sinderella81 | Fic, Oceans Apart

Title: Oceans Apart
Author:

cinderella81
Pairing: Clex
Rating: G
Spoilers: None
Warnings: Um ... schmoop and possible crack
Word Count: 5,247
Summary: My Clexian take on Disney's 'The Little Mermaid'
Disclaimer: None of it is mine

Once upon a time, far under the ocean, there lay a small colony of merpeople. They were ruled by Jor-El and his wife Lara. They had a pleasant existence, and their greatest joy was their son, Kal. He was a delight, and everyone in the colony loved him. However, days came when Jor-El’s advisors came to him to tell him that their colony was dying. Jor-El did not believe his advisors until it was too late. There was no way to save everyone, so they saved the one they knew had the best chance, Kal. They sent Kal across the ocean, in his seashell bassinet, pulled by a pair of dolphins.

Kal was found by Jonathan and Martha Kent, the rulers of the colony Kent. Martha had been unable to conceive, so Kal came as a blessing. They named him Clark, and he was raised as the Prince of Kent. Clark grew up very curious of all that was around him, and him and his friend Pete the flounder would go swimming around the outer edges of the colony, searching for sunken ships that would give him insight into the human world.

One day, Clark and Pete were swimming through a particularly large sunken ship, finding artifacts, when they came upon a shark. Clark rushed, grabbed Pete, and swam as fast as he could to the surface. They surfaced near Whitney the sea gull’s rock.

“Clark, Pete, what can I do you for?” Whitney asked.

“I found something at the last ship, and I was hoping you would know what it is,” Clark said hopefully. Clark pulled a four-pronged piece of metal out from his pack, and passed it to Whitney. Whitney picked it up, and examined it.

“Why this is a great find!! It is one of the only human instruments that had two uses! Humans use it to fix their hair, and they would pick the prongs and make music. It’s called a dinglehopper!”

Clark’s eyes got wide. “Music? Oh crap! Mom and Dad are going to kill me. The concert was today.”

“Oh Clark man, this is no good!” Pete replied. They said a quick goodbye to Whitney and made their way to the castle.

* * *

“I just don’t understand how you could forget,” Martha said, looking sternly at Clark.

“I’m sorry Mom. I was down by this cool shipwreck, and then I had to save Pete from a shark, and then we were talking to Whitney –“ Clark immediately stopped and put his hands over his mouth.

“You went to the surface, didn’t you?” Jonathan asked angrily. “I have told you time and again that the surface is dangerous. You could have been seen or injured! I’m just worried about you, son.”

“I know, Dad. I just want to know what is up there,” Clark said softly.

“I am telling you that as long as you are living under my roof, you are going to live by my rules!” Jonathan yelled. He and Martha watched as Clark straightened his back and turned and swam away.

“Jonathan, I wish you would be a little gentler with him. He is still learning, and he just wants to know what it is like,” Martha said, placing a hand on Jonathan’s arm.

“I know, but I just worry about him.”

“You can’t coddle him forever Jonathan,” Martha said with a slow smile.

“She’s right,” said a voice from behind Jonathan.

“Lois, have you been listening the whole time?” Martha asked. The tiny crab crept timidly out of her hiding spot.

“Well, what do you think?” Jonathan asked.

“Well, he’s pretty much going to do whatever he wants. But it might be a good idea to have someone keep an eye on him, try to help keep him out of trouble.”

“You’re right Lois, and you’re just the one to do it! I don’t know where he’s going now, but I certainly want to! Your one concern from now on is Clark; where he’s going and who he’s talking to,” Jonathan said, while Martha sat beside him, shaking her head slightly. Lois looked shocked and then resigned. She didn’t want to lose favor with the King and Queen, so she nodded and set off to follow Clark and Pete.

* * *

Clark and Pete were on their way to Clark’s hiding spot for all of his secret treasures, with Lois following close behind. They didn’t even see her follow them into the entrance. When Lois saw the amount of objects that Clark had amassed from sunken ships, her jaw dropped. The grotto was completely full of objects of every size, shape, and color imaginable. Lois was about to step out and make herself known, but then Clark and Pete were distracted by a shadow passing over the top of the grotto.

Lois caught up with Pete as he followed Clark to the surface. When they reached the surface, they were met with a large ship, and Lois and Pete could see Clark already climbing the side, finding a spot so he could see the humans better.

Clark had quickly climbed the side of the ship and saw all the humans dancing and laughing. One human in particular caught his eye. He looked different from all the other humans. The moonlight shone on him, casting a gleam off his bald head. Clark was mesmerized by his beauty, the delicate scar on his lip, the graceful way he walked.

“Lex,” Clark watched a woman walk up to the human and pat him on the back.

“Yes Mercy.” The human, Lex, turned to the other human.

“Your father keeps bugging me. He wonders why you didn’t chose to marry Princess Helen of Metros or Prince Jason of Smalls,” Mercy said, walking over to him. “He also asked me to give you this present for your birthday. Trust me, this was not my idea.” She removed a cloth from a very large object, and Lex was stunned to see a large statue of himself. He looked at it, and laughed.

“I certainly hope you had no part in this, otherwise I would fire you,” Lex said with a large smile.

“Now back to your father,” Mercy started.

“You know what? My father can kiss my ass. He wants to know why I didn’t pick Princess Helen or Prince Jason; there was no spark. When it happens, it should just strike, like lightning.” They were startled when lightning suddenly struck just offside the starboard side. Pandemonium broke out. Sailors were moving in all directions, trying to keep the ship from sinking; but failing miserably. Lex was making sure that everyone got off the ship okay when lightning struck just behind him, propelling him off the ship and into the ocean.

Clark had been watching all of this from directly next to the ship, having jumped into the ocean when the first lightning bolt struck. He saw his chance. He dove, swimming as fast as possible to where he could see Lex sinking towards the bottom. He raced faster, reached Lex, and pulled him quickly towards shore.

* * *

When morning came, Lois and Pete finally found Clark. When they saw him, Pete grinned, and Lois’ jaw dropped. There was Clark, lying on shore next to the human, staring at him and stroking his cheek. They noticed Whitney flying around, and Clark motioned for him to come down.

“Whitney, tell me he’s still alive,” Clark implored. Whitney waddled down to Lex’s feet, picked one up, and placed he head against it.

“I can’t hear a heartbeat,” Whitney said sadly.

“No wait, look. He’s breathing. He’s so beautiful,” Clark said, and started to softly sing. Just as Lex’s eyes started to flutter open, Clark heard a voice and jumped into the ocean. He watched from a nearby rock as the woman named Mercy found Lex.

“Lex, are you okay? We thought we had lost you,” Mercy said, helping Lex to his feet.

“I thought I was lost. But, then someone rescued me, and he had the most beautiful voice,” Lex said, swaying slightly. Mercy caught a hold of him and helped him back to his castle.

“He remembers me,” Clark sighed and sunk back down into the ocean, not noticing the two serpents watching from afar.

* * *

Miles away from the colony of Kent, in a decrepit old cave, the Sea Witch Lana sat watching Clark as he mooned over the Prince. Adam and Ian had been watching Clark for several days now.

“Oh, this is too good. The child is in love with a human; and not just any human, but a prince! Daddy’s gonna love that. King Jonathan and Queen Martha’s son would be perfect as my new toy,” Lana said with a lascivious grin. “Keep a close eye on him boys,” she said with an evil grin.

* * *

Clark spent the next couple of days in a daze. He floated here and there, not really paying attention to anything or anyone. Jonathan was curious, but Martha just looked on with a knowing smile.

“Martha, what has gotten into that boy?” Jonathan asked of his wife.

“Isn’t it obvious? The boy is in love,” Martha replied with a grin.

“In love, but with whom? I have only seen him hanging out with Pete and Whitney, and it sure isn’t either of those two. Lois, who else has the young boy been seeing?” Jonathan asked of Lois. The crab crawled over to the King.

“Well, other than talking to Pete the only other thing he’s done is moon over this statue of this human that he has in this hidden grotto,” Lois quickly put a claw over her mouth, realizing that she had let the catfish out of the proverbial bag.

“What is this about a human?” Jonathan roared. Martha’s eyes saddened, and Lois realized that she had just done a great disservice to the young prince.

* * *

Clark sat with Pete in his hidden grotto, pulling petals off of a flower.

“He loves me, he loves me not, he loves me,” Clark finished and held the last petal close to his heart. He spun around a couple of times, humming to himself. When he stopped, he found himself face to face with his father. “Daddy,” he whispered.

“This is for your own good son,” Jonathan said softly. He took his trident in both hands, and Clark sat in shock as his father blasted every artifact in the room. He had remained silent, but when Jonathan aimed his trident at the statue of Lex, Clark sprang to action.

“Please Dad, no.” Clark placed his hand on his father’s arm but it was no use; Jonathan took aim at the statue and blasted it. Clark screamed as he watched the pieces of the statue fly. Jonathan swam forward and tried to put his hand on Clark’s shoulder, but Clark pulled away. “Just leave me alone,” he whispered. Jonathan left while Pete and Lois waited in the entryway.

Clark sat alone, crying softly. Unbeknownst to him, Adam and Ian had swum in and were suddenly swimming around him.

“Poor child,” Adam said.

“Yes, it’s too bad,” Ian said.

“Go away,” Clark whispered.

“If there was only some way we could help him,” Adam said softly.

“But there is a way,” Ian said. That got Clark’s attention. He looked up at the sea creatures.

“Tell me more,” Clark said.

“Lana the Sea Witch has great power,” Adam said knowingly.

Clark sat stunned. He had heard nasty things about the Sea Witch. However, if she was the only one who could help, then that was what he was going to do. He wasn’t going to lose his love. “I’ll do it,” he said with conviction. Adam and Ian shared a knowing grin and began to lead him to Lana’s lair.

* * *

As Clark followed Adam and Ian towards Lana’s lair, Pete and Lois caught up with him.

“And just where do you think you are going?” Lois asked.

“To see Lana,” Clark said, swimming with purpose.

“The sea witch? Are you insane?” Pete and Lois asked in unison.

“I’m going to find a way to be with Lex,” Clark said and swam faster, leaving Pete and Lois behind.

They made quick time and soon Clark was following Adam and Ian into Lana’s lair. They found her sitting in front of a mirror, applying a thick coat of lipstick. Clark stood there for a moment, staring as Adam and Ian traveled further into the cave.

“We mustn’t lurk in doorways, it’s rude,” Lana said, as her 6 tentacles helped move her across the floor. “King Jonathan and Queen Martha’s only son is in love with a human prince.”

“How did you - ?” Clark started.

“I have my ways. Now I understand that you would like to be with said prince. Here’s the deal,” she started. “I will turn you into a human for three days. Got that? Three days. You have to get dear old princey to fall in love with you; that is he’s got to kiss you. Not just any kiss; the kiss of True Love. If he does kiss you before the sunset on the third day, you’ll remain human permanently. If not, you’ll turn back into a merman, and you belong to me,” Lana said with a lascivious glare.

Clark gulped. “If I become human, I’ll never see my parents or friends again,” he said slowly.

“But you’ll have your man,” she replied with a throaty chuckle. “Life’s full of tough choices, innit? Oh, and there is one more thing; we haven’t discusses the subject of payment.”

“But I don’t have - ” Clark started.

“I’m not asking for much; just a token, maybe a trifle. You’ll never miss it. What I want from you is … your voice.” At this, Lois and Pete tried to make their opinions heard, but Adam and Ian quickly silenced them.

“But without my voice, how will I?” Clark started but got cut off by Lana yet again.

“You’ll have your looks, that gorgeous face. Besides, most men want someone who is seen more than heard,” Lana said with a sneer. Everyone watched Clark and saw the look of determination cross his face. He grabbed the quill and signed the contract without a second thought.

“Perfect,” Lana said with a sneer. She threw a bunch of items into a cauldron and began chanting. “Now, sing.” Clark opened his mouth and began to sing loud and clear. He watched as phantom hands moved towards him, reached down his throat, and pulled out his voice. He watched in awe as his voice made its way into the seashell necklace around Lana’s neck. He clutched his throat and was shocked as pain hit him full force. He watched as his fin split in two and legs appeared. He found himself suddenly unable to breathe, and Lana laughed as she watched him struggle. Lois and Pete immediately went to Clark’s aid and helped him to the surface where he made his way to shore.

Clark sat in the shallow water, pulled his knees to his chest and then looked in awe at the fact that he had knees. Pete was just about to comment when Whitney flew by, and perched himself on one of Clark’s knees. “Hey Clark … there’s something different about you isn’t there?” Clark just smiled. “Wait, I’ll get it. You changed your hair, right? I’m close; I know I am. If I just sit here a minute longer I know I’ll get it.”

“He’s got legs, you idiot!” Lois finally yelled at Whitney. “He traded his voice to the sea witch and got legs. Geez man!” Whitney finally took the time to look down at what he was perched on. “He’s got to get the prince to kiss him and he’s only got three days,” Lois said exasperated. They all watched as Clark stood and was trying to walk around on his new legs, but not succeeding. Clark finally made his way to a large rock on shore and rested against it. Whitney decided to grab a large sail on the other side of the rock and proceeded to drape in over Clark, in hopes of making him appear more attractive when the prince found him. Suddenly, they heard loud noises and scattered quickly. Clark watched as the human prince Lex and his companion Mercy made their way around the bend.

* * *

Lex had been morose ever since his rescue. He couldn’t make himself care about anything other than finding the gorgeous young man with the beautiful voice who had saved his life. Mercy had forced him out of the castle for a walk. He had protested loudly, but the second they rounded the bend, he stopped. Before him stood a Greek god with the face of an angel. He had an old sail wrapped around him in the fashion of a toga but it did nothing to detract from his beauty.

“Hello,” Lex said quietly to the young man sitting on the rock. The man replied with a soft smile. “You look familiar, have we met before?” The young man’s eyes widened and his nodded his head. “I knew it, we have met before. Tell me your name.” Lex was saddened as the young man tried to tell his name but no sound came out. The young man was mute. “Oh, I thought you were someone else.” The young man started making motions, as though he was trying to tell him something. He gestures started getting wider and more flamboyant until he tipped over. He would have fallen if Lex hadn’t been there to save him. “Wow, you must have gone through something traumatic. Let me take you back to my castle. You can stay with me until you recover.” Lex was so busy helping Clark that he missed the large grin Clark through over his shoulder at Lois, Pete, and Whitney.

Lex led him to the castle with Mercy in their wake. Lex led him upstairs, placed him in the capable hands of Chloe, one of the upstairs maids, and went downstairs to review some edicts his father wanted him to pass.

* * *

Chloe stood looking at the amazing piece of hunk standing before her and knew that her job would be easy. He really just needed a bath, some good clothes, and something done with his hair. She left him sitting there while she ran the bathwater. The prince had told her that the young man could understand words, just couldn’t speak, which made her job infinitely easier. She coerced him into the tub and got him clean from head to toe.

When he was dry and dressed in appropriate clothing, Chloe sat him in front of the vanity mirror in the bathroom. She grabbed a pair of scissors and began to cut and trim the young man’s hair; she could see curls just begging to be released. When she was done, she brushed the clippings from Clark’s shoulders, misted his hair, scrunched it to bring out the curl and then sent him on his way. She smiled to herself and knew that the prince would have a hard time resisting the picture she just created.

* * *

Lex was about to retire to the dining room for a late dinner when Mercy knocked on his study door.

“There is someone here who I believe would like to accompany you to dinner,” Mercy said and opened the door wider to allow Clark entrance.

Lex stared in awe at the young man who stood before him. Chloe had certainly done a good job. Dark brown boots, dark brown breeches with a pale blue linen shirt. Beautiful eyes and lips only accentuated by his head of dark curls. “I would be honored if you would accompany me to dinner,” Lex said with a soft smile. Clark rewarded him with a bright smile. Lex took Clark’s arm and they walked together to the dining room.

Dinner was an unusual affair because Clark grew excited at every little thing that was in front of him. He even took the fork and began to run it through his hair. When he saw the looks that Lex and Mercy gave him, his face turned red with embarrassment, and he immediately put the fork back down.

“Perhaps the young man would appreciate a tour of the town tomorrow,” Mercy said with a mischievous grin. Lex shot her a look but when he saw the glee on Clark’s face, his face softened.

“Of course I would. I’m sure he would love to see Luthor up close,” Lex said with a grin. The rest of the dinner continued uneventfully.

* * *

Clark and Lex spent a wonderful day touring the province of Luthor. They visited the town and walked the streets. Clark was fascinated with everything, and he pulled Lex this way and that, not knowing quite what he wanted to see first. Lex just laughed and let himself get pulled by the exuberant young man.

They ended the day by floating along in the lake near the castle. Lex was trying desperately to make conversation.

“Why don’t I try to guess your name,” Lex said. Clark nodded and put his face in his hands and his elbows on his knees. “Hmm … Larry? No, of course not. Bartholomew?” Clark grimaced. “I didn’t think so. What about Arthur?” Lois was sitting on the edge of the boat, exasperated. “Clark, his name is Clark,” she finally hissed in Lex’s ear. “Clark?” Lex asked. Clark sat up and smiled. “Well then, Clark,” Lex said with a smile as he took Clark’s hand in his. They found themselves floating into a quiet secluded lagoon. Lex and Clark edged closer and closer. Their lips were just about to touch when the boat tipped and they both went head first into the lake.

“Easy, easy; I’ve got you,” Lex said as he helped Clark to shore. They made their way silently back to the castle, each cursing their unstable boat that interrupted their kiss. Neither of them saw Adam and Ian slap fins in victory.

* * *

“That was close; too close.” Lana sat inside her cave, frustrated with the way things were proceeding. If Ian and Adam hadn’t been there, Clark and his prince would’ve kissed and her plans would be ruined. “He’s doing better than I thought. But he will be mine. I have been watching him for too long. I’ll see him writhe; I’ll see him wriggle like a worm on hook under my tentacles,” Lana said with a lusty laugh. She pulled ingredients off her shelves and threw them into the cauldron. As she pulled on the seashell necklace around her neck, she began to change. She took the shape of a man; tall, athletic, with short blonde hair and dark brown eyes. She began to chuckle and her voice changed from her grating laugh to one that was deeply masculine. She headed for shore and the province of Luthor.

* * *

Lex stood on the balcony of his castle, looking out to the sea, humming. He looked up to one of the windows and saw Clark standing there in a long blue nightshirt running a fork through his hair. Lex smiled and returned his gaze to the ocean.

“You know sir. I don’t know why you are spending all this energy looking for this mystery man, when there is a gorgeous man up there who loves and cares for you,” Mercy said, pointed up to Clark and then made her way back inside. Lex stared up at the window for a moment longer after she left, glanced back at the ocean and then began to walk toward the castle. He was three steps away from the railing when he heard the singing. He raced back to the rail and looked down at the sand.

Deep in the mists Lex could make out a shape walking along the sand. As the shape came closer, Lex could make out a tall male with bright blond hair. What entranced him was the voice coming from the man. It was the same voice as the man who has rescued him. He was so entranced by the voice, he didn’t even notice the golden mists that enveloped and hypnotized him.

* * *

Clark awoke early to the sounds of Whitney squawking. He rubbed his eyes and sat up in bed as the bird flew into the bedroom and landed on the edge of the bed. “Well congratulations, we did it!” Whitney yelled as he bounced along the edge of the bed. Clark looked confused for a moment and then realization dawned. He jumped out of bed and began to run out of him room and down the stairs, headed straight for Lex.

He stopped short when he saw Mercy and Lex standing with a strange man. “But this is all so sudden,” Mercy said.

“We want to be married as soon as possible. Tonight, before sunset,” Lex said in a monotone voice. Clark burst into silent tears and ran back for his room missing the victorious look in the blond’s eyes as he watched Clark run away.

* * *

Clark sat silently crying on the dock as he, Lois, and Pete watched the wedding ship sail away. He had lost his chance and now he would belong to Lana once the sun set. He took a long look at the ship before the tears started again. He was interrupted when Whitney came flying by and plopped in the dock by Lois.

“I was flying … I was flying and I saw the ship … And I saw the man in the mirror … but it was the witch … and she was singing with a stolen set of pipes!” At Lois’ confused look, Whitney picked her up and yelled in her face. “Do you hear what I’m telling you? The prince is marrying the sea witch in disguise!”

Clark looked in shock at Whitney and then at the ship. He stood up and dove into the ocean, where he immediately began to sputter and flounder. Lois thought fast and clipped the rope holding a load of empty barrels, causing them to roll into the ocean. Clark caught hold of the barrel with the rope and Pete swam through the loop in the rope and began to pull Clark towards the ship. Lois jumped on Clark’s back. “Whitney, get everyone to help. We must stop that wedding!” As Lois, Pete, and Clark made their way slowly to the ship, Whitney began flying around squawking loudly, calling out to all of his sea friends engaging them in his plan to stop the wedding.

* * *

On the ship Lana in disguise was making her way down the aisle towards the front of the ship where Lex stood with the priest. As she progressed down the aisle she heard a dull roar. The closer she got to the prince the louder the roar got. Suddenly she was beset upon by every sea creature imaginable. Starfish plastered themselves to her male frame and a large one plastered itself across her mouth. Dolphins shot water at her, a seal bounced her male form around like a ball, and a large sea gull screamed in her ear. She wrapped her hands around the gull’s neck and was in the process of cursing him out, not noticing that the gull’s feet had wrapped themselves around the seashell necklace around her neck. Whitney managed to break the chain and fling the necklace. Just as the seashell broke Clark made his way up the side of the ship and onto the deck. Everyone watched as a mist carrying a deep tenor voice made its way from the shell into the Clark’s throat.

The spell was broken. Lex shook himself and noticed the mist carrying the voice from the broken shell. The mist made its way to Clark and Lex suddenly heard the magnificent voice coming from Clark.

“Clark?” Lex asked walking towards him. “Lex, no!” Lana cried, and then slapped a hand over her mouth when she realized that she was speaking in her own voice from the male body.

“Lex, oh Lex I tried to tell you … “ Clark’s voice trailed off as the sun set and he grimaced in pain. Lex suddenly found himself looking at a merman.

“You’re too late!” Lana cried in triumph. The male façade ripped away, and Lex found himself looking at the sea witch. Lana raced across the ship, wrapped her tentacles around Clark, and whisked him into the ocean. Lex took off his coat and shoes, made sure his sword was within easy reach, and dove in after them.

* * *

Clark found himself chained to Lana’s large seashell bed with the sea witch herself running her tentacles along his chest. “Do you know how long I have wanted this? The King and Queen banished me here, and I have been waiting for just the right thing to get back at them. You coming to me was just perfect timing. And now that I have you, just what am I going to do with you?”

“Let me go!” Clark yelled, straining against the chains.

“Now why would I want to do that? Ian! Adam!” Lana called. When they didn’t come promptly, she went in search of them and found them dead at the edge of the entrance. Before she even had a chance to react, she found herself staring at a sword stuck through her chest. She collapsed on the ground, and Lex raced past her to free Clark. He was fast running out of air. He managed to free Clark but ran out of air and went limp. Clark raced towards him and quickly took him to shore. Once he was sure that Lex was breathing, he sank back into the sea and left Lex to be found by Mercy.

* * *

The next morning found Lex still lying on shore and Clark sitting on a nearby rock, watching. Jonathan and Martha sat watching him from afar, contemplating their choices. “I think, husband, that it is time to let our son go,” Martha said laying her hand on her husbands arm.

“He really is growing up, isn’t he?” Jonathan asked. Martha nodded with a small smile. “Then there is just one thing left to do.” With those words, he lowered his trident to the water and watched as a golden glow surrounded his son.

Clark, who had been forlornly watching his love from the rock, was surprised to see a glow inhabit his lower body. Surprise turned to joy when he saw what his father was gifting him with. He turned to smile at his mother and father before sliding off the rock and making his way to shore.

Lex slowly awoke to find himself on shore and definitely not dead. When he sat up, he saw a form coming out of the water. He was ecstatic to see Clark coming out of the water, bare-chested and barefoot in his dark brown breeches. Clark ran for him and immediately pulled Lex into his arms and placed a soft kiss on his lips.

They were married that day, and they lived happily ever after.