FIC: Bats, Cats, and Luthors (2/6)
Title: Bats, Cats, and Luthors (2/6)
Authors: herohunter and ladydreamer
Pairing: Brex/BatCat
Rating: (eventually) NC-17
Summary: Batman happens upon a cat burgler in his city who is much more than she seems. Can Batman handle the Catwoman?
AU, Adventure, Romance, Warning: ( skip or highlight) eventually attempted rape, incest
Part One
PLEASE DO NOT ALTER OR REPOST.
Part Two
Two weeks later, Lex entered the lobby of the Wayne Enterprises building wearing a crisp suit and approached the desk. He felt silly, dressed up like this, and immediately he had to smile at himself, considering how he dressed on a regular nightly basis.
"Pardon me," Lex said to the receptionist. "I'm here for an appointment with Mr. Wayne. Lex Luthor?"
The receptionist looked the young man over and raised a brow as she checked her list, then called up to the office. "I have a young Mr. Luthor here to see Mr. Wayne..." she paused and turned around in her chair, saying quietly. "Is he awake?"
"Lex Luthor," Lucius Fox said with a wide smile as he nodded to the receptionist and closed his phone. He walked up to Lex, his right hand outstretched. "Nice to finally meet you, son. I'm Lucius Fox."
"Lex Luthor," Lucius Fox said with a wide smile. He walked up to Lex, his right hand outstretched. "Nice to finally meet you, son. I'm Lucius Fox."
Lex turned his head to look at the tall man, and gave Lucius his hand. "It's good to meet you as well."
"Mr. Wayne is waiting in his office. I'll show you the way. Thank you, Candice," Lucius told the receptionist, and guided Lex to the private elevator that only he and Bruce used. "Have you been here before?"
"No, I haven't, Mr. Fox," Lex replied. He entered the elevator and slipped his hands into his pockets. "I'm a little surprised to be called in. Granted, Mr. Wayne has a right to see who is taking up his money at university, but I haven't heard of him taking an interest before."
"Mr. Wayne can be... Eccentric," Lucius admited with a grin, "but he takes an interest on brilliant minds."
"Why thank you," Lex said with a smirk. "If that's so, then this should be an interesting meeting." If Mr. Wayne didn't want to control him the way Lionel did.
"We have a department of Science Development, as you probably know, and I myself am always looking for good people to work there. If you're interested, we might place you in a schedule that won't clash with your studies."
Lex blinked and looked up at Fox. "This is a job offer?" he asked. "I'm a bit young to take on staff, aren't I?"
"Not for an internship," Lucius pointed out. "But let's meet with Mr. Wayne first, shall we?" The elevator doors opened and he indiated that Lex should go ahead.
Lex nodded and stepped into the enormous office. He had to give it to Mr. Wayne. His office was bigger than Lionel's and that was saying something, since the old man did his best to show off his opulence. He strolled forward, taking in the long, bright windows and pieces of artwork. He suspected Mr. Wayne would be behind the desk, so he continued in that direction with confidence in his step.
Bruce watched the young Luthor as he strolled in with the certainty of one raised in those kinds of offices. He had to admire the young man. "Vodka?" he asked out loud from the bar, holding a glass of water in his hand, made to look like vodka.
Lex turned around in a swift motion. Wayne was at the bar? In the morning? "No, thank you." He regained his composure and rubbed his hands together then let them fall to his sides as he moved towards Bruce Wayne. "It's a bit early for me. In the day as well as in my life, since I'm underage."
"Like that should stop any man," Bruce said easily. He smiled a lazy smile and offered Lex his right hand. "Bruce Wayne."
Lex smiled back. All these right handed people. He took Bruce's hand firmly anyway and gave him a good shake. "Lex Luthor."
"You have impressive grades..." Bruce downed the water and arched one eyebrow. "Shall I call you Lex?"
"Please do," Lex replied with a nod. "And thank you."
"Don't thank me. I'm only stating the obvious." Bruce headed for his desk, almost swaying, and took a seat in one of the two armchairs that faced it. Lucius had left. "Sit."
Lex pursed his lips at the sight of the man who had called him in today drunk so early in the morning. He followed Bruce to the chair and sat, crossing his ankle over his knee. "What can I do for you, Mr. Wayne?"
"You can convince me that you're not working for your father." Bruce met Lex's eyes, his own deep blue and piercing for a man who was supposed to be drunk.
"You've called me up here to defend myself?" Lex asked, raising his brows slightly. "I'm on scholarship at Goth U instead of Princeton, living in a pathetic little apartment near campus, taking public transportation, and eating ramen noodles. What would possess me to work for my father for so little? Since I am essentially on my own and not reaping the benefits of his self-indulgence?"
Bruce flicked his head to the side. "You could be a spy. It's not a preposterous notion, Lex."
"Aside from the reasons I just gave to you. I'm not entirely sure what motivation I could have for spying for him," Lex replied with a frown. "I could be an alien, as well, but there's no proof for that hypothesis either."
"Hm." Bruce grinned. "Aliens don't concern me half as much as Lionel Luthor does. Why did you break away from your father?"
"He wanted to completely control my life: put me in business school, second him at LuthorCorp, take over the empire as Lionel II," Lex explained. "I'm not that interested in business, and I prefer to create my own destiny."
Bruce leaned forward. "But you are interested in something. What?"
"I'm interested in my research. In science. I want to know everything." Lex folded his hands in his lap and looked over Wayne critically. Why would he fake being drunk?
"That's a bold goal," Bruce muttered, but one he could definitely understand. He liked Lex, tense and suspicious little boy that he was. "Are you free for dinner?"
"Tonight? I think I could clear my ever busy schedule."
"Good. There's someone I want to have meet you. Do you drive?"
Lex paused, looking at Bruce curiously. "I can drive. I don't have a car, however."
"Hm. The Devil's in the details, isn't it?" Bruce sat back again. "I'll pick you up. Does seven sound good?"
"Sounds fantastic," Lex agreed. "Are you going to tell me who I'm meeting, or is it to be a mystery?"
"My butler. His name is Alfred." Bruce watched Lex for his reaction.
Lex leaned his forehead on his hand. "Huh. Alright."
Bruce chuckled, then ran a finger across his lips. "Lucius wants you in the department he ran for years. Has he told you?"
"He mentioned an internship, yes." Lex was beginning to change his assessment of Bruce's sobriety. He was having a hard time following the man's line of thinking.
"Do you want it?"
"I'm considering," Lex replied guardedly.
Bruce stood up suddenly. "Let's hit the sauna. Come on." Lex was way too closed off and tense. Bruce was going to have to fix that.
"Do you invite all of your young potential interns to the sauna?" Lex asked, slowly standing. This man was unbalanced. "It would be helpful to have an idea of what the position entailed."
"I'm sure it entails work," Bruce declared, heading for the elevator doors. "You look like you need to relax, Lex. Hm. That sounded funny."
"I'm sure it does. Thank you, Mr. Wayne, but I'm going to have to decline the sauna," Lex said, lagging behind.
Bruce glanced over his shoulder. "I'm not trying to control you. I'm not your father."
"No," Lex said evenly. "You aren't. My father has a beard. He also, however, wastes money ostentatiously and drinks in the morning. He manipulates his employees so that they think they are doing what they want, but in fact they are serving him." He slipped his left hand into his pocket. "You're not what you seem, which could be good or bad, but I'm a pessimist."
"That's a wise position, most of the time. Right now, however, I'm willing to bet you hardly ever take the time to just relax. Come on, Lex; I won't bite." Bruce entered the elevator and held the door open for Lex.
Lex held his ground for several moments. He couldn't read this man, and therefore he didn't trust him much. Finally, he stepped forward, taking Bruce Wayne in warily. Lex wasn't certain how much relaxing he'd be able to do in a sauna with him.
Bruce smiled and pushed the button that would take them to the executive garage where his car was. "How do you like Gotham?"
"It's cold," Lex said simply. "I sometimes think I should head south to dethaw."
Bruce chuckled. "That's pretty accurate. I'd love to say you get used to it, but I might be lying." He sighed. "I love her, though."
"A man does become attached to his city," Lex agreed, thinking of the Metropolis skyline at night.
"She needs work." Bruce nodded to himself. "Do you have a significant other?" The file he had didn't mention a partner, but Bruce would rather ask himself. He wouldn't want an angry girlfriend accusing him of corrupting Lex by taking him to a sauna.
"No, I don't," Lex replied honestly. He hadn't even seen Batman in awhile. "I've ever been much of one for relationships."
"No?" Bruce eyed Lex. "I'm surprised that no one's snatched you yet." Lex was a handsome young man. "I love relationships, as long as they're gone in the morning."
"So I've heard." Lex crossed his arms over his chest.
"My fame precedes me. Or infamy," Bruce declared happily.
"Well, I'm glad that pleases you. When I lived in Metropolis I would have done anything to get out of the spotlight,"
"Well, Lex." Bruce stepped out of the elevator, one hand resting lightly on Lex's arm. He started walking towards a brand new Bugatti Veyron, so silver it shone like chrome. "They're going to talk. We might as well give them something to say, or they'll start coming up with lies."
"Nice car. It's shiny," Lex observed. "They haven't seemed as interested in me lately."
Bruce pulled out the keys and unlocked the doors. "Do you really want to upset your father? Stick with me. I'm a terrible influence," he leered.
"I'm certain of it," Lex replied flatly. "Should you be driving?"
"Hm?" Bruce eyed the keys as if surprised to see them in his hand. He leaned his hip on the side of the car and smiled lazily. "Lex... If you want to drive, all you have to do is say so..."
"The prospect of wrapping this pretty car around a lightpole does not help to relax me, Mr. Wayne."
"All right. But call me Bruce." He tossed the keys over to Lex and went around to get in the passenger seat.
"Okay, Bruce." Lex caught the keys and dropped into the driver's seat, taking a moment to admire the interior before turning the key and listening to her pur. "You have good taste in shiny things."
"Hm. That I do." Bruce loosened his tie. "We're going to the white building on Drake Street. Do you know where that is?"
Lex remembered slinking down Drake Street once with a group of angry gangsters on his tail. "Yeah, I know it."
"Or you can take the next right and go to the Manor instead," Bruce suggested. "Do you like eggplant?"
Lex took a moment to look straight at this fool and give him a stern look. "Yes. I like eggplant." He sighed and took the right. Better than stripping down for Bruce Wayne.
"Wonderful." Bruce pulled out his cell phone and hit the speed dial button. "Alfred, I'm bringing a guest over. His name is Lex Luthor and he likes eggplant, so I thought you could make... Yeah, that dish, with the... Right."
"So, if they don't succumb to your manly wiles, you take them home for some good cooking?" Lex asked, speeding just a little. "I've missed driving."
"I don't bring girls home; Alfred was being cheeky," Bruce said, tucking away his phone. "He does that."
Lex chuckled. "I don't know what he said. I couldn't hear from where I am."
Bruce let his head roll to the side so he could watch Lex drive. He had a beautiful, delicate neck, and probably hated that about himself. "He keeps hoping I'll find someone, anyone. As long as they're human. Or look human."
"I'm out then, I guess," Lex joked. "I think I'm eager to meet this Alfred, if he's the kind of person who can keep you in check."
"He's a pain," Bruce said lightly, but smiled for a second. "Why are you out? Are you a robot?"
"I'm a Luthor. I have no human soul, and I'm a bald one, so I don't much look the part either, whereas my father can fake it rather credibly," Lex responded in a dry tone. "Where do I turn up here?"
"Left." Bruce did not look away from Lex. "And then right on the first exit. Take the empty road after that. Being bald doesn't make you look inhuman. Plus, I'm prety sure you have a soul. I've seen a souless man once, and you look nothing like him."
"It's a joke, Bruce. Don't wrinkle your perfectly carefree brow for me," Lex said. He turned and lifted his chin, looking for the exit.
Bruce could spot a self-deprecating man when he saw one, but he said nothing. "I have cares," he replied instead. "What if we run out of wine?"
"That would indeed be a tragedy," Lex said, pretending to be very very solemn. After a moment he spotted the large manor looming before them. "You have Lionel's mansion beat. Twice over."
"That has been in the Wayne family for generations," Bruce explained. "Give your father time." The gates opened for them and Bruce pointed to one of the driveways. "Drive up to the front; Alfred wouldn't like your first visit to be through the garage."
Lex nodded. "I don't plan to give my father future generations in that house." He puled up in front of the immense driveway and pulled into park.
"Ah, yes. We're the last of our kind." Bruce waggled his eyebrows and got out of the car.
"Long day at the office, sir?" Alfred asked flippantly from the door.
Bruce ignored the question as he waited for Lex.
Lex stood and walked around he car with a swish in his hip. "He's been working hard, Alfred. Corrupting potential interns is neither easy nor rewarding."
"Oh, that does sound absolutely tiring. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mr. Luthor." Alfred gave a little bow. Bruce pulled off his tie.
Lex leaned his head toward Alfred. "A pleasure to make yours, Alfred. You've been working with Bruce a long time?"
"Since he was born," Alfred replied with a small but genuine smile.
"Alfred's been with the family since around the 1700s," Bruce told Lex, handing Alfred his tie and suit jacket.
"A real pleasure to have you home so soon, sir."
Bruce chuckled. "Let's go inside, Lex."
Lex dipped his head and followed Bruce inside where he immediately observed a large foyer with gorgeous, ornate, and expensive- but tasteful- decorations. He suspected the remainder of the manor was the same. "Bruce tells me you make something wonderful with eggplant."
"I hope you approve, sir. We're having saffron risotto stuffed eggplant, green salad and butter rolls." Alfred closed the front door behind them.
"You'll love it," Bruce told Lex with certainty. "Do you still want to do the sauna before lunch?"
"You're dead set on that sauna, aren't you?" Lex shook his head. "Sure. Why not? I don't have a suit, though. Have a spare?"
"You're a bad Greek if you want a suit," Bruce joked. He turned a corner and headed down a set of marble stairs. "I'm sure we can find something for you." There were glass doors at the end of the stairs, and another hall that connected the main house to an indoor pool area.
"Just looking to protect my modesty," Lex replied flippantly.
"You can try." Bruce winked at Lex and began to unbutton his own shirt. Past the pool there were two doors. He turned a switch at the first one, to get the sauna going, and entered the second door, into a changing room. He dropped the shirt onto a nearby chair.
Lex entered the changing room on Bruce's heels, then stopped as he looked over the large pattern of bruises and scars all over his body. "What happened?" he asked, alarm apparent in his voice.
"What?" Bruce looked up to see that Lex meant him, then frowned as if in thought. "Oh, um. Let's see. This was shirtless fencing," he said, indicating a cut on his arm before touching the bruises on his left shoulder. "This was spelunking. I forget some of them..."
"Did you hit your head as well?" Lex slipped off his jacket and set it on the chair neatlly. He supposed he was lucky that he didn't scar, or he migh end up lookin like that. He paused as he began unbutton his shirt. "You look as though you were in a car wreck. Or a terrorist attack."
Bruce grinned widely, no warmth actually reaching his eyes. "You can't lead a wild life without paying the price." He opened a locker and looked inside. "I have a couple of new ones here." He pulled out a pair of blue swimming trunks and also a pair of black speedos, still in the bag, and handed both to Lex. "Take your pick." He sat down to take off his shoes.
Lex took the speedo and turned away from Bruce to continue changing. "It's funny we never ran into one another before now. I suppose you were away by the time I was presentable for society."
"Oh, yes. My death." Bruce took off his socks and got up to finish undressing. "We ended up meeting anyway. No time like the present."
"Yes." Lex turned and stretched his arms, taking a moment to pose for Bruce. "Do you think it fits?"
Bruce turned his head, paused and tilted his head to the side. "Perfectly. Your skin is flawless." So flawless that Bruce suddenly wanted to lick it.
"Heh. " Lex ran his hand up his leg and smirked at Bruce. He leaned against the locker. "You had a sauna to show me?"
"Yes." Bruce got up, took off his pants, and reached into the locker for a couple of towels. He threw one to Lex and wrapped one around his hips.
Lex tucked the towel around his waist and crossed his arms as he followed Bruce out to the pool area. Wayne clearly had never heard of modesty, clearly. Still, he was such a built man...
When Bruce opened the door, the sauna was already hot and going. He could see that Alfred had left a cooler in there with bottles of water. Perfect. "Water?" he asked Lex, opening the cooler and glancing at his guest.
"All right." Lex took a seat, closing his eyes as he leaned back and let himself take in the steam. "Hit me, Brucey."
"Hm." Bruce walked up to Lex, handed him one of the bottles in his hand, and moved to sit next to him on the wooden bench. He also leaned back and stretched out his legs with a groan. "Ah..."
Lex opened the bottle and took a long drink. "It has been ages since I relaxed in a sauna."
"Has it?" Bruce closed his eyes. "You're too young for ages, Lex," he said with a light smile.
"I have an old soul," Lex replied, curving his lips as well. Trying to resist Bruce's persona was tiring, and sitting here next to such a handsome man was nice.
"You're beautiful. Don't let anyone tell you any differently." Bruce kept his eyes closed and his hands at his sides, his right one holding the bottle loosely.
"Do you always jump around from topic to topic or is it just when you're around me?" Lex asked, hoping the steam covered his blush.
"You're keeping up nicely," Bruce informed him, his eyelids opening a little as he eyed Lex.
Lex shrugged, resting a hand on his thigh. "I don't imagine that I'm always easy to follow."
"I'll do my best." Bruce opened his bottle and drank half the water.
"Bruce, I want to ask you something." Lex wiped his brow. "Did you really call me in this morning to talk about an internship?"
Bruce set down his bottle and turned his head to look at Lex. "Yes and no," he replied honestly. "I was curious about you. You're impressive enough to have called Lucius' attention, and that's enough to get my ears up. I want to know that I can trust you."
"Well, aside from my taking a lie detector test, which you're perfectly welcome to avail yourself of, I'm not sure what I can do to convince you." Lex turned his head and looked into Bruce's eyes.
"This is a start," Bruce told him. "I don't believe in lie detector tests."
"Oh? Why?" Lex moved onto his side a little, looking at Bruce with interest.
"Because they're easy to cheat."
"Oh. I was expecting something deeper about preferring to trust people," Lex said, frowning pensively. "I think I like your answer better."
"Hm." Bruce smiled slightly. "Good. It was the only one I had."
Lex chuckled and stretched his back, luxurious and catlike. "I approve. Have any other generally negative assumptions about humanity?"
Bruce just watched Lex for a moment. Definitely a tempting one. He wondered if he made a move and Lex went for it, would Batman be cheating on Catwoman? Not that they had anything, clearly. "How about you?"
"General negative assumptions?" Lex creased his brow and looked up as though thinking hard. "I assume anyone who shows the slightest bit of interest in me either works for my father or wants to molest me. Regardless of whether or not it makes sense."
"I think it makes perfect sense." Bruce brushed his now wet hair back with his fingers and stood. "I'm ready to hit the water. You?"
"The water? Time for a swim?" Lex asked. He wiped the sweat off his head. He must be getting shiny by now.
"Yes. I'll get some trunks on and will meet you there." Bruce threw his bottle in a basket Alfred had set on the floor and left the sauna, the air from outside feeling cool and refreshing against his warm and wet skin.
Lex stood and padded out of the sauna. He shivered a little and removed his towel as he walked over to the Olympic-sized pool. He remembered the pool back at Luthor manor. Though, using it just for swimming hadn't been his major interest a few years ago. He draped his towel over a chair and walked over to the side to dip a toe in. "Nice of you to put on trunks for my sake," he called back to the changing room.
"I'm nothing if not an accomodating host," Bruce shot back. Lex didn't want to be molested, so he wasn't going to be. He came out, walked to the edge of the pool and dove in.
Lex looked down at Bruce for a moment, watching him swim. Then he walked over to the diving board, where he climbed up, balanced himself, and then took a leap off, giving a slight twist in the air.
Bruce rolled to swim on his back just in time to appreciate Lex's dive. He had style.
Lex emerged from the water to look around, then swam over to where Bruce was and tread water for a minute. "You like that?"
"Excellent execution," Bruce said, leaning back against the border and spreading out his arms behind him.
"Thank you. In my lack of a social life, I practice gymnastics increasingly." Lex did a flip in the water.
"You have the body for it. Lean." Bruce went under for a moment and emerged again.
Lex reached over and pushed Bruce's dark hair behind his ears. "You must work out daily."
"I do," admitted Bruce. "As it turns out, I prefer the Wayne Enterprises gym to the Board Room."
"Hm. I thought you might." Lex went on his back and touched his foot to the side of the pool. "Time well spent, I suppose. Fox seems to be taking care of things rightly enough."
"He's a good man." Bruce splashed Lex a little with his left hand.
Lex tried to dodge and pursed his lips, but then he laughed and kicked the water, splashing Bruce in return.
Bruce laughed, went under again, then pushed himself off and swam the length of the pool. On the other side, he pushed himself up and went to get his towel. He didn't want to think how good Lex looked in his pool.
Lex did another flip before following Bruce to the side and crossing his arms over it, although he made no move to get out. He was starting to believe Bruce might have ADD. Maybe that was why he moved around so quickly. He took a moment to admire Bruce's ass and rested his chin on his arms. "What's next on the agenda?"
"Next will have to be lunch or I'll have to deal with Alfred pouting for a month because I requested something and then let it overcook." Bruce towel-dried his hair briskly. "After that, you can choose what we do."
"What a good idea." Then Lex pushed himself up out of the water and started to walk over to where he'd left his towel. He turned his head to speak to Bruce. "It might be intriguing to-"
Lex's heel hit a bit of water, and his feet flew out from under him.
"Lex!" Bruce launched forward and caught Lex before he fell flat on his back.
"Oh..." Lex looked up at Bruce, a little breathless as he laughed. "Nice catch, Wayne!"
Bruce smiled and shook his head. "I thought you were going to crack your head open." He let Lex down.
Lex touched the back of his head. "Not likely. I'm made of tough stuff. No breaking here."
"Well. Good." Bruce picked up the towel he had dropped to catch Lex.
Lex's lips crooked to the side, and then stood to get his towel, walking more carefully. He toweled off, looking furtively in Bruce's direction. "Thank you."
"You're welcome." Bruce draped his towel over his shoulders and headed back to the changing room. "Would you like a robe?"
Lex followed. "I... no, I'll just change back." He moved over to his discarded clothing and smiled.
Bruce picked up a dark blue robe and headed for the showers.
Lex stood facing the locker and took a moment to anxiously fret between not showering and showering with Bruce. He entered the showers, turned on the water as hot as he could stand it, and soaped up quickly.
Bruce hummed a song as he showered, making sure he did not spy as Lex washed up. In fact, he turned around as he shampooed his hair.
It didn't take Lex long to rinse off, and he turned off his spray and left the shower. He didn't want to appear unfriendly or as a prude, but he also didn't want to end up staring at Bruce or awkwardly... appreciating him more than was appropriate. Bruce would be his boss soon, and Lex had too much to hide.
"You were saying?" Bruce called still from the shower after he rinsed off. "What would you like to do later?"
"I..." Lex frowned as he pulled his pants back on. "What was I saying?" He paused a moment and crossed his arms. "Well, I'd like a nap, honestly. I had a late night- Oh, I was saying that we could visit the Gotham Museum. I was interested in the exhibit they have there this month."
"Museum?" Bruce emerged from the showers wearing his robe. "I was thinking more along the lines of going out and buying something. Like a restaurant."
Lex looked back at him and quirked a brow. "You're going to go out and buy a restaurant. I'll pass on that."
"Really? I'd let you pick," Bruce offered with a grin. He leaned his shoulder on the closest locker. "Ready when you are. I'll change upstairs."
Lex pulled on his shirt quickly, then bent over to tie up his shoes. "All right. Let's try Alfred's eggplant thing."
"If you want to nap before we go out, that can be arranged," Bruce suggested. "There should be plenty of guest bedrooms in this place." He led the way back to the main house, but paused once they reached a wide hallway. "I wonder where Alfred-"
"I've taken the liberty of setting lunch in the intimate dining room, sir," Alfred announced as he emerged from a doorway.
Bruce smiled. "Ah. Perfect. This way." He turned right at the second set of double doors. The 'intimate dining room' had a table for twenty-four people. Alfred had set Bruce's place at the head in front of the large family portrait of him as a child with his parents, and Lex's, two places down, to Bruce's right.
"Ah. Very intimate," Lex joked softly. He looked up at the portrait, looking it over curiously. There was a strong, kind-looking man and woman, who had a necklace of pearls, and a young boy with dark hair and a little suit. "Is that you, Bruce?" he asked in a gentle voice.
"Yes," Bruce replied, without looking at the portrait himself. Instead, he went to one of the six windows in the room and glanced outside. "And my parents. Just before they died."
Lex slipped his hands into of his pocket and looked up at the picture thoughtfully for a minute or two. "They loved you very much."
The ends of Bruce's mouth curled up slightly. "You can tell?"
"It's in their eyes. Warmth, hope... A light that can't help but show when a family loves one another," Lex said matter-of-factly.
"They were good parents." Bruce glanced at Alfred as he came in with a tray. "Well, I will leave you for a moment to change. I won't be long."
Alfred set the rolls down on the table.
Lex watched as Bruce left and drew near the table. "It looks wonderful, Alfred," he said softly.
"Thank you, sir. What would you like to drink? I can accomodate almost any wish."
"Actually, I mostly drink water. That will be fine... Tynant if you have it."
"I most certainly do, sir." Alfred gave Lex a soft smile. "Chilled?"
"Yes, please." Lex smiled in return at the older man and put his hand on the back of a chair. If he still kept help, he would have liked to steal Alfred.
Alfred started towards the door, but then paused and looked at Lex again. "Master Bruce does not have many friends... But he seems to like you."
"I'm not sure why. He barely knows me." Lex shrugged. "I'll try to do him well."
"That would be fantastic, sir. Master Bruce can be... Difficult."
"Well. I'm not exactly easy either," Lex admitted.
"This should be interesting, then. I will fetch your water." Alfred nodded once and left.
Lex sighed and rubbed the back of his neck, walking over to the window where Bruce had been standing and looking out over the grounds. This place was just beautiful. Lonely and beautiful.
Bruce returned wearing black pants and a blue sweater. "Sorry, did I take too long?" He went to the table and held the chair back for Lex.
Lex smirked. "Far, far too long." He patted Bruce's cheek and sat in the chair. "The sweater looks nice on you."
"Thank you. I mostly wear blue and black. Easy picks, I guess." Bruce took his seat.
Alfred returned with water bottles for both Lex and Bruce, and began serving the food.
Lex thanked Alfred, and when Alfred had departed, he cut into his eggplant and took a bite. "This is excellent."
"He is a great cook. Used to love it when my parents had dinner parties and he could show it off. I'd sit in the kitchen and watch him command the staff but cook himself." Bruce smiled warmly.
Lex smiled as well and cupped his chin, chewing thoughtfully. "I bet it was a lot of fun. My parents used to have dinner parties. I'd hide in the coat closet."
"Would you?" Bruce chuckled. "I tried that a couple of times, but Alfred would always find me."
"Sometimes my nurse would find me, but that was only if they wanted me to go out and play for the guests," Lex replied. He took a drink of his water.
"Play?" Bruce looked up from his food. "What, the piano?"
Lex nodded. "Yes. Everyone in my family played. They started teaching me when I was very young."
"That's nice. Do you still play?"
"Occasionally. I don't have access to a piano right now." Lex cut up more of his eggplant and got some of the saffron risotto on his fork.
"I have one." Bruce pointed to the double doors. "You could play for Alfred and me if you feel like it. My mother used to and I am only marginally good. Alfred plays, but not often."
Lex looked at his food with a slight frown, then nodded again. "I could try it. I might be a little rusty."
"You can't be worse than I am," Bruce said with a smile.
"Playing is a little personal. I used to sit by my mother's side and play with her, when no one was around." Lex looked up at Bruce. "I'd be glad to play for the two of you, though."
"We'll love to hear it, Lex." Bruce finished his eggplant and drak some water.
"Well, maybe that's what we're doing later." Lex wiped his mouth and smiled.
"Ah. Well. I'll have to buy that restaurant another day, then!" Bruce chuckled.
Lex sighed. "I suppose you will. Hope it doesn't derail your busy schedule."
"I know. You're putting a cramp in my eccentric playboy style, let me tell you!" Bruce picked up a roll and took a bite out of it.
"Oh. If that's the case, I might come by to cramp your style more often." Lex ran a finger over his upper lip.
"Ugh. How will I stand it?" Bruce grinned widely.
Lex shrugged his head to the side. "You'll have to get your kicks somewhere else."
"I guess!" Bruce pushed his chair back and stood. "Do you eat dessert?"
"Not often," Lex told him, standing as well. "You?"
"No. But if Alfred's made something with condensed milk, I won't refuse... It's my weakness," Bruce added in a whisper. He walked up to Lex. "Shall we sit in the winter garden?"
"A weakness, hm? I'll remember that." Lex looked at his shoes for a moment, then nodded, walking alongside Bruce. "Yes, I'd like that."
"Do you drink coffee? Or would you rather not, if you're taking a nap?" Bruce walked with Lex towards the covered flower garden, that Alfred kept like his mother used to.
"Hm. Yeah, I'd better not. I do normally drink... probably more coffee than I should."
"It's a way of living for me," Bruce said honestly.
Lex nodded enthusiastically. "Really, when one keeps absurd hours, it seems unfair that the rest of the world demands he be up at the crack of dawn, and yet somehow we're expected to join the living every weekday."
"Too true. But they get upset when I ask what they do between midnight and six in the morning!" chuckled Bruce.
"The nerve of them." Lex moved his eyes over the beautiful flowers in the garden, then stood by the window.
"Tell me about where you live now." Bruce took a seat in a large armchair that faced the part of the garden where the sun shone on the flowers and watched Lex.
"It's a... quaint little apartment a few blocks from campus," Lex said, envisioning his tiny place. "It isn't much, but I pay for it. Or rather, Wayne Enterprises and my other scholarships do."
"I once wanted to sell this place, when I got back from Princeton." Bruce sighed. "Alfred almost had a fit."
"I most definitely did not," Alfred said as he came in with a tray with coffee and fruit salad with condensed milk over it. "But this is your home, and it is where you should be. Sir."
"Condensed milk," Lex said, raising his brows at Bruce. He walked over to a chair beside Bruce and took a seat.
"I love it," admitted Bruce. He handed Lex a bowl and grabbed one for himself.
"You're wonderful at making this a home, Alfred," Lex said, then forked a piece of fruit to try it. Bruce Wayne had a sweet tooth. Lex wondered how Bruce would react if he made him cookies or something.
"Thank you, sir. I do try." Alfred gave Bruce a look, which Bruce made a point to ignore, and left again.
"You're spoiling him," Bruce said accusingly.
"My father always said that your employees should fear you, but my mother, she said that you should treat your employees well and have them respect you, because ultimately one day your life may be in their hands," Lex replied. He set his bowl half-finished aside.
Bruce nodded deeply. "Your mother was a wise woman. You may or may not know this, but I was declared dead once."
"Oh?" Lex raised a brow very high. "I think I heard about that."
"In my will, I left everything to Alfred in the event of my death. So obviously, he inherited the whole Wayne fortune then. When I came back, obviously not dead, I knew I could trust him not to kick me out on the curb. You see, Lex, Alfred is much more than an employee to me. He raised me after my parents died. I'm tough on him but it's only because he would still baby me otherwise." Bruce smiled again.
"I'm glad you have him," Lex said honestly. Life had been so hard on Bruce.
"So am I." Bruce met Lex's eyes. "And he likes you, too."
"I'm glad for that, too. I don't have a lot of people who like me. Not really."
"No?" Bruce frowned. He found that hard to believe.
"I was not the most sociable kid, and after the meteor shower... even my parents didn't look at me the same. Only my nurse Pamela really seemed to still feel comfortable around me, and even she left once my mother was dead." Lex took a deep breath.
"Because of the hairloss?" Bruce put his bowl down and rested his chin on his hand. "That hardly seems fair to a child."
"I don't think they intended it..." Lex folded his hands in front of him and leaned forward. "You can hardly help your reaction to the uncanny. It's only human."
Bruce thought about all that he had already seen in his short time as Batman and pursed his lips. "Well. I live in Gotham. My definition to uncanny might be much more enhanced than others'."
"Hm. In Metropolis directly after the meteor shower, the area wasn't yet very accustomed to the strange and bizarre," Lex replied. "I think they're learning."
"You don't look strange at all to me." Bruce picked up his coffee cup and took a sip.
"I appreciate you saying that. And I appreciate you meaning it. I can tell by the way someone looks, or refuses to look, at me." Lex looked over at Bruce and smiled. "You're a lot less shallow then you pretend to be."
Bruce laughed softly. "That's it. You won't let me make ridiculous purchases, you spoil Alfred and now you're actually paying attention to me. Get out." He laughed some more.
Lex rolled his eyes and pretended to get up to leave.
"Oh, sit down!" Bruce reached over and touched Lex's wrist, still deeply amused.
Lex twisted his hand around to take Bruce's wrist instead and gave him a slight tug and a grin.
Bruce practically beamed, not something he really did anymore. "Did you finish your fruit salad? How did you like the topping?"
"I don't think I'm as big a fan as you, but it's good." Lex dropped back into his seat. "Not something I'd have ever thought of."
"You tried something new. Good. Let me know when you're ready to go bed-hunting." Bruce winked.
"That sounds scandalous." Lex rubbed the side of his left eye. "All right. Let's go find some place for nightowls to rest."
"What's your favorite color?" Bruce asked as he stood up.
"It's blue," Lex answered automatically. He followed Bruce out of the room. "Only with a little red in it."
Bruce eyed Lex and chuckled. "Purple, then? There's nothing wrong with purple, Lex." He touched his chin pensively. "I'm not sure we have a purple suite..."
"It's alright if you don't." Lex paused. "Purple is a girl's color."
"Pink is a girl's color," argued Bruce with humor. "Purple is regal. Lavender, okay, that's girlish." He headed for the wide stairs that led to the second floor.
"Well, Luthors are theoretically decended from royalty," Lex replied, a tinge of mocking in his voice. "My father had a castle shipped to a small town in Kansas."
"Did he really? From where, exactly?"
"Scotland," Lex answered. "Our 'ancestral home,' or so my father says. Our ancestral home may actually be a cardboard box in Suicide Slums, but I wouldn't know."
"Well, it's not hard information to achieve if you'd like." Bruce passed the first two doors in a long hall. "I don't like those rooms. There is mine." He pointed to the third door.
"Hmm. The cave." Lex waggled his brows and ducked his head inside.
Bruce inhaled, closed his lips and did not reply. Not quite The Cave. "It was my parents' bedroom. Alfred insisted I moved in after I returned. I'd rather have stayed in my old room..."
Lex ventured in further. "Whether you want them to or not, things will change. I assume Alfred had his reasons." He looked at the closed drapes and smiled. "Not a morning person?"
"Not even close." Bruce stepped inside after Lex.
"And yet you got up early to meet with me?" Lex turned by the window and leaned on the frame.
"Maybe I haven't slept yet," Bruce said with a grin.
Lex cocked his head to the side. "Oh, well. Maybe we should put you down for a nap as well."
"I could probably use a little sleep," agreed Bruce. He had stayed up all night because of those damn bank robbers who had decided to hit three different banks all at once. Now they shared one cell at the police station, but Batman had run around town all night long.
"Then why don't you lay down?" Lex suggested. "I can take whatever room is across the hall."
"That wouldn't be very host-like of me." Bruce nodded towards his walk-in closet. "Would you like a change of clothes? A shirt or pajamas?"
Lex rolled his shoulders. He often slept naked, unless he got cold. Occasionally he'd wear pajama bottoms. "Pajamas."
Bruce nodded and headed into the closet. "I'll get you a pair."
"Thank you." Lex sat at the foot of Bruce's bed and swung his legs a little.
Bruce eyed his pajama shelf. He really wanted to see Lex in his black silk ones, because he bet that Lex would look exquisite with all that pale skin against the dark fabric, however... Silk was probably too sexy an option. He picked up a set of comfortable, off-white cotton pajamas and came back out. "Here you are."
"Thank you." Lex stood and took the pajamas from him. He remained there for a moment, wondering if he should just change right there or sneak into the other room and change like a schoolboy on a sleepover. One that happened in the middle of the day.
"Sure, Lex." Bruce ran a hand through his hair and sat down on the side of the bed to take off his shoes. He was not sure how to proceed with his guest, but he could get ready for his own nap for the moment.
Lex turned to the other side of the bed and began to undress. He'd managed by the pool, and he could manage here.
"Did you know my father was a doctor?" Bruce asked as he pulled off his socks, stuck them inside his shoes, and stood up again.
"Oh?" Lex had the pajamas on quickly and sat back on the bed. "No, I didn't know."
"This was some of his old stuff." Bruce indicated the almost-antique-old esthetoscope and other instruments on a small table as he passed it by. "My grandfather founded Gotham General."
"That's impressive, Bruce. Did you ever think of going into medicine?" Lex leaned back on his palms.
"Oh, yes," Bruce replied from back in the closet. He would wear the black pajamas himself. "Once upon a time, I was sure that it was what I wanted to be."
"What changed your mind?"
Bruce walked out buttoning up the pajama shirt. "Losing my parents changed my life, as you can imagine. Changing my mind was just a consequence."
"Right. I'm sorry." Lex pinched his lips together and tented his brows. He remembered what it had been like losing his mother. He couldn't imagine what it had been like for Bruce to lose his parents.
"Don't be; it wasn't your fault, and I can talk about it. Better than hiding it like the huge elephant in the room that everyone tries to walk around and ignore, don't you think?"
"I agree. It is better. I was always taught to keep everything inside. Hide away your fear and pain, so that you can fight a better battle," Lex replied. His eyes went up and down Bruce's form in the silky pajamas.
Bruce thought about that for a moment. "Hm. Well. Sometimes that's good advice. The great playwright said that the world was a stage; when do we ever stop acting?"
"Yes, I don't like to talk about my feelings. Normally I keep them in a lead box, allowing them to fester into a mental illness," Lex joked.
"Ah, but Lex..." Bruce flashed Lex a not-so-sane grin himself. "Sanity's overrated, haven't you heard?"
Lex stood and walked closer to Bruce. "Is that so?"
"Oh, yes. Highly." Bruce twisted his lips. "At least I sincerely hope so."
"'I think we can agree on that one." Lex touched Bruce's shoulder and petted his soft pajamas. "Walk me to my room."
Bruce nodded. "I can do that. We'll see what the one across the hall looks like, shall we?" He was glad that Lex hadn't touched any of his fresh bruises by accident. He could take the pain, but he didn't have to like it. He walked out of his bedroom with Lex and opened the door to the other bedroom for him.
Lex smirked at Bruce, then walked into the other room with a regal lift of his head. The room wasn't in purple, but rather a deep burgundy, and Lex nodded in approval and headed over to the large bed.
"Do you approve?" Bruce looked around. "I don't think I've ever been in this... Oh, no, I have. I remember hiding from my father under that table, when had to give me a shot, I forget which..."
"You were a cute kid. You sound very normal." Lex dropped onto the bed with a bounce. "I approve."
"Good." Bruce chuckled. "I probably was very normal." He walked up to Lex and smiled softly down at him. "Do I need to tuck you in?"
"I think i can manage," Lex said, pulling his legs up on the bed. "Unless you want to sing me to sleep?"
"You might regret that request," warned Bruce, slowly stepping backwards to the door. He did, however, began to softly sing an old Sinatra song.
Lex covered his smile with a hand and climbed back on the bed, pulling down the bedspread. Bruce had quite the lovely voice. As he lay back, Lex wondered if Bruce would mind singing along as Lex played the piano.
"Might you explain to me, Master Bruce, your sudden fascination with adolescents?" Alfred asked as Bruce returned to his bedroom.
Bruce gave him a flat look. "There's no fascination. You know as well as I do that Catwoman needs help."
"Your help, sir?"
"Unless you see another lunatic leaping roofs at night who isn't a killer, yes, Alfred. My help. And Lex… I like him. That's not a crime, either."
"Hopefully we can keep it that way," Alfred said dryly. "Have a good nap, sir."
"Half an hour, Alfred. Forty minutes at the most," Bruce warned.
"Very well, sir." Alfred left the bedroom. At least Bruce was sleeping some. He really was grateful for that.
Authors: herohunter and ladydreamer
Pairing: Brex/BatCat
Rating: (eventually) NC-17
Summary: Batman happens upon a cat burgler in his city who is much more than she seems. Can Batman handle the Catwoman?
AU, Adventure, Romance, Warning: ( skip or highlight) eventually attempted rape, incest
Part One
PLEASE DO NOT ALTER OR REPOST.
Part Two
Two weeks later, Lex entered the lobby of the Wayne Enterprises building wearing a crisp suit and approached the desk. He felt silly, dressed up like this, and immediately he had to smile at himself, considering how he dressed on a regular nightly basis.
"Pardon me," Lex said to the receptionist. "I'm here for an appointment with Mr. Wayne. Lex Luthor?"
The receptionist looked the young man over and raised a brow as she checked her list, then called up to the office. "I have a young Mr. Luthor here to see Mr. Wayne..." she paused and turned around in her chair, saying quietly. "Is he awake?"
"Lex Luthor," Lucius Fox said with a wide smile as he nodded to the receptionist and closed his phone. He walked up to Lex, his right hand outstretched. "Nice to finally meet you, son. I'm Lucius Fox."
"Lex Luthor," Lucius Fox said with a wide smile. He walked up to Lex, his right hand outstretched. "Nice to finally meet you, son. I'm Lucius Fox."
Lex turned his head to look at the tall man, and gave Lucius his hand. "It's good to meet you as well."
"Mr. Wayne is waiting in his office. I'll show you the way. Thank you, Candice," Lucius told the receptionist, and guided Lex to the private elevator that only he and Bruce used. "Have you been here before?"
"No, I haven't, Mr. Fox," Lex replied. He entered the elevator and slipped his hands into his pockets. "I'm a little surprised to be called in. Granted, Mr. Wayne has a right to see who is taking up his money at university, but I haven't heard of him taking an interest before."
"Mr. Wayne can be... Eccentric," Lucius admited with a grin, "but he takes an interest on brilliant minds."
"Why thank you," Lex said with a smirk. "If that's so, then this should be an interesting meeting." If Mr. Wayne didn't want to control him the way Lionel did.
"We have a department of Science Development, as you probably know, and I myself am always looking for good people to work there. If you're interested, we might place you in a schedule that won't clash with your studies."
Lex blinked and looked up at Fox. "This is a job offer?" he asked. "I'm a bit young to take on staff, aren't I?"
"Not for an internship," Lucius pointed out. "But let's meet with Mr. Wayne first, shall we?" The elevator doors opened and he indiated that Lex should go ahead.
Lex nodded and stepped into the enormous office. He had to give it to Mr. Wayne. His office was bigger than Lionel's and that was saying something, since the old man did his best to show off his opulence. He strolled forward, taking in the long, bright windows and pieces of artwork. He suspected Mr. Wayne would be behind the desk, so he continued in that direction with confidence in his step.
Bruce watched the young Luthor as he strolled in with the certainty of one raised in those kinds of offices. He had to admire the young man. "Vodka?" he asked out loud from the bar, holding a glass of water in his hand, made to look like vodka.
Lex turned around in a swift motion. Wayne was at the bar? In the morning? "No, thank you." He regained his composure and rubbed his hands together then let them fall to his sides as he moved towards Bruce Wayne. "It's a bit early for me. In the day as well as in my life, since I'm underage."
"Like that should stop any man," Bruce said easily. He smiled a lazy smile and offered Lex his right hand. "Bruce Wayne."
Lex smiled back. All these right handed people. He took Bruce's hand firmly anyway and gave him a good shake. "Lex Luthor."
"You have impressive grades..." Bruce downed the water and arched one eyebrow. "Shall I call you Lex?"
"Please do," Lex replied with a nod. "And thank you."
"Don't thank me. I'm only stating the obvious." Bruce headed for his desk, almost swaying, and took a seat in one of the two armchairs that faced it. Lucius had left. "Sit."
Lex pursed his lips at the sight of the man who had called him in today drunk so early in the morning. He followed Bruce to the chair and sat, crossing his ankle over his knee. "What can I do for you, Mr. Wayne?"
"You can convince me that you're not working for your father." Bruce met Lex's eyes, his own deep blue and piercing for a man who was supposed to be drunk.
"You've called me up here to defend myself?" Lex asked, raising his brows slightly. "I'm on scholarship at Goth U instead of Princeton, living in a pathetic little apartment near campus, taking public transportation, and eating ramen noodles. What would possess me to work for my father for so little? Since I am essentially on my own and not reaping the benefits of his self-indulgence?"
Bruce flicked his head to the side. "You could be a spy. It's not a preposterous notion, Lex."
"Aside from the reasons I just gave to you. I'm not entirely sure what motivation I could have for spying for him," Lex replied with a frown. "I could be an alien, as well, but there's no proof for that hypothesis either."
"Hm." Bruce grinned. "Aliens don't concern me half as much as Lionel Luthor does. Why did you break away from your father?"
"He wanted to completely control my life: put me in business school, second him at LuthorCorp, take over the empire as Lionel II," Lex explained. "I'm not that interested in business, and I prefer to create my own destiny."
Bruce leaned forward. "But you are interested in something. What?"
"I'm interested in my research. In science. I want to know everything." Lex folded his hands in his lap and looked over Wayne critically. Why would he fake being drunk?
"That's a bold goal," Bruce muttered, but one he could definitely understand. He liked Lex, tense and suspicious little boy that he was. "Are you free for dinner?"
"Tonight? I think I could clear my ever busy schedule."
"Good. There's someone I want to have meet you. Do you drive?"
Lex paused, looking at Bruce curiously. "I can drive. I don't have a car, however."
"Hm. The Devil's in the details, isn't it?" Bruce sat back again. "I'll pick you up. Does seven sound good?"
"Sounds fantastic," Lex agreed. "Are you going to tell me who I'm meeting, or is it to be a mystery?"
"My butler. His name is Alfred." Bruce watched Lex for his reaction.
Lex leaned his forehead on his hand. "Huh. Alright."
Bruce chuckled, then ran a finger across his lips. "Lucius wants you in the department he ran for years. Has he told you?"
"He mentioned an internship, yes." Lex was beginning to change his assessment of Bruce's sobriety. He was having a hard time following the man's line of thinking.
"Do you want it?"
"I'm considering," Lex replied guardedly.
Bruce stood up suddenly. "Let's hit the sauna. Come on." Lex was way too closed off and tense. Bruce was going to have to fix that.
"Do you invite all of your young potential interns to the sauna?" Lex asked, slowly standing. This man was unbalanced. "It would be helpful to have an idea of what the position entailed."
"I'm sure it entails work," Bruce declared, heading for the elevator doors. "You look like you need to relax, Lex. Hm. That sounded funny."
"I'm sure it does. Thank you, Mr. Wayne, but I'm going to have to decline the sauna," Lex said, lagging behind.
Bruce glanced over his shoulder. "I'm not trying to control you. I'm not your father."
"No," Lex said evenly. "You aren't. My father has a beard. He also, however, wastes money ostentatiously and drinks in the morning. He manipulates his employees so that they think they are doing what they want, but in fact they are serving him." He slipped his left hand into his pocket. "You're not what you seem, which could be good or bad, but I'm a pessimist."
"That's a wise position, most of the time. Right now, however, I'm willing to bet you hardly ever take the time to just relax. Come on, Lex; I won't bite." Bruce entered the elevator and held the door open for Lex.
Lex held his ground for several moments. He couldn't read this man, and therefore he didn't trust him much. Finally, he stepped forward, taking Bruce Wayne in warily. Lex wasn't certain how much relaxing he'd be able to do in a sauna with him.
Bruce smiled and pushed the button that would take them to the executive garage where his car was. "How do you like Gotham?"
"It's cold," Lex said simply. "I sometimes think I should head south to dethaw."
Bruce chuckled. "That's pretty accurate. I'd love to say you get used to it, but I might be lying." He sighed. "I love her, though."
"A man does become attached to his city," Lex agreed, thinking of the Metropolis skyline at night.
"She needs work." Bruce nodded to himself. "Do you have a significant other?" The file he had didn't mention a partner, but Bruce would rather ask himself. He wouldn't want an angry girlfriend accusing him of corrupting Lex by taking him to a sauna.
"No, I don't," Lex replied honestly. He hadn't even seen Batman in awhile. "I've ever been much of one for relationships."
"No?" Bruce eyed Lex. "I'm surprised that no one's snatched you yet." Lex was a handsome young man. "I love relationships, as long as they're gone in the morning."
"So I've heard." Lex crossed his arms over his chest.
"My fame precedes me. Or infamy," Bruce declared happily.
"Well, I'm glad that pleases you. When I lived in Metropolis I would have done anything to get out of the spotlight,"
"Well, Lex." Bruce stepped out of the elevator, one hand resting lightly on Lex's arm. He started walking towards a brand new Bugatti Veyron, so silver it shone like chrome. "They're going to talk. We might as well give them something to say, or they'll start coming up with lies."
"Nice car. It's shiny," Lex observed. "They haven't seemed as interested in me lately."
Bruce pulled out the keys and unlocked the doors. "Do you really want to upset your father? Stick with me. I'm a terrible influence," he leered.
"I'm certain of it," Lex replied flatly. "Should you be driving?"
"Hm?" Bruce eyed the keys as if surprised to see them in his hand. He leaned his hip on the side of the car and smiled lazily. "Lex... If you want to drive, all you have to do is say so..."
"The prospect of wrapping this pretty car around a lightpole does not help to relax me, Mr. Wayne."
"All right. But call me Bruce." He tossed the keys over to Lex and went around to get in the passenger seat.
"Okay, Bruce." Lex caught the keys and dropped into the driver's seat, taking a moment to admire the interior before turning the key and listening to her pur. "You have good taste in shiny things."
"Hm. That I do." Bruce loosened his tie. "We're going to the white building on Drake Street. Do you know where that is?"
Lex remembered slinking down Drake Street once with a group of angry gangsters on his tail. "Yeah, I know it."
"Or you can take the next right and go to the Manor instead," Bruce suggested. "Do you like eggplant?"
Lex took a moment to look straight at this fool and give him a stern look. "Yes. I like eggplant." He sighed and took the right. Better than stripping down for Bruce Wayne.
"Wonderful." Bruce pulled out his cell phone and hit the speed dial button. "Alfred, I'm bringing a guest over. His name is Lex Luthor and he likes eggplant, so I thought you could make... Yeah, that dish, with the... Right."
"So, if they don't succumb to your manly wiles, you take them home for some good cooking?" Lex asked, speeding just a little. "I've missed driving."
"I don't bring girls home; Alfred was being cheeky," Bruce said, tucking away his phone. "He does that."
Lex chuckled. "I don't know what he said. I couldn't hear from where I am."
Bruce let his head roll to the side so he could watch Lex drive. He had a beautiful, delicate neck, and probably hated that about himself. "He keeps hoping I'll find someone, anyone. As long as they're human. Or look human."
"I'm out then, I guess," Lex joked. "I think I'm eager to meet this Alfred, if he's the kind of person who can keep you in check."
"He's a pain," Bruce said lightly, but smiled for a second. "Why are you out? Are you a robot?"
"I'm a Luthor. I have no human soul, and I'm a bald one, so I don't much look the part either, whereas my father can fake it rather credibly," Lex responded in a dry tone. "Where do I turn up here?"
"Left." Bruce did not look away from Lex. "And then right on the first exit. Take the empty road after that. Being bald doesn't make you look inhuman. Plus, I'm prety sure you have a soul. I've seen a souless man once, and you look nothing like him."
"It's a joke, Bruce. Don't wrinkle your perfectly carefree brow for me," Lex said. He turned and lifted his chin, looking for the exit.
Bruce could spot a self-deprecating man when he saw one, but he said nothing. "I have cares," he replied instead. "What if we run out of wine?"
"That would indeed be a tragedy," Lex said, pretending to be very very solemn. After a moment he spotted the large manor looming before them. "You have Lionel's mansion beat. Twice over."
"That has been in the Wayne family for generations," Bruce explained. "Give your father time." The gates opened for them and Bruce pointed to one of the driveways. "Drive up to the front; Alfred wouldn't like your first visit to be through the garage."
Lex nodded. "I don't plan to give my father future generations in that house." He puled up in front of the immense driveway and pulled into park.
"Ah, yes. We're the last of our kind." Bruce waggled his eyebrows and got out of the car.
"Long day at the office, sir?" Alfred asked flippantly from the door.
Bruce ignored the question as he waited for Lex.
Lex stood and walked around he car with a swish in his hip. "He's been working hard, Alfred. Corrupting potential interns is neither easy nor rewarding."
"Oh, that does sound absolutely tiring. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mr. Luthor." Alfred gave a little bow. Bruce pulled off his tie.
Lex leaned his head toward Alfred. "A pleasure to make yours, Alfred. You've been working with Bruce a long time?"
"Since he was born," Alfred replied with a small but genuine smile.
"Alfred's been with the family since around the 1700s," Bruce told Lex, handing Alfred his tie and suit jacket.
"A real pleasure to have you home so soon, sir."
Bruce chuckled. "Let's go inside, Lex."
Lex dipped his head and followed Bruce inside where he immediately observed a large foyer with gorgeous, ornate, and expensive- but tasteful- decorations. He suspected the remainder of the manor was the same. "Bruce tells me you make something wonderful with eggplant."
"I hope you approve, sir. We're having saffron risotto stuffed eggplant, green salad and butter rolls." Alfred closed the front door behind them.
"You'll love it," Bruce told Lex with certainty. "Do you still want to do the sauna before lunch?"
"You're dead set on that sauna, aren't you?" Lex shook his head. "Sure. Why not? I don't have a suit, though. Have a spare?"
"You're a bad Greek if you want a suit," Bruce joked. He turned a corner and headed down a set of marble stairs. "I'm sure we can find something for you." There were glass doors at the end of the stairs, and another hall that connected the main house to an indoor pool area.
"Just looking to protect my modesty," Lex replied flippantly.
"You can try." Bruce winked at Lex and began to unbutton his own shirt. Past the pool there were two doors. He turned a switch at the first one, to get the sauna going, and entered the second door, into a changing room. He dropped the shirt onto a nearby chair.
Lex entered the changing room on Bruce's heels, then stopped as he looked over the large pattern of bruises and scars all over his body. "What happened?" he asked, alarm apparent in his voice.
"What?" Bruce looked up to see that Lex meant him, then frowned as if in thought. "Oh, um. Let's see. This was shirtless fencing," he said, indicating a cut on his arm before touching the bruises on his left shoulder. "This was spelunking. I forget some of them..."
"Did you hit your head as well?" Lex slipped off his jacket and set it on the chair neatlly. He supposed he was lucky that he didn't scar, or he migh end up lookin like that. He paused as he began unbutton his shirt. "You look as though you were in a car wreck. Or a terrorist attack."
Bruce grinned widely, no warmth actually reaching his eyes. "You can't lead a wild life without paying the price." He opened a locker and looked inside. "I have a couple of new ones here." He pulled out a pair of blue swimming trunks and also a pair of black speedos, still in the bag, and handed both to Lex. "Take your pick." He sat down to take off his shoes.
Lex took the speedo and turned away from Bruce to continue changing. "It's funny we never ran into one another before now. I suppose you were away by the time I was presentable for society."
"Oh, yes. My death." Bruce took off his socks and got up to finish undressing. "We ended up meeting anyway. No time like the present."
"Yes." Lex turned and stretched his arms, taking a moment to pose for Bruce. "Do you think it fits?"
Bruce turned his head, paused and tilted his head to the side. "Perfectly. Your skin is flawless." So flawless that Bruce suddenly wanted to lick it.
"Heh. " Lex ran his hand up his leg and smirked at Bruce. He leaned against the locker. "You had a sauna to show me?"
"Yes." Bruce got up, took off his pants, and reached into the locker for a couple of towels. He threw one to Lex and wrapped one around his hips.
Lex tucked the towel around his waist and crossed his arms as he followed Bruce out to the pool area. Wayne clearly had never heard of modesty, clearly. Still, he was such a built man...
When Bruce opened the door, the sauna was already hot and going. He could see that Alfred had left a cooler in there with bottles of water. Perfect. "Water?" he asked Lex, opening the cooler and glancing at his guest.
"All right." Lex took a seat, closing his eyes as he leaned back and let himself take in the steam. "Hit me, Brucey."
"Hm." Bruce walked up to Lex, handed him one of the bottles in his hand, and moved to sit next to him on the wooden bench. He also leaned back and stretched out his legs with a groan. "Ah..."
Lex opened the bottle and took a long drink. "It has been ages since I relaxed in a sauna."
"Has it?" Bruce closed his eyes. "You're too young for ages, Lex," he said with a light smile.
"I have an old soul," Lex replied, curving his lips as well. Trying to resist Bruce's persona was tiring, and sitting here next to such a handsome man was nice.
"You're beautiful. Don't let anyone tell you any differently." Bruce kept his eyes closed and his hands at his sides, his right one holding the bottle loosely.
"Do you always jump around from topic to topic or is it just when you're around me?" Lex asked, hoping the steam covered his blush.
"You're keeping up nicely," Bruce informed him, his eyelids opening a little as he eyed Lex.
Lex shrugged, resting a hand on his thigh. "I don't imagine that I'm always easy to follow."
"I'll do my best." Bruce opened his bottle and drank half the water.
"Bruce, I want to ask you something." Lex wiped his brow. "Did you really call me in this morning to talk about an internship?"
Bruce set down his bottle and turned his head to look at Lex. "Yes and no," he replied honestly. "I was curious about you. You're impressive enough to have called Lucius' attention, and that's enough to get my ears up. I want to know that I can trust you."
"Well, aside from my taking a lie detector test, which you're perfectly welcome to avail yourself of, I'm not sure what I can do to convince you." Lex turned his head and looked into Bruce's eyes.
"This is a start," Bruce told him. "I don't believe in lie detector tests."
"Oh? Why?" Lex moved onto his side a little, looking at Bruce with interest.
"Because they're easy to cheat."
"Oh. I was expecting something deeper about preferring to trust people," Lex said, frowning pensively. "I think I like your answer better."
"Hm." Bruce smiled slightly. "Good. It was the only one I had."
Lex chuckled and stretched his back, luxurious and catlike. "I approve. Have any other generally negative assumptions about humanity?"
Bruce just watched Lex for a moment. Definitely a tempting one. He wondered if he made a move and Lex went for it, would Batman be cheating on Catwoman? Not that they had anything, clearly. "How about you?"
"General negative assumptions?" Lex creased his brow and looked up as though thinking hard. "I assume anyone who shows the slightest bit of interest in me either works for my father or wants to molest me. Regardless of whether or not it makes sense."
"I think it makes perfect sense." Bruce brushed his now wet hair back with his fingers and stood. "I'm ready to hit the water. You?"
"The water? Time for a swim?" Lex asked. He wiped the sweat off his head. He must be getting shiny by now.
"Yes. I'll get some trunks on and will meet you there." Bruce threw his bottle in a basket Alfred had set on the floor and left the sauna, the air from outside feeling cool and refreshing against his warm and wet skin.
Lex stood and padded out of the sauna. He shivered a little and removed his towel as he walked over to the Olympic-sized pool. He remembered the pool back at Luthor manor. Though, using it just for swimming hadn't been his major interest a few years ago. He draped his towel over a chair and walked over to the side to dip a toe in. "Nice of you to put on trunks for my sake," he called back to the changing room.
"I'm nothing if not an accomodating host," Bruce shot back. Lex didn't want to be molested, so he wasn't going to be. He came out, walked to the edge of the pool and dove in.
Lex looked down at Bruce for a moment, watching him swim. Then he walked over to the diving board, where he climbed up, balanced himself, and then took a leap off, giving a slight twist in the air.
Bruce rolled to swim on his back just in time to appreciate Lex's dive. He had style.
Lex emerged from the water to look around, then swam over to where Bruce was and tread water for a minute. "You like that?"
"Excellent execution," Bruce said, leaning back against the border and spreading out his arms behind him.
"Thank you. In my lack of a social life, I practice gymnastics increasingly." Lex did a flip in the water.
"You have the body for it. Lean." Bruce went under for a moment and emerged again.
Lex reached over and pushed Bruce's dark hair behind his ears. "You must work out daily."
"I do," admitted Bruce. "As it turns out, I prefer the Wayne Enterprises gym to the Board Room."
"Hm. I thought you might." Lex went on his back and touched his foot to the side of the pool. "Time well spent, I suppose. Fox seems to be taking care of things rightly enough."
"He's a good man." Bruce splashed Lex a little with his left hand.
Lex tried to dodge and pursed his lips, but then he laughed and kicked the water, splashing Bruce in return.
Bruce laughed, went under again, then pushed himself off and swam the length of the pool. On the other side, he pushed himself up and went to get his towel. He didn't want to think how good Lex looked in his pool.
Lex did another flip before following Bruce to the side and crossing his arms over it, although he made no move to get out. He was starting to believe Bruce might have ADD. Maybe that was why he moved around so quickly. He took a moment to admire Bruce's ass and rested his chin on his arms. "What's next on the agenda?"
"Next will have to be lunch or I'll have to deal with Alfred pouting for a month because I requested something and then let it overcook." Bruce towel-dried his hair briskly. "After that, you can choose what we do."
"What a good idea." Then Lex pushed himself up out of the water and started to walk over to where he'd left his towel. He turned his head to speak to Bruce. "It might be intriguing to-"
Lex's heel hit a bit of water, and his feet flew out from under him.
"Lex!" Bruce launched forward and caught Lex before he fell flat on his back.
"Oh..." Lex looked up at Bruce, a little breathless as he laughed. "Nice catch, Wayne!"
Bruce smiled and shook his head. "I thought you were going to crack your head open." He let Lex down.
Lex touched the back of his head. "Not likely. I'm made of tough stuff. No breaking here."
"Well. Good." Bruce picked up the towel he had dropped to catch Lex.
Lex's lips crooked to the side, and then stood to get his towel, walking more carefully. He toweled off, looking furtively in Bruce's direction. "Thank you."
"You're welcome." Bruce draped his towel over his shoulders and headed back to the changing room. "Would you like a robe?"
Lex followed. "I... no, I'll just change back." He moved over to his discarded clothing and smiled.
Bruce picked up a dark blue robe and headed for the showers.
Lex stood facing the locker and took a moment to anxiously fret between not showering and showering with Bruce. He entered the showers, turned on the water as hot as he could stand it, and soaped up quickly.
Bruce hummed a song as he showered, making sure he did not spy as Lex washed up. In fact, he turned around as he shampooed his hair.
It didn't take Lex long to rinse off, and he turned off his spray and left the shower. He didn't want to appear unfriendly or as a prude, but he also didn't want to end up staring at Bruce or awkwardly... appreciating him more than was appropriate. Bruce would be his boss soon, and Lex had too much to hide.
"You were saying?" Bruce called still from the shower after he rinsed off. "What would you like to do later?"
"I..." Lex frowned as he pulled his pants back on. "What was I saying?" He paused a moment and crossed his arms. "Well, I'd like a nap, honestly. I had a late night- Oh, I was saying that we could visit the Gotham Museum. I was interested in the exhibit they have there this month."
"Museum?" Bruce emerged from the showers wearing his robe. "I was thinking more along the lines of going out and buying something. Like a restaurant."
Lex looked back at him and quirked a brow. "You're going to go out and buy a restaurant. I'll pass on that."
"Really? I'd let you pick," Bruce offered with a grin. He leaned his shoulder on the closest locker. "Ready when you are. I'll change upstairs."
Lex pulled on his shirt quickly, then bent over to tie up his shoes. "All right. Let's try Alfred's eggplant thing."
"If you want to nap before we go out, that can be arranged," Bruce suggested. "There should be plenty of guest bedrooms in this place." He led the way back to the main house, but paused once they reached a wide hallway. "I wonder where Alfred-"
"I've taken the liberty of setting lunch in the intimate dining room, sir," Alfred announced as he emerged from a doorway.
Bruce smiled. "Ah. Perfect. This way." He turned right at the second set of double doors. The 'intimate dining room' had a table for twenty-four people. Alfred had set Bruce's place at the head in front of the large family portrait of him as a child with his parents, and Lex's, two places down, to Bruce's right.
"Ah. Very intimate," Lex joked softly. He looked up at the portrait, looking it over curiously. There was a strong, kind-looking man and woman, who had a necklace of pearls, and a young boy with dark hair and a little suit. "Is that you, Bruce?" he asked in a gentle voice.
"Yes," Bruce replied, without looking at the portrait himself. Instead, he went to one of the six windows in the room and glanced outside. "And my parents. Just before they died."
Lex slipped his hands into of his pocket and looked up at the picture thoughtfully for a minute or two. "They loved you very much."
The ends of Bruce's mouth curled up slightly. "You can tell?"
"It's in their eyes. Warmth, hope... A light that can't help but show when a family loves one another," Lex said matter-of-factly.
"They were good parents." Bruce glanced at Alfred as he came in with a tray. "Well, I will leave you for a moment to change. I won't be long."
Alfred set the rolls down on the table.
Lex watched as Bruce left and drew near the table. "It looks wonderful, Alfred," he said softly.
"Thank you, sir. What would you like to drink? I can accomodate almost any wish."
"Actually, I mostly drink water. That will be fine... Tynant if you have it."
"I most certainly do, sir." Alfred gave Lex a soft smile. "Chilled?"
"Yes, please." Lex smiled in return at the older man and put his hand on the back of a chair. If he still kept help, he would have liked to steal Alfred.
Alfred started towards the door, but then paused and looked at Lex again. "Master Bruce does not have many friends... But he seems to like you."
"I'm not sure why. He barely knows me." Lex shrugged. "I'll try to do him well."
"That would be fantastic, sir. Master Bruce can be... Difficult."
"Well. I'm not exactly easy either," Lex admitted.
"This should be interesting, then. I will fetch your water." Alfred nodded once and left.
Lex sighed and rubbed the back of his neck, walking over to the window where Bruce had been standing and looking out over the grounds. This place was just beautiful. Lonely and beautiful.
Bruce returned wearing black pants and a blue sweater. "Sorry, did I take too long?" He went to the table and held the chair back for Lex.
Lex smirked. "Far, far too long." He patted Bruce's cheek and sat in the chair. "The sweater looks nice on you."
"Thank you. I mostly wear blue and black. Easy picks, I guess." Bruce took his seat.
Alfred returned with water bottles for both Lex and Bruce, and began serving the food.
Lex thanked Alfred, and when Alfred had departed, he cut into his eggplant and took a bite. "This is excellent."
"He is a great cook. Used to love it when my parents had dinner parties and he could show it off. I'd sit in the kitchen and watch him command the staff but cook himself." Bruce smiled warmly.
Lex smiled as well and cupped his chin, chewing thoughtfully. "I bet it was a lot of fun. My parents used to have dinner parties. I'd hide in the coat closet."
"Would you?" Bruce chuckled. "I tried that a couple of times, but Alfred would always find me."
"Sometimes my nurse would find me, but that was only if they wanted me to go out and play for the guests," Lex replied. He took a drink of his water.
"Play?" Bruce looked up from his food. "What, the piano?"
Lex nodded. "Yes. Everyone in my family played. They started teaching me when I was very young."
"That's nice. Do you still play?"
"Occasionally. I don't have access to a piano right now." Lex cut up more of his eggplant and got some of the saffron risotto on his fork.
"I have one." Bruce pointed to the double doors. "You could play for Alfred and me if you feel like it. My mother used to and I am only marginally good. Alfred plays, but not often."
Lex looked at his food with a slight frown, then nodded again. "I could try it. I might be a little rusty."
"You can't be worse than I am," Bruce said with a smile.
"Playing is a little personal. I used to sit by my mother's side and play with her, when no one was around." Lex looked up at Bruce. "I'd be glad to play for the two of you, though."
"We'll love to hear it, Lex." Bruce finished his eggplant and drak some water.
"Well, maybe that's what we're doing later." Lex wiped his mouth and smiled.
"Ah. Well. I'll have to buy that restaurant another day, then!" Bruce chuckled.
Lex sighed. "I suppose you will. Hope it doesn't derail your busy schedule."
"I know. You're putting a cramp in my eccentric playboy style, let me tell you!" Bruce picked up a roll and took a bite out of it.
"Oh. If that's the case, I might come by to cramp your style more often." Lex ran a finger over his upper lip.
"Ugh. How will I stand it?" Bruce grinned widely.
Lex shrugged his head to the side. "You'll have to get your kicks somewhere else."
"I guess!" Bruce pushed his chair back and stood. "Do you eat dessert?"
"Not often," Lex told him, standing as well. "You?"
"No. But if Alfred's made something with condensed milk, I won't refuse... It's my weakness," Bruce added in a whisper. He walked up to Lex. "Shall we sit in the winter garden?"
"A weakness, hm? I'll remember that." Lex looked at his shoes for a moment, then nodded, walking alongside Bruce. "Yes, I'd like that."
"Do you drink coffee? Or would you rather not, if you're taking a nap?" Bruce walked with Lex towards the covered flower garden, that Alfred kept like his mother used to.
"Hm. Yeah, I'd better not. I do normally drink... probably more coffee than I should."
"It's a way of living for me," Bruce said honestly.
Lex nodded enthusiastically. "Really, when one keeps absurd hours, it seems unfair that the rest of the world demands he be up at the crack of dawn, and yet somehow we're expected to join the living every weekday."
"Too true. But they get upset when I ask what they do between midnight and six in the morning!" chuckled Bruce.
"The nerve of them." Lex moved his eyes over the beautiful flowers in the garden, then stood by the window.
"Tell me about where you live now." Bruce took a seat in a large armchair that faced the part of the garden where the sun shone on the flowers and watched Lex.
"It's a... quaint little apartment a few blocks from campus," Lex said, envisioning his tiny place. "It isn't much, but I pay for it. Or rather, Wayne Enterprises and my other scholarships do."
"I once wanted to sell this place, when I got back from Princeton." Bruce sighed. "Alfred almost had a fit."
"I most definitely did not," Alfred said as he came in with a tray with coffee and fruit salad with condensed milk over it. "But this is your home, and it is where you should be. Sir."
"Condensed milk," Lex said, raising his brows at Bruce. He walked over to a chair beside Bruce and took a seat.
"I love it," admitted Bruce. He handed Lex a bowl and grabbed one for himself.
"You're wonderful at making this a home, Alfred," Lex said, then forked a piece of fruit to try it. Bruce Wayne had a sweet tooth. Lex wondered how Bruce would react if he made him cookies or something.
"Thank you, sir. I do try." Alfred gave Bruce a look, which Bruce made a point to ignore, and left again.
"You're spoiling him," Bruce said accusingly.
"My father always said that your employees should fear you, but my mother, she said that you should treat your employees well and have them respect you, because ultimately one day your life may be in their hands," Lex replied. He set his bowl half-finished aside.
Bruce nodded deeply. "Your mother was a wise woman. You may or may not know this, but I was declared dead once."
"Oh?" Lex raised a brow very high. "I think I heard about that."
"In my will, I left everything to Alfred in the event of my death. So obviously, he inherited the whole Wayne fortune then. When I came back, obviously not dead, I knew I could trust him not to kick me out on the curb. You see, Lex, Alfred is much more than an employee to me. He raised me after my parents died. I'm tough on him but it's only because he would still baby me otherwise." Bruce smiled again.
"I'm glad you have him," Lex said honestly. Life had been so hard on Bruce.
"So am I." Bruce met Lex's eyes. "And he likes you, too."
"I'm glad for that, too. I don't have a lot of people who like me. Not really."
"No?" Bruce frowned. He found that hard to believe.
"I was not the most sociable kid, and after the meteor shower... even my parents didn't look at me the same. Only my nurse Pamela really seemed to still feel comfortable around me, and even she left once my mother was dead." Lex took a deep breath.
"Because of the hairloss?" Bruce put his bowl down and rested his chin on his hand. "That hardly seems fair to a child."
"I don't think they intended it..." Lex folded his hands in front of him and leaned forward. "You can hardly help your reaction to the uncanny. It's only human."
Bruce thought about all that he had already seen in his short time as Batman and pursed his lips. "Well. I live in Gotham. My definition to uncanny might be much more enhanced than others'."
"Hm. In Metropolis directly after the meteor shower, the area wasn't yet very accustomed to the strange and bizarre," Lex replied. "I think they're learning."
"You don't look strange at all to me." Bruce picked up his coffee cup and took a sip.
"I appreciate you saying that. And I appreciate you meaning it. I can tell by the way someone looks, or refuses to look, at me." Lex looked over at Bruce and smiled. "You're a lot less shallow then you pretend to be."
Bruce laughed softly. "That's it. You won't let me make ridiculous purchases, you spoil Alfred and now you're actually paying attention to me. Get out." He laughed some more.
Lex rolled his eyes and pretended to get up to leave.
"Oh, sit down!" Bruce reached over and touched Lex's wrist, still deeply amused.
Lex twisted his hand around to take Bruce's wrist instead and gave him a slight tug and a grin.
Bruce practically beamed, not something he really did anymore. "Did you finish your fruit salad? How did you like the topping?"
"I don't think I'm as big a fan as you, but it's good." Lex dropped back into his seat. "Not something I'd have ever thought of."
"You tried something new. Good. Let me know when you're ready to go bed-hunting." Bruce winked.
"That sounds scandalous." Lex rubbed the side of his left eye. "All right. Let's go find some place for nightowls to rest."
"What's your favorite color?" Bruce asked as he stood up.
"It's blue," Lex answered automatically. He followed Bruce out of the room. "Only with a little red in it."
Bruce eyed Lex and chuckled. "Purple, then? There's nothing wrong with purple, Lex." He touched his chin pensively. "I'm not sure we have a purple suite..."
"It's alright if you don't." Lex paused. "Purple is a girl's color."
"Pink is a girl's color," argued Bruce with humor. "Purple is regal. Lavender, okay, that's girlish." He headed for the wide stairs that led to the second floor.
"Well, Luthors are theoretically decended from royalty," Lex replied, a tinge of mocking in his voice. "My father had a castle shipped to a small town in Kansas."
"Did he really? From where, exactly?"
"Scotland," Lex answered. "Our 'ancestral home,' or so my father says. Our ancestral home may actually be a cardboard box in Suicide Slums, but I wouldn't know."
"Well, it's not hard information to achieve if you'd like." Bruce passed the first two doors in a long hall. "I don't like those rooms. There is mine." He pointed to the third door.
"Hmm. The cave." Lex waggled his brows and ducked his head inside.
Bruce inhaled, closed his lips and did not reply. Not quite The Cave. "It was my parents' bedroom. Alfred insisted I moved in after I returned. I'd rather have stayed in my old room..."
Lex ventured in further. "Whether you want them to or not, things will change. I assume Alfred had his reasons." He looked at the closed drapes and smiled. "Not a morning person?"
"Not even close." Bruce stepped inside after Lex.
"And yet you got up early to meet with me?" Lex turned by the window and leaned on the frame.
"Maybe I haven't slept yet," Bruce said with a grin.
Lex cocked his head to the side. "Oh, well. Maybe we should put you down for a nap as well."
"I could probably use a little sleep," agreed Bruce. He had stayed up all night because of those damn bank robbers who had decided to hit three different banks all at once. Now they shared one cell at the police station, but Batman had run around town all night long.
"Then why don't you lay down?" Lex suggested. "I can take whatever room is across the hall."
"That wouldn't be very host-like of me." Bruce nodded towards his walk-in closet. "Would you like a change of clothes? A shirt or pajamas?"
Lex rolled his shoulders. He often slept naked, unless he got cold. Occasionally he'd wear pajama bottoms. "Pajamas."
Bruce nodded and headed into the closet. "I'll get you a pair."
"Thank you." Lex sat at the foot of Bruce's bed and swung his legs a little.
Bruce eyed his pajama shelf. He really wanted to see Lex in his black silk ones, because he bet that Lex would look exquisite with all that pale skin against the dark fabric, however... Silk was probably too sexy an option. He picked up a set of comfortable, off-white cotton pajamas and came back out. "Here you are."
"Thank you." Lex stood and took the pajamas from him. He remained there for a moment, wondering if he should just change right there or sneak into the other room and change like a schoolboy on a sleepover. One that happened in the middle of the day.
"Sure, Lex." Bruce ran a hand through his hair and sat down on the side of the bed to take off his shoes. He was not sure how to proceed with his guest, but he could get ready for his own nap for the moment.
Lex turned to the other side of the bed and began to undress. He'd managed by the pool, and he could manage here.
"Did you know my father was a doctor?" Bruce asked as he pulled off his socks, stuck them inside his shoes, and stood up again.
"Oh?" Lex had the pajamas on quickly and sat back on the bed. "No, I didn't know."
"This was some of his old stuff." Bruce indicated the almost-antique-old esthetoscope and other instruments on a small table as he passed it by. "My grandfather founded Gotham General."
"That's impressive, Bruce. Did you ever think of going into medicine?" Lex leaned back on his palms.
"Oh, yes," Bruce replied from back in the closet. He would wear the black pajamas himself. "Once upon a time, I was sure that it was what I wanted to be."
"What changed your mind?"
Bruce walked out buttoning up the pajama shirt. "Losing my parents changed my life, as you can imagine. Changing my mind was just a consequence."
"Right. I'm sorry." Lex pinched his lips together and tented his brows. He remembered what it had been like losing his mother. He couldn't imagine what it had been like for Bruce to lose his parents.
"Don't be; it wasn't your fault, and I can talk about it. Better than hiding it like the huge elephant in the room that everyone tries to walk around and ignore, don't you think?"
"I agree. It is better. I was always taught to keep everything inside. Hide away your fear and pain, so that you can fight a better battle," Lex replied. His eyes went up and down Bruce's form in the silky pajamas.
Bruce thought about that for a moment. "Hm. Well. Sometimes that's good advice. The great playwright said that the world was a stage; when do we ever stop acting?"
"Yes, I don't like to talk about my feelings. Normally I keep them in a lead box, allowing them to fester into a mental illness," Lex joked.
"Ah, but Lex..." Bruce flashed Lex a not-so-sane grin himself. "Sanity's overrated, haven't you heard?"
Lex stood and walked closer to Bruce. "Is that so?"
"Oh, yes. Highly." Bruce twisted his lips. "At least I sincerely hope so."
"'I think we can agree on that one." Lex touched Bruce's shoulder and petted his soft pajamas. "Walk me to my room."
Bruce nodded. "I can do that. We'll see what the one across the hall looks like, shall we?" He was glad that Lex hadn't touched any of his fresh bruises by accident. He could take the pain, but he didn't have to like it. He walked out of his bedroom with Lex and opened the door to the other bedroom for him.
Lex smirked at Bruce, then walked into the other room with a regal lift of his head. The room wasn't in purple, but rather a deep burgundy, and Lex nodded in approval and headed over to the large bed.
"Do you approve?" Bruce looked around. "I don't think I've ever been in this... Oh, no, I have. I remember hiding from my father under that table, when had to give me a shot, I forget which..."
"You were a cute kid. You sound very normal." Lex dropped onto the bed with a bounce. "I approve."
"Good." Bruce chuckled. "I probably was very normal." He walked up to Lex and smiled softly down at him. "Do I need to tuck you in?"
"I think i can manage," Lex said, pulling his legs up on the bed. "Unless you want to sing me to sleep?"
"You might regret that request," warned Bruce, slowly stepping backwards to the door. He did, however, began to softly sing an old Sinatra song.
Lex covered his smile with a hand and climbed back on the bed, pulling down the bedspread. Bruce had quite the lovely voice. As he lay back, Lex wondered if Bruce would mind singing along as Lex played the piano.
"Might you explain to me, Master Bruce, your sudden fascination with adolescents?" Alfred asked as Bruce returned to his bedroom.
Bruce gave him a flat look. "There's no fascination. You know as well as I do that Catwoman needs help."
"Your help, sir?"
"Unless you see another lunatic leaping roofs at night who isn't a killer, yes, Alfred. My help. And Lex… I like him. That's not a crime, either."
"Hopefully we can keep it that way," Alfred said dryly. "Have a good nap, sir."
"Half an hour, Alfred. Forty minutes at the most," Bruce warned.
"Very well, sir." Alfred left the bedroom. At least Bruce was sleeping some. He really was grateful for that.