The setting sun through the loft window lit up Lex's face and head with myriad reds and oranges and reflected almost blue off his long black coat. "Do you know what Winston Churchill said about giving up? 'Never, never, never give up.'" He stepped forward and poked a long forefinger into Clark's shoulder. "When I want something, I never give up." One side of his mouth tilted up into his signature smirk. "Never."
Clark forced a nonchalant grin of his own. "Really? I don't know what you're talking about."
Lex took another step forward. There were mere inches between them now. The grin slipped from his face, and his eyes narrowed. "I thought we were friends, Clark." He shook his head. "But if that's the way you want to play it…"
Clark allowed his own grin to fade as well. He looked him square in the eyes, willing himself to show nothing. "I'm not playing, Lex."
Lex tilted his head slightly to one side as if to see Clark better. "Sun Tzu said, 'Know thy enemy.' You're not my enemy, though, are you, Clark?"
"Of course not." Clark tried to look relaxed, though he was anything but.
"No." Lex drew out the syllable slowly and thoughtfully. "But a friend wouldn't hide something this big—this important—would he?"
Guilt washed though Clark, betraying him with a sudden flood of color in his cheeks, and he looked away, unable to meet Lex's eyes, hating the accusation there. Keeping secrets was such a part of him, it had become a reflex, but why shouldn't he be open and honest with his best friend?
Lex's lips twisted and he shook his head slowly. "But you would, Clark. I've never been anything but honest with you, but you can't give me the same courtesy." He turned away, his coat swirling around his long legs, then he stopped and added softly, "I don't expect your father to trust me, but I thought you were different."
Clark watched him descend the wooden stairs, so out of place in his designer clothes surrounded by rough wood and hay. He wanted to call him back, but the words caught in his throat. For a moment, he stood as if frozen, then sudden resolve took hold and he blurred into motion, racing down the stairs past Lex, who paused at the sudden rush of wind.
Standing at the bottom of the stairs, Clark met Lex's stunned gaze, and smiled tentatively. "I'm ready to stop hiding."
