Wishes
Title: Wishes
Author: Keikokin
Beta: svmaria
Pairing: Clex, 2846 Word Count
Rating: PG-13/Mature Teen
Characters: Lex Luthor, Clark Kent, Bruce Wayne, Dick Grayson, Alfred Pennyworth
Summary: Bruce can see his friend Lex needs help, but the butler did it.
Disclaimer: Smallville and Batman are both owned by the WB. And the Superman & Batman universes are owned and created by DC comics. No maliciousness was intended and no profit is being made.
The smoke in the room only made it darker, more dangerous and mysterious, like the man before him. But Lex Luthor was used to the way his friend, Bruce Wayne, existed. Like his beloved bats, of the personae he carried on, Bruce was darkness personified. It suited Lex's mood perfectly.
Lex swirled the brandy in his glass, watching the ebb and flow of the amber fluid while thinking how appropriate it was to the moment. His life was much like that. It came and went in colorful waves, often to the irritation of his father. But that was no longer an issue.
"Are you okay?" Bruce asked quietly.
"It's been a long weekend," Lex replied.
The statements would seem simple to an outsider, but to the two men each carried a wealth of subtext. Lex had just spent the weekend overseeing the placing of his father's tombstone in an uber-elite cemetery. It had been some time since his father died, but this was the final closure. Even though Lex Luthor was a naturally quiet man, this was unusually quiet for him and his friend watched him warily. No matter what Lex needed, Bruce would be there for him.
They were beyond friends and somehow beyond brothers. It never had been sexual either, it was simply unifying. Whenever one needed the other, they were there… no questions asked. So when Bruce stood by the private gravesite, his long coat flapping in the breeze, Lex didn't ask any questions. Bruce was there.
He needed Bruce. They slipped into the Wayne Enterprises limousine and sped away.
The night was spent making sure Lex ate and was attended. Now that the after dinner cocktails had been served, the inescapable resurfaced. Neither could run from the looming shadow of Lionel Luthor.
Bruce walked over to the massive fireplace and leaned against the mantle. "You need to decide which way to go."
Once again the simplest statements had the deepest meanings. Would Lex follow his father's bitter ways? Had Luthor Corp's days dwindled into the sunset? The stockholders and board members had given Lex had one year before he was handed the complete controlling stock of Luthor Corp, once the senior Luthor had fallen ill or until his demise, whichever came first. Until that time, he'd been busy preparing his own company to run solo, should the need arise to completely take over the reins of his father's empire since his heart attack. Lex was ready. But did he want it? Did he want to become another Lionel Luthor?
"You know what he would have wanted." Bruce shook his head. The entire world knew Lionel Luthor wanted his son to rise to the presidency and take over the world. But one small election in Kansas had driven Lex to drink and despair. So the question remained; what did Lex want? Did he even know?
"You're not him," Bruce stated simply. This was a turning point in Lex's life. Everything up to this point was child's play against the stark reality of being CEO of two major Fortune 500 companies. Yet all of it had been Lionel's dream of the perfect heir. "What do you want?"
Lex laughed. It was high and cold and devoid of any true emotion, save bitterness. "You wouldn't believe it. Hell, I barely believe it. Dad would be scandalized."
Bruce turned to level his gaze upon his long time friend. "You mean him."
"Yes, is that so wrong?" Lex looked up and met his friend's gave before looking back into his eyes. "But let's face it. That ship sailed a long time ago."
"Hmm," Bruce thought to the bitter, cold and distant man that was his colleague in arms, Superman. The last son of Krypton had long ago made it clear his celibate nature was final. He would not risk being involved with an earthling. It was too difficult to hide his secrets and lie to his friends.
Bruce had known for more years than he cared to think about that Lex Luthor was in love with Clark Kent, a.k.a. Superman. But Lex had turned his back on everything in Smallville and that included wide eyed farm boys. Lionel would not have approved. It was that simple.
"So, how's that R & D project going?" Lex asked turning the subject to business. Bruce saw it for what it was… a dismissal. The door on the subject was closed. But Bruce make a mental note to do some research and see if he couldn't repair what ten years of rejection had caused.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Superman stood on top of the Daily Planet's globe, his red cape flapping majestically in the wind behind him. Bruce crouched on the rings and waited to be noticed. It didn't take long.
"I heard you coming. What are you doing in Metropolis, Bruce? I thought we agreed to stay out of each other's paths."
Bruce winced. But Superman was correct. He had agreed, after the first disastrous attempt to form a Justice group had fallen apart. Superman had decided he was a vigilante, no better than the criminals he sought to capture. Meanwhile, Bruce thought that as an alien, Superman had no business interfering in Earth's affairs. He looked over the city of Metropolis, noticing for the first time how bright it seemed compared to Gotham, much like their heroes.
Shaking his head, Bruce got to the point. "I'm here on behalf of a friend."
Superman snorted. "I didn't know you had any, except your precious bats. Oh, and Alfred, how is he, by the way?"
Bruce cocked his head wondering if this was his way in. Superman a.k.a. Clark Kent had always had a deep seated respect for his man servant, one that was heartily returned. "Alfred is fine. He sends his greetings."
"So, if you aren't here for Alfred; why are you here?" Superman asked sharply, clearly irritated by his continued presence.
"He misses you," Bruce replied flatly. He knew he didn't even have to say whom he was referring too. It wasn't exactly a secret why Superman only dated Lois Lane from time to time. His heart simply wasn't in it.
"It's a shame it's not reciprocated." Superman snapped, starting to rise up in the air to make his escape.
Bruce chuckled. "You never could lie worth a shit."
Superman turned mid-air, crossed his arms over his chest and glared at the caped crusader. "That was a life time ago."
"He needs you now, more than ever." Bruce called out into the nighttime air as Superman flew away, wondering if he'd even been heard. He watched him go and spoke quietly. "This won't be easy."
The small voice of Alfred Pennyworth answered in the hidden two way microphone in his ear, "I never thought otherwise, Master Bruce."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Clark turned the invitation over in his hands eying the delicate embossed gold script, ignoring the sounds of chaos around him.
Alfred Pennyworth requests the pleasure of your company during the celebration of his birth.
Clark thought he'd never received a birthday party invitation so elegant and high-brow in his life.
Lois looked over his shoulder. "What's that, Smallville?"
"A party?" She snatched it from his grasp, read it and frowned. "It doesn't say anything about bringing a guest."
"It doesn't matter. I'm not going," Clark took the invitation back and threw it into the mound on his desk.
"Isn't this for that old geezer who plays butler to Bruce Wayne?" Clark nodded. "Sorry Smallville, you have to go. Maybe Pennyworth here is ready to finally tell the deep dark secrets of the Wayne family."
Clark winced looking around the busy newsroom. He was after all a reporter. Lois was right he'd have to go. She saw his acceptance on his face and smirked, grabbing his arm before saying the words men hate to hear, "You'll need clothes."
Six department stores and two malls later, Clark wondered where his super strength had gone while Lois was merely looking smug. Clark made a mental note to check the astrology column of the paper. Surely the stars and planets were against him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Clark looked at his watch again as it turned to eight on the dot. Taking a deep breath he knocked on the door and ran a hand self-consciously over his black shirt and pants, while juggling the gold wrapped present in another. To his surprise, Bruce answered the door.
He laughed at Clark's expression. "Don’t look so shocked. I do know how to answer the door. Besides it is Alfred's birthday, I've given him the day off."
Clark nodded, amused at Bruce's happy demeanor. He was such a closed off, tight ass at work; Clark assumed it was perpetual in nature. Bruce led him into a back room and Clark was surprised to see the Mylar balloons and that he had been led into a dining room. He suddenly felt very over dressed.
There was a knock at the door and Bruce went to answer it. Clark spotted Alfred and gave him his present, "Happy Birthday, Alfred."
Alfred smiled and raised his glass; a slight pink heightened his cheeks. Clark grinned and poured himself a drink too.
"Hello everyone, I hope I'm not too late."
Clark closed his eyes and cursed himself. Of course, Lex would be there. He and Bruce went back years. Bracing himself he turned around. "Hello, Lex."
"Clark."
A small amount of satisfaction filled Clark at the shock in Lex's face. Apparently, he'd been taken unaware too. Clark moved away from Alfred to sit down at the table and concentrate on his drink. Bruce put a bottle down next to him, whispering, "I laced this one with small traces of red meteor just in case you really wanted to feel it."
"Thanks," Clark quickly emptied his glass and filled it again.
Alfred sat down with a smile. "Master Bruce cooked the meal, so if you need emergency medical treatment I've already notified the hospital."
Lex and Clark laughed while Bruce scowled. Alfred sat at the head of the small table. Clark sat next to Bruce and Lex sat on Alfred's other side. Alfred shook his head. "No, Master Clark, if you look at your place cards you are to sit on Master Lex's other side. We are still waiting for Master Dick. I'm afraid he's running late once again."
At those words Dick breezed in looking flushed and excited. Obviously, he'd been racing his bike again to get here. Clark knew the signs. He took a drink as he listened to Dick make his apologies and sat down next to Lex pretending not to be bothered by it.
"Hey Bats, sorry I'm late," Dick smirked and grabbing Bruce by the chin lifted his face up for a rather passionate kiss. Clark began to choke on his wine and Lex patted him on the back.
"Oh, quite right, sorry Master Clark, I thought you knew about our dating duo," Alfred smiled, "And about time too."
Dick released Bruce's face and looked at Clark in amusement. "Sorry Supes, too much for your alien ticker?"
Bruce swatted at Dick and Clark's eyes went wide. Alfred cleared his throat. "I suppose that's surprise number two, Master Clark. Master Lex has known of your other identity for some time now."
Clark turned to look at Lex for the first time all evening. "Why didn't you use it against me?"
Lex turned to look at Clark. "I'd never willingly you hurt you Clark, ever. And I'm sorry that I ever did, more than you'll ever know."
Alfred cleared his throat again. "I do believe its time for my presents." He smiled and watched Bruce pour him another glass of wine, while Dick gathered the presents. The first one was from Bruce and turned out to be plane tickets to go see his niece. "Oh, this is wonderful. I shall make arrangements first thing in the morning."
Bruce smiled, raised his glass, emptied it and filled it again. The next present was from Lex. It was a copy of "Pennyworth through the Middle Ages." Alfred had recently become fixated on his genealogy and was delighted with the book. Lex too raised his glass in a salute, downed it and refilled it.
Clark had a feeling they were all about to get trashed. It was a good thing that the Wayne Manor had so many rooms. He sipped out of his own glass nervously as Alfred picked up his present next. "One is from me and the other is from my mother."
Alfred smiled as he nodded. "Lovely woman," then he laughed as he saw the present from Martha. It was a copy of her favorite recipes.
"I'll buy that from you, Alfred!" Lex quickly reached for his wallet.
"Actually, she's included a note that I keep them strictly to myself," Alfred's eyes twinkled merrily and Lex sagged back into his seat. Clark, Bruce and Dick all chuckled at Lex's reaction. Clark was sure he'd need to stay overnight at the rate the wine was hitting him. Alfred next lifted up a set of computer disks. "What's this?"
"A set of CD's that include passenger lists from ships, birth records, death records and the census lists of the United Kingdom up to the Middle ages."
"Funny how you and Luthor here have presents that fit together so well," Dick commented with a grin.
"Great minds think alike," Alfred commented. "Thank you, Master Clark."
Clark was surprised to see Lex smiling out of the corner of his eye. But he didn't have long to think on it, as Alfred opened up the last present from Dick. Alfred held up a small piece of paper, read it, blushed, put it back in the box and shut the lid. "Um, thank you, Master Dick. I'm sure I'll find that very enlightening indeed."
"Dick," Bruce glared at his younger lover and ward in a parental manner.
"What? I just got him a lifetime subscription to that adult channel -"
"Cake time!" Alfred jumped up hurriedly.
Lex snorted. Bruce got to his feet with a smile. "I'll get it." He grabbed Dick by the arm and hauled him out of the room.
Alfred collapsed back into his chair, wiping his suddenly damp brow with a handkerchief. "The danger of living with the Dark Detectives is that they truly know everything about your life."
"Well, I hope you got everything you wanted for your birthday, Alfred," Clark put in, to change the subject.
"Here, here," Lex said saluting Alfred with his glass, before downing it in one gulp only to refill it a moment later.
He looked at Clark and Lex seriously for a minute. "There was only one thing I had hoped to get for a present that I didn't get."
"What's that?" Lex asked curiously.
"To see the two of you put your differences aside and tell each other how you feel at long last. But I suppose even I cannot live so long. If you'll excuse me, I'll go see what's taking those two so long." Alfred got up and left them alone.
The awkward silence was overwhelming. Clark felt suddenly sick to his stomach, the happy mood was gone. "I think I better go."
He rose to his feet but Lex grabbed his shirt sleeve. "Don't." Clark slowly sat back down. "Clark, I was a fool to ever follow in my father's footsteps. I miss our friendship. I miss you."
"Don't do this, Lex. It's the wine talking. You'll regret this in the morning," Clark said quickly.
"Damn it, Clark, it's not the wine. I should have said these things years ago. I love you and always have. But Lionel wanted me to be his perfect heir and so I was. When I buried him, it hit home that I didn't want to die alone and miserable like he did, with only his son and a friend of his son's in attendance."
"I'm sorry that I wasn't there, Lex, but there was an earthquake in -"
"I don't care, Clark. Not about that. Just tell me it's not too late to have you in my life again." Lex put his hand around the back of Clark's neck and pulled him into a passionate, steamy kiss that took their breaths away.
Clark's inhibitions were already stripped away by the red kryptonite in his system. Feeling the lips he'd always wanted to touch on his broke him. He grabbed Lex and threw him down on the table continuing the kiss and grinding into Lex. Mumbling Lex's name over and over again like a mantra, just as Lex was mumbling Clark's, neither heard nor saw the three men return to the room.
Bruce gasped and grabbing Dick quickly covered his mouth from making any comments, dragging him back from whence they came. They both looked to Alfred, to see his reaction at having his party ruined but the old man was smiling brightly. He rocked back and forth on his heels, toasting them both with a wine glass, "Happy Birthday to me!"
Author: Keikokin
Beta: svmaria
Pairing: Clex, 2846 Word Count
Rating: PG-13/Mature Teen
Characters: Lex Luthor, Clark Kent, Bruce Wayne, Dick Grayson, Alfred Pennyworth
Summary: Bruce can see his friend Lex needs help, but the butler did it.
Disclaimer: Smallville and Batman are both owned by the WB. And the Superman & Batman universes are owned and created by DC comics. No maliciousness was intended and no profit is being made.
The smoke in the room only made it darker, more dangerous and mysterious, like the man before him. But Lex Luthor was used to the way his friend, Bruce Wayne, existed. Like his beloved bats, of the personae he carried on, Bruce was darkness personified. It suited Lex's mood perfectly.
Lex swirled the brandy in his glass, watching the ebb and flow of the amber fluid while thinking how appropriate it was to the moment. His life was much like that. It came and went in colorful waves, often to the irritation of his father. But that was no longer an issue.
"Are you okay?" Bruce asked quietly.
"It's been a long weekend," Lex replied.
The statements would seem simple to an outsider, but to the two men each carried a wealth of subtext. Lex had just spent the weekend overseeing the placing of his father's tombstone in an uber-elite cemetery. It had been some time since his father died, but this was the final closure. Even though Lex Luthor was a naturally quiet man, this was unusually quiet for him and his friend watched him warily. No matter what Lex needed, Bruce would be there for him.
They were beyond friends and somehow beyond brothers. It never had been sexual either, it was simply unifying. Whenever one needed the other, they were there… no questions asked. So when Bruce stood by the private gravesite, his long coat flapping in the breeze, Lex didn't ask any questions. Bruce was there.
He needed Bruce. They slipped into the Wayne Enterprises limousine and sped away.
The night was spent making sure Lex ate and was attended. Now that the after dinner cocktails had been served, the inescapable resurfaced. Neither could run from the looming shadow of Lionel Luthor.
Bruce walked over to the massive fireplace and leaned against the mantle. "You need to decide which way to go."
Once again the simplest statements had the deepest meanings. Would Lex follow his father's bitter ways? Had Luthor Corp's days dwindled into the sunset? The stockholders and board members had given Lex had one year before he was handed the complete controlling stock of Luthor Corp, once the senior Luthor had fallen ill or until his demise, whichever came first. Until that time, he'd been busy preparing his own company to run solo, should the need arise to completely take over the reins of his father's empire since his heart attack. Lex was ready. But did he want it? Did he want to become another Lionel Luthor?
"You know what he would have wanted." Bruce shook his head. The entire world knew Lionel Luthor wanted his son to rise to the presidency and take over the world. But one small election in Kansas had driven Lex to drink and despair. So the question remained; what did Lex want? Did he even know?
"You're not him," Bruce stated simply. This was a turning point in Lex's life. Everything up to this point was child's play against the stark reality of being CEO of two major Fortune 500 companies. Yet all of it had been Lionel's dream of the perfect heir. "What do you want?"
Lex laughed. It was high and cold and devoid of any true emotion, save bitterness. "You wouldn't believe it. Hell, I barely believe it. Dad would be scandalized."
Bruce turned to level his gaze upon his long time friend. "You mean him."
"Yes, is that so wrong?" Lex looked up and met his friend's gave before looking back into his eyes. "But let's face it. That ship sailed a long time ago."
"Hmm," Bruce thought to the bitter, cold and distant man that was his colleague in arms, Superman. The last son of Krypton had long ago made it clear his celibate nature was final. He would not risk being involved with an earthling. It was too difficult to hide his secrets and lie to his friends.
Bruce had known for more years than he cared to think about that Lex Luthor was in love with Clark Kent, a.k.a. Superman. But Lex had turned his back on everything in Smallville and that included wide eyed farm boys. Lionel would not have approved. It was that simple.
"So, how's that R & D project going?" Lex asked turning the subject to business. Bruce saw it for what it was… a dismissal. The door on the subject was closed. But Bruce make a mental note to do some research and see if he couldn't repair what ten years of rejection had caused.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Superman stood on top of the Daily Planet's globe, his red cape flapping majestically in the wind behind him. Bruce crouched on the rings and waited to be noticed. It didn't take long.
"I heard you coming. What are you doing in Metropolis, Bruce? I thought we agreed to stay out of each other's paths."
Bruce winced. But Superman was correct. He had agreed, after the first disastrous attempt to form a Justice group had fallen apart. Superman had decided he was a vigilante, no better than the criminals he sought to capture. Meanwhile, Bruce thought that as an alien, Superman had no business interfering in Earth's affairs. He looked over the city of Metropolis, noticing for the first time how bright it seemed compared to Gotham, much like their heroes.
Shaking his head, Bruce got to the point. "I'm here on behalf of a friend."
Superman snorted. "I didn't know you had any, except your precious bats. Oh, and Alfred, how is he, by the way?"
Bruce cocked his head wondering if this was his way in. Superman a.k.a. Clark Kent had always had a deep seated respect for his man servant, one that was heartily returned. "Alfred is fine. He sends his greetings."
"So, if you aren't here for Alfred; why are you here?" Superman asked sharply, clearly irritated by his continued presence.
"He misses you," Bruce replied flatly. He knew he didn't even have to say whom he was referring too. It wasn't exactly a secret why Superman only dated Lois Lane from time to time. His heart simply wasn't in it.
"It's a shame it's not reciprocated." Superman snapped, starting to rise up in the air to make his escape.
Bruce chuckled. "You never could lie worth a shit."
Superman turned mid-air, crossed his arms over his chest and glared at the caped crusader. "That was a life time ago."
"He needs you now, more than ever." Bruce called out into the nighttime air as Superman flew away, wondering if he'd even been heard. He watched him go and spoke quietly. "This won't be easy."
The small voice of Alfred Pennyworth answered in the hidden two way microphone in his ear, "I never thought otherwise, Master Bruce."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Clark turned the invitation over in his hands eying the delicate embossed gold script, ignoring the sounds of chaos around him.
Alfred Pennyworth requests the pleasure of your company during the celebration of his birth.
Clark thought he'd never received a birthday party invitation so elegant and high-brow in his life.
Lois looked over his shoulder. "What's that, Smallville?"
"A party?" She snatched it from his grasp, read it and frowned. "It doesn't say anything about bringing a guest."
"It doesn't matter. I'm not going," Clark took the invitation back and threw it into the mound on his desk.
"Isn't this for that old geezer who plays butler to Bruce Wayne?" Clark nodded. "Sorry Smallville, you have to go. Maybe Pennyworth here is ready to finally tell the deep dark secrets of the Wayne family."
Clark winced looking around the busy newsroom. He was after all a reporter. Lois was right he'd have to go. She saw his acceptance on his face and smirked, grabbing his arm before saying the words men hate to hear, "You'll need clothes."
Six department stores and two malls later, Clark wondered where his super strength had gone while Lois was merely looking smug. Clark made a mental note to check the astrology column of the paper. Surely the stars and planets were against him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Clark looked at his watch again as it turned to eight on the dot. Taking a deep breath he knocked on the door and ran a hand self-consciously over his black shirt and pants, while juggling the gold wrapped present in another. To his surprise, Bruce answered the door.
He laughed at Clark's expression. "Don’t look so shocked. I do know how to answer the door. Besides it is Alfred's birthday, I've given him the day off."
Clark nodded, amused at Bruce's happy demeanor. He was such a closed off, tight ass at work; Clark assumed it was perpetual in nature. Bruce led him into a back room and Clark was surprised to see the Mylar balloons and that he had been led into a dining room. He suddenly felt very over dressed.
There was a knock at the door and Bruce went to answer it. Clark spotted Alfred and gave him his present, "Happy Birthday, Alfred."
Alfred smiled and raised his glass; a slight pink heightened his cheeks. Clark grinned and poured himself a drink too.
"Hello everyone, I hope I'm not too late."
Clark closed his eyes and cursed himself. Of course, Lex would be there. He and Bruce went back years. Bracing himself he turned around. "Hello, Lex."
"Clark."
A small amount of satisfaction filled Clark at the shock in Lex's face. Apparently, he'd been taken unaware too. Clark moved away from Alfred to sit down at the table and concentrate on his drink. Bruce put a bottle down next to him, whispering, "I laced this one with small traces of red meteor just in case you really wanted to feel it."
"Thanks," Clark quickly emptied his glass and filled it again.
Alfred sat down with a smile. "Master Bruce cooked the meal, so if you need emergency medical treatment I've already notified the hospital."
Lex and Clark laughed while Bruce scowled. Alfred sat at the head of the small table. Clark sat next to Bruce and Lex sat on Alfred's other side. Alfred shook his head. "No, Master Clark, if you look at your place cards you are to sit on Master Lex's other side. We are still waiting for Master Dick. I'm afraid he's running late once again."
At those words Dick breezed in looking flushed and excited. Obviously, he'd been racing his bike again to get here. Clark knew the signs. He took a drink as he listened to Dick make his apologies and sat down next to Lex pretending not to be bothered by it.
"Hey Bats, sorry I'm late," Dick smirked and grabbing Bruce by the chin lifted his face up for a rather passionate kiss. Clark began to choke on his wine and Lex patted him on the back.
"Oh, quite right, sorry Master Clark, I thought you knew about our dating duo," Alfred smiled, "And about time too."
Dick released Bruce's face and looked at Clark in amusement. "Sorry Supes, too much for your alien ticker?"
Bruce swatted at Dick and Clark's eyes went wide. Alfred cleared his throat. "I suppose that's surprise number two, Master Clark. Master Lex has known of your other identity for some time now."
Clark turned to look at Lex for the first time all evening. "Why didn't you use it against me?"
Lex turned to look at Clark. "I'd never willingly you hurt you Clark, ever. And I'm sorry that I ever did, more than you'll ever know."
Alfred cleared his throat again. "I do believe its time for my presents." He smiled and watched Bruce pour him another glass of wine, while Dick gathered the presents. The first one was from Bruce and turned out to be plane tickets to go see his niece. "Oh, this is wonderful. I shall make arrangements first thing in the morning."
Bruce smiled, raised his glass, emptied it and filled it again. The next present was from Lex. It was a copy of "Pennyworth through the Middle Ages." Alfred had recently become fixated on his genealogy and was delighted with the book. Lex too raised his glass in a salute, downed it and refilled it.
Clark had a feeling they were all about to get trashed. It was a good thing that the Wayne Manor had so many rooms. He sipped out of his own glass nervously as Alfred picked up his present next. "One is from me and the other is from my mother."
Alfred smiled as he nodded. "Lovely woman," then he laughed as he saw the present from Martha. It was a copy of her favorite recipes.
"I'll buy that from you, Alfred!" Lex quickly reached for his wallet.
"Actually, she's included a note that I keep them strictly to myself," Alfred's eyes twinkled merrily and Lex sagged back into his seat. Clark, Bruce and Dick all chuckled at Lex's reaction. Clark was sure he'd need to stay overnight at the rate the wine was hitting him. Alfred next lifted up a set of computer disks. "What's this?"
"A set of CD's that include passenger lists from ships, birth records, death records and the census lists of the United Kingdom up to the Middle ages."
"Funny how you and Luthor here have presents that fit together so well," Dick commented with a grin.
"Great minds think alike," Alfred commented. "Thank you, Master Clark."
Clark was surprised to see Lex smiling out of the corner of his eye. But he didn't have long to think on it, as Alfred opened up the last present from Dick. Alfred held up a small piece of paper, read it, blushed, put it back in the box and shut the lid. "Um, thank you, Master Dick. I'm sure I'll find that very enlightening indeed."
"Dick," Bruce glared at his younger lover and ward in a parental manner.
"What? I just got him a lifetime subscription to that adult channel -"
"Cake time!" Alfred jumped up hurriedly.
Lex snorted. Bruce got to his feet with a smile. "I'll get it." He grabbed Dick by the arm and hauled him out of the room.
Alfred collapsed back into his chair, wiping his suddenly damp brow with a handkerchief. "The danger of living with the Dark Detectives is that they truly know everything about your life."
"Well, I hope you got everything you wanted for your birthday, Alfred," Clark put in, to change the subject.
"Here, here," Lex said saluting Alfred with his glass, before downing it in one gulp only to refill it a moment later.
He looked at Clark and Lex seriously for a minute. "There was only one thing I had hoped to get for a present that I didn't get."
"What's that?" Lex asked curiously.
"To see the two of you put your differences aside and tell each other how you feel at long last. But I suppose even I cannot live so long. If you'll excuse me, I'll go see what's taking those two so long." Alfred got up and left them alone.
The awkward silence was overwhelming. Clark felt suddenly sick to his stomach, the happy mood was gone. "I think I better go."
He rose to his feet but Lex grabbed his shirt sleeve. "Don't." Clark slowly sat back down. "Clark, I was a fool to ever follow in my father's footsteps. I miss our friendship. I miss you."
"Don't do this, Lex. It's the wine talking. You'll regret this in the morning," Clark said quickly.
"Damn it, Clark, it's not the wine. I should have said these things years ago. I love you and always have. But Lionel wanted me to be his perfect heir and so I was. When I buried him, it hit home that I didn't want to die alone and miserable like he did, with only his son and a friend of his son's in attendance."
"I'm sorry that I wasn't there, Lex, but there was an earthquake in -"
"I don't care, Clark. Not about that. Just tell me it's not too late to have you in my life again." Lex put his hand around the back of Clark's neck and pulled him into a passionate, steamy kiss that took their breaths away.
Clark's inhibitions were already stripped away by the red kryptonite in his system. Feeling the lips he'd always wanted to touch on his broke him. He grabbed Lex and threw him down on the table continuing the kiss and grinding into Lex. Mumbling Lex's name over and over again like a mantra, just as Lex was mumbling Clark's, neither heard nor saw the three men return to the room.
Bruce gasped and grabbing Dick quickly covered his mouth from making any comments, dragging him back from whence they came. They both looked to Alfred, to see his reaction at having his party ruined but the old man was smiling brightly. He rocked back and forth on his heels, toasting them both with a wine glass, "Happy Birthday to me!"