No warnings really, mentions alcohol and drug abuse but that's all. A little sappy too, but then most holiday fics are. Strong Clark/Lex friendship.
FIRST CHRISTMAS,
written by Whipper
"I thought you were in Metropolis," the young man said in a somewhat accusing voice. "You said you'd be spending Christmas with your father."
"I decided to return early," he offered as an explanation. "I decided it was about time that I outgrew certain... traditions of mine."
"What kind of traditions?"
Innocent, green eyes watched him with curiosity and he wondered what the teenager would do if he told him the truth. That he had returned back to his castle in an attempt to stay sober on Christmas for the first time in seven years. That he, ever since his mother had died, had done everything in his power to stay unconscious during this particular holiday.
The first Christmas he had been drunk on Scotch, stolen from his father's study. He hadn't meant for it to become a habit, but somehow it still had. On his fourth Christmas-binge he had over-indulged and woken up at the hospital suffering from alcohol poisoning. Lionel had not been pleased, had even threatened to send his seventeen year old son to a clinic. The next Christmas he had been high instead of drunk and the year after that he hadn't even bothered to show for the annual LuthorCorp Christmas party. He had had enough of the dark coat rooms.
This year, his first Christmas as an inhabitant in Smallville, he had decided to still spend the hated holiday in Metropolis. His plan had been to first spend a couple of hours at the LuthorCorp party, so to please his father, and then leave early for his apartment where he had his very own little Christmas gift waiting for him in the bedroom. A small box which content was sure to keep him unaware of both the season and his own lack of holiday spirit.
But, for some reason, he hadn't gone to his apartment after leaving his father's party. Instead he had instead gotten into his car and driven all the way back to Smallville, loud music blaring in his speakers to keep him from thinking too much about his actions. For some reason... And, as sentimental and sappy as it sounded in his own ears, that reason was probably the young farmer sitting next to him. His own personal savior.
He had to bite down hard on his tongue so not to laugh out loud at how pathetic he sounded.
"What traditions," Clark repeated as blood filled Lex's mouth.
"The one where I spend Christmas with total strangers rather than those I truly care about," he finally said, licking his lips carefully.
Then he allowed himself to give his friend a small smile. It pleased him to see a returning smile. He could hear the disbelieving voice of his father inside his head as it asked him what the hell he though he was doing, but decided to ignore it. This was the seasons of miracles. And whatnot.
"I've heard the best way to break a habit is to replace it with something new," the young Kent pointed out.
"Good thing then that you stopped by then."
"Yeah, well, I saw that there was lights in your study and I remembered that you told him that you had sent the staff away, so-"
"Like a good friend, you decided to investigate." He decided not to ruin the moment by asking his young friend any questions as how exactly he'd been able to bypass security. "So... have you had a merry Christmas, Clark?"
"Yeah, sure. The best." A small laugh. "But I say that every year."
"I don't," Lex said quietly.
"But," Clark prodded gently as he sat down next to his friend.
"So far it's been better than most."