bellows. “These boxes ain't gonna carry themselves upstairs.”

“Sorry, Sir.”

I pick up two boxes and get back to work. This job is a good start, a way to build up a life after spending the past three years on the run. Nobody is going to look twice at the guy who helped them move.

As I enter the house, I find the staircase blocked by a couple of men struggling with a sofa that didn't fit into the elevator. Gripping my boxes tighter, I try not to think about how much easier it'd be if I carried the monstrosity alone.

That would raise questions, though.

I take a deep breath and lean against the wall, waiting until the way up is clear.

I glance at my watch. Bed time for a five-year-old girl is approaching soon.

I need to tell her tonight or I'll lose my nerve.

Truth is, I don't want to say goodbye. For the first time in years I can be myself around someone, even if she's just a little girl. Seeing Lois each night, even if it's just from above,even if I don't talk to her, gives me a sense of belonging that I haven't felt in a long time, if ever.

It's almost as if I have been sent here to make her smile.

That's nonsense of course.

I am the sole survivor of a world that died years ago, light-years away. My single purpose in this world is staying alive. What for, I don't really know.

But I can't make her the reason to keep going. That's too much responsibility on the shoulders of a little girl.

I'll tell her tonight.

And then I will start studying for my GED, work hard to get a scholarship, go to college and make good use of the freedom my eighteenth birthday granted. I won't dwell on how said birthday also enlightened me on how little I actually belong here.

My birth parents sent me here to survive, but there has to be more to life than just making it to the next day.

***

Lois' head whips around as I tap on her window.

“Clark!” She almost stumbles over her own feet as she jumps out of the bed and rushes over. “I was hoping you'd come.”

“Lois.”

Seeing her, I can't help the smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. She's so vibrant, so full of life that the whole room – even though it already lies in darkness but for a tiny light on her bed stand – is aglow with her energy. Once more that incredible sense of belonging washes over me, the intoxicating feeling of being welcome.

I am not, I know that. It's not healthy to confuse my brief acquaintance with Lois for friendship.

“Are you going to tell me another story tonight?”

“Yes.” I let out a slow breath. “But this will be the last time. It's not okay for me to visit you when your parents don't even know about me.”

A frown appears on Lois’ forehead. “But I told Mommy and she said it was okay.”

I stare at her. “What?”

“It's ‘beg your pardon’, not ‘what,’” Lois corrects gently.

“You're right.” I cannot help but laugh.

Images of my Mom resurface unbidden, memories of happier times when she taught me those same manners. I push them aside, concentrating on the problem at hand. Did Lois really tell her mother about me?

I want to ask her, but she already continues, “I told Mommy that one of the ‘Lost Boys’ visited me and told me stories about Neverland. And she said, 'That's fine, sweetie.'”

She smiles at me and I don't know whether I should be worried or relieved.

I can't stifle a sigh. “I don't think your Mommy understood that I am real. She believes you made me up.”

“I didn't make you up.”

“Yeah.” How can I make her understand the problem? “But grown-ups don't believe in places like Neverland anymore. To your Mom, I’d just be a stranger. What did your Mom tell you about strangers?”

“That I shouldn't talk to them or go with them,” Lois replies automatically. Then she pauses and I can see realization dawn on her face. “Oh!”

“Do you think your Mommy would like it if someone she doesn't even know is in your room talking to you?”

Lois slowly shakes her head. Her lower lip quivers and her eyes fill with tears.

“But you're not a stranger,” she says thickly.

I want to reach out and pull Lois into an embrace. It's killing me to hurt her like this.

“To her, I am,” I say softly. “And you don't really know me, either.” Though better than anyone else, I suppose.

“That’s not true! I know you’re lonely, just like me. I need you, Clark. Don’t leave me all alone here. Mommy and Daddy argue every night. They don’t love each other anymore.” More tears fill Lois’ eyes and she sobs quietly. “I need you.”

The lump in my throat is so thick, I don’t think I can breathe. “But that doesn’t give me the right to visit you without their knowledge. It’s just wrong.”

Lois folds her arms in front of her chest. Even tiny as she is, I can see that one day she’s going to be a force to be reckoned with. I’d love to see her grow into that woman.

She sticks out her chin. “You’re my friend. Why would that be wrong?”

For so many reasons that I can’t even begin to explain what is wrong with my being here. She’s still so innocent in such a cruel world and needs to be protected of the dangers of life, which – unfortunately – is including me.

“Tell me, Clark. Why is this wrong?”

I hang my head, because I don’t really know an answer to that. On some level, it doesn’t feel wrong. I want to be her friend, I want to be there for her and dry her tears when nobody else does. I would never hurt her, so why is it wrong, indeed?

“It’s hard to explain,” I say roughly. “There are bad people out there, Lois.”

She frowns. “Are you one of them?”

I shake my head and give her a pained smile. “No, I’m not one of them. But there is no way for you or your parents to know that for sure.”

She reaches out and takes my hand. Her fingers are so small compared to mine.

“I know you’re not a bad person.” She blinks back the tears that still moisten her eyes and gives me a watery smile. “Please, promise that you’ll come back when I really need you, okay?”

I heave a sigh. I couldn’t say no if I wanted to, so I just nod. Oh, boy, I’m in trouble. “When you really need me, I’ll be there. And now, come on, I’ll tell you another story and then it’s time to say good night, Lois.”

Hastily she jumps up and slips back under the covers. The smile on her face is lighting the dark. I sit down on the edge of her bed, trying to think of something to tell her tonight.

“Clark?”

“Yeah?”

“Do you need fairy dust to fly?”

Happy Ficlet Friday.

This is the third installment in my new series. Hope you enjoy.

Please let me know what you think!

TOC

Awww, these two...
Clark has such a hard time. He's trying to do the right/responsible thing here...but as the situation is complex, he's pulled into two very different directions, and both have their "yes" and "no" to them.
And of course, Lois would not understand the complexity of it all yet. Both because she doesn't know the whole background of Clark but also like, she's five. She's not supposed to comprehend that kin of stuff. Plus, as said, child logic works...a little differently on these things. Ah, why are adults always need to be that complicated, right?
Well yeah. Both want/need each other (in a very platonic way obv.) so much but also, there are...obstacles of multiple kinds in the way.
Uuhh Clark...you realize that Lois will now just go every night saying "I really need you right now because..." and then list a number of reasons, right? (does she know about his hearing abilities yet? Hmm...)
Also, how long is it going to take until Lois gets into troub..I mean does something brave and needs to be sav...ah, assisted by a certain Lost Boy to get out of that?
Enjoyed this as per usual. Always looking forward to these on Fridays now.

I am done. This is such a sweet story. Bakasi, you cannot end it here. Clark is working hard to get his life on track. What happened to the Kents?

Ah, this is so heart-rending!

Aww, they are both a little bit lost in the world and searching for a safe space.

Little Lois is so sweet and a little sassy “it’s beg your pardon, not what.” Haha

It‘s the right thing to do, yeah. But, they need someone that sees them and listens to them.

Will Lois get more reckless now that she knows someone will be there for her if needed?

Hope that doesn't mean you're done reading. No, I think I have a fair idea what you're saying. But I have never seen this expression in the context.


Yeah, something like that might just happen.


That's what my own kids do so the time, correct us when we're breaking our own rules.


Perhaps later on? I doubt a five year old girl would be able to plan that far ahead. But teenage Lois? I can absolutely see that happening.

Thank you so so much for your feedback.

Thank you for continuing Ficlet Friday! Clark is doing the right thing but Lois doesn’t make it easy. I can see 5 year old Lois gently correcting Clark with “It's ‘beg your pardon’, not ‘what.”
My favorite line is “Do you need fairy dust to fly?” That’s funny! I love this series! It’s sweet!

Aww, so cute. And sad.

I can see Clark needing space to grow into what he wants to be without the emotional crutch. But my goodness, how life would have been different for Lois if she'd had a friend who was present and reliable!

Hi Barbara!

I’ll… ‘have’ time for one more.
And now I’m imaging him as a delivery guy. And Cat is probably imaging him as a UPC delivery guy, completely with shorts and short sleeves that show off his developed thighs and biceps.

What?

Lois is too young, and we need to substitute her somehow. It wouldn’t be LnC without a female protagonist being inappropriate over the male protagonist.

She’s not gonna take it well.

Hmm… this sounds a bit like Perry.

Oh.

Aaaaand we’re off to a rescue.

For future reference: when he gets a job as a henchman, he should refrain from referring to the female reporter in such terms. It might be detrimental to his health.

Given the …slight gap, after reading this, now I know how this works:


E.T.

Because he started to float? No, he already flys. So…?

Well, this depends. For instance, if you are a guest at Lex’s alpine spa…

Yes, it might…cause issues.





Which is why you shouldn’t let a drunk watch your child in the park.

Yes. Indeed!

They offer wine?

Yes, he’s a stranger-danger. You should gift him a green rock.

Yes. Also, poor guys!

In the middle ages, they often did marry off children to … elderly people.

So, wait about 13 years until she’s both of age and in mortal danger?

No, just a happy thought.

Still sweet. Still heartwrenching. Very nice Friday offerings!

Michael

This is so bittersweet, because I think she sees him better than he sees himself.

Love this action here, to mirror his mindset, since it feels like he's keeping a grip on a lot of things.

This is so heartbreaking.

Also so sad.

His yearning for a greater purpose here is so poignant.

I'm so interested in where you're taking this, since we know that they're cosmically linked, regardless of how Clark is (perhaps appropriately) fighting it.

Naturally.

This is such a great little moment.

His isolation is so crushing.

What a perfectly sweet end to this one!


I'm really enjoying this series! It's hard not to be charmed by it!