Title: Cling

Author: Mitch

Series: Part 7

Rating: R

Pairing: Clark/Lex

Category: Angst/Drama

Feedback: Let me know what you think!

**********

As Clark ran, the once familiar surroundings of the countryside became dark and blurred. His vision was only focused on the space before him, hardly blinking as he jumped over bushes, dodged trees, and whipped through rows of corn.

Finally, he saw the Luthor castle on the horizon. The rain clouds had lingered since the night of the big storm, but he saw that they were darkest over the castle, almost as if reflecting his intensions against its inhabitant. He could see rain coming down lightly around him, but only a few drops actually touched his face.

He never knew for sure how he got past the gate, only that he must have jumped over it, because the patience it took to bend the bars and squeeze through was more than lacking.

But Clark got to the door and somehow managed to stop himself from pounding it in, although he did knock loud enough to startle a nearby servant, who snootily answered.

"Yes?"

"Where's Lex?" Clark asked in his most threatening tone.

The middle-aged man looked him over nonchalantly. "Ah, you must be Mr. Kent. I'm sorry, sir, Master Luthor is sleeping, but he did pass on the message to make you comfortable if you came by. Perhaps you would care for something to dri--"

"Move!" Clark pushed the servant out of the way as gently as he could, which still sent the man stumbling to the floor. He ran up the stairs, luckily having the presence of mind to use a normal speed. The last thing he needed was another Phelan.

He ran through several hallways, rounding each corner with deadly precision and glancing through each door with his X-ray vision to see what was inside. In the months that he and Lex got to know each other in Smallville, Clark had never seen Lex's bedroom, nor was he even told its location. I'm sure he didn't intend that to last long, he thought disgustedly.

A few seconds later, Clark came to a door, through which he saw a human skeleton lying on its back in bed. He only faintly noticed some kind of wire hooked to the body before his heart began to pound in his throat and he burst through the door, not knowing what he meant to do, only that blind rage had completely taken over.

Ripping the newspaper from his back pocket, he approached the foot of the bed. When his knees bumped against the carved wood, he saw Lex and froze.

Lex's face was bruised almost beyond recognition. Both eyes were swollen, the left worse than the right, and he had cuts and welts all over his bald head. There was an oxygen tube under his nose and his left pajama sleeve had been rolled up to allow for the IV needle in his arm. The bag of clear solution hanging from a stand beside the bed continued to swing gently from the breeze Clark had caused with his abrupt entrance.

Lex, however, remained asleep, his breathing somewhat labored, the large bed and deep red comforters making him look so small and breakable that he could have been a different person.

Clark felt the tightening on his heart again, so strongly that he dropped the Inquisitor and clutched at his chest. He held onto the footboard with his other hand and took some deep breaths. He wasn't sure what to make of the feeling, except that upon seeing Lex in such a vulnerable state, the anger seemed to have drained from him, and this new sensation, while painful, was almost sweet.

He forgot about it completely when Lex took a sudden ragged gasp and started convulsing lightly, unable to breathe. In less than one second, Clark was sitting next to him on the bed and had a gentle hand behind Lex's neck, lifting it slightly so as to clear his airway.

Lex soon took another long breath, followed by a violent choking fit. Clark put his other hand firmly on Lex's chest to stop him from doubling over, and when Lex finally settled, his eyes slowly opened. His left eye was barely more than a dark slit.

"Cla--"

"Lex, what happened to you?" Clark's soothing tone was in absolute contrast to the panic he was feeling.

Before Lex could answer, Clark was removing two of the three pillows stacked under Lex's head, which were obviously the reason his neck had kinked, cutting off his air.

"Who put these here?"

"The servants, Clark. They just wanted me to be comfortable," Lex rasped.

"The servants aren't doctors, Lex! What if I hadn't been here? And why aren't you in the hospital?!"

"Really, it's not as bad as it looks. I just got mugged. I'm okay."

"Since when do you need an IV for getting mugged?"

"I've been having trouble keeping food down. The IV is just giving me some vitamins."

"Trouble keeping..." Clark trailed off. Then, shocking even himself with his own boldness, he began swiftly unbuttoning Lex's pajamas.

"Clark, don't!" But Lex was too weak to stop him and Clark's nostrils flared in horror when he opened the shirt.

Lex's torso was wrapped tightly, and using his X-ray vision, Clark saw that several of his ribs were cracked. But the frightening part was his stomach. There was a square bandage taped to the area below his ribs, and blood had soaked through it in a clearly defined symbol. It was a single eye with a dot above it and a Y coming out of the bottom. The Y's vertical line was crossed with a short horizontal dash, forming a plus sign. Clark slowly pulled off the tape, taking care not to hurt Lex who had stopped resisting, and felt his eyes fill with tears as he saw the symbol had been carved into Lex's skin.

Outside, there was a crack of thunder as the clouds finally gave in and began another downpour. In the instant the lightning flashed, just before Clark had a visible reaction to Lex's pain, Lex saw something glint in Clark's eyes as he looked at the symbol. It was so dark and menacing that he couldn't stand to look. But he couldn't pull his eyes away. The moment lasted less than half of a second, and when Clark's eyes filled with tears and the darkness left, Lex was more than happy to forget it.

"Lex, who did this?" Clark's voice wavered, on the verge of breaking.

"My father," Lex responded quietly as his own eyes began to well up.

A sob escaped Clark's throat, and he put his head on Lex's chest, not knowing what else to do.

The windows rattled with the wind and rain, and Lex shivered at the sudden chill. "Clark... I'm so cold."

"Hold on." Clark saw all the medical supplies on the bedside table. He cut off a clean square of the bandage and taped it in place over the symbol, blushing lightly at the feel of Lex's smooth skin. Removing the atrocious eye from his sight gave Clark immense relief. He then pulled the comforter up to Lex's chin and started to back away. "I'll, uh, let you get some rest."

"Clark, please... please stay. Don't leave me alone." Lex's lower lip quivered.

As if he had been hoping for the invitation all along, Clark nearly ran back to Lex's side. He stripped down to his boxers and undershirt and slipped into the bed next to the older boy, wrapping his arms around Lex's chest softly enough not to hurt him, but firmly enough to make him feel safe.

They both thought of the room in Seattle, how Lex had cried to Clark and Clark had consoled him. Now, their roles were reversed. Clark cried quietly into Lex's neck, and Lex ran his fingers through Clark's hair and gently grazed the back of his neck.

"I'm so sorry, Lex."

"Ssh, Clark. It's okay," Lex whispered. "Everything will be okay."

"I missed you so much."

"I know."

**********

Clark rushed into class the next day and sat next to Lana. She looked up, slightly startled and began giggling. Clark returned the smile sheepishly. "I got a late start," he stated.

"So I see. What happened to you yesterday? I was worried when you never came back."

"I, uh... There was something I had to take care of."

"Must have been pretty important. I stopped by your house to give you your bag last night and you still weren't home. I see you got it, by the way."

Clark held up his backpack. "Yep. Thanks."

Lana chewed her lower lip, deciding whether or not to press further. "Clark... is everything okay? Your parents were really worried last night."

"Everything's fine. I guess I'm still adjusting to all the changes. I just had to blow off some steam, you know?"

"I can definitely relate to that."

They shared another smile, then turned back to their books, not knowing what else to say. Lana was struck with inspiration first.

"So, speaking of blowing off steam, I'm throwing a party at the Talon in a few weeks. Kind of an End of Summer type of thing to kick off our senior year."

"That sounds fun. Who's invited?"

"Well, no one yet. The party isn't officially scheduled until I pass my history test this Friday. If I pass, I should say."

"Lana, you'll do fine." Clark touched her hand to emphasize his point.

She looked at his hand nervously, as if trying to say something.

"Lana? What is it?"

"Well... there's going to be games and music at the party. And people will probably bring... dates."

"Oh?" Clark asked, completely innocent.

"Yeah. So, I was wondering... I mean, you know, if the party does end up happening and everything, if you... if you wanted to be my date."

Clark's eyebrows arched. "Date?"

"Yeah. You know, just so we don't have to show up alone. Well, not that I really have to show up, since I'll already be there."

"Lana, I--"

"Unless you don't even want to come. I guess showing up with another person doesn't mean much when you're not even planning on showing up at all."

"Okay, hold on--"

"Oh, God, it's too soon isn't it? I mean, here I am living this normal life, and you're still trying to get back in the swing of things. I'm sorry, Clark. Forget I--"

"Lana, stop! It's not that. I'm just surprised, okay?"

She looked at him hopefully. "So?"

"Um... okay. Why not? Sure, I'll be your date." Clark tried to sound more excited than he felt.

"Great," Lana said with a relieved sigh.

Clark gave her hand a gentle squeeze, and returned to his work. After a few minutes of reading, he spoke again.

"It's a good idea, you know.

"What?"

"The party. I bet the whole senior class will be there."

"I wish I could take full credit. It was actually Lex's idea."

"Oh." Lana turned back to the paper she was working on as Clark stared off into space, unable to focus on anything but the warmth spreading through his chest. This new reaction to the mere mention of Lex's name was more powerful than any of the spite he had felt before. Flashes of lying in Lex's arms, falling in and out of sleep for hours, filled his mind. It had felt so incredibly right and natural that he hated himself for how cruel he had been, for not being there to protect Lex from his father's thugs.

Neither of them had had the energy to discuss the attack, so Clark didn't know anything about Matéo or his own involvement. But when he thought of Lex's bruised face, his heart jumped out of rhythm for a few beats. He had such a sudden, urgent need to hear Lex's calming voice, that he had to stop himself from leaping out of his chair.

He stood up slowly and noticed Lana rising too. "So, see you tomorrow?" He didn't understand what she meant until he looked at the clock and realized he had daydreamed through the rest of the class.

"Uh, yeah. See ya."

Lana left the room smiling, and Clark took his time putting away his books, purposely waiting until he was alone. Then, he pulled out his cell phone and dialed Lex's number, surprised that he remembered it after all this time. Lex picked up on the second ring.

"Lex Luthor." He sounded stronger.

"Lex?"

"Clark." Clark winced at the coldness in Lex's voice.

"I just wanted to see if you were okay. Is something wrong?"

"It's really none of your concern. Please don't call me again." Click.

Clark stared at his phone in disbelief.

**********

"Long day, sweetie?" Silence. "I hope you thanked Lana."

"Huh?" Clark looked up from his place at the kitchen table where he had miserably landed after school and wondered how long his mother had been talking to him.

"That was very nice of her to return your bag. She didn't have to do that you know."

"I thanked her, Mom."

"Good." Martha took a bag of tomatoes from the fridge and started placing them one by one on the counter next to the cutting board. "How is she doing with the Talon? I try to stop in as often as I can, but I've been so--"

"She asked me out," he muttered absently.

Martha froze mid-slice. "What?"

"Lana asked me out. On a date, I mean."

"Oh, Clark! That's wonderful! I knew it was just a matter of time before things started going your way again. So when is it and what are you going to do?"

Clark fell back into silence, his eyes dark and distant.

"Clark? Honey, what's the matter?"

"Mom, I think there's something wrong with me. Something... alien."

Martha sat down at the table across from him and touched his hand. "What is it?"

"My heart. Sometimes it starts pounding for no reason. Or other times, it just feels tight, like someone is squeezing it."

"Is it painful?"

"Well, that's the thing. It hurts, but it's sort of a good pain."

Martha's eyes lit up in recognition. "Tell me, Clark. Are these... episodes ever accompanied by a fluttery feeling in your stomach?"

"Yes!" Nodding vigorously.

"And does all of this happen when you think of a certain person?"

"Yes! How did you know?"

"Clark, that's not alien at all," Martha said with laughter in her voice. "You're falling in love! I felt the same way about your father when we started dating. Oh, it was breathtaking the way my feelings became so strong that they manifested themselves physically."

Clark's eyes glistened. "But what happens if they don't feel the same way? What if they think of you as nothing more than a nuisance?"

"Nonsense, Clark. Lana adores you."

"It's not Lana," Clark blurted before he could stop himself.

"Okay, fine," Martha said, rising from the table with a knowing smile. "I'll stop butting in. For now. But you can always talk to me okay? About anything. Now go get washed up for dinner."

Clark considered arguing further, decided against it, and headed for the stairs. He wasn't ready to share his feelings for Lex with anybody. Especially if Lex didn't even feel the same way.

But Lex had been so good to him. How could he just stop caring? And why now of all times, when Clark was finally coming to terms with his own feelings?

He's finally wising up, Clark thought. I'm just a stupid kid. I'm not worth all the trouble I've put him through.

**********

After no more than three bites of his dinner, Clark quietly excused himself from the table. Martha put down her cup.

"Jonathan, I'm worried. He was making progress, I just know it. Even if they were baby steps. But now..."

"Oh, honey, he probably knows we want some time alone." He kissed her on the cheek and she smiled. At least her relationship with Jonathan was getting back on track. The tension between them had started to subside, making the knowledge of dishonesty a little less unbearable for Martha.

"Besides, you should have seen me before our first date. I was a nervous wreck. Maybe he just feels a little silly because Lana asked him and not the other way around."

"Now, Jonathan, it is the 21st century. It's perfectly acceptable for a girl to ask a boy out."

"I know, I know. I suppose I'm just old-fashioned. Speaking of which, hurry up and finish your dinner so I can throw you over my shoulder and carry you to bed."

Martha's jaw dropped in mock embarrassment and she playfully slapped him on the back of the head.

When they finished eating, they rinsed their dishes and started up the stairs. Jonathan was in his boxers and waiting for her in bed before she even had a chance to close the door. She spared a look down the hallway to Clark's room.

"Martha..." Jonathan's tone was reprimanding.

"I just want to check on him. If he's okay, I'll leave him alone."

"Just be careful not to cling too much."

"Oh, stop it. I'll be two seconds. Keep the bed warm for me."

Jonathan winked in response, and Martha crept down the hall to Clark's door. She knocked gently.

"Clark? Sweetie?" No answer.

She opened the door just wide enough to peek inside. Clark lay back against the headboard of his bed, snoring lightly as static from the television sitting across the room on his dresser dimly lit his face.

A small chuckle escaped Martha's lips. Jonathan had told her that getting Clark his own TV/VCR set was over the top, and she knew he was right. She just couldn't help herself. Having her son with her again was a dream come true, and she wanted him to know he was loved. Besides, it obviously wasn't interrupting his sleep schedule like Jonathan predicted it would.

Crossing to the bed, Martha spotted the remote control loosely clutched in Clark's limp hand, and she picked it up. Squinting in the half light, she pointed the remote at the television and pushed what she thought was the Power button. She realized her mistake, however, when she heard the VCR groaning to life.

Just as she was about to try another button, Lex's face appeared on the screen.

"This is your home, Clark," he stated soothingly. "You'll never have to worry again. I'm going to take care of you. I love you."

Martha's brow crinkled in confusion. She looked back to her son, still breathing loudly in his sleep. Understanding slowly smoothed her brow into a rigid line as she watched a single, silent tear trail down Clark's cheek.