The carol of Lex

By Chase Binder

Disclaimer: Smallville and Superman are not mine. My choice to alliterate their eventful lives is because Joe, Jerry, Alfred and Miles created something that inspired me. And oh I borrowed the first line from something I read on the internet. Hope you don't mind if I use it too.

Note: Events mentioned here are up till the more recent episodes of the show. I guess a rough estimate would be till Dichotic. This means there is a slight spoiler integrated in the story if you haven't been disclosed to current storyline up until the mentioned episode.

enjoy and happy holidays.

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Seek warmth on a cold night

A flurry of snow fell quietly on Smallville. Lex didn't like snow. He found the occasion a deadened experience, an instrument causing him to recall moments that proved to be more blissful than what he encounters nowadays. Christmas to him used to be a longing anticipation, where sitting down with his family accompanied by searing warmth of the Yule log and the sparkling Christmas tree made him the happiest man on earth.

That will never happen again, he constantly tells himself. His father's deficient attendance on numerous Christmas nights more than proves the claim. Sometimes he stops by, but rarely would anything happen. On infrequent moments they would play a round of chess, supplemented by a discussion about the prolific boost in their equities and other investments. His Christmas are now superficial, a spectacle of trumpet blowing on how successful the year was to the Luthor's yet once again.

Normal stuff, nothing big.

Sadly, Lex has hence concluded that celebrating Christmas should be a solitary event. A parade of deluge in brandy, staring quietly outside through the antiquated window, watching the blanket of snowfall, and wallowing in self-pity on moments that will never take place again. Like a broken track record, he constantly plays it on his head. The old times. Mom making efforts to light up the hearth. Dad sitting cozy on the cherry divan and smiling curiously, just because. And Julian. How he would attempt to put the piano into use by performing absent of any proficient experience, but still finding no care that he didn't know how to play. Ah yes. Although it has seemed to him that those days happened a long time since, Lex still finds it soothing that his life had its share of postcard moments that he found to remember forever.

Last year, his first Christmas in Smallville rekindled his hopes. It has been a while since he found a place that provided a sufficed contribution in his peace of mind. And a large part of that should be accounted in the fortunate friendship he'd stumbled upon that went by the name of Clark Kent. He was a kindred spirit to say the least. A friend whose words made Lex realize that he was a person who not only embodied intellect but that he could be also a one that personified substance. Its like what Ryan had told him when they found the chance to sit and talk, "Clark Kent is a person who likes to see the best in everyone."

That Christmas, Lex had a longing that he didn't speak about. It was something that had been lingering on his mind on days when Christmas progressed near. For quite sometime, upon the occasion when he gets to meet with Clark, Lex silently waited for that sweeping gesture, that act of thoughtfulness, where Clark Kent would fulfill Lex's expectations and invite him to celebrate Christmas with their family. He would wait and wait, upon different encounters on every chance he gets, to see Clark for the offer. On Christmas day itself he was patient. With gifts prepared to given for the family, Lex felt optimistic and ready for his summons. Looking at the phone he saw hope. He felt that there was a great chance the phone would find itself to ring and that call would be from Clark himself, asking him with enthusiasm and pay visit to their celebration, and perhaps share the moment with his company.

But on Christmas eve, the phone was like the snow, it remained profoundly quiet.

A great cringe of disappointment and loathing self-pity shrouded Lex, and a part of him blamed his hurt on Clark. That night, he thought that maybe their friendship was a wrong perception on how he sees it to be. But then again, another part of him was of willing acceptance. Acceptance in the truth that Lex will always be someone who's blessed with many opportunities but would be always alone. That's how he sometimes make up for his pity - the challenges. The more games he plays, the less he thinks about how sorry he feels for himself. A practical solution for a man who has more than a fair share of remnants that of a great leader.

However that didn't stop Clark from surprising Lex in the morning. In a move Lex thought he would be doing, Clark stopped by the mansion on that fresh day and greeted him. Clark was there to give Lex a gift. They sat and chatted for a while, consuming the newly baked apple pie Martha decided to give Lex. Although it wasn't exactly what he pictured, Lex felt the moment felt more than adequate in making up for his recent night's disillusionment.

"I gotta be honest with you Clark," Lex said, "I thought I was to be the one who pulled off the stopping over a friends house to greet and give gifts."

"Well I got here first didn't I. I'm glad you were taken aback." Clark cheered and replied with sarcasm.

"So," Clark continued, "How was last night."

"Perfect." Lex replied, smiling, devoid of any indecision.

Clark decided to spend that morning just hanging out at the mansion. They sat and talked. They even found themselves watching Lex's favorite Christmas movie from Tim Burton. When afternoon came they went for a small ride to continue Clark's pending gift-giving itinerary to his other friends.

After their rounds, they each went home to take a rest. While back at home, by himself, Lex opened Clark's gift. It was a small box, draped awkwardly with red and green wrapping papers, finished by a not-exactly-symmetrical bow covering its top. First he read the card that came along with it.

Lex,

I don't know how to wrap a gift. But still, Merry Christmas.

Clark

A smile appeared on his face, then gradually breaking into a small snicker.

It was a Porsche matchbox. Silver.

to be continued...