For Every Love Letter Written…

A/N: This is my first Smallville fic. I'm not well-versed in the ways of the show yet, but I have always adored all things Superman, this show being no exception. I'd like to point out that, while I am trying to keep with the general canon of the show, I will stray from it whenever it suits my purpose. I guess that makes this kind of an alternate universe fic, but not really.

This is a SLASH fic! It happens to center around a very loving and passionate m/m relationship. It will not be TOO graphic, but if meaningful sexual relationships between two members of the same sex bother you, then please leave now and don't waste my time or yours.

Also, the character Lydia is my invention, and she will stick around only until she has served her very important purpose. Then she'll go away. I know how much it annoys people when authors create their own characters, but believe me, it was necessary.

Theme song for this fic is 'Hole in my Soul' by Aerosmith, a great song by a legendary band *sigh*. Song for this chapter: 'Every Me and Every You' by Placebo.

Please go easy on me. This fic won't be totally accurate. I know that, and now so do you. We clear?

Last but not least, please read and review! I value your comments, ideas and constructive criticism, so if you have any suggestions on how I can make this better, please tell me! The next chapter should be up soon… for now, enjoy!

*****

Prologue

"…There's a hole in my soul,

The one thing I've learned

For every love letter written,

There's another one burned…

…So you tell me how it's gonna be

This time…"

-Aerosmith, "Hole In My Soul"

She pulled her black BMW convertible around the tight corner and skidded to a halt outside the gates of the mansion (if it could even be called that). Frowning wickedly at herself in the rearview mirror, she undid her seat belt and reached out the push the buzzer.

"May I help you?" inquired a harsh voice that, through the speaker, sounded almost robotic. She arched an eyebrow and leaned towards the speaker.

"It's Lydia," She said sharply. "Open the gates." There was no reply from the speaker, but the gates swung open almost immediately. Lydia stepped on the gas and raced up towards the main house.

How ridiculous, She thought to herself as she stopped the sleek convertible in front of the main entrance and peered over the top of her sunglasses at her surroundings, a castle in the middle of a bloody cornfield. As if the common fools who inhabit this underdeveloped town could even appreciate it's beauty. She shook her head and strode purposefully towards the door, marching through it like a cross between and army commandant and a runway model. She stopped abruptly in the middle of the large entranceway, her eyes sweeping from its high ceiling to the marvelously tiled marble floor.

"Yes," She whispered to herself, smiling genuinely, "This will do quite nicely."

"Will it now?" Lydia's smile disappeared immediately at the sound of a voice from somewhere above her head. Her eyes scanned the railings overlooking the entrance hall until she found him standing at the top of one of the many staircases. She whipped off her sunglasses and glared at him lethally.

"Lex," She whispered, still glaring. "How… good to see you."

The young man matched her glare as he began to descend the stairs. "Indeed. To what do I owe this pleasure?"

Her eyes became enraged. "Don't play dumb, Lex. As much as it suits you, the overall effect is not generally accepted as appealing."

"Thank you for that priceless insight, Lydia." Lex stepped off the bottom stair and began to advance towards her. "I'll remember to file that away somewhere safe."

"Haha… ever the funny one," She replied.

"Well one of us had to be."

"Touché."

Lex shook his head. "So is there a reason for this visit from Hurricane Lydia, or did you just feel like destroying some lives and decide to come see me?"

Fire leapt into her eyes, and she looked as if she were about to tear Lex apart, limb by limb. "How dare you insult me, you arrogant fool?"

"Brazen slut."

"Impotent bastard!"

"BITCH!"

For a moment they just stared each other down, and then a smile began to creep onto Lydia's face. "God, but I've missed you."

Lex cracked a grin. "It's good to have you back."

Chapter 1

"Come in, Clark."

Clark Kent peered around the door before stepping into Lex Luthor's office. The older man was seated behind a large oak desk that was covered with papers and files. He was drinking coffee from an enormous, bowl-sized mug, and an empty plate with crumbs on it told Clark that he'd eaten breakfast at his desk as well. Lex pulled off his reading glasses as Clark tentatively approached the desk.
"What's the matter Clark? I'm not going to bite, you know." Lex's tone was amused, but his face remained straight. Clark smiled a little sheepishly.

"I know. I'm just a little… well, I was actually wondering…"

"Why I asked you here?" Lex offered, and Clark nodded. The older man's mouth twitched up at one corner, but he still did not reward Clark with a smile. "I assure you, I have my reasons. But we don't need to get down to that just yet. Would you like something to drink?" Lex got up from his desk and lead Clark out of the office. Clark shook his head.

"No, that's all right." He looked about the mansion uneasily as they walked towards one of the many sitting rooms. He was so out of his element there, being a farm boy and all. His place was in the fields and the barns, not in an elaborate castle like the Luthor Mansion. Lex, on the other hand, was completely comfortable amongst the excessive riches, having known nothing else in his entire life. Clark doubted that Lex would be too at home behind the wheel of a tractor, though.

"And how are things going with Lana?" Lex inquired casually as they sat down across from each other. Clark nearly fell over (quite the feat, considering he was sitting down).

"Lana? Um… I don't know, really… I suppose things are fine."

"Mmm…" Lex made a rather pensive noise and furrowed his brow. "Kent, just how long do you plan to sit idly by, while she hangs there right in front of you, and do nothing about it?"

Clark shifted uncomfortably, not happy with the turn this conversation was taking. "It's not like I can do much, Lex. She has a boyfriend, remember?"

Lex snorted. "That jock? Please… you're twice the man he is, Kent, and you've even got a brain! Plus, she likes you better than him. I can tell."

Clark felt a hot flush beginning to spread to his cheeks. "I don't know about that, but thanks anyway. Oh and by the way, I really appreciate all your help with that whole situation."

"Not a problem." Lex took a long swig of his coffee. "Let me tell you something, Clark. I don't have many friends. But those I do have, I am intent on keeping. Which means I typically treat them very well. You're no exception."

Clark didn't know how to react to or interpret this. "You don't have to buy my friendship, Lex…" he began slowly.

"I know that, Clark, and believe me, I wouldn't waste time or money trying to do that. It seldom works out the way you'd like it to. No, what I mean is I like to do my friends favors, things only I can help them with. Every now and then I find a situation that particularly intrigues me, like your case with Lana, and I find myself wanting to help. Isn't that odd? Me, wanting to do nothing more than selflessly help someone." He chuckled. "You must be a remarkable person, Clark."

"Why's that?"

"Because you've brought out the good side of a Luthor." Both men laughed.

"Oh, come now, Lex," Said a voice from the door that made Clark jump and Lex turn his head in alarm. "Surely you're not THAT bad."

Clark regarded the owner of the silky-smooth voice with a measure of surprise. There was something vaguely familiar about her as she strode into the room. She had dark brown, almost black hair that was cropped short and shone reddish tones in the light. She was regarding Clark in an interested yet detached manner, almost as if she were appraising him. Her eyes were piercing and clever, and her stride was slow and confident. Clark was fascinated. Lex was annoyed.

"What a pleasant surprise," He hissed at the young woman through clenched teeth. Clark could feel the animosity flowing off of Lex in great, angry waves. The stranger turned her gaze from Clark to Lex.

"It seems we're both full of surprises, doesn't it?" She said, arching a dark eyebrow and meeting Lex's eye. Clark thought that he'd never seen anyone who could stand up to Lex Luthor like this woman. The non-verbal exchange that was occurring between the two of them was absolutely riveting. "Why didn't you tell me we had a guest?" She asked Lex, sending him a pointed look that Clark couldn't read. Lex, evidently, could, and Clark saw a muscle in his jaw twitch with annoyance.

"WE don't have a guest. I have a guest," Lex replied, his eyes smoldering with repressed anger. "And may I remind you, as I have at least five times already this week, that I do not wish to be disturbed when I am in a personal meeting, be it business-related or otherwise."

The girl stared him down calmly, much less aggravated than Lex. "Aren't you going to introduce me to your guest?" She asked, completely ignoring Lex's little reminder. The young man narrowed his eyes at her, and then motioned to Clark without looking at him.

"Lydia, this is Clark Kent. Clark," Lex now turned his eyes to his friend, "My sister, Lydia Luthor."

For a moment Clark was too shocked to react. Sister? He quickly took Lydia's outstretched hand and shook it as he tried to process this new information. Clark tried his very hardest not to stare as he re-assessed the young woman.

Of course, Clark thought to himself, NOW I get it. Now that he knew who she was, he realized why she'd looked familiar before. She looked like a younger, smaller, more feminine version of Lex. Her lips curved into the same devious half-smile, her face had the same sharp, defined quality as Lex's. Only her eyes were different. Well, that and the hair.

"A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Kent," Lydia said in a fluid voice. It was then that Clark noticed what had seemed wrong about her being Lex's sister. Her smooth voice was deep and hypnotic, just like Lex's, but it carried undertones of a soft accent, almost like that of a very refined British woman, but with a hint of something more exotic.

"Did you live in England?" Clark asked, feeling like an idiot but unable to restrain his curiosity. Lydia only smiled, this time fully. Not Lex's little half smile that always seemed to leave something to be desired, but a full-on grin, displaying a row of perfect teeth.

"Italy, actually. Rome. But I went to a British boarding school there, from the time I was six, and everyone there was English. I've just come back to America. You noticed my accent, I gather?" She laughed as Clark nodded. "I don't even realize I have it any more. Isn't that odd? It used to go away after a few weeks, when I still came home during the summer. But I suppose I've been away too long. I got out of there a year before I was supposed to… they advanced me, but it still wasn't soon enough for me. Fortunately, Lex was kind enough to keep a place here for me until I graduated and could come back. Weren't you, Lex?" She shot him a smile, completely candy coated and totally false. Lex just glared back.

"Thank you for telling us your life history. Now could you please leave us alone? We've got business to attend to." Lex glared more daggers at his sister, who merely smiled and refused to take the hint, sitting down beside Clark on one of the sofas.

"Actually, I'd rather stay here and get better acquainted with your guest here." She turned her gaze to Clark. "That is, if you don't mind, Mr. Kent?"

Clark was extremely uncomfortable with this strangely beautiful woman staring him right in the eye, and he couldn't help but wonder what sort of game she and Lex were playing, so even he was surprised when he answered, "No, of course I don't. And it's Clark."

Lydia grinned again and then her gaze flitted over to Lex, an I-told-you-so look in her eyes. Lex didn't look too pleased. Clark shot him a helpless look and shrugged slightly before he turned to Lydia.

"So, what's it like in Rome? I've always wanted to visit Italy…"

*****

"That was completely unacceptable! How could you do that to me?" Lex paced the floor of Lydia's boudoir as the later sat in front of her dresser mirror, brushing her hair.

"Honestly, Lex, there's no need to go into convulsions. I don't see how I did anything wrong!" She was perfectly calm as she tried on a pair of earrings and watched her brother pace in the mirror.

"No, you didn't do anything, you only interrupted my meeting. It was important, Lydia. I won't stand for you meddling in my affairs like that." Lex stopped directly behind her and watched her unresponsive face in the mirror. "You're not even listening to me, are you?"

"Of course I'm listening. And besides, what could you have been discussing with the farm boy that could have been THAT important?" She held up another earring. "What do you think, Lex, diamonds or sapphires?"

Lex grabbed her wrist and wrenched the earring from her hand, slamming it down on the dresser. "I don't give a fuck about your earrings, Lydia! I'm trying to have a conversation with you, and all you can think about are your FUCKING earrings! It's FUCKING ANNOYING!"

Lydia stared at her brother with wide eyes for a few minutes. She let her arm fall to her side as he let go of her wrist. "I'm sorry. I didn't know you were so adamant about everything. Must run in the family."

Lex's eyes narrowed. "Do I want to know what you meant by that?"

"Probably not." Lydia shook her head. "You know what, forget it. I never said anything." They were silent for a moment. "I'm listening now, if you want to yell at me some more."

Lex shook his head. "It's not like I MIND you talking to my friends, but if you can see that we're having a conversation already… a PRIVATE conversation… then perhaps you could stay out of it."

Lydia nodded. "Understood. But at least it wasn't ALL bad… I DID get to meet the delightful Clark Kent." She smiled wickedly. "He's cute."

"I would tread lightly if I were you."

Lydia turned back to her mirror, meeting the eyes of her brother's reflection. "The sapphires, I think. Yes, definitely very cute… and so young."

"He's the same age as you," Lex said irritably. "He's not that young."

"Well yes, but you know what I mean. Not physically young. Emotionally. He has an adorable sort of naiveté… charmingly bashful, wouldn't you say?"

"Don't even think about it," Lex said in a warning tone.

"Why not?" said Lydia, turning around to face him. Her full lips turned down at the corners in an exaggerated pout. "I like him."

"Well you can't have him."

Lydia made an offended face. "Why not?"

Lex strode over to the fireplace and looked back at his sister. "I won't allow it. Clark's too innocent… I won't let you toy with him like that."

"Toy with him? What makes you think I'll toy with him?"

"You ALWAYS do."

Lydia smiled. The devious half-smile. "You're right, I do, don't I?" she sighed. "Pity, he would have been fun." Her eyes narrowed as her older brother flinched slightly at her remark. "Hold on…" The half smile grew a little. "I think… yes, perhaps I'm on to something here…"

Lex whipped around to face her fully. "What are you thinking? I don't like that look."

"What look?" Lydia asked sweetly, her eyes betraying her.

"The one you always get when you're devising some awful, destructive plan to try and get me mortally wounded, maimed, or blown apart." He looked her in the eye. "What are you thinking, Lydia?"

She grinned evilly. "Only that I know now why you were so insistent that I not touch Clark Kent, and why you looked so dark when I interrupted you." She paused, savoring Lex's fearful expression. "He's the one, isn't he?"

Lex looked at her uncertainly. "The one what?"

"The one you're in love with, Lex. Don't act so stupid with me, you know better than that."

Lex stood there, dumbfounded. In love? With Clark? He laughed. "Don't be silly, Lydia. Of course I'm not in love with him!"

"Well, you're in love with someone, and you certainly seemed friendly with Kent when I walked in. 'Brought out the good side in a Luthor'… indeed! I'm surprised it took me this long!" She smiled at him then, that rare genuine smile. "You know, he's not who I would have picked for you, but now that I think about it he might be just what the doctor…"

"Stop it, Lydia!" Lex said angrily. "You don't know what you're talking about!"

The younger Luthor's face fell. "Oh don't I?" she said sadly. "Fine then, Lex. Suit yourself. I'll be in my bedroom changing if you need me." She got up and crossed to the door, looking at him and shaking her head before walking into her inner chambers. Lex fell into one of her oversized antique armchairs and sighed.

Well, now she knows you're attracted to him. Smooth, Lex, very smooth. Way to be detached and emotionless. He shook his head.

"What am I going to do?" He whispered aloud. Lydia came back into the room, making him jump. She was dressed in a red silk evening gown that was undone at the back. She strode towards him

"Oh, and just so you know, I took the liberty of inviting our Mr. Kent to our little soiree tonight… thought you might like to know. I just remembered that I already have an escort, so he'll probably be alone… must have slipped my mind when I was asking him." She smiled mischievously and turned around. "Be a doll?" She asked, displaying the undone zipper. Lex shook his head with a mixture of shock and awe. You knew the whole time… you little devil…

"You're going to pay for this, you know," he muttered as he did up her zipper

"I'd tell you no, but our money comes from the same place anyhow. Grazie, caro." She spun around and smoothed down the front of her dress.

"You're welcome," Lex said grudgingly, but his eyes were smiling. Lydia held back a grin that threatened to burst out.

"You'd better get ready… you don't want to be late, now do you?"