Title: Obsessed Much?
Author: SC182
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Lex is a driven man and even a driven man needs help.
A/N: Written for Clexwave 25: Obsession. Thanks to theclexfactor for
the beta!

He'd come in to the Talon to get his morning coffee. It was all pretty
mundane until he heard a name that always piqued his interest.

"Yes, Clark--" Nell's voice trailed off as she spoke to a somewhat
stuffy and snotty looking redhead with a killer beehive circa 1965.
Lex continued to add cream and sugar to his coffee and he stretched
his hearing to follow the remainder of the conversation.

"Lana said they had a big announcement." The smile was evident in her
voice.

"That could only mean one thing." Anonymous Smallville Redhead
concluded. "To think of it, they would make a very striking couple."

"Yes." Nell agreed excitedly. "Who knew Clark had it in him? I guess I
should have known he would sweep Lana off her feet."

As Lex began to feel the ground slipping beneath his feet, because of
the sudden onset of nausea and panic, Anonymous Redhead voiced her
very unwelcomed, especially at this time, opinion. "A spring wedding
would be lovely."

"Indeed." Nell sighed happily.

Lex dumped his coffee and hightailed it out of the Talon as fast as
his wobbly knees would carry him. He might have gunned his engine too
fast and earned a tsk and a disapproving headshake from some happy
sweater vest and shawl wearing grandmother.

He would not be cowed.

Not today.

There was no way… He couldn't bring himself to think of what he'd
heard without an irrational level of anger rising up. Massive ire.
Defcon Five Level Ire.

Meter maids beware.

What he heard replayed itself in his mind like a sickening carousel.

Clark was marrying Lana.

Clark who said no more lies.

Clark would not be marrying Lana Lang as long as his body drew breath.

That was a promise.
*888*

By the time Lex returned to the castle, he'd managed to work himself
up into an even greater state of righteous anger. He was ready to be
destructive, because that was how Lex coped with his rage. When his
tantrum began in earnest, it started with kicking up far too much dirt
and gravel, enough to make the gardener cry. He slammed the doors to
his office and began to thoroughly smash his collection of cheap
breakables—kept on hand mostly to quell his anger caused by all things
Lionel.

Phase Two involved drowning his liver in so much alcohol that it could
probably seek to be emancipated because of all the abuse Lex subjected
it to constantly. He did call woe upon the world for a good ten
minutes and then sank into a despondent sulk as he lamented Clark's
inability to trust him.

"Why?" Lex muttered to no one in particular.

Lex sank down into the plush leather office sofa. Why would Clark want
to align himself with Lana? True, Clark mooned after her since they
first became friends, but within the last two years of Clark's high
school experience and the last three years of college, it seemed as
though Clark was finally moving on from his childhood crush.

Lana was sweet and beautiful, a decent business partner, but not right
for Clark. They made a pretty picture together—that Nell was right
about. Yet, Lex had always felt they matched in a more filial sense
than romantically. Of course, the upstanding citizens of Smallville
were blind to the fact and he really didn't want to dwell on the
deeper implications of their obliviousness.

Back to Clark.

Because his thoughts weren't entirely occupied enough with Clark. He
knew for a fact that Clark hadn't dated anyone seriously for the past
five years. Neither had Lex after Helen. He postulated that it would
eventually sort itself out. He and Clark would act on their natural
attraction and their friendship would shift as they became lovers.

They'd made it through the secrets and lies, but no, for some reason
they hadn't worked up to playing out Lex's fantasies of Alexander and
Hephaestion: Conquering and Caressing in Color or The Droit du Manor
or Lusty Farm Boy and the Unsuspecting Industrialist.

There were so many options.

None of them had been lived out and the possibility of them never
being fulfilled made Lex very upset. Clark hadn't even seen his
sword…a real artifact of Alexander the Great. He tossed his glass of
Scotch into the fire and laughed as the flames leapt out at him.

Phase Three began with scheming. Send Lana to Paris again—this time
make her stay there. Siccing Lucas on her? Then again, that might
backfire. A few years ago, he could have caused her wardrobe to have
an accident. No more pink. That would have made the princess cry. And
crying was something he simply couldn't have. Clark would run to her
rescue in a microsecond. Therefore, he'd leave the remaining pink
alone. Though, he knew the strategy was effective. An accomplishment
Lex would always be proud of was his success in removing eighty
percent of the flannel in Clark's wardrobe and replacing it with more
dynamic and stylish choices.

Lex turned on music, angry punk from his rebellious days. So angry.
He'd force Clark to choose. Finally decide who was more important to
him. Lex or Lana. Lust or Love. Friendship or loneliness.

He'd force Clark to finally be decisive.

As Lex stomped out doing his rendition of a one man mosh pit, his
flailing and angry thoughts prevented him from seeing the circular
ceramic shard that he was moving closer to in each passing second. His
foot landed on the shard and Lex began a slow descent back to earth.

Then it all went black.
*888*

His eyes opened and stared at the ceiling as his brain came back on-line.

Bump, no.

Bruise, yes.

Concussion, maybe.

The music suddenly stopped as he began to sit up. Then, he lay back
down. Yes, he did have a concussion. This one was a tricky little
bastard, because it was bringing hallucinations along for the ride.

Yep, he had a concussion or he was still drunk. Those were the
answers—the reasons why Jonathan Kent, long dead and buried a few
years ago, was standing in his office, scowling at his stereo in
frustration.

The hallucination was reprimanding him for his taste in music. "I
thought Clark's music was whiny and annoying." Lex agreed as he shook
off the mental cobwebs; Clark's music did suck.

"I've officially gone crazy." Lex lamented as he stood from the floor.
Jonathan Kent walked over to offer him a hand up. "You're not crazy,
son. Just a tad overzealous and in need of some help."

Lex could count the number of times on one hand that Jonathan Kent had
ever deigned to call him `son'. "With all due respect," Lex said to
the hallucination. "I'm pretty well versed in head injuries and the
fact that I'm talking to my hallucination, just spells out how far to
the left side of nutty I've been pushed."

"Lex, you've only been crazy once, son." Jonathan laid a hand lighter
than air on Lex's shoulder. The tone almost imperceptible still made
him want to shrug it off instinctively. "We all know that your father
did that to you. But if you want to get my son without completely
ruining your relationship, I suggest you listen to me for a change. Or
you'll make me very mad." Broken pieces of ceramic shards rattled on
the floor for emphasis.

Lex had never been a fan of pissing Jonathan Kent off, except for when
it was actually fun. Now was not the time. "Let's say you're a ghost--"

"A spiritual adviser in training." Jonathan corrected.
Lex barely stifled the guffaw that rose from his stomach. "A guardian
angel? Okay, I believe you, because my hallucinations would never be
this creative."

The apparition of Jonathan Kent smiled in earnest. "How about another
one? You're a stud and so is he for that matter. It doesn't mean there
can't be formal rules for this type of thing."

Lex rubbed his forehead in exasperation. "Now, I know I'm really
speaking to Jonathan Kent."

"Hey, I don't have to help you. I could work against you, but that
would end up making both of you miserable."

Lex sat back and prepared himself to fall under the tutelage of
Jonathan Kent. This moment could only be better if he had a drink and
Lionel waltzed into the room wearing a pink tutu and singing the
Battle Hymn of the Republic.
*888*

Lesson One

"Woo him." Jonathan Kent said in a tone that was far too matter of fact.

"Woo him?" Lex repeated.

"Yes, Clark is a simply kind of guy. You know him best of all and you
know what he likes. Woo him without being too ridiculous."

Lex shook his head. How could things not end ridiculously if Lex was
taking advice on how to seduce Clark from Clark's father's ghost?

"I could take him to dinner." Lex suggested.

Jonathan's reply came in the force of a very unsubtle facial
expression. He was indeed gagging. "Clark isn't into your fancy
shmancy dinners--"

"Clark can fit into a variety of environments. He's very adaptable, if
you would know. He learned from you after all how to hide and not make
waves."

The ghost of Jonathan Kent stepped to Lex's face. "Try again," he grit
between his teeth. "And I am very aware of what my son can do."

"Okay, how about dinner in the loft…A candle light dinner in Clark's
favorite place with nothing, but his favorite foods." Lex rattled off
sarcastically. He'd spend many nights in the loft listening and
watching Clark study, talk, or explore their mutual interest in
astronomy.

No, a night trying to ingest a batch of freshly prepared home-style
foods while trying not to vomit, because of the lingering smell of old
hay and the stink of cow life was not something Lex looked forward to.
No, thank you.

"Sounds like a fine idea. Don't forget the pie." Jonathan concluded
with a smile.

Lex smirked in return. Of course, Jonathan would agree to put Lex in
the most uncomfortable position ever. He wouldn't forget the pie at
all. "I'll even have apple and peach pie."

"Good…very good."

Lex downed the rest of his remaining Scotch. Like anything else in his
life, it would come at a hard price. Finally getting Clark wouldn't be
any different.
*888*

Lesson Two

"Lex, I know you're a man of many words. Sometimes, a man needs to
learn when only a few will be necessary." Jonathan leaned or tried to
until he slid through the fireplace. Instead, he took up his place
standing by the fire.

"Meaning I should just blurt out `I love you and you cannot marry
Lana'?" Lex postulated.

Jonathan shook his head. "Lex you're smarter than that."

"I am aware of how intelligent I am, Mr. Kent. I just hate it when
others tell me how smart I am in sarcasm."

Jonathan pressed on, vowing to be a bit nicer. "Okay, say the things
you need to say without doing all your Lexness."

"Lexness?"

"Yeah, no high talking or mention of secrets, lies, or destiny."

"You are aware that I know Clark's secrets? Have for some time."

The older man grimaced. "Yes, I am aware of that." He scowled. "You're
entitled to far too much information during spiritual adviser training."
*888*

Lesson Three

"You cannot have Lana killed."

"Why not?"

"Because it's wrong."

"Anything else?"

"Lex." Jonathan warned.

"I, for one, feel like she's stolen years of Clark's life with her
emotional manipulation. He was just starting to do better. Now, it
seems like all that progress could be undercut by Clark's mistake in
potentially making a lifetime commitment to her."

Jonathan sighed. "If anything, send her to Paris."

"That was plan number two."

"Good."
*888*

Lesson Four

"What's your longterm plan?"

"Is this your way of asking me what my intentions are?"

"Well, as you kids would say, `duh'."

"I don't want some fling with Clark. I believe Clark and I have…" He
wanted to say destiny, since Jonathan forbade its use, he was stuck
with "—a history. A long extensive winding history that is only likely
to grow longer. We have a deep emotional connection."

"Emotional connection? Lex, you have been in love with my son for
nearly a decade."

"I wouldn't say--"

"I would."

"We have only been the strictest of friends."

"Do you even understand what friendship is? And I'm not saying that in
a bad way either. You simply have gone way beyond the scope of mere
friendship for Clark and his friends. You should see all that you've
done for what it is…The hostage exchange. The Talon."

Lex threw up his hands. "Guilty." He was absolutely caught. "Yes, it's
love."

"Good boy. There's hope for you yet." Jonathan placed a transparent
hand on Lex's shoulder. "I expect you to take Clark with you to
Metropolis. He doesn't have a real life on the farm. I know his future
lies elsewhere." The older farmer admitted. "I guess you need to show
him so."

"There are many things I want to show him--" Lex trained off as
Jonathan turned a cynical eye on him.

"I bet there are."

"No, I always wanted to show Clark the world and all the amazing
things in it. Yes, I know you've always despised my money, but the
money is what can protect Clark more than you and his mother ever could."

"He should know what he's getting into."

"Trust me, Clark's life is going to be anything but ordinary no matter
how you look at it. He's special and he needs to be protected."

"Son, I think you finally got it." Jonathan's hug was imperceptible.
"Just be a gentleman, honest, and don't hurt or kill Lana in any way."

"I'll try." Lex said to an empty room.

He guessed he passed Jonathan's test.
*888*

Five days later

Lex heard the footsteps long before he saw the owner of the familiar
large gait. He was waiting for Clark to come to him. Playing it cool
and sweet just as Jonathan had directed; one of his faults was that
he'd made himself far too available. So, Clark had been back for two
days. All of which Lex had made himself scarce. A quick trip to
Metropolis had been in the order. Mostly, he lounged about the
penthouse further going over his plans.

Dinner.

Minor Speech.

Plans for never-ending happiness.

Fulfillment of lifelong fantasies.

Now, back in Smallville, all of his plans were ready to go. Somewhere
he figured Jonathan Kent was watching anxiously, because Lex's failure
could possibly result in the spiritual advisor in training being
totally rejected and possibly booted out of heaven. At one time the
image of Jonathan Kent being poked in the ass by tiny red pitchforks
would have delighted him, but now he didn't derive the same sense of
pleasure from the thought.

Though, the sight of Clark freshly returned to his roots after months
of being technically away at college was a sight that Lex could allow
himself to indulge in and enjoy. Sure, they talked constantly,
multiple times a week, especially on Thursdays. Yet, they remained out
of contact as part of enriching the whole college experience rite of
passage.

Absence did in fact make the heart grow fonder.

Just taking in the sight of Clark confirmed that. "Finally, I was
starting to get worried." Clark stopped in the middle of room. Red
jacket forgone in favor for a simple black sweater, formfitting and
perfectly dark, denim that fit his legs like a second skin, if not a
little snug in the waist. He looked good, more than good. Absolutely
breathtaking.

"Hello to you too." Lex stood from his desk, closing the game of
solitary that had kept him occupied before Clark's arrival.

Clark smiled and this time, the simple act seemed far more spectacular
than usual. Pretty pink lips spreading wide showing off a dazzling
array of white teeth; just for him. "I was starting to get worried
that you'd been taken hostage or hit on the head again."

Lex embraced Clark. Reveled in the feel of Clark's body against his.
The heat. The comfortable fit of the solid weight against his chest.

"Your hair."

Clark pulled back, still grinning, shaking his head about to give Lex
a better look at the now much longer hair tamed in a simple black
band. "Yeah, I wanted to try something new. Without the chores and the
sun beating down into my face--"

"By the looks of your hair, it would seem that you tried to pretend
scissors don't exist."

"Lana says the same thing."

Leave it to Clark to burst his bubble. He pushed the thought of Lana
petting Clark's shiny black hair out of his mind. It had to be a least
shoulder length. Glossy, beautiful, and healthy like an ad in a hair
magazine.

He couldn't wait to touch it. Just not right now. "So, what's been
going on, Lex? The last couple of days you've been really busy…I was
worried when you didn't call me back."

"I apologize for that. Things…became complicated, but they worked
themselves out."

"I figured we could watch a movie to celebrate my return."

"Why would we want to do that?" Lex teased lightly, enjoying the look
of shock on Clark's face.

Clark ignored the jab. "Okay, so maybe a movie and dinner? If you're
not doing anything…" He trailed off bashfully.

Lex looked over Clark again, inspecting him from head to toe as if he
were the perfect present. "Actually, I made some plans for us, if
you're interested in doing something different."

"Sure." Clark replied. "Lead on, McDuff."

When they passed by the garage entrance, Lex could hear the slight
hesitation in Clark's step. Of course, Clark was wondering where they
were going. A surprise. It was all a surprise. The housekeeping staff
was to inform the kitchen staff of Clark's arrival. He preferred using
the chain of command rather than have his staff give him knowing looks
whenever Clark's name was mentioned. Those knowing looks were smiles
and smirks now. Before Clark graduated from high school, they weren't
all that pleasant.

They reached the top floor via the express elevator he had installed
about six months prior. A protocol against mutant attacks. Truthfully,
some nights Lex was just too tired to climb all those stairs.

Clark had never been up to this floor or at least he'd never come up
here with Lex. Their destination lay at the end of the hall.

Lex pushed open the solid set of double doors. "Wow." Clark gazed
about the solarium. It was one of the few rooms in the castle that Lex
was sure Clark hadn't ever visited.

"I remembered you complained about not being able to see the stars, so
I thought I'd show you what you've been missing."

"You don't have to show me. I know what I've been missing." Clark
mocked lightly, before his stomach rumbled quite loudly.

Lex smiled and led the way towards the comfortable spread laid out for
them. It was casual Eastern comfort. Pillows spread across the floor
and stacked to make a soft lounging area. "Now, kick off your shoes,
because I know you want to and eat. I'd shudder to think that word
would spread that I had a habit of mistreating farm boys."

"Yeah, Lex. You know, we farm boys, have to eat quite frequently and
before midnight."

Lex slipped out of his jacket and expensive shoes. Not quite as easily
or nonchalant as Clark, but quickly without scoffing them. "Oh yes, we
can't forget about the midnight rule. Though, I can't claim to have
seen you experience the midnight rule. "

Clark smirked with a blazing twinkle in his eye. "That's why Mom and
Dad always gave me a curfew…mogwais turn into gremlins. Farm boys--"
He plucked a golden French fry from a steaming hot pile.

"Farm boys what?" Lex encouraged before snagging a French fry from
Clark's fingers.

Clark's eyes sparkled. "They become simply irresistible." His face was
all seriousness and for a second, the only sound Lex could hear was
the thud of his own beating heart. Then, Clark pulled back and tossed
the fry into his mouth.

Lex took a breath and tried to shrug off the moment. "Now, I know
you're starving. Poor thing, you're delusional." Lex shook his head,
laughing and mocking Clark, whose smile hadn't changed, still full and
bright. Clark was a little bit delusional, because if he'd asked Lex,
he would have been told he's irresistible all the time.
*888*

Phase One was completed. Clark had been wooed with food. They stepped
out onto the balcony of the solarium and moved towards the telescope.

"Wow, the sky is full of so many stars tonight…"

Again, he followed Jonathan's advice and perfected it to assert his
advantage. It wasn't a coincidence that the sky was so picturesque
with cosmic lights. A quick call to the National Astronomy Council had
served to be very informative.

Clark gazed at the sky through the telescope—another gift Lex held in
reserve in case Clark suddenly changed his mind on gifts or his
birthday rolled around. They had no wine or beer, because despite all
of Lex's hard work and tutelage, Clark did not have a taste for it,
for which Lex teased him mercilessly about Clark not embracing the
college experience wholly.

Lex rattled off some numbers—coordinates, and he commented to Clark
that the star was beautiful. He'd only tell Clark later that the star
was actually named for him.

After losing some of the visibility, they returned to the solarium,
and Clark threw himself atop the canopy of pillows. "These are really
comfy."

Lex stood away from the pile of pillows, content to just watch Clark
sprawl. "So, tell me how does it feel to have one more year?"

Clark grinned as he looked up lazily at Lex. "It feels good….great in
fact. Even better since I've escaped some of my worse professors."

"How could I forget Journalism Ethics and Liberty and Politics: A
Discourse on The Will of Politics in Journalism."

"You forgot those? Those two professors hated me."

"I still can't believe it."

"Believe it. " Clark said with a sigh.

Lex noted to himself to find out what exactly the professors had
against Clark and try to change their minds. "No plotting."

"Plotting?" Lex snapped out of his thoughts. "I was just thinking.
Those professors couldn't recognize a hard working student when one is
in their midst. No extra entanglements, no girlfriends--"

"Ha--" Clark chuckled.

Lex tried not to frown or let the disappointment seep into his voice.
"I take it that statement is false."

Clark sat up on the pillows. "I think your clandestine makeover…yes,
I'm aware you recruited Chloe and Lois into throwing away my flannel
and all my clothes that are primary colors, has worked more than you
could ever imagine."

"Guilty as charged." Lex said while confessing, less than sorrowfully.

"Yeah, now they're mad at you, because the loss of the flannel has
made me into a people magnet. I never knew girls could be so
aggressive--" He shook his head. "Well, besides Lois. But guys
are…they are so much worse."

There had been guys. Men had hit on Clark and Clark didn't seem wholly
disgusted. "Men have hit on you?"

Clark nodded slowly as if Lex was slow. "It's happened a few times
here. Whitney occupied much of the first two years, when I still
didn't recognize flirting for what it was." Shock was lost on Lex over
Clark's candid declaration. Whitney's behavior did make sense in a
third grader kind of way.

"--Much more now since you guys have turned me into Malibu Clark." The
young man was truly a Journalism major by that turn of phrase alone.
Lex was not going to give into the desire to smash things. Not at all.

"And what do you do with all this extra attention?"

"Sometimes, I take them up on their offers." Clark offered with a blush.

Lex's mind made quick work of making all sorts of conjectures about
Clark and those offers. In his mind's eye, he could see Clark kissing
some tall bronze or blond or brunette or red head with broad
shoulders, possibly a football player—an athlete, turned male model
who worshiped the ground Clark walked on. The throbbing vein in his
forehead signaled that the murderous rage had returned.

"What does Lana say about all of this?" Yes, what exactly did the
fairy princess say about the legions of adoring worshipers turned
Clark's way.

"She's like a mother hen, constantly worrying about me."

Lana wasn't throwing fits and demanding Clark to show her attention.
Lex needed to know right now whether all his dreams would be shot from
here on in. "I heard an interesting rumor."

"What?"

"Nell was very happy to talk about some big announcement that seemed
to concern Lana and possibly you."

"Well yeah--" Clark sat up straight. "Lana is going to…" He paused and
Lex's breath caught. "- - become a designer, so she's moving to Paris
and I'm going to move into her place."

Lex waited a beat or two. Thinking the punch line would come and Clark
would say he was actually going to move in with Lana and marry her,
Lex waited with bated breath. Five seconds. Ten seconds. Twenty
seconds. Thirty—

"Lex, you okay?"

"Why are you moving into her place?"

"As much as I like sharing a place with Chloe and Lois, there are some
things a guy—who in essence is like their brother— doesn't need to
know. Body things and sex things." Clark said while shivering in disgust.

"That's a valid reason."

"I'm sick of waking up to my nails being painted." That definitely
sounded like Lois, Lex thought.

"Anything else?"

"I don't want any more teasing or added teasing when my boyfriend
stays over."

"I'm sure he would enjoy the privacy."

"But--" Clark began.

Lex perked up. "What?"

"The job is available if someone were interested…"

This was it, right? The moment that Jonathan had steered him towards.
This was Clark, once again, opening himself up to Lex for the taking.
He would think about what the last part of that previous thought meant
later. "You're looking for a boyfriend, Clark? Because I think we're
fresh out of those."

Clark sank back into the pillows in resignation. The soft smile that
had rested upon his lips was gone, replaced by an adorably painful
pout. "Though, a long-term committed lover, partner, and soul mate is
available."

Suddenly, Lex found the world shifting beneath him and he found
himself on the bed of pillows staring up at the starry night sky
through the glass of the solarium. The view was beautiful, even more
so when Clark's face filled his field of vision. Smile in place, eyes
sparkling; he would never grow tired of this sight.

When Clark's lips landed on his, the first thing Lex thought of was
Jonathan Kent and how thankful he was that the man had steered him
towards a better plan. Clark's lips were everything Lex had ever
imagined. Soft. Pliant. Supple. Luscious. They made him think of
sinful words. Decadent.

"I think you're more than qualified." Clark whispered against Lex's
mouth.

This was all so perfect. Clark was in his arms, nearly wrapped around
his body where he should be. They'd put Clark's new single domicile to
use.

He could actually claim to be happy and killing Lana Lang was not
necessary.
*888*

Jonathan watched from above in a white suit, halo, and wings. Mission
accomplished, he resolved as he watched Lex and his son kiss on the
bed of pillows. They'd be happy now. The world wouldn't spin off its
axis and plunge into an eternal pool of darkness.

Mission accomplished, he thought again as he turned his eyes away from
the scene below. He'd tried to be the best father that he could be and
hoped he'd finally made good on one of his past wrongs. He'd made good.

Jonathan took one last look and wished he'd imparted to his son the
lesson of not going past first base on the first date. Jonathan Kent
taught his son many things as a man. Yet, he'd failed to show him how
to not be a slut. That was okay. Lex loved him anyway.

The End