Part 4

The first thing Lex noticed when he entered Bruce's bedroom was the empty bed. His heart started to sink until he saw that the door going out to the balcony was open. Then he smiled, making his way across the bedroom to the open door.

Bruce was alone on the balcony, half obscured by darkness. Lex paused in the doorway, admiring the shadowy form before him. As before in the den, he was struck by the impression of some sleek jungle cat. He stood at the railing, hands gripping it --still as a statue and yet poised as if just on verge of movement. He looked as if he might spring forward at any moment, a jaguar pouncing on its prey.

"Hello, Lex." Bruce's voice cut the night's silence, breaking into his thoughts. Lex briefly wondered how the other man had known he was there. He had hardly made any sounds or telling movements. This question, however, vanished as swiftly as it had come... expelled by the realization that Bruce's voice was different, as if the darkness of the night had invaded him, making his voice deeper, more shadowy... maybe even a little scary. The contrast between this and the teasing, laughing man he'd expected was startling.

One more piece of the enigma, Lex thought as he studied the man before him. Bruce shifted slightly, turning to face his companion in one fluid movement. He stepped forward only two steps, the shadows falling away from him as he did, slowly revealing himself.

"Join me," he said in a husky voice. Lex shivered, unable to do anything except stare into Bruce's eyes. They were a dark brown in the daylight, but in the night, they seemed more like two black voids. Endless and infinitely dark.

And captivating.

Lex could hear his heart pounding as he stepped forward to join the man on the balcony. He'd only taken a few steps forward, however, when Bruce closed the gap between them in three long strides. He reached for Lex, roughly pulling him against his chest. His arms tightened around Lex--holding him captive-- as his lips crushed down upon Lex's in near brutal assault.

Lex reveled in the sensation of being in Bruce's embrace. This, he realized, was better than any dream he could entertain in his mind. It was real. Real... his mind wrapped itself around the word as another wave of excitement and pleasure washed over him. *This* was real...

Kisses rained down mercilessly upon him and, Lex trembled with desire, his body reacting instinctually to each touch. His arms wrapped around Bruce's waist, pulling their bodies *much* closer together, and a thrill raced through him as the evidence of his would- be lover's growing arousal pressed against his own. He moaned, and at the same time, a low rumble emanated from the man in his arms--a deep growl that vibrated against Lex's chest as it rose to the other man's throat, where it was swallowed up by another searing kiss.

Unable to help himself at this point--not that he wanted to--Lex opened his mouth for the other man, inviting the tongue that had been licking him savagely inside to explore. His initiative was rewarded as Bruce moaned out his name. The words were accompanied by another low growl, and the sound of it caused Lex's eyes to close as pleasure flooded his body.

And then, like the tide receding from the shore, it was gone. Bruce was gone, having released his hold on Lex... having retreated again, Lex realized at once.

Lex's eyes were still closed, and he was honestly afraid to open them, afraid of what he would see. At best, Bruce would be gone; at worst, he would still be there, but totally detached again... as if nothing had happened. Lex wasn't sure if he could handle that.

He willed his eyes to open at last...

...and they revealed Bruce leaning against the door frame, watching him with a mirthful expression on his face. Smirking at him, like he'd done all day... and no sign the dark, intense mood he'd been in a few minutes before.

"I think the bedroom would be more accommodating, wouldn't you agree?" he said in a laughing voice. He held a hand out to Lex, as if he expected Lex to take it. Lex stood there contemplating the hand like it were alien. "Come on, Lex," Bruce urged, still smiling. "You know you want to." This last part was spoken in the same darkly sexy voice that had invited Lex to join him on the balcony.

Lex reached for the offered hand, grasping it firmly, and followed Bruce into the bedroom.

*L*E*X*

Lex awoke from a light sex-induced sleep to the sensation of fingers skimming across the back of his neck. "Mmm... Bruce," he murmured happily. "That was..."

"Spiritual?" Bruce supplied. Lex opened his eyes to look at him. It wasn't quite the term Lex might have used, but once he heard it, he realized how aptly it fit.

"Something like that," Lex admitted, shifting his position in the bed so he could kiss Bruce. His lips were still sore from the punishment they had received earlier, but Lex didn't mind. He kissed his lover, enjoying the taste of sweat and desire on his lips.

The kiss ended abruptly, however, when Lex momentarily opened his eyes. Something flickered in the darkness of Bruce's eyes, and that something stopped him. Kiss forgotten, Lex gazed deeply into those dark orbs, mystified as a image of himself danced in them. Only it wasn't him as he saw himself, Lex realized at once. It was... as if Bruce had somehow managed to capture his soul in the depths of his eyes.

A smile played across his face at this new thought... a thought of a love so deep it conversely overwhelmed and set him free at the same time. Spiritual... that's what Bruce had said. He might just be right, Lex thought as he drew his lover to him, renewing the kiss.

*L*E*X*

Even before his eyes opened, Lex knew the bed was empty save for himself. A wave of panic overtook him, but faded when he finally did open his eyes. The door leading to the balcony was open again; Lex knew without a doubt that Bruce would be there.

He slipped from the bed, pulling his robe around him tightly and went outside. As he expected, Bruce Wayne stood at the railing, staring out at a night sky that was already making the transition from black to an inky purple in preparation for the dawn.

"It's beautiful" Bruce said as if he'd known all along that Lex was there, his voice once again deep with that dark, brooding something Lex had yet to decipher. "Join me." He patting the railing beside him, but didn't not look to see if Lex would do as he asked.

"Couldn't sleep?" Lex inquired.

"I don't sleep much," Bruce countered darkly.

"Oh?" Lex approached the railing, slipping an arm around Bruce as he did. Bruce did not answer, but instead moved so he was holding Lex in front of him, both of them facing the night sky. They stood in silence for awhile, Bruce's arms tightening around Lex until he could feel his lover's heart beating rhythmically through the fabric of his robe.

"Tell me about your family, Lex," Bruce asked suddenly.

The question came as a surprise. "You know Lionel already," Lex answered. He felt his lover's head shake. No, he realized. That wasn't what he was asking for. "I don't really know what to tell you, Bruce. He's my father, but we aren't much of a family. My mother was the only thing that ever made us one, and once she was gone..." With Bruce listening, Lex recounted losing his mother--the pain and grief he'd felt--and discovering that he'd lost his father on the same day. Then they spoke of Bruce's own loss at an age even younger than Lex had been when he'd lost his hair. Lex couldn't imagine what it must have been like to see your parents die in front of you, unable to do anything about it, frozen by the fear you might be next. No wonder Bruce didn't sleep much.

"I'm sorry," Lex said.

"Don't be; it's nothing you can change." Bruce leaned closer, until their cheeks touched. "Scary how alike we really are, isn't it?" He whispered into Lex's ear. Lex turned his face towards the sound and their lips met. They were still kissing a few minutes later when the sound of footsteps and a throat being cleared interrupted them.

"Yes, Alfred," Bruce said without bothering to look. Yet again, Lex found himself wondering how Bruce managed to know who was behind him.

"Sorry to interrupt, Master Bruce," Alfred answered. "I was on my way to the kitchen and wondered if there was something in particular you might want for breakfast?"

Was it time for breakfast already? Lex wondered, as he pulled out of Bruce's embrace. It was still early. The sun was just beginning to come up, he noted, pausing to watch it.

"No, nothing special, Alfred. I'm sure whatever Lex's cook can find will be fine."

"Yes, Master Bruce," Alfred said, turning to leave. "Good morning, Master Lex," he added as an afterthought.

"Alfred," Lex acknowledged, mostly to the older man's back. He looked at Bruce and found his lover beaming with pride. "What?" he asked.

"I'm impressed! Alfred usually doesn't acknowledge my male... friends." He smiled, leaning in to kiss Lex. "He actually approves of you."