Title: What they don't know.

Author: Liatli

Disclaimer: I'm still waiting for that sweet-16 present that never came (*cough, CLARK, cough*)

Summary: written pre-season finale, but set 4 years ahead. But it's completely AU!! And slash. Hee.

A/N if yall cant tell, I write Lex very different than he is on the show. I haven't really perfected the art of writing Lex.

Prologue

Jonathan's hands began to shake and beads of sweat formed on his upper lip. He dropped the magazine he was holding, one of those gossip magazines Martha loved so much, and called out,

"Martha! Come quick!"

Martha came rushing into the den carrying a little sandy-haired, blue-eyed toddler. She set the boy down on the couch and grabbed Jonathan's arm to help him into a chair. She said worriedly,

"Jonathan! What is it? Are you all right?"

Jonathan just pointed to the tabloid magazine pages scattered on the floor. Stooping, Martha picked up the front page. Taking up ¾ of the cover was a glossy picture of a smirking Lex Luthor, stunning in black slacks, a stark white dress-shirt, and one of his signature knee-length black coats, and a grinning Clark, similarly stunning, yet unfamiliar, in black dress pants and a forest green dress-shirt, nearly matching his eyes. Martha nearly missed what had made Jonathan react so extremely. Lex's hand was resting possessively at the small of Clark's back and Clark was pressed, full length, up against Lex's side in an unmistakably intimate pose.

2 years earlier

"You really don't care?"

Clark squinted at his father, trying to read the look on his face. Jonathan rolled his eyes slightly and sighed,

"Clark. I want you to do what you want to do. Not what your mother or I want you to do. Okay? It's your future. It's your choice."

Clark's face lit up with joy. He let out a whoop and hugged his father so tight Jonathan could barely breathe. Then he moved to his mom, careful for the baby in her arms. After he hugged and kissed her, he bent and kissed the baby. Little Taylor had been born about 4 months ago. He was completely healthy, completely normal. Martha had insisted that Dr. Bryce deliver Taylor, for fear of him being.un-natural. Helen hadn't really wanted to. She had never delivered a baby before. But she realized how much it meant to Martha and Jonathan, so she had conceded, calling up an old friend of hers who had become an O B GYN to give her tips or lessons or something.

Clark was off to college in less than 5 months and he hadn't decided on whether to attend college in Smallville or Metropolis University. He had been worried that if he left his parents would have too much work. But his father assured him that they would survive.

So it was settled. Clark was off to Met U. He couldn't wait to go tell Lex. But first he felt it his obligation to tell Chloe, Lana, and Pete first.

"Metropolis University? That's awesome!"

Lana's smile didn't quite reach her eyes, but Clark didn't seem to notice. Chloe was overly excited. She was going to Met U, too. Pete was headed for Kansas State, and Lana was staying in Smallville.

"I know! Now we'll be together, and Pete and Lana'll be just a few hours away!"

Lana resisted rolling her eyes. Pete snorted,

"Like you'll find time to come visit."

Clark laughed and said,

"Yes, I will. Don't worry. Well, I gotta go. I'll catch up with you guys later, okay?"

They all nodded and watched Clark dash for the door of the Talon, just barely avoiding a collision with a group of Smallville High jocks there to celebrate the football victory from earlier that afternoon.

One golden-brown eyebrow raised in surprise . "Wow. Met U. I'm surprised you're not staying here."

Clark's smile faded,

"What?"

Lex shrugged, his fingers steepled in front of his chin as he sat behind his desk, elbows resting on the glassy surface.

"I just thought you'd stay here. Be closer to your parents. The baby. The farm."

Clark shrugged,

"They told me it was my choice and I think that Met U is right for me."

Hearing the defensive tone in Clark's voice, Lex hurried to reassure Clark,

"Hey, I think it's great! Metropolis is a wonderful city. They're lucky to have you."

Appeased, Clark's smile returned, full force. Now, how was Lex supposed to control himself when that smile was aimed directly at him? He felt himself smiling in return. A big, foolish grin of an intensity that he hadn't known he was capable of before he had met Clark. Clark stood up and began to pace the room with nervous, excited energy. Lex suppressed a giggle at the eager- puppy attitude Clark had. Clark was oblivious to anyone and anything at the moment. He wouldn't have noticed if the mansion had burned down around him, he was so immersed in his thoughts. Lex felt it would be the appropriate time to tell Clark his news. After a few tries, Lex stood up and nearly shouted,

"Clark."

Clark turned to Lex, an inquisitive but preoccupied look on his face.

"Yeah, Lex?"

Lex smiled, sat back down, and said,

"I wanted you to be the first to know, and what better time to mention this than now? I just wanted you to know that I'm moving back to Metropolis. I have handed over full reign of the factory to Gabe Sullivan and I'm moving back to the penthouse and taking control of a new branch of LexCorp I'm opening in Metropolis."

Clark rushed forwards to kneel in front of Lex. He grabbed Lex's hands, sandwiching them between his. He gushed,

"That's great! We'll still be together!"

Lex couldn't stop the smile. There was just something about Clark that brought out the best in him. The happiest. Lex couldn't wait to be alone with Clark in Metropolis, where he didn't have to worry that a look or touch would be.misinterpreted (or interpreted correctly) by the ever- watchful Jonathan, resulting in the barrel of a shotgun up Lex's ass.

5 months later

Lex glanced at Clark out of the corner of his eye. Clark was sitting next to him in the limo, stiff as a board, his hands tapping erratic rhythms on his thighs, his lips pursed, and his eyes darting around nervously. They were on their way to Metropolis. Clark's luggage, along with Lex's, were being shipped via private jet. Not 15 minutes ago had Clark bid his parents, Lana, and Pete tearful good-byes. Chloe had already left. Pete was going next week. Met U didn't start for another month, but Clark wanted to go, get a feel for the city, get comfortable with the campus. He was staying with Lex, since dorms weren't open yet. Chloe was with her cousin Lois Lane. Of course, Lex knew Clark wouldn't be comfortable flying to Metropolis (his fear of heights) and he wouldn't want to take the bus or train (too long and boring by himself), so Lex had offered to go a week later than he had intended to leave so Clark could ride with him. Of course, Clark hadn't wanted to impose on Lex, hadn't wanted to mess up Lex's plans. But Lex had insisted until, finally, Clark had given in.

Lex smiled and shifted in his seat. He lifted one leg up to lay it on the seat so he could face Clark. The movement caught Clark's attention and he looked at Lex. Lex cocked his head to the side and said,

"Clark, you can relax. We still have a few hours to go. Traffic is awful on weekends and a storm is coming, so we might acctually have to stop at a motel for the night. And if you stay this tense the whole ride, you wont be able to move when we acctually arrive in Metropolis."

Clark only looked at Lex. Lex sighed,

"Here, turn around. Face the window."

Frowning, Clark complied, crossing his legs, Indian-style. Suddenly he felt lean fingers pressing into his shoulders and thumbs into his spine. He arched his back in reaction to the pressure and moaned a little when Lex began to massage.

Slowly, slowly Lex felt and saw Clark relax. He continued the massage, moving his hands lower and lower until he was at the small of Clark's back, his hands spanning Clark's waist so his fingers pressed into Clark's sides. When Lex pressed, Clark jumped a little. Laughing, Lex said,

"Ticklish, Clark?"

Clark shook his head no and made a grumbling sound. Grinning, Lex resumed the massage. Finally Clark moved his shoulders a bit, signaling to Lex to end the massage. He turned back to face forwards. Slumping back against the seat, his eyes closed, head leaning against the sat, Clark said,

"Thanks, Lex. I really needed that. I totally owe you one." Smiling, Lex shook his head.

"What are you so nervous about, Clark?"

Clark opened one eye and turned his head to look at Lex, his cheek now pressed to the smooth leather seats that smelled like Lex. He said,

"It's college, Lex. It's so different than high school. And I won't have my parents to turn to any more. I'm alone now."

Frowning, Lex said,

"You're not alone. You have me Clark."

Clark smiled softly,

"I know, Lex. And you know how glad I am that I do.have you. It's just."

Lex smiled again,

"I know, Clark. You don't need to explain it to me. I may not know from first-hand experience.hell, I was glad to be at boarding school, away from my father. But I understand where you are coming from."

Clark nodded and shut his eye again. Lex stared at Clark for a minute, instinct warring with common sense. He wanted so badly just to be able to lean forwards, to press his lips firmly to Clark's, to taste Clark, to feel Clark pressed against him. But he couldn't. Not now, not yet. Lex had to be completely sure about Clark's feelings for him. And right now, he wasn't so sure. Lex was glad Clark was too far gone, way too relaxed, to note the changes in Lex. His eyes nearly five shades darker, with the smoky sheen of arousal. His mouth was slightly tense, his lips pressed together in a battle for control, his knee drawn up a bit to hide his arousal. Lex could feel his cock straining against the thin material of his slacks and fought not to blush. Clark's little moans and arches and purrs during the massage had turned him on almost unbearably. To Lex's shock, and a bit to his pleasure, Clark fell asleep moments later. Lex settled back into the seat and watched Clark's angelic face as he slept.

The storm came. The driver was forced to find a motel off the side of the highway. It was a pretty large one, called the Motel California. The sign was done in garish neon colors and had a flashing 'vacancy' sign beneath the name. Lex hated to wake Clark, but he gently shook Clark. Clark awoke, his eyes hazy, his voice groggy. Lex just smiled and opened the door to let them out.

Cringing, Lex stepped into the brightly-lit office. A pimply teenager sat behind the desk biting his nails and tapping his foot to some static-y heavy metal coming from a stereo on the floor beside him. The teen glanced up, saw Lex, and turned down the music. Lex muttered something under his breath, then stepped forwards. The boy stood up and said in a voice that cracked painfully,

"Need a room?"

Lex nodded,

"3, acctually."

The boy looked down at a pad of paper with a bunch of lines, squiggles, and gibberish on it. It looked like the paper was covered in Hieroglyphics. He marked something down in 2 places and said, looking up,

"Sorry. We only have 2."

Lex sighed and looked at Clark,

"Mind sharing a room, Clark?"

Clark shook his head sleepily and Lex said to the boy,

"We'll take them both."

The boy flipped a switch on the desk, turning off the 'vacancy' sign and handed Lex 2 keys. He said,

"I'm Craig. If you need anything, dial 1 on the phone. I just need you to sign here."

Craig produced a pink slip and Lex signed his name in his neat, efficient, handwriting. When the boy looked down at it, his eyes widened and he dropped the paper, looking up at Lex in wonder. With a smirk, Lex took the keys off the counter and walked out of the room, dragging Clark with him.

Lex's jaw, and his bags, dropped when he opened the door. Their room was the.honeymoon suite? Growling, Lex turned back to the door and ran solidly into Clark, who was dripping from the rain and looked asleep on his feet. Lex sighed resignedly and changed his plans to go give that Craig a piece of his mind. Instead, he took Clark's bags from his hands, set them down, and navigated Clark towards the bed. Clark smiled gratefully at Lex, then removed most of his wet clothes, dropped onto the huge red bed, and instantly fell asleep. Shaking his head, Lex shut the door, dragged all the suitcases near the bed, then straightened to survey the room. It was very.romantic? The bed dominated one corner of the suite. On either side was a small table with lamps. A TV was across from the bed and 2 overstuffed lazy-boy type chairs were on another wall. The other wall was a bar, which opened into the kitchenette. Lex explored the bathroom. It contained a huge, very deep bathtub with fragrant bottles on the ledge. Lex smiled and began to peel off his clothes, soaked from the rain outside. Not caring, he dropped them into a wet pile beside the bathroom door, then began to fill the massive tub with hot, hot water.

When Clark woke up, Lex was just pulling on a rumpled MIT t-shirt. Clark stretched, then sat up, running a hand across his bare chest before yawning sleepily and peering at Lex. Lex smiled and sat on the bed, flipping on the TV. Clark said,

"Leave enough hot water for me, Lex?"

Lex shrugged and said,

"Maybe. That tub is damn huge."

Clark smiled, then stood up and walked into the bathroom, closing the door behind him. A moment later, he opened it and stuck his head out. He said with a little grin,

"Don't wait up."

After a particularly lame episode of Three's Company, Clark emerged from the bathroom, emitting a puff of steam. He had a towel slung low about his hips. Clark ran a hand through his sopping hair and walked towards his suitcase by the bed. When he neared the bed, Lex caught a whiff of him and grinned, amused.

"Lavender, Clark?"

Clark blushed and mumbled,

"It was that or roses."

Lex laughed,

"Good choice, Clark."

Scowling, Clark rooted through his suitcase, pulling out some sweat pants and a shirt. Then he disappeared back into the bathroom. Taking a gulp of Crown Royale straight from the bottle (from the minibar), Lex rubbed his tense stomach. Clark was fucking incredible. Lex had never seen anyone so.perfect. Those arms, that torso.Lex's mouth went dry again and he took another swig of the alcohol, running his hand over his head. Lex shook his head. He didn't know how he was going to survive this night. Sharing this bed with Clark would be pure heaven, but at the same time, hell. It would be so tempting to reach over and pull Clark into his arms, to press his lips to Clark's in the urgency he was feeling at the moment. Lex cursed softly and willed himself to think of something else. Anything else! He began flipping channels on the TV. Lex though, Ah, game shows. Smush? Never heard of that one before. I'd sure like to smush-

"Damn!"

Lex flipped the channels again. He came across reruns of Star Trek: the Next Generation. Dropping the remote, Lex focused on those deformed foreheads, the Vulcan ears.smiling Lex relaxed. It was working. Until Clark stepped out of the bathroom. His drying hair was tousled and one corner of his shirt had ridden up to reveal a strip of smooth, golden skin. Lex groaned to himself and closed his eyes briefly. Forcing himself to act casual, he patted the bed and said,

"Join me, Kent."

Smiling, Clark dropped the towel onto the table, then walked over to the bed. He climbed onto it and settle against the pillows next to Lex.

"I swear, this bed must be 5 feet off the ground. Hey, what the heck are you watching? Stark Trek? Ugh, I thought you had better taste."

Frowning, Lex said,

"I was just flipping channels and happened to come across this. I've never acctually watched the show before. I mean, these guys are hideous! And all that stupid space jargon. I don't understand half of what they're saying."

Clark raised an eyebrow, a smirk on his face.

"Yeah, Lex. Whatever."

Lex held his hands up, palm out in defense.

"I swear!"

Clark's smirk only widened. He said,

"Whatever, Lex. I'm tired."

Lex was surprised to find that he was, too. He flipped off the TV, then reached over and shut off his bedside lamp. Clark did the same, then they pulled back to comforter and settled into the bed. They both lay awake, stiff as boards, for fear that they may accidentally touch the other and make it uncomfortable. After about an hour, Clark couldn't keep his eyes open, no matter how nervous he was. He yawned, settled on his side, facing Lex (the side he always slept on) and promptly fell asleep. Not so for Lex. He turned on his side, too, facing Clark. He though, if he couldn't sleep, he may as well enjoy his time awake. Sighing, Lex watched Clark sleep.