Author's Notes: This is my first Smallville fic. I'm hoping that it's not too bad. It takes place early season two.

Disclaimer: In no shape or form do I own the rights to Smallville or any of its characters.

A Breath of Fresh Air: Chapter One

Lex couldn't help but smile as he stood over the sixteen year old farm-boy curled up fast asleep on his couch. Deciding that he and Lex didn't spent as much time together as they once did, Clark made it his duty to come over in his free-time when not doing chores around the farm, fawning over Lana and being mixed up in some strange plots which either seemed to involve his friends lives being endangered or someone threatening to tell his secret, to visit his best friend.

Lex was a very busy man, yet no matter what was going on around him he always made time for Clark. Still, Clark had made it a habit of his to bring over his school work and would study away quietly allowing Lex to get any work he needed to get done without disturbance. And even when sitting in the den in complete silence, the pair seemed content enough just being in the others presence. It was times like these that were the rare occasions that both could escape the growing chaos consuming their lives. Lex made sure that not all their time was spent like this however. Even when he wasn't finished working on an incredibly important document that if he didn't have completed by the next morning his father would never let him forget it, he would stop what he was doing and spent the rest of his time with his familiar guest. After all, if Clark put the effort to come and see him he at least had to make it worth the boy's while. They would watch movies; Lex would listen to Clark talk about his friends and more times than not they'd sit chatting away for hours about nothing particular at all.

Lex had to admit, it was times like those that he enjoyed above all others. Sure it was completely different and incredibly tame compared to his days in Metropolis but he had something now that he lacked then. A friend. Or namely, Clark. In Metropolis, he had rarely been alone –not in the physical sense anyway- but he couldn't exactly call any of the people he hung out with 'friends'. They had only been with him because they wanted something, and although he hated to acknowledge it, he was only with them because he had wanted something in return. It was almost like a working relationship in the guise of friendship. Something he was sure he had unconsciously been taught by his father.

Lionel would be shocked if he walked in right now to find the sixteen year old boy asleep on Lex's couch. It was against his father's teachings for Lex to get close to anyone. Getting attached to someone was only a distraction, a weakness that would prevent one from reaching his goal. He would then go on to argue that the reason the person was even around him was because he wanted something, not because they actually 'liked' him. It was a very depressing argument for Lex to have shoved down his throat, and unfortunately more often than not, his father was right.

Yet with Clark he didn't feel it at all. The more he thought about it, the more he realised that Clark rarely asked for anything at all, if ever. And even when he would offer him something, Clark would usually politely decline. It really did seem that Clark hung out with him because he liked being with him. To Lex this was a foreign concept and was almost mind-boggling that such a person existed. In his world, humans were greedy and ruthless creatures only holding back when they themselves could be hurt directly. Yet there lay Clark Kent fast asleep on his couch seemingly and completely oblivious to the harsh reality that Lex was so used to.

Clark Kent certainly was a very special young man. He had such unyielding faith in people, even when their actions proved otherwise; even when they tried to hurt him. Lex couldn't understand and was convinced he never would. They came from two completely different worlds only to be brought together by a fatal accident. If someone had told him a year ago that he would be best friends with some nobody farm boy from some hick town surrounded by nothing but cornfields he would have thought them to be suffering from some form of deliria. Yet here he was.

It had all became so natural; scarily so to the point were he was positive he'd have no idea what he'd do if the boy were to ever suddenly disappear from his life. Thankfully however it didn't seem to be something that he would have to worry about for the moment. Everything and everyone Clark knew was here in Smallville and it was unlikely that the boy would just up and walk away from it. This was another thing he and Clark didn't have in common, but he was thankful for it.

Sometimes he felt that the sleeping boy was the only good thing in his life - his most important person, so to speak. He was fairly confident that Clark didn't feel the same way. Unlike him, there were many people who Clark cared about. Yet, in the end, it didn't really matter all that much. He was glad just to have him here right now. There had been and still were selfish thoughts in his head wanting, demanding even, more. Lex did his best to suppress such thoughts. After all, try and take too much and you're more likely to end up with nothing at all. He had learned this the hard way, having been banished to Smallville by his father. Still, at least some good at came out of it.

The boy on the couch began to stir, slowly waking up. "Lex?" he asked tiredly as he rubbed at his eyes.

Again Lex smiled unable to help but think how cute he looked when just awaken. "You fell asleep, Clark."

"I did?" He looked more adorable now with that surprised expression on his face. "I must have been more tired that I thought… How long was I out for?"

"Just a couple of hours."

"Geez, I'm sorry, Lex. You should have woken me up."

It amused the older man that Clark could be so apologetic over something so minor. "Believe me, Clark, its fine."

"Yeah, but it's just, I don't think I'll be able to come over for a little while." he admitted sounding surprisingly guiltily.

Lex suddenly felt a twang of disappointment, despite knowing that he had no right to be. After all it wasn't like Clark had to come visit him.

"Tomorrow Lana's gonna be helping me with my History report, then Chloe wants me to do a couple of stories for the Torch. She's been complaining that I've been slacking off…"

Ah yes, Lana Lang and Chloe Sullivan the two women and love interests in Clark Kent's life. Lex couldn't say that he wasn't surprised that Clark would rather spend time with them; more so Lana, who Clark had seemingly been in love with for ever.

"I'm sorry, Lex."

There he goes, apologising again. "Clark, it's no problem. Really." Lex walked over and poured himself some scotch suddenly finding himself wanting to be doing something other than just standing there. "I hope you have a good time on your date with Lana."

"Um, I wouldn't call it a date." Clark replied embarrassedly. "It's more of a study-get together thing."

"Still, I imagine that it'll just be the two of you. You should take this chance at being alone together and tell her how you feel, Clark." He wasn't exactly sure why he was urging him to be with Lana. If anything it was only endangering his own interests in Clark and the time they were able to spend together. If he and Lana were together, it was clear that Clark wouldn't be popping by the mansion as often. Lex really confused himself sometimes and couldn't help but wonder if he was in fact self-destructive. Then again, in the end this was probably just his own twisted way of protecting himself…

"Uh, I don't think that would be a good idea." Clark responded after a couple of moments.

"Really? How come?" Lex questioned him curiously, surprised by his friend's lack of enthusiasm. Usually upon mentioning he had been alone with Lana, Clark would break into his huge trademark smile. The older man could never quite stop himself from smiling back when he saw it, almost as if it were contiguous. But overall it just brought a warm feeling to him.

"Um, well-" He couldn't help but notice how uncomfortable Clark appeared just then. Ever since he had mentioned his study-date with Lana, he kept stuttering and fumbling over words. Could it be that Clark was that nervous about it? Or was it something else?

"She's uh just broken up with Whitney and I uh just think that it's little too soon to be y'know rushing into things."

"Hmm." Lex gave him an odd look. He knew Clark was noble but he wasn't that noble. In all honesty, it didn't make any sense. This was the perfect time to pursue Lana.

A blush began to rise against the boy's cheeks and he shot up from the couch so quickly, that he even startled Lex. "I-I should go. I mean, Mom wanted me to help her with a few things and I'm uh probably late."

"Sure Clark."

"I'll uh see you around." said Clark before he started towards the door. It didn't go unnoticed by Lex that Clark appeared to be avoiding eye contact and seemed in a relative hurry to get way. In the end, he wasn't sure if he felt more confused or hurt at Clark's behaviour. Mentally he scolded himself for getting upset over such a small thing. So much for the heartless and merciless image the press enjoyed painting him as…

"Good luck with tomorrow, Clark." Lex offered encouraging. However all he received in return was a small nod before Clark finally left.

Allowing himself the luxury of sighing out loud he went and sat down on the couch the farm boy had inhabited just moments ago. He picked up his glass of scotch and stared at it while he thought of his recently departed visitor. The boy was on his mind too much to be considered normal. If he were honest with himself he would say that he had an infatuation with him. In the beginning it had been all about the car crash at the bridge and generally solving the mystery that was Clark Kent, but gradually it became less about discovering the secret of Clark Kent and more about spending time with him because he enjoyed the boy's presence. It wasn't long after that, that it took the form of something more important.

Lex loved him. He loved him as much as he had his Mother. Of course the love was different but still it was a big thing for him. Lex had had various different partners over the years but none of them had he actually loved. Attracted to, maybe, but never the same feeling he got when he was around Clark. The fact this boy from nowhere had managed to save his life –numerous times now it seemed- and steal his heart amazed him.

To his father it would be the utmost weakness to be so easily swayed but to Lex it was a wondrous experience. It was almost as if Clark had saved him. Not just from physical danger but from something else too. What it was he wasn't exactly sure but he knew that it was there. Maybe it was from falling into despair and becoming his father? He didn't know, and hoped that he would never have the pleasure of finding out.

The ironic thing was that Clark was no doubt completely unaware of what he had done for him. He had dropped hints various time of his appreciation but Clark was to naïve to pick up on exactly what he meant. It didn't bother him though. In fact Clark's naivety was something he found rather endearing. After all having grown up with his father and seeing the sort of world he lived in, such naivety was rather unheard of. It was refreshing to say the least.

Finally Lex took a drink of the scotch he had been holding and placed it down on the table. Despite wanting longer to indulge in thoughts he had work to do and thankfully he was very good at putting his feelings aside when it came to getting something done. Yet as the hours went by he found he was unable to rid himself of the disappointment of having the knowledge that it would be awhile before he next got to see the boy. He sighed. He really was obsessed.

Author's Notes: I hope that wasn't too bad. Any advice on how I could improve and constructive criticism are always welcome. Thank you for reading.