Thundery and Rainy and Yuck--oh my!
8/8/05 04:47 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
roxyDance with me! Okay, then, just read my story?
Here she is, the next part of L&C. *holds it up* Kiss it’s little cheek—c’mon, kiss it!!
*Sigh*
Previous Parts are all here, wearing your pop’s underwear on their heads. Yes. All of them. One pair of undies, yes…*shudder
Their last night in Rome was bittersweet.
Emilio insisted they gather one last time at the apartment to make dinner together, which turned into a loud, messy and cheerful affair. Their movements around each other in the small space became a dance--balancing plates and pots and dodging elbows, Clark managed to bump into Lex many more times then the small space warranted. And of course each bump required a kiss in apology.
Emilio smiled, overjoyed for his friend, but just the tiniest bit melancholy. He knew he’d lost Lex forever this time. He was happy for him, very happy--he’d finally found what he wanted, and typically for Lex he’d had to suffer terribly before he allowed some grace into his life. Emilio sighed. Lex. Always trying to pay a price no one asked him to pay.
Clark was at his side, looping an arm around his shoulder and Emilio leaned into his warmth.
Clark squeezed him briefly and said, “I’m going to miss you so much. I think of you as my friend now too--I mean, if that’s okay?”
“Very okay,” he smiled back. “I come to America once or twice a year on business, and I always stop to visit Lex—I promise I’ll visit you when I do.”
Clark searched his face and then stepped back, smiling. “Thank you. Thank you for fixing that mess between me and Lex.”
“For what? What did I do—he just needed a little… nudge.” Lex overheard him and glared at him. Emilio shrugged and grinned, handed Clark a dish, headed to the dining room. “Lex is stupid, we know this, but eventually he would have given in to you. Who could not?”
Lex was at the table, opening a bottle of wine. “What? Why must you continually speak ill of me? If I didn’t know better, I’d think you didn’t like me.” He weaved between Clark and Emilio, pushed a glass of sparkling water into Clark’s hand and pat Emilio gently on the cheek. “And *that* I know is not true.” He laughed a little at Emilio’s expression, and told Clark, “He loves me.”
He turned back to the table and Emilio watched him.
Just a few days with Clark and already he seemed…different. A little freer, a little less contained. And Clark…he seemed to fill the space around him with light. Every time Lex walked close to him, he looked so avid—his eyes concealed nothing, his face was an open book.
The mere fact that Lex hadn’t acted on their obvious mutual attraction before filled him with wonder—it had to have been so purposeful on Lex’s part, not to pursue Clark…he studied the floor tiles for a moment, gathering himself. He let out a deep breath and summoned up a sunny smile. “Children, children—it’s time to eat!”
******
The Hills Are Alive With…Sound
Marlene met them at the small airport, ushered them into the LuthorCorp jet with a wide and practiced smile. She handed Lex one of the lavender and silver envelopes and he took it with a nod. She was definitely going to be an asset to LexCorp.
He opened the envelope and spread out the sheets it contained. He glanced up, caught Clark frowning at her, and she responding to it with a cool professional smile. Lex mused that few would notice the tic under her left eye whenever she looked at Clark.
That took points from her, of course. He might have to reconsider hiring her away.
He looked at what he held in his hand and there in the sheaf of glossy pages was a picture of a singing woman and underneath, the words ‘Sound Of Mus--’
Clark snatched it from him with a crow of victory. “I knew it! I knew you’d see it my way! Thanks Lex!”
Clark looked at him with eyes so green and full of love that Lex rethought his assessment of Marlene, when Clark turned a huge grateful grin on her and she winked—an honest to goodness wink, not a tic—he decided on a salary that only an insane person would refuse.
Of course, he would have to deduct a bit for the looming horror of spending the day with some tottering, dusty old touristy wrecks from...from…New Jersey--or some equally horrible place no doubt. He’d be a lot angrier if Clark didn’t look like he was glowing…ah, and if he hadn’t taken a Valium or two….
********
Marlene left them at their hotel, and they were alone again. This time, it made Lex nervous.
They were alone but he could feel the difference, Clark radiated the difference.
He reached out for Lex’s hand when they walked into the lobby, and Lex smiled gently at him before smoothing his hand away. He hoped that he could read the apology in his eyes. Lex moved quickly toward the concierge, trying to ignore the sensation of twin green lasers burning reproachfully into his back. He’d have to deal with that in a minute, right now, he needed to get out of the lobby and get horizontal, his head was pounding and his eys burned. He needed to get some rest. He risked a quick glance at Clark. Sighed.
Definitely just rest.
“Mr. Luthor! We’ve been expecting you, if you please…” The smartly uniformed man pointed out the elevator and assured them that their room was in order and waiting for them. Lex nodded. It was what he expected.
Clark marveled anew at the luxury that Lex took for granted. He was polite, unfailingly polite but always a bit distant to the people who waited on him. Clark wondered if he’d ever feel that way, as though the people around him weren’t real, that they were defined only by their roles in his life…he couldn’t imagine it. He'd also be willing to bet Lex didn’t really understand what Marlene had done, how startlingly nice that was. She’d arranged the tour without asking; just working from a few clues, knowing it would make him happy. But she’d also known making him happy would make Lex happy—and how did she figure that out? It was like she was a female Sherlock Homes… Lex really should hire her—maybe he should point it out to him?
Clark stepped out into the gloomy and darkly furnished hall in front of their room and waited until the door was opened and they were ushered into a big suite, surprisingly bright with sunlight.
“This is so nice!” He looked around him—what a beautiful room. He dug his camera out of his carry on bag and snapped picture after picture while Lex watched.
“Clark…most guys your age who are not interior decorators don’t take quite as many pictures of their hotel rooms…”
“Lex. These are for my Mom.” Clark turned a look of righteous indignation on Lex. He hadn’t forgotten being brushed off in the lobby. “She loves this kind of thing. I’m not just thinking of myself, you know.”
“Liar,” Lex muttered as he walked into the master bedroom and totally missed Clark paling a bit.
Oh yeah. That. He wasn’t talking about that, but still. That. Clark swallowed. What was he going to do about That? He raised the camera and snapped a few more pictures, the flash brightening everything momentarily. Maybe…maybe he needed to talk to his parents.
******
“Lex, I need to talk to Mom and Dad. About everything that’s happened.”
The box Lex was holding slipped through his hands, hitting the floor and emptying itself with a musical tinkle. Cufflinks and shirt studs rolled merrily around the floor dashing under tables and chairs… “Oh. Shit.” He took a deep breath. Well of course. Of course that was part of it. One had to speak to the parents. Of course. And Jonathan and he had such a warm relationship. It should be a snap…Dad. What the hell was Dad going to say—hold up, that’s not important. Dad didn’t run his life, not anymore.
Crap. He was babbling—no he was *panicking.* He felt an old familiar squeeze deep at the base of his throat and forced himself to relax, take deep breaths….
He turned to Clark. “Your dad is going to kill *both* of us—though if we’re lucky he might stop after he kills me.”
“No, no, Lex! They’ll understand. I’m-- I’m pretty sure.” Clark didn’t look even half as confident as his words sounded. “I thought I’d tell them before we got home so that they can get used to the idea.”
Lex nodded. Wise. They had a few more weeks. It should give him time to arrange an escape plan…He shook his head. No. No defeatist thinking. Clark and he would handle this, like mature committed people. Committed. He shivered briefly.
“Clark…Clark…” Clark watched him, lips parted slightly, eager to hear whatever useful thing Lex had to say. “Clark.”
Clark nodded encouragingly, waited patiently. When Lex said nothing else he tried to prompt him.
“Lex?”
“Clar—ah. Um. You do what you think best. I’m sure everything will go smoothly.” If he could tackle his father, he could deal with the Kent’s. It wasn’t like they were his in-laws, after all. He looked over at Clark and his stomach sank a bit.
Clark was going to want to get married some day. He just knew it.
Jonathan was going to kill him, burn his corpse and salt the earth….
Continued in part 19
Here she is, the next part of L&C. *holds it up* Kiss it’s little cheek—c’mon, kiss it!!
*Sigh*
Previous Parts are all here, wearing your pop’s underwear on their heads. Yes. All of them. One pair of undies, yes…*shudder
Their last night in Rome was bittersweet.
Emilio insisted they gather one last time at the apartment to make dinner together, which turned into a loud, messy and cheerful affair. Their movements around each other in the small space became a dance--balancing plates and pots and dodging elbows, Clark managed to bump into Lex many more times then the small space warranted. And of course each bump required a kiss in apology.
Emilio smiled, overjoyed for his friend, but just the tiniest bit melancholy. He knew he’d lost Lex forever this time. He was happy for him, very happy--he’d finally found what he wanted, and typically for Lex he’d had to suffer terribly before he allowed some grace into his life. Emilio sighed. Lex. Always trying to pay a price no one asked him to pay.
Clark was at his side, looping an arm around his shoulder and Emilio leaned into his warmth.
Clark squeezed him briefly and said, “I’m going to miss you so much. I think of you as my friend now too--I mean, if that’s okay?”
“Very okay,” he smiled back. “I come to America once or twice a year on business, and I always stop to visit Lex—I promise I’ll visit you when I do.”
Clark searched his face and then stepped back, smiling. “Thank you. Thank you for fixing that mess between me and Lex.”
“For what? What did I do—he just needed a little… nudge.” Lex overheard him and glared at him. Emilio shrugged and grinned, handed Clark a dish, headed to the dining room. “Lex is stupid, we know this, but eventually he would have given in to you. Who could not?”
Lex was at the table, opening a bottle of wine. “What? Why must you continually speak ill of me? If I didn’t know better, I’d think you didn’t like me.” He weaved between Clark and Emilio, pushed a glass of sparkling water into Clark’s hand and pat Emilio gently on the cheek. “And *that* I know is not true.” He laughed a little at Emilio’s expression, and told Clark, “He loves me.”
He turned back to the table and Emilio watched him.
Just a few days with Clark and already he seemed…different. A little freer, a little less contained. And Clark…he seemed to fill the space around him with light. Every time Lex walked close to him, he looked so avid—his eyes concealed nothing, his face was an open book.
The mere fact that Lex hadn’t acted on their obvious mutual attraction before filled him with wonder—it had to have been so purposeful on Lex’s part, not to pursue Clark…he studied the floor tiles for a moment, gathering himself. He let out a deep breath and summoned up a sunny smile. “Children, children—it’s time to eat!”
******
The Hills Are Alive With…Sound
Marlene met them at the small airport, ushered them into the LuthorCorp jet with a wide and practiced smile. She handed Lex one of the lavender and silver envelopes and he took it with a nod. She was definitely going to be an asset to LexCorp.
He opened the envelope and spread out the sheets it contained. He glanced up, caught Clark frowning at her, and she responding to it with a cool professional smile. Lex mused that few would notice the tic under her left eye whenever she looked at Clark.
That took points from her, of course. He might have to reconsider hiring her away.
He looked at what he held in his hand and there in the sheaf of glossy pages was a picture of a singing woman and underneath, the words ‘Sound Of Mus--’
Clark snatched it from him with a crow of victory. “I knew it! I knew you’d see it my way! Thanks Lex!”
Clark looked at him with eyes so green and full of love that Lex rethought his assessment of Marlene, when Clark turned a huge grateful grin on her and she winked—an honest to goodness wink, not a tic—he decided on a salary that only an insane person would refuse.
Of course, he would have to deduct a bit for the looming horror of spending the day with some tottering, dusty old touristy wrecks from...from…New Jersey--or some equally horrible place no doubt. He’d be a lot angrier if Clark didn’t look like he was glowing…ah, and if he hadn’t taken a Valium or two….
********
Marlene left them at their hotel, and they were alone again. This time, it made Lex nervous.
They were alone but he could feel the difference, Clark radiated the difference.
He reached out for Lex’s hand when they walked into the lobby, and Lex smiled gently at him before smoothing his hand away. He hoped that he could read the apology in his eyes. Lex moved quickly toward the concierge, trying to ignore the sensation of twin green lasers burning reproachfully into his back. He’d have to deal with that in a minute, right now, he needed to get out of the lobby and get horizontal, his head was pounding and his eys burned. He needed to get some rest. He risked a quick glance at Clark. Sighed.
Definitely just rest.
“Mr. Luthor! We’ve been expecting you, if you please…” The smartly uniformed man pointed out the elevator and assured them that their room was in order and waiting for them. Lex nodded. It was what he expected.
Clark marveled anew at the luxury that Lex took for granted. He was polite, unfailingly polite but always a bit distant to the people who waited on him. Clark wondered if he’d ever feel that way, as though the people around him weren’t real, that they were defined only by their roles in his life…he couldn’t imagine it. He'd also be willing to bet Lex didn’t really understand what Marlene had done, how startlingly nice that was. She’d arranged the tour without asking; just working from a few clues, knowing it would make him happy. But she’d also known making him happy would make Lex happy—and how did she figure that out? It was like she was a female Sherlock Homes… Lex really should hire her—maybe he should point it out to him?
Clark stepped out into the gloomy and darkly furnished hall in front of their room and waited until the door was opened and they were ushered into a big suite, surprisingly bright with sunlight.
“This is so nice!” He looked around him—what a beautiful room. He dug his camera out of his carry on bag and snapped picture after picture while Lex watched.
“Clark…most guys your age who are not interior decorators don’t take quite as many pictures of their hotel rooms…”
“Lex. These are for my Mom.” Clark turned a look of righteous indignation on Lex. He hadn’t forgotten being brushed off in the lobby. “She loves this kind of thing. I’m not just thinking of myself, you know.”
“Liar,” Lex muttered as he walked into the master bedroom and totally missed Clark paling a bit.
Oh yeah. That. He wasn’t talking about that, but still. That. Clark swallowed. What was he going to do about That? He raised the camera and snapped a few more pictures, the flash brightening everything momentarily. Maybe…maybe he needed to talk to his parents.
******
“Lex, I need to talk to Mom and Dad. About everything that’s happened.”
The box Lex was holding slipped through his hands, hitting the floor and emptying itself with a musical tinkle. Cufflinks and shirt studs rolled merrily around the floor dashing under tables and chairs… “Oh. Shit.” He took a deep breath. Well of course. Of course that was part of it. One had to speak to the parents. Of course. And Jonathan and he had such a warm relationship. It should be a snap…Dad. What the hell was Dad going to say—hold up, that’s not important. Dad didn’t run his life, not anymore.
Crap. He was babbling—no he was *panicking.* He felt an old familiar squeeze deep at the base of his throat and forced himself to relax, take deep breaths….
He turned to Clark. “Your dad is going to kill *both* of us—though if we’re lucky he might stop after he kills me.”
“No, no, Lex! They’ll understand. I’m-- I’m pretty sure.” Clark didn’t look even half as confident as his words sounded. “I thought I’d tell them before we got home so that they can get used to the idea.”
Lex nodded. Wise. They had a few more weeks. It should give him time to arrange an escape plan…He shook his head. No. No defeatist thinking. Clark and he would handle this, like mature committed people. Committed. He shivered briefly.
“Clark…Clark…” Clark watched him, lips parted slightly, eager to hear whatever useful thing Lex had to say. “Clark.”
Clark nodded encouragingly, waited patiently. When Lex said nothing else he tried to prompt him.
“Lex?”
“Clar—ah. Um. You do what you think best. I’m sure everything will go smoothly.” If he could tackle his father, he could deal with the Kent’s. It wasn’t like they were his in-laws, after all. He looked over at Clark and his stomach sank a bit.
Clark was going to want to get married some day. He just knew it.
Jonathan was going to kill him, burn his corpse and salt the earth….
Continued in part 19
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