Title: Squirrel Subtext

Author: Coren Lee

Email: coren@tiscali.co.uk <mailto:coren%40tiscali.co.uk>

Rating: R

Challenge: CLFF Wave #20: Squirrel

Notes: Disclaimer: I don't own Clark or Lex or anyone else connected with Smallville. Operation WildLife (OWL) is a real organization that does a fantastic job. Roger and Tim on the other hand exist only in my imagination, and bear no relationship to anyone connected with OWL in any way. No copyright infringement intended.

Thanks to Veronica for her comments about big eyes and defenseless appearance - her remarks helped to inspire this story.

Owing to my tardiness the story has not been beta read - sorry folks, but at least you know all the errors and anything OOC are definitely my responsibility!

Set about a year after the events of Phoenix, and is totally AU from Clark and Lex's return after *that* summer. No Belle Reve, no rift, no witches... you get the idea. I also mention an AI version of Lara-El, which (iirc) is not in canon.

Summary: Lex, Clark, squirrels - what can I say? <g>

***

There were times when Clark missed the old days of sneaking into the mansion. The impressive state-of-the-art security system had never stopped him; in Clark's view it was only there to keep everyone else out and there had always been something satisfying about how easily he could slip past all those impregnable Luthor defenses. In a lot of ways it was a perfect analogy for their lives. The sphinx-like barrier that Lex Luthor put up to distance himself psychologically from the rest of the world had never kept Clark out, and as for the defensive shield that Lex erected around his heart and soul... well, that had proven to be tougher but ultimately Clark glided past the intangible barriers just as easily as he had the physical ones.

These days, not only did he have the security codes to the security system and his own set of keys, he also had an open invitation to treat the mansion as his own whenever he wanted. Even more valuable was the knowledge that Lex's heart was his too. No more psychotic wives or diamond earring girlfriends, and no more trying to set Clark up with Lana Lang. They were exclusive and more than happy to be that way.

Calling in to the mansion each day after school had become both a habit and a necessity for Clark. He had never been one of the in-crowd at high school but once he and Lex became partners he felt even more separated from his peers. Lately the distance was becoming so wide that he had to think hard to come up with any topics of conversation even with the few people he used to consider close friends. He was able to chat amicably enough at lunch, but that was about it. Sharing time outside of school just didn't happen, and the fact that his classmates rarely thought to include him in their activities anymore just reinforced the knowledge that they were all growing apart.

In direct contrast, he and Lex were growing closer by the day. The friendship that was formed so long ago on the banks of the river had always been strong but since becoming lovers, every day saw them grow closer and more intimate with each other. They were so compatible that it often seemed like one had been made for the other. Lex completed Clark in a way that no-one else ever had, and the love they shared was so intense at times that it could be frightening. Not frightening in the sense that Clark feared it, but frightening in the sense that he feared its loss; he feared what it would do to him if he and Lex ever drifted apart or were separated somehow.

Trying to put such dark thoughts aside Clark strode along the silent passageways of the mansion, but as he pushed open the doorway to Lex's office, the darkness returned. Unlike his thoughts of a moment ago, however, this was a physical darkness. How odd. It was only just gone 3pm and the day outside was bright and clear.

"Lex?"

"Over here Clark."

Lex's voice was quiet, and now that he'd spoken Clark could see that he was kneeling on the floor by the fireplace. Another oddity - it was warm outside, and yet the fire had been lit.

"What's up?"

Clark dropped his bag by the door, and walked over to see what Lex was doing. As he got closer he could see that Lex was gazing into a cardboard box, and peering over his friend's shoulder, Clark saw two little furry balls that appeared to be curled around each other.

"Oh my god," he breathed, "they're so cute! What are they?"

"Glaucomys Volans," murmured Lex, "otherwise known as Southern Flying Squirrels."

Clark couldn't take his eyes off the little bundles of fur. He was used to animals - growing up on a farm made that a given - but the way they were wrapped around each other was so adorable. He knelt beside Lex, and gently touched a finger to the back of the one of the tiny squirrels.

"So soft," he murmured.

"Yeah," agreed Lex quietly.

"Where did they come from?"

"They're orphans," said Lex. "I was walking out in the woods behind the rose garden, you know where I mean?"

"Heading down towards the lake?"

Lex nodded.

"I heard this awful scream," he shuddered. "It made my blood run cold."

"Are you okay?"

Clark knew his face had fallen into a frown, but jeez, Lex attracted the attention of psychos and mutant weirdness like a magnet attracted iron.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine," said Lex, as he nudged close enough that they were touching shoulder to hip. "It was just such a horrible sound."

Clark instinctively leaned back and switched to x-ray vision to make sure there were no new injuries, but he barely swept his gaze over that pale, soft head before he was interrupted by a hand on his knee.

"I told you I'm fine. Stop x-raying me."

Lex was using his 'patient' voice and Clark blushed slightly at the realization that he was so transparent.

"You can't blame me for worrying," he pointed out. "You attract more nuts than a Snickers bar."

"Thank you for *that* image. I could have quite happily lived out my days without knowing that you think of me like a Snickers bar."

Clark grinned, and gently nudged Lex.

"But Lex, you know how much I looooove licking you, and then nibbling down to your soft chewy center, and then..."

"Stop it," admonished Lex. "You're supposed to be listening to my tale of heroic rescue not getting me hard."

Clark tried his best to look apologetic but he could tell from Lex's long suffering sigh that he probably hadn't quite made it.

"Okay, back to squirrels and bloodcurdling screams," said Clark, ducking his head to hide the smile he just knew was plastered across his face. He gently stroked one of the bundles of fur again, and got a warm fuzzy feeling inside when the little creature stirred.

"I ran over to where I thought the scream came from, but at first I couldn't see anything. Then I heard a whimper, and I got there just as these little guys' mother died. Or at least, I assume it was their mother. She seemed to be trying to protect them. Her body was wrapped over and around them and she had their backs to a tree so that nothing could attack from behind. I guess a predator of some kind found their nest."

Clark wasn't grinning anymore. They had both lost their mothers during childhood, and even though Clark was too young at their parting to remember his, the AI version of Lara was very realistic and in all ways that mattered he felt that he knew her. Lex had been very close to his own mother, and being confronted by two helpless orphans whose mother had died to save them brought back painful memories for both of them.

"So..." began Clark, but Lex interrupted.

"They're nocturnal."

"Ah." Clark had been about to ask why Lex had closed all the drapes, but as ever he seemed to read Clark's mind and answer the question before it had even been asked.

"Do we need to be worried about the predator?" he asked, thinking that only in Smallville could that question have multiple layers of meaning.

Lex shook his head. "I don't know," he admitted, "but I don't think so. It was probably just a raccoon -- maybe it was looking for a new nest and it came upon this little family."

"What do we do with them?"

"I called Operational WildLife," said Lex, "and the guy I spoke to - Roger - told me to keep them in a warm, dark place away from cats and dogs. He's going to send someone round later to take a look at them."

"I'll head off home to do my chores, but I'll come back before dinner, okay?"

Lex just nodded, his attention totally absorbed by the two little squirrels nestling in the box.

Clark gave him a quick kiss. "It's a good job they're so cute and defenseless otherwise I might get jealous."

Lex looked up at that, and chuckled.

"You know there isn't a creature on this planet -- or any other planet, come to that -- you need to feel jealous about."

Clark gave Lex a slightly longer kiss, and then got to his feet and headed towards the door. As he made his way outside and then sped home to the farm, he couldn't help wishing that all those people who categorized Lex as cold and ruthless could see how kind and gentle he really was. Of course Lex would never show that face to the world at large, but Clark ached sometimes for people to see the compassionate, generous soul that lived inside his best friend... his lover.

***

Left alone, Lex continued his absorption with the baby squirrels. He'd never been allowed to have a pet as a child, and anyway he attended boarding school so even if he'd had a pet he would never have seen it. Vacations were usually spent in one exotic location or another and a pet was definitely not included in the Luthor guide to childrearing. The closest he got was the horses and dogs at his Mom's ranch, but he only saw them occasionally and never had anything to with their care.

The little bundles started to wriggle and move, their huge eyes opening to look around their new environment. Lex had followed the instructions given by Roger and packed the box with some greenery from the tree where he found them. His cook had given him some cotton towels and they formed the soft bed on which the babies were settled.

Roger had warned him that they might bite and to keep his hands well away from them, but just as Clark had done earlier he couldn't resist stroking them; they were so damned cute. Their eyes were even bigger than Clark's, and that made a whole range of protective instincts rear up and come marching to the fore.

They'd had a discussion some months back about how big, innocent eyes and a general air of defenselessness would have called up a certain response in any adults who stumbled on Clark after his ship landed on Earth. As a helpless alien child in a potentially hostile environment he would need to secure some protection against harm from anyone who found him, and those big soulful eyes were damn near guaranteed to generate an 'aw, how cute' response. It was the same with these tiny squirrels. Lex just knew he had to care for them no matter what, and being a Luthor, he was determined that they would get everything they needed to survive.

The fact that they were moving around indicated that they were hungry, even though it was still some hours to sunset. Roger said they sounded old enough to have been weaned from their mother and that if they looked like they needed feeding to try crushing up some nuts. Getting on board with the Luthor Save the Squirrels project his cook put some nuts in the blender and ground them into a smooth paste. Using a plastic spatula from his lab, Lex smeared the end with the nut mix and slowly waved it around near the squirrels. Success! Their impossibly huge eyes widened even further, and then their tiny tongues start to lap at the pureed nut. Heh, he could do

this. Lex Luthor, squirrel mom extraordinaire!

God, what would his Dad make of it? Lex shuddered to think. Lionel wasn't needlessly cruel no matter what outsiders thought of him, but rescuing injured wildlife definitely wasn't on the Luthor list of acceptable pastimes for the son and heir. Lex's childhood lessons were harsh but they had been designed to make him strong enough to survive the shark-infested waters of the corporate world, which of necessity meant that he never got to do the things that most children took for granted. There were good reasons why he'd never had a friend before Clark; his peers were either his competitors or potential leeches, and adults with whom he came into contact were seeking either to manipulate or dominate him. Every encounter with another person was a lesson in strategy that he either won or lost. There were no draws in the savage world into which he'd been born.

Lex was well aware that to outsiders it appeared that he and his father were locked in an eternal struggle for dominance, and that anyone who got caught in the crossfire was simply dismissed as collateral damage. While true in a sense, it was far too simplistic an analysis of their relationship.

His father was an intelligent, albeit amoral, man who understood better than anyone that to have a chance of survival in the cut-throat world of the super wealthy his son would need more than good genes and an enhanced healing ability courtesy of the meteors. Lionel had given him that. Without his father's training, Lex doubted he would ever have survived the three months lost on the island after his ill-fated wedding to Helen.

It might have been a pet-less childhood, but on the plus side of the equation he developed survival skills second to none.

Lex had seen far too many of his peers succumb to self-destructive behavior to be in any doubt as to his own destiny had his father not honed and tempered him like a sword. Sure, he'd gone through a rebellious teen phase like everyone else he knew, but as they all crashed and burned he shone more brightly than ever.

Outsiders saw only the ruthless intensity of Lionel's approach to parenting, but without that preparation Lex would have been little more than chum in the water the first time he poked a toe into the corporate pool.

The fact that this training also had the effect of wiping out his emotions and capacity to feel had never bothered him; in fact, he'd always considered it to be one more thing to be grateful for. He would never have been able to manipulate Victoria if he'd become emotionally attached to her, and strangely enough, it also gave him the ability to move on quickly from all his other disastrous relationships. Disastrous until Clark, that is.

As he knelt by the fire hand-feeding two orphaned squirrels, he had time to reflect on how much had changed since he and Clark had become lovers - he amusingly called the time before they were intimate as 'BC' in his own mind - Before Clark. Even when they were just friends Clark had thrown Lex a lifeline to a humanity that he had long since forgotten, and the irony that it took an alien to re-connect Lex to his own humanity was never lost on him.

Despite that he was still his father's son, and the lessons he'd spent a lifetime learning were so automatic that they weren't even second nature; they were intrinsic on such a deep level that he didn't even have to think about them.

That training should have effectively prevented Clark and Lex from ever becoming friends, let alone lovers, and yet it had never been a barrier to them. Just as Lex accepted Clark's alien confession, so Clark accepted the ruthless core at the center of Lex's being. He never tried to force Lex to act in a way contrary to his character, he just demonstrated that there was always a choice and it was up to Lex to decide how to act in any situation. Even when Lex chose to act in a way that reflected Lionel's lessons rather than moral certitude, Clark just accepted it; accepted him. It was both heady and frightening to have someone believe in him so completely.

It would never have occurred to Clark that Lex could have simply turned his back on the baby squirrels. Clark's unyielding faith in him to do the right thing was scary at times, but it was also comforting. No-one else had ever assumed that Lex Luthor would 'do the right thing'; it was always taken as a given that he would do whatever was needed to protect his own hide first and LexCorp second; acting in anything other than self-interest was just not on the Luthor radar as far as most people were concerned.

It wasn't that Clark was his moral compass; it was just that being with Clark had enabled him to find his own moral compass. He longed for the day when their relationship could be made public, but for now it was enough that the truth - all of the truth - was shared by the two of them.

***

"Mom? Mom?!"

"In here Clark, what's all the shouting about?!"

She came out of the laundry, a basket of ironing in her arms.

"Don't worry about dinner for me tonight," he said, "I'm heading over to Lex's as soon as I've finished my chores."

His parents had finally, albeit reluctantly, accepted his friendship with Lex, but he knew they wished he would let it drop. Never gonna happen, he smirked internally.

"What? But your homework..."

"All done," he interrupted.

Just another benefit of alien genes, he thought. Speed reading and writing, and a photographic memory. He'd never told anyone except Lex how easy it was for him at school, but it sure came in handy these days as he tried to balance a secret relationship with Lex against all his other responsibilities.

"You shot off this morning before breakfast, and we've hardly seen you for days honey. Can't you at least have dinner with us?"

He gave her a quick peck on the cheek as he passed by.

"Tomorrow for sure, okay Mom? Lex needs me to help him tonight. He rescued a couple of baby squirrels today and a guy from Operation WildLife is coming over to have a look at them. I told him I'd be there."

"Lex rescued some baby squirrels?" She blinked.

"Don't look so surprised," said Clark. "What's so odd about it?"

"I don't even know where to start," she replied, shaking her head. "I just find it hard to visualize him taking care of injured wildlife I guess."

Clark counted to ten under his breath before trusting himself to speak.

"Yeah, well if you ever bothered to get to know him, you wouldn't have that problem."

"Clark! That's not fair! You know I've tried to get to know Lex, but he's got so many barriers it's not easy to get past them."

Clark sighed. It was frustrating but he knew his Mom had a point. Lex never let anyone past his outer shell, not even Clark's family and friends. He was polite but he never let them so much as get a glimpse of the real Lex Luthor. He was such a master at reflecting back to people what they expected to see, Clark was sure that even if he suddenly sprouted a full head of hair people would still see the bald-headed Luthor scion.

"Yeah Mom, I know," he said, giving her a quick hug.

She had been trying, he knew that. Of course what would happen to all those good intentions if - when - she learned about their sexual relationship was anyone's guess.

As for his Dad, he didn't even want to go there. His Dad barely tolerated Lex as one of Clark's friends. If he got the slightest inkling that there was anything more serious... well, Clark figured he'd probably be looking at hiding out in the barn - scrap that, probably the mansion - for a long time.

He grabbed a couple of still-warm cookies from the cooling tray and headed out to finish his chores. He didn't mind helping out on the farm, but sometimes he missed the total freedom he'd enjoyed for those brief months in Metropolis. He didn't yearn for them exactly, but it had been liberating to have no responsibilities and no decisions to make except for what to wear and where to go.

Now he was back in Smallville farm work made his choice of clothing a no-brainer: t-shirt, flannel and jeans, and sturdy boots. As for where to go... well, these days he spent most of his time at the mansion, but the only other choices were The Torch office or The Talon, or hanging out with Pete at his place or the farm. Hardly the kind of nightlife he'd gotten used to in Metropolis.

Clark seriously doubted he would have been able to settle back into life in Smallville if he and Lex hadn't entered into a relationship almost as soon as they both got back from their eventful summers. He loved his parents and he loved his small group of friends but having tasted freedom, it was hard to knuckle down to the reality of parental control and the dull life of a high school teen. If it hadn't been for Lex... no, he really didn't want to follow that thought through to its logical conclusion.

He could see his Dad waiting for him over by the fence, and with a deep sigh he sped over to join him. Thankfully they never talked much as they worked together, so he was spared questions about what he'd been up to and his plans for the night. As soon as they finished Clark rushed inside to grab some clothes, and then headed off to the mansion before his Mom or Dad could call him back. He could shower more easily over there anyway, and there was less time for his parents to ask awkward questions.

***

After the squirrels finished lapping up the pureed nut, Lex left them alone and went back to work. One of the great things about owning his own company was that no-one could question his movements. One of the worst things about owning his own company was that the work never really ended and he was never completely off-duty.

Sometimes he had a wistful longing for his decadent teenage years when he had no responsibilities, but mostly he was happy enough with his life, especially now that Clark was such an important part of it.

Thinking about Clark must have invoked him somehow. He heard a sound in the hallway, and looked up just as Clark poked his head around the door. The welcoming smile on his face was one he kept solely for his young lover, and he was rewarded with the beaming grin that always made him feel so warm and happy and wanted.

"Hey, your chores all done?" he asked.

Clark nodded. "Just gonna have a shower and get changed," he said. "No sign of the Wildlife guy yet?"

Lex shook his head. "Nope, but he should be here soon."

"Are the babies okay?"

Lex's smile got even broader if that was possible. "Yeah, I even fed them!"

His inner Lionel smacked him upside the head and admonished him for sounding like a sentimental idiot, but he didn't care. Being able to take care of the squirrels made him feel happy, and proud, and... oh for crying out loud, his inner Lionel was right! He *was* turning into a complete sappy mess! And he still didn't care.

He shut down inner Lionel with a well placed slap, and shook his head in wonder at the expression on Clark's face. It was written in neon letters a mile high over Clark's head that *of course* Lex would be brilliant at taking care of the squirrels, because Lex was perfect at everything he did.

God he loved that boy! Sometimes it felt like he was living inside an episode of The Twilight Zone, but mostly Lex just pinched himself every so often to prove that he wasn't dreaming, and that this incredible, wonderful, amazing, person really was his significant other.

He heard the steps getting fainter as Clark made his way up to the bedroom to shower. He was pretty certain that the staff members at the mansion were all too well aware of the true nature of the relationship between their boss and his young friend, but he was just as certain that none of them would say anything. They all valued their jobs far too much to jeopardize them for a kickback from The Inquisitor, even less would they risk their jobs to indulge in idle gossip.

He was surprised that Clark had never asked him about it, but then again, Clark wasn't anything like as naive as people assumed. He continually astonished Lex with the depth of his understanding and sheer brilliance, and he'd probably evaluated the available data and come to exactly the same conclusions as Lex.

With perfect timing, Clark arrived back in his study just as Enrique was introducing Tim from Operation WildLife.

"Tim, I'd like you meet Clark Kent," said Lex, beckoning Clark to come over and shake hands. "He's got co-custody of the children," he added, his grin shared only with Clark. When he turned back to face Tim he was the suave and sophisticated Luthor once more.

"Hi Clark, nice to meet you."

Tim gave Clark a big smile, and... okay, was he checking Clark out? Lex was very astute at reading body language and he would bet his trust fund that Tim was (a) gay, and (b) giving subtle signals that if Clark wanted to know him better that was more than fine with Tim. Hmmm, that could stop right now. They may not be out as a couple but Clark was sure as hell off limits to everyone but him.

"The squirrels are over here," he said, directing Tim's attention away from Clark's muscular chest towards the box on the floor.

As Tim made his way over to the box in front of the fireplace, Lex raised an eyebrow at Clark which in Lex-speak meant 'did you see the way he was checking you out and how come you didn't break both his arms?'

Clark blushed and grinned, and shook his head in that very Clarkian manner that Lex interpreted as 'you know I love you what are you even worried about?'

Tim slipped on some supple leather gloves and picked up one of the squirrels. It squeaked its annoyance at being deprived of its sibling's touch and promptly defecated onto Tim's hand.

Lex smothered a smile as Tim reached into the bag he'd brought with him and wiped his glove with a tissue.

"Occupational hazard," he said with a coy glance at Clark, ignoring Lex completely. "He's a boy," he added, "and a real feisty little fella, isn't he?"

Lex struggled not to roll his eyes. God, could the guy *be* any more blatant?

The little squirrel continued squirming and squeaking, making his displeasure at being handled by Tim very obvious. You go my boy, thought Lex. That squirrel might be just a baby, but he was not happy and by God he was going to make sure the one responsible for making him unhappy was going to know all about it.

"He reminds me of you, Lex. Maybe we should call him Alexander?"

Jeezus, how did Clark do that? The same comment had been on the tip of his tongue, but unless a new alien power had suddenly come on line there was no way Clark could have read his mind.

Tim picked up the other squirrel, and for a moment held both in his cupped hands. They immediately gravitated towards each other and snuggled in close.

"I suppose that makes the other one Hephaistion if he's a boy," smirked Lex.

Tim looked confused, and Lex was absurdly delighted that he was so obviously lacking in a classical education. It may be a cheap point but all points count towards winning the game, and winning was what Lex did best. Well, okay, according to Clark he was also best at a whole range of other things but Clark was hardly objective where Lex was concerned, nor did he have much worldly experience to compare against.

Putting Alexander back in the box, Tim checked out the other squirrel.

"It's another boy," he confirmed.

Oh dear God, was he really batting his eyelashes at Clark? Lex hadn't seen a come-on this blatant since... well, he couldn't actually remember the last time he'd seen anything this blatant outside of a club full of drunken, high, teenagers.

Clark moved in close behind Lex, and peered over his shoulder at the little squirrel squirming and squeaking in Tim's hand. It was reassuring that Clark sought his protection, and he leaned back just ever so slightly until his shoulders were just touching Clark's chest.

Surely Tim had to get the message now; Clark couldn't have made it more obvious unless he'd wrapped himself around Lex and stamped 'he's mine!' on his ass. But no, the guy was oblivious to body language as well as ignorant about Greek history.

"So they're both healthy?" asked Lex. The quicker Tim was out of the mansion, the happier he'd be.

"They seem to be," said Tim. "I'll just get the traveling box from the car..."

"Whoa, wait a moment," said Lex. "Traveling box? What for?"

"Roger said to bring them back the center until we can find someone to raise them for release back into the wild."

"I thought I made it clear, we'll raise them here," he retorted.

"With all due respect to you and Clark," he sighed, "raising orphaned wildlife isn't something that just anyone can do."

Okay, that was it. Not just a sigh, but a look of pity directed his way. No-one, but *no-one* told Lex Luthor there was anything he couldn't do. This ill-educated, moronic, slimy no-good bastard was out of here right fucking now. He knew he must have tensed because suddenly, two warm hands descended upon his shoulders. Jesus fucking Christ was he really so transparent?

"It's okay Tim, we'll be fine with them," said Clark calmly. "Can you give me a run down on what sort of environment is best until they're old enough to go outside?"

"No, look, you don't understand. They need regular feeding, a place where they can climb and roam..."

"So," interrupted Clark, "what about an aviary? Would that work?"

"Ah, yeah," stammered Tim, "that's what we'd put them in back at the center. But..."

Lex was proud of Clark, but it was time to step in and take control.

"Problem solved then," he said. "I'll have an aviary set up in the tropical garden next to the pool. It's always warm there and has plenty of natural light. Alexander and Hephaistion will be able to follow their normal nocturnal cycle."

Lex smirked when he saw Tim struggle to deal with the fait accompli - though he seriously doubted whether Tim had ever heard the phrase, and he was certain that the innuendo about nocturnal cycles would have gone right over his head. He bet Clark got it though.

"But you have to feed them regularly..."

"I seemed to manage that quite well before you arrived," said Lex smoothly, "and these babies have two fathers so I'm sure we can handle it between us. I also have the fact sheet I downloaded from your website and it appears to be quite comprehensive."

"But..."

"Is there anything else we need to be aware of?" he asked, strolling over to the desk to buzz Enrique.

Lex almost felt sorry for Tim, but not enough to let him down too easily.

"Ah, Enrique, thank you", he said as the door opened and Enrique entered the room. "Could you please show this gentleman back to his car?"

"Yes of course, Mr. Luthor," he said. "Sir, please follow me."

Lex made sure that he had his 100% professional expression in place as he watched Tim pack away his leather gloves, and zip up the bag. It wasn't the 'take no prisoners' version of The Look, but it would take very little to trip him over the edge.

Out of the corner of his eye he saw Clark roll his eyes and shake his head, but he was still smarting from Tim's pity and the accusation that he wasn't capable of caring for two baby squirrels, and damned if he'd back down.

"Tim, thank you so much for coming over. We really appreciate it," said Clark warmly, walking beside him as he made his way across the room.

Now it was Lex's turn to roll his eyes and shake his head. Tim would have no defense against the blazing intensity of Clark's smile and warm thanks, but of course Martha Kent's son was totally incapable of being ungracious to someone who'd helped him out.

Tim paused when he realized that Clark had no intention of following him any further than the hallway, and put his hand on Clark's arm as he leaned close.

"If there's anything you need," he said, "anything at all, please give me a call."

"Um, yeah, thanks," muttered Clark.

Lex was trying to decide between outrage and amusement, and was thankful that he was able to keep his expression completely blank while his inner struggle took place. He didn't think Clark would appreciate it if he just strode over and physically ejected Tim, but collapsing into hysterical laughter probably wouldn't go over too well either. Clark could be sensitive about the strangest things, and for someone so incredibly beautiful he had a whole backpack full of self-esteem issues.

Lex took himself sternly in hand and poured a Scotch instead. It didn't get rid of Tim any faster but at least he didn't have to watch him hitting on his boyfriend. He heard the door close, and as he turned round, Clark was standing only inches away. That super speed was *so* impressive.

"You say one word, and I swear to God..." Clark looked flushed and sheepish, an adorable combination in Lex's view.

"Me?" he responded, projecting innocence for all he was worth.

Clark took the glass and placed it on the desk.

"You," he agreed, "and don't think that I'm buying that innocent look. I never fell for that even before we were lovers, you don't think I'd be taken in now do you?"

Lex gave it up gracefully. Of course with Clark so close he could almost taste him it wasn't so much giving up as just accepting the inevitable. The hug, followed by the caress, accompanied by the kiss, and then... oh yeah, the stumbling backwards and falling on the couch. Resistance was futile, he was a goner.

***

Sex before dinner was Clark's favorite thing. Actually, sex with Lex anytime was Clark's favorite thing. They had been lovers for almost a year now but still lusted after each other with all the enthusiasm they shared in the first weeks of their relationship.

He knew from listening to other people talk that it was common for the initial intensity of a relationship to ease back after a while to be replaced by a familiarity that was comfortable rather than ecstatic. Not so for them. Maybe it was that Lex Luthor was like no-one Clark had ever known or maybe it had something to do with his alien genes, but whilst they grown comfortably familiar with each other, the sex just kept getting better and better.

After dinner they curled up together on the couch, watching the squirrels come alive as the sunset gave way to the silent darkness of night.

"Incredible," murmured Lex. "With the blinds drawn they can't actually *see* that the sun has gone down, but they can feel it anyway."

"Mmm," agreed Clark sleepily. "But then I can feel the sun too. I don't have to be able to see it to know whether it's rising or setting."

"Really?"

Clark realized a moment too late that he had piqued Lex's all-consuming curiosity. Stifling a groan he tried to snuggle in closer and hoped that Lex would let it go. Yeah, like *that* would ever happen.

"How do you feel it? I mean, is it physical? Or... I don't know, is it more like something psychic?"

Clark sighed. No point trying to evade the question. Lex was like a pit bull when faced with a mystery or a problem to be solved.

"Both," he admitted. "I can feel my strength building as the sun rises towards its zenith; it's definitely a physical thing. I'm sure if we ever timed me running or flying flat out, then I'd be faster around mid-day, and I'm definitely stronger and faster in summer. The closer we get to the summer solstice, the more energized I feel."

Lex nodded, his expression suggesting that what Clark had just told him made sense.

"But," he continued, "I can also feel it as if it's another sense - you know, humans have five senses but I've got this additional sense..."

Clark paused as he took in the changing expression on Lex's face.

"You know that if you say a word about spider bites I'm going to hurt you severely, right?"

"Right, yeah, would I say that?"

"Lex, what did I say about you and innocence? Never. Going. To. Believe. It. For. A. Moment." After each word Clark kissed Lex in a different spot, and with a maneuver that was worthy of the Mighty Luthor himself, the last kiss was on the lips, deepening and intensifying until there were no more questions, only a desperate panting as their tongues thrust and coiled together.

"Clark, we haven't got time," said Lex when he eventually pulled back from the kiss. "You've got curfew and if we do anything now you're going to need another shower," he panted.

Clark grinned wickedly and pushed himself up onto his knees. He loved seeing Lex like this, hot and panting, and just desperate for anything that he and Clark could do together. They'd showered before dinner and had changed into casual silk pants and robes, which made it easy for Clark to lean forward and use his agile tongue once again.

"Ahh... oh God, ah Clark... yes!"

Lex was babbling. Clark loved it when Lex babbled. It was so different from the cool, arrogant mask that Lex used when he dealt with everyone else and Clark treasured the fact that he trusted him enough to just let go like this.

He knew from the occasional comment that Lex allowed to slip that he had never really enjoyed sex with his past partners because he could never trust them enough to relax. Clark had often wondered how Lex had even managed to get an erection... and the irony of thinking about that with his mouth wrapped securely around a hard, throbbing cock almost made him lose it.

He swallowed and sucked, and then vibrated his tongue using muscles that no human had. Seconds later he felt Lex stiffen, and then cum was pouring down his throat as fast as he could swallow. Once Lex stopped moving he gently released the now soft cock, and then leant back onto his heels as he gripped his own hard member and brought himself off with a few hard, fast thrusts.

"Am I dead?" Lex sounded spacey and delightfully husky.

"Nope, but I might be in heaven," snickered Clark as he leant forward and gently kissed his lover.

"You got us all messy."

Clark sighed. "Yeah, I'd better go get that shower before I head off," he said. "If I walked into the farm smelling like this I don't think even I would be able to come up with a plausible explanation."

Lex gave him a gentle push and grinned wickedly.

"What, you mean it's not the aroma of adrenaline?"

"Smartass."

"Brat."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever."

Clark figured he'd better use his super speed if he was to get back to the farm before curfew. Seconds later he was showered, dried and dressed, and back in the study to say goodnight to his lover.

"I hate it that you have to leave like this," said Lex.

"Me too," agreed Clark, "but we said we'd wait before coming out as a couple. LexCorp can't afford any bad publicity right now, we can keep this secret a while longer."

"Don't your parents ever ask why you spend so much time here?"

Clark knew that Lex had been worried about that for a while, even though he'd never raised it before.

"Yeah, of course they do, but you know better than anyone how good I am at deception."

"Maybe it's time to let them into the secret?"

Clark was certain his face showed every bit of the surprise he felt.

"What?!"

"Well you know, you have to keep so many secrets from so many people, and maybe this is one we just don't need to worry about any more," shrugged Lex. "It's not as if they'd be likely to tell anyone else. They're almost as good as you at keeping secrets, and I'm damn sure that Jonathan Kent won't be champing at the bit to go round town bragging about your relationship with me."

Clark was almost speechless.

"We need to talk about this some more," he said when he finally got past the shock. "I promised Mom I'd have dinner with them tomorrow, but I'll call in the way home from school and we can talk about this, okay?"

Lex nodded, so Clark enveloped him in a close hug, and after a final gentle kiss he ran outside into a secluded spot before zipping into super speed to get back to the farm before curfew.

***

Lex hit the ground running the next morning. He didn't just multitask, his subroutines had subroutines. Before he'd finished his breakfast he had dealt with several emails relating to LexCorp, watched two cycles of the CNN headlines, checked out all the markets in which LexCorp and LuthorCorp operated, reviewed the headlines on Bloomberg, and -- most important of all -- directed Enrique to locate and purchase a top of the range aviary to be installed in the tropical garden area before lunch. He was finishing his coffee when Clark was suddenly standing before him.

"For fuck's sake Clark," he cried, "don't DO that, you'll give me a heart attack."

"Sorry."

Lex shook his head in exasperation.

"No you're not. You could at least pretend, and try to look just a little bit sorry."

Clark grinned at him, which was usually all it took for Lex to give up trying to argue some sense into him. Damn Clark