Fic: Conqueror (7/9)
Title: Conqueror (7/9)
Author: BradyGirl
Pairings/Characters (this chapter): Clark/Lex, Alexander/Hephaestion
Genres: Challenge, Drama
Rating (this chapter): PG-13
Warnings: None
Spoilers: None
Halloween Challenge Prompt: Lex has a painting/statue that comes to life.
Summary (this chapter): Alexander and Hephaistion decide to nudge the Clex in the right direction. ;)
Date Of Completion: October 30, 2007
Dates Of Posting: October 31, 2007/November 6, 2007
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, DC and Warner Brothers do, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 962
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
Author’s Note: Written for the 2007
old_school_clex Halloween Challenge.
Also fits the 2007 DCU Fic/Art Halloween Challenge run by me! J Again, I used too many prompts to list, but my Special Prompt is ‘Magic Spell’.
All chapters can be found here.
VII
HELEN OF TROY
Clark walked briskly to the mansion as the wind blew, nearly blowing off his knit cap. The leaves were off the trees now, and the landscape was bleak and fallow as the hint of the first snow was in the air. Thanksgiving was in two days, and Martha had asked Clark to extend a personal invitation to the men living at the mansion.
Just as the days were growing shorter as winter approached, Clark sensed that their time with their new friends was growing just as short. He couldn’t say why he felt that way; it was merely a sense that didn’t leave him, but he didn’t question it. One learned not to question too many things in Smallville unless you wanted to end up in Belle Reve.
He was bundled up in a dark-blue winter coat and hat, and red woolen scarf and matching mittens. He really didn’t need all the winter trappings, but going around in a T-shirt while the temperature was hovering in the thirties was not a good idea.
Once at the mansion he felt the warmth of a well-heated house as he gave his outerwear to the butler and went into the library.
A roaring fire and hot chocolate was a welcome sight, and soon Clark had his own cup with tiny marshmallows floating in the drink, just the way he liked it.
He had more questions to ask Alexander and Hephaestion for his paper and gradually the king and Lex were verbally sparring back-and-forth, Clark and Hephaestion exchanging amused glances. Clark was once again struck by how similar Lex was to the conqueror of the Ancient World, and he thought that his friend would need someone to help keep those overbearing tendencies in check while allowing him to use his powerful personality in a positive way.
He wished that he could be that person.
He sensed a gaze upon him and looked up to see Hephaestion looking at him. There was sympathy in that look and Clark swallowed. Did Hephaestion know his greatest secret, even deeper than the one about his otherworldly origin?
He quickly turned his attention back to the dueling Alexanders. Lex needed someone who could stand beside him, be a quiet, supportive presence, and he wanted to be that someone. He was more observer than doer. He had a talent for writing, and was enjoying working with Chloe on the Torch very much. He was thinking seriously about journalism as a career: he could be present at major events but chronicle them without being the center of attention. A strong personality like Lex’s would need someone like that, yes, he would.
Clark almost sighed. Would his abilities allow him to live a quiet life, or one spent with a dynamic man like Lex?
He brushed aside the thought. Lex wasn’t about to want to commit to a country boy who was awkward at the best of times. And even though he suspected that Lex was gay, or at least bisexual, he wasn’t 100% sure.
Unlike his certainty about his own orientation.
“Clark, would you come with me?” Hephaestion asked.
“Certainly.”
Clark followed the tall Macedonian out of the room, while Alexander said, “Tell me more about this Thanksgiving…”
Lex explained it the best way he knew how, emphasizing the giving thanks part of the holiday. He teasingly threw in a reference to football, and Alexander’s eyebrow went up.
“That game you told me that strategized like war?”
“Well, no one is dying out on the football field, but, yes, it’s like war: the field general is the quarterback, and the schemes used are like battle plans, with the commanding general the head coach on the sidelines…”
Alexander listened carefully, and Lex said, “We’ll have plenty of football to watch at the Kent house after dinner. Even Martha’s a fan.”
Alexander sipped his hot chocolate. “And did Clark ever play?”
“He did last year.”
“In what role?”
“Quarterback.”
Alexander nodded. “Those even as fair of face as he make excellent warriors.”
Lex’s heart triphammered. “Fair of face?”
“Surely you’ve noticed?”
Lex felt his face grow hot. “It’s not exactly the thing to…”
“He is of the right age.”
Flaming-hot now. “Your culture is different, Alexander. I just can’t take Clark as my eros…”
“A pity. He would be a worthy one.” Alexander sipped the chocolate again. “His face is, well, let us say that he could easily launch a thousand ships.”
Lex nearly laughed at the Helen of Troy reference, but Alexander wasn’t so far off. With a trembling hand, Lex drank his hot chocolate.
& & & & & &
Out in the gardens Clark looked at Hephaestion quizzically. “You wanted to show me something?”
“I wanted to ask you…how long will you and Lex perform this dance?”
“Dance?”
The Macedonian nodded. “You are clearly attracted to one another.”
Clark’s face flamed. “Well, I, uh, I just can’t…”
“You’re a strong, healthy boy. The perfect age to give pleasure to an older man.”
Clark nearly coughed. “Well, in this century, Hephaestion, there are laws…”
Hephaestion nodded. “You might have to wait, but will your hearts allow it?”
The wind blew through the bare gardens, Clark wrapping his arms around his bulky coat. He might not need it for purely physical reasons, but a shiver ran through him.
“Lex is special. Do you agree?” asked Hephaestion.
Clark nodded. “He is. He…he hasn’t had an easy time of it despite his wealth.” At Hephaestion’s inquiring look, Clark said, “His father is like Alexander’s mother.”
Understanding dawned in the other man’s eyes. He put a hand on Clark’s shoulder and squeezed. “Then it is good he has a friend such as you.”
Clark smiled and followed Hephaestion back into the warm house.
Author: BradyGirl
Pairings/Characters (this chapter): Clark/Lex, Alexander/Hephaestion
Genres: Challenge, Drama
Rating (this chapter): PG-13
Warnings: None
Spoilers: None
Halloween Challenge Prompt: Lex has a painting/statue that comes to life.
Summary (this chapter): Alexander and Hephaistion decide to nudge the Clex in the right direction. ;)
Date Of Completion: October 30, 2007
Dates Of Posting: October 31, 2007/November 6, 2007
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, DC and Warner Brothers do, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 962
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
Author’s Note: Written for the 2007
old_school_clex Halloween Challenge.
Also fits the 2007 DCU Fic/Art Halloween Challenge run by me! J Again, I used too many prompts to list, but my Special Prompt is ‘Magic Spell’.
All chapters can be found here.
VII
HELEN OF TROY
Clark walked briskly to the mansion as the wind blew, nearly blowing off his knit cap. The leaves were off the trees now, and the landscape was bleak and fallow as the hint of the first snow was in the air. Thanksgiving was in two days, and Martha had asked Clark to extend a personal invitation to the men living at the mansion.
Just as the days were growing shorter as winter approached, Clark sensed that their time with their new friends was growing just as short. He couldn’t say why he felt that way; it was merely a sense that didn’t leave him, but he didn’t question it. One learned not to question too many things in Smallville unless you wanted to end up in Belle Reve.
He was bundled up in a dark-blue winter coat and hat, and red woolen scarf and matching mittens. He really didn’t need all the winter trappings, but going around in a T-shirt while the temperature was hovering in the thirties was not a good idea.
Once at the mansion he felt the warmth of a well-heated house as he gave his outerwear to the butler and went into the library.
A roaring fire and hot chocolate was a welcome sight, and soon Clark had his own cup with tiny marshmallows floating in the drink, just the way he liked it.
He had more questions to ask Alexander and Hephaestion for his paper and gradually the king and Lex were verbally sparring back-and-forth, Clark and Hephaestion exchanging amused glances. Clark was once again struck by how similar Lex was to the conqueror of the Ancient World, and he thought that his friend would need someone to help keep those overbearing tendencies in check while allowing him to use his powerful personality in a positive way.
He wished that he could be that person.
He sensed a gaze upon him and looked up to see Hephaestion looking at him. There was sympathy in that look and Clark swallowed. Did Hephaestion know his greatest secret, even deeper than the one about his otherworldly origin?
He quickly turned his attention back to the dueling Alexanders. Lex needed someone who could stand beside him, be a quiet, supportive presence, and he wanted to be that someone. He was more observer than doer. He had a talent for writing, and was enjoying working with Chloe on the Torch very much. He was thinking seriously about journalism as a career: he could be present at major events but chronicle them without being the center of attention. A strong personality like Lex’s would need someone like that, yes, he would.
Clark almost sighed. Would his abilities allow him to live a quiet life, or one spent with a dynamic man like Lex?
He brushed aside the thought. Lex wasn’t about to want to commit to a country boy who was awkward at the best of times. And even though he suspected that Lex was gay, or at least bisexual, he wasn’t 100% sure.
Unlike his certainty about his own orientation.
“Clark, would you come with me?” Hephaestion asked.
“Certainly.”
Clark followed the tall Macedonian out of the room, while Alexander said, “Tell me more about this Thanksgiving…”
Lex explained it the best way he knew how, emphasizing the giving thanks part of the holiday. He teasingly threw in a reference to football, and Alexander’s eyebrow went up.
“That game you told me that strategized like war?”
“Well, no one is dying out on the football field, but, yes, it’s like war: the field general is the quarterback, and the schemes used are like battle plans, with the commanding general the head coach on the sidelines…”
Alexander listened carefully, and Lex said, “We’ll have plenty of football to watch at the Kent house after dinner. Even Martha’s a fan.”
Alexander sipped his hot chocolate. “And did Clark ever play?”
“He did last year.”
“In what role?”
“Quarterback.”
Alexander nodded. “Those even as fair of face as he make excellent warriors.”
Lex’s heart triphammered. “Fair of face?”
“Surely you’ve noticed?”
Lex felt his face grow hot. “It’s not exactly the thing to…”
“He is of the right age.”
Flaming-hot now. “Your culture is different, Alexander. I just can’t take Clark as my eros…”
“A pity. He would be a worthy one.” Alexander sipped the chocolate again. “His face is, well, let us say that he could easily launch a thousand ships.”
Lex nearly laughed at the Helen of Troy reference, but Alexander wasn’t so far off. With a trembling hand, Lex drank his hot chocolate.
& & & & & &
Out in the gardens Clark looked at Hephaestion quizzically. “You wanted to show me something?”
“I wanted to ask you…how long will you and Lex perform this dance?”
“Dance?”
The Macedonian nodded. “You are clearly attracted to one another.”
Clark’s face flamed. “Well, I, uh, I just can’t…”
“You’re a strong, healthy boy. The perfect age to give pleasure to an older man.”
Clark nearly coughed. “Well, in this century, Hephaestion, there are laws…”
Hephaestion nodded. “You might have to wait, but will your hearts allow it?”
The wind blew through the bare gardens, Clark wrapping his arms around his bulky coat. He might not need it for purely physical reasons, but a shiver ran through him.
“Lex is special. Do you agree?” asked Hephaestion.
Clark nodded. “He is. He…he hasn’t had an easy time of it despite his wealth.” At Hephaestion’s inquiring look, Clark said, “His father is like Alexander’s mother.”
Understanding dawned in the other man’s eyes. He put a hand on Clark’s shoulder and squeezed. “Then it is good he has a friend such as you.”
Clark smiled and followed Hephaestion back into the warm house.