Clark had run off so fast Lex couldn’t tell which way he had gone.
Lex wanted more than anything in the world to go after his friend and make things better, but he didn’t. He was left contemplating their conversation, their whole friendship even. Were they still somehow tiptoeing around each other after three years? He didn’t want to believe that.
Chloe was right. There definitely was something going on with Clark, something of monumental proportions. As the guy’s best friend, Lex should have seen it sooner. Except he had been wrapped up in work, and had assumed Clark would seek him out when he wasn’t so busy with school.
If this was just a new power Clark had acquired, why was he being so… different? Clark had been accepting his abilities, liking them even, testing their limits for a good while now.
The last new thing Clark had talked to him about was the coming and going of super hearing the year before. Clark had been relieved to have someone else to talk to and bounce theories off of; they even ran unscientific tests and had fun with it. It was the only thing to do. Lex was grateful he had learned to curb his curiosity. It was then, and only then that he was really let into Clark’s world.
It was frustrating to think their carefully constructed friendship wasn’t as solid as he thought.
For Lex, there had always been the lust and the want that was so deep he would often sit on his hands not to do anything inappropriate. But, he had also grappled with rage and bitterness and anger when he knew Clark was consistently lying to him. He had practically gone insane thinking of ways to get Clark to admit to him what he was hiding.
Made plans.
Looking back he knew a lot of those plans weren’t just potentially dangerous. If he had been wrong about his friend he could have killed several people. Luckily, just when he was about to snap, Clark had come in. The younger man had been oblivious to Lex’s turmoil, but had spilled the beans nonetheless. .
That had somehow sobered Lex, put his feet back on the ground.
At first, he was afraid his scientific nature would take over and he would see his friend differently, as a project. But he didn’t, perhaps this was a testament to how deep his feeling really were. He kept right on lusting and loving, but all the feelings of betrayal and jealousy and hate were gone.
He wasn’t mad this time, but sad Clark was going through something he didn’t feel like he could share. Still, Lex was different now. His world had shifted on its axis the day before and he wasn’t sure where that left him with Clark. He himself had just lied about whom he was with… Was this the end of them?
He tried to put everything together.
Chloe said Clark was unusually distracted these last few weeks…
He seemed strange, like he had a mission.
Their conversation had been surreal, uncomfortable.
Lex worried that he was missing something important. He hoped Clark would be back... just not that weekend.
Maybe it wasn’t that bad that Clark was so distracted after all, who knows how he would react to the news. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Chloe was smiling, and squealing like she was talking to her best girlfriend when Lex pulled up to the door.
“I know; can you believe it?”
“No, he said he hoped this edition was as good as the last.”
Her smile dropped and her voice fell an octave.
“Lana Lang, I guess. It looks like that’s where we’re headed. No! I have no idea why anyone would want to name her valedictorian… Except for Clark, because he could ogle her basking in the spotlight for the length of her horrible speech, then buy the video tape the school is making.”
“No, seriously Dad, I really don’t care if they pick me or not, I just have these underlining anti-Lana feelings. I guess it’s a habit.”
“Okay.”
“Okay.”
She saw Lex at the door.
“Do you want to talk to him?” She asked, getting closer to Lex and grinning at him. “Yes, he’s right here. Looks like a deer caught in headlights…”
“Yes, of course he can hear me, Dad.”
“Okay, I’ll tell him.” She winked at Lex and walked to the sofa to fiddle with her bag. “See you Monday. And don’t mind the mess at home okay? I haven’t had time to do any cleaning.”
“Dad, I haven’t felt the ulcer in like, 7 months!” She blushed, turned away from Lex and lowered her voice to a whisper. “Fine, 4 months, if you want to get technical.”
“Fine, I promise, no coffee, no tea, no Jolt Cola or any other caffeinated soft drinks.”
“No! That’s where I draw the line! I’m allowed chocolate.”
“Okay, by.”
Lex and Chloe stared at each other for a while. She looked slightly embarrassed and he looked preoccupied.
“My dad says thank you for granting me that interview,” she explained.
“Clark came by.”
“Oh, right,” she said, embarrassed. “Look Lex, I better go-”
“No Chloe, he’s gone.”
“Still, who are we kidding? This is crazy.” She stated, uneasy that her rational mind had taken over.
“Stay,” Lex continued: “Come to bed Chloe. Stay with me.”
Chloe didn’t want to leave. She wasn’t going to protest, but she stood there with her bag nonetheless.
Lex advanced slowly and started to undo her top, very, very slowly.
Her bag was dropped unceremoniously.
He undressed the blonde reverently, picked her up effortlessly and carried her to the bed. He let his open shirt fall to the floor, and then divested himself of his pants. The lights were dimmed and Lex slipped into bed with Chloe. He spooned up behind her comfortably,
He trailed butterfly kisses up and down her delicate neck.
“Lex?” She asked.
“Mmm.”
“Realistically,” she hesitated.
“Fuck reality.”
“No, hear me out. Realistically, how much time do you think we have?” She asked, waiting for an answer. Not getting one, she continued: “I’m serious Lex; you have businesses to run, you’re on the city council… I have high school and I am going to be immersed in finding out exactly what I’m up against and making myself better. That has to be my focus. I have to try, even if I find out my chances are low. ”
“Don’t say that.”
“And Clark. How can we be together if we-”
“If we what?”
“Love him.”
“Two different and entirely separate things.”
“Really?”
“I can deal if you can.”
“I don’t know.”
Lex took his throbbing erection and pushed it inside her; started to rock.
“You would give this up; give us up? Come on, we’re great together,” he whispered in her ear, nibbling on the delicate lobe.
“No. Forget it. I was temporarily insane,” she breathed deeply, his scent enveloping her. She closed her eyes.
As his arms tightened around her, she heard: “You’re mine now.”
She laughed, but acquiesced. “I am.”
“Not even Clark can come between us,” he promised. “I guarantee it, baby. From here on out, it’s going to be Lex and Chloe. Together.”
“That sounds good.”
And suddenly the conversation was put on hold when Lex hit a particularly hot spot. They moaned their way into deep sleep.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
It was the same nightmare she had been having sporadically since her fall. Always repeating slightly differently. Variations on a theme.
She screamed for Clark. She was falling, falling, falling. It was so cold. She saw Clark. She heard the ground crack beneath her. Blinding pain.
She was pushed out the window head first, and she was falling, falling, falling, and the ground was getting closer… then crack, and a pool of blood.
She was hanging on the railing. She saw the robbers. She saw Clark running towards her. She was falling, falling, falling. Her head bounced off the ground. A cracking noise. Blinding pain.
She was hanging on the railing. Her hands hurt. She prayed to all the Gods above not to let her fall. She saw Clark running towards her. She screamed for him. Her fingers gave way. And she was falling, falling, falling.
Such blinding pain when she hit the ground that she felt herself lift up over her body. And there she was, terrified, floating above herself. Clark was next to her in the blink of an eye. Checking for injuries, talking to her. Lex joined Clark minutes later, with the news that the paramedics were on their way, and that his Metropolis doctors were on their way as well. Clark put his ear over her heart. He looked satisfied with what he heard. Still he looked as broken as her arm did.
“My fault.” He whispered.
“Mine.” Lex replied staring at them from afar.
“Chloe. Chloe. Come on; wake up. It’s me, Lex. Come on, wake up Chloe, you’re having a nightmare.”
“Lex,” she said, still half asleep. “Lex!” She panicked, hoping she hadn’t imagined the last few days.
She fell into waiting arms when she bolted upright in bed.
He hugged her until her heart stopped racing a few minutes later.
“I’m sorry.” She finally said, rubbing her eyes.
“For what?”
“Freaking.”
“It’s perfectly understandable. Would it help to go see the window?”
After getting some clothes on, they were there, in front of it.
“I don’t really remember it this way.” She leaned against the glass to look down. I don’t think I ever got the chance to look down… I’m glad.” She shuddered.
“You know these windows are all sealed shut now, and *knock* shatter proof glass.”
“You didn’t have to do that.” She stated, absentmindedly, willing herself to look at it like it hadn’t been her fearing for her life that night. It was hard to, looking out at the dark sky… Had it been nighttime when she had taken that plunge?
“Well, with everything that’s happened since I moved here, I figured it was the sensible thing to do.”
“Sensible.” Her head popped up, and she turned to face him. It was a hard thing to do, to turn away from that window. But she did.
“Not a word you’d associate with me, huh?”
“No. But that’s okay.”
“Let’s go back to bed.” He took her hand, and dragged her a few steps.
She looked back once, then knocked on the glass. She took a breath, then asked: “Do you have Quik? I want hot chocolate.”
“In the kitchen.”
They only went back to sleep after feasting on some toast and hot chocolate...
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
RING RING
Lex was still in pajamas. It was deplorable really, considering it was mid afternoon.
Chloe had made him a breakfast to rival all breakfasts and helped him tidy up the various messes they had made in the house. He liked that she wasn’t surprised he knew how to make a bed.
He had worked for several hours after she left and had decided to suck it up and call Clark.
“Yes, hello Mrs. Kent. Martha. Yes, it is, is Clark home? Thank you.”
“Hello.”
“It’s Lex.”
“I’m sorry.”
“No. I’m sorry. Can you come over?”
“...”
“Clark?” Lex asked, waiting.
“Clark?” he repeated.
“Clark?” A third time, for good mesure.
“I’m here.”
Lex hung up the phone and motioned for Clark to sit down on the couch.
“Before we start, I’d like to talk about yesterday. It was totally wrong of me to say what I said. It was the wrong timing for both of us and it was careless of me.”
“Don’t say that Lex. Everything happens for a reason. I should be apologizing to you again, for spying.”
< Did you like what you saw? > he couldn’t help thinking. “You’re a teenager Clark. I remember what it was like. You would have to have been superhuman to have turned away.”
“I am sort of superhuman, Lex,” Clark said, smiling.
“Still, you aren’t made of steel… So, how are you?”
“Good, considering.”
“Considering what?”
“God Lex, it’s just so weird.”
“This is you Clark. You may be normal, but most of the things that happen to you are anything but.”
“I don’t understand. I’m going crazy. I thought this would go away when I got the tablet.”
“What do you mean?”
“There’s this buzzing in my head. It doesn’t stop. I haven’t had any rest at all for at least a week.”
“What do you mean, buzzing? Is it a signal?”
“If it is I can’t pinpoint where it’s coming from.”
“And what does this have to do with the tablet?”
“Well, at first it felt like it was coming from there, but now I’m not so sure. I feel like I’m missing something. A crystal.”
“Okay.”
“I told you it wouldn’t make any sense.”
“So, have you looked for it?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Because after that I have to leave.”
“What do you mean leave?” He questioned, a sinking feeling taking over.
“I mean, I have to go away, and I don’t think it’ll be a short trip.”
“Where are you going?”
“Not in space or anything, if that’s what you’re afraid of. I’m thinking of going north. Somewhere I can have some privacy.”
“You can have some privacy here. I’ll give you a whole floor.”
“Thanks. But that wouldn’t work.”
“So, you’re going to go.”
“Soon. I can’t take this much longer, I’m trying to hold off until graduation,” he explained, getting up to pace. “It’s just my parents need me; we don’t have the money for farmhands, and Chloe and Pete are going to college, and you…” He stopped his movement, staring into Lex’s face.
“Me?”
“Come on Lex, you’re my best friend. I don’t want to leave you,” explained the raven-haired boy, a little clumsily.
“Clark,” he said, heart racing. “Life goes on. As long as I’m alive we’ll be friends.”
And Clark pulled Lex up into a hug that lasted a lot longer than it should have. They’d had their share of those before, but there was a certain openness about this one that was new.
Lex noticed Clark smelled him, and his hands moved up and down his back. They pressed their foreheads together and looked into each other’s eyes.
They laughed at what they both looked like from that close.
“You should probably go Clark. Your parents might worry.”
“Okay,” acquiesced the younger man, running his hand over Lex’s head for the first time. His hand came down to the man’s cheek, and his thumb stroked it.
Lex could feel what Clark was thinking. Could practically hear it is in head.
< I wonder what it would be like? I could touch him right now. I can feel his blood rushing, his eyes change and his penis hard as rock, like mine. I could kiss him. >
He wasn’t sure if he was imagining Clark thinking that, or if he was really, but just in case: Lex slowly stepped back.
“See you later Clark. Don’t leave without telling me.”
“I wouldn’t.”
“You know I love you right?” he said for the very first time, his voice cracking. It felt like goodbye and at that moment he was gripped with unearthly fear that he would never see Clark again. The man who had been the focus of his existence since he had crashed into him with his car. He hoped he would get another goodbye.
“I know, Lex.”
He had heard, but had not seen the man leave. It was still impressive after all this time.
He shook his head and made a grunting noise, trying to get his composure back. He would have to deal with this later. He picked up the phone.
“Alfred, it’s me. Thanks… Bruce? Lex-”
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
It was Sunday afternoon, a gorgeous day by all accounts. It felt like summer. She had made the best breakfast ever at Lex’s and she feared she would never be hungry again. Still, having decided to stay with him until Monday, she needed clean clothes and schoolbooks, so she had gone home. She had resisted getting on the computer, scared she would get too wrapped up or upset to go back to Lex’s. This was their time. Their weekend, and it is a time she would never forget as long as she lived. The research would have to wait till Monday.
Neither Pete nor Clark had called, she noticed, not sure if it was god or bad. It felt bizarre to be in her house in the light of day after everything that’s happened.
She finished packing her bags and called a taxi, knowing she was in for a long wait, she opened her treasure chest and pulled out her mother’s very last diary. She had read them all, but had never let herself get to this one.
She read different passages as she turned the pages, but halted at the first entry from Smallville.
Smallville, April 1996
So here I am, in the town I was born in. It’s amazing how comfortable I feel here. I really thought I was home in Metropolis but now I’m not so sure. Chloe is finishing up her school year and Gabe is watching her. It feels strange to leave them, because like every mother, we fear the house will burn down if we aren’t there. (I’m sure in some cases it’s true). Anyway, Gabe isn’t that bad. The other day, he did a load of laundry! Now all our whites are pink but he’s one of the few men I know who can wear pink si it isn’t a complete disaster.
My yearly pap smear was VERY ABNORMAL. I had a biopsy soon after and they’ve detected some cervical cancer. I’m lucky they caught it early. Gabe was nice enough to give me some time off so I decided there’s no place I’d rather be than here. I called my old OB-GYN, the one that delivered Chloe, and although at first he insisted I would get better care elsewhere, he agreed to do the procedure. They’re going to scrape it off. Ewww. I know. Hopefully that will get all of it. If it doesn’t, I will need a different kind of biopsy, then maybe some surgery, but I’ll be fine. Feels odd to hear the word CANCER though. CANCER. Woo. Scary.
I have a standing phone date with Chloe at 9 every day we’re apart. It’s fun, but I miss her so. I hope Gabe will agree to spend the summer in Smallville with Chloe and I-
Chloe closed the book when the taxi honked loudly. She put the diary in with her clothes and closed up the house.
Chloe was ready to head back to the mansion, and stay awake all night. She didn’t want her time with Lex to end.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
“See you soon, Batman.”
“Yeah, I’ll stop calling you that when you stop calling me Lexie.”
“Okay, Ciao… Batman.”
Lex hung up the phone, smiling. He sighed, thinking of his college days..
He didn’t have time to completely turn around when an épée appeared at his throat.
“I could have been anyone,” smirked the man.
“To what do I owe this intrusion?” he said, keeping his composure. Still, he had a blade at his throat, and although the tip was blunted, the body was not.
“Really Lex, sending all your employees home? You didn’t really think that would get by me, did you?”
“I’ve been at full staff for three weeks straight. I figured they’d work better of they had time off. What do I care if they’re here or not? I was in Gotham,” Lex explained, pushing the blade away.
“I’m sure.”
“Unfortunately for you, I came home early. What are you really looking for here, dad?”
Lionel moved back and tossed Lex the other épée. He bowed his head mockingly, to signal the beginning of combat.
“So how’s that crack pot Wayne doing? I trust it was him on the phone.”
Lex adjusted to the weight of the sword. This one was heavier then the foil he practiced with.
“His name is Bruce. And just because he’s managed to cut you out of his city all together doesn’t mean he’s a crack-pot… At least not business-wise.”
His father advanced on him and tapped their blades together a few times.
“Now, now son. Don’t hold back.”
Lex put down the lean sword for a moment to don the pajama top he had tossed on the desk earlier. He felt vulnerable in his silk bottoms and flimsy shirt, but he didn’t want his father seeing that.
“We’re not dressed for this.” He stated, hoping for a reprieve.
The dance started, each taking steps towards and away from each other.
“You’re not dressed for anything, really. I hope you weren’t expecting company.”
CLANG, CLANG, SWOOP.
“Actually, I was changing to meet someone.”
BANG, TURN, SWOOP, CLANG.
“You’re meeting that boy again, aren’t you Lex?” Said the older Luthor smugly. He blocked a few over-head.
“What concern is it of yours who I meet, father?”
“It concerns me that my only son stays in a town he hates just to play footsie with an underage boy. It’s gone on long enough Lex, I want you back in Metropolis where you belong.” And around the desk they went, pushing things in and out of each other’s way.
“Or what?”
Lex cursed himself more when he noticed his erratic breathing, and caught his father on the left side, cutting his jacket sleeve. Lionel just smiled.
“You know Metropolis laws don’t apply here. –CLANG- I could have you arrested; thus ending your *budding* political career.”
“Can I hear that again without the disdain?”
“City Council, Lex? You couldn’t have found a better hobby?”
“So what do you think you have on me this time?”
Lex climbed on the couch and jumped off the other side.
“Guess.”
“You know I’ve been as clean as a catholic alter boy. What could you possibly have me arrested for?”
“Fucking the Kent boy.” Said the father, hoping to get a rise out of him.
“You have no proof,” Lex stated, unfazed… albeit, a little sweaty.
CLANG, SWOOSH, duck, CLANG.
“Don’t be so sure.”
CLANG.
“Who says I’m fucking him?” Lex asked, trying to get out of a potentially dangerous corner.
“Well, son, if you’re not, you’re loosing your touch.” Smirk. CLANG. “And you should probably explain to me why you insist on staying around.”
“I like it here.” Said the bald man, making a move.
“Liar.” Hissed Lionel; catching Lex off guard, cutting his shirt and upper arm.
After checking the wound wasn’t deep, Lex fought with renewed strength. “Think whatever you want.”
“So nice of you to give me permission.”
CLANG, CLANG, CRASH, BOOM, SWOOP.
Lex was momentarily trapped between his desk and chair. He caught sight of blonde hair at the entrance, but when he focused, there was no one.
“Why do you keep glancing at the door? Expecting a certain strapping brunette to come save you? Make everything all better?” Asked Lionel, mockingly.
Lex managed to advance on his father with strong blows and in turn trap him in a corner. He heard more than the sound of a body hitting the wall and filed that away. He had a blunt, but dangerous object pointed at the man’s solar plexus, he wanted to enjoy it. He had time to rest a little, and notice his father was getting a little worn around the edges too.
Lex panted, wiping his brow. “You should really start seeing a shrink. You’re getting quite paranoid in your old age. Alexander the Great was the one who took it up the ass.” He half-smiled.
Lionel made a face like he had just bitten into a lemon. “Don’t be so crude.”
“Cute. Playing offended. As for staying around here, I will. For as long as I like.” He stated, liking his father’s failed attempts at getting him to back off. “Tell me father, is it really that hard to read the reports your little drones give you?” And he got closer, into the man’s face. It was a risk considering it would be easier for the older man to push him away, but the taunting just called for it. “Do you really think I’m planning a take-over? Come on dad… From here? With my resources?”
“Your resources are just fine Lex.” Lionel ground out, finally pushing Lex away from him. As Lex stumbled away, Lionel leaned on the wall for a few seconds, long enough for Lex to see and declare it a personal victory.
“Thanks Dad; means a lot.” he said, getting back into stance and tapping swords a few times. His father made a move to switch places with him, and succeeded with a turn. Lex noticed the pooch his jacket made in his lower back as he passed. Still, Lex felt in control. “So, do you really need us to live in the same city? Are you slipping?” He goaded.
Lionel punched Lex fast and hard, right in the face. Lex hadn’t seen it coming, but felt the blow, and the heard familiar sound of bone cracking. He stumbled back.
“Fighting dirty are we?” He asked, his tongue snaking out to taste the blood pouring down his face.
“Whatever works,” his father replied, shrugging.
“Okay.”
CLANG, CLANG, BOOM, SWERVE, CLANG.
And the fighting continued in silence for several minutes.
Lionel made another passing move as they dueled between the dresser and bed. His elbow connected with Lex’s cheek, and this time the younger man couldn’t help but cry out in shock. As he felt the blood rush there and the swelling start, he took a few steps away from the older man instinctively.
“Vacation’s over Lex; I sent you here to get straightened out.”
“Interesting choice of words.”
Lionel smirked, striking the proper stance. “En garde.”
CLANG, CLANG, SWERVE, SWOOSH, duck, BANG, SLASH...
When Lex felt like he’d gotten his bearings, he resumed the conversation. “ So what you mean is that since I haven’t been a complete embarrassment, you’re getting more and more desperate to control me.”
“Luthors don’t get desperate,” Lionel chastised, “you know that.” Lex made a wrong move past a chair and that got him an elbow in the gut. He toppled over momentarily, to his father’s seeming disappointment. “You have two months to get your affairs in order. I’ll even let you choose your replacement.”
“And if I don’t do any of this?” Lex asked, taking the breaths he could and forcing himself off the floor.
“Let’s just say that Jonathan and Martha Kent owe me. I can ruin them with the snap of my fingers.”
He wiggled his fingers at his son, heading for the door.
“And if I break them?” Questioned the son nonchalantly.
“Futile,” Lionel stated, advancing back towards Lex.. “Are you sweating my boy? Are you sweating, knowing what I’ll most surely do to them?” He asked, taking his son’s face harshly with one of his hands and stoking the bruise.
Lex kicked his father as hard as he could. Sadly, the angle didn’t get him the respite he wanted, he only managed to hit a thigh.
Lionel backed away and held out his épée threateningly. “If by the 15th of august you are not in Metropolis, heads will roll. And I mean that literally, boy.” He promised. “I think I’ll start with that senile old woman, Margarita. Can you really handle more deaths on your conscience?”
And in a last ditch effort, as his father turned to leave, Lex reached for the gun he had noticed under the man’s coat and pushed him roughly to the nearest wall. He cocked the safety and pressed it against Lionel’s throat…
“I don’t have a conscience.” He stated, looking defiantly into his father’s eyes.
Lionel only laughed. That didn’t stop Lex.
“You take away the Kent debts without fanfare. You give me till the end of term in October and I’ll give you what you want.”
“October?”
Pushing. Choking.
Lionel appeared mad, impatient.
Stuck.
“October, or you die.”
“Pull the trigger.” The older man taunted.
And so Lex pulled it.
Chloe walked in then, having heard quite enough. Lex backed away from his father who took the gun and tucked it in the back of his pants.
“Mr. Luthor?” She said a few times, as Lana-like as she could muster. She stopped looking around aimlessly and ‘found’ Lex. “Oh, hello Mr. Luthor, Mr. Luthor. I’m here for the interview. I’m sorry I’m a little early…”
She had to bypass several broken vases and glass-wear to get to the center of the room.
“No problem, miss Sullivan. You’ve met my father, Lionel Luthor.”
“Pleased to see you again.” The father advanced, taking her hand and kissing it gently. “I was just about to tell my son how proud I am of him.” He beamed. “Bold move.” He stated.
“That’s intriguing. What did he do?” Chloe said, smiling at the man she knew had just done THAT to Lex’s face. Pretending she didn’t care or notice the man she loved had blood halfway down his chest.
“Would you like me to entertain the lady while you change?” Lionel offered.
“No,” protested both Chloe and Lex in unison, and a little too loud and a little too fast.
Seeing Lex’s Dad hesitating, Chloe explained: “I just want to ask your son here a few follow up questions to the article we’re printing about him in the Torch, on what the plant’s amazing turn around and expansion affects us, even as students.”
“Well, I’ll leave you to it. And Lex: See you in September.”
Lex thought about arguing back, but instead nodded his head. He still had time. “September.”
Lex and Chloe watched Lionel walk away, and then moved to the window to see him get in his car and drive off.
