FIC: Something New (6/?)
Name: Something New
Rating: R
Fandom: Smallville
Summary: Clark/Lex sort of rewrite of the series with much less Clark/Lana. Much.
Disclaimer: All I want for Christmas is the rights to Smallville ... but I won’t get it.
Chapter Summary: Clark can't stop thinking about touching Lex...
Author’s Note: I recently started watching Torchwood, which made me an avid Jack/Ianto slash writer. Now, though, when I rewatch Smallville, all I can see is potential slash storylines! What has Torchwood done to me? Haha. Anyway, I’ve had Clex bunnies in my head for so long that I have writer’s block so, to alleviate that problem, I decided to write a Clark/Lex story. I’m not rewriting every episode, instead I’ll be writing chapters that encompass three or four episodes (as I don’t want to write the fights etc.). Hope you’ll stay with me through it!
Beta: skullgirl013 .
Chapter Note: This chapter is for episode 2.02: Heat.
Previous Chapter(s): Ch.1 Ch.2 Ch.3 Ch.4 Ch.5
Author’s Note: This episode ended up in two chapters ... if only because of the amount of fantasising going on. Fun fun! ^^
Chapter Six
Never - Part 1
Clark was getting more and more frustrated as the days went by.
He’d stopped spending his evenings curled up on the sofa next to Lex watching lame movies. Now they were dedicated to homework. Alone. In his room. And he hardly actually saw Lex. When he did see him things were strained and slightly awkward. But they were settling, slowly, back into the niche of their old friendship.
But it was taking time.
It didn’t, however, stop Clark from fantasising about Lex as he wandered around.
Lex showering.
Lex lying in bed naked and sprawled reading a book.
Lex naked and swimming.
He’d realised long ago that most of his fantasies revolved around naked Lex. Naked sprawled Lex. Naked wet Lex...
He sighed, contentedly, as he wandered into class.
“Oh great,” Pete complained, forcibly dragging Clark from his fantasy of naked, sprawled, slightly damp Lex.
“What?” Clark asked, lamely.
“Every year the incredibly aged Mrs. Kowalski kicks off biology class with an ancient sex ed film,” Pete said, sitting down heavily and sighing.
Clark sighed too; merely because he wondered why this piece of information was important enough to interrupt his fantasy. “Who told you that, your brother?”
“My dad,” Pete told him.
“Well, I'm sure it can't be that bad,” Clark offered, sitting down next to him.
“Good Morning. I'm Miss Atkins,” a voice said. Pete nudged Clark and nodded at the doorway. Clark blinked. A woman was there. And she did not look ‘incredibly aged’. “I'll be your new biology teacher on health and human development. I'm really sorry about the air conditioning in here, but it looks like we're going to have to suffer through this together.”
Clark shrugged.
“Bring on the pain,” Pete said, quietly, from beside him, staring at her like she was a piece of meat. Hot, sweating meat in a very, very tiny dress.
“Let's get ready for a movie,” the teacher said. “All right. Everybody try to stay awake!”
Clark didn’t close his eyes, but he wasn't paying attention to class anymore.
The heat was making the classroom feel like a sauna and all Clark wanted to do was be elsewhere. Maybe the North Pole. Where it was cool.
The droning voice of the narrator in the sex education tape worked its way into his fantasies as he zoned out.
“All members of the animal kingdom, from the simplest one-celled organism to the most complex of mammals, engage in reproduction.”
Sex. Clark pushing Lex up against the wall, attacking his mouth with his own, wrapping his arms around Lex’s middle, sliding his hands up beneath Lex’s shirt...
“Animals rely on a variety of courtship methods.”
Clark kissing Lex slowly, both of them sat on the sofa. Die Hard Two playing in the background...
“This remarkable reproductive process is set into motion by the act of copulation; also known as intercourse or coitus.”
Clark making noises. Lex moving above him. Inside him. Gripping Lex’s shoulders...
“...secreted by glands, or incorporated into other fluids such as perspiration.”
Lex lying naked on his bed, sweating. Clark walking over to him, eyes scanning his body. Every last inch of his body. Every mole, every pore, every flexing muscle...
Clark’s eyes burned. He blinked, but that only made his eyelids burn. He looked round at the teacher, who pointed at the video and he looked back at it.
As fire broke out across the video - something no one would really complain about - everyone jumped to their feet and started screaming. Clark slammed his palms over his eyes, rubbing them hard and stumbling from his seat.
When he opened them again half the wall was on fire.
Is this my fault?
*
He’d put the fire out - in the end - and was waiting, outside, near the fire engines with Pete. When Lex’s silver Porsche pulled up his heart skipped a beat ... or ten.
“Lex!” Clark said, surprised.
“I came as soon as I heard!” Lex exclaimed, climbing out and running across.
Clark smiled at him, but he ran right past.
His fantasy bubble popped.
“Hi!” he heard the teacher exclaim as Lex ran across and embraced and ... kissed her.
“Hi,” Lex said. “Are you alright?”
Clark stared at the two of them in horror as the teacher talked.
“... he actually put the fire out,” she concluded.
Lex turned, beaming at Clark. “Why am I not surprised? Clark, once again, I'm grateful.”
Clark thought several sentences through in his head then settled on, “And I'm confused...”
“You're right, and I'm sorry,” Lex told him. For a moment Clark had hope but then ... “I'd like you to meet Desiree Atkins. My fiancé.”
Clark stared at her as she walked away then turned to Lex. “Fiancé, huh?” he stammered. “I didn't even know you were seeing anyone.” He swallowed. “Are you sure about this?”
“I don't tell you everyone I’m seeing, Clark.” Lex chuckled. “And I've never been more sure of anything in my life.”
For a moment Clark had a fantasy of winning Lex back before the wedding. Telling him he was madly in love - and lust - with him and wanted him and only him for all eternity.
Lex pulled something from his pocket. “Oh, I was going to have this messenger’d, but since you’re here...” he said, holding something out for Clark to take.
Clark looked down at it and almost choked. “It's a wedding invitation,” he said. “...for tonight.”
“I know it's short notice,” Lex said, hope shining out of his eyes, “but I was hoping you'd be my best man.”
Clark stared at him, stunned. “Lex... I... I don't know what to say to this. You know how I ...”
“I hope you'll say yes,” Lex cut across him. “Because you want me to be happy.”
“Okay,” Clark said, wanting to die inside. “I’ll do it.” He looked down at the card. “Maybe I’ll even wear the tux I wore to my prom.”
Lex hesitated. “Good,” he said, after a moment. “Better get back to class, Clark. You never know when the next fire may erupt!” He smiled fondly at him as he walked away towards his Porsche.
“Lex!” Clark called.
Lex looked around. “Yes, Clark?”
“Are you positive? How long have you even known her? A month? And you’re getting married? And yet me... you...” Clark trailed off, helplessly.
“There was never anything, Clark,” Lex told him. “Never. So get over it and be happy for me finding happiness. Okay?” He got into his Porsche and Clark turned away.
Something was wrong and he was going to find out what it was.
He turned around to see Chloe standing behind him. “I see nothing’s changed since I went away.”
Clark sighed. “Not since I last told you of the drama that is my life.” He put an arm around Chloe as they walked, slowly, back towards the school. “Lex is almost freezing me out - but in his own friendly ‘be my best man’ kind of way.”
“Best man? He’s getting married?” Chloe asked, stunned. “But I thought you and he...”
“One-sided,” Clark said, in way of explanation.
“Ouch. Harsh.” Chloe sighed. “Maybe you should look elsewhere? I know this boy who does photography for the Torch sometimes and...”
“I don't want to go out with some random boy, Chloe, I’m confused enough as it is,” Clark said, sighing. “Confused doesn’t even begin to explain how I am.” I’m a gay alien boy who’s allergic to random rocks and in love with one of his best friends. That’s confusion.
“Maybe you should, at least, tell your parents?” Chloe suggested, slowly.
“That I’m in lust with Lex Luthor? I can just see my dad’s face ...”
Chloe wrinkled her nose. “You’re right. Telling parents is not good... Maybe Pete?”
“I don't know how Pete would feel,” Clark said.
“I think he’d still see you as the same best friend you’ve always been, Clark,” Chloe said, comfortingly. “I don't think anything would ever change that. You could be a teenage mutant ninja turtle or a Smurf and nothing would change.”
“A Smurf? Tiny and blue?” Clark asked, blankly.
“I was just trying to... Clark, you know what I meant. And I’m sure you’re not really tiny and blue.” She stuck her tongue out at him. He smirked.
*
“Hi Clark, how was school?” Martha asked as he stepped into his house. He sometimes wondered if she deliberately chose what to ask as a loaded question.
“It was different ...” Clark said, slowly.
“Do we like different?” Jonathan asked, carefully. Clark almost said Well, you like me.
“There was a fire during biology class,” he said. His parents’ eyes widened. “It's OK,” he said, quickly, “nobody was hurt... I stopped it before it spread.”
“Well, it sounds like we should be proud of you!” Martha exclaimed.
“Except I think I started it,” Clark blurted.
His parents stared. “Wait, you wanna explain that? Jonathan said. “Please?”
“I started to feel hot,” Clark started, “and my eyes started to burn. All of a sudden, the spot I was staring at burst into flames...”
“Just by looking at it?” Martha asked, quietly.
“Hello?” Clark exclaimed, helplessly. “Hi, I'm Clark, I'm the kid who can lift up tractors and see through walls.” And is madly in gay love with one of his best friends. He looked around the room to make sure there was no one listening in.
“Son... hang on just a second,” Jonathan said. “What exactly was going on when this happened?”
Clark hesitated. I was fantasising about Lex Luthor naked... “We had just met our new biology teacher, and we were watching a film,” he said, carefully.
“An educational film?” Martha asked.
“A sex educational film,” Clark replied without thinking. He walked around his parents, who were looking stunned.
“This could get very complicated,” Jonathan said, quietly, to Martha.
“Uhh... Clark... it's ... it’s possible that whatever's happened has some sort of... hormonal... connection...” Martha said, helplessly as Clark downed a cold glass of lemonade in a bid to distract himself from utter embarrassment.
“Yes,” Jonathan said.
He turned around. “Great!” he exclaimed. “So I'm maturing into a firestarter?”
“No, son... look... ummm...” Jonathan trailed off for a moment. “We've... just gotta get a handle on this thing, like we've gotten a handle on all your other abilities.”
“Except all my other abilities didn't involve things bursting into flames!” Clark half-shouted. When I’m thinking about naked Lex. Naked sweaty Lex. Naked ... Stop!!!
“All the more reason for you to give it some time. Just... uh... you'll...” Martha stopped talking, helplessly.
“Great,” Clark said.
“Just... you'll, uh... have to stay close to home, and, uh... and then we'll figure it out,” she offered.
“I can't,” Clark said. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the invitation, offering it to his mother.
“Why? What's this?” she asked.
“You're not gonna believe it...” I know I don't. Denial, thy name is Clark Kent...
*
The wedding looked stupid and felt like a sham.
Clark realised that if he wasn't insanely jealous it’d probably be a wonderful wedding that he’d enjoy immensely and talk to Lex through.
But watching Lex cut the cake with Desiree Luthor was making him feel sick to his stomach, even though he was stood next to Chloe who was there for moral support.
“I still don't know how I feel about taking sex-ed from Mrs. Luthor,” Chloe said. “I can't believe Lex is married.”
“He says he really loves her,” Clark offered, staring at Lex across the room.
“Yeah, well love is rarely if ever logical.” Chloe looked up at Clark. “We both know that.”Clark offered a sad nod of agreement. “Maybe they just have the right pheromones.”
“Hmm?” Clark still hadn't dragged his eyes away from Lex, who was watching photographers take pictures of his new wife. Wife. Wife sounded wrong. New significant other. No. New person-who-is-wrong-for-Lex. That fit.
“It's chemistry, Clark. Some people have it... others don't.” Chloe put her hand on his arm as she walked past. “Sometimes we just have to move on.”
His eyes trailed Lex until he walked over and stood next to him. “Quit staring, Clark, you'll burn your eyes out.”
Clark coloured and lowered his eyes to the ground. “I was just...”
“It's alright. I understand,” Lex offered, gently. “Oh, and thanks again Clark.”
“Lex, I gotta tell ya...” Clark said, “I was a bit shell-shocked. I mean, first you kiss me. Twice. Then you go away on a two-week business trip, and the next thing I know my mom's putting finishing touches on your wedding cake?”
“Believe me, when I left I had no intention of falling in love,” Lex said. “I was struggling through another endless business function when suddenly... Desiree was there.”
“What was a- I mean; she must have made quite a first impression,” Clark said. What was a teacher doing at a business function anyway?
“Actually,” Lex said, “she said she'd come to save me. I thought it was a joke too... that she was only interested in my name or fortune, but... as the night wore on, I realized, she was different.”
I’m different, too, Lex, don't you see? I don't give a damn about your money. “It just happened that fast?”
“You can waste your time playing it safe, or you can go for it,” Lex said. Clark’s heart felt like Lex had crushed it in his fist. Why couldn’t he have gone for it with Clark? “But at some point, Clark... you just know when something's right.”
“But ... two weeks?” Clark asked, blankly.
“Sometimes you don't need a lifetime to know, Clark,” Lex said. “Sometimes you just do.”
I know.
*
If there was one thing Clark Kent really, really hated it was having a camera in his face. “ And, uh, well... Pete's taping all the Sharks games for you, so you won't miss a thing,” he babbled into the camera, aimed at Whitney. “Although the way they're playing, you might want to...” He stopped and babbled more, “Uh... Anyway, I haven't forgotten what we talked about, so don't worry. Just, uh, come home soon and be safe.”
Lana shut off the camera. “That was great! Thanks so much for doing this, Clark.” She walked away, putting the tape down. “So, what did you and Whitney talk about?”
Clark hesitated. “Uh, just that he wanted me to keep an eye on you...” Lana turned, looking shocked and slightly angry. “Uh, not that he doesn't trust you... uhhh...”
“It's hot,” Lana said. “Do you want an iced coffee? I... I'm gonna go make an iced coffee. One of the perks of management... twenty-four-hour access to the cappuccino machine...” She wandered off across to the cappuccino machine.
Clark couldn’t help thinking he’d give anything to be able to pour iced coffee over Lex and lick it from his wet skin.
Bad thoughts, Clark. Bad. Bad.
“So... Uh, what did you say to Whitney?” Clark asked, trying to distract himself.
Lana started to talk, but Clark’s mind wandered again. He wondered what Lex was doing right now. Showering? Sleeping naked in the heat? Stop it...
“It's not easy, being in a long distance relationship,” Clark babbled.
“I miss him,” she said. “And...”
She continued talking but the taste of iced coffee made Clark wonder what it would taste like on Lex. Cool coffee on a warm, toned body...
“Besides, I do have you to look out for me, don't I?” Lana finished.
“Well, I know I haven't been around much this summer... ever since the storm, the farm has just been a disaster,” Clark said, helplessly.
“Seems like we're all trying to find our way back from that day,” Lana said.
“Except for Lex. I've never seen him so happy before.” Clark sighed, realising he’d brought up the L word when he didn’t want to.
“It's kinda weird...” Lana said.
Clark looked up hopefully. “You know, I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks that.”
“Still, you have to admit it's romantic,” Lana said.
Clark adjusted himself to sit in front of the fan. “Well, Lex makes it seem easy.”
“Maybe it is,” Lana offered. “Lex learned to act on his passion... never hold anything back. I wonder if we'll ever be able to do the same?”
Naked bodies on silken sheets, writhing together, noises, passion... passion... love... Lex moving around Clark.
Clark’s eyes burned. “Uh...” He squeezed them shut, desperate to not set fire to the Talon.
“Clark, what's wrong?” Lana asked.
“Uh... I'm just not feeling so well...” Clark said. Lana ran over to him, putting her hand on his forehead.
“Oh my god... you're burning up,” she said. “Let me drive you home.” She ran off to get her keys and Clark looked round at the cappuccino machine which, at that moment, set itself on fire. Lana screamed and ran over to him.
“Are you okay?” he asked her.
“Yeah, I'm fine. What happened?” Lana asked, desperately.
“I’m not sure...” Clark told her, honestly.
“I'm gonna call nine-one-one,” Lana said.
Clark watched the flames lick up the walls and shuddered.
If he caused this with thoughts of Lex....
Next: Chapter 7
Rating: R
Fandom: Smallville
Summary: Clark/Lex sort of rewrite of the series with much less Clark/Lana. Much.
Disclaimer: All I want for Christmas is the rights to Smallville ... but I won’t get it.
Chapter Summary: Clark can't stop thinking about touching Lex...
Author’s Note: I recently started watching Torchwood, which made me an avid Jack/Ianto slash writer. Now, though, when I rewatch Smallville, all I can see is potential slash storylines! What has Torchwood done to me? Haha. Anyway, I’ve had Clex bunnies in my head for so long that I have writer’s block so, to alleviate that problem, I decided to write a Clark/Lex story. I’m not rewriting every episode, instead I’ll be writing chapters that encompass three or four episodes (as I don’t want to write the fights etc.). Hope you’ll stay with me through it!
Beta: skullgirl013 .
Chapter Note: This chapter is for episode 2.02: Heat.
Previous Chapter(s): Ch.1 Ch.2 Ch.3 Ch.4 Ch.5
Author’s Note: This episode ended up in two chapters ... if only because of the amount of fantasising going on. Fun fun! ^^
Chapter Six
Never - Part 1
Clark was getting more and more frustrated as the days went by.
He’d stopped spending his evenings curled up on the sofa next to Lex watching lame movies. Now they were dedicated to homework. Alone. In his room. And he hardly actually saw Lex. When he did see him things were strained and slightly awkward. But they were settling, slowly, back into the niche of their old friendship.
But it was taking time.
It didn’t, however, stop Clark from fantasising about Lex as he wandered around.
Lex showering.
Lex lying in bed naked and sprawled reading a book.
Lex naked and swimming.
He’d realised long ago that most of his fantasies revolved around naked Lex. Naked sprawled Lex. Naked wet Lex...
He sighed, contentedly, as he wandered into class.
“Oh great,” Pete complained, forcibly dragging Clark from his fantasy of naked, sprawled, slightly damp Lex.
“What?” Clark asked, lamely.
“Every year the incredibly aged Mrs. Kowalski kicks off biology class with an ancient sex ed film,” Pete said, sitting down heavily and sighing.
Clark sighed too; merely because he wondered why this piece of information was important enough to interrupt his fantasy. “Who told you that, your brother?”
“My dad,” Pete told him.
“Well, I'm sure it can't be that bad,” Clark offered, sitting down next to him.
“Good Morning. I'm Miss Atkins,” a voice said. Pete nudged Clark and nodded at the doorway. Clark blinked. A woman was there. And she did not look ‘incredibly aged’. “I'll be your new biology teacher on health and human development. I'm really sorry about the air conditioning in here, but it looks like we're going to have to suffer through this together.”
Clark shrugged.
“Bring on the pain,” Pete said, quietly, from beside him, staring at her like she was a piece of meat. Hot, sweating meat in a very, very tiny dress.
“Let's get ready for a movie,” the teacher said. “All right. Everybody try to stay awake!”
Clark didn’t close his eyes, but he wasn't paying attention to class anymore.
The heat was making the classroom feel like a sauna and all Clark wanted to do was be elsewhere. Maybe the North Pole. Where it was cool.
The droning voice of the narrator in the sex education tape worked its way into his fantasies as he zoned out.
“All members of the animal kingdom, from the simplest one-celled organism to the most complex of mammals, engage in reproduction.”
Sex. Clark pushing Lex up against the wall, attacking his mouth with his own, wrapping his arms around Lex’s middle, sliding his hands up beneath Lex’s shirt...
“Animals rely on a variety of courtship methods.”
Clark kissing Lex slowly, both of them sat on the sofa. Die Hard Two playing in the background...
“This remarkable reproductive process is set into motion by the act of copulation; also known as intercourse or coitus.”
Clark making noises. Lex moving above him. Inside him. Gripping Lex’s shoulders...
“...secreted by glands, or incorporated into other fluids such as perspiration.”
Lex lying naked on his bed, sweating. Clark walking over to him, eyes scanning his body. Every last inch of his body. Every mole, every pore, every flexing muscle...
Clark’s eyes burned. He blinked, but that only made his eyelids burn. He looked round at the teacher, who pointed at the video and he looked back at it.
As fire broke out across the video - something no one would really complain about - everyone jumped to their feet and started screaming. Clark slammed his palms over his eyes, rubbing them hard and stumbling from his seat.
When he opened them again half the wall was on fire.
Is this my fault?
*
He’d put the fire out - in the end - and was waiting, outside, near the fire engines with Pete. When Lex’s silver Porsche pulled up his heart skipped a beat ... or ten.
“Lex!” Clark said, surprised.
“I came as soon as I heard!” Lex exclaimed, climbing out and running across.
Clark smiled at him, but he ran right past.
His fantasy bubble popped.
“Hi!” he heard the teacher exclaim as Lex ran across and embraced and ... kissed her.
“Hi,” Lex said. “Are you alright?”
Clark stared at the two of them in horror as the teacher talked.
“... he actually put the fire out,” she concluded.
Lex turned, beaming at Clark. “Why am I not surprised? Clark, once again, I'm grateful.”
Clark thought several sentences through in his head then settled on, “And I'm confused...”
“You're right, and I'm sorry,” Lex told him. For a moment Clark had hope but then ... “I'd like you to meet Desiree Atkins. My fiancé.”
Clark stared at her as she walked away then turned to Lex. “Fiancé, huh?” he stammered. “I didn't even know you were seeing anyone.” He swallowed. “Are you sure about this?”
“I don't tell you everyone I’m seeing, Clark.” Lex chuckled. “And I've never been more sure of anything in my life.”
For a moment Clark had a fantasy of winning Lex back before the wedding. Telling him he was madly in love - and lust - with him and wanted him and only him for all eternity.
Lex pulled something from his pocket. “Oh, I was going to have this messenger’d, but since you’re here...” he said, holding something out for Clark to take.
Clark looked down at it and almost choked. “It's a wedding invitation,” he said. “...for tonight.”
“I know it's short notice,” Lex said, hope shining out of his eyes, “but I was hoping you'd be my best man.”
Clark stared at him, stunned. “Lex... I... I don't know what to say to this. You know how I ...”
“I hope you'll say yes,” Lex cut across him. “Because you want me to be happy.”
“Okay,” Clark said, wanting to die inside. “I’ll do it.” He looked down at the card. “Maybe I’ll even wear the tux I wore to my prom.”
Lex hesitated. “Good,” he said, after a moment. “Better get back to class, Clark. You never know when the next fire may erupt!” He smiled fondly at him as he walked away towards his Porsche.
“Lex!” Clark called.
Lex looked around. “Yes, Clark?”
“Are you positive? How long have you even known her? A month? And you’re getting married? And yet me... you...” Clark trailed off, helplessly.
“There was never anything, Clark,” Lex told him. “Never. So get over it and be happy for me finding happiness. Okay?” He got into his Porsche and Clark turned away.
Something was wrong and he was going to find out what it was.
He turned around to see Chloe standing behind him. “I see nothing’s changed since I went away.”
Clark sighed. “Not since I last told you of the drama that is my life.” He put an arm around Chloe as they walked, slowly, back towards the school. “Lex is almost freezing me out - but in his own friendly ‘be my best man’ kind of way.”
“Best man? He’s getting married?” Chloe asked, stunned. “But I thought you and he...”
“One-sided,” Clark said, in way of explanation.
“Ouch. Harsh.” Chloe sighed. “Maybe you should look elsewhere? I know this boy who does photography for the Torch sometimes and...”
“I don't want to go out with some random boy, Chloe, I’m confused enough as it is,” Clark said, sighing. “Confused doesn’t even begin to explain how I am.” I’m a gay alien boy who’s allergic to random rocks and in love with one of his best friends. That’s confusion.
“Maybe you should, at least, tell your parents?” Chloe suggested, slowly.
“That I’m in lust with Lex Luthor? I can just see my dad’s face ...”
Chloe wrinkled her nose. “You’re right. Telling parents is not good... Maybe Pete?”
“I don't know how Pete would feel,” Clark said.
“I think he’d still see you as the same best friend you’ve always been, Clark,” Chloe said, comfortingly. “I don't think anything would ever change that. You could be a teenage mutant ninja turtle or a Smurf and nothing would change.”
“A Smurf? Tiny and blue?” Clark asked, blankly.
“I was just trying to... Clark, you know what I meant. And I’m sure you’re not really tiny and blue.” She stuck her tongue out at him. He smirked.
*
“Hi Clark, how was school?” Martha asked as he stepped into his house. He sometimes wondered if she deliberately chose what to ask as a loaded question.
“It was different ...” Clark said, slowly.
“Do we like different?” Jonathan asked, carefully. Clark almost said Well, you like me.
“There was a fire during biology class,” he said. His parents’ eyes widened. “It's OK,” he said, quickly, “nobody was hurt... I stopped it before it spread.”
“Well, it sounds like we should be proud of you!” Martha exclaimed.
“Except I think I started it,” Clark blurted.
His parents stared. “Wait, you wanna explain that? Jonathan said. “Please?”
“I started to feel hot,” Clark started, “and my eyes started to burn. All of a sudden, the spot I was staring at burst into flames...”
“Just by looking at it?” Martha asked, quietly.
“Hello?” Clark exclaimed, helplessly. “Hi, I'm Clark, I'm the kid who can lift up tractors and see through walls.” And is madly in gay love with one of his best friends. He looked around the room to make sure there was no one listening in.
“Son... hang on just a second,” Jonathan said. “What exactly was going on when this happened?”
Clark hesitated. I was fantasising about Lex Luthor naked... “We had just met our new biology teacher, and we were watching a film,” he said, carefully.
“An educational film?” Martha asked.
“A sex educational film,” Clark replied without thinking. He walked around his parents, who were looking stunned.
“This could get very complicated,” Jonathan said, quietly, to Martha.
“Uhh... Clark... it's ... it’s possible that whatever's happened has some sort of... hormonal... connection...” Martha said, helplessly as Clark downed a cold glass of lemonade in a bid to distract himself from utter embarrassment.
“Yes,” Jonathan said.
He turned around. “Great!” he exclaimed. “So I'm maturing into a firestarter?”
“No, son... look... ummm...” Jonathan trailed off for a moment. “We've... just gotta get a handle on this thing, like we've gotten a handle on all your other abilities.”
“Except all my other abilities didn't involve things bursting into flames!” Clark half-shouted. When I’m thinking about naked Lex. Naked sweaty Lex. Naked ... Stop!!!
“All the more reason for you to give it some time. Just... uh... you'll...” Martha stopped talking, helplessly.
“Great,” Clark said.
“Just... you'll, uh... have to stay close to home, and, uh... and then we'll figure it out,” she offered.
“I can't,” Clark said. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the invitation, offering it to his mother.
“Why? What's this?” she asked.
“You're not gonna believe it...” I know I don't. Denial, thy name is Clark Kent...
*
The wedding looked stupid and felt like a sham.
Clark realised that if he wasn't insanely jealous it’d probably be a wonderful wedding that he’d enjoy immensely and talk to Lex through.
But watching Lex cut the cake with Desiree Luthor was making him feel sick to his stomach, even though he was stood next to Chloe who was there for moral support.
“I still don't know how I feel about taking sex-ed from Mrs. Luthor,” Chloe said. “I can't believe Lex is married.”
“He says he really loves her,” Clark offered, staring at Lex across the room.
“Yeah, well love is rarely if ever logical.” Chloe looked up at Clark. “We both know that.”Clark offered a sad nod of agreement. “Maybe they just have the right pheromones.”
“Hmm?” Clark still hadn't dragged his eyes away from Lex, who was watching photographers take pictures of his new wife. Wife. Wife sounded wrong. New significant other. No. New person-who-is-wrong-for-Lex. That fit.
“It's chemistry, Clark. Some people have it... others don't.” Chloe put her hand on his arm as she walked past. “Sometimes we just have to move on.”
His eyes trailed Lex until he walked over and stood next to him. “Quit staring, Clark, you'll burn your eyes out.”
Clark coloured and lowered his eyes to the ground. “I was just...”
“It's alright. I understand,” Lex offered, gently. “Oh, and thanks again Clark.”
“Lex, I gotta tell ya...” Clark said, “I was a bit shell-shocked. I mean, first you kiss me. Twice. Then you go away on a two-week business trip, and the next thing I know my mom's putting finishing touches on your wedding cake?”
“Believe me, when I left I had no intention of falling in love,” Lex said. “I was struggling through another endless business function when suddenly... Desiree was there.”
“What was a- I mean; she must have made quite a first impression,” Clark said. What was a teacher doing at a business function anyway?
“Actually,” Lex said, “she said she'd come to save me. I thought it was a joke too... that she was only interested in my name or fortune, but... as the night wore on, I realized, she was different.”
I’m different, too, Lex, don't you see? I don't give a damn about your money. “It just happened that fast?”
“You can waste your time playing it safe, or you can go for it,” Lex said. Clark’s heart felt like Lex had crushed it in his fist. Why couldn’t he have gone for it with Clark? “But at some point, Clark... you just know when something's right.”
“But ... two weeks?” Clark asked, blankly.
“Sometimes you don't need a lifetime to know, Clark,” Lex said. “Sometimes you just do.”
I know.
*
If there was one thing Clark Kent really, really hated it was having a camera in his face. “ And, uh, well... Pete's taping all the Sharks games for you, so you won't miss a thing,” he babbled into the camera, aimed at Whitney. “Although the way they're playing, you might want to...” He stopped and babbled more, “Uh... Anyway, I haven't forgotten what we talked about, so don't worry. Just, uh, come home soon and be safe.”
Lana shut off the camera. “That was great! Thanks so much for doing this, Clark.” She walked away, putting the tape down. “So, what did you and Whitney talk about?”
Clark hesitated. “Uh, just that he wanted me to keep an eye on you...” Lana turned, looking shocked and slightly angry. “Uh, not that he doesn't trust you... uhhh...”
“It's hot,” Lana said. “Do you want an iced coffee? I... I'm gonna go make an iced coffee. One of the perks of management... twenty-four-hour access to the cappuccino machine...” She wandered off across to the cappuccino machine.
Clark couldn’t help thinking he’d give anything to be able to pour iced coffee over Lex and lick it from his wet skin.
Bad thoughts, Clark. Bad. Bad.
“So... Uh, what did you say to Whitney?” Clark asked, trying to distract himself.
Lana started to talk, but Clark’s mind wandered again. He wondered what Lex was doing right now. Showering? Sleeping naked in the heat? Stop it...
“It's not easy, being in a long distance relationship,” Clark babbled.
“I miss him,” she said. “And...”
She continued talking but the taste of iced coffee made Clark wonder what it would taste like on Lex. Cool coffee on a warm, toned body...
“Besides, I do have you to look out for me, don't I?” Lana finished.
“Well, I know I haven't been around much this summer... ever since the storm, the farm has just been a disaster,” Clark said, helplessly.
“Seems like we're all trying to find our way back from that day,” Lana said.
“Except for Lex. I've never seen him so happy before.” Clark sighed, realising he’d brought up the L word when he didn’t want to.
“It's kinda weird...” Lana said.
Clark looked up hopefully. “You know, I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks that.”
“Still, you have to admit it's romantic,” Lana said.
Clark adjusted himself to sit in front of the fan. “Well, Lex makes it seem easy.”
“Maybe it is,” Lana offered. “Lex learned to act on his passion... never hold anything back. I wonder if we'll ever be able to do the same?”
Naked bodies on silken sheets, writhing together, noises, passion... passion... love... Lex moving around Clark.
Clark’s eyes burned. “Uh...” He squeezed them shut, desperate to not set fire to the Talon.
“Clark, what's wrong?” Lana asked.
“Uh... I'm just not feeling so well...” Clark said. Lana ran over to him, putting her hand on his forehead.
“Oh my god... you're burning up,” she said. “Let me drive you home.” She ran off to get her keys and Clark looked round at the cappuccino machine which, at that moment, set itself on fire. Lana screamed and ran over to him.
“Are you okay?” he asked her.
“Yeah, I'm fine. What happened?” Lana asked, desperately.
“I’m not sure...” Clark told her, honestly.
“I'm gonna call nine-one-one,” Lana said.
Clark watched the flames lick up the walls and shuddered.
If he caused this with thoughts of Lex....
Next: Chapter 7