Out of the Coat Closet

By Queen of Sarab

AN: Yay, Fanfiction's back! Ok Well, here's chapter five I wrote it at like 2 in the morning, so if there are any mistakes I missed in proofreading I apologize profusely anyway, R&R!

Chapter Five

It was barely after five in the afternoon when Lex walked back into his home. He wasn't beaten- Clark just needed time- but he was exhausted, head pounding with frustration and yearning.

No matter how tired he was, however, he reminded himself firmly, he was a Luthor, and he had a plant to run. So, instead of slipping into his satin-sheeted bed- as he wanted so desperately to do- Lex plodded into his office, sinking into the large desk chair with a light sigh. His head fell back against the chair's upholstered back, and he closed his eyes for a few brief moments; and then he was back, pushing his exhaustion away and leaning over the large stack of papers littering his desk.

A grating buzz from his phone interrupted him almost immediately. With an irritated sigh he pressed the button to answer. "Yes?"

"There's a Jonathan Kent here to see you, sir."

Wonderful. Exactly what he needed, Lex thought with a grimace.

"Send him in, Julia," he ordered his secretary. "And bring me some painkillers," he added with a sigh.

Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later, he reasoned as he waited. A devoted father like Jonathan Kent wouldn't just stand aside and watch as his son was wooed to the "dark side", would he? Lex had been expecting this- but now, head throbbing from his confrontation with the younger Kent, he did not feel up to dealing with Clark's father.

A soft knock at the door alerted him to the presence of his secretary, who bustled in to hand him the painkillers he had asked for. He gulped them down like gasps of air, chasing them with purified water from the bottle he always kept near his desk.

"Mr. Kent is on his way in, sir," Julia informed him before hurrying out of the office.

That ominous proclamation was followed very closely by another, more hesitant, knock against the office door. And here it comes, Lex grimaced.

"It's open," he called.

The door creaked open, and Jonathan Kent followed it tentatively, running one hand nervously through his short hair. He pushed the door closed behind him, continuing to stand awkwardly by it until Lex stood, motioning to a chair across his desk.

"Please sit down, Mr. Kent," he said. "Make yourself comfortable."

"I won't be here long," Jonathan insisted, sitting stiffly in the proffered chair. Lex returned to his seat. "I just needed to speak to you"

He paused, face twisting in sudden indecision. Lex finished for him. "You came to speak to me about your son."

"Yes," Jonathan confirmed, relaxing slightly. "I walked in on something last night- I'll let you explain what it was- and well, I've talked to Clark and it seems I'm left with talking to you."

"I see," Lex said, voice cool. "Well, Mr. Kent, I must tell you it surprises me you expect me to explain what' you saw last night. I'd believed it was fairly obvious. But, if you insist, your son and I were simply acting on feelings that have lain dormant for quite some time."

Jonathan's gaze, which been skipping around the room, desperately avoiding the younger man, snapped suddenly to Lex's face. "I'm not sure I understand what you mean."

"I mean that I love your son very much, Mr. Kent," Lex answered, eyes narrowed dangerously. "And I believe he returns my feelings."

"I see," answered Jonathan slowly. "Well, I don't know what my son has told you, Lex, but he's young. He thinks he knows what he wants but he's a teenager, full of conflicting emotions, and he's too young to really grasp what life has to offer him" he trailed off for a moment, then began speaking again with a sigh. "It's not that I would have a problem with him being gay. It is would be hard to accept, but he's my son, and I'd do my best. But I do have a problem with him"

"Choosing a Luthor," Lex finished for him.

"No, I wasn't going to say that," insisted Jonathan gruffly. "But you are older than him Lex, and the responsibility here lies with you. Clark is confused. The last thing he needs is someone pushing him into a relationship he'll regret."

Lex was silent for a moment before answering. "With all due respect, Mr. Kent," he said finally. "No matter how huge a monster you may picture me, I haven't forced your son into anything. I never would. If Clark is uncomfortable with our relationship, he's welcome to back out at any time. But he's not. In fact, his only problem with it seems to be his fear of your disapproval. Frankly, I think we would have been together long before now if it wasn't for his constant yearning for the approval of you and Mrs. Kent."

Face reddening, Jonathan answered. "Clark has always had our approval, Lex. And nothing you say to me will make your relationship with my son less wrong."

"Wrong," Lex gave a wry laugh. "I'm really beginning to hate that word. I'm still having a little trouble with that aspect of it, actually. What do you dislike more, Mr. Kent, the fact that your son loves an older man or the fact that he loves a Luthor?"

Temporarily speechless with anger, Jonathan Kent sputtered slightly. Lex smirked wryly in return.

"As I have already explained to you," the young Luthor continued. "I love your son. If that's wrong, than I suppose I'm wrong, and I'll take whatever consequence comes with it. But I have honestly never felt anything was more right. You disagree, I'm sure, and I'm sorry if I can't change your mind. But I also know that you hold a grudge against my family, and nothing that I've done or said, or that your own family has done or said, has changed that. I'm not giving up, but I acknowledge now that you may never accept me, even as Clark's friend. And that is, obviously, your choice. But I hope that you will also accept your son's choice, even if it is to be with a man you despise."

"I trust Clark," Jonathan countered angrily. "And I trust that he will make the right decision- most of the time. But in this case, to be frank, I think you're taking advantage of his confusion, and his naivete, and I can only hope that he'll see through your bribes and smooth talk soon enough to avoid a huge mistake."

With that, Jonathan Kent stood abruptly, eyes blazing, and turned as if to leave. Lex stood up where he was, cool eyes fixed on the man before him.

"I would never take advantage of your son," he breathed. "I would never hurt him, or do anything to or with him without his express permission. As I've said before, and I'll say again, I care for Clark very deeply. And no amount of close-minded preaching will change that."

Jonathan turned slowly back to face Lex, and their eyes locked, blazing with fury; but neither man made a move to fight, and it was Jonathan who finally broke their gaze.

"Stay away from my son, Lex," he spit quietly.

And then he left, slamming the heavy wooden door roughly behind him.