Fic: When The Sun's Rays Glint (2/8)
Title: When The Sun’s Rays Glint (2/8)
Author: BradyGirl_12
Pairings/Characters (this chapter): Clark/Lex, Anna Hollander
Fandom: Smallville
Genres: Drama, Holiday, Horror, Mystery, Suspense
Rating (this chapter): G
Warnings: None
Spoilers: None
General Summary: Is Castle Luthor haunted?
Chapter Summary: Clark and Lex enjoy playing pool in Lex’s library.
Date Of Completion: October 1, 2020
Date Of Posting: October 21, 2021
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, DC and Warner Brothers do, more’s the pity.
Word Count (this chapter): 1007
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
All chapters can be found here.
II
CUPCAKES AND APPLES
The little boy said,
“I want cupcakes, sir.”
“Well, you shall have them
And eat your fill.”
“Thank you, sir!
Cakes are grand!”
He was the happiest boy
In all the land.
Old English
Nursery Rhyme
18th Century C.E.
The clack of billiard balls mingled with the crackle of the hearth fire. It was another cool autumn day as Lex and Clark played pool. Clark was still a novice at the game but was learning fast. A little clumsy, his dexterity was improving, and Lex noticed that his young friend was calculating angles with astonishing precision.
“I didn’t know you were a mathematician,” he said.
“Huh?”
“You, calculating all the angles.”
“Oh, I just have a knack for it.” Clark bent over the table, enjoying the view. Clark hit the ball. “Right in the corner pocket!”
“Aren’t you the clever one?”
Clark grinned and walked over to position himself again. “Six in the side pocket.”
Clack!
“Hmm, maybe I made a mistake teaching you this game.”
“Good thing we only play for cupcakes.”
“Yeah, I’m not gaining any weight playing you.”
Clark knocked another ball into the corner pocket this time. “Maybe we should play for apples.”
“We certainly have enough of those.”
Clark knocked the last ball in. He indicated the win by pushing a tab with his cue stick on the overhead string. “Care for another game?”
“You want more cupcakes?”
Clark laughed. :We can play for apples if you like.”
“Apples it is.”
There was more joking and chatter as they played another game. A gust of wind rattled the windowpanes.
“Looks like some weather is coming our way,” Lex observed.
“The radio said that high winds were expected tonight.”
“Oh, goodie.”
“Beats a tornado.”
“Hmm, yeah.”
Clark was concentrating on his next shot. The pop of flames did not affect him at all.
“Perfect shot again,” Lex grumbled.
Clark smiled smugly. “Should I just run the table?”
“You’ve got a big mouth.”
Clark laughed. “The better to eat my winnings.”
“Pretty sure of yourself, aren’t you?”
“Guess so,” Clark smirked.
He finally missed a shot and Lex grabbed his chance. He calculated his shot and knocked the ball into the corner pocket.
“Good shot,” said Clark.
“Shaddup.”
Clark laughed. He leaned against the bookcase, holding his pool cue as he drank from a soda can. Lex deliberately ignored him. He did not need the distraction!
He made the shot and grinned. Strutting around the table, he took the next shot and missed.
“Darn,” Clark said.
“Darn?”
“Yep.” Clark grinned. He put down the can and made a rapid flurry of shots to close out the game. “You owe me three cupcakes and one apple.”
“Quite the combo.” Lex shook his head. “See Mrs. Hollander for the cupcakes. I’ll get your apple.”
Clark went to the kitchen and Lex went down to the cellar. He went into the root cellar and picked out a juicy red apple. He reached down to pick one for himself when he shuddered. He looked around quickly. What had caused his reaction?
The rest of the cellar was quiet and dark except for the pool of light spilling down from the top of the stairs. Were those shadows moving around?
“Who’s there?” he said sharply.
Lex went out into the cellar and walked around. Empty. He suddenly felt silly. He returned to the root cellar, shut off the lightbulb by pulling the chain, and went upstairs.
Clark was laughing with Mrs. Hollander as he ate one of her cupcakes. “Hey, here’s Johnny Appleseed now.”
Lex tossed him an apple. “Never play pool with this guy, Mrs. Hollander. He’s a hustler.”
“Are you calling me Minnesota Fats?” Clark asked.
“More like Smallville Skinny.”
“Ha, ha.” Clark rubbed the apple on his shirt and took a big bite.
“Let’s go for a walk,” Lex said.
They put on jackets and went outside into the cool, crisp air. The sky was pewter-gray and looked rather forbidding, in Lex’s opinion. The wind was definitely picking up, tree branches swaying as Lex and Clark walked through the gardens.
“You’ve got some good color here with the chrysanthemums.”
“Yeah, I think Morelli did a good job,” Lex said, referring to the gardener.
“Mom’s garden is doing well. And the pumpkin patch will supply us with enough pumpkins to decorate in addition to sell.”
“Good to hear. I’d like to put my usual order in.”
“Thanks, Lex.” Clark looked up as a flock of geese flew by. “I’ll see if Lana wants any for her place.”
“Do free cornstalks come with the pumpkins?”
Clark laughed. “For you, they’re free.”
“Thanks, Clark.” Lex smiled. “Sounds like your harvests are doing well this year.”
“They are. The weather really cooperated.”
“Ah, yes, the farmer’s best friend: good weather.”
“That’s right.” Clark looked over at his companion. Lex felt a tingle in his stomach. “A farmer’s best friend.” He slipped his hand into Lex’s. The warmth of his skin took away Lex’s chill.
They stood in silence, but each man knew what the other felt. Clark’s green eyes were almost otherworldly. Lex’s light-blue eyes reflected the grayness of the sky. He gently squeezed Clark’s hand.
Clark’s smile was gentle. “Better batten down the hatches.”
“Huh?”
“Stormy weather ahead.”
Lex looked at the leaden sky. “Oh, yeah.” He hunched his shoulders. “Going to be high winds tonight.”
“You sound like a regular Smallville citizen.”
“Oh, well, isn’t that great?”
Clark smiled, squeezed Lex’s hand, then let go. “I’ve got to get home. Stay warm, Lex”
Lex thought of saying, ‘I would if you stayed,’ but restrained himself, though Clark’s blush would be fun to see.
He waved to Clark as he drove away in his truck, and Mrs. Hollander got into her dependable Ford and left for the day. The wind blew harder, and Lex turned and went into the castle.
Batten down the hatches, indeed.
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