The Odd Couple 7.8
In which it all starts.
~~~
“Here? Now?” Like a fish out of water, Clark gaped, waved his arms about in confusion.
If only my dreams came true. And I know how often that happens.
“I will not have that sort of thing-oh, maybe I will.” A dark skinned, black haired man in the finest of black suits with a silver earing came to greet them.
Lex had known Frederick since he had only come up to his waist as a boy.
So many suits over the years.
And Frederick’s still fit him with style to boot. And he was one of the few that never sold out his whereabouts to his father.
“Ah, Lex. You have given me a model?” The eyes raked over Clark’s form, taking in measurements already. He must see what Lex saw.
Possibilities.
“No, but a new patron would be to your liking. This is Clark Kent, by best and closest friend.” He gave his patented possessive touch to Clark’s shoulder again.
Frederick winked at him. Lex guessed he approved.
“Lex, you know I can’t...” The same old argument.
“What day is this?” As if he didn’t already know.
“Saturday?”
“December the first.” Frederick added.
“Didn’t you know? Today is Youth Day in Portugal.”
“So?”
“I must persist in celebrating the holidays.”
“But you said you hated Christmas and hid in the closet during parties.” Clark whispered.
“I only celebrate holidays I like. Especially ones that involve you.” He whispered back, taking a moment to sniff at Clark’s neck.
The slight shudder through that tall frame told him all he needed to know.
“I’ll give you points for originality.” Clark nodded.
“We’ll stick to the basics. Work suits. And then some play suits.”
Frederick clapped his hands together.
“Splendid!”
Clark was ushered in front of the mirror as a tailor did measurements of his fine body.
“Play suits?” He stuttered a little.
“You’re in my evil clutches now, hush up.”
He gave the tailor a glare in case he had any impure ideas. It was rather true about so many men in fashion being attracted to the ones they sewed for.
He motioned for Frederick to come over. The man was immaculate and paid very close attention to detail, which was what got him where he was in the cut throat Metropolis fashion world. When a customer wanted something, all they had to do was ask.
“A bottle of port in the private dressing room.” He said softly.
“Of course. Definitely not one of your usuals. So modest. I approve.” Frederick watched over the charge with purposeful intent.
“Take good care of him.”
“In the best hands, I assure you.”
“Yes, but only my hands.”
~~~
Clark was beautiful in his old jeans. Lex wondered if they were still stashed in the young man’s drawers or if they had been thrown out. He had hoped to pilfer them from a certain terrible end at a garbage dump if he could only get them in time. But the less than offending garment had not been thrown away just yet.
Clark was sexy in just about anything, and his mind took him back to the days of rebellion in a small town. That pristine suit in black and pinstriped. And a knowing leer that Lex had never thought he would see on the supposed innocent’s face. It was all he could do to keep up with the conversation and not rip it off to what lie underneath. The problem was that Clark’s red tinted eyes showed interest, but his lips kept mentioning this girl and that like a laundry list of things he had to do.
Lex wondered now if Clark was only speaking like that to make him jealous.
It would explain his ardent desire to live with Lex in his penthouse.
And the line that featured in many of his fantasies.
Clark Kent and Lex Luthor. I would have loved the sound of that. Now, we’ll just wait and see.
The smallest smirk came from those haunting lips that reminded him of that time.
“I have to admit, these clothes make me look alright.”
“Progress.”
The pin stripe was much the same as that day, but Clark had opted for blue instead of red. The fitted jacket and suit were as snug as could be, fitting right in all the important places. The red tie added finished off the look to give to the younger man’s wishes for his favorite primary colors. But Clark had to ruin that vision of confidence by tugging on the tie.
“The tie’s too flashy.”
“I do not understand this recalcitrance.”
“Do I have to get a tie?”
“Yes. It’s almost as bad as going in the nude.” Studying the lines and contours was a marvel to the eyes. Anything to keep it on him. For now.
“I like blue more now.” Clark decided, looking at the tie.
“Red does you justice.”
“I don’t know.” Shrugging shoulders of apathy, he started to take it off.
But Lex looked at him until he agreed to put it on hold.
Lex motioned for the tailor to bring all assortment of blues.
Another worker in a fine suit brought over Lex’s much desired Port.
“A little early to be drinking.” Clark eyed him.
“I’m parched.” He said defensively.
“I’m sure they have water.” The brow went up.
Lex thought for a moment. And decided to up the innuendo.
He should be perfectly sober for this.
The worker was as unquestioning as Lex had him return the expensive bottle. The man brought back him some water. Back in Smallville, he had taken to drinking water at first before moving on to hard liquors such as scotch. He’d gone back to more steadily having alcohol since the strain of this year was upon him. But he figured the true test of Clark’s heterosexuality was confirmed when he finally gave up on that particular drink.
“It shouldn’t take that long to put on a suit.”
“Polyester doesn’t like me.”
“That’s the best silk you can buy.”
“It still doesn’t like me.”
The worker handed him a bottle of Ty Nant and exited as soundlessly as before.
Clark came out in a suit from Lex’s favorite page book. Black solid through and through, double breasted, high and square on the slight shoulder pads that hugged that fine frame. Big suit, but not so big that it hid the muscles that hid there. Not a baggy or over wrinkled shirt to be found and despised.
And the dark blue shirt and dark striped tie found a way to bring out Clark’s eyes.
“Is there anything you don’t look good in?”
“You’re exaggerating.” Clark’s eyes widened as Lex took a sip and a little lick from his bottle.
“Ty Nant? Haven’t seen you with one of those in a while.”
“It was all they had. But I still do enjoy the taste. Brings back memories.”
Lex got up and turned Clark to look in the three sided mirror.
He brushed the shoulders for another measure.
“Don’t hide the assets you have. That’s how you get them interested.”
“Yeah?”
Lex took another gulp and tilted his head back more than necessary as he swallowed.
He could feel Clark watching him.
“Now stand up straight.”
Clark stood as if he were trying to salute.
Lex found himself shaking his head.
“Confidence. Poise. These adjectives and more can be all yours if you can act it.”
Clark rolled his eyes.
“You don’t exactly walk around with a pole up your back. Actually, you have a special kind of walk.”
“Oh?”
“Scratch that. You have your own cool glide. I have my own special stumble.”
“You can avoid that by stopping that hunch over you tend to do.”
“Hunch over.”
Lex relished his next slide of hand touching Clark at mid spine with a finger and slowly sliding his way to reach the neck.
“Lex?”
“Yes?”
“Why are you doing that?”
Lex had gotten a little overzealous rubbing that tiny bit of skin on the back of his neck.
“Showing the curvature of your spine. Isn’t it fascinating?”
“I guess?”
“Work with your spine. Don’t wear it down before you’re ready.”
Clark looked at him in confusion.
Lex stepped back before he could do something he couldn’t cover up.
He went to sit back down and contemplate his next move.
They went through several more sets and Lex pointed out the advantages of each before Clark had the chance to send them back. He certainly needed some basic things for the real world, with or without the advantage of Lex’s discerning eye.
“Let’s do some club clothes before lunch.”
He sucked once more on the bottle and heard a little gasp.
Clark was having a hard time meeting his gaze.
You can dish it out, but you can’t take it? Too bad. Suffer.
They started out with more silk shirts of all kinds, short to long, and in some that had certain holes that Clark refused to even try on, more was the pity. He stuck still to his blues, but Lex shoved at him some greens and purples for some variety. Though he was appealing in just about any color.
It was the black leather coat that undid him.
Clark really seemed to get into the swing with the tight black leather pants, green silk short sleeved shirt, and the black leather long duster that went all the way down. He rather prowled out of the dressing room with more confidence than just about anything Lex had seen him in.
And did he ever look magnificent.
“Lex, can I have a taste?”
Hell yes.
Clark motioned to his drink and topped it off.
He wiped his mouth messily but it only added to the effect.
“I think I like this best of all.” The brunette smiled.
Lex stood up, and circled him.
“I think we have a winner.”
Pretty wet red lips.
Clark added as Lex slowly moved forward.
Until they were very close.
“I feel kinda hot.” Clark added.
As do I.
Clark did not mind the hand on his shoulder.
“And even a little lucky.”
“I’m crossing my fingers.”
Clark only had another moment to be puzzled.
Lex inwardly held his breath.
Then kissed him.
And those lips were even softer than he’d imagined.
Please don’t let this end!
~~~
~~~
“Here? Now?” Like a fish out of water, Clark gaped, waved his arms about in confusion.
If only my dreams came true. And I know how often that happens.
“I will not have that sort of thing-oh, maybe I will.” A dark skinned, black haired man in the finest of black suits with a silver earing came to greet them.
Lex had known Frederick since he had only come up to his waist as a boy.
So many suits over the years.
And Frederick’s still fit him with style to boot. And he was one of the few that never sold out his whereabouts to his father.
“Ah, Lex. You have given me a model?” The eyes raked over Clark’s form, taking in measurements already. He must see what Lex saw.
Possibilities.
“No, but a new patron would be to your liking. This is Clark Kent, by best and closest friend.” He gave his patented possessive touch to Clark’s shoulder again.
Frederick winked at him. Lex guessed he approved.
“Lex, you know I can’t...” The same old argument.
“What day is this?” As if he didn’t already know.
“Saturday?”
“December the first.” Frederick added.
“Didn’t you know? Today is Youth Day in Portugal.”
“So?”
“I must persist in celebrating the holidays.”
“But you said you hated Christmas and hid in the closet during parties.” Clark whispered.
“I only celebrate holidays I like. Especially ones that involve you.” He whispered back, taking a moment to sniff at Clark’s neck.
The slight shudder through that tall frame told him all he needed to know.
“I’ll give you points for originality.” Clark nodded.
“We’ll stick to the basics. Work suits. And then some play suits.”
Frederick clapped his hands together.
“Splendid!”
Clark was ushered in front of the mirror as a tailor did measurements of his fine body.
“Play suits?” He stuttered a little.
“You’re in my evil clutches now, hush up.”
He gave the tailor a glare in case he had any impure ideas. It was rather true about so many men in fashion being attracted to the ones they sewed for.
He motioned for Frederick to come over. The man was immaculate and paid very close attention to detail, which was what got him where he was in the cut throat Metropolis fashion world. When a customer wanted something, all they had to do was ask.
“A bottle of port in the private dressing room.” He said softly.
“Of course. Definitely not one of your usuals. So modest. I approve.” Frederick watched over the charge with purposeful intent.
“Take good care of him.”
“In the best hands, I assure you.”
“Yes, but only my hands.”
~~~
Clark was beautiful in his old jeans. Lex wondered if they were still stashed in the young man’s drawers or if they had been thrown out. He had hoped to pilfer them from a certain terrible end at a garbage dump if he could only get them in time. But the less than offending garment had not been thrown away just yet.
Clark was sexy in just about anything, and his mind took him back to the days of rebellion in a small town. That pristine suit in black and pinstriped. And a knowing leer that Lex had never thought he would see on the supposed innocent’s face. It was all he could do to keep up with the conversation and not rip it off to what lie underneath. The problem was that Clark’s red tinted eyes showed interest, but his lips kept mentioning this girl and that like a laundry list of things he had to do.
Lex wondered now if Clark was only speaking like that to make him jealous.
It would explain his ardent desire to live with Lex in his penthouse.
And the line that featured in many of his fantasies.
Clark Kent and Lex Luthor. I would have loved the sound of that. Now, we’ll just wait and see.
The smallest smirk came from those haunting lips that reminded him of that time.
“I have to admit, these clothes make me look alright.”
“Progress.”
The pin stripe was much the same as that day, but Clark had opted for blue instead of red. The fitted jacket and suit were as snug as could be, fitting right in all the important places. The red tie added finished off the look to give to the younger man’s wishes for his favorite primary colors. But Clark had to ruin that vision of confidence by tugging on the tie.
“The tie’s too flashy.”
“I do not understand this recalcitrance.”
“Do I have to get a tie?”
“Yes. It’s almost as bad as going in the nude.” Studying the lines and contours was a marvel to the eyes. Anything to keep it on him. For now.
“I like blue more now.” Clark decided, looking at the tie.
“Red does you justice.”
“I don’t know.” Shrugging shoulders of apathy, he started to take it off.
But Lex looked at him until he agreed to put it on hold.
Lex motioned for the tailor to bring all assortment of blues.
Another worker in a fine suit brought over Lex’s much desired Port.
“A little early to be drinking.” Clark eyed him.
“I’m parched.” He said defensively.
“I’m sure they have water.” The brow went up.
Lex thought for a moment. And decided to up the innuendo.
He should be perfectly sober for this.
The worker was as unquestioning as Lex had him return the expensive bottle. The man brought back him some water. Back in Smallville, he had taken to drinking water at first before moving on to hard liquors such as scotch. He’d gone back to more steadily having alcohol since the strain of this year was upon him. But he figured the true test of Clark’s heterosexuality was confirmed when he finally gave up on that particular drink.
“It shouldn’t take that long to put on a suit.”
“Polyester doesn’t like me.”
“That’s the best silk you can buy.”
“It still doesn’t like me.”
The worker handed him a bottle of Ty Nant and exited as soundlessly as before.
Clark came out in a suit from Lex’s favorite page book. Black solid through and through, double breasted, high and square on the slight shoulder pads that hugged that fine frame. Big suit, but not so big that it hid the muscles that hid there. Not a baggy or over wrinkled shirt to be found and despised.
And the dark blue shirt and dark striped tie found a way to bring out Clark’s eyes.
“Is there anything you don’t look good in?”
“You’re exaggerating.” Clark’s eyes widened as Lex took a sip and a little lick from his bottle.
“Ty Nant? Haven’t seen you with one of those in a while.”
“It was all they had. But I still do enjoy the taste. Brings back memories.”
Lex got up and turned Clark to look in the three sided mirror.
He brushed the shoulders for another measure.
“Don’t hide the assets you have. That’s how you get them interested.”
“Yeah?”
Lex took another gulp and tilted his head back more than necessary as he swallowed.
He could feel Clark watching him.
“Now stand up straight.”
Clark stood as if he were trying to salute.
Lex found himself shaking his head.
“Confidence. Poise. These adjectives and more can be all yours if you can act it.”
Clark rolled his eyes.
“You don’t exactly walk around with a pole up your back. Actually, you have a special kind of walk.”
“Oh?”
“Scratch that. You have your own cool glide. I have my own special stumble.”
“You can avoid that by stopping that hunch over you tend to do.”
“Hunch over.”
Lex relished his next slide of hand touching Clark at mid spine with a finger and slowly sliding his way to reach the neck.
“Lex?”
“Yes?”
“Why are you doing that?”
Lex had gotten a little overzealous rubbing that tiny bit of skin on the back of his neck.
“Showing the curvature of your spine. Isn’t it fascinating?”
“I guess?”
“Work with your spine. Don’t wear it down before you’re ready.”
Clark looked at him in confusion.
Lex stepped back before he could do something he couldn’t cover up.
He went to sit back down and contemplate his next move.
They went through several more sets and Lex pointed out the advantages of each before Clark had the chance to send them back. He certainly needed some basic things for the real world, with or without the advantage of Lex’s discerning eye.
“Let’s do some club clothes before lunch.”
He sucked once more on the bottle and heard a little gasp.
Clark was having a hard time meeting his gaze.
You can dish it out, but you can’t take it? Too bad. Suffer.
They started out with more silk shirts of all kinds, short to long, and in some that had certain holes that Clark refused to even try on, more was the pity. He stuck still to his blues, but Lex shoved at him some greens and purples for some variety. Though he was appealing in just about any color.
It was the black leather coat that undid him.
Clark really seemed to get into the swing with the tight black leather pants, green silk short sleeved shirt, and the black leather long duster that went all the way down. He rather prowled out of the dressing room with more confidence than just about anything Lex had seen him in.
And did he ever look magnificent.
“Lex, can I have a taste?”
Hell yes.
Clark motioned to his drink and topped it off.
He wiped his mouth messily but it only added to the effect.
“I think I like this best of all.” The brunette smiled.
Lex stood up, and circled him.
“I think we have a winner.”
Pretty wet red lips.
Clark added as Lex slowly moved forward.
Until they were very close.
“I feel kinda hot.” Clark added.
As do I.
Clark did not mind the hand on his shoulder.
“And even a little lucky.”
“I’m crossing my fingers.”
Clark only had another moment to be puzzled.
Lex inwardly held his breath.
Then kissed him.
And those lips were even softer than he’d imagined.
Please don’t let this end!
~~~