The Talon was quiet, save for the soft hum of the coffee machine. Dawn's light streamed through the windows, bathing the tables in golden hues. A few open boxes sat on the counter, filled with books, picture frames, and an old scarf.
Chloe pulled a chair with her foot and crouched before one of the boxes.
"You actually kept this? That purple-bordered picture frame… I thought it broke."
Lana smiled, stacking some old magazines nearby.
"I almost threw it out. But then I thought… maybe it still has a place here."
"It does. Everything here's still yours."
The scent of fresh coffee mingled with the woody aroma of the old floor. Chloe stood, dusting her hands. The two were alone. The café hadn't opened yet. No customers, no street noise—just them and the silence between sentences.
"You could've called."
"I know."
Chloe leaned against the counter. Arms crossed, but her face open. She tried to keep her tone light.
"It was weird, you know? One day you were here… the next, a text. That's it."
Lana closed one of the boxes. Her smile was subtle but genuine.
"Back then, I didn't know how to explain. Now, I don't think I need to."
Chloe didn't respond right away. She watched her friend fold a blouse, then tuck a notebook into the counter's side drawer.
"Was Paris really all that?"
"No. It was a fresh start. Not magical, not romantic… just necessary."
Chloe bit her lip, thinking. Then she stepped away from the wall and grabbed two mugs.
"Still take your coffee with milk and cinnamon?"
"Yup."
She poured for both, stirring quickly.
"I was worried about you. For real."
"I know. And I'm sorry for not saying anything. I just… didn't want anyone trying to stop me."
Chloe handed over the mug.
"I wouldn't have stopped you."
"Maybe. But I wasn't taking chances back then."
They sipped in silence for a few seconds. Thin wisps of steam curled between them.
"Meet someone there?"
"I did."
Chloe raised an eyebrow but didn't push.
"And he's here with you?"
"No."
"Your choice or his?"
"Mine."
Chloe nodded, leaving it at that. Lana lifted her eyes, studying her friend's face closely.
"You seem different too. Calmer. Or… more grounded."
"Maybe. Some things changed around here too."
"I bet."
Chloe hesitated for a second. The urge to mention Clark flickered but stayed unspoken—a shadow between words.
"I thought when you came back, you'd be mad at me. I don't know… for not chasing after you, or for not getting it."
"I thought you'd be mad at me."
"A little. But it passed."
"Good. I don't have room for grudges now."
She took a sip of coffee. The taste was the same. Cinnamon sharp on the tip of her tongue.
"You hiding something, Chloe?"
Chloe paused mid-motion. Her eyes met Lana's, steady.
"Maybe."
Lana didn't react. She sipped again, then set the mug on the counter.
"That's okay. I am too."
Chloe smiled, relieved.
"This version of you is kinda scary."
"No need for approval anymore, that's all."
"Paris did you good."
"Not Paris. Time alone."
They both laughed softly. Chloe ran a hand through her hair, visibly relaxing.
"The room's still yours. They moved some stuff, but nothing that can't be yours again."
"Thanks for keeping it."
"I didn't keep everything."
Lana caught the tone.
"I didn't take everything either."
The boxes remained open. A yellowed notebook sat atop one. Chloe glanced at it.
"You going back to school?"
"I'll try. But I've got other things to sort out first."
"Like?"
"My stuff."
The answer wasn't evasive. It was honest.
"You know you can trust me, right?"
"I do. But for now… I'd rather keep some things to myself."
Chloe nodded. Didn't press. She was oddly okay with it.
"You still like Smallville?"
"More than before."
"Even with the secrets?"
"Especially because of them."
The sun climbed higher. Light spilled through the glass, warming their fingers on the counter.
"Maybe we don't need to know everything about each other anymore."
"Maybe that's grown-up friendship."
"Or just less insecure."
They laughed. The coffee warmed their hands. The boxes waited to be unpacked. The tougher talks… could wait for another day.
Lana stood.
"Wanna fix up my room?"
"Let's do it."
They grabbed the boxes and climbed the stairs slowly, sharing the weight between their arms and a comfortable silence. Neither knew everything. But neither needed to anymore.
And for now, that was enough.
---
Clark's House
The smell of hot coffee filled the open kitchen. Sunlight streamed through wide windows, painting the floor in yellowed tones. Tina stirred a pan of scrambled eggs, the spoon occasionally clinking against the bottom.
"That's a good sound. Way better than last night's racket."
Clark came down the stairs, shirt half-open, hair still damp. He stopped by the fridge and grabbed an apple.
"With great power come long nights… and a bit of noise."
Tina rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her laugh.
Diana appeared behind him. Hair tied in a messy bun, dressed in workout clothes, face rested.
"Morning to those who barely slept."
Clark bit the apple slowly. Diana brushed a hand across his shoulder, then moved to the sink.
Kyla entered the living room with firm steps. Jacket tied around her waist, backpack slung over her shoulder.
"I'm ready."
Diana turned.
"For the caves?"
Kyla nodded.
"If we leave now, we'll catch the good light. Some inscriptions only show up with the right sun."
Tina plated the eggs.
"You should sleep more."
"I'll sleep later."
Clark leaned against the counter.
"There's time to eat."
Kyla hesitated. Dropped her backpack, sat at the table. Her eyes flicked to Diana, then Clark.
"You guys seem… different."
Diana poured coffee without comment, sitting beside Kyla.
"You seem calmer."
"Talking with Martha helped."
Clark pulled up a chair.
"And the night didn't hurt."
Kyla grabbed a slice of bread. Her gaze dropped to the mug.
"I bet."
Tina caught the exchange and cut through the mood.
"Clark, when are you going back to the caves with them?"
Clark rested his elbows on the table.
"You two are doing fine on your own."
Kyla looked up.
"But you've seen it all, haven't you?"
He shrugged.
"Almost."
Diana crossed her legs.
"He knows more than he lets on. That's clear."
Clark chuckled softly.
"If I spill everything, where's the fun in discovering it?"
Kyla didn't reply. She finished her bread.
Tina wiped the counter with a damp cloth.
"You get a kick out of this, don't you?"
"Better than boring everyone."
Diana reached for the last piece of toast.
"You want us to stay busy."
Clark took another bite of the apple.
"Smallville's not exactly the most happening place."
Kyla drained her coffee. Wiped her mouth with a napkin.
"I'm going to the caves today. Alone or with company."
Diana stood.
"I'm with you. I want to see what your grandfather mentioned in his reports."
Clark watched them. Then glanced out the window. The sky was clear. No interference.
'Jor-El still hasn't found the crystal.'
"Good luck, you two."
Tina perched on the sofa's armrest, a plate in her lap.
"If you find anything shiny, don't bring it inside."
Diana slung Kyla's backpack over her shoulder.
"Ready?"
Kyla nodded. Passed Clark without a word. Her look was direct. Heavy with meaning.
Diana winked at Tina and followed.
Tina waited for the door to close.
"You think she's jealous?"
Clark finished the apple, tossing the core into the trash with surgical precision.
"I think she's driven."
Tina stood.
"Drive's not the issue. Emotion is."
Clark crossed his arms. Stared at the spot where Kyla had stood.
"They'll handle it."
Tina smiled but didn't comment. She gathered the dishes.
Silence settled for a few seconds. Just the sound of the damp cloth on the counter.
Clark looked at the door.
'While they search… I wait.'
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