"No, Clark. He isn't in today." Denise's voice, though steady, was tinged with worry.
"Okay, thanks." Clark pressed the end button on his cell phone. Not at work... Clark dialed the mansion. Lex had already failed to answer his cell.
"He isn't here, Clark," Frances said, with no attempt to hide her concern. "I haven't seen him since yesterday afternoon."
"I'm sure he's fine, Frances," Clark said unconvincingly. "I'll have him call you when I catch up to him." Clark clicked off the phone.
If Lex wasn't at work... and he wasn't at home... and he's not at the Talon... and won't answer his cell phone... maybe he went to Metropolis. Sometimes Lex used the penthouse apartment as a reclusive getaway. Clark hoped that was the case.
Clark cantered down the stairs, kissed his mom "goodbye, see you later," and ran out the door before anyone could stop him. Speeding to Metropolis all Clark could think about was Lex... was Lex okay... The Luthorcorp building stood tall and reflected the morning sun like a brilliant golden shield. Clark buzzed past security and up the stairs to the 34th floor.
"Lex..." Clark knocked softly on the apartment door. He pushed slightly and went inside. "Lex? Where are... Oh my god"
Lex was lying naked in a heap on the recreation room floor, bleeding from his mouth, his nose, his ears and his rectum. In an instant Clark was by his side, carefully cradling his friend's ragged face in his lap. Smudges of black liner under Lex's drugged-red eyes; the rosy glittered cheeks so unnatural against the rivulets of crimson drying on his bruised face.
"Lex... Lex..." Clark spoke softly, quickly x-raying the battered body. He would kill whoever did this to Lex. "Please Lex. What happened?"
"Uhhhhhhhh." Lex's eyes fluttered, then he smiled. "Clark... Wha' happen' to th' party?" He moaned and closed his eyes again.
Clark found a broken cheekbone, two cracked ribs, one broken finger, anal tears, and scratches and bruises too numerous to count. More disturbing were the syringes and empty packets littering the carpet and the track marks on the inside of Lex's arm. Clark quickly opened his cell phone and hit the speed dial for Toby, Lex's discretionary physician. Clark grabbed a nearby pillow and placed it under Lex's head. He retrieved a bowl of tap water and cloth plus a bottle of TyNant from the kitchen.
"Clarrrrr..." Lex moaned softly. "That you?" The drugs obviously had kept him from feeling much pain, but they were beginning to wear off. Lex reached to touch his broken cheek only to have his hand caught in mid-air.
"Easy, Lex," Clark said, examining the ragged fingernails, tinged with blood. "You were raped." Clark's voice was gentle.
"Raaape? Naaaaw... parrrty." Lex drawled, trying to roll onto his side. He didn't make it and vomited booze and bile all over himself and Clark.
Clark's jaw set and anger filled his eyes. He wanted to shake Lex as hard as he dared. He wanted to scream as loud as he could. His frustration level was maxing out. But Clark took a deep breath and reminded himself that his friend was ill and he would not run out on him. Gently, Clark dipped the cloth in the warm water and wiped around Lex's mouth. Clark lifted Lex's head and held the blue bottle to his lips. Lex choked on the water and Clark sat the bottle on the carpet.
The doorbell sounded and Clark lay Lex's head back onto the pillow. He leapt to the door to find Toby waiting outside. The grizzled doctor smiled wryly as he walked inside the apartment.
"What'd Lex get himself into this time?" Toby shook his head as he looked down at his patient.
"Fuuuck."
"Yeah." Clark agreed and kneeled next to Toby, waiting for instructions.
***********************************
"Keep him in bed and give him Tylenol, nothing stronger," Toby said as he gave Lex a glaring eye. "I won't have him getting addicted again. No use trading one addiction for another."
Clark's eyes grew large and his mouth gaped open. Yes, he could see bulimia as an addiction. Lex had explained it as an all-consuming desire, no, need to binge and purge.
"Yes, my boy here had quite the habit when he was younger. But went cold turkey and beat it when he was 20. Good thing he does heal fast, though... will get him through the pain quick." Toby sighed softly, running his hand through his long stringy hair. "Clark... you know, I don't think Lex has hit bottom yet. Can you hold on for him until he does?"
"Yes," Clark answered without hesitation as Toby packed away his supplies.
"Get some food into him, Toby said, checking Lex's pulse one last time. "Broth or something light."
Lex was already moaning by the time Clark let Toby out of the apartment. Clark quickly heated some chicken and rice soup he found in the cupboard and tried to feed a bit to his patient.
"Clark Get that shit away from me." Lex screamed, turning his head at the last moment . The spoon bumped his cheek and the hot liquid dribbled down his chin onto the sheets. "You're burning me..."
Clark sopped up the mess with a napkin and frowned. "Lex you have to eat something. Doctor's orders."
"Fuck the doctor"
"I don't think you really want to," Clark said, trying to add some levity to the situation. Clark could tell that Lex wasn't in the mood for humor when turned a cold eye toward his raven-haired nurse. He stubbornly kept his lips tightly shut and Clark finally set the soup back on the tray. Lex was making this very difficult.
Clark realized that this was the man most people, including Jonathan, thought was the real Lex Luthor. Rich, spoiled because of it, with no thought to anyone around him. But Clark knew better. He was the only one who took the time to really know this man. This man that he loved. There, he'd said it... even if it was only in his mind. Clark could not let him down. Not this time.
Lex moaned and tried to scoot down in the bed. "I suppose Toby took away all the good stuff..."
"Uh huh. Tylenol Lex, that's it." Clark announced sharply, his jaw set.
"Hrrmph We'll see..."
"You need to rest, now," Clark said, ignoring Lex's remark. He pulled the blanket up under Lex's chin. "I have to call my folks, but I'm not going anywhere. I'll be here when you wake up."
"Save me from meddlesome teenagers." Lex grumbled, but his eyes slowly closed.
Clark waited until Lex's breathing was soft and steady before leaving the bedroom.
"Uh, hi Dad," Clark fell wearily into the overstuffed couch with the cell phone to his ear. "No Dad, I'm not coming home yet... Yes, Lex needs me... I'm staying the weekend." He held the phone away from his ear when Jonathan lost his temper. "Okay, I can speed home and do my chores, but then I'm coming right back to be with Lex. You're right... that wouldn't be such a good idea, someone might see me. Sunday night, I promise."
*******************************
"luscious, soft skin...
just like a baby's...
hairless like a cherub...
my pretty boy likes it...
it's okay...
mommy's gone...
daddy understands...
daddy knows what little boys like...
see???"
************************
Clark woke to the piercing scream echoing throughout the apartment. Shit He'd meant to sleep next to Lex's bed but had fallen asleep on the couch after talking to his father. Lex was sitting up, drenched with sweat, when Clark entered the bedroom. Lex's eyes were wide in terror and Clark knelt beside the bed and gathered him into his arms.
"Lex, Lex. Shhh. It's okay." Clark held his friend loosely, afraid he might damage the already damaged ribs. Lex hung onto Clark like a life raft. The silk sheets were soaked and Clark pushed the top sheet away and gathered Lex up in the comforter. "Nightmare?"
Lex buried his face in Clark's chest, while Clark slowly stroked his back under the comforter. Lex nodded.
"Want to tell me about it?" Clark asked, gently wiping Lex's face with a dry area of the silk sheet.
"No..." Lex whispered. His eyes were wide and Clark saw real fear in their grey depths.
"Lex..."
"Please Clark, don't ask me again. It was only a dream."
"I think it was more than that, Lex, but I won't press," Clark said sliding his hand up to cup the back of Lex's head. Clark kissed him on the forehead and Lex seemed to calm down. But he was unwilling to loosen his grip on Clark.
"Stay here with me."
"Okay, Lex, but let's move to another bedroom with dry sheets. You'll be more comfortable."
"Sure." Lex disentangled himself from the comforter and Clark helped him out of bed. Lex shivered and Clark sped them into one of the guest bedrooms and slid under the sheets. He quickly undressed to his shorts, threw his clothes across the room and pressed himself up against Lex's quivering body.
"Don't leave me," Lex said and he pressed back into Clark's chest and tucked Clark's hands up under his chin.
In a few moments, Lex was asleep again. Sometimes Clark wished that mind reading was one of his talents.
****************************
Lex felt Clark's hard cock pressing into his lower back when he woke. Motionless, Lex listened to Clark's rhythmic breathing indicating the boy was still asleep. Lex carefully extricated himself from Clark's arms and headed to the bathroom. His own cock hung limply as he walked. His bladder emptied, he sat carefully on the edge of the huge bath tub. God, he felt like shit. It seemed like every inch of his body ached. The face of the man who had fucked him last night remained hidden in the shadows of his mind.
Lex's stomach growled. Fuck you, he thought. He removed a piece of tile from the wall next to the tub to reveal a small lead-lined box. Opening the door to the box, Lex reached in and pulled out a small packet of white powder. No smack? No problem. Meth would do just fine. He had hiding places all over the apartment even though he hadn't used any in years.
He quickly lay out a line on the imported Italian marble sink. He blinked and realized he'd been staring at the powder for a few minutes. Was this what he really wanted? Lex decided quickly and sniffed up the powder. He wiped the counter and turned on the tap, rinsing the bowl with a little water. He closed the lead box and replaced the tile. Lex's purple velvet robe hung from a hook in the bathroom. The rush hit him in waves. He grabbed the robe and slipped his arms inside, pulling the belt taut in the front. Without the meth, this small feat would have been impossible. The bottle of Tylenol that Clark had brought from the master bathroom stared at Lex in defiance from the counter. Fuck Toby anyway
Clark rustled in the sheets and Lex peered cautiously into the bedroom. The boy was still asleep. Lex tip toed back into the room and carefully opened the door to the hallway.
"Lex?" Clark whimpered, sleepily, patting the bed looking for his friend.
Lex stood perfectly still and Clark fell back asleep. Leaving the door slightly ajar, Lex left the bedroom and headed down the hall to the entertainment room. Once there, he poured some orange juice into a glass and added a healthy dash of vodka.
Lex sighed and his eyes rolled back in his head as the alcohol and meth euphoria engulfed him.
"There," Lex said aloud, "A fine breakfast." He downed the drink in two gulps, then moved to sit on the grey leather couch.
The crumpled, semen-stained, thousand dollar bill lay repulsively on the coffee table, which had been pushed aside allowing ample room for a night of degrading fucking on the plush carpet. Lex reached into his robe and stroked his cock. Still nothing. He gently pulled at his balls, rolling them in his warm hand. Dead. He sighed... then yanked them roughly. That action brought tears to his eyes and he fought to swallow down the pain. Obviously he wasn't the one who'd had mind-blowing orgasms. Would the damn thing ever work again?
His club clothes lay scattered around the room. He reached for the tee-shirt and found several tears in the silk. His leather pants were in better condition; at least he'd gotten them off before the action started. Lex carried the soft leather pants to his bedroom and tossed them on the bed. He dressed, quickly, in casual black slacks and a lavender sweater. There was little pain this morning... not after the drugs and booze.
Peering into the guest bedroom where Clark had taken him, Lex found the boy still asleep. Good. He padded through the house to the kitchen.
**************************
Clark woke, his arms wrapped around a plump down pillow.
"Lex?" He sat up on his elbows and called out again. "Lex?" Swinging his legs over the edge, Clark sprung from the bed. He padded down the hall to the master bedroom. No Lex. His jeans were lying on the floor and he stepped into them and pulled on his tee shirt. Where had his friend gotten to?
"LEX" Clark's voice carried through out the apartment. No response. Hmmmm. Maybe he went out for bagels or pastries. Not likely... In the entertainment room Clark found an empty glass which smelled of orange juice and alcohol. Shit... Lex was injured. Why would he leave the apartment? He had to be hurting still. Clark went to check for Lex's keys. Good, they were still in the dish sitting on the table beside the front door. Clark hurried into the kitchen.
"Lex, oh my god"
Lex was sprawled on the kitchen floor surrounded by candy, chip, and donut wrappers. He was lying face down in vomit and blood. Clark grabbed the kitchen phone and dialed 911.
"Jesus, Lex..." Clark cradled his friend in his arms and wiped out his mouth with a kitchen towel. Lex wasn't breathing. "Oh, no you don't."
Clark pinched Lex's nose and breathed into his mouth. Clark listened for Lex's heartbeat. Nothing. He checked for any obstructions and began CPR. Clark knew it was dangerous due to Lex's cracked ribs. But a heartbeat and breathing were more important than broken ribs. Luckily Lex's damaged ribs were on his right side.
Clark kept the CPR going. The paramedics arrived quickly, security giving them entrance to the penthouse. They took over immediately. One continued the CPR while another set up for an IV drip. Tears streamed down Clark's face as they worked on his friend.
"He's not responding" One of them yelled. "How long's he been down?"
Clark grew ashen. "Ummm, his heart wasn't beating when I found him. That was about 10 minutes ago now."
"Get the paddles," The 1st paramedic called. "Son, stand back."
Clark went into shock and lowered himself to the floor by the door to the kitchen. He heard Lionel yelling in the background, but he couldn't make out the words. Each time Lex's heart was jolted, his body jumped a few inches off the floor. Clark's ears couldn't make out the words as the paramedics continued. Lex was moved to a gurney. One paramedic knelt over Lex's chest and continued chest compressions as they wheeled him out of the apartment. It took three firemen to keep Lionel from interfering with the transfer.
"Take him to St. Jude's..." Lionel screamed to the paramedic..
"He's going to Metropolis General," He shouted back. "It's the closest."
Lionel wrested himself away from the firemen and moved to obstruct the paramedics' path.
"Get out of their way" Clark yanked on the old man's arm, breaking it.
Lionel screamed, clutching his arm, but Clark was out the door and down the stairwell before anyone could stop him.
Clark arrived at the hospital minutes before the ambulance. He was at Lex's side as he was rushed into the emergency room. Clark looked at his watch... Lex had not breathed on his own in over 20 minutes. A nurse caught him as the gurney entered the room.
"You'll have to wait out here," She said, following the doctor inside.
Clark stood, staring in the widow as the doctor administered more drugs and more shock treatments to Lex's heart. Half a dozen people worked on his friend. Then... the unthinkable... the doctor looked up at the clock and wrote the time on Lex's chart. A sheet was pulled up over Lex's face.
"NO" Clark screamed and pushed through the glass that his hands were resting on. He ran to Lex and gathered the still man into his arms. "Lex, wake up Wake up You can't leave me"
A nurse tried to pull Clark away, but he whirled around, his eyes burning red. "Stay away from me" Tears streamed down Clark's face.
The nurse stepped back and Clark held Lex and rocked his still body. Lionel swept around the corner to find Lex in Clark's arms. He stood there gripping the side of the door, eyes damp. Clark glared at him daring Lionel to come closer.
"Is he... ?" Lionel slowly sunk into the chair next to Lex's bed.
The doctor nodded and stooped to speak to Lionel.
Clark kept hugging Lex's limp body, kissing his blood-stained lips, tracing a finger along the broken jaw.
"Does the boy have anyone we can call?" A nurse with the name 'Joan' on her tag asked Lionel.
"Umm." Lionel thought for a moment. "Yes, his parents live in Smallville. Martha and Jonathan Kent. Tell them I'll send the helicopter." Joan nodded and left the room.
Orderlies came to take Lex's body, but Clark refused to give him up. Clark sat there holding Lex for hours. Lionel tried to talk to him, but Clark wouldn't listen. He kept rocking and chanting Lex's name over and over. Jonathan and Martha arrived and attempted to soothe their son, but Clark wouldn't give up Lex's body.
"Son," Jonathan crooned softly. "You have to let him go. Let these people take him and take care of him. He's gone..."
"No" Clark screamed and tightened his hold on Lex. Those close enough could hear the snapping of bones as Clark squeezed Lex's body. Finally, Clark realized what he had done and carefully lay Lex back on the bed. "I'm so sorry, Lex..."
Jonathan and Martha held Clark when the orderlies wheeled Lex's body from the room. Lionel followed to make arrangements with the funeral home. Jonathan stopped him and stared into the older man's eyes. No words were spoken, just a knowing acknowledgment of the horror of that day.
************************************
i'm sorry, daddy...
i didn't tell...
you hurt me so much...
did you ever love me?
life hurt...
i hurt...
free now...
clark, i tried..
clark, don't hate me....
********************************
The official cause of death was a ruptured esophagus with drug induced heart failure... but Clark knew Lex had begun to die months before. Clark also knew there wasn't anything more he could have done. Many sessions with Dr. Sayed pounded that into his alien brain. But still. He had loved Lex. Why wasn't that enough? Isn't love supposed to be enough?
Lex was buried next to his mother in Metropolis underneath the beautiful marble monument. Clark visited the grave several times a week, always bringing a plastic toy Greek soldier rather than flowers. Lex would have appreciated the thought. Alexander the Great.
Clark knew he would never love anyone ever again like he had loved this man. They were supposed to be the stuff of legends. Now, he would have to be the legend all by himself.
End
