December 30, 2005
Luthor Castle
A smile graced Clark Kent's face as he opened his eyes, luxuriating at the warmth of the sun shining down at the poolside of the Luthor's. The past week had been more than perfect starting with the night of the Ball. Lex had been very attentive and had introduced him to a lot of people. Although they were not able to dance for obvious reasons, Lex had never left his side except to dance with his mother. Lionel Luthor's presence did not faze Lex as he weathered his father's glare for the rest of the night.
The next morning Lex invited him to go on a picnic and he gladly accepted. They talked about everything and anything under the sun. Lex seemed very interested in what he had to say and he in turn, learned a lot from Lex's impromptu speeches. For the rest of the week, Lex invited him to join in one activity or another. ---more picnics, horseback riding around the estate, lunch in town, a tour of the fertilizer plant and even night outs to Metropolis. Today they were longing around the pool.
Clark was falling in love all over again and he realized that the real Lex Luthor was far better than any fantasy encounter he had. He remembered how Lex was wary of being touched but was surprised when Lex initiated some of the touching himself. Casual brushes of hands and arms became more intimate as days go by. Sometimes Lex would run his fingers through Clark's hair, sweeping off the unruly curls from his eyes.
The first time Lex kissed him Clark nearly went catatonic with delighted shock. It was during one of their many picnics along the lake near the castle. The softness of Lex's lips, the sweetness of his breath was imprinted in Clark's memory forever. He wasn't able to respond at first out of shock but Lex continued his sensual assault until Clark finally responded shyly. After a minute or two, they had to part to let Lex breath (quite unnecessary in Clark's case).
"Ummm, sorry if I overstepped myself." Lex began hesitantly.
"Oh,no! It's okay…I mean you didn't overstep or something. I…I like it!" Clark rushed out to reassure Lex.
"So it's okay if I do it again? You're not freaked out or scared?" Lex asked.
"Of course not. That was my…my f-first kiss." Clark stammered shyly.
It was Lex's turn to smile brilliantly, unreservedly. He didn't know why it pleased him so much, it just did. But his hidden, often suppressed, conscience told him that he was doing something wrong, tarnishing such an innocent soul. Yet, he couldn't stop. Everyday he spent with Clark he was drawn more and more to this guileless boy. He couldn't explain why he felt so happy and secure when he was with Clark. Spending time with him had ceased to be a chore (because of the infernal bet) but it became more of a necessity.
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Clark felt something land on his chest while he was busy mooning about Lex. He opened his eyes to see a paper phoenix perched on top of his chest. He looked at the phoenix and then Lex who was sitting beside him on a beach chair still typing innocently, or pretending to do so.
"It isn't everyday that origami fall out of the sky." Clark commented.
"Hmmm, it isn't?" Lex replied blandly.
"Thank you, Lex. It's beautiful."
"You're welcome. It's the only thing I learned from my Dad that has any aesthetic value in it. But knowing my father he taught me origami to convey a business strategy but I'd like to think that for once he made something just because it was beautiful." Lex's lips twisted derisively.
"I…sort of remember this Lex. I remember that you gave one to me when I was nine. You promised to teach me how to make my own origami but…."
"I never got the chance to. I was always busy and then you were gone." Lex finished.
"Why were you sent to Japan, Clark?"
"I…I don't know. Mom said that I would learn more things there than here." Clark hesitantly replied.
"Really? Strange that Martha Kent would willingly part with her only child just to let him 'learn more'." Lex said.
Clark, not knowing how to reply to that particular comment, remained silent.
"Were you happy there?" Lex asked.
"Happy? I think I was content and safe."
Lex accepted Clark's answer without further comment. Instead, he put aside his laptop and dragged Clark into the pool and the rest of the afternoon passed swiftly.
December 31, 2005
New Year's Eve Ball
New Year's Eve Ball had finally arrived in the Luthor household ---another Luthor tradition attended by the rich and famous of Metropolis. Clark was wearing a traditional Japanese kimono due to Lex's persistent request, or cajoling to put it more likely. The kimono made him more exotic-looking and emphasized his other-worldliness. His mother had shaken her head worriedly at the obvious closeness that had developed between her son and Lex Luthor but since Clark was of age, she couldn't really prevent him from doing anything he wanted.
Lex, for his part, had been acting strangely since early morning. He seemed irritable and had started several times to say something to Clark only to stop abruptly. Clark was confused at his boyfriend? Intimate friend? Soon-to-be-lover's? mood swing, but chalked it up to the frenzy of the preparation for the Ball.
Night had finally enveloped Smallville and the lanterns were lit. The grand party had started. Clark left his mother's cottage at around 8PM, dressed in his kimono and a nervous tension knotting in his stomach. He walked across the lavishly decorated lawn and stepped into the wide lanai where Lex was waiting.
Lex caught sight of Clark in his evening costume and his breath quickened perceptibly.
"Clark, I'm glad you could make it." Lex whispered breathlessly when the young man reached his side.
"There's nowhere else I'd rather be." Clark whispered back.
"Will you dance with me?" Lex asked taking hold of Clark's hand, shrugging off the stares and scandalized whispers around them.
"But, but…your father….Ms. Lillian…and the guests won't…." Clark stammered out.
"I don't care. For once in my life I'm really happy and I want to show it. As for my Mom, she knows how I feel about you. My father can go to hell for all I care." Lex finished firmly.
"Alright. But if my mom kills me, you know where to look for the body, right?" Clark said half-jokingly.
"Clark, as much as I like and admire your mother, I think you're old enough to make your own decision, don't you?" Lex demanded.
Lex towed the still reluctant Clark to the dance floor and started dancing to the slow R & B. The guests looked at the couple on the floor and the tight-lipped Luthor patriarch, who to his wife's relief, refrained from making a scene. They finally decided that it was safe to dance and couple after couple joined the oblivious young men snuggled intimately.
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Lex and Clark were the oblivious targets of two pairs of malevolently glittering eyes. Ha! Before the night was over Lex would be humiliated painfully and quite possibly, publicly.
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Lex was content to stay within Clark's arms for the rest of the evening and possibly the rest of his life but he knew that he had to tell him the truth. Perhaps, Clark would be able to forgive him someday.
"Clark I really have to tell you something important, But not here." Lex hesitantly began.
"Okay. I also have something very important to tell you"
"Do you know the gazebo near the greenhouse?"
"Of course. I spent a lot of time observing you disappear with some of your dates only to meet up there minutes later." Clark teased.
Lex blushed at the remainder of his less-than amusing teenage foibles. "Ermmm,yes. But believe me Clark. I'm not going there to seduce you. I just want to talk."
"It's alright Lex. Either intentions are both welcome."
"…."
"See you there in 5 minutes." Clark said winking at Lex before sauntering out of the door leading to the garden.
Lex shook his head ruefully. He sometimes thought that Clark enjoyed torturing him with things he had regrettably done in the past. Clark had time and again surprised him with comments or actions that Lex would never have thought Clark was capable of.
Lex surveyed the crowded room hoping to avoid his father who would undoubtedly lecture him of his unbecoming conduct. Not that he cared but he just wanted to put off any unpleasant dealings for a while. Confessing to Clark was bad enough without additional misery coming from Lionel Luthor.
After 5 or so minutes had passed, he casually walked out of the ballroom heading for the gazebo. He was unaware that two people were silently following him; for he was quite intent with trying to formulate the best way to explain his stupidity to Clark. He reached the gazebo and stood there for a moment staring at the tall-form of Clark who was standing with his back to Lex, intently staring at the night sky.
"Isn't the sky so beautiful at this time, Lex? Do you ever wonder what lies beyond the stars?" Clark asked without turning around.
After his initial surprise at the unusual question had passed, Lex answered.
"Yes, it's beautiful. And yes, I've thought about it a lot. There are many things in this world that seemed unexplainable at first, Clark. But if you're patient and tenacious enough, you'll get your answers someday."
"Well, that's me. Patient and tenacious. Do you know how long I've been waiting for this day, Lex? I've dreamt of it ever since I could remember…dream of being with you…forever."
Clark, I feel the same way but. …"
He reached out to embrace Clark fiercely. Tipping the young man's head up, Lex sealed their mouths together. The kiss was desperate, both afraid that whatever revelation each one had would signal the end of their relationship. Lex pulled away slowly, staring deeply into Clark's eyes.
"Clark, I would gladly go with you anywhere you want…to the stars and beyond…but we cannot start our journey based on lies."
"What…what do you mean?"
I've lied to you since Christmas Eve Ball, Clark. I agreed to a b…." Lex whispered shakily but before he could continue, sounds of loud clapping interrupted his confession.
"Bravo, Lex! I never thought that you still have it in abundance. Seducing young boys had always come easily to you, hasn't it?" Dominic Santori smirked unpleasantly at the startled couple.
"So, Clark, it's Clark, isn't it? Is Lex a good lover?" purred Victoria Hardwick stepping out behind her brother.
"What are you doing here?" snarled Lex.
"Oh, just getting our proof. Remember the bet? Since I'm a good friend of yours, I volunteer to inform our Club Zero pals that you still have it despite of being exiled in the boondocks. But remember I will need more than a kiss to prove your prowess or your little lover boy is mine." Dominic taunted.
Lex felt Clark stiffened beside him upon hearing the poison spewing out from Dominic and Victoria's mouths. Yet to give him credit, Clark did not show his anger and pain in front of the two.
Clark shook off his restraining arm and to Lex's shock, he wrapped his arms around the him and began to nuzzle his neck seductively.
"Oh…that bet. You didn't tell them, honey? You're a bad, bad boy…neglecting to inform your friends…" Clark's head suddenly came up to stare at the flummoxed siblings before continuing, "…that you've told me all about it, right before we, hmm…spent the night in Metropolis three days ago."
Victoria's mouth opened and closed repeatedly, unable to say anything at the sudden turn of events.
"And yes, miss…Lex was a very good lover. Not that I have a lot of experience but the things he can do with his tongue…." Clark trailed off suggestively.
"I'm afraid that you have to take my word for it because I don't really go for show and tell. I'm kinda possessive, you know." Clark finished with a cold glare aimed at the two.
Not about to challenge a furiously glaring 6'4" muscle-bound boy, Dominic finally conceded defeat.
"Okay Lex, you win. But can't say I'm disappointed. You've finally met someone whom you couldn't kick around. Does he lead you around in chains too?" with that said Dominic dragged Victoria back to the castle.
After a minute or two, Lex realized that Clark was not holding him anymore and was in fact standing stiffly at the other side of the gazebo.
"C-Clark please let me explain." Lex began haltingly.
"A bet, Lex. Was that all I was to you? A goddamn bet?!"
"No! Clark I was stupid and …."
"Do you know how long I've been praying for you to notice me? How hard it was for me to defy my mother just to be with you? How deeply you've hurt me?"
"Clark, I didn't mean to hurt you."
"Are you sure Lex? Do you know how it feels like to finally find your other half only to find out that everything that you've had together was just a lie?"
"Clark, it wasn't a lie. I'm so sorry…so sorry. I love you."
"Forgive me Lex if I can't really believe anything you'll say to me now." Clark said with a certain finally in his tone, walking out of the gazebo without waiting for Lex's reply.
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To be continued….