Star-Crossed Lovers

Chapter 3: Losing You (Is A Losing Game)

🔹Summary: Post "Requiem"; Oliver should know better than to do this, especially with his big secret hanging over both their heads, but he can't say no to Clark.
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Oliver had always wondered how it'd feel crossing the line, the one where he intentionally ended someone's life. He couldn't anticipate the nightmares, the regret, even the all-consuming guilt.

But the worst part was he was such a poor actor that Clark had realized something was wrong and seemed to actively be trying to cheer him up, ignoring his own heartbreak to find time to check up on Oliver, all the while making Oliver feel like the worst person in the world.

He should've pushed Clark away, but he liked having Clark around. He liked Clark too much, in ways he never let himself examine in the past. It'd end terribly, because if Clark found out (and he would find out, a tiny voice in his head reminded him), he'd never forgive him.

Yet when Clark showed up to his office late that evening, Oliver welcomed him in as always.

"Miss me already?" Oliver quipped.

"Something like that," Clark replied. "I just stopped by to see if you have had dinner yet."

"No one quite worries about me like you do," Oliver teased. "Does everyone get the mother hen treatment or am I just special?"

"No comment," Clark retorted, grinning. "Am I interrupting anything?"

"No, I was done for the day," Oliver admitted. "You know you don't have to worry about me, right?"

"I know," Clark responded. "I am here because I want to be here."

That made him feel worse. No way in hell did Oliver deserve that kind of consideration. Swallowing the sudden lump in his throat, he nodded, unable to speak.

"But I don't want to overcrowd you either." Clark said, misunderstanding his silence.

"You're not," Oliver replied immediately. "I want you here too."

Clark's smile widened. "Good."

"Good," Oliver echoed. "So ... dinner?"

"There's a new Mediterranean restaurant down the block," Clark explained. "Maybe we could go check it out?"

"I heard it was a hot spot for couples." Oliver said wickedly, tilting his head and offering a flirty smile. To his surprise, a blush formed on the other man's cheeks.

"Not like they'll check at the door." Clark pointed out.

"So you're not asking me out then?" Oliver joked, pushing down the disappointment he didn't have a right to have.

Clark hesitated and then straightened, meeting his gaze. "And if I was?"

Oliver grew serious. "I was just messing with you, Clark."

"I'm not," Clark countered. Closing the distance, he took one of Oliver's hands, the feeling sending sparks up and down Ollie's arms. "I'm going to ask you again: if I was, what would you say?"

There were a million reasons to say no, but Oliver couldn't be the martyr, couldn't stop himself from being selfish. Opening his mouth, he let his heart answer.

"Yes."

And later that night, when Clark kissed him, it was all Oliver could do to hope that when the truth came out, he wouldn't lose everything.

While fearing that was exactly what was going to happen.