Summary: A different story of Clark's stay in Metropolis.

Notes: Thanks to everyone who read this story over on LJ and gave me feedback and encouragement on it. You guys are the best! Special thanks to Corinna for thinking of the title, Meret for making me a perfectly scrumptious cover for it, and XniteLite for letting me borrow the title from her Fortune magazine Lex icon.

Warnings: Rated NC-17. m/m

Lex was always rather amused by the odd things that affected business. Economics textbooks would have you believe it was all a matter of disinterested market forces, the cool logic of supply and demand, simple facts. This had to make anyone laugh who'd ever actually done business.

The truth was that perception trumped reality almost every time. An aura of success could prove far more valuable, at least in the short run, than actual achievement. Just look at the multitude of CEOs who had parlayed their charisma into larger and larger compensation packages as they steadily drove their companies into the ground.

Lex knew perfectly well how the game worked. And yet, it did still surprise him that his own relationship with another man could have such a profound effect on his company's performance.

After the opera benefit, he and Clark started making the rounds of the social scene. They attended charity auctions and fashion shows, made appearances at all the A-list parties and strolled up the red carpet at local film premieres. Every time they turned around a flash bulb was going off. Their pictures were a staple of the Planet society news and on page 6 of the Intruder in the gossip columns. Lex had even made the cover of Fortune in an article titled "The New Young Titans of Industry," which featured in addition to shots of Lex at the office a big, glossy photo of him relaxing at home with Clark.

He'd been prepared for the publicity surrounding their relationship to send a few shock waves through the LexCorp stock price. Investors were a conservative lot, and not all of them would care to bankroll a gay business leader who flaunted his lover in public.

So when LexCorp stock actually began to rise, he was rather astounded. His financial team had initially been very concerned how lost market share from their stolen product might hurt them, but all their numbers were going through the roof. Sales were up almost fifty percent, and they'd landed a number of important contracts, including the one from Bill Taylor, who'd sounded appropriately sheepish when he'd called to inform Lex of his board's decision.

Lex had occasionally seen this kind of boost come from a high-profile wedding. He found it delightfully ironic that it had not happened for him with either Desiree or Helen, but now, because he was living with a beautiful young man. Apparently, gay was the fashion of the moment, the new black.

The best part, though, was the kick Clark got out of seeing their names in the paper. Every morning, he'd quickly flip the pages to see if they'd been mentioned.

"Hey, we made Liz Smith," he'd say, with an endearing grin, holding up the paper for Lex to see.

It was funny, though. As many pictures as there were of Clark, his face was never clearly visible in any of them. He was always turned away from the camera or in motion when the shot was snapped, little more than a beautiful blur in the printed photograph. Lex wondered if it was just an odd coincidence or if Clark somehow sensed where the cameras were and avoided them. He still believed, as he had from the beginning, from those nights watching Clark in the club, that he was special, that he had hidden talents. That he had secrets.

But he was less anxious lately to uncover Clark's past. A number of weeks had gone by without any word from Phelan. Lex had picked up the phone many times, but he'd never actually made the call. Knowing would change things, and right now, all he wanted was for everything to stay the same.

At least the investigation into the theft of the new pesticide formula was finally making some progress. The team was due to brief him that morning. Marvin showed them in, and he directed them over to the conference table.

"So what do we have?" he asked, settling into a chair.

The head of the team was named Mason Tucker, a former Naval intelligence officer who'd parlayed his military experience into an extremely successful private security business. "We've narrowed it down to a half dozen points of vulnerability. These are the only people who had access to the right information at the right time to be able to pull off the theft." He handed Lex a folder.

Lex perused the list inside and laughed at one of the names. "You've got to be kidding."

"All the subjects had opportunity. We can't rule anyone out at this point."

"So what's our next step?"

"We've concocted a red herring, supposedly top-secret information on new research, that we'll leak to the suspects, and then we'll see who bites. We're monitoring your competitors. If any of our targets makes contact, we'll know about it."

"Do I want to know how you're doing this monitoring?"

Tucker looked him squarely in the eye. "No."

"Fine," Lex said tersely. "Move forward as planned."

"Right away." Tucker stood up, and the rest of his team rose on cue. "We'll report back when there's activity."

Lex nodded distractedly. Tucker and his associates left. Some of the people on the list were among Lex's most trusted employees. It was a kick to the gut, sickening and familiar, the realization that one of them had already betrayed him and was no doubt looking for the opportunity to do it again.

He went back to his desk and picked up the phone. He needed something cheerful to think about.

"Hello?" Clark answered.

"Hey."

"Lex." Clark's voice grew warmer, more intimate, and that made Lex smile. "How's your day?"

"Okay. How about you? What are you up to?"

"I played tennis with Mitzi this morning."

Lex grinned. After their first meeting, Mitzi Kidderson had decided that Clark was her new best friend. She'd made her intentions clear at the next society gathering they'd attended, marching up and claiming Clark.

"You don't mind if I borrow him for a little while, do you, Lex?"

As it happened, Lex had rather minded. He'd slung his arm over Clark's shoulders and given Mitzi a look of warning.

She'd waved him off. "Oh, please. There's no need to urinate on the poor boy, Lex. No one is trying to encroach on your territory. But Clark's moving in these circles now, and he should get to know people. I'm sure you agree." She hooked her arm through Clark's and whisked him away.

Since then, she'd arranged for Clark to have tennis lessons from her pro. She was redecorating her living room and took him with her to the designers to get a man's opinion. They had lunch several times a week, and she was teaching him to play bridge so he could join her weekly game.

"It's much better than having the poor boy cooped up in that apartment all day while you're at work," Mitzi had insisted.

When Lex asked Clark how he felt about it, he said it was kind of weird being a lady who lunches, but he liked Mitzi. Lex had noticed that Mitzi's friendship had helped Clark feel more comfortable in society. Now when they went to events, Clark seemed perfectly at home, exchanging small talk with people he'd met through her. In those moments, Lex was rather fond of Mitzi Kidderson himself.

"So what would you like to do tonight?" he asked.

"I don't know. I'm really up for anything. Is there somewhere you need to go?"

"Not really. Maybe we'll just have a quiet evening at home."

"That sounds nice."

Lex smiled. "It does, doesn't it? I'll try to get out of here early. See you at six?"

"Can't wait."

They hung up. A moment later, the phone rang. "Clark?"

"Well, I am calling about him." Phelan's amused tone made Lex grit his teeth.

"I thought you'd lost this number," he snapped. "It's been…what? Almost two months since I've heard from you?"

"Well, I'm calling now. And I have everything you wanted to know. The kid's real name is--"

"Tomorrow."

"Excuse me?" Phelan sounded confused.

"I want to do this tomorrow. We can meet then, and you can tell me everything."

"You were just complaining about how long it's taken."

"And after all these weeks, a few more hours isn't going to make a difference. I have--" He wasn't even sure why he was putting this off. It just felt important to spend one last evening with Clark in all the bliss of ignorance. "Other priorities today."

Phelan snorted. "Other priorities, huh?"

"You heard me," Lex said coldly. "Be here tomorrow at nine."

"Fine." Phelan hung up.

Lex called Clark back. "Hey, change of plans. Let's go out tonight after all. Do something special."

"Is there a party?"

"No. I mean just the two of us. We should celebrate. It's like our two-month-and-something anniversary."

"Twelve days. Two months and twelve days."

"Does it mean something that you know the exact number?"

"Only that I keep track of the good things."

It sounded so heartfelt, and a warm feeling spread through Lex's chest. "I know the perfect place for tonight. See you at six."

Clark was waiting for him in the lobby when he arrived, chatting with the doorman. He was dressed in slim black pants, crisp white shirt and a sleek black jacket, urban and sophisticated. When he glanced up and saw Lex, he smiled and stepped into his arms for a hug.

"Hey." Lex kissed him, lightly, affectionately. "You ready?"

"Let's go."

They held hands out to the car. Lex opened the door for him, and Clark grinned at him. "You're such a gentleman."

Lex took him by the lapels and hauled him in for another kiss, far more predatory than the last one. "See if you still think so later on."

Clark shivered and pressed closer. Lex kissed him again, then made himself let go and head around to the other side of the car. A few more kisses like that, and there were going to end up naked on the penthouse floor for the rest of the night. Not that this was a bad thing, but he really did want to take Clark out on the town.

In the car, Clark fiddled with the CD player. Lex watched him out of the corner of his eye. Usually the power of someone's beauty faded rather quickly once you got to know them, no matter how eye-poppingly gorgeous they seemed at first. But not Clark. Every time Lex looked at him, whether he was wearing a pair of old jeans or the perfectly tailored suit he had on now, he took Lex's breath away.

Clark smiled softly, knowing perfectly well that Lex was admiring him. "So you didn't tell me where we're going."

"It's a surprise."

Clark arched an eyebrow. "Oh, yeah?"

"Yeah."

Clark was clearly intrigued, but he didn't press for details. He did, however, begin to look rather concerned as they headed over the Metropolis Memorial Bridge and into Mayburn, a gritty offshoot of the city.

"Are you sure we're going the right way?"

"Just trust me."

Lex cut across several back streets to get to Lamont Avenue. The Rialto was at the end of it, tucked into a block of warehouses, no sign, just a steel door. If you didn't know it was there, you'd never guess from the exterior.

Lex pulled up to the curb and got out. Clark threw him a slightly worried look, but followed. A valet materialized out of nowhere.

Lex tossed him the keys to the Jaguar. "Take good care of it."

"Of course, Mr. Luthor."

He put his hand on Clark's back and guided him inside.

"Wow," Clark said softly.

The Rialto was one of Metropolis' hidden gems, an old-fashioned cabaret with dinner and dancing, dark and intimate. The walls were lined with plush, private banquettes, candles twinkling on each table. The Rialto catered to a mixed crowd. Gay and straight couples alike swirled around the dance floor. Tonight's performer was Mona Lynan, a blues singer with a sultry voice. She swayed on stage at the far end of the room, singing an old standard, her rendition deep and throaty and undeniably sensual.

"Like it?"

"Are you kidding?"

Lex smiled and squeezed his hand.

Marta, the hostess, greeted them. "Mr. Luthor, welcome to the Rialto. Come right this way. Your table is waiting."

He'd requested one of the more private booths. Clark slid onto the leather seat, and Lex settled beside him.

Marta smiled. "Enjoy your evening."

The banquette was situated in a dark corner, at an odd angle that it made it difficult to see inside. Lex could take Clark on the table and odds were no one would be the wiser. The idea put a shark smile on his face that Clark, of course, did not fail to notice.

"I know you're thinking about sex."

Lex didn't answer, just let his expression speak for itself.

"In public, huh?" Clark laughed huskily. "Well, that's definitely a way to celebrate." He leaned in and his expression grew more serious. "Thank you." He brushed Lex's lips with his. "For bringing me here. It's wonderful."

Lex stroked his fingers through his soft hair. "I'm glad you like it. And I'm glad you're here with me."

He would have gone back for more kisses, but he spotted the sommelier hovering a few feet from their table. He waved him on. "It's okay, Philippe."

"Very good, Mr. Luthor." Philippe produced a bottle of champagne with a flourish. "The Krug Clos du Menil, just as you ordered."

Lex nodded his approval. Philippe uncorked it. His assistants produced glasses, and he poured a taste for Lex. "Very good," he said.

"I'm glad you're pleased, Mr. Luthor." He poured glasses for both of them, returned the bottle to the ice bucket, gave a formal half bow and left them alone.

Lex raised his champagne flute. "To two months and twelve days." Clark smiled. They chinked their glasses together and took a sip.

Lex tilted his head. "Well?"

Clark licked his lips. "It's definitely better than the Scotch." And smiled.

A waiter appeared and set down several plates of appetizers.

"I asked them to bring us an assortment," Lex said. "There's bruschetta and a goat cheese torte and grilled calamari."

Clark tried a little of all three. "Mmm. Delicious."

Lex leaned in and tasted his lips. "Yes, very." Clark's breath caught. He opened his mouth, deepening the kiss, stroking his tongue against Lex's.

The rest of the meal passed much this way, a back-and-forth of eating and foreplay. Clark rubbed Lex's thigh, teasing, his hand inching closer and closer to his crotch, until it finally came to rest there, lightly stroking his cock all through the entree. Lex doubted he'd ever eat braised duck again without getting hard.

When they finished eating, Lex asked, "Would you like to dance?"

Clark shifted uncomfortably. "Um. Well--"

"It's okay if you don't."

"No," he said quickly. "It's not that. I just-- I don't really know how."

"It's not hard. I promise. Really just a matter of standing close and holding on to each other."

"I think I can handle that." Clark's voice was low and throaty, just the way he always sounded after sex.

Heat pooled in Lex's belly. He stood up, held out his hand and led Clark out to the dance floor. There was nothing like having Clark in his arms, the weight of Clark's body against his, soft brush of curls against his cheek, tickle of breath on his neck, the sweet wholesomeness of Clark's scent, soap and warmth and teenage boy.

Clark moved a little awkwardly at first, nervous about doing the wrong thing, but after a couple of songs, he relaxed, began to sway effortlessly in time with Lex, like they'd been dancing together all their lives.

The band played a slow, throbbing ballad, and Lex pulled him even closer, his hands wandering over Clark's back, caressing him everywhere.

"Mmm." Clark laid his head on Lex's shoulder, pressing the occasional kiss to his throat.

It had been a long, long time since Lex had felt even remotely this happy.

"Everyone's staring at us," Clark murmured.

"Are they?" Of course, he knew perfectly well they were. Who could help staring at Clark?" They must be wondering how I got so lucky."

Clark lifted his head to look at him. "I'm the lucky one. Remember what you said that night at the club? That I could do better? I never guessed it could be like this. Never knew it could be so good."

Lex hugged him hard. Frankly, he'd never imagined it could be this good, either. "Clark, I lo--" He stopped himself just in time.

His mouth seemed to want to say things that were against all reason, impossible things, that only a fool would blurt out to a prostitute who was handsomely paid to hold him like this, to kiss his neck and make those soft little sighs that went straight to his cock. Only a fool, and that was one thing Lex had promised himself he'd never be again.

Clark squeezed his shoulder. "Hey. Everything okay?"

Lex made himself relax. "Better than okay." He took Clark's mouth in a kiss that left Clark whimpering, pressing closer, begging for more. Lex obliged, digging his fingers in at his waist, enjoying the sweetness of Clark's lips. He just needed to keep in mind why he'd hired him in the first place, for the pleasure of it. Because pleasure never had the power to hurt you the way love did.

And Clark did please him, so very much. Lex clutched at him and kissed wildly until there was not even the pretense of dancing anymore. When Clark finally pulled back, his eyes were feverish, his cheeks flushed, chest rising and falling with his breath. "Do you want to get out of here?"

"Yes." Lex took his hand and pulled him off the dance floor, heading for the exit.

"Don't we need to pay the bill or something?"

"They know where to send it." His voice was sharp and urgent. All he could think about was getting Clark home, having him naked and eager and under him.

Outside, though, the valet was nowhere to be found.

Lex sighed. "They park the cars in a lot around the corner. Wait here, and I'll go see if I can get it. If the valet comes back, let him know we're ready to go." He gave Clark a quick kiss and headed down the block.

He was almost to the end of it when he heard the screech of tires. He turned around in time to see a car speeding down the street, swerving crazily. As it neared him, he heard the engine gun, and then the car jumped the sidewalk and barreled toward him. He instinctively lifted his arms as if that could somehow protect him from two tons of steel slamming into him. His worst regret was that Clark was going to watch him die.

A strong gust of wind blew up, and then somehow Clark was standing in front of him, even though he'd been too far away to get there so quickly. But there he was, shielding Lex with his body, like some crazy kid who'd watched too much television and mistakenly believed he was as invulnerable as a cartoon character. Now they were both going to die, and that knowledge cut Lex with the worst kind of grief.

He held his breath and braced himself for impact, but it never came. The car plowed into Clark and bounced off him. The force knocked them down, but other than getting a little dirty, they were both fine. The car careened back onto the street and sped away.

Clark scrambled to his feet and helped Lex up. "Oh, my God. Lex. Are you okay?" He frantically ran his hands over Lex's body, checking for injuries.

"I'm all right. But how--" He clutched Clark's arm. "What the hell just happened?"

Clark's eyes slid away from him. "Must have swerved at the last minute."

"I saw it hit you."

"If it had, we'd both be dead," Clark mumbled.

Lex leaned in closer, lowered his voice, urgently. "You can tell me, Clark. I know you have secrets. That you're special. I've always realized that, although until tonight I never guessed--" He gripped his arm. "You have to know I'd never let anything happen to you."

Clark sighed heavily. "We just got lucky, Lex. That's all. Why can't you just accept that and be grateful?"

"Because I don't believe in luck. I believe in what I can see. What I know. In facts. In reasonable explanations."

"Then just know that I'd never let anything happen to you and leave it at that, okay?" He crossed his arms over his chest, his jaw set, eyes fierce with determination.

A boy who could move faster than anyone could see, effortlessly toss aside an oncoming car, and every instinct Lex had clamored to find out how this was possible. But it was clear Clark didn't trust him enough or was too afraid or had some other reason not to tell him. Battering him with questions would only alienate him.

He let out his breath. "Fine. Let's just go get the car." He started to walk, anger making his shoulders stiff. He'd do anything to protect Clark, and the fact that Clark didn't seem to recognize that filled him with an unaccountable fury.

Clark fell in beside him, and they walked in silence. It took a moment for Lex to register that Clark had purposefully maneuvered so that he was on the outside of the sidewalk, next to the street, putting himself between Lex and any other possible danger. All Lex's anger instantly dissolved. No matter how Clark had managed it, he had just saved his life, and Lex was indeed very, very grateful for that.

He reached for Clark's hand, and Clark held on to him fiercely. His face was pale, his expression grim, and it gave Lex a sudden, sharp ache in his chest. Clark had truly been scared for him.

"It's okay," he said, gently. "I really am fine. Not even a scratch."

Clark slipped an arm around his waist and pulled him tightly to his side. He pressed a frantic torrent of relieved kisses to his face. This wasn't anything Lex had come to expect from his lovers, this tenderness, this concern, but it was something he'd sure as hell like to get used to.

At the parking lot, the attendant was inside the office. Lex retrieved his keys and unlocked the passenger door. He caught Clark's arm before he could get in.

"I want to thank you. For what you did back there."

"But I--"

He pressed a finger to Clark's lips. "I'm not asking any questions. I'm just saying thank you." Gratitude was a slow, wet, lingering kiss.

Clark trembled and kissed back, gripping Lex's waist as if he never planned to let go. "You're welcome," he whispered.

It was much more of an acknowledgement than Lex had expected, and he hugged Clark passionately. "Let's go home."

There was a great deal more thanking he wanted to do, and Clark's secrets could wait. At least for now.

It was quiet on the ride home. Lex's mind was buzzing with too many things to make conversation. A car barreling down on them at top speed had bounced off Clark. Bounced. Now that the shock had started to wear off, he could really take that in, consider the implications. The boy sitting next to him was far more special that he'd even guessed, not simply a beautiful kid with a good heart and an unusual talent for pleasure, but apparently…superhuman.

This wasn't the only revelation of the evening, of course. There was Clark's reaction after the fact, how he shook with relief once he knew Lex was all right, the way he'd put himself between Lex and further danger. Even Lex couldn't write that off as business as usual. The fact was that there had been more between them than a simple financial transaction for some time, maybe even from the beginning, and there was no ignoring that now.

He glanced over at Clark, who was hunched in his seat, shoulders curled in. "Hey." He rested his hand on Clark's leg. "You okay?"

Clark nodded, not very convincingly. "I'm just-- you know, thinking about what happened back there." His voice dropped, got rougher. "You could have died."

"But I didn't. Because you were there." He rubbed his hand in comforting circles. "I'm lucky to have you."

"I never want anything to happen to you." Clark sounded scared and young, and it gave Lex a sharp ache in his chest.

He slid his arm around him, pulling him close, and Clark rested his head on his shoulder. "Everything's going to be fine," Lex said, pressing a kiss to his head. "I promise."

"Do you think maybe--" Clark hesitated. "I know you've had something going on at work lately, and that car seemed to head right for you. Maybe it wasn't an accident?"

Lex kept his voice even, unconcerned. He didn't want Clark any more involved in this than he already was. "There are more drunk driving accidents in this part of town than anywhere else. I'm sure someone just had one too many and wasn't smart enough to call a cab."

"You think?"

"What else could it be? Corporate in-fighting may get ugly at times, but it hardly leads to homicide."

This wasn't technically a lie. He hadn't said it never ended in murder.

Clark let out his breath. "Thank God."

They pulled up to their building, and Lex turned the keys over to the valet. He kept his arm around Clark as they headed inside, held him close as they took the elevator upstairs. Even in the apartment, he didn't really want to let go. Only the need to reassure Clark propelled him through the motions of hanging up his coat, sorting through the mail, all the things he usually did, as if this were any other evening and he wasn't damned lucky to be alive.

They headed into the living room, and he made a beeline for the bar. Appearing calm wasn't the easiest thing in the world when the only reason he wasn't splattered all over a city street was because his boyfriend was apparently made of steel. Lex needed this drink, he really did, and poured himself a few extra fingers of Scotch for good measure.

The thing was: you never got used to people trying to kill you, no matter how many times it happened.

"Are you sure you're all right?" Clark hovered by the sofa, shifting his weight awkwardly, his expression both concerned and uncertain.

There were moments in life that felt like waking up, like some light had been switched on, and everything was suddenly clear. This was one of those moments for Lex. He watched Clark watching him, and it struck him that he finally had exactly what he wanted, right here in his own living room, his heart's desire, all his for the taking. How many people could ever say that? And still, he'd been holding back, trying to deny the obvious, even to himself, insisting on calling this by some other name. Too afraid to admit that he--

The word twisted on his tongue. He'd promised himself never to say it again, to anyone, and he still wasn't ready. He squeezed his eyes shut and forced it back. The declaration would have to wait, but there were other things he could offer. Sometimes he expressed himself better with actions than words anyway.

"Tell me something," he said to Clark.

Clark sighed tiredly, misunderstanding. "I've already told you everything I can, Lex."

"Not about that." He closed the distance between them, leaned in, whispered into Clark's ear. "What I want to know is…would you like to fuck me?" A shudder jolted Clark, and Lex had to smile. "I take that's a yes?"

"God." Even Clark's voice was shaking. He held Lex's face in his hands and poured all his concern and relief and need into a single, shattering kiss.

Then Lex was shaking, too. "Please." Another word he didn't like to say, but apparently, the old rules meant nothing when it came to Clark.

Clark backed him up against the wall and frantically pulled at his clothes, hands trembling so much that Lex had to help him.

"I want you so much," Clark said, urgently.

"Then have me. Anything you want."

Clark's answer was a flurry of hot, wet kisses, before sinking to his knees and taking Lex's cock deep into his throat.

"Fuck!" His shout split the apartment's stillness and echoed off the walls.

This was the magic men at the club had gladly paid a hundred dollars a shot for, and even Lex's control, something he prided himself on, wasn't going to keep him from exploding like an over-anxious teenager if this went on much longer. "Stop. I'm going to--"

Apparently, this was Clark's plan, though, because he didn't stop. He did something with his tongue that made Lex's eyes roll back in his head, had him arching his back, digging his fingers into the plaster. There was a blinding flash in his head, and then his entire body shook with his release.

He panted, light-headed from coming so hard so fast. His knees started to buckle, and his fingers scrabbled at the wall. If Clark weren't holding him up, he would have fallen.

Clark realized this, of course, and his smile was just a little bit smug. "You said anything I want." He rubbed his hand in circles over Lex's hip. "I want to make you forget your own name."

Clark's eyes glittered with amusement and something wilder, more heated. It was hard to believe this was the same boy who'd looked so young and scared only a short time ago. Now he seemed made of confidence, so certain of what he wanted. He stood up and kissed Lex and took him by the hand. "Come on."

They made it just inside the bedroom before Clark set on him, wrapping himself around Lex like a second skin, as if he was trying to get inside, make their bones meet. Lex was on fire, like his skin would burn anything it touched, and he was already starting to get hard again, too soon, hurting in the best possible way.

It had been a long time since he'd allowed himself to have this. During the post-Helen meltdown, he'd woken up too many mornings with the evidence that someone had been inside him, but no actual memory of it happening or who it might have been. His grief was hard and jagged, a sharp edge he'd cut himself on again and again. It took months to finally pull himself together, to swear off all the stupid shit he'd been doing to try to forget, getting drunk and getting high and being fucked by faceless strangers. He'd grasped onto his old friend control like it was the only thing he could trust, the one thing that might save him.

Sex after that had been measured, calculated, most times bought and paid for, just to keep the lines perfectly clear. He'd always been on top, in every sense, and he'd like it that way.

Until this. Until Clark.

"Hey." Clark sensed his distraction and pulled back. "Are you sure about this?" His voice was soft with concern. "I don't want to do anything you don't want."

Lex shook his head. "You won't. You can't." It was funny how sure he was about that, and Clark's sweet answering smile only strengthened his conviction.

They fell into bed together, Clark draped over him. Lex wanted so much, and there was no such thing as control anymore. But that was all right, because this wasn't Helen or Desiree or a faceless stranger. This was Clark.

Clark was pale and stark in the dim light, the tendons of his neck standing out in sharp relief, his cock thick and swollen with blood, slick against Lex's thigh. "I want--"

"Yes," Lex hissed. "Anything. I trust you."

Clark parted his legs and moved between them, slid his hands under Lex's hips, lifting them. "What you did to me our first time-- I want to do that."

"You don't have to-- Fuck!" Hot tongue on sensitive flesh, and all reason, all words were blotted out of his mind. Hell, he didn't remember his own name.

Clark turned him inside out, creatively, adding fingers alongside his tongue, scraping his teeth against the delicate skin behind his balls, making the blood boil in his veins, making him scream.

"God!" Lex panted, muscles shaking like jelly. "If you don't stop, I'm going to come." Clark hummed contentedly, but Lex knew his own limits. There wasn't going to be a third round. "Please. I want-- Inside me."

Clark reluctantly stopped. Lex reached out for the bedside drawer, fumbled to get the lube and handed it to Clark. "Use a lot. It's been a while."

Clark eased him onto his side, stretched out beside him, kissed his shoulder and whispered soft, sweet nonsense as he got him ready. Clark's talented tongue had already undone him, and now his sensitive, twisting fingers were touching that place inside him that sent electric sparks up and down his spine, making him burn all over.

"Now!" he said, voice strained with need. Clark pulled his fingers away, and Lex felt the slick trail of his cock against his ass. "Get the condoms."

Clark went still. "We don't need that." Lex started to argue, but Clark smoothed a hand over his hip. "Trust me, Lex. I can't give you anything, and you can't hurt me." His voice was quiet, serious, and Lex knew he was being given something, some small part of Clark's truth.

He nodded, giving permission, and Clark curved around him, pressed against him, slowly, surely, until Lex was breached, panting hard, sweat running down his back. He'd forgotten this, how much it hurt, the sheer physical shock of it. Clark rubbed his belly and made coaxing noises, and Lex began to grow accustomed to the sensations, the burning and the fullness and the dull ache in his stomach because he was still so hard and needed to come so badly.

His body relented and opened, and Clark pressed forward, little by little. When he was all the way inside, he started to move, setting a rhythm, slowly at first, gradually faster, making Lex cry out with every stroke, because he'd forgotten this too, the bone-melting, nerve-searing ecstasy of having someone inside him.

Clark's face was hot against his neck. "God! You feel so good. You're so amazing. Never thought it could be this good."

One more first time he'd given Clark, and, really, it was a first for him, too. All the sex he'd had, and he couldn't remember another time when it was someone he loved fucking him.

Clark reached around and stroked his cock, and Lex moaned and pushed back hard, taking Clark as deep inside him as he could.

"Please!" His balls were tight against his body, and his stomach hurt. He needed to come, needed it now.

Clark thrust faster, jerked Lex's cock harder. "I love you," he murmured in Lex ear, his voice rough with passion. "Fucking love you, Lex. God. I love you so much."

It was the spark that sent him up in flames. He spasmed around Clark's cock, went off in his hand, only dimly aware of Clark climaxing inside him. There was a dull roar in his ears. His vision started to go dark like he might pass out, and he couldn't breathe. The best sex always made you just a little bit afraid that you might actually die from it.

Clark's breath was heavy and warm against his shoulder, his arm slung possessively over Lex's hip. He pressed a kiss to Lex's cheek and gently pulled out. Lex sucked in a deep breath. His ass was sore, well-used, and he liked the feeling, liked knowing that Clark was the cause of it.

He turned in Clark's arms, because he wanted to see his face. Clark had the startled, satisfied look of first times, like someone had just let him in on the best, most important secret in the world. Lex had to grin, and Clark did, too.

Lex kissed him. "It's official. I don't remember my name."

Clark laughed, his face bright and pleased. "Me either."

Lex pulled him closer, pressed a kiss to his forehead. If all those other attempts on his life had led to moments like this, he would have been a much, much happier man. Clark snuggled against him, and Lex closed his eyes, sated and drowsy.

"I meant it, you know," he heard Clark whisper as he was falling asleep. "I really do love you."

Not surprisingly, Lex was late to work the next day. He'd woken up to soft kisses on his face, opened his eyes to find Clark leaning over him, wide-awake and hungry. They'd made love in the shower. Clark had blown him and fucked him again, and it would probably be several days before he could sit down without feeling it. But who cared? A little soreness was nothing when he had everything he wanted.

He was whistling as he got off the elevator, but stopped short when he saw Phelan lounging in a chair in the reception area.

"Someone got lucky last night." Phelan's smirk was knowing and filthy, and Lex had the urge to wipe it off his face, preferably with violence.

"This way," he said curtly, heading down the corridor to his office.

He closed the door behind them, motioned Phelan to a chair and sat down at his desk.

"Okay. Show me what you've got."

Phelan's expression grew serious as he got down to business. He pulled out a small notebook. "The subject's name is Clark Jerome Kent, adopted son of Martha and Jonathan Kent. They own and operate a small farm in Smallville, KS."

"Smallville?"

"Yeah. That mean something to you?"

"Nothing. Just--" He waved his hand. "Go on." Of course, Clark would be from the one place Lex most wanted to forget.

"The subject disappeared approximately four months ago. He's seventeen years old, previously enrolled in Smallville High School." Phelan's voice was even, professional, but his mouth turned up at the corner in a mocking smile.

Lex stared him down, keeping his own face blank, refusing to give any ground, but, God, seventeen. Of course, he'd known Clark was young. He'd been careful never to ask exactly how young, in case he ever needed to plead ignorance. Still, the way Clark carried himself, smiled his way through society functions like a veteran, all the things they'd done together in bed…how could that possibly have come from a junior in high school?

He cleared his throat. "Why'd he take off?"

"That's not completely clear. There was an accident, as you suggested. Family truck flipped over. The boy's mother was pregnant, lost the baby."

"Was Clark driving?"

Phelan shook his head. "His father. There was also--" He frowned at his notes.

"What?"

"Details are somewhat sketchy, but it seems the truck wreck was caused by some kind of explosion. It left behind a pretty good-sized crater on the farm."

"How did that happen?"

"No one seems to know. Underground gas pipe leak possibly. Or farm chemicals improperly stored. There was some gossip that maybe they were making drugs out there. Doesn't seem too credible, though. If they were drug kingpins, I doubt they'd be facing foreclose."

"They're going to lose the farm?"

Phelan nodded. "A matter of months at the most." Phelan opened his briefcase and pulled out a large envelope. "I have a few things here you might want to see." He took out a book, flipped it open and held it out to Lex.

There was Clark, wide-eyed and smiling in his yearbook picture. Lex's throat closed up. Phelan smiled, enjoying himself a great deal, and Lex had never hated anyone more.

"Then there's this." Phelan laid a flyer on the desk, handmade, the same picture of Clark and a desperate plea to call if anyone had seen him. "His parents put these up all over the county."

"That's enough," Lex snapped, pushing the flyer away.

Phelan shrugged. "Hey, you wanted me to be thorough." He tucked the yearbook and leaflet back into the envelope and sat it on Lex's desk. "I'll leave this for you. There's a full report, some background on the parents, copies of the kid's report cards, that kind of thing." Phelan smiled like a snake.

Lex glared coldly. "We're finished here. You'll get your check later today."

"That's fine." Phelan got to his feet. "You know, there is one thing I found kind of odd."

"Oh, yeah?"

Phelan nodded. "The parents never filed a missing person's report. A seventeen year old kid, never been in trouble, so why didn't they go to the police for help?"

"Maybe they've just had bad experiences with the police. Not all officers are fine, upstanding citizens, from what I hear. " He gave Phelan a small, tight smile.

Phelan laughed. "Hey, that could be it." He winked. "Good doing business with you, Lex. As always."

Lex let out his breath once Phelan was gone. There were so many things racing through his head. Could Clark have had something to do with the mysterious explosion on the farm? Did he have other abilities, potentially dangerous ones, that Lex hadn't seen yet? He had no doubt that Clark's parents had avoided the police to try to protect his secrets. But what did Phelan really know about it? Was he just trying to fuck with Lex's head as usual? Or did he have real suspicions about Clark? How was that even possible when Clark had been in Metropolis the whole time Phelan was conducting the investigation?

He pulled everything out of the envelope and laid it on his desk. There were surveillance photos of the farm, shots of a middle-aged couple, Clark's parents. They looked like decent, hard-working people, and Lex knew they must be sick with worry, not knowing where Clark was, if he was all right.

He stared at the flyer. He could feel the desperation in the handwritten lettering: "Reward offered. Please call!" Phelan had said they didn't have any money, that their farm was on the line. And yet, they were obviously willing to do whatever it took to get their boy back. Their seventeen-year-old son whom Lex had had sex with only a few hours ago.

Could he really let them go on wondering whether Clark was dead or alive?

He pushed the question away with a vicious effort of will, shoved everything back into the envelope and tossed it into a desk drawer. The Kents had their chance. Clark had left for some reason, and he was Lex's now. Lex would do a much better job of taking care of him. He'd give Clark everything, protect him…love him.

He forced himself to concentrate on other matters. He moved ahead with a deal to acquire a Japanese R&D firm, approved new staff positions to help deal with the upsurge in business, and most importantly, put in a call to Mason Tucker, his security consultant, to report the attempt on his life.

Tucker was grave on the other end of the line. "That's a significant escalation."

"I certainly thought so," Lex said dryly.

"We'll accelerate our plans and beef up your personal security."

"I don't need more security. I just need to know who the hell is doing this."

He hung up, and the urge to open the drawer and take out the envelope was nearly overpowering. The image of Clark in his high school yearbook lingered in his mind's eye, along with that frantic "please call!" from the flyer.

Fuck. Why had he chosen now to develop a conscience?

He sighed and scrubbed his hands over his face. Of course, he couldn't just return Clark to his family, even if he was that selfless. Only Clark could decide if he wanted to go back to them. Now that Lex knew the truth, though, he felt a responsibility to at least pose the question. Even if Clark leaving him was the last thing in the world he ever wanted.

He buzzed his assistant. "I need you to gather some materials for me."

Lex sighed. Frankly, having a conscience sucked. He had no idea what he was going to say to Clark. He'd just have to find some way to sound him out and let Clark's reactions be his guide. Maybe he'd end up showing him the flyer his parents made. Or maybe they'd talk about their future together. But no matter which way it went, he'd make sure that Clark had a good life, just as he deserved.

He found Clark in the kitchen when he got home, cooking, which was a new thing. He leaned against the doorframe and watched with amusement as Clark emptied a rather daunting amount of cayenne pepper into the skillet.

"I didn't realize this was another of your talents."

Clark turned and smiled. "I hope you like tacos."

"It looks very-- authentic."

He crossed the kitchen and gave Clark a kiss.

Clark smiled and kissed him back. "Yeah, I might have gone a little overboard with the spices. Sorry about that."

"I'm sure I'm going to love it." He held onto Clark like someone was trying to take him away. He couldn't help being aware that this might be their last evening together.

Clark rubbed his back. "Hey. Everything okay?"

Lex nodded and made himself let go. "Fine. Is it almost time to eat? I'm starving."

"Almost." Clark gave him another long look of concern before going back to his cooking.

Lex set the table, and they sat down to dinner together. Clark talked about his day. He and Mitzi had gone to the museum of modern art, but Lex was too distracted to really listen. He kept thinking ahead, imaging the conversation they were going to have, what it would mean to their relationship, drinking Clark in, as if this were his last chance, trying to memorize every detail.

After they finished, they put the dishes in the dishwasher and cleaned up the kitchen.

"Hey." Clark touched him lightly on the arm. "Are you sure nothing's wrong?"

Lex sighed. "There is something-- Let's go sit down and talk, okay?"

He led Clark into the living room, and they settled onto the sofa. Lex's briefcase was on the coffee table, ready.

He cleared his throat. "I know you don't like discussing your past, and I respect that. But I have something I need to ask, and it's important."

Clark met his eyes nervously. "What? And why is it so important?"

"I just-- I need to know-- Are you sure this is where you want to be?"

Clark recoiled, as if he'd been hit. "Are you saying-- You don't want-- Did I do something wrong?"

"No! That's not what I'm saying. And of course you didn't do anything wrong. It's just--" He let out his breath. "What about your family, Clark? Do you ever think about going home to them?"

Clark shook his head decisively. "No."

"They have to be worried."

"I can take care of myself. They know that."

"Clark."

"Look, Lex, they don't want me. Okay?" His voice was sharp, but there was a deep hurt in his eyes.

Lex put his arm around him. "I know that's not true."

"You didn't see the look on my father's face. He made things pretty clear."

"Clark, I don't know what happened, but people get angry sometimes. They say things they don't really mean. But you're his son and--"

"No, I'm not. Not really. And--" He stared down at the floor. "My mom was pregnant, and the baby died. Because of me. Even if they did forgive me-- I can't go back there, Lex. I can't face them. Ever."

Clark's expression was pleading, and Lex couldn't look away. He'd tried to do the right thing. He really had. He felt for the Kents. Anyone would. But the look on Clark's face-- a million desperate flyers could never be a match for that.

"Then stay here," he said. "With me."

Clark's face lit up. "Really?"

"Of course. I just-- I want to do what's best for you."

"You're what's best for me." Clark threw his arms around Lex's neck and held on tightly. "I love you so much."

Lex wanted to say it back, but the words just wouldn't come. So he rubbed Clark's back and hoped he'd somehow understand everything he couldn't put into words.

Clark settled into the curve of his arm, and Lex pressed a kiss to his temple. "Hey, I've got something for you." He leaned forward, opened his briefcase, took out the envelope his assistant had put together for him. "Here."

Clark opened it and looked puzzled. "A Met U catalogue?"

"I thought you might want to start considering college. Met U is my alma mater. Well, after my somewhat colorful career at Princeton came to a premature end."

Clark looked down at the catalogue and back up at Lex. "That's so nice of you. I always wanted--" There was a light, hopeful look on his face for a moment, but then he shook his head. "I can't. Thanks, though. I really appreciate the thought."

"Hey." He squeezed Clark's shoulder. "Of course, you can. I know you're smart. I know you're interested." Clark started to say something, and Lex held up his hand. "Don't try to tell me you're not. I don't believe it. Whatever problems you're imagining, we'll find a way around them."

Clark wouldn't look at him. "I didn't finish high school."

"You can get your GED. Look at the rest of the stuff I got you. There's a schedule for the test and a study guide." His voice was very serious. "You can do anything you want. Be anyone you want to be."

"I want to be with you," Clark said, softly.

"A career and a personal life aren't mutually exclusive."

"You mean--" He blinked. "I could go to school and we would be--"

Lex kissed him. "That's exactly what I mean."

But Clark's expression closed up again, not at all what Lex had expected.

"What?"

Clark shook his head. "Nothing. It just-- It wouldn't work out."

"Clark."

He sighed. "My school records…I can't use my real name. I don't want my parents to find me."

"That's not a problem. You just do the studying and pass the test. I'll take care of the rest."

"But how--"

"Clark, I have a lot of influence in this town, and using it to help you get the education you deserve will probably be the noblest thing I ever do with it. So there's nothing to worry about. Okay?"

Clark looked torn for a moment, but then broke into a luminous smile and gave Lex a big hug. "Thank you."

Lex closed his eyes and held on tight. "I just want you to have a good life."

Clark whispered against his cheek like a kiss, "I already do."

There was a reason why stories always ended with a hasty "happily ever after," Lex was convinced. The details were just so hard to picture, the everyday reality so casually glossed over in the overly simple notion of "the rest of our lives together." To be honest, Lex had no idea what to expect now that he and Clark had made it clear that this was a relationship, not business. He had no way of knowing if it was normal that he found such fierce joy in such small things, standing side-by-side with Clark in the mornings as they brushed their teeth, knowing how Clark liked his coffee (dark and sweet) and what his favorite cereal was (Captain Crunch), every kiss goodbye, good morning, goodnight, hello.

He'd never gotten to this point in any of his relationships before. By now, the other person had usually tried to poison or stab him. He and Clark, on the other hand, had settled with almost startling ease into domestic tranquility. Clark had started his college prep classes and still saw a good deal of Mitzi, who was helping him study in between tennis dates and bridge games.

"I'm not supposed to let anyone know how good she is at math," Clark had told him with a smile. "She says it would ruin her reputation as a frivolous socialite."

In the evenings, they went out, or more usually, stayed in, just the two of them. Many nights, they went to bed early. Making love felt different now. Before, there had always been a frantic edge to it, Lex too aware that it could all end at any time, that Clark could get tired of their arrangement and take off and Lex might never see him again. It always made him just a little bit desperate during sex. Now there was a sense of forever, and Lex could relax, luxuriate in every touch, secure that everything he had with Clark would still be there tomorrow.

Life had never been better, almost too good, and sometimes Lex had trouble letting himself trust it. In the past, anytime he'd felt comfortable, it had merely been the deceptive calm before some new, horrific storm. So he couldn't help keeping a wary eye out, on the watch for whatever hard note of reality would bring him plummeting back to earth.

It arrived, not surprisingly, in the form of his father, who showed up unannounced one Saturday morning.

"Dad. What brings you by so early?" Lex asked, as he let him in.

"This. Naturally." He tossed Lex a copy of the Planet, open to a picture of Lex and Clark at a recent fundraising event.

"You want to make a donation? That's very generous of you."

"I'm here to put a stop to it."

Lex arched an eyebrow. "The new children's hospital? Won't that be bad for your image?"

"Don't be flippant, Lex. You're not half as amusing as you like to think. You know perfectly well what I mean."

"I do." Lex strolled over to the table where breakfast was set up. "Juice?" He poured himself a glass and held up the pitcher.

"No. Now let's hear what you have to say for yourself."

Lex shrugged. "Nothing." He took a leisurely sip. "I don't owe you any explanations for how I lead my life."

Clark came striding down the hall, backpack on his shoulder. "Hey, Lex, I'm getting ready to take off--" He stopped, startled to see Lionel. "Sorry. I didn't realize you had company."

"I don't. My father's not staying."

Lionel shot him an irritated look. Clark moved closer to Lex, as if to shield him or perhaps simply to offer moral support. Lex hadn't told him everything, but he knew enough to realize this wasn't a pleasant family visit. "Do you want me to-- I could stay."

"No, Clark. Everything's fine. Really. And you don't want to fall behind."

Clark hesitated. "I don't mind."

"And I appreciate that. But it's really not necessary."

"If you're sure?" He still sounded rather reluctant.

Lex wondered, as he often did, how he'd gotten lucky enough to have someone like Clark in his life. He kissed him lightly on the lips. "I'm sure. Have a good class."

"Thanks." Clark kissed him back. "I'll see you later." He nodded coolly in Lionel's direction. "Mr. Luthor."

Lionel smiled dryly. "Young man."

Clark gave Lex one last uncertain look before heading off.

"How sweet," Lionel said, once he was gone. "To have your little lapdog jumping to your defense."

Lex ignored the insult. "I don't expect you to understand the normal concern people have for one another when they're in a relationship." He sat down on the sofa and picked up the pile of contracts he'd been going through before his father arrived. "Are we finished here?"

Lionel's face darkened. "No. And we won't be finished until you extricate yourself from this unfortunate liaison." His voice went softer, more coaxing. "Son, surely you can see this is the fastest way to destroy everything you've worked so hard for."

"Yes, well, the LexCorp stock price would beg to differ."

"You think the novelty won't wear off? Trust me. Soon enough, people are going to grow tired of seeing you gallivanting all over town with your boyfriend on your arm. Business is inherently conservative. You know that. What investors want to see is stability. That means a wife and children. If you must--" He waved his hand in the air. "Then do it discreetly. Not out in public where everyone can see."

"Because, of course, that approach worked so well in your marriage."

"Whatever you may think, your mother and I had an understanding. She enjoyed her position in society, and if I occasionally turned elsewhere for companionship, she took it in stride. It was an arrangement that worked quite well. For both of us."

"Funny. If it suited Mom so well, then why did I hear her crying in her room all those evenings when you were out with one of your--" He voice went thick with sarcasm. "Companions?"

"Haven't you outgrown these petulant recriminations by now?" He sighed. "Fine. I admit I was not a perfect husband. But I loved your mother, and I did the best I could. You're not a child anymore, and I've had enough of your petty rebellions. You wanted to get my attention with this inappropriate relationship? Well, you have it. Now it's time to stop making a spectacle of yourself with your little boytoy."

Lex set his jaw angrily. "First of all, Dad." He put all the bitterness he felt into the word. "Not everything is about you, believe it or not. And second, insulting Clark is the fastest way to get thrown out of here. Something you should bear in mind."

His father gave him a long appraising look. "That's quite a sense of loyalty you have toward your young paramour. I wonder, though, how much of it do you think is reciprocated?"

Lex's face went hot. "You don't know anything about him. So don't even dare try to malign him."

"I know he's very young. And quite good-looking. I can see that he's gotten very comfortable here. But then--" He swept out his arm. "This is the life, isn't it? And all he has to do for this luxury is--" He smiled in a way that made Lex's skin crawl. "Take care of your-- needs, shall we say? Not a bad deal, really." He moved closer, his voice taking on a confidential tone. "But who's taking care of his needs? Did you ever consider that? A vigorous young man like him. Do you really think the obligatory sex he has with you is enough to satisfy him? I'm sure he has offers all the time. Temptations. Do you honestly believe he's sitting here alone all day doing nothing but-- studying?"

Rage burned through him, but his voice was glacial. "Get out."

His father's smile was sly and satisfied. Even though Lex had seen it many times before, it still pushed every last button he had. Only the knowledge that his father would take lashing out as an even greater sign of victory helped him rein in his temper.

"It is hard to hear the truth, isn't it, son?" his father smirked, knowing perfectly well that Lex wanted nothing more than to hit him. "Well, I have to be off now." He sauntered to the door. "Give my regards to-- Clark, was it?" Another devious smile, and he was gone.

Lex paced the room angrily long after he'd left. If he still lived alone, he would have worked off some of his excess fury trashing the place. But he didn't want Clark coming home to a mess, asking questions he'd rather not answer, so he managed to contain himself. Leave it to his father, though, to take the best thing that had ever happened to him and twist it into something unrecognizably ugly. The man was practically an evil genius at killing off hope, but this time, Lex wasn't going to let him get inside his head and ruin his happiness.

He repeated this, out loud, like a mantra, as he treaded an agitated circuit around the living room. Finally, he just needed to do something, and he knew the perfect "fuck you" gesture. He picked up the phone and put in the call he'd been meaning to make to his lawyer for some time now.

"Randolph, I need to change my will."

"Lex?"

"Yes," he said impatiently. "I need you to get this down."

"Look, Lex, you caught me on the golf course. Do you think it could possibly wait until--"

"No. It can't. I have some very important provisions to make."

The near hit-and-run had started Lex thinking about what would become of Clark if anything ever happened to him. The prospect of him going back to his old life, turning tricks in some grimy alleyway, made Lex crazy. Then, too, there was the issue of what they'd do if anyone ever found out about Clark's secrets. He'd developed action plans for every foreseeable contingency, even secured forged papers to give them both new identities if it ever came to that. Now all he had to do was arrange this one last thing, and Clark's future would be secure.

Randolph sighed. "Fine. I'll take down what I can, but I won't be able to draw up the papers until Monday."

"Good. I want to get the ball rolling." He rattled off the new terms of his will.

There was silence on the other end of the phone. "You're sure about this?"

"Positive. Put it together and send it over. I want to sign it as soon as possible."

"Okay. If that's really what you want."

"It is. Watch out for the sand trap on the ninth hole."

"Yes, well, unfortunately I've already bogeyed it. I'll talk to you on Monday."

Lex hung up, took a deep breath and felt much better. Screw his father, anyway. For once in his life, he'd found someone he could actually trust, and he was going to love him and protect him and there was nothing his father could do about it.

By the time Clark came home, he was calm again. He brushed aside questions about his morning and got Clark to tell him about class instead. The way his face lit up when he talked about what he'd learned was the best antidote to his father's poison.

Lex made a concerted effort to put everything his father said completely out of mind, but knowledge, unfortunately, was an apple of ruin. Suddenly, he was all too aware of the attention other people paid to Clark. It was different somehow than it had been before when he'd taken a gloating pride in it. Now it felt as if a veil had been torn away, and he could really see. Everywhere they went, everywhere he looked, there was someone staring at Clark, greedy calculation lighting up their eyes. Doubt was the mental equivalent of bamboo under the fingernails, a constant, insidious torment. What were all those horny bastards doing to Clark in their fantasies? And could Clark possibly be thinking about them in return?

Occasionally during one of these mental torture sessions, he'd catch Clark watching him, frowning with concern. Sometimes he'd even come right out and ask if everything was okay. And Lex always said it was. Because he knew it was unfair, and he thought he could handle it. He really did.

At work, he tried to concentrate on business, tried not to obsess over imaginary personal problems. He reviewed new contracts, met with his management team to discuss expanding their supply chain and held his weekly conference call with the Tokyo office to catch up on developments in the Asian market. Still, his thoughts kept drifting back to Clark, wondering what he was doing, and despite his best efforts, who he was doing it with.

He made it to lunchtime without calling to check on him, but then, he just couldn't keep himself from reaching for the phone. Maybe if he heard Clark's voice, he could get rid of this terrible sense of unease. He started to dial, but then stopped. His father's voice unspooled in his head. Do you really think he's sitting alone all day doing nothing but studying? It occurred to Lex that he could just pop over to the apartment, see for himself, put his unfounded doubts to rest for good. He called downstairs and ordered his car. Twenty minutes later, he was back at the penthouse.

He got off the elevator, went inside and stopped in his tracks. Soft sounds of talking and laughter floated out of the living room. One of the voices was Clark's; the other he didn't recognize. But it was male, and that was enough to freeze Lex there. He has offers all the time. Temptations. Do you really think the obligatory sex he has with you is enough to satisfy him? No doubt, this was something completely harmless. Lex knew that, but his stomach just went on churning anyway. He set his briefcase down and went to see.

Clark was sitting on the floor with his back against the sofa, legs stretched out in front of him, schoolbook open on his lap. Another boy about his age, maybe a year or two older, was casually sprawled beside him. He had longish blonde hair, messy in the way that actually took hours of careful attention to achieve, big blue eyes and cheekbones so sharp they looked like they could cut you. He wore tight black jeans and a well-washed white shirt that hugged his body, open to the third button, hardly a casual outfit. Clark might believe this was all perfectly platonic, but Lex could plainly see this guy had a lot more on his mind than studying.

"Which amendment forbids unreasonable searches and seizures?" the blonde boy quizzed Clark.

"The fourth." Clark then asked, "What Supreme Court decision outlawed separate but equal public facilities?"

"Uh--" The blonde boy frowned, stalled by the question. Clearly, he wasn't as bright as Clark.

"I think the answer you're looking for is Brown versus the Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas."

"Lex." Clark's face lit up, and the flash of triumph Lex felt over the blonde kid was hardly to his credit. "I didn't realize you were coming home for lunch."

Lex shrugged. "Call it a whim."

"This is Brian. He's in my class."

Lex nodded. The blonde kid shifted positions uneasily. "Hey, Clark, maybe I should go?"

"No. Stay. By all means," Lex said, using his gracious host voice even if he really would have liked to kick the hair-gelled interloper out on his ass. "I'm just going to go find something to eat."

He beat a hasty retreat to the kitchen, poured himself a large glass of wine and drank it down. What the hell was he doing anyway? Sneaking up on Clark like this was the army instead of a relationship, and he was some kind of drill sergeant springing a surprise inspection. And what had he found? Clark engaged in the high crime of studying American history. God, he was pathetic. Twenty-four years of being manipulated by his father, and he still hadn't learned anything.

"Brian took off." Clark hovered uncertainly in the doorway.

"He didn't have to do that."

"I think he felt uncomfortable."

Lex stared down at the counter top. "I'm sorry." He meant it, in so many ways.

"Is it not okay for me to have people over? I just-- I want to know where the lines are."

Lex rubbed his hands over his face, feeling suddenly very tired and more than a little ashamed of himself. "Of course, it's okay, Clark. It's your home, too."

Clark moved closer. "Lex, Brian is-- He's just some guy in my class. You know?" He laid his hand on the back of Lex's neck, stroking his thumb in reassuring circles. "Was there some reason you came home today?" Clark's gaze was serious and searching, and Lex could feel it boring into him, unearthing parts of himself that he'd rather didn't see the light of day.

He took a deep breath and put on his sultriest smile. "I was hungry." He launched himself off the counter and onto Clark, kissing like a man who needed much, much more than lunch.

"Lex--"

This might have been a protest, Clark not particularly pleased that Lex was using sex to distract him. Of course, it could also have been a plea for more. That's how Lex chose to interpret it, anyway. He sank his fingers into Clark's hair, tilted his chin to deepen the kiss. Soon enough, Clark was kissing back and rubbing against him. Lex pushed him over to one of the kitchen chairs.

"I told you I was hungry." He dropped to his knees and opened Clark's pants, pressed his face against the white cotton of his briefs and breathed him in. He could feel Clark's pulse racing wildly, could feel the heat of his arousal beneath the fabric. He closed his eyes, savoring that this was his. His.

"Please!" Clark's voice was half-choked and desperate.

Lex eased his briefs over his hips, took his straining erection in his mouth, and it felt more like coming home than anything else ever had. Because Clark belonged with him, and he'd do everything in his power, use every trick he'd picked up from all those people who hadn't mattered, to make sure Clark was satisfied. That this was enough. That he was enough, finally.

"God, Lex!" Clark sounded as if he could barely breathe, and victory surged through Lex. He tongued and teased and cupped Clark's balls lightly in his hand, and then warm salt streamed into his mouth. He swallowed it down and petted Clark's hip through the last of his orgasm.

Clark slumped against the chair, spraddle-legged and slightly dazed, his hair damp along his forehead, bright spots of color in his cheeks. Lex sat back on his heels and admired his handiwork.

"So, um-- can you come home for lunch tomorrow?" Clark asked breathlessly.

Lex grinned. "I'll see about that." He rose up on his knees and kissed him.

"You know what, though?" Clark pressed his face against Lex's neck, his hot breath sending a shudder through Lex's body, making his already hard cock thrum insistently, demanding to be touched. "Now I'm hungry."

He sent Lex sprawling onto his back and slid off the chair onto his knees. He pulled Lex's pants all the way off and knelt between his splayed thighs. Lex moaned at the first, hot touch of Clark's mouth on him. He could just imagine the picture he made, naked from the waist down except for his shoes, splayed out on the kitchen floor. Then Clark did something so dirty and thrilling with his tongue it probably should be illegal, and that put an end to any kind of thought for a long, long time.

Afterwards, Clark let the subject of his impromptu visit drop, and he didn't seem angry, even though Lex felt certain he understood more about the motivation behind it than he let on. That left him feeling rather chastened. He made a strict resolution, no more surprises, unless they were the good kind, and he kept an eye out for ways to make it up to Clark. The annual Metropolis Chamber of Commerce Halloween Carnival seemed like just the thing.

He asked Clark about it the next evening. "So what do you think? Would you like to go?"

"It sounds a little bit like Halloween back home. There was always a haunted house and games and stuff. I'm sure this is a lot fancier, though."

"That's a yes then?"

Clark nodded. "Should be fun." He hesitated. "I just-- I wouldn't have thought it was your kind of thing."

Lex shrugged. "The whole business community will be there."

"Did you go last year?"

"Well, no."

"So this is just for me, huh?"

He looked down at the table. "I just want you to be happy."

"Lex." Clark's voice was firm. "I am happy. Really." He covered Lex's face in soft little kisses. "You just need to believe that and stop worrying."

Lex wasn't sure he knew how to do that, but he didn't say anything. He took Clark's face in his hands and kissed and kissed him, trying to communicate all the things he couldn't trust himself to put into words.

Clark grinned. "I'm still holding you to the carnival, though. 'Cause it really does sound like fun. Are you going to dress up?"

He shook his head. "I'm afraid my days of donning a peg leg and eye patch are over. It's strictly black tie for me."

"Oh." Clark dropped his eyes.

"You sound disappointed. You don't have some pirate fetish I should know about, do you?" Clark turned slightly pink, and Lex's eyes widened with interest. "You do?"

"No!" Clark insisted, delightfully flustered. "It's just-- There was something I kind of wanted you to wear. It's in your closet, and I thought it could be a costume. You know, if you were going to dress up."

Clark looked nervous but determined, and Lex was intrigued. "Show me."

Clark got up, and Lex followed him to their bedroom. Clark went into the closet and searched through the racks of clothes. He found what he was looking for, pulled it out and presented it to Lex, a little shyly.

Lex tilted his head. "Club clothes?" A pair of slim black pants and an obscenely tight fitting silk shirt he hadn't worn since-- well, since he'd found what he was looking for and no longer had any need to go out trolling at discos.

"You had it on. The first time I saw you."

Halloween suddenly seemed much promising than he'd ever thought possible. "And what would I go as if I wore that?"

"A rock star, maybe?"

"Hmm. I don't know if I'm really the rock star type." He took a step into Clark's personal space and could feel the heat radiating off him. "But I could put the outfit on right now, just for you."

"Would you?" He felt the rush of Clark's breath against his skin.

"Sure. If you want me to."

"Yes. Please. I just-- I've always imagined what it would have been like if you'd noticed me that night. If I could have done what I really wanted." He leaned in for a kiss. "I'll go put on some music and maybe we can--"

"No." Clark blinked in confusion. Lex kissed him again, with more heat. "The leather pants you used to wear at the club. Put them on for me. No shirt. Just like you were that night."

"But how--" Clark's eyes were wide and incredulous.

"You think I didn't notice you?" He ran a hand down Clark's chest, flirting with a nipple. "From the first moment you showed up, I never noticed anyone else."

Clark inhaled sharply. "God. Lex."

A quick, almost vicious kiss, and Lex pushed him out of the room. "Go. Change. Put on that music. I'll be right there."

It was hard to skim into the tight black pants when his skin was damp with anticipatory sweat and his cock was already taking an interest, but these were the sacrifices he made for Clark. He couldn't say he felt the same nostalgia for those days of unsatisfied longing back at the club when he could look, but not touch. Still, the knowledge that Clark had fantasized about him then, still did even now, sent a white-hot thrill all through him.

He dressed, hurried to the living room and came to a sudden stop in the doorway. Sound blasted from the speakers, house music with a heavy, throbbing bass line, a CD that must belong to Clark. It definitely wasn't his. Watching Clark move to it, though, made him reassess his taste in music. Clark didn't gyrate or grind. His movements were smoother than that, more fluid, the sensual sway of hips and ass, hands running restlessly over his own skin, eyes closed, the black leather pants that Lex remembered with such fondness riding almost obscenely low on his body, hinting at, but not quite revealing, all the most interesting places.

Clark's eyes popped open when realized Lex was standing there watching him. "Come here." Lex obeyed, giving himself over to the music, pressing so close to Clark that every movement of their bodies was a caress.

They danced that way for several songs, and then Clark spun him around, his chest to Lex's back, arm wound tightly around his waist, the heavy heat of his erection nudging Lex's ass

Lex closed his eyes, leaned back into Clark's embrace. "Is this what you wanted?"

"Yes."

"You miss the club?"

Clark shook his head. "The only thing I've ever regretted is that I never got to dance with you. I love the way you move." Soft lips explored behind his ear, sending a hot shiver down his back, making his cock ache. "You didn't dance that often, but when you did-- It was so intense. Like everything you do."

"If I'd known you were paying so much attention, I would have made my move sooner."

He felt Clark's smile against the side of his face. "No, you wouldn't. You were watching, making sure. You weren't going to rush anything."

"It wasn't like that--"

Clark stroked his hands over his thighs. "It's okay, Lex. I wanted you to be sure. I liked that you had standards. All those other men were so obvious, so desperate. Any piece of ass would do. But you-- You were so cool." He punctuated it with a kiss to his neck. "Elegant." A soft swipe of tongue across his scalp. "Classy." Sweet kiss on the cheek. "Beautiful."

"You're the one who's beautiful, Clark. I wanted you from the first instant I saw you."

"Me too. I wanted you so much. Wanted to know everything about you, what you were thinking, what you wanted. Everybody else there was so-- empty. Nothing on their minds but getting laid. But you were different. You looked like you could conquer the world, and I wanted you to start with me."

It would have sounded like meaningless flattery from anyone else, but this was Clark. And Lex wanted very badly to say something witty or sexy, wanted so much to live up to that picture Clark had of him. But Clark's tongue was in his ear, his cock pressed against his ass like he planned to fuck him right through his clothes, and all he could finally manage was a half-strangled, "Shit!"

"I wanted to be the one. So bad, Lex. You have no idea. I wanted to make you lose some of that control." He slipped his hand down the front of Lex's pants. "I wanted to do this in front of everyone. I wanted them to see. That I was yours, and you'd let me."

"God," he groaned.

Clark tightened his grip on his cock, jerked him harder. "I wanted to make you lose it. Make you come right there, while everyone was watching. So they'd know. That I was the one. The only one."

"Fuck, Clark! Yeah. Yeah. Please!"

He felt the familiar tingling at the base of his cock, the telltale heaviness in his balls, so close to coming. This might have started out as Clark's fantasy, but after tonight it was going to make a frequent appearance in his own dreams. He surged forward into Clark's hand and then back against his cock, grinding his ass, because the only thing that could possibly make this better was if Clark came in his pants, too.

"Yeah. That's it, Lex. I've got you. Just let go. Let go for me."

And he did, eyes squeezed so tightly shut it made the bones of his skull ache, no air in his lungs as he came and came, freefalling, too far gone to even realize Clark had come too until he finally regained his senses long moments later and felt the wetness on the back of his pants.

Clark turned him around and pulled him into his arms. Lex rested his face in the sweet curve of his neck, breathing in salt and warmth and that indefinable something that was all Clark and felt like home. Clark stroked his hands tenderly over his back and brushed soft kisses to his temples. He murmured something that Lex couldn't quite make out at first, but his voice was low and affectionate, and it soothed him, made him feel warm and whole and-- loved, he was startled to realize.

Then he understood what Clark was saying. "Only you, Lex. Only you."