Guardian Devil

CHAPTER TEN: FATHER FIGURE

Lex kneeled down beside the black paw print. He reached out and touched the exact center of it. A wave of vertigo rushed over him and he fought it by shutting his eyes tight. The world spins less in the dark. The buzzing was back in his mind and this time he could make out two words: ‘My child.’. Lex rocked back on his heels, thinking instinctively: ‘No, I’m not yours.’ There was silence then the buzzing came back twice as loud and the Voice added: ‘You want to be.’ The Voice then drained away leaving Lex’s head aching worse than before. He wiped away the sweat that had broken across his upper lip.

“Lex, are you alright?” Clark asked as he touched Lex’s shoulder.

“I … I’m okay.”

Lex reached back and clasped Clark’s hand for a moment. The warmth of Clark’s skin grounded him. Lex then brushed his fingertips across the print. There was a hint of buzzing. Lex thought as hard as he could: ‘Who are you?’ But the Voice did not return. ‘I will find out who you are.’ Lex rubbed the edge of the print. It left a carbon smear across his fingertips. He sniffed the substance. Sulfur. What’s going on here?

“It’s burned into the floor,” Lex said softly.

“But the floor’s concrete … how?” Clark breathed.

“I have no idea.” Lex’s expression was grim. He flipped open his cell phone and hit speed dial. “Morgan, I’m in the garage. There has been an intruder. I want to know how he or she or … how it … got in. I want to know everything. The evidence of the break-in is a burnt paw print by the blue Jag.”

Morgan was Lex’s new chief of security. He was ex-CIA and supposedly the best. But someone …something … got in. And then this morning Martha Kent was making herself at home in the foyer. Lex gave Clark one careful look before he said the next sentence, “Oh, and Morgan, Mrs. Kent got on the grounds and into the house this morning. That will never happen again. Mr. Kent is never to set foot on the property as well. Do you understand?”

Lex closed his phone after Morgan’s affirmative response. He gave the paw print one last glance, and then focused on Clark. The younger boy for his part fidgeted under Lex’s gaze and looked down at the feet.

“Angel … I know that it might seem harsh to keep them out but—”

“I understand why you did it, Lex. I already told Martha to stay away from us. It’s just …”

“They’re both dangerous. Her more than him. I’m seeing Martha … differently now. Clearer. I always thought of her as a formidable opponent but one that was upfront about her attacks. Now … I know that isn’t true.”

“You saw her as an opponent before now?” Clark’s green eyes are wide.

Lex smiled thinly. “Oh yes, Clark. I knew that the person who would make or break our relationship would be her, not Jonathan.” Lex went into full cool scientist mode as he began to pick apart Martha’s motivations. “I think that she went the wrong way by advocating the physical punishment. She should have used a subtler means of keeping us apart. Maybe she discovered he was beating you for the sexual feelings you had for me and she decided to use it to accomplish her own goals.”

“Lex!” Clark looked at him, pain flashing in his eyes. “Please … I don’t want to know what she should have done to break us up. Or why physical torture wasn’t the best move. Okay?”

'He’s taking everything so well…at least on the surface. I keep forgetting how awful this whole thing must be for him. While for me there’s only been an upside to it: I get Clark under my roof and in my bed. Lex reached over and squeezed Clark’s right forearm.'

“Sorry, angel. I was being too much a Luthor there for a moment.”

“Do these sorts of things run through your mind all the time?” Clark asked.

“Unfortunately. I call it the Luthor Slither. You know how for most people that little voice talking in their head is their conscience? Well, for me, it’s the Slither and it’s never about taking the moral route.”

“Damn.”

“I know. And this is the man you entrusted yourself to. Scary, isn’t it?”

Clark pulled Lex against his chest for a bear hug. “Actually, I was thinking how great that was.”

“How so?” Lex’s muffled voice came from against Clark’s chest. Lex’s hands snaked around his warm farm boy, relishing the solidity of Clark’s muscled form against his own. We fit so perfectly together.

“With the Slither, no one will be able to think of more fiendish things than you do,” Clark half-teased. “So you’ll be able to anticipate what people are going to do to us and plan against it. Forewarned is forearmed, right?”

Lex smiled against the jacket covering Clark’s broad chest. 'Only Clark would take the Luthor Slither and see it as a way to do good for us.'

“It’s obviously not 100 effective. The case in point being the Kents, but … it can and will help us.”

Lex slid out from Clark’s arms reluctantly. 'How did I ever live without touching him and being touched by him like this?' Lex shivered though it had nothing to do with the ambient temperature of the garage. Clark rubbed his shoulders and Lex let out a pleased purr.

“Angel, I know you said you wanted to take the blue—”

“Teal!” Clark laughed.

“Teal Porsche, correct. But are you sure you wouldn’t want to look at all the vehicles in the garage before you make your ultimate choice?” Lex attempted an innocent look, but his eyes flicked past Clark’s shoulder to a vehicle at the very farthest end of the garage that had been waiting patiently for its owner to come and use it.

Clark saw where Lex’s gaze had gone and turned around. “The truck? You kept it?”

“Of course.” Lex couldn’t keep the laughter out of his voice.

Clark looked like a little kid at Christmas. He ran over to the truck and began to lovingly caress the red body.

“It’s not even dusty!” Clark opened the driver door and inhaled. “It even still smells new.”

“I gave instructions that it was to be perfectly maintained until its owner could claim it.”

“Do you mean … me?”

“Who else?”

Clark gave a whoop of excitement and practically molested the truck’s front hood. Lex wandered up behind his ward, hands stuffed in the pockets of his coat, as he watched the boy frisk around the vehicle like an eager puppy. 'Now there’s no Jonathan Kent to stop me from spoiling Clark rotten. I get to take care of him how he always should have been taken care of.'

Clark whirled around to face Lex, his eyes shining, his sweet mouth tugged into a 1000 megawatt smile. “You’re the best. You’re the absolute best!”

Lex chuckled and allowed himself a half-smirk. “I try.”

Clark’s smile dimmed a moment then he added, “You are the best, but not because of the gifts and stuff. You know that, right?”

“I know you believe that about me,” Lex answered softly.

“It’s true,” Clark answered and enfolded Lex in his arms again.

Lex closed his eyes as he was taken into Clark’s embrace. The warmth and scent of his farm boy surrounded him. 'He smells like summer.' Lex leaned into Clark’s strength. He felt the whispered touch of Clark’s silken hair against his bare skull. Lex tilted his head back so he could see Clark’s face. The boy’s mouth beckoned to him. 'Headache be damned. Lionel be damned. Business be damned. I must have this.'

Lex nibbled on Clark’s lower lip and felt Clark’s exhale of breath brush across his face like a caress as the boy gasped in pleasure. Clark’s mouth surrendered to him. It opened, allowing Lex’s tongue to slide in and tangle with Clark’s own. The taste of his farm boy was like apples that morning: tart, crisp and sweet. Lex sucked hard on Clark’s tongue wanting more of that taste. The little bit of semen he’d swallowed earlier had made him hungry for Clark’s essence. If he didn’t have to look nice for Lucien, he would have gotten down on his knees in the dirty garage and swallowed his farm boy whole, sucked out as much as Clark’s cum as the boy could produce and he could hold. But kisses would have to feed the hunger he felt for Clark this time.

Lex slid his hands up to cup the boy’s face. Clark surprised him when he gripped Lex’s right wrist lightly and brought it around to his mouth. Clark held Lex’s wrist against his lips. The boy licked the pulse point then suckled on it.

“Angel,” Lex breathed, so hard and aching at this strange act.

“It’s your life force, Lex. Your heart beat … music to me … wish I could drown in it.”

Lex moaned and thrust against Clark’s thigh that had made its way between his legs. Clark’s eyes were at half-mast, the green color darkening with desire, as Clark brushed Lex’s pulse point against his lips. Lex leaned forward and claimed that pouty mouth again. He licked and sucked the full lower lip. He dipped inside with his tongue like a humming bird tasting nectar. The younger boy moaned and the vibrations went straight to Lex’s cock. He fumbled to grip the base of his sex to stop from coming in his pants.

“Clark, if we don’t stop I’m going to have an accident here,” Lex choked out.

“We can’t have that,” Clark said and with a shy smile dropped to his knees. The boy began to unbutton and unzip Lex’s pants with surprisingly steady hands. 'It’s like last night when he became so … confident of his sensuality. No hesitation as if he knew what would most turn me on and make me lose control. Could this be part of his alien physiology? How can I be thinking at a moment like this!'

“Angel! What are you doing?”

Clark looked up at him, his hands clinging to Lex’s waist, swallowing hard, with a need that sparked in his green eyes. “Stopping you from having an accident.”

“You mean … wait, we shouldn’t … not in the garage … not for the—”

“But I’ve always wanted to suck you off in the garage, in each of your cars, on the kitchen counter and on the pool table … everywhere. Please, Lex, I have to … I need you,” Clark explained and Lex nearly came right then.

The jerk of Lex’s sex in his half undone pants drew Clark’s attention back down from Lex’s face. The boy tugged down Lex’s pants and purple silk boxers to mid-thigh. His cock sprung free, flushed red with blood, and already dripping with pre-cum.

“So beautiful. Every part of you, Lex, is so beautiful,” Clark breathed. “How can this be for me?”
Lex stifled a scream as Clark leaned in and licked the bead of pre-cum from the slit of his cock. Clark glanced up at him from under that fringe of silky hair.

“It tastes better fresh from the source. Spicy and salty.” Clark licked his lips and eyed Lex’s sex as if it were a treat.

Lex gasped. “Are you trying to kill me, angel?”

Clark chuckled. “Just testing the famous Lex Luthor control.”

“It’s highly exaggerated … especially when faced with farm boys on their knees.”

Proving his words true, Lex shifted his hips forward to press the tip of his sex against Clark’s lips, needing to feel that silky mouth surrounding his sex. Clark opened eagerly for him, his lips stretched to wrap around the head of Lex’s cock. Clark’s eyes lifted to his face, a happy wanting look in them, then fluttered shut as the boy began to suck. Clark wrapped on hand around the base of Lex’s cock while the other gripped one of Lex’s hips, controlling Lex’s ability to thrust forward. The older boy was glad. He was so on edge right now he could imagine just pounding into Clark’s throat until he came screaming. Invulnerable or not, it wouldn’t be pleasant for Clark and Lex wanted him to enjoy doing this. I want him eager to take me into his mouth … into every opening in his sweet body.

Lex braced himself with his hands against the side of the truck. His face was reflected in the passenger side window. His pupils were full and his mouth was half-open as he gasped in pleasure with each slide of Clark’s mouth and fist around his cock. Lex hardly recognized the open wanton look on his face.
Clark could take in only about half of Lex’s sex in his mouth, but that was more enough slickness and heat to overload every one of his senses. He was undone by the fact that it was Clark’s mouth on him, Clark’s saliva coating his sex, Clark’s tongue rubbing against the underside of his cock. Lex heard himself making these begging noises, half-exhales of need, and promises of eternal love and he meant every single one of those whispered, keening words.

Pressure built up in his balls and they tightened against his body as he neared his breaking point. Clark hummed at that moment and the vibrations sent Lex over the edge. He tried to pull out, not wanting Clark to have to swallow, but Clark gripped Lex tight and drank down his essence as if he were a parched man in a desert and Lex’s cum was the only liquid that would satisfy him. Lex half-collapsed against the truck while Clark laid his head against one of Lex’s hips. Lex saw that he had left sweaty handprints against the truck’s glossy red finish. Coming to his senses, Lex tucked his still sensitive sex into his boxers and buttoned and zipped up his pants. Then he reached down and tugged Clark into his arms. The boy pushed his head under Lex’s chin, clutching at the front of Lex’s open coat.

“Angel, are you okay? Clark? Can you talk to me, please?” Lex tried to keep the shakiness out of his voice when the boy didn’t answer, seemingly more intent on burrowing into Lex.

Clark finally mumbled something that Lex couldn’t hear.

“What did you say, angel?” Lex asked and tried to draw Clark out to look at him, but the boy snuffled closer.

“I’m good, Lex.” Clark sounded anything but good. He sounded teary, overwhelmed.

That broken tone was like ice water over Lex’s spine. 'What the fuck was I thinking letting him suck me off in the garage? His sexual worldliness is an act! How could I have forgotten that? I’m so stupid! He must feel so dirty, so used, even though he’s neither of those things. God, what have I done?' Lex rubbed comforting circles over Clark’s back and the boy let out a shuddering sigh and relaxed his death grip on Lex’s coat.

“Angel … I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have let this happen! God, Clark, you’re everything to me. I love you so much,” Lex babbled, not sure how to make this better, just hoping he wouldn’t make it worse.

“Did you … did you like it?” Clark’s voice was so small and Lex wished he’d cut his own dick off before he pushed it into Clark’s innocent mouth.

“Yes, angel … it was beautiful what you did for me. So … so wonderful what you did. But what matters is … how you feel.”

Clark drew back from Lex’s throat, tears clinging to those long soot-colored lashes. The boy blinked hard and rubbed his eyes. “When you were in my mouth … I could feel your pulse through your cock and … and my own heart started beating at the same rhythm. We were like … one. And then you came and … and I couldn’t feel you any more.” He added softly, “I felt so alone.”

Whatever Lex was expecting to hear, it wasn’t that. 'He’s not upset we did this. He’s upset that it’s over!' Relief rushed through Lex. He traced Clark’s cheekbones with his fingertips.

“You aren’t alone, angel. I’m right here with you. Always with you,” Lex promised.

Clark’s forest green eyes, still wet with tears, sought out Lex’s cool grey ones. “I love you so much, Lex. Sometimes it feels like I can’t get close enough to you. Is that weird? Do you think it’s an alien thing?”

Lex smiled. “No, angel. I feel the same way.”

Lex leaned in and kissed Clark softly. He could taste himself on the boy’s tongue. He could feel Clark’s neglected sex still semi-hard against his thigh despite the emotional turmoil the boy was in. His hands trailed down Clark’s sides and moved to cup Clark’s dick. Clark caught them and pressed them to his chest instead.

“Can’t I take care of you, angel?”

Clark pressed his forehead to Lex’s. “I want you to touch me …”

“But?” Lex asked softly.

“It … it would be too much right now. I feel so … raw inside,” Clark swallowed hard.

Lex felt the boy trembling against him. He knew Clark needed comfort and was too ashamed to ask to be held. To be comforted.

“Can I hold you instead, angel?” Lex asked, feeling his heart ache instead of his dick this time at the grateful look Clark gave him.

Lex pulled Clark against his chest. He ran his hands up and down the boy’s back and began to rock him slightly. Clark rested his head on Lex’s shoulder, his face pressed tight against Lex’s neck. Lex then began to whisper love words in Clark’s ear. He told him how beautiful he was, how precious, how he was light and warmth for Lex’s soul. He said things that he couldn’t believe he’d ever admit out loud to anyone let alone feel. But they were all true and it felt right. It seemed to help. Clark went almost boneless in his arms.

“Are you okay now, angel?” Lex asked, his voice hoarse from talking.

Clark nodded against his shoulder and slowly drew himself up. There was a surprisingly adult look on his face, too old for his youthful face. “Thank you, Lex. No one … no one has ever said anything like that to me before. And you meant it, didn’t you?”

“Yes, beloved,” Lex said and felt a tremor course through him. Clark wasn’t the only one feeling and doing things he had never done before that day. “Being with you … rocks me to my foundations, Clark.”

“Same here,” Clark said.

They just looked at each other for a long moment. 'This is what it feels to belong with someone, belong to them. Where are all my defenses? Where is that Luthor self-control, holding me back? It’s gone and I don’t miss it. Not with Clark. Not ever.'

Reluctantly, Lex began, “We …”

“Have to get to Metropolis,” Clark finished with a grin. “I’m okay now, Lex. Really.”

“So you want to take your baby for her first spin?”

“We can take the truck to the city?” Clark was practically vibrating with excitement.

“I assume that’s your vehicle of choice for the trip,” Lex said.

“Yeah!”

Lex sighed. 'Whoever says money can’t buy happiness has never seen the look on Clark’s face when he gazes at that truck.' Lex walked over to the key cabinet and extracted the truck’s keys. He tossed them over to Clark who caught them and slid into the driver’s seat without any more prompting. Lex got in the passenger side and almost immediately closed his eyes. The headache from the Voice was back stronger than ever. 'Please let me get through this meeting with Lucien without passing out, throwing up or killing Lionel.'

“Lex, don’t we have to say goodbye to your dad?” Clark asked softly, the reluctance in his voice obvious, but dutiful polite child that he was brought up to be, he still was willing to say goodbye to Lionel.

“I did before I joined you outside. He was already making calls the moment Martha was out the door.”

“He’s interested in her,” Clark observed too coolly as he pulled the truck out of the garage and began to drive towards the highway.

“Lionel is always looking for the next ex-Mrs. Luthor.”

“Yeah. You don’t think she’d … do that … marry him, do you?”

“Hmmm, to keep closer tabs on us and our world domination plans? I wouldn’t have considered it in her before, but …” Lex stopped as he felt the tension in Clark even behind shut eyelids.

Lex opened his eyes and looked over at the boy. Clark’s knuckles were white as he clenched the steering wheel. The boy’s jaw was tense. I wonder when he’ll break. It’s bound to come after everything that’s happened to him. He’s been so brave … so strong, but from what he’s gone through … it’s only a matter of time before he falls apart. I’ll be there to catch him, but … I hope it’s enough. Maybe I should ask Bruce about someone he could speak to.

“Sorry, angel, it was the Slither getting out before I realized,” Lex said as he gently placed a hand on Clark’s closest forearm.

“But the Slither is right. She could do it. Jonathan can’t help her any more. He’s become a liability, right? If she were Lionel’s wife she could …” Clark stopped and swallowed hard. “She could do other bad things to us.”

Lex breathed deeply. “She’s not going to hurt us any more, Clark. I promise. I’ll take care of things.”
Clark’s nod was stiff, but his grip on the steering wheel relaxed marginally. Lex squeezed his forearm again, relishing the feel of the muscles underneath the soft flannel, as well as trying to comfort the boy.

“So how’s the handling?” Lex asked to distract him.

Clark relaxed some more and gave Lex a genuine smile. “Perfect. A joy to drive.”

“Good.” Lex settled back into the wide cushioned leather seat, a wave of tiredness coming over him.

“Lex,” Clark’s voice was tinged with worry. “Why don’t you sleep? You look exhausted.”

“I think I will. Wake me when we reach the city limits and I’ll tell you how to get to the penthouse.”

This time when Lex slept he did not dream.

<<>>

“Lex, wake up. We’re in Metropolis,” Clark said as he jostled Lex awake.

Lex blinked and shut his eyes tight again. The light felt like it was burning his eyes. While he fished his sunglasses out, he groused, “When did the sun get so bright?”

Clark laughed. “Well, it is after 11. Going vampire on me, Lex?”

“Would you be surprised if I did? I’ve been waiting for the vampire and werewolf hoards to show up in Smallville for some time.”

“I think we’ve got enough wolf problems already without adding werewolves to the mix,” Clark answered and his smile faded a little. “So where am I going here?”

Lex guided them to the underground parking garage of his apartment building. They rode up to the penthouse in comfortable silence, able to hold hands and lean against each other in the private elevator.

“It’s going to be hard to remember not to touch in public like this, isn’t it?” Clark asked.

“It is,” Lex agreed as he brushed the back of his free hand against Clark’s cheek. “But we will remember, because we have to. They’d take you away from me if we were found out.”

At that moment, the elevator opened into the hallway that led to the front doors for Lex’s penthouse. Clark had never been there before and Lex knew the sweeping view of the city that one saw right from the penthouse entrance would wow his ward. For that reason, he unlocked the doors, but indicated that Clark should be the one to open them. Clark’s gasp of wonder and delight as he caught sight of the view through the floor to ceiling windows that made up the opposite ‘wall’ of the room was all Lex could have wished for.

“Whoa! This is … wild!” Clark said as he loped over the window, practically pressing his nose against the glass. “You can see all of downtown.”

“Go out on the terrace, then you’ll really be able to see everything,” Lex told him then began to check his messages on his cell phone as his ward scampered outside.

There were three messages from Lionel alone, reminding him of the importance of the deal and in veiled terms how wise it would be for Lex to forget the farm boy and get down on his knees before the great Lucien with a smile on his face. Lex deleted those messages with relish. Lex wandered into the kitchen as he listened to a few messages from Gabe Sullivan about the increased productivity at the plant. He flipped his phone shut with a sigh. He was finally done with checking on the rest of his life outside of Clark.
He noted that the staff had left menus for his favorite takeout restaurants on the kitchen island, an extra set of keys for the penthouse and a new cell phone. Enrique had obviously already contacted the staff here and let them know of Clark’s new status as Lex’s ward and that he and Clark were arriving today. Pleased at his staff’s efficiency and thoughtfulness, Lex scooped up the phone and keys and wandered out on the terrace to join his angel.

While Clark was admiring the view of the skyline, Lex was admiring the view of his farm boy. The fall wind tousled Clark’s dark hair and caused his cheeks to flush a becoming pink. Clark’s green eyes were sparkling and his sweet mouth was tugged into a smile. I cannot wait to dress him properly. People will literally be throwing themselves at him. Hmmm, maybe I should keep him in flannel then …

“Catch, angel,” Lex said as he tossed the set of keys then the phone to Clark.

“What’s all this for?” Clark asked as he thumbed through the keys then flipped open the phone.

“Those are your set of keys to the penthouse and a cell phone, which should have all my numbers at the office, Castle, here and my cell number programmed in for you. So when you have to run off to save people you can let me know. Or if you just want to get a hold of me for any reason you can,” Lex explained. “Welcome to the 21st Century, Clark.”

Clark lightly batted Lex on the shoulder, but the pleased grin belied the action. “You make it sound like I was living in the dark ages back on the farm just because I didn’t have a cell phone.”

Lex’s smirk was his only comment on that. “A set of keys for the Castle are also being made up today for you and you’ll receive all the codes for the security systems here and there,” Lex added.

“Thanks,” Clark said, shyly toeing the stone floor of the terrace. “I feel so … official now. I’m really living with you. For real and permanent.”

“I’ve wanted to give you keys forever, but I figured the Kents would have a fit,” Lex said, and focused on an imaginary piece of lint on his coat sleeve. He blinked several times, fighting a ridiculous rising burn of tears. 'Being able to give Clark keys did make it more official and real. I don’t have to cow tow to the Kents in order to see him. Beg for crumbs of his company.'

Clark brought him back to the present when he gripped Lex’s shoulders and dipped his head down to catch Lex’s gaze. “Hey, you okay?”

“Never better,” Lex answered though his voice was a little choked up at first. “Oh, there are menus for restaurants that deliver on the kitchen island. I’m sure you’ve got to be starving since we didn’t have breakfast this morning.”

“Didn’t have time to eat … food, anyway,” Clark said boldly then blushed as red as his truck.

“Quite,” Lex said softly, images of Clark on his knees in the garage feasting on Lex’s sex swimming to the forefront of his mind. He cleared his throat and tried to will down the erection that had begun. “So order yourself whatever you want. There are house accounts at each restaurant so you won’t have to worry about cash for right now. A checking account will be set up in your name tomorrow morning with an ATM card, checks and also credit cards.”

“You don’t have to—”

“Clark, you’re going to need spending money. An account of your own and credit cards merely makes sense. It would be ridiculous for you to have to come to me each time you wanted some cash to get a drink at the Talon or go to a movie with Chloe and Pete. Every week a set sum will be placed in the account for you to use as you wish.”

“Why do I have a feeling that the amount you put in the account will be more money than I’ve had in my entire life put together?”

“It won’t be that extravagant, Clark,” Lex answered and mentally added another zero on the amount that he planned to put in each week just to cause Clark to blush so prettily at Lex’s “extravagance.” Clark was his ward. He deserved only the best. Besides while Lex intended to try and spoil Clark, the boy would never actually become spoiled. He was too good for that. Too used to deprivation to ever take anything for granted.

The boy was toeing the ground again, which told Lex that he wanted to ask something, but he wasn’t sure of the older boy’s reaction. “Ah, Lex. This morning I heard Lionel say something about … about a trust you … ah … set up for me. Is that true?”

Lex had wondered when Clark would bring that up. “Yes, but that’s separate from the allowance. The money in the trust is not to be touched until you’re 21 at the earliest.”

“You shouldn’t have done that for me! I don’t need that kind of money. I mean what would I do with $20 million?” Clark asked, waving his arms like the money was in front of them in a big pile.

“Whatever you wanted,” Lex answered softly.

Clark rushed out with, “That’s your money, Lex. Money you’ve worked really, really hard for. You … you should take it back. You shouldn’t even give me an allowance. I can get a part time job. Since I don’t have farm chores to do any more I’ll have the time after school. I might not be able to pay for room and board and stuff, but at least I can pay for my own entertainment.”

Lex reached over and grasped Clark’s chin gently, forcing the younger man to look at him in the eye, “I’ll give you the same answer I gave Lionel. It’s my money and I chose what I do with it. I chose to give it to you.”

“But Lex—”

“No, Clark. I’m immovable on this. As to getting a part time job, I don’t believe you will have the time.”

“Why wouldn’t I have time?”

“Multiple reasons,” Lex said as he started counting them off on his fingers. “First, I want you to concentrate on your studies.”

“My studies? You make it sound like Smallville High is some kind of challenging prep school like you went to! I can finish my studies with one hand tied behind my back and one eye closed.”

“The school is wanting in most areas. That I know. So in addition to what you’re studying in school, I think your education needs to be supplemented by higher level math and science courses in an atmosphere where your talents will be appreciated rather than distrusted. I know some college professors at Met U, which would be perfect tutors for you.”

Clark’s green eyes went wider and Lex refrained from laughing. “So I’ll be tutored after school…”

“And on weekends. Time does not stop on Friday evening after all.”

Clark sputtered a little

Lex smirked and went on, “Second, we need to investigate the ship and your origins. I will require a great deal of your help on that.”

“Oh great, so between studying for school and the extra work, I get to spend time with the A.I.? Do we get any alone time? Just you and me?”

“Well, we will spend time together, which brings me to the third reason you won’t be able to get a part time job. As my ward you will be expected to join me for things like gallery and museum openings, galas and other charity events. Which reminds me, we need to get you fitted for at least two tuxes,” Lex paused while he bit his lower lip, planning out all the things that would benefit Clark in the future. Lex happened to glance up at his ward at that moment and saw the completely flummoxed look on Clark’s face. “What is it, angel?”

“Ah, just that all this talk about school and everything … well, you really sounded like … a guardian … parent … thing … there for a minute.”

“I am your guardian. Planning your future is part of my job,” Lex answered quietly then smirked. “Did you think I’d let you run wild, Clark?”

“I’m sure you’ll keep me in line. I won’t have time to do anything else with the schedule you’ve got planned for me,” Clark laughed and ran his fingers through his dark hair. “So where in there are we going to have some of that passionate love-making you promised me?” Clark’s voice dipped lower than normal and Lex’s head jerked up in surprise. The blush was definitely there, telling Lex this was indeed his farm boy, but there was the need he’d seen earlier.

“Ah, sleep is over-rated,” Lex teased as he fought the urge to cup that beautiful face and kiss Clark senseless.

“Well, I don’t see any tutors or A.I.s in sight right now?” Clark said and pulled Lex’s slim form against his own.

Clark devoured Lex’s lips. The taste of apples burst in Lex’s mouth as Clark’s tongue snaked in like an invading army. The older man had to push him away to breathe.

“Ah, breathing is over-rated, too, Lex,” Clark said, his voice sounding smoky.

“I tend to agree, but my lungs don’t seem to want to cooperate.” Lex glanced down at his watch and saw that he had fifteen minutes to make it to La Delacroix for lunch. It was about a ten minute walk from the penthouse, which would give him time to prepare mentally for the encounter.

“Time to go?” Clark asked.

“Unfortunately. Go ahead and explore the penthouse while I’m gone. I’m sure your gamer instincts will locate the PlayStation.”

Clark smiled at that, but it was a small smile. He released Lex from the embrace then wrapped his arms around himself and shifted his weight from foot to foot. Clear Clark signs for anxiety and unhappiness. Lex moved over to hug his farm boy again. Clark clutched him tight.

“I promise I’ll be back as soon as I can. Believe me, I’d rather just be here with you,” Lex said into one of Clark’s ears.

The boy just squeezed him a little tighter in response. Clark finally released him and they walked hand in hand over to the penthouse’s front doors. Clark was studiously looking at the floor and not at Lex, worrying his lower lip. Lex caressed his face as they reached the door to get his attention.

“I love you, angel.”

“Love you, Lex,” Clark murmured.

Lex kissed him lightly on the lips and turned to leave. Suddenly he had a farm boy wrapped around him.

“Good luck at the meeting.” Clark’s words were muffled, because he’d stuffed his face into the back of Lex’s neck.

Lex turned around to face the boy. “I promised, angel, that I would only charm Lucien with my mind. I keep my promises.”

Clark’s face was alternating between flushed and pale, his voice was tear-stained, “But he might be … will be … so much more than … than me. You might want—”

Lex stifled Clark’s protests with a finger over his lips. “No one could be more than you to me. He could be Adonis and Einstein combined and I wouldn’t be moved. You are … everything. I love you … only you, Clark. You are my heart. If I hurt you, I hurt myself. Understand?”

Clark nodded slowly.

“Trust me, angel?”

“With everything I am, Lex,” Clark answered.

Lex gave Clark a deep, long kiss, trying to infuse that one act with all his love for the boy. Clark sighed after the kiss ended. He looked a little dazed from it.

“I’ll be back soon. Then I get to take you shopping,” Lex teased.

“Can’t wait,” Clark answered faintly.

One more caress of Clark’s face and Lex fled to the elevator. Lex forced himself not to look back at Clark once the elevator doors opened. He needed to be in control of himself for this meeting. The cool and rational Lex Luthor, not the man who was so in love with his ward that he contemplated throwing away billion dollar deals just to appease said ward’s baseless insecurities.

His intention to walk to the restaurant and collect himself was lost the moment he stepped out onto the street. His father’s limousine was parked right in front of his building. Lionel’s chauffeur opened the door for Lex to get in. Lex squelched the desire to walk right on past the limo. Lionel was more than capable of having the limousine follow him at a crab’s pace down the streets until Lex gave in and rode with him. Not to mention that he’d do something to make me pay for my disobedience. Lex slid into the limousine and sat beside Lionel on the farthest back seat.

“I thought it would be best if we came in to the restaurant together,” Lionel said without preamble.

“Oh, and why is that exactly?” Lex asked, grimacing when he took his sunglasses off only to slide them back on, because even the muted light in the limo seemed too bright. Damn migraine sensitivity.

“Lucien is … old-fashioned,” Lionel said after hesitating over the last word.

“How so?”

Lionel shifted on the seat and brushed down the front of his coat, clearly trying to stave off answering Lex’s question.

“Father, if you don’t answer me soon we’ll be at the restaurant and I’ll find out for myself.”

“He places a lot of importance on the father-son relationship. He told me he wouldn’t approach you without talking to me first. As a courtesy … as a show of respect.”

Lex twisted in his seat to look at Lionel’s profile. “So … he thinks it’s only proper to ask the father for his permission to fuck the son? Is that what you’re saying?”

Lionel twisted his gloves in his lap. “He didn’t and wouldn’t say something so crude, Lex. The man is as smart as you. Another genius.”

“So what sophisticated language did he use to indicate he wanted to bed me?”

“None.”

“Then why did you ask me to look nice for him, Dad? And what was with all the talk about blowing him?” Lex tried to keep the anger out of his voice, but his head was beginning to ache again.

“It was his inordinate amount of interest in you that clued me in that he probably wants to do those things. I wanted you to be prepared for anything.”

“Damnit, Father, what exactly did he say about me?”

“Just that I must be proud to have such an … accomplished son. An intelligent son. A beautiful son. He mentioned your eyes and … how they showed a person of great spiritual and emotional depth or some such nonsense anyways. He said that I was very lucky and he was quite envious.”

Lex leaned back against the seat, contemplating his father’s words. “He could have meant just what he said, Dad. I don’t sense anything overtly sexual from what you just told me.”

“It wasn’t just what he said, but how he said it. You know I’m a good judge of people’s motivations, Lex. He wants you. There’s a hunger there,” Lionel tightened his grip on the gloves till the leather squeaked.

“He made quite an impression on you,” Lex observed mildly. Inside though it worried him that Lionel was so undone by merely talking about his conversation with Lucien. 'And he’s clearly not telling me all the man said.'

“Watch your tongue today, Lex. Watch everything you do,” Lionel counseled then he glanced over at Lex quickly. “And speaking of the eyes he liked so much, put those sunglasses away.”

“Not yet. I will once we get to the restaurant,” Lex said and blocked his father’s hand from reaching to pluck them off him.

“Why?”

“I have a headache and the light hurts my eyes.” Lex braced for his father’s snort of derision and it came.

“A headache? What are you setting the stage all ready for why you can’t go to bed with Lucien?”
Lex gripped the side of the seat and swallowed hard before responding. “What I do with my body is no concern of yours. If I chose to sleep with Lucien, I will. If I chose not to, I won’t. You have no say … anymore.”

“I’m your father, Lex. I’ll always have a say. Besides, I haven’t steered you wrong in the past, have I? We always benefited when you followed my advice.”

Lex’s head whipped around to face his father again, “You always benefited you mean.”

Lionel smirked. “Come now, Lex. You’ve always gotten all the toys and funds you’ve wanted from me. I repaid you ten fold for all you had to … put forward.”

“I guess the going rate for the virginity of a thirteen year old doesn’t isn’t that high.”

Lionel grimaced. “Not that again, Lex. You know that it wasn’t my fault. I had no idea what he intended to do. And I destroyed him for you … for what he did to you, didn’t I, son?”

“Not until years afterwards. Not until you got out of him everything you wanted business-wise and it behooved you to destroy him then.”

Lex swallowed the bile that flooded his mouth. Flashes of being held down and penetrated flowed through his mind like lava. How could his father still claim not to have known what the man wanted? Maybe Lionel even believed it now after years of claiming it out loud, but it wasn’t the truth. And after it had happened, his father had asked still him to be alone with other prospective clients and look nice. Then when Lex was sixteen, Lionel had dumped the euphemisms altogether and told him bluntly what sexual services he should provide certain clients. Lex had done it willingly to his shame and disgust. He knew that in offering to service Lionel’s clients he was trying to please a man who would never be pleased, trying to win a father’s love which he knew in his heart he could never do.

“I didn’t destroy him right away, because it would have wasted the opportunities that you paid so high a price for. I wanted to make sure that we got everything we could out of the bastard before we put him into the ground.”

“It wasn’t enough. It’ll never be enough,” Lex whispered and willed the memory of the scent of whiskey and cum away from him.

“The man took a dive out of his office window after I was through gutting his company. What more do you want, Lex?”

Lex turned towards his father again and a cold smile found its way onto his lips. “I don’t mean the price he paid, Father. I mean the one you did for letting him rape me.”

Lionel’s face became unreadable for a moment then he said, “You should have gotten over this a long time ago, Lex. If you haven’t I could always arrange a stay for you in Belle Reve to talk it all out again.”

The threat hung in the air between them like a shining dagger. The limo slowed to a stop outside the restaurant without the men saying another word to each other. Lex didn’t wait for anyone to come around and open the door for him. He was on the street and taking the front steps up to La Delacroix two at a time before his father was even out of the limo. His chest felt tight and for a terrible moment he actually patted his coat’s pockets for an inhaler, forgetting he no longer had one, because he wasn’t an asthmatic anymore. His head was pounding. Red flashes kept washing over his vision like they had the night before. When Lionel closed his hand around Lex’s right elbow at the entrance to the restaurant, Lex ripped his arm away from his father’s grasp.

“Don’t touch me,” Lex hissed.

“Lex, are you honestly going to botch up potentially billions of dollars worth of deals by insisting on behaving like an over-wrought child?” Lionel whispered fiercely. “Now smile. There’s Lucien.”

Lex’s snarl was cut off before it began. His eyes had fixed on the man that had to be Arsay de’Fale Lucien, the Arc of Fallen Light. Time seemed to slow and the chatter of diners became muted then disappeared altogether as Lucien glided across the restaurant to greet them. The man possessed an almost ethereal beauty. He stood over six feet. He had a broad chest that tapered down to a slim waist, firm hips and long legs. His jaw was strong with sculpted cheekbones to match and full sensual lips. His face was framed by hair the color of brilliant copper that hung straight to the middle of his back, looking almost like a river of flame especially in contrast to his snow-white skin and the pure black suit he wore. But these features were all secondary qualities for all their beauty. It was Lucien’s eyes that transfixed Lex. They were silver, liquid silver, like mercury. And they were also terribly familiar. Lex had seen them after all only just last night, but on a much furrier body. 'I should have known.'

Lex heard Lionel’s voice in his ear, “Mr. Lucien … Arsay. May I introduce you to my son, Lex.”

Lucien was only a foot away when he extended his hand. It was an elegant hand with long tapering fingers. The grip was strong, but Lucien didn’t exert the bone-crushing greeting that many business men did. As soon as their skin touched, Lex shivered.

“Lex, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you,” Lucien said and his voice, dark and smooth like molasses, rolled over Lex’s senses. He recognized it, too, from the dream and the Voice in his mind in the garage. This was the man he had called father, the man that had called him my child.

Then things started to get very strange.

The room was flooded with red light, blotting out all the tables, patrons and oversized floral arrangements that dotted the restaurant. When the red receded the restaurant had been replaced with the Wayne Mansion’s ballroom. The inoffensive background restaurant music was gone. Instead Lex heard the carol, Jingle Bells, played by a live orchestra. Lex saw Lucien talking to Bruce just outside a group of dancers. Both men wore tuxes and were holding flutes full of champagne. The two had been looking only at each other until Lex tottered over to them in this … memory … dream … vision.

The man he now knew to be Lucien turned to face him suddenly and his silver eyes flashed with blue fire. Lex thought at the time that the fire was a hallucination caused by the drugs he’d taken earlier in the evening. Instead of being afraid of the things he saw while high, Lex had learned to embrace them, sometimes even to believe that they showed a truer view of the universe than his sober eyes ever had. So he had sauntered up to the man with burning eyes, extricated the champagne flute that sparkled so brilliantly with the reflected flames from Lucien’s unresisting hand, and said, “Mind if I take some of your fire?”

With a sick feeling of vertigo, Lex found himself back in the restaurant, his hand still encased by one of Lucien’s. The silver eyes were narrowed in concern. Lex could feel Lionel vibrating with anger at his side. Lex must have said or done something or not said or done something he should have. Lex opened his mouth to apologize for whatever it was he’d messed up when the sensation of an icicle being rammed between his eyes and into the deepest recesses of his brain made him gasp and pitch forward … right into Lucien’s waiting arms. Just before Lex passed out from the mother of all migraines he felt Lucien lift him up effortlessly into his arms and Lex thought: he’s as strong as Clark … he must not be human. Then the darkness claimed him.

<<>>

Lex awoke in one of the suites that were located above La Delacroix and made available to only very special guests. He was lying in a dark blue canopied four-poster bed. His shoes and jacket had been removed and a soft down comforter had been placed over him. When he attempted to sit up, he nearly screamed and had to lie back down again. The pain of the migraine headache felt like acid in his skull. He didn’t even try and turn his head when he heard the soft snick of the door to the suite being opened and someone treading across the antique Persian carpet to his bedside.

“Ah, you’re awake. I’m so glad,” Lucien said softly. His voice was pitched just perfectly so that it did not hurt Lex’s head.

“What … what happened?”

“You passed out from a migraine. Here … drink some of this.”

“What is it?”

“Just drink the stuff, Lex. Don’t fuss,” Lionel’s voice boomed making Lex wince.

Lionel joined Lucien by Lex’s bedside. He had evidently been leaning against the wall just outside of Lex’s line of peripheral vision before.

“It’s an old family recipe. It will take away the pain, but not affect your senses,” Lucien explained as he lifted Lex’s head up a little so he could press a ceramic mug against Lex’s lips.

Lex found himself gulping a hot drink that tasted like flowers and honey. “Thank you. I’m sorry for all the trouble I’ve caused.”

Lucien’s full lips quirked into a gentle smile showing strong white teeth. The better to eat you with, Lex’s addled brain added.

“You’ve no need to apologize. Migraines are awful not just for the pain they cause, but the unpredictability of what will set them off.”

Lex stifled the urge to giggle sickly. He could see by the way that Lionel shifted his stance that his father was thinking: Luthors don’t have migraines. That would be a weakness and Luthors aren’t weak. But Lex felt weak at that moment. And slightly hysterical if his random thoughts were any indication.

“The medicine should already be taking effect,” Lucien’s cool low voice told them. “I think with some food in you, Lex, you’ll feel much better.”

Lex moved his head and found that Lucien was right. He felt better. He was able to sit up and swing his legs over the side of the bed. His head only protested slightly. He slipped his shoes back on and braced himself to stand. Lex was shocked when Lionel’s hand was suddenly in front of his face, offering him help. Then he remembered that they were playing concerned father and loving son today for Lucien’s benefit. He grasped Lionel’s offered hand and the older man pulled him to his feet. Just before Lionel let go he squeezed Lex’s hand cruelly tight. Lex bit back the gasp. His eyes met his father’s. The message was clear: don’t fuck this up any more, Lex.

“Thanks, Dad,” Lex said softly still playing his role.

Lionel slung his arm around Lex’s shoulders. “Of course, son. Anytime. Now let’s eat. I’m starved.”

They were seated in a private dining room done all in white. The table was a study in lack of color: a heavy white linen tablecloth covered the round table, over-sized white plates topped with thick white linen napkins were set before each chair, and an explosion of white orchids in a clear vase made up the center piece. The room was so blinding, Lex wished he had his sun glasses, but they had been removed from him when he’d passed out.

He glanced over at their host. Lucien’s brilliant features, flame like hair and his dark well-cut suit were made even more stunning with the pure white as a backdrop. He smiled at Lex across the table. It was a smile full of warmth and Lex found himself smiling back in a genuine way. 'Do I honestly think this is the wolf creature? The man who’s Voice I hear in my head? The one I called father … and who called me his child?' Lex shook his head, trying to convince himself to act as normally as possible. All of his perceptions were out of whack. Who knew what kind of random, wrong connections his brain had been making due to the effects of the migraine. But the instinctual part of him, the Slither in him, laughed at this ridiculous rationalizing.

“Lex,” Lucien’s voice broke the silence like the sound of a clear bell in the night. “I just wanted to congratulate you on your new position.”

“New position?” Lex thought he meant a new directorship of a charity or museum, but he hadn’t been appointed to anything recently. The equally surprised look on Lionel’s face confirmed that his father had no idea what Lucien meant either.

“Position isn’t perhaps the right word. Your role … as a guardian. That is the term, yes?” Lucien asked, his face open and yet unreadable.

Lionel nearly snorted the water he was sipping out of his nose. He quickly set down the glass and wiped his mouth with one of the brilliant white napkins to cover up his shock. Lex for his part believed his complexion must have gone as pale as the linen.

“Oh … you mean … my guardianship of … Clark Kent?” Lex’s voice sounded so lost and small.

“Yes. I heard … though the grapevine … the brave actions you undertook to save him from his abusive adoptive parents. And your generosity in not only opening up your home to him, but in providing him with a trust fund is so astounding,” Lucien explained, his mercury colored eyes fixed on Lex’s, pinning the young man to his seat like a butterfly.

“You must have access to a DSL-speed grapevine, Mr. Lucien. That only happened last night,” Lex murmured through numb lips. His whole being felt numb. 'How can he know about this? Lionel found out … lawyers talk … security talks … of course, that’s the way he discovered it so quickly. Nothing supernatural about it.' But the Slither began to cackle away.

“You must forgive me. I didn’t mean to … pry. I just make it a habit of knowing all I can about those things … or people … that interest me.” Again, Lucien gave him that warm smile, but Lex swore he saw a flicker of blue fire in the mercury gaze.

“Well … I’m flattered if I’m a person that … interests you. I must confess that I, too, tried to find out some things about you before today’s luncheon,” Lex said the words flowing out of him even as his brain didn’t seem to be working well.

“Really? And what did you find out?” Lucien leaned forward in his seat, his elbows resting on the table, as if he were excited to hear what Lex found out. Not worried in the slightest.

Lionel’s laser like gaze moved from Lucien to Lex. He could almost hear his father cautioning him to speak only what he must and nothing more. Lex took the thick napkin off the plate and lightly placed it on his lap, letting Lucien’s interest build. While his head was still down he said, “I spoke to someone who knows you.” Then Lex lifted his head to meet Lucien’s eyes, “Bruce Wayne.”

If Lex expected Lucien to flinch or look in any way discomfited, he was disappointed. Lucien looked, if nothing else, as if he were experiencing a fond memory. His gaze was focused inwards, his lips twitched into a small smile and he smoothed his hands down the front of his suit.

“Bruce. Such an … interesting young man. How is he?” Lucien asked, suddenly focused again on Lex.

“He’s doing well.”

With a knowing look, Lucien said, “You mean as well as can be expected. He’s never really recovered from the death of his parents, poor child.”

Lionel snorted. “Why do you say that, Arsay?”

“I could see it in his eyes. The loss … it eats away at him, leaving only darkness.” Lucien’s own eyes, so strange and mesmerizing seemed to shift between blue and silver, gleaming in the light, as they flicked over Lex’s face as if memorizing it.

“Odd. I never noticed anything but playboy placidity in Bruce’s gaze,” Lionel joked, giving Lex a quirked eyebrow as if implying Lex thought the same thing. “But I suppose he could be drowning his sorrows in the oceans of champagne and pretty models he goes through like tissue, but … who can say?”

“True, it is just my impression of the Wayne heir. Perhaps it is a viewpoint colored by my own … background,” Lucien said agreeably and leaned back in his seat, somehow withdrawing himself almost completely from them by moving those few inches.

His father’s actions irritated Lex. Couldn’t Lionel see how much this assessment of Bruce Wayne meant to Lucien? Lex didn’t want Lucien to think that he believed the skin-deep persona that Bruce showed to the world at large.

“Actually,” Lex said. “I tend to agree with you, Mr. Lucien.”

“Arsay, please.” Lucien leaned forward again and Lex stopped the smirk that wanted to break out across his face as he drew the man back to the table.

“Arsay,” Lex repeated and played with the silverware by his plate’s side. “I think you have a better handle on Bruce’s character than my father. Like you say, our perceptions are colored by our background. Bruce was one of my high school friends and naturally, since I was rather … empty-headed … during that time, my father thinks that anyone associated with me must have been the same as well. And since he still doubts that I have two thoughts to rub together now, I’m sure those doubts apply to my old friends like Bruce.”

Lex knew he was breaking the rules. They were supposed to show a united front. But his father wasn’t making a good impression on the richest, most powerful man in the world anyways. 'So now I must distance myself from you, Lionel. Leave you in my dust.'

“My son exaggerates my supposed low opinion of his intellect and his friends. I just give him a hard time as fathers are wont to do to encourage their sons to achieve. Praise slathered on never helps anyone to improve,” Lionel said.

Lex felt the sharp impact of his father’s foot connecting with his shin. He grimaced but held his tongue.

“I admit that I’ve always wanted a son that I could … slather … with praise,” Lucien said quietly. “There are some children that seem to … explode with achievement when given positive support and stimulus.”

“Well, you’re still a young man. Not much older than Lex by the look of you,” Lionel said. “You have plenty of time to start a family of your own.”

“Indeed you flatter me, Lionel,” Lucien’s eyes did flash with blue fire that time. “I’m actually older than you are. And my dreams of … having children … biological children anyway were crushed long ago.”

Lionel was able to hide his surprise as the first course was served. A warm roasted red pepper soup. It looked like blood compared to the white of the bowls. Lex was as shocked as his father. Lucien’s skin was smooth and unwrinkled. Even his hands were unblemished by age spots; they were the hands of a man in his thirties. But somehow Lex believed him despite all the evidence to the contrary. He is old. Older than either of us by a long shot.

“I’m sorry …” Lex began and then thought better of bringing the subject of children up again, but his concern seemed to please Lucien.

“Thank you, Lex. But I am not without hope yet of having a son I can take pride in and spoil,” Lucien said. “He just won’t be flesh of my flesh, blood of my blood. Our tie will be stronger than that. For we will choose one another. He will be the child of my soul.”

“There’s definitely something in your plan, Arsay. I think that choosing an heir might be in fact the best choice. Blood has its place. But it can so disappoint you,” Lionel’s voice was cool and his eyes studiously avoided Lex, but he knew Lionel’s words were for him.

It became very hard for Lex to look at either of the men at the table. He felt pain in his chest and stared at the soup as if it held some answer. Unbidden memories of bringing his accomplishments to his father’s distracted notice only to have them ridiculed as not good enough seemed to fill every space in his mind. Even when he gave everything of himself, disgraced himself for his father’s pleasure, it was not enough. Lex tightened his grip on his spoon fighting back the wave of despair that seemed to want to flood him. The wave that repeated: not good enough, will never love you, aren’t worthy, too weak, go away go away go away, Lex, you bother me. If Lionel had to choose a son he wouldn’t pick Lex. That Lex wouldn’t pick Lionel as his father didn’t assuage the pain he felt.

Lionel spoke again as the soup was whisked away and a lobster salad with raspberry vinaigrette took its place. “You must have many potential children to choose from considering your … achievements and position.”

“I don’t advertise the fact that I am looking. I will only reveal that fact to the one I choose. Then it will be his decision if we go forward,” Lucien answered and Lex’s eyes finally rose from his plate to be captured by that mercury gaze.

The Voice filled the places where despair had been before: ‘My child.’ Lex did not deny it this time. He focused his thoughts at the Voice like he had before when they communicated earlier: ‘Are you offering? You want me as the child of your soul, Arc of Fallen Light?’ The buzzing that accompanied the Voice, the feeling of being covered in bees returned stronger, but more like a caress. Then the Voice intoned: ‘Yes.’ Lex asked back: ‘So now it’s my decision? Whether to accept you or not?’ Instead of the Voice responding, Lucien gave him a small nod and smile.

Lex found himself grinning at the table. He even gave his father a saucy wink that raised Lionel’s eyebrows. Lex was in control, where he wanted to be at all times. And better than that, he had the opportunity to rid himself of Lionel Luthor. A possibility to truly be free of him. And all the disappointments and hurt. The irony that Clark had been the one terrified that Lucien wanted his place by Lex’s side when in fact it was Lionel’s position that was threatened only made the whole situation more amazing.
There had to be a catch of course. The Slither told him there was. Common sense also told him there was. After all Lucien could turn into a wolf and was made of blue fire underneath that clever covering of skin. If that wasn’t a big red caution sign nothing was.

But Lex was going to enjoy this moment. After all, he knew that the catch, whatever it was, would be stalking him soon enough.