Okay, so many of you have probably seen that Lex/Clark is a pairing in my Justice League A/B/O AU series, so I decided to write a story that contained the key moments of their relationship, up until the start of Secret Origins.

I hope you enjoy it, and please read and review ?

Young Clark Face Claim: .

Lex Face Claim: .

…..

"So…" grunted Mercy as she adjusted Lex's stance, "… I hear the Kent boy is joining the football team."

Lex frowned, hopping back as the alpha took a swing at him, "Really? I didn't figure him for the type to play football? He's too- "

"- Naïve?"

"Nice…. I was going to say nice. I remember how jocks used to be when I was in high school. Alphas and Betas who thought too highly of themselves."

As Mercy chuckled and threw another punch, Lex's personal assistant, Charity (a heavily built beta) rushed into the room. "Sorry to interrupt, but your Father's representatives have arrived. They're waiting in the main sitting room for you."

"Speaking of Alpha's who think too highly of themselves…." Lex muttered, grabbing a towel from the side-table and wrapping it around his neck, "… I thought I bloody cancelled that meeting.

Striding down the corridor, Lex found himself instinctively straightening up as he reached the main sitting room.

"Well, if it isn't the three wise men…. Or is the three stooges?" He then smirked at the blonde male, "Hello, Dominic."

As Lex headed over towards the alcohol cabinet (he needed it), Dominic audibly sighed.

"I assume you're late because you've been in a fencing lesson or have you taken up polo again?"

With the Alpha male trying to appear intimidating, Lex couldn't help but chuckle and roll his eyes, "I'm not running late. I cancelled this meeting, if you recall."

"Your father insisted that we drive down here and keep it."

"And, of course, when he barks, you jump…. And I'm the weak little omega."

Striding away, Lex could practically hear Dominic fuming behind him. As he reached the pool equipment cabinet, Dominic seemed to come back to his sense.

"Have you seen the quarterly numbers?"

"Yes, I have…. We're 20 percent below projections."

"And your father wants you to take drastic action."

"I plan to."

"… Good, then I can inform him that you'll be cutting your work force."

Lex couldn't help but smirk at the shocked tone in Dominic's voice…. He was about to shock him even further. "On the contrary, you can inform him I plan on increasing my work force."

"B-By how much?"

"Twenty percent."

Dominic chuckled, "Lex, I've always enjoyed your unique sense of humour but you can't be serious!"

"Oh I am. You've got to spend money to make money. If we increase productivity and marketing while our competitors retreat when the sector bounces back, we'll corner the market."

"Your father sent you to Smallville to turn the plant around!"

This was the last straw.

"He sent me to Smallville because he'd rather surround himself with Alpha drones than people who challenge his archaic business practices… especially his omega son."

"I'll be certain to tell him that."

"Please do… Now, this meeting is adjourned."

As Dominic gestured for the other men to follow him out of the door. However, before the Alpha's could leave, Lex's next statement stopped him in his tracks.

"By the way, Dominic… tell your sister I said hi."

Now, Lex had never slept with Dominic's beta sister…. But it was fun to rile him up like that.

…..

It was tense at the Kent Household.

With Jon Kent still displeased with Clark's decision to join the football team, and the practice that he'd observed that day, the two men were barely talking to each other.

With the knowledge that Clark also risked exposure in his act of saving Principal Kwan from his burning car, Jon was clearly ready to snap.

"Okay…thanks… bye-bye." Hanging up the phone, Martha turned to the two at the table, "Principal Kwan's gonna be in the hospital till over the weekend."

"Is he gonna be all right?"

"He's got burns and suffered smoke inhalation, but he's gonna be okay."

There was a brief silence, before Jon spoke up. "Anybody see you, son?"

Clark felt anger bubble up in his chest. "Nobody saw me, Dad…" he growled, "…I told the paramedics I wrapped my hands in my jacket when I pulled him out."

"Lucky you were there." Martha patted her son's shoulder.

"Well…I kind of missed my ride." Clark sighed, referring to his Pa's abrupt departure from the practice.

"Look, I saw you play, all right?" Jon scoffed, getting up and taking his plate to the question, "You could have easily hurt any one of those boys."

"But the point is, I didn't…." Beseechingly, Clark turned to his Ma in a silent plea for help as he followed his Pa, "… Why are we having this conversation? He's never gonna believe me… By the way, coach gave me your old position. You're looking at the starting tailback for this Friday's game."

If he was expecting his parents to congratulate him, Clark would be disappointed. "Don't everyone congratulate me at once…." He sighed, heading up to his room, missing the following conversation between Martha and Jon.

…..

"How did he get to be so stubborn?"

Martha rolled her eyes, "Gee, I don't know."

"… Wait a minute. I was not like that when I was his age."

"No, you were the obedient son who always obeyed his father and didn't run away one summer and try out for the Metropolis Sharks."

Jon winced guiltily, shuffling nervously from side to side on his chair, "When did you go and join the other side?"

"Jonathan, Clark hasn't been able to do anything normal his whole life. No play groups, no Little League all because we were afraid he might hurt somebody. He's a teenager now. Let's give him a shot!"

"His gifts come with responsibilities."

"This isn't about his gifts, it's about his judgment. You're telling Clark that you don't believe in him."

"Of course I believe in him, but what if he makes a mistake and somebody suspects the truth? I mean, I do not want anyone coming on this farm and taking our son away from us!"

"If we don't start trusting him, nobody will have to take him away he's gonna leave all by himself."

…

Lex wasn't sure how he knew his Father was at the manor.

Maybe it was the smell of fire and brimstone…. Maybe it was the sounds of Hell's gates creaking open.

Or maybe it was because he could hear his Father cursing out his members of staff, before storming into Lex's office.

"Congratulations, Lex, you made the Business page for once!"

Picking up the newspaper that had been flung onto his desk, Lex couldn't help but smirk. "I told Dominic I was doing this two days ago."

"Yes, and my 'drone' dutifully reported it to me… I just didn't think you'd be stupid enough to implement it."

"If you had a problem, why didn't you call me?"

"We have a reporting structure. Just because you're my son, don't expect any special treatment."

Lex couldn't help but roll his eyes at this, "Believe me, I never have."

There was a brief silence, before Lionel marched up to Lex, "That wounded pride routine may have worked for your mother but don't try it with me. You know perfectly well how I feel about you."

"Hence I'm at a crap factory in Smallville… the weak little omega pushed to one side so that his Alpha Father doesn't have to waste time and effort being disappointed in him"

Lionel took a deep breath in frustration, "Lex… did you know the Caesars would send their sons to the furthermost corners of the empire so they could get an appreciation of how the world works?"

"Whatever helps you sleep at night, Dad…."

"…All right, here's how I propose we solve our impasse." Lionel strode over to a couple of rapiers that were used for fencing practice, picking up one and swishing it through the air, "We'll fence for it. If you win, I'll let you pursue your plan… If I win, you fire 20 percent of your work force. The question you have to ask yourself, Lex, is are you good enough to take your old man?"

….

In hindsight, Lex wished he'd negotiated a bit more.

His Father had clearly been doing this for years, his movements were fluid and calm…. The older man even rolled over the pool table as an escape manoeuvre.

"Look at your moves, Lex…." The man sneered, "…They're rash, no thought to their consequences!"

"If I wanted a commentary, I'd buy your books on tape."

Lionel chuckled, "You know what your problem is?"

"Enlighten me!"

"You're ruled by your emotions! You always have been."

With one swift movement, Lionel disarmed Lex and pressed his own sword into Lex's neck, causing Lex to yelp slightly in pain. As he forced Lex back against the chair, smirking at his son's pained face, Lionel shook his head. "And that can be a fatal flaw…. I want those workers gone by noon tomorrow."

Just before he left, Lionel paused and span around, pressing the blade of the sword against Lex's cheeks, gently running it across the pale skin and drawing a thin line of blood.

"Meeting adjourned."

…..

Later that evening, a fresh plaster on his face, Lex read over all his employee files, trying to find the 20% that had to be let go. Instead of working at the mansion, in complete silence, Lex decided to work in the local coffee shop, known as The Talon.

It was quaint…. But it was nice.

Sighing wearily, Lex's thoughts were interrupted by someone clearing their throat in front of him. Glancing up, he flinched in surprise at the sight of Lana Lang in a waitress outfit. "Lana! What happened? Did Nell put you out on the street?"

"I decided to join the work force."

Lex beamed at this. Omegas in small towns such as this weren't usually expected to go into work, and were often encouraged out of it… they had to stay home and care for the babies after all. The fact like Lana had made that decision was a good sign.

"Good for you!" he exclaimed, "You'll be employee of the month in no time."

Lana winced, "Right now I hold the record for most dishes broken in a single day."

Chuckling slightly, Lex found himself feeling a lot better than he had when he entered the shop. "Well then, can I have a cappuccino then please…. In a Styrofoam cup."

Grinning at Lex's gentle teasing, Lana turned around to head to the kitchen, only to come face to face with Clark…. Lex didn't feel that guilty about listening in.

"Well, if it isn't Smallville's latest football star."

"Let's see how I do tomorrow night. Have you seen Trevor tonight?"

"No, he hasn't been in."

"How are things going here?"

"Today is one of those days I just want to scream."

"Well, for what it's worth, I think it's cool you got this job."

"For what it's worth, I'm sorry I'm not gonna get to see you play tomorrow…. New girl gets the worst shifts. So, can I get you anything?"

"May I have a cup of coffee?"

"Coming right up."

"Thanks."

Lex grinned as Clark made his way over, dressed in a bright red football jersey. "Rumour has it Clark Kent joined the football team like a good Alpha."

Despite the harsh words, the tone was teasing as Clark chuckled. "Rumour's true."

"Congratulations. Your dad must be thrilled!"

Clark winced, "Actually, he freaked out and told me I couldn't play…. I'm surprised with my dad. He claims I should make my own decisions but then when I do, he shuts me down."

Nodding in understanding, Lex sighed, "And you're out late, waiting for him to go to bed so you can avoid the uncomfortable silence when you get home."

"How'd you know?"

Lex shrugged, "The Luthor's wrote the book on uncomfortable silences."

"What are you working on?"

Turning his attention back to the papers and files in front of him, Lex shook his head wearily. "I'm trying to figure out which poor bastards should get the axe. My father wants me to cut 20% of the workforce."

"Any way around it?"

"Once my father's made his mind up, he's not easy to turn around."

Clark gestured at the plaster on Lex's cheek, a concerned look on his face. "Is he the one who did that?"

Before Lex could answer, Lana made her way over to the table and placed the tray of coffees down…. Including one that had way too much cream on top. "If it makes you guys feel any better you should have seen my aunt's face when I took this job." She sighed wearily, "Not that I was eavesdropping or anything."

"I guess we're all in the same boat." Sighed Clark.

Lex shook his head at this, "No, no. You both stood your ground and are doing what you want. I caved like a good, little omega… You two have inspired me."

"Oh, yeah…" Clark rolled his eyes, "… joining the football team and pouring some coffee. We're a couple of real rebels."

"Long live the revolution." Chuckled Lana, watching as Lex took a sip of the creamed coffee she'd made, "How is it?"

Wiping away the cream from his nose and upper lip (resisting the urge to smirk at Clark's blush). "It's perfect." He reassured the other omega.

As Lana beamed in delight and rushed away, Clark glanced between his own cup of coffee and Lex's, a frown on his face. "Is that what you ordered?"

"… Not even close."

…..

Lex had desperately wanted to go and see Clark's first game…. For educational purposes, of course.

But he was too busy out-smarting his Father.

Seated behind his desk, he could hear Lionel's footsteps echo throughout the corridor as he made his way to Lex's office.

"Two trips in one week…" stated Lex in mock-shock, "I'm flattered, Dad."

Lionel did not rise to the bait, holding up a folder, "What is this?"

"It's my new proposal. I figured out how to cut the operating budget by 20% without losing a single job."

"Lex, I specifically told you to cut your work force."

"Why? With this plan, you don't get the bad PR."

"…. That's not the point."

Noticing how his Father's fists were clenched around the paper, Lex smirked. "Careful, Dad, you're getting emotional…." He pulled a sword from its sheath, "…We could always try a rematch. Or are you afraid you can't take your son again?"

"… You get one."

"One what?"

"One chance to defy me."

Now this really made Lex laugh. "I can't figure out what you hate more… the fact that my plan works or that you didn't come up with it first. An omega managed to out-smart an Alpha."

"Just remember: Empires aren't built on clever bookkeeping."

"Dad, you have no idea what I'm capable of."

…..

After defeating the evil coach, missing his first game and smoothing things over with his Pa, Clark found the empty football field to be-

"- Peaceful, isn't it?"

Spinning around, Clark smiled at Lana who was striding over. "Hey, thought you were working?"

"I got let go…. Apparently, I'm not waitress material."

"… Sorry. How'd your aunt take it?"

"She said that it was a sign that maybe I was one of those omegas who wasn't suited for work, and that I should seriously reconsider cheerleading."

Clark rolled his eyes at this. "Parents, what are you gonna do?"

"…. I heard about the coach. Pretty weird."

"Yeah, He won his 200th game and didn't even see it."

"Are you gonna play next season?"

"I don't know if football's for me. I mean, my dad played, my granddad played. I think it's time to break the vicious cycle…. Maybe my kid's will in the future, but it's not for me."

"Pretty short career. Why the change of heart?"

"I don't know…. Guess I got out on the field and realized I was only doing this to rebel against my Pa… silly really."

"I'm sorry to hear that."

Clark just shrugged, "Who said life was fair?"

"Gonna be okay?"

"… Sometimes I just want to scream."

Grinning, Lana glanced around, "Why don't we?"

"… Why don't we what?"

"Scream. I'm game if you are."

"You serious?"

"Why not?"

There was no-one around, so Clark shrugged. "On three…. One…two…three."

The pair screamed into the air, their arms out-stretched as they released their frustrations out into the open.