Part 31

[dianehc]

As he drove, Bruce began to notice something that he almost couldn't credit. He had been carefully monitoring the boy's shallow breathing in case Clark stopped breathing, but despite his horrific pallor and his almost constant achingly painful moans, the boy's breathing slowly grew stronger and more even. The trembling slowed then disappeared.

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[sv_slashbunny]

Pulling over, Bruce barely had time to cut the engine before Lex was throwing the passenger side door open and dropping to his knees as he studdied his friend's nude form.

"Clark? ... Clark? ...

... with a quiet moan Clark latched onto Lex like a limpet. Shudders wracked Clark's frame as he desperately grasped Lex.

"Sshh, I'm here Clark. You're safe now." Lex tried to soothe his friend.

Looking up at Bruce while he climbed into the seat, Clark draped over him like a blanket he whispered, "Drive Bruce... just drive."

With a nod to Dick, Bruce turned his car towards Gotham. Despite what Lex had said, he knew they were far from safe. They would get back to his home turf and then he would get some answers.

Clark opend tear filled eyes and gasped, "I need....

revised version of this post (time errors)

[dianehc]

Clark opened tear filled eyes and gasped, "I need

3/10

[dianehc]

and his hearing seemed to double echoing the same sounds. A feeling of draining weakness echoed through him as well as a flush of seemingly inescapable heat

4/10

[dianehc]

"Clark?"

"But you're... I saw him."

"I don't understand."

"He saw you shot," Bruce supplied, wondering why Lex was suddenly slow on the uptake.

Nodding in agreement, Clark confirmed sadly, "Killed, I saw you."

Clark's fever, though cooler, still burned against his skin and Lex...

5/10

[ilovedoyle]

...gently brushed the sweat-dampened locks from Clark's forehead, and tenderly ran his hand down Clark's cheek, resting it there to ensure Clark looked him straight in the eyes as he whispered, "But he failed Clark. Whatever he said to you, none of this was your fault. It was all him. Him and Dominic...

6/10

[dianehc]

Him and Dominic... Okay? Nothing he said to you was the truth."

The touch of his fingertips across Clark's forehead seemed to help Clark find some clarity: after a moment of trying to digest what Lex had said, Clark stared up into his eyes in confusion as he asked, "Not true?"

Over the top of Clark's head Lex and Bruce shared a concerned look at his simplistic tone.

"No, Clark, it wasn't true. He didn't kill me."

Seeking additional confirmation, Clark carefully reached shaking, sweaty fingertips up to pause centimeters away from his face as Clark paused clearly anxious. Recognizing the gesture, Lex caught Clark's hand and pressed it to his cheek - only to watch as Clark fell apart.

Pulling Clark's head to his shoulder, Lex ...

7/10

[dianehc]

Pulling Clark's head to his shoulder, Lex tried not to notice Bruce's stunned gaze. Bruce from childhood had been so emotionally restrained that Lex could hardly imagine what it might take to make him cry. Even Dick, though Bruce's emotional opposite, was still more restrained than Clark on the best of days. To Bruce, Clark's sobbing must have seemed...

8/10

[ilovedoyle]

To Bruce, Clark's sobbing must have seemed totally bizarre - on a level even Batman could not comprehend. But even more so, Lex was sure Bruce was just as stunned with Lex’s own ability to cope with such emotions so calmly and so well. As a Luthor, Lex should abhor extreme displays of emotion - they are a weakness that if anything, should be exploited, not pandered to. But when it came to Clark, Lex was more than his surname, he was a rock upon which Clark could lean, a source of comfort. He was needed in a way he had never been before; not as a Luthor, a billionaire businessman, but merely as Lex, as a friend. And Lex revelled in that, in being wanted and needed simply as himself, and in being able to care for and comfort somebody simply by being there.
Lex glared at Bruce (although rather distractedly, it was enough to return Bruce’s attention to the road), before tightening his grip on Clark and rubbing his hands up and down Clark’s back, shushing gently, and…

9/10

[dianehc]

Lex glared at Bruce (although rather distractedly, it was enough to return Bruce’s attention to the road), before tightening his grip on Clark and rubbing his hands up and down Clark’s back, shushing gently, and murmuring gentle comforts until Clark drifted off in his arms

10/10

[ilovedoyle]

"Mrs. Kent, I....”

“Lex! Oh Lex thank god! Are you alright?! Did you find him? Is-”

Lex cut off what he knew to be the beginnings of a panicked babble. “Yes Martha, Clark is with me right now, I’m taking him someplace safe, were hopefully we can start to sort all of this out. But Edge is still alive, and I know where he’ll attempt to strike next.”

Before Lex could elaborate, Martha whispered, “Jonathon”, the sheer terror at the thought noticeable in her very breath.

“Yes. A friend of mine has started to set up security measures for you as we speak, but I need you to pack a bag for yourself and Mr Kent - a car will be along shortly to bring you to Clark. If you could possibly bring some clothes for Clark also - comfortable, familiar things.”

“Of course, thank you Lex, thank you so much for saving my baby.”
Hearing that, hearing the gratitude in Martha’s voice, Lex felt the guilt wash over him as he glanced down at the broken shell of his best friend in his lap. “Martha….