Title: Glow

Author: Nova Adams

Rating: PG-13, disturbing imagery

Genre: Drabble, 300 words

Author's note: While I was watching "Hug", my dad summoned me into the kitchen to unload the dishwasher. I pointed out to him that I was in the middle of a very important TV show and that the dishes could wait another half hour. He subsequently unplugged the television and sent me to my room. Luckily, I have a computer in my room, and I could hear most of the rest of the show from downstairs.

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Clark backed away, hands held up in a position of surrender, as Lex advanced on him. "Lex, I'm your friend."

"Please," Lex sneered. "I've seen the way your parents look at me. I've seen the way half the town looks at me. Friendship is a fairy tale, Clark. Respect and fear is just about all you can hope for." Lex hefted the gun and clicked the safety off. His eyes glowed green.

Clark recognized the glow. He remembered what the hermit had told him and Chloe. The influence lasted until the victim had either carried out the deed or snapped out of it.

Well…what did he have to lose? Lex really couldn't hurt him, not physically. And if he actually did shoot him, he wouldn't even remember doing it.

But then Lex would see the holes in Clark's shirt. The gun. He'd put two and two together, insist on an explanation, figure out what he'd done.

Clark looked around. What could he possibly do to snap Lex out of his trance? Hitting him might kill him. His mind raced. If he could just convince Lex NOT to shoot him…

Clark stopped in his tracks. "Lex, don't do this. This isn't you."

Lex looked unconvinced.

"Don't do this to me," Clark whispered. "I'm your friend, Lex." He gulped. "Lex, I love you. Don't do this to me. Please, Lex …"

Lex moved closer, aimed the gun at Clark's chest. "Prove it."

Clark moved even closer, pushed the gun down. Held Lex by the shoulders, looked into his eyes. Saw the confusion behind the glow, the question never asked. Kissed him.

The gun slipped from Lex's grasp as the glow faded from his eyes, and he was sinking to the floor, holding Clark, kissing him back. "Clark…oh God, Clark, I'm so sorry…"