------------------
Part 7 - Stumbling blocks…
Clark wasn't really sure where he was when he stopped running, he switched to walking not because he
was tired but just because it gave him something else to do, something different and wherever he was
no one seemed to be bothering him too much. He trudged along taking in the sights of the city and
seeing for himself what it was really like to live in such a place. Seeing the places that were not
marked on the tourist trail that he had followed as a child. He tried hard not to think about the kiss, or
the look of confusion in Lex's eyes after he had pushed Clark away, it hurt too much to think on that so
instead he thought over his time with Lex.
Clark had been out of his prison for a few weeks now and tonight had been the first time they had been
out in public together, he was sure that he could read the people that eyed him suspiciously, wondering
what he was doing with the son of LuthorCorp and the hero of Metropolis. He knew that Lex was
Metropolis' golden boy but now he had seen it first hand he wondered if it would be so hard to fit in
with that image, the Lex he had known was underhanded and devious but this one was more kind,
gentler and more easy going. Clark didn't know if it was an act or if Lionel's deposing had caused him
to be that way, it was this more than any other that had made him think Lex Luthor was the kind of
man he could love. He wondered what it was about him that Lex did not want, or if indeed it was just
that he was a man.
Clark sighed, stopping in front of a small diner and checking his pocket for change, he felt the smooth
leather of his wallet and smiled. That was Lex's idea, looking out for him as always, even though Clark
never went out Lex had handed him the wallet one day with two hundred dollars in various bills and a
credit card in his name with an undisclosed limit. He said that one day Clark might need to go out, or
tip someone or just might want to do something extravagant and that he would need the money to do it
with. Now he was glad of the gift because it meant he could buy the hot cup of coffee that he craved
when he saw the lights on, just a drink and some time to consider his options Clark mused as he took a
seat and waited for the waitress to come to him.
He was the only customer and she smiled politely as he sat at the counter and ordered a coffee. She
poured him one before returning to the magazine she had been reading and Clark was glad of the time
alone. Lex had told him that he needed to make some decisions about the future and he realised now
that the other man had been right. After all, he could not sponge off Lex for the rest of his life no
matter how many times the billionaire told him that he could stay as long as he wanted. If Clark stayed
too much longer Lex may resent him and that was the last thing that Clark wanted, especially given the
thoughts and events of that evening.
Taking out a pen and reaching for a paper napkin Clark began to write a list of things that he wanted to
accomplish, at least he hoped that he would end up with a list by the time he had finished, he at least
needed to think it over.
Two cups of coffee and an hour and a half later Clark stared down at the list he had made and realised
that he was a little preoccupied, because all he had written other than 'think about future' was 'apologise
to Lex'. He assumed that this would have to be the first priority because other than that he had no idea
what he wanted to do and it was not something he had ever really given a lot of consideration. He
supposed that was because now he actually had a future to plan and he had never dare hope for that
before.
---------------------
Lex had been waiting up for Clark, a glass of expensive Brandy in his hand as he waited for the boy to
come back. He didn't know what had happened but as he listened to the tape he had confiscated things
became a little clearer. Thanks to Lois Lane he had lost his one true friend, the person that had gotten
the closest to knowing him, for a second time. Clark must have thought that Lex had wanted him for
something other than friendship and felt the obligation to act on it because of what Lex had done.
While he wanted nothing more than to take Clark in his arms and make love to him he had long since
realised that there was nothing more than friendship there and was trying his hardest to suppress his
feelings for Clark in order to save the friendship that they were rebuilding. Just to be around the boy
would have to be enough and he had lasted three years of it in Smallville before the 'accident', to have
him back in his life was more than the billionaire could ever have hoped for.
Lex wasn't sure how long he waited, nor how much of the vintage Brandy he had drunk, but the next
thing he was aware of was that it was getting light and that he was lying on his bed. He had no
recollection of how he had gotten there but there was the fresh smell of coffee brewing in the Kitchen
and he was sure that he did not have any staff at the Penthouse, at least not now Clark was with him.
The boy was too shy to be around others all the time and he had sent them away because he wanted
Clark to be comfortable here, even if it was only a temporary home. Lex could hardly believe his eyes
when he saw what, or rather who, walked through the door.
"Good morning." Clark said brightly, as if he had slept like a baby the entire night before. "I'm sorry
for last night, but I brought you a cup of your favourite Colombian blend as a peace offering."
Lex took the proffered coffee and smiled as he took a sip of the sweet coffee, the only one he found
that was full-bodied enough not to need any extra sugar in it. Clark took a step forward and sat on the
edge of Lex's bed, making the older man shudder slightly at the thought that Clark was in his bed.
'ON…on his bed' his mind corrected sharply as he felt the beginning sweep of arousal spread through
him. He felt a soft hand take his coffee away and he was about to protest when a soft kiss was placed
on his lips.
"Clark…" He tried to protest as he pulled back. "We have to talk."
"I know you want me, Lex." Clark said, his deep voice sending chills down Lex's spine as he advanced
on the older man. "I can smell the arousal, hear your heart beating faster and see the way your pupils
dilate. I'm not an expert but I'd say that's wanting me."
"Clark, I do want you, but…"
Clark took another kiss, enjoying the taste of the lips and getting less nervous as he kissed Lex again,
his confidence building as he got more experienced. At least the kissing was not too difficult to grasp
and it turned out not to be too much different with men as it had been with the few women he had
kissed.
"You don't have to do this Clark." Lex said as he pulled away a third time. This time fighting his
hardening cock as well where the man that was now straddling him; looking at him in that sweet and
innocent way and surpassing any wet dream or fantasy that Lex had ever had about the innocent farm
boy. "I've wanted you for a long time and I can live without it."
Clark pulled back uncertainly as he looked at Lex, this time his eyes telling the truth of the fear and
confusion that he faced.
"I don't know if I can. Live without it I mean." Clark said truthfully and this time it was Lex that
reached for him, taking his lips lightly and trying to convey in that one kiss all of the love and
protection that he could give. Lex was a man of few words and he hoped that the kiss showed in
actions what he could not articulate into language. Clark moaned softly as an old but familiar feeling
passed through him, something he had not felt in a long time. Had not dared to feel for a long time.
Arousal and need.
"That's enough." Lex said as he pulled away, thanking the gods for whatever willpower he had left
especially when he heard the slight whimper from Clark at the separation.
Clark looked up at him, confusion and fear in his eyes as he wondered if Lex had just humoured him.
"It's okay. I've just waited a long time for this and I don't mind waiting a little longer." He said, Clark
wanted to interrupt, but Lex continued. "I don't want to push you Clark, and I think that if we carried
on I might forget that." He said. "Now pass me my coffee before it gets cold." Lex said changing the
subject.
Clark smiled gently, almost indulgently, and reached for the cup he had set aside. He was surprised
when Lex shifted to one side of the bed and patted the other side for Clark. The younger man readily
accepted and was glad that he was not pushed away when he leaned his head on Lex's shoulder in a
kind of half embrace.
Clark knew that this was only the first step and that there was still a long way to go both in their
relationship and in his recovery but he had wiped off the most important thing from his list and the
future did not seem so empty anymore. Not if he could keep Lex at his side.
-------------------------------
TO Be Continued.
Part 7 - Stumbling blocks…
Clark wasn't really sure where he was when he stopped running, he switched to walking not because he
was tired but just because it gave him something else to do, something different and wherever he was
no one seemed to be bothering him too much. He trudged along taking in the sights of the city and
seeing for himself what it was really like to live in such a place. Seeing the places that were not
marked on the tourist trail that he had followed as a child. He tried hard not to think about the kiss, or
the look of confusion in Lex's eyes after he had pushed Clark away, it hurt too much to think on that so
instead he thought over his time with Lex.
Clark had been out of his prison for a few weeks now and tonight had been the first time they had been
out in public together, he was sure that he could read the people that eyed him suspiciously, wondering
what he was doing with the son of LuthorCorp and the hero of Metropolis. He knew that Lex was
Metropolis' golden boy but now he had seen it first hand he wondered if it would be so hard to fit in
with that image, the Lex he had known was underhanded and devious but this one was more kind,
gentler and more easy going. Clark didn't know if it was an act or if Lionel's deposing had caused him
to be that way, it was this more than any other that had made him think Lex Luthor was the kind of
man he could love. He wondered what it was about him that Lex did not want, or if indeed it was just
that he was a man.
Clark sighed, stopping in front of a small diner and checking his pocket for change, he felt the smooth
leather of his wallet and smiled. That was Lex's idea, looking out for him as always, even though Clark
never went out Lex had handed him the wallet one day with two hundred dollars in various bills and a
credit card in his name with an undisclosed limit. He said that one day Clark might need to go out, or
tip someone or just might want to do something extravagant and that he would need the money to do it
with. Now he was glad of the gift because it meant he could buy the hot cup of coffee that he craved
when he saw the lights on, just a drink and some time to consider his options Clark mused as he took a
seat and waited for the waitress to come to him.
He was the only customer and she smiled politely as he sat at the counter and ordered a coffee. She
poured him one before returning to the magazine she had been reading and Clark was glad of the time
alone. Lex had told him that he needed to make some decisions about the future and he realised now
that the other man had been right. After all, he could not sponge off Lex for the rest of his life no
matter how many times the billionaire told him that he could stay as long as he wanted. If Clark stayed
too much longer Lex may resent him and that was the last thing that Clark wanted, especially given the
thoughts and events of that evening.
Taking out a pen and reaching for a paper napkin Clark began to write a list of things that he wanted to
accomplish, at least he hoped that he would end up with a list by the time he had finished, he at least
needed to think it over.
Two cups of coffee and an hour and a half later Clark stared down at the list he had made and realised
that he was a little preoccupied, because all he had written other than 'think about future' was 'apologise
to Lex'. He assumed that this would have to be the first priority because other than that he had no idea
what he wanted to do and it was not something he had ever really given a lot of consideration. He
supposed that was because now he actually had a future to plan and he had never dare hope for that
before.
---------------------
Lex had been waiting up for Clark, a glass of expensive Brandy in his hand as he waited for the boy to
come back. He didn't know what had happened but as he listened to the tape he had confiscated things
became a little clearer. Thanks to Lois Lane he had lost his one true friend, the person that had gotten
the closest to knowing him, for a second time. Clark must have thought that Lex had wanted him for
something other than friendship and felt the obligation to act on it because of what Lex had done.
While he wanted nothing more than to take Clark in his arms and make love to him he had long since
realised that there was nothing more than friendship there and was trying his hardest to suppress his
feelings for Clark in order to save the friendship that they were rebuilding. Just to be around the boy
would have to be enough and he had lasted three years of it in Smallville before the 'accident', to have
him back in his life was more than the billionaire could ever have hoped for.
Lex wasn't sure how long he waited, nor how much of the vintage Brandy he had drunk, but the next
thing he was aware of was that it was getting light and that he was lying on his bed. He had no
recollection of how he had gotten there but there was the fresh smell of coffee brewing in the Kitchen
and he was sure that he did not have any staff at the Penthouse, at least not now Clark was with him.
The boy was too shy to be around others all the time and he had sent them away because he wanted
Clark to be comfortable here, even if it was only a temporary home. Lex could hardly believe his eyes
when he saw what, or rather who, walked through the door.
"Good morning." Clark said brightly, as if he had slept like a baby the entire night before. "I'm sorry
for last night, but I brought you a cup of your favourite Colombian blend as a peace offering."
Lex took the proffered coffee and smiled as he took a sip of the sweet coffee, the only one he found
that was full-bodied enough not to need any extra sugar in it. Clark took a step forward and sat on the
edge of Lex's bed, making the older man shudder slightly at the thought that Clark was in his bed.
'ON…on his bed' his mind corrected sharply as he felt the beginning sweep of arousal spread through
him. He felt a soft hand take his coffee away and he was about to protest when a soft kiss was placed
on his lips.
"Clark…" He tried to protest as he pulled back. "We have to talk."
"I know you want me, Lex." Clark said, his deep voice sending chills down Lex's spine as he advanced
on the older man. "I can smell the arousal, hear your heart beating faster and see the way your pupils
dilate. I'm not an expert but I'd say that's wanting me."
"Clark, I do want you, but…"
Clark took another kiss, enjoying the taste of the lips and getting less nervous as he kissed Lex again,
his confidence building as he got more experienced. At least the kissing was not too difficult to grasp
and it turned out not to be too much different with men as it had been with the few women he had
kissed.
"You don't have to do this Clark." Lex said as he pulled away a third time. This time fighting his
hardening cock as well where the man that was now straddling him; looking at him in that sweet and
innocent way and surpassing any wet dream or fantasy that Lex had ever had about the innocent farm
boy. "I've wanted you for a long time and I can live without it."
Clark pulled back uncertainly as he looked at Lex, this time his eyes telling the truth of the fear and
confusion that he faced.
"I don't know if I can. Live without it I mean." Clark said truthfully and this time it was Lex that
reached for him, taking his lips lightly and trying to convey in that one kiss all of the love and
protection that he could give. Lex was a man of few words and he hoped that the kiss showed in
actions what he could not articulate into language. Clark moaned softly as an old but familiar feeling
passed through him, something he had not felt in a long time. Had not dared to feel for a long time.
Arousal and need.
"That's enough." Lex said as he pulled away, thanking the gods for whatever willpower he had left
especially when he heard the slight whimper from Clark at the separation.
Clark looked up at him, confusion and fear in his eyes as he wondered if Lex had just humoured him.
"It's okay. I've just waited a long time for this and I don't mind waiting a little longer." He said, Clark
wanted to interrupt, but Lex continued. "I don't want to push you Clark, and I think that if we carried
on I might forget that." He said. "Now pass me my coffee before it gets cold." Lex said changing the
subject.
Clark smiled gently, almost indulgently, and reached for the cup he had set aside. He was surprised
when Lex shifted to one side of the bed and patted the other side for Clark. The younger man readily
accepted and was glad that he was not pushed away when he leaned his head on Lex's shoulder in a
kind of half embrace.
Clark knew that this was only the first step and that there was still a long way to go both in their
relationship and in his recovery but he had wiped off the most important thing from his list and the
future did not seem so empty anymore. Not if he could keep Lex at his side.
-------------------------------
TO Be Continued.