Webs of Steel

Chapter 11; Matters of the Heart

Lois was safe. Mysterio was gone, for now at least, and he was finally back in his own body. It was a win. A small one, but still. Though Clark didn't feel like celebrating. After making sure everyone was taken care of, he had silently slipped out of the house, and across the path to his barn, or as he called it, his Fortress of Solitude. He flopped himself down on the couch, and stared up at the ceiling.

Hours passed, day faded into the night and vice versa, and by the time the sun came up, he wasn't entirely sure how long he had been there. But he didn't want to move. He wasn't ready to face anyone yet, and not even his growling stomach could get him to walk back into the house.

"Clark?"

He held his breath as he heard Martha calling his name from downstairs. Out of everyone on the farm, it was his mother that he wanted to avoid the most. If she saw him this way, she would only offer words that would make him feel better. Something he wasn't ready for just yet.

The smell of bacon assaulted his nostrils when she appeared at the top of the stairs and his stomach growled even louder, vibrating through his body. Martha sighed when she took note of him sprawled on the couch and sauntered over to him, waving the plate full of breakfast in his face.

"Clark, you've been up here for over a day… and you haven't eaten anything. I thought you would need this, so I brought you breakfast."

"Thanks, mom." He faked a smile. "But I'm not hungry."

"Come on, you need to eat something." She insisted, and Clark shook his head.

Though reluctant, Martha set the plate down on the table and sat down beside him. Clark glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, but remained silent. The bacon in front of him had his mouth watering, but he made no move for the food. He cast his eyes down at his hands, hoping that she would eventually leave him be and understand that he was in no mood for conversation.

"Everyone is getting worried about you."

"Everyone needs to mind their business!" He snapped.

"Clark!"

"Sorry." He muttered.

"What's going on?" She inquired.

"Nothing." He lied.

Martha smirked, having seen right through his lie. With no hesitation, she reached out and took his hand into her own.

"Peter mentioned something about a fight, and a fire at Luthorcorp?" She prompted.

"Just a regular day in Smallville, mom." He shrugged.

"I don't buy it, you- you're not acting like yourself."

"And how would you have guessed that?" He challenged.

"A mother knows her son, Clark. Even if that son has super powers."

"You are not my mother."

Martha's mouth opened in shock and Clark realized what he'd said. He shook his head frantically and pulled his hand from hers.

"I didn't mean it that way, I'm sorry." He panicked. "What I meant was that bringing me into your lives was stupid…"

"Clark-"

"Look at everything that has happened because of me. Everything I've put you through… you and dad."

"Yeah, and given the option to choose again, we wouldn't do it any differently." She bit back. "You are our son, blood has never made a difference to us. You came into our lives and granted our wish. A few bumps along the road is nothing."