"I was so nervous!" Lex admitted around an hour later.
"You really had no need to be."
"I know that now," he assured "but I never would have expected you would welcome me into your home, Mrs. Kent, especially after I corrupted your son."
"Lex," Clark admonished, looking up from his fourth plate, "you didn't corrupt me!"
"Yes, I did."
"Mom, tell him -- "
"I'm sure your mother agrees, Clark, and we don't need to put her in the middle of this, sweetheart."
"I do agree," Martha interrupted calmly with a soft tone and gentle gaze. Lex quickly hid his vast disappointment and sorrow in a swallow of tea, but when he put his glass down, the Kents were still gazing intently at him. Martha reached over and laid a gentle hand over Lex's. "You did not corrupt him. You brought love to him and made his world brighter and also my own by doing so."
"Some people say you can't keep the world at bay forever, Lex, but I've known people who did. They suffered because of it, and those who would have loved them also suffered. Clark loves you, Lex, and I know you love him. You've made my son happier than he's ever been before, and I love you for that."
Lex swallowed hard. Unable to face her intent, compassionate gaze or Clark's loving orbs for fear that they might see the tears that glistened in his own eyes, he dropped his gaze to his plate that was so empty it shined. "I . . . "
He was saved by Clark's eager voice. He'd not heard him get up or move to the counter, but clearly he had for when he looked up, Lex found Clark standing before the coconut cake that now sat on the table. "Who's for cake?" Clark asked, and when his mother left the table to fetch the proper saucers for dessert, he winked at his love. "It's okay," he mouthed, reaching over and giving the same hand his mother had tenderly touched minutes before a reassuring squeeze. "I love you."
Lex barely had time to mouth, "I love you too. Thank you," and nod before Martha turned back around. He hoped Clark understood his entire message and that he was thanking him for so much more than just tonight's dinner and his understanding. He was thanking him for his understanding and compassion in all things; for deigning to love his unworthy hide; for having patience with him as he struggled against his self-protection instincts to keep the world and all those in it at arm's length; and, most of all, for saving him from the lonely, miserable, and ravaging darkness that had been on the verge of consuming Lex's entire world when Clark's love and light had chased it away.
Now he had a reason to live and to hope and a love brighter, sweeter, and more wonderful than any he could have ever hoped for. As he glanced back at Clark's mother, Lex realized he now had two reasons to hope for a brighter future and a better world and to strive to be the best man, not just the most powerful, he could be.
Martha turned around and placed the saucers next to the cake. Then she handed Lex a large knife. At his questioning look, she asked, "Will you cut the cake for us, please, Lex?"
"Sure," Lex replied hesitantly. Then he clarified, "Yes, ma'am." He scrutinized the cake with a new apprehension before slowly slicing the knife into the cake. Very carefully, he cut three large pieces and laid each, balancing them between the knife and his fork, onto the saucers.
Martha placed a hand on his shoulder. "Thank you, Lex. You did a fine job." He let out a breath he'd not been aware of holding at her touch and approval. He'd cut cake before but never once cared if he might mess up.
Martha and Clark resumed their seats, and the threesome ate their first piece in silence that was interrupted only by their various sounds of satisfaction. "That was so delicious!" Lex exclaimed adamantly when he was finished.
"Seconds?" Clark suggested, reaching over to grab the knife.
Lex looked questioningly at Martha. At her reassuring nod, he eagerly said, "Yes, please!" Yet when two pieces had been eaten and Clark suggested thirds, Lex had to decline. "I couldn't possibly eat one more bite!" he explained, gingerly patting his full stomach. He'd never been fuller -- or more completely satisfied by food -- before in his whole life!
Clark's full mouth drew down into a seductive pout. "I wanted you to try Mom's blueberry pie! It won three county fair awards in three straight years!"
"It sounds absolutely delicious," Lex said with a sigh, "but I honestly can't hold another bite right now!" He paused, then suggested, "Perhaps after we wash the dishes for your mother?"
Clark and Martha both looked at him in surprise. "Lex, you are a guest in my home -- "
"Yes, ma'am, and as a guest, should I not have my requests granted?"
"You should take it easy!" Martha replied. "You're not expected to work tonight, Lex!"
Lex stood and, while rolling up his sleeves and paying very close attention to the crisp, white cloth, told her, "With all due respect, ma'am, it would please me to wash your dishes. If my mother were alive today and she created such a fabulous feast as that which you've gifted us with tonight, and there was, for whatever reason, no hired help to do so, I would wash her dishes for her. I would not want her to have to work even more when she had already spent hours toiling in the kitchen for my pleasure."
He took off his Rolex. His eyes finally met hers as he dropped his watch into his pocket. "So may I please wash your dishes, Mrs. Kent?"
Martha's head gave a slight bow. "Yes." She smiled at him, her green eyes misty. "Thank you."
He nodded, moved to the sink, and set quietly to work. Martha puttered around the kitchen while Lex washed the dishes and Clark dried them and put them up. When they were done cleaning and the kitchen was spotless again, Clark grabbed Lex and pulled him into a hug. "Stay," he whispered against his ear.
"I don't think your mother would approve," Lex murmured, relishing the feel of the love of his life in his arms.
"We could play a game or something," Clark said aloud. Lex wondered what kind of game Clark could possibly be suggesting they play in front of his mother.
Martha chimed in then. "We have Monopoly, Life, Sorry, Scrabble, cards, checkers . . . " Then her eyes caught sight of the clock and widened considerably. "My word! It's nearly ten o'clock already!"
Lex followed her gaze, and his face fell. He sighed. "As much fun as it's been and could be still, my love," he told Clark, lifting his hand and chastely kissing it, "I'm afraid I must take my departure now. I've got a board meeting early in the morning."
Clark pouted. "Can't you miss it, Lexie?"
"Sh!" Lex admonished gently, a grin tugging at his mouth despite his restraints, but it was too late. He'd already let the pet name slip.
"Just this one?"
"I'm afraid not, Clark. My father will be there, and I have to be present to check mate him." He lifted his left hand while his right hand continued to hold Clark's and lovingly caressed his smooth, satiny cheek. "I would if I could. You know there's nothing I'd rather do than be with you, my darling love, but duty calls."
"Clark," Martha spoke, "why don't you walk Lex to his car and then we can study for your test tomorrow?"
Clark groaned. He'd forgotten all about the test!
"You didn't tell me you have a test," Lex accused, gazing into his eyes with a finger gently hooked underneath his chin.
"You didn't ask." Clark shrugged. "Any way, it's an easy test," he said with more confidence than he felt. "It'll be a piece of cake."
Lex shuddered inwardly at Clark's poor choice of words. "Never say that," he warned.
"Why not?"
"It's a long story that I'll tell you later. Just don't use that phrase, okay, sweetheart?"
"Okay," Clark agreed easily, smiling as he gazed into his love's eyes, despite his curiosity.
"And you ace that test tomorrow too."
"Yes, sir," Clark returned, his grin growing. He gave him a mock salute with two fingers and winked.
Lex quickly and chastely kissed Clark's soft lips, then forced himself to pull away. He turned to face his love's mother. "Thank you, Mrs. Kent, for having me over tonight."
"Any time, Lex," she said, beaming even in the light of the boys' show of love. "Absolutely any time. If you just want to talk, need a place to stay, whatever, just come by."
"What about Clark's father?"
"He'll come around." When Lex and Clark both looked doubtful, Martha gently touched Lex's shoulder as she reassured them both, "Jonathan's set in his ways, but he really does love Clark. When he sees how his beliefs upset him, he'll change. He wouldn't hurt him for the world and has no clue that he has. Just give him time."
"And as for you, Lex," she continued, gazing into the eyes of a young boy whose soul was far older than it should be and who had seen far more sorrow, pain, and misery already in his short years than any one should have to cope with their entire lives, "I know I can never replace your mother. I would never want to, but if ever you should need the love of a mom, remember I'm not far."
Tears filled Lex's blue eyes, and this time they fell. He hugged Martha quickly, then pulled away and wiped fiercely at the tears that were free falling down his face. Martha reached up and gently touched his right hand. "It's okay, Lex. It's okay to cry. Tears don't make you weaker." She shook her head. "You miss your mom," she continued, her own throat tight with emotions, "and your tears show that you're not afraid to show how much you miss her."
Lex's blue eyes glimmered with uncertainty, confusion, and pain pass the tears that filled them. "I . . . never thought about it that way . . . " he admitted quietly.
"It's true," Martha assured him, her lovely face glowing with reassurance, honesty, love, and compassion. "If your mother was here, she'd tell you the same thing. Jonathan and I both cried," she confided, "when Clark came into our lives, because we were so happy. Mark Antony cried when he lost Cleopatra. George Washington cried for the lives that were lost crossing the Delaware even though they were victorious."
"Tears are nothing to be ashamed of, Lex," she continued as Lex's bottom lip quivered. "They are symbols of love, passion, sorrow, and even strength, because by choosing to let them fall, you're telling the world you don't care what they think about your tears because you're strong enough to admit how you feel and know you're no lesser because of it."
Clark walked up behind Lex and wrapped his arms tenderly around him. "She's right, you know," he spoke gently next to his ear as he hugged him, "but we'll understand if you don't . . . " His voice trailed off. He had been surprised by his mother's eloquency. It was almost as though she'd been planning this speech for a long time, but now, as usual, his own words failed him when he needed them the most.
Yet Lex understood what he meant nonetheless. There was no pressure here, he realized, to be anything, or one, he was or was not or to do or not do anything. There was only acceptance and love. And the tears came pouring down, for the first time since his inebriated father had backhanded him across his bedroom for crying after his mother's funeral. They started like a tidal wave, and his body shook and trembled in Clark's loving arms as they grew into a full blown typhoon.
Martha stepped forward and wrapped her arms comfortingly around her boys. "It's okay," she whispered, beginning to cry herself. "Let it go. We love you, Lex."
Her words brought out a sob of misery that had been choked back for far too long. Clinging tightly to the only people to love him for most of his life, Lex finally let the storm of his emotions rage as he poured his heart out in the warm, protective glow of their love.
The End
Author's Note: If you enjoyed this story, or any of my other writings, I hope you'll consider joining my friends and I at a brand new fan fic/art site we're creating called Ficcers Unite or a new challenge forum I've created call Calling the Muses. At Ficcers Unite, we welcome all fandoms, pairings (slash and het), and even no pairings at all, and we'll also be RPing a world where Disney and Marvel comes together in one universe. At Calling the Muse, we plan on having a challenge day every day of the week -- one fandom per day unless we get lucky and get more than seven fandoms -- issued by different people (one person per fandom); the challenges will be issued once a week every week. Come on over and check us out at ficcersuniteDOTproboardsDOTcom or .net/forum/Calling_the_Muse/75047/ today!