CHAPTER 1:
The storm outside the big pane glass windows seemed to battle with the stone mansion, as Lex could hear the old house creaking and moaning. He stood, watching as the wind bent the trees and bushes in the woods that lead to his humble abode. He imagined the wind blowing straight through the glass, and knocking him onto the ground. The shards of glass would have been beautiful in the glistening chimney fire. As his morbid thoughts played the scenario over and over in his head, he heard a light set of footstep approaching his study doors. He knew those footsteps could only belong to one person. His stomach coiled at the thought of him. He didn't turn around as his study doors swung opened half hazardless. Instead, he waited for the newcomer to speak before he would say a word.
"Lex…we need to talk." Lex almost let out a chuckle, but he expertly controlled himself. It always struck him that the first 4 words that Clark would say to him now were 'We need to talk.' He missed the days when he would come just to see Lex, and to have a good time. Those days were long gone. Lex sighed heavily as he slowly turned on his heels. He looked straight into Clark's face and suddenly felt sadder than before. Clark himself had changed dramatically. He looked much older than the goofy little farm boy that Lex had met almost five years back, and his eyes had become cold towards Lex. They used to sparkle Blue and Green, and now they stayed dull and dark.
"What did I do wrong now, according to Clark?" He watched as Clark's scowl grew more defined, which made him miss the times when Clark would smile. Clark walked closer to Lex, but as always he kept his distance now, as if Lex had some kind of infectious disease.
"Where are Chloe's files? I know it was you." Lex sighed heavily and leaned against his desk. Once again Clark was asking him about something that he had no control over. Lex had many people that worked for him that went rogue and tried to start their own operations under the false pretenses that Lex had sent them. Clark still didn't understand this, and believed that Lex was behind every evil deed.
"I can assure you, I have no idea what you're talking about." He said these words without any real emotion behind them. He mostly said them out of habit now, as he knew Clark was never going to believe him anyway. He watched as Clark gave him the, know- it -all smirk, and moved one more step forward.
"Just tell me the truth Lex,." Lex looked straight into Clark's eyes, and suddenly could feel anger flaring up inside of him. He wished that at that moment he could just grab Clark by the neck and strangle him to death, but he knew it would be impossible. Clark's powers would obviously prevent that from happening. Lex had known about Clark's powers for almost two years now, and he guarded the secret with his life. He had found out after he followed Clark into the caves, ad secretly watched from a far as he spoke to his alien father, Jor-El. Lex never told Clark that he knew the truth because he knew Clark would just view him as an enemy even more instead of someone that was genuinely trying to protect him.
"You want to know the truth Clark….is that it? Is that what you want?! THE THRUTH!!!?" Lex could feel his anger getting the best of him, and he was slowly losing control. "YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THE FUCKING TRUTH IS CLARK! No idea how much I stand up for you!!! HOW MUCH I PROTECT YOU!!! And you just barge in here whenever you want demanding information that I don't FUCKING HAVE!!!!!..." ,he took a few deep breaths trying to calm himself, "God Clark…if only you knew what I've had to put up with for the last two damn years…but you'll never know…now, GET THE FUCK OUT!!!!." Lex could feel his entire body trembling. He watched as Clark stared at him with confusion and anger, but he didn't care. All Lex wanted was to be rid of the torture of seeing the boy he had fallen in love with 5 years ago completely hate him. He closed his eyes and turned away from Clark as it physically made him sick to stare him in the face.
"I'm not leaving. Not until you tell me what is going on." Lex tried to hold himself together, but he was losing his grip slowly but surely. God, why wouldn't Clark just leave, and let him wallow in his own misery and self pity. Those were two things Lex was always amazing at. But of course Clark was being the man that he was. He always felt like he had to somehow save everyone; even low lives like Lex Luthor.
"Clark, there are just some things that are better left unsaid." Lex could feel his walls crumbling to the ground. He knew he had to get out of there right then or he was going to be more exposed than he had been his entire life. Without saying another word to Clark, he walked passed him quickly, and up the stairs.
"Lex!" He didn't stop. He just kept on walking until he was in the safety of his own room. He could hear Clark's footsteps coming up the landing and he groaned loudly. He sunk to the ground with his back against his door, and buried his face in his hands. "Lex, Open the door!" He knew that Clark would never use his powers to force himself into Lex's room, in fear that Lex would see something. That comforted Lex enough that he was able to calm down, and slowly pull himself back together.
"Clark, please just go…I don't know anything about Chloe's files. I know you don't believe me, but I honestly don't care anymore. Believe what you will…just leave me alone." His voice became softer and broke on his last few words. He knew he sounded pathetic, but he just couldn't bring himself to put up that façade of the strongest man in the universe.
"Lex…I – I'm sorry." Lex was completely taken aback by Clark's apology. What in the hell did he have to apologize for?! Why was he apologizing now!? Lex stood up from the ground and stared at the door. He knew Clark was still on the other side, but he just couldn't bring himself to open the lock. A few moments more, and Lex could make out the distinct sound of Clark walking down the stairs, and making his way outside of the study. Lex let out a deep breath he hadn't realized he was holding, and along with came a string of tears and sobs. He tried to wipe away at the tears, but they were falling so quickly and so furiously his efforts went unnoticed.