DP Jupiter part 10
9/24/05 07:51 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
roxyThe Previous Parts are doing the Frug here. Oh, don’t act like you know what that is!
Here we go, another bit of DPJupiter. In this part, Lex is an orphan in old England, who falls in with a group of pickpockkets and…naaah! Just kidding!
The autumn sun reflected off the sidewalk into his eyes. He frowned and wondered again what the hell had possessed him to walk into town.
He’d found there were cars in the garage, beautiful cars, the driver and the limo were still at his disposal but no—some insanity told him a nice long walk into town would be just the thing. It hadn’t seemed so far in the car…and pride kept him from calling the smirking driver…for now.
He blinked and tried to clear his eyes and wiped the sweat off his head, thank goodness for pocket tissues–it might not be quite the heat of a Kansas summer anymore, but still, hiking in shoes not really made for it and a wool suit didn’t combine in a very good way. He was much less than fresh now…he glanced about quickly, sniffed at himself and grimaced. Much less.
Fuck.
Here he was, sweaty, stinking, walking down the street of a town that his family had essentially destroyed, and now the townsfolk were noticing him, glaring at him. It was a miracle no one was hissing or shaking their fists…fuck. What a stupid idea it’d been to come here. What the fuck had he been thinking. His eyes pricked for a moment with self-pity. If he were back in the city now, he’d be warm and safe on the couch, something good in him, being pampered….
He ducked his head and stared at the ground, waiting out the painful wave that squeezed his chest and made him want to run back to the Castle. He trudged on, the former theater catching his eye. The art deco style marquee claimed it now served the best coffee in Smallville.
That was interesting.
The sign in the window advertised homemade baked goods and fresh coffee. A few tables decorated with cheap glass bud vases stood on the sidewalk outside the door. He decided to give it a try—he remembered the Beanery coffee vividly and the memory was not good.
Inside it appeared as though a Victorian tearoom had had an explosive accident over the interior. It was incredibly mauve but tolerable and more importantly cool, and the coffee did smell good, none of the burnt, over-cooked on the hot plate scent that was typical for coffee bars in the States.
He sat at a table that stood a bit apart from the others, a one-person seat, and steadily ignoring the stares and whispers, he waited for service. He heard a hissing conversation and looked up to see an older woman arguing in a quiet and controlled way a young girl, who shook her head adamantly. The woman snatched the menu card from her hand and sent her to the kitchen.
He looked down and feigned disinterest until the woman was at his table.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Luthor. Welcome to the Talon.”
He looked up and his heart froze. This day just kept getting better and better.
“Mrs. Kent. Hello.” He started to stand. “I’ll just run along…”
“Sit, sit please.”
Are…are you sure, Mrs. Kent?”
“Yes. And you know you have permission to call me Martha.”
He automatically responded, “Than call me Lex,” and sat again. He took the card she held out to him, ordered coffee and something sweet with lots of sugar and smiled as he handed the card back. He’d consider himself a lucky man not to have the coffee in his lap.
When she came back to the table, she set his order in front of him. Gently.
He eyed the steaming cup and politely inquired about Mr. Kent.
“We’re fine Lex.” She looked him up and down. “You’re doing well?” she asked and it sounded as if she truly cared. She would have made an excellent businesswoman, Lex thought. He could almost believe that she did care.
He laughed lightly and nodded. “I’m doing very well. “ And blushed. “I…I…”
“You’re worried about what we—the town –thinks of you? Honestly, the Luthor name is right up there with Caligula and Hitler.” She shrugged but there wasn’t any sting in her voice and Lex relaxed a fraction. “There's a great deal of resentment—but it’s different for us. We weren’t dependent really on the plant, and after the other farmers who’d worked for your dad joined us in a co-operative, things took an upward turn.” She smiled softly. “I work here to help out,” she put her hand on Lex’s, “but mostly because I enjoy getting out of the house.”
He felt a weight lift. “Really? That’s great. So I can assume the co-op is prospering?”.
“Oh yes, it’s wonderful, Bruce really helped out, getting his friends to invest and to buy from us. He’s terrific, your friend. He’s helped us in so many ways.”
Lex nodded and smiled some more. He didn’t want to admit he hadn’t been friends with Bruce for years.
“It’s still so strange to think Clark is seeing a billionaire.” She chuckled—stopped at the look on Lex’s face.
“What. Clark…and Bruce?”
“Oh my,” she breathed. “You didn’t know? I just assumed since you and Bruce are close--” she saw how deep the shock was and put two and two together. “Oh my goodness. I’m so sorry.”
Lex laughed weakly. Waved her off and sipped at his coffee. “Don’t worry. Please it’s nothing, nothing at all.”
******
She excused herself and hurried back to the counter. Business had to be attended to.
From time to time, Martha looked up to watch the too thin, too pale young man drink his coffee and wondered what on earth had happened to him since they’d last seen Lucas and him. She knew what the gossip columns said his life was like, and Clark hinted angrily at dark activities, but looking at him, Lex seemed more a victim than an aggressor.
Whatever had gone on between the boys that last week in Smallville, Clark would never speak of, but he wouldn’t tolerate a kind word about the Luthors, ever. That subject was sealed.
But still…Lex loved Clark. She saw it plainly in his eyes, he loved her son.
She wondered for how long—she wondered what happened that Clark ended up with Lucas instead of Lex, whom he’d had a crush on for years. Not that Clark ever spoke about it—officially Bruce was the first man he’d loved, but she knew it was Lex …Clark’s scrapbooks were supposed to be a secret. She sighed. Mother’s had a habit of finding secret things…even when they didn’t want to.
Then the Luthors had moved and the sscrapbooks were in the trash and it was over for Clark.
But maybe not for Lex.
That year…there was still so much unsaid from that year. Clark never admitted a relationship with Lucas, never spoke about what had seemed more than a crush--to her at least--on Lex and when they left town it was as if they took something of Clark with them. Something happened that turned her son from an open, big-hearted boy to a closed off, angry young man. For a long time Clark floated in limbo…it took Bruce working with Clark to begin to crack open the shell he’d pulled himself into. Nothing they did helped but Bruce…Batman helped Clark in ways no one else could—or could understand.
When Clark confessed that he was in a relationship with him…it might not have been what they’d pictured for Clark, but it was incredible how much of her son re-awakened with Bruce. And Bruce was unfailingly kind and considerate--always ready to help.
She glanced at Lex, sitting by himself, an arrogant look on his face as he drank his coffee slowly and pulled his pastry into shreds and in general gave the impression that the Talon should be grateful for his presence.
Poor boy.
Her heart went out to him. She couldn’t leave him alone in this place. He needed a friend.
He paid at the counter and told her goodbye. She smiled and told him that the next day there would be fresh apple pie and she’d save him a slice for after lunch.
He gave her a long look, and nodded. “All right. Thank you.” She could feel her cheeks pink up, and smiled back.
She called after him, before he opened the door. He turned to her with a cocked eyebrow and a little frown…
“Call your driver.”
He looked surprised for a moment, and then, he laughed.
TBC
Here we go, another bit of DPJupiter. In this part, Lex is an orphan in old England, who falls in with a group of pickpockkets and…naaah! Just kidding!
The autumn sun reflected off the sidewalk into his eyes. He frowned and wondered again what the hell had possessed him to walk into town.
He’d found there were cars in the garage, beautiful cars, the driver and the limo were still at his disposal but no—some insanity told him a nice long walk into town would be just the thing. It hadn’t seemed so far in the car…and pride kept him from calling the smirking driver…for now.
He blinked and tried to clear his eyes and wiped the sweat off his head, thank goodness for pocket tissues–it might not be quite the heat of a Kansas summer anymore, but still, hiking in shoes not really made for it and a wool suit didn’t combine in a very good way. He was much less than fresh now…he glanced about quickly, sniffed at himself and grimaced. Much less.
Fuck.
Here he was, sweaty, stinking, walking down the street of a town that his family had essentially destroyed, and now the townsfolk were noticing him, glaring at him. It was a miracle no one was hissing or shaking their fists…fuck. What a stupid idea it’d been to come here. What the fuck had he been thinking. His eyes pricked for a moment with self-pity. If he were back in the city now, he’d be warm and safe on the couch, something good in him, being pampered….
He ducked his head and stared at the ground, waiting out the painful wave that squeezed his chest and made him want to run back to the Castle. He trudged on, the former theater catching his eye. The art deco style marquee claimed it now served the best coffee in Smallville.
That was interesting.
The sign in the window advertised homemade baked goods and fresh coffee. A few tables decorated with cheap glass bud vases stood on the sidewalk outside the door. He decided to give it a try—he remembered the Beanery coffee vividly and the memory was not good.
Inside it appeared as though a Victorian tearoom had had an explosive accident over the interior. It was incredibly mauve but tolerable and more importantly cool, and the coffee did smell good, none of the burnt, over-cooked on the hot plate scent that was typical for coffee bars in the States.
He sat at a table that stood a bit apart from the others, a one-person seat, and steadily ignoring the stares and whispers, he waited for service. He heard a hissing conversation and looked up to see an older woman arguing in a quiet and controlled way a young girl, who shook her head adamantly. The woman snatched the menu card from her hand and sent her to the kitchen.
He looked down and feigned disinterest until the woman was at his table.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Luthor. Welcome to the Talon.”
He looked up and his heart froze. This day just kept getting better and better.
“Mrs. Kent. Hello.” He started to stand. “I’ll just run along…”
“Sit, sit please.”
Are…are you sure, Mrs. Kent?”
“Yes. And you know you have permission to call me Martha.”
He automatically responded, “Than call me Lex,” and sat again. He took the card she held out to him, ordered coffee and something sweet with lots of sugar and smiled as he handed the card back. He’d consider himself a lucky man not to have the coffee in his lap.
When she came back to the table, she set his order in front of him. Gently.
He eyed the steaming cup and politely inquired about Mr. Kent.
“We’re fine Lex.” She looked him up and down. “You’re doing well?” she asked and it sounded as if she truly cared. She would have made an excellent businesswoman, Lex thought. He could almost believe that she did care.
He laughed lightly and nodded. “I’m doing very well. “ And blushed. “I…I…”
“You’re worried about what we—the town –thinks of you? Honestly, the Luthor name is right up there with Caligula and Hitler.” She shrugged but there wasn’t any sting in her voice and Lex relaxed a fraction. “There's a great deal of resentment—but it’s different for us. We weren’t dependent really on the plant, and after the other farmers who’d worked for your dad joined us in a co-operative, things took an upward turn.” She smiled softly. “I work here to help out,” she put her hand on Lex’s, “but mostly because I enjoy getting out of the house.”
He felt a weight lift. “Really? That’s great. So I can assume the co-op is prospering?”.
“Oh yes, it’s wonderful, Bruce really helped out, getting his friends to invest and to buy from us. He’s terrific, your friend. He’s helped us in so many ways.”
Lex nodded and smiled some more. He didn’t want to admit he hadn’t been friends with Bruce for years.
“It’s still so strange to think Clark is seeing a billionaire.” She chuckled—stopped at the look on Lex’s face.
“What. Clark…and Bruce?”
“Oh my,” she breathed. “You didn’t know? I just assumed since you and Bruce are close--” she saw how deep the shock was and put two and two together. “Oh my goodness. I’m so sorry.”
Lex laughed weakly. Waved her off and sipped at his coffee. “Don’t worry. Please it’s nothing, nothing at all.”
******
She excused herself and hurried back to the counter. Business had to be attended to.
From time to time, Martha looked up to watch the too thin, too pale young man drink his coffee and wondered what on earth had happened to him since they’d last seen Lucas and him. She knew what the gossip columns said his life was like, and Clark hinted angrily at dark activities, but looking at him, Lex seemed more a victim than an aggressor.
Whatever had gone on between the boys that last week in Smallville, Clark would never speak of, but he wouldn’t tolerate a kind word about the Luthors, ever. That subject was sealed.
But still…Lex loved Clark. She saw it plainly in his eyes, he loved her son.
She wondered for how long—she wondered what happened that Clark ended up with Lucas instead of Lex, whom he’d had a crush on for years. Not that Clark ever spoke about it—officially Bruce was the first man he’d loved, but she knew it was Lex …Clark’s scrapbooks were supposed to be a secret. She sighed. Mother’s had a habit of finding secret things…even when they didn’t want to.
Then the Luthors had moved and the sscrapbooks were in the trash and it was over for Clark.
But maybe not for Lex.
That year…there was still so much unsaid from that year. Clark never admitted a relationship with Lucas, never spoke about what had seemed more than a crush--to her at least--on Lex and when they left town it was as if they took something of Clark with them. Something happened that turned her son from an open, big-hearted boy to a closed off, angry young man. For a long time Clark floated in limbo…it took Bruce working with Clark to begin to crack open the shell he’d pulled himself into. Nothing they did helped but Bruce…Batman helped Clark in ways no one else could—or could understand.
When Clark confessed that he was in a relationship with him…it might not have been what they’d pictured for Clark, but it was incredible how much of her son re-awakened with Bruce. And Bruce was unfailingly kind and considerate--always ready to help.
She glanced at Lex, sitting by himself, an arrogant look on his face as he drank his coffee slowly and pulled his pastry into shreds and in general gave the impression that the Talon should be grateful for his presence.
Poor boy.
Her heart went out to him. She couldn’t leave him alone in this place. He needed a friend.
He paid at the counter and told her goodbye. She smiled and told him that the next day there would be fresh apple pie and she’d save him a slice for after lunch.
He gave her a long look, and nodded. “All right. Thank you.” She could feel her cheeks pink up, and smiled back.
She called after him, before he opened the door. He turned to her with a cocked eyebrow and a little frown…
“Call your driver.”
He looked surprised for a moment, and then, he laughed.
TBC
Tags:
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
9/25/05 04:44 am (UTC)Now go hit Clark with a bat with some kryptonite in it and make him *talk*!
*bounce*
*smooches you*
(no subject)
9/25/05 05:14 am (UTC)*huuuuuuuug*!!
(no subject)
9/25/05 05:27 am (UTC)(no subject)
9/25/05 07:33 pm (UTC)Jeez, this next section keeps filling itself with porn--it's terrible!!
(no subject)
9/26/05 05:06 am (UTC)(no subject)
9/25/05 05:51 am (UTC)*is touched*
(no subject)
9/25/05 07:34 pm (UTC)(no subject)
9/25/05 06:51 am (UTC)(no subject)
9/25/05 07:35 pm (UTC)(no subject)
9/25/05 10:15 am (UTC)Hopefully Martha can help Lex, and talk some sense into Clark.
(no subject)
9/25/05 07:36 pm (UTC)(no subject)
9/25/05 11:22 am (UTC)I am still not convinced , that even with martha, Lex can be fixed!!
ok, and here is my sadistic tendency is shining through, but how about letting Bruce somehow kill Lex, and then Lucas killing Bruce, and end up with Clark!!!
all by his skillfull manipulations!!
OMG; you made me fell in love with Lucas!!!
I am totally twisted now, and love every minute of it!
(no subject)
9/25/05 07:37 pm (UTC)(no subject)
9/25/05 09:02 pm (UTC)(no subject)
9/25/05 10:50 pm (UTC)(no subject)
9/25/05 10:51 pm (UTC)(no subject)
9/25/05 11:20 pm (UTC)That is such a good news!!! :-)
(no subject)
9/26/05 05:07 am (UTC)You wanna know something weird? I coulda sworn I read this part. But, apparently, those streaks just over my eyebrows are more than natural- they've bleached my brain XD Great part. Now... *scrambles to read part 11*
(no subject)
9/28/05 12:43 am (UTC)(no subject)
7/16/06 05:05 am (UTC)Martha needs to have a sit down with Clark and get him to talk to her if not to Lex. Really and truly. And Lex needs to find a nice sympathetic red-headed doctor who can grab him away from evil Lucas.
(Yes that's me as the doctor. Lol.;)
Lucas can still die in a pit with snakes, spiders and maybe a velociraptor. No, that would be too fast.
(no subject)
4/4/07 02:54 am (UTC)(no subject)
4/4/07 04:23 pm (UTC)