[He lets out a soft 'oh' but he doesn't really look surprised. Kids grow, kids learn and kids go away but Clark has always had a hard time accepting that.]
I guess you're right, I should have realized that earlier. You'll still come visit us, right?
[There's a pause where she appears torn, then she flashes a smile as if she has made up her mind.]
Of course! Really I'll just be making you do more of the cooking for me instead of having to do it myself. And you can like, tell me if you're making something awesome in lessons and I'll totally come learn that too.
[Her voice is enthusiastic, but with a hint of detachment that someone like Clark could recognize. It's a part of her facade, though whether there's sincerity behind it or not is difficult to tell.]
[He does recognize she's forcing herself to be that cheerful about it, but he doesn't really understand why. Did he make her feel guilty with his reaction? He doubts it, and even if he had he doubts Hayley would be the kind of person to force herself into social situations out of misplaced guilt.]
To be honest I'm hardly a chef, so you've already learned most of what I could teach you. Now you only have to practice it.
If Ma were here she'd have a lot more recipes for you but alas.
[He fishes for the right words, the best way to say what happened to her. Eventually he realizes there isn't.] You died. You got murdered, and you have been trying to make peace with that these past weeks.
I understand that, as much as anyone who hasn't gone through it can. Take your time, just- don't fake, with me? You really don't have to.
[She frowns. Of course she has to fake with him. She's half-faking right now. Hayley doesn't know how not to fake. Instead of admitting it quite so plainly, she feigns an embarrassed and weak smile.]
I know. And it's alright- if you can't, I mean. Some people just don't like letting other people know what they are thinking and I am not going to take it personally.
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But would you mind if Bean joined us in one of our cooking lessons? The kid is even younger than you are, and he's alone.
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Oh. No. That's.. totally fine.
[She drops her hand and glances off screen, then looks back to Clark again.]
I, uh.. meant to talk to you about that? I think I pretty much understand how to cook now, so.. I don't know if I really need to keep taking lessons.
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I guess you're right, I should have realized that earlier. You'll still come visit us, right?
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Of course! Really I'll just be making you do more of the cooking for me instead of having to do it myself. And you can like, tell me if you're making something awesome in lessons and I'll totally come learn that too.
[Her voice is enthusiastic, but with a hint of detachment that someone like Clark could recognize. It's a part of her facade, though whether there's sincerity behind it or not is difficult to tell.]
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To be honest I'm hardly a chef, so you've already learned most of what I could teach you. Now you only have to practice it.
If Ma were here she'd have a lot more recipes for you but alas.
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Thanks! You did way more than most people would have. Maybe I'll just have to cook dinner for you two soon, to make up for it.
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Is everything alright?
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Yeah, it's okay. Well, as okay as it gets with the whole.. [Murder thing.] everything.
[There's a pause, then she play frowns, realizing she should explain.] I know things with me aren't really.. easy, but I'm trying, Clark.
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[He fishes for the right words, the best way to say what happened to her. Eventually he realizes there isn't.] You died. You got murdered, and you have been trying to make peace with that these past weeks.
I understand that, as much as anyone who hasn't gone through it can. Take your time, just- don't fake, with me? You really don't have to.
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I'll try not to, but I don't know if I can.
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But just know you really don't have to.
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[Her voice conveys the skepticism she feels, but it's friendly instead of entirely dismissive.]