Chapter Twelve
Clark didn't know how he got talked into this. He and Lex were on their way to attend the opera in Metropolis. In a helicopter. Clark could have run the entire way, but Lex gently reminded him about keeping up appearances. Luthors were in the public eye, and a target for paparazzi. Clark had to be careful and think first before he zipped anywhere. If he showed up before Lex, or even at the same time as Lex but not in the same vehicle, certain people could start asking awkward questions.
They could have taken any one of the many sports cars Lex had. But driving was slower compared to helicopter. So, Clark found himself hundreds of feet in the air.
Clark hated heights. He preferred to be on the ground. He liked the ground. The ground was his friend. Somehow Lex had convinced him to get inside. Now, Clark didn't dare to move and squeezed his eyes shut.
"Open your eyes, Julian," Lex said to him.
"I don't think I can do that, Lex."
"You have a destiny, Julian. You'll never get anywhere with your eyes closed."
Lex coaxed him to open his eyes by just staring straight ahead. That helped. Clark couldn't see down, just sky. Clark focused on keeping his eyes straight ahead as Lex started talking about the penthouse. He didn't hear most of what Lex was saying but hearing him talk was soothing enough.
"I made some changes while you were asleep. I didn't want to go there tonight since I want you to have time to really appreciate it."
After what seemed an eternity, the helicopter started to descend on the roof of the Metropolis Plaza. A concierge met Lex and him on the roof to escort them to the Presidential Suite. Clark felt shaky as he started to walk again.
The suite was unlike any place Clark had stayed before. He only remembered small cabins or motels he stayed with his parents. This room could have fit an entire cabin inside and still have room. There were crystal chandeliers, gold trim, and velvet drapes. Clark's mouth was open as he gaped at the luxury surrounding him.
"Are you hungry?" Lex asked once they stepped inside the entryway of the suite.
"Uh…pizza?"
Lex smiled and spoke with the concierge. A man who was already inside the suite approached them and started speaking French.
"Julian, this is Jean Luke. He's your tailor. Do you remember him?"
"No," Clark confessed.
Clark found himself standing in front of three mirrors being measured. "I just want to make sure your old tuxedoes will fit. I want you looking your best on your first night out. I've even called Mark Cobra to give you a haircut."
"Haircut? But, Lex, my hair is…well," Clark protested. He glanced sideways at the tailor, unsure if the man could speak English.
"Mark Cobra has cut your hair for years with special scissors. Any clippings are bagged and given to Dr. Hamilton for disposal. As far as celebrity quirks go, this is minimal, I assure you." Lex explained.
Clark trusted Lex and found himself ushered into the bathroom where a salon chair had been set up next to a sink. Clark had never remembered having his hair cut before. Mark Cobra massaged his head with shampoo and other serums from bottles he couldn't recognize. Meanwhile, two buxom beauties were cleaning and trimming his nails. To Clark's delight, Lex stayed nearby chatting with Mark.
Clark put on the newly pressed tux. The alternations had been minimal, and Lex was leading him to a mirror. He finally saw himself in a fitting suit, with his hair trimmed shorter than he ever remembered. He looked, well, like a Luthor. Polished and sharp, not lax and secondhand like he had been on the farm. He felt his gaze shift downward towards his polished shoes.
"None of that," Lex said as he lifted Clark's chin and forced his shoulders back. "Be proud of who you are."
"I don't know who that is, right now." Clark confessed.
"Life is all about creating yourself." A waiter brought in a cart covered by a white tablecloth with a silver dome on top. Inside was a pepperoni pizza and another waiter uncorked a bottle of champagne and proceeded to fill two glasses. Lex passed one of the glasses to his brother. "To new beginnings. I love you, Julian."
Clark took the glass and took a sip. The champagne tasted as weird to him as the entire situation he found himself. But he had uncovered the truth that he was Julian Luthor. Lex was his family.
"I love you, Lex." Clark smiled.
I love you, Lex.
The words Lex had wanted to hear for so long had finally been said. And they felt just as good as he ever dared to dream. He felt practically giddy as he continued to sip the champagne. His preference was scotch or brandy, but champagne was the official drink of when certain milestones had been reached.
And no milestone than Clark accepting himself as Julian had ever been more prominent. There had been times when Clark had cried that Lex questioned if he had been doing the right thing. Seeing Clark cry had nearly broken his heart.
Lex then had to remind himself that this was best for the both of them. If he was still a farm boy, would he ever have the chance to ride in a helicopter and face his fear of heights? Johnathan Kent wouldn't push him to his full potential. All that no-good-so-called father of his ever did was hold him back.
But Lex would encourage him to push his boundaries and reach the greatness he was destined for.
His new brother had been scared of the helicopter and the haircut. But it was important for Clark to stay unbalanced just a little while longer. Lex wanted Clark's haircut and nails cleaned just in case there were any microscopic piece of evidence that could give the whole game away. Besides, this way Clark would begin looking like Julian and that would only strengthen his belief that he was.
The invincible alien had looked so vulnerable when he had his hair cut. Lex could imagine how weird it must be to have a piece of you willingly snipped away when bullets were able to bounce off your skin. Clark's eyes had found Lex for reassurance. A lump had formed in Lex's throat when he noticed this. This was what he wanted; Clark to trust him and rely on him. And this was just the beginning. To be explored more in the days to come.
Lex knew Clark wasn't Julian; he had his own interests and mannerisms. And Lex wanted to learn them all, to help him explore and grow as a person.
Lex would grant every desire Clark ever had. There would be limousines, grand openings, galas, private jets; his every whim fulfilled. In return, Clark would love him back.
"Hey, do I even like opera?" Clark asked as they headed toward the limo.
"Let's find out together." Lex said to Clark as he ushered him inside.
No, not Clark. Lex smiled to himself. Julian.
Dun Dun Duuh (did I spell that correctly?). Lex is behind it all. But what exactly has happened? I figured I'd let that slip now so I can keep calling Clark 'Clark' as I write the rest of the series. It just felt it would be confusing if I switched from Clark to Julian only to go back to Clark. I tried in the last chapter to not mention names; it was a little difficult. Maybe if I had more time I could have done a better job, but a big part of this project is for me to keep deadlines. How would you have handled it?