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Dis Pater part 28
The Previous Parts are here laughing at your taste in vibrating accoutrements.
The good ship Wrap it Up is sailing into view once again! Hooo-ha. Not quite finished but close, so very close.*grin* Are you as thrilled as I am? I feel all productive and stuff.*beams*
IX
Smallville prepared for spring the way other small communities did, in festivals and events that celebrated forgotten rituals of rebirth, preparations that were being repeated across the country, in small towns and big cities. Life echoed itself across distance and time. There were some things that never changed….
Clark was excited about the dance this year. He was taking Chloe, but Lucas was his real date. He hoped the evening was going to be fun, he was really looking forward to it. He hope Lucas was too. .
He stared at himself in the mirror, made another nervous swipe at his lapels, and wondered why his hair wouldn’t stay like he wanted it. He dragged his fingers through it and cursed silently as strands of hair sprang up all over his head. He was never going to Mom’s haircutter again.
He patted hopefully at the wild strands and thought about the talk he’d had with Chloe, hoped it had sunk in—they agreed they were going just as friends, that Lucas was his real date. It seemed like she didn’t quite believe him, or want to believe him, even after he’d told her almost everything about Lucas…Lucas.
He wanted him to be here now. Clark sighed in frustration. Especially now, as he whipped the bowtie through his collar again, growled at himself in the mirror and gripped it tightly in his hand. The old mirror tilted a bit, and he righted it, looking out of the opened loft doors as he did. He thought he’d heard something in the yard, and moments later, he heard footsteps on the stairs.
“Great, Mom, I need your help with this stupid tie,” he called out.
The steps got closer and there was a sharp rapping on the rail behind him.
“Can I come in?” He heard, and turned.
“Oh. Lex.” Clark didn’t know what to say, or how to act. He hadn’t seen Lex since that embarrassing, and that was way too mild a word, incident at the castle. He grinned weakly at him. “I-I didn’t expect to see you.”ever again in this life
Lex smiled and came closer. “I know. I’m sorry. I was out driving, thinking… I may have over-reacted? Anyway, I was in the area and thought I’d stop in. Apologize.”
Clark shook his head. “Um, no, no need. If anything, you were an incredible example of restraint.” He felt his cheeks burn, and said, “I’m so sorry…I really am.”
Lex nodded and he blushed a little himself. “Don’t dwell on it, it’s over—can I help you with that?” He gestured at the tie in Clark’s fist, and Clark grinned, grateful for the help, and grateful for the change of topic. “Yes, damn, thank you! I can’t get the hang of this thing.”
Lex moved in front of him and drew the fabric around Clark’s collar. “Hey, take advantage of my knowledge and experience,” he smiled. “For once, it’s benefiting you.”
Clark tried not to stare into his eyes as Lex fixed his bowtie, he stood a little stiffly, tried to inhale surreptitiously---Lex smelled so good, he smelled…Clark thought for a second…he smelled warm. Alive.
He stood for a moment after fixing Clark’s tie, watching him put his jacket on. “So, are you going with…Lucas?”
Clark shook his head, and his cheeks went faintly pink. “No, I’m going with Chloe. She knows,” he said, looking intently at Lex. “That I’m gay. That I’m with Lucas.” He felt a tiny bit of disappointment at getting no reaction from Lex. Though what did he expect—after what happened in his room Lex was hardly going to share, he sure wasn’t going to throw up his hands and scream, “Oh my God! So am I!”
Besides it didn’t really matter, did it.
Lex shrugged. “You’re lucky. She’s a good friend. Clark, I want you to know that no matter what happened, I'm still your friend and that's never going to change. I hope you feel the same way.”
He looked so sincere that again Clark had a hard time reconciling the jerky guy that Lucas told him about with this guy, a kind and…just sort of…sad guy. “I do, Lex. Thank you. It means a lot.” The wistful expression on Lex’s face made him want to reach out and hold him.
“Lex. Is something else going on? You seem, I don’t know...kind of…”
Lex sighed, and swept his coat back, shoved his hands into his pants pockets and leaned back on his heels.
Clark swallowed. Gosh, he probably didn’t know he was pulling his pants that tight across his crotch. The thing to do, he told himself, is not stare, and don’t lick your lips… “Lex, he began again,” Can I help? ”
Lex shook his head and said, “I don't know. I just have a bad feeling. A bit like when you can smell the air change before a storm, you know?”
Clark nodded. “Yeah-- storms are a way of life around here, Lex. The trick is to keep a look out, and not to get caught out in the open.” He smiled at him and Lex studied him for a moment, and then smiled back.
“Clark, look after yourself.”
Clark laughed a little, “I’ll try—you too.” Lex waved and turned away. Clark watched him leave and thought hard about what just happened. What a lot of things had just gone unsaid. He walked to the stair, deep in thought about Lex and about Lucas. Not everything was adding up.
Clark snorted. He might be slow on the uptake, but he wasn’t a complete idiot. Maybe he should confront Lucas about Lex. Not that Lucas ever insisted he not talk to Lex, or spend time with him. He just managed to always have something a bit poisonous to say about the man. Just enough to keep Clark a little wary—a little careful around him.
A car horn sounded in the yard, and he grabbed the corsage form the couch, and trotted downstairs. He didn’t want to keep Chloe waiting.
******
Lex and Lionel stood in the portico and watched Lucas roar off in his car. Lex sighed and turned to his dad.
“Well, there he goes.”
Lionel looked at him and smiled. “Hmm. Who’s the young lady he’s rushing off for?”
Lex snorted “Anyone. No one. One of a dozen interchangeable little girls he shows off when he needs to.”
“Hmm.” Lionel’s hair flew about in the wind that blew up. The tree branches were whipping, and clouds sailed faster and faster across a deepening gray sky. Far off in the distance a green tinge shone behind the clouds adding to the threatening air.
Lex shivered. “I think we should get inside Dad, look like a storm is kicking up.”
“All right--let’s head up to the study. I want talk to you about Lucas and his future.”
“Isn’t that a conversation you should have with him,” Lex asked testily. Why did his dad throw the kid in his lap constantly? Considering….
“Lucas—Lucas won’t listen to anyone but you, I’m simply saving myself a lot of argument, and you can help me. “ He smiled. “It’s good business practice.”
Lex looked at him. “Brandy?” And some sense? No wonder Lucas had rebelled. It was almost as if Lionel refused to think about Lucas. It had always been *his* job to take care of Lucas, ever since they were kids. He was the one who’d washed his face, and wiped his nose, and made him do his homework and pulled him out of one scrape after another. Where was Dad in that picture?
“Dad--” he began and suddenly the wind that had been gaining in strength shrieked and a noise like a freight train barreling down on them deafened both of them. Lex caught a glimpse of his father’s startled face before he saw nothing at all.
********
Chloe smiled up at him as they swept across the floor and he was grateful Lucas had helped him with this dance step. Dancing was not his favorite activity but Chloe seemed to be enjoying it. They danced past Pete and his date, and he smiled at him and winked. Oh god, Clark thought. This is going to get pretty damn strange.
He looked down at a giggle from Chloe.
“Clark, you looked like you swallowed a rock. Is it that awful that people might think we’re together?”
Clark stammered, “No—no! That’s not what—well, a little. But not because of you! It’s just--I’m not sure how to tell all my friends. I don’t want them to think I’m trying to hide. Even though I guess I am, a little…” He trailed off and Chloe pat him on the arm.
“You’re thinking too hard Clark. Where’s Lucas anyway?”
“Picking up his date for the evening,” He scowled. He was pretty sure the girl was just an acquaintance, but he also knew Lucas didn’t have a problem with women at all. Tonight better not be a night that he felt the need for a change.
He shook his head and laughed at himself. He was being ridiculous—Lucas wouldn’t do that to him. He was just about to suggest to Chloe they get punch, when aloud burst of feedback made the both of them jump.
“Stop. Stop the music, please. Excuse me for a second. Can I have everyone's attention please?”
They turned toward the stage and one of the teachers was standing in front of the band, nervously clutching the microphone. “Um, thank you. The National Weather Service has just issued a tornado warning. Apparently a funnel cloud has been spotted heading toward Smallville.” A startled murmur ran through the crowd of students and the chaperones began moving through the crowd of students, making sure everyone maintained calm.
He continued, “Now, uh, please, everyone stay calm. The twister is going to set down south of here, but for your own safety, no one will be allowed to leave the gym.”
The murmur built to a roar, and Chloe turned to Clark. “Lucas--”
Clark paled. “If he’d driving to pick up his date, he’s is headed that way!”
Chloe tried to calm him. “Look, I’ll call him, warn him. Let me get my cell out of my purse--” She had the distinct feeling she was talking to herself, when she looked up, Clark was gone.
*****
TBC!
The good ship Wrap it Up is sailing into view once again! Hooo-ha. Not quite finished but close, so very close.*grin* Are you as thrilled as I am? I feel all productive and stuff.*beams*
IX
Smallville prepared for spring the way other small communities did, in festivals and events that celebrated forgotten rituals of rebirth, preparations that were being repeated across the country, in small towns and big cities. Life echoed itself across distance and time. There were some things that never changed….
Clark was excited about the dance this year. He was taking Chloe, but Lucas was his real date. He hoped the evening was going to be fun, he was really looking forward to it. He hope Lucas was too. .
He stared at himself in the mirror, made another nervous swipe at his lapels, and wondered why his hair wouldn’t stay like he wanted it. He dragged his fingers through it and cursed silently as strands of hair sprang up all over his head. He was never going to Mom’s haircutter again.
He patted hopefully at the wild strands and thought about the talk he’d had with Chloe, hoped it had sunk in—they agreed they were going just as friends, that Lucas was his real date. It seemed like she didn’t quite believe him, or want to believe him, even after he’d told her almost everything about Lucas…Lucas.
He wanted him to be here now. Clark sighed in frustration. Especially now, as he whipped the bowtie through his collar again, growled at himself in the mirror and gripped it tightly in his hand. The old mirror tilted a bit, and he righted it, looking out of the opened loft doors as he did. He thought he’d heard something in the yard, and moments later, he heard footsteps on the stairs.
“Great, Mom, I need your help with this stupid tie,” he called out.
The steps got closer and there was a sharp rapping on the rail behind him.
“Can I come in?” He heard, and turned.
“Oh. Lex.” Clark didn’t know what to say, or how to act. He hadn’t seen Lex since that embarrassing, and that was way too mild a word, incident at the castle. He grinned weakly at him. “I-I didn’t expect to see you.”ever again in this life
Lex smiled and came closer. “I know. I’m sorry. I was out driving, thinking… I may have over-reacted? Anyway, I was in the area and thought I’d stop in. Apologize.”
Clark shook his head. “Um, no, no need. If anything, you were an incredible example of restraint.” He felt his cheeks burn, and said, “I’m so sorry…I really am.”
Lex nodded and he blushed a little himself. “Don’t dwell on it, it’s over—can I help you with that?” He gestured at the tie in Clark’s fist, and Clark grinned, grateful for the help, and grateful for the change of topic. “Yes, damn, thank you! I can’t get the hang of this thing.”
Lex moved in front of him and drew the fabric around Clark’s collar. “Hey, take advantage of my knowledge and experience,” he smiled. “For once, it’s benefiting you.”
Clark tried not to stare into his eyes as Lex fixed his bowtie, he stood a little stiffly, tried to inhale surreptitiously---Lex smelled so good, he smelled…Clark thought for a second…he smelled warm. Alive.
He stood for a moment after fixing Clark’s tie, watching him put his jacket on. “So, are you going with…Lucas?”
Clark shook his head, and his cheeks went faintly pink. “No, I’m going with Chloe. She knows,” he said, looking intently at Lex. “That I’m gay. That I’m with Lucas.” He felt a tiny bit of disappointment at getting no reaction from Lex. Though what did he expect—after what happened in his room Lex was hardly going to share, he sure wasn’t going to throw up his hands and scream, “Oh my God! So am I!”
Besides it didn’t really matter, did it.
Lex shrugged. “You’re lucky. She’s a good friend. Clark, I want you to know that no matter what happened, I'm still your friend and that's never going to change. I hope you feel the same way.”
He looked so sincere that again Clark had a hard time reconciling the jerky guy that Lucas told him about with this guy, a kind and…just sort of…sad guy. “I do, Lex. Thank you. It means a lot.” The wistful expression on Lex’s face made him want to reach out and hold him.
“Lex. Is something else going on? You seem, I don’t know...kind of…”
Lex sighed, and swept his coat back, shoved his hands into his pants pockets and leaned back on his heels.
Clark swallowed. Gosh, he probably didn’t know he was pulling his pants that tight across his crotch. The thing to do, he told himself, is not stare, and don’t lick your lips… “Lex, he began again,” Can I help? ”
Lex shook his head and said, “I don't know. I just have a bad feeling. A bit like when you can smell the air change before a storm, you know?”
Clark nodded. “Yeah-- storms are a way of life around here, Lex. The trick is to keep a look out, and not to get caught out in the open.” He smiled at him and Lex studied him for a moment, and then smiled back.
“Clark, look after yourself.”
Clark laughed a little, “I’ll try—you too.” Lex waved and turned away. Clark watched him leave and thought hard about what just happened. What a lot of things had just gone unsaid. He walked to the stair, deep in thought about Lex and about Lucas. Not everything was adding up.
Clark snorted. He might be slow on the uptake, but he wasn’t a complete idiot. Maybe he should confront Lucas about Lex. Not that Lucas ever insisted he not talk to Lex, or spend time with him. He just managed to always have something a bit poisonous to say about the man. Just enough to keep Clark a little wary—a little careful around him.
A car horn sounded in the yard, and he grabbed the corsage form the couch, and trotted downstairs. He didn’t want to keep Chloe waiting.
******
Lex and Lionel stood in the portico and watched Lucas roar off in his car. Lex sighed and turned to his dad.
“Well, there he goes.”
Lionel looked at him and smiled. “Hmm. Who’s the young lady he’s rushing off for?”
Lex snorted “Anyone. No one. One of a dozen interchangeable little girls he shows off when he needs to.”
“Hmm.” Lionel’s hair flew about in the wind that blew up. The tree branches were whipping, and clouds sailed faster and faster across a deepening gray sky. Far off in the distance a green tinge shone behind the clouds adding to the threatening air.
Lex shivered. “I think we should get inside Dad, look like a storm is kicking up.”
“All right--let’s head up to the study. I want talk to you about Lucas and his future.”
“Isn’t that a conversation you should have with him,” Lex asked testily. Why did his dad throw the kid in his lap constantly? Considering….
“Lucas—Lucas won’t listen to anyone but you, I’m simply saving myself a lot of argument, and you can help me. “ He smiled. “It’s good business practice.”
Lex looked at him. “Brandy?” And some sense? No wonder Lucas had rebelled. It was almost as if Lionel refused to think about Lucas. It had always been *his* job to take care of Lucas, ever since they were kids. He was the one who’d washed his face, and wiped his nose, and made him do his homework and pulled him out of one scrape after another. Where was Dad in that picture?
“Dad--” he began and suddenly the wind that had been gaining in strength shrieked and a noise like a freight train barreling down on them deafened both of them. Lex caught a glimpse of his father’s startled face before he saw nothing at all.
********
Chloe smiled up at him as they swept across the floor and he was grateful Lucas had helped him with this dance step. Dancing was not his favorite activity but Chloe seemed to be enjoying it. They danced past Pete and his date, and he smiled at him and winked. Oh god, Clark thought. This is going to get pretty damn strange.
He looked down at a giggle from Chloe.
“Clark, you looked like you swallowed a rock. Is it that awful that people might think we’re together?”
Clark stammered, “No—no! That’s not what—well, a little. But not because of you! It’s just--I’m not sure how to tell all my friends. I don’t want them to think I’m trying to hide. Even though I guess I am, a little…” He trailed off and Chloe pat him on the arm.
“You’re thinking too hard Clark. Where’s Lucas anyway?”
“Picking up his date for the evening,” He scowled. He was pretty sure the girl was just an acquaintance, but he also knew Lucas didn’t have a problem with women at all. Tonight better not be a night that he felt the need for a change.
He shook his head and laughed at himself. He was being ridiculous—Lucas wouldn’t do that to him. He was just about to suggest to Chloe they get punch, when aloud burst of feedback made the both of them jump.
“Stop. Stop the music, please. Excuse me for a second. Can I have everyone's attention please?”
They turned toward the stage and one of the teachers was standing in front of the band, nervously clutching the microphone. “Um, thank you. The National Weather Service has just issued a tornado warning. Apparently a funnel cloud has been spotted heading toward Smallville.” A startled murmur ran through the crowd of students and the chaperones began moving through the crowd of students, making sure everyone maintained calm.
He continued, “Now, uh, please, everyone stay calm. The twister is going to set down south of here, but for your own safety, no one will be allowed to leave the gym.”
The murmur built to a roar, and Chloe turned to Clark. “Lucas--”
Clark paled. “If he’d driving to pick up his date, he’s is headed that way!”
Chloe tried to calm him. “Look, I’ll call him, warn him. Let me get my cell out of my purse--” She had the distinct feeling she was talking to herself, when she looked up, Clark was gone.
*****
TBC!