Speak Only Truth
folder
Smallville › General
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
5
Views:
5,611
Reviews:
7
Recommended:
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Currently Reading:
0
Category:
Smallville › General
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
5
Views:
5,611
Reviews:
7
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own Smallville, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
2
Enter and learn the answer as we present another thrilling chapter of....
Speak Only Truth>
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"Lex. You don't answer your own door."
"Tonight I do. Come in, Clark."
"Are you sure? You sounded kind of.... ticked off when I called." Clark put forward tentatively as he crossed the threshold and Lex shut the door behind him.
"Until you called, actually. It was nothing. Just the usual."
"Lionel?"
Lex nodded minutely, his expression darkening as he led the way to the large office space where he spent a great deal of his time.
"These days my father's a walking cloud of anarchy and bitterness. Anyone who's too slow or too obtuse to get out of the way gets infected. If they're lucky they die quickly. I think he's picked off six other people besides me in just the past three hours."
"Sometimes... I wish I could understand you you go through with him. I can say I'm sorry and I mean it, but.... I can't really know what it's like."
"The intention is enough. I can't count the number of times I'anteanted to propose a one week prince and pauper deal.... but I don't think I'd survive."
"Farm work? That'd be no problem for you, Lex. I know how strong you are."
"Not the work, Clark. I wouldn't survive your parents. All that love, caring and structure... I'm terrified they'd affect me the way the meteor rocks affect you."
Clark dropped onto the couch with a sigh, trying to visualize life if he and Lex had grown up as brothers, both nurtured within the same cocoon of powerful, unavoidable devotion and affection that was Jonathan and Martha Kent's household.
"You're welcome to come and stay anytime, Lex, you know that. It doesn't have to be a week. Try it for one day and one night. Do that a few times over four or five months and maybe it'd be like... getting vaccinated. Trust me, it couldn't possibly be bad for you. Mom already considers you her prodigal son."
Lex sat quietly for a long time, studying Clark with a playful half smile waxing and waning on his face.
"I might just try that, Kent. It can't hurt anymore than the allergy shots I already take. You didn't come here to invite me to dinner and a playdate, though. What was it you needed to talk to me about?"
Clark opened his mouth to speak then immediately shut it again. For a few stress-filled seconds, he pushed his thoughts around in his head, trying to determine what he'd done or said wrong the last three times. Finally, he decided he just hadn't been direct enough.
"Sex."
To his credit, Lex refrained from laughing, looking stunned or expressing any of the other hundred emotions that suddenly struck him dumb. "Lex? Say something."
Gradually, Lex regained control of his vocal cords and responded.
"Sex. Clark... that's a rather... broad topic."
"I know. Especially... I have things I need to tell you, Lex.... things you've wanted to know for a long time. Once you've heard everything... then we'll get to the sex part, okay?"
"Okay, Clark. Go ahead."
"Yeah... I want to. I just don't.... I'm not sure I can trust you with this, but.... I've got noone else to talk to... nowhere else to go."
"You can tell me anything."
"My problem is... who would you tell?"
"What.... yo thi thinking about Nixon."
"And Hamilton. And the mess in Metropolis with my mom."
Lex's lips tightened.
"The deception hasn't all been on my side. We've hidden things from each other, Clark."
"I agree. Some of the stuff you've lied about... just isn't that easy to get past."
"I'm not reed ted to justify my actions to anyone, including you."
"I understand that. Neither am I."
Lex stared at Clark grimly for a few more minutes, hating to concede even the smallest point after the day he'd endured, but eventually he sighed heavily and spoke up.
"Before that night in the office building I had no clue what was in my father's vault. We don't exactly consult on personal research projects... or on anythat aat all, actually. Hamilton was... a mistake. One I deeply regret. Nixon was the lowest possible form of life and he's exactly where he belongs."
"No argument here. How about we make an agreement?"
"Now you're speaking my language, farm boy. Go on."
"You agree to tell me everything you already know and everything you even *think* Lionel knows and I'll tell you everything about me. I'll answer every question that's been driving you crazy for the past year and a half."
"That's a bad bargain for you, Clark. I don't know all that much."
"I'm not just looking for information. I told you that."
"Sex."
"Yeah."
"That might not be so great either. You could be severely disappointed."
"I'll take my chances. So? Do we have a d"
"
"Tell you what. Not only will I tell you what I know, I'll hand over all hard copies and any other relevant paperwork. Once I discover what daddy dearest has swept under his private rugs, you'll have that too."
Clark's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Like you said, it's already a sweet deal on your side. Why would you give up anything ?"
?"
Lex produced a cheshire cat grin, but no answer. "Lex? I hate it when you smile like that. It always makes me wonder what you're really thinking.... and whetI shI should run for my life. Okay, I accept."
"Good, so do I. If you don't mind, I'd prefer we go upstairs to my suite to talk. It's not monitored. No reason we should take unnecessary risks."
Clark nodded, rose and followed Lex as he strolled out. "Besides, it'll save time when we get to the... other part of our discussion." His friend added as they reached the stairs to the second level. At the base of the steps Clark hesitated for a moment, his heart trip-hammering as he re-evaluated what he was about to do. "Clark? It's not like you signed anything. You can leave if you want to. Free and clear. Noone will know you were ever here tonight..."
"No. I'm right behind you. Let's go."
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NINETY MINUTES LATER:
Seated on the floor, legs straight out and crossed at the ankle, Lex leaned back against the end of his bed and gazed at Clark wonderingly, all his suspicions and questions finally resolved. His mind spun wildly, not only with the nature of the information the young man had just shared with him, but with the thought of how much courage it had taken to even contemplate being so open with someone who could hurt him so badly.
{ Me... he chose to tell me. I know he understands the risks. He listed them pretty conciseownsownstairs.... so why? And then he throws sex into the mix for good measure. Every time I think I've got a handle on him, he throws me a curve worthy of Cy Young. This boy would make the Dalai Lama throw up his hands and walk off a cliff. Damn.... I just don't get it. A seventeen year old who hasn't played around, even a little.... I thought the breed was extinct. That again leads me to ask, why me? Clark can't possibly know that I've been privately drooling over him for months now. Unless of course...}
"You don't read minds, do you Clark?"
"No. Not yet anyway. My abilities are still developing."
"I see. Well... you've managed to shock me, Clark and that isn't something just anyone can do." Lex told him, his eyes glittering with concentrated interest. Slowly, he sat forward and moved his legs into lotus position. "First, you should know that my word is my bond. I won't be telling anyone about what's been said here tonight and you'll receive all the papers I promised just as soon as I can get them together."
"Thanks, Lex. That'll mean a lot to my folks. They worry about me, you know?"
"Apparently, they have good reason. They're even more amazing than I thought. They not only adopted you, they raised you with morals and character and kept you safe from the world. Unbelievable."
"I've always thought so."
"So. Would you say the first part of our deal has been fulfilled to your satisfaction, Clark?"
"I trust that you've told me everything... and I know I didn't hold anything back from you. I won't really feel safe 'till I get those papers, but... yeah, I'm happy so far."
"Good. Then we can proceed to the second item on the agenda."
"The sex thing."
"The sex thing indeed. I'm positive I can answer any questions you might have. It is getting late, though. Maybe the best idea would be for you to head back to the farm for tonight and we'll pick this up again in the morning."
"No. I mean... it's okay. I told my parents..."
"You did not." Lex retorted incredulously.
"I didn't say I was coming here. My dad would've killed us both."
"So you told them... what?"
"That I was upset and frustrated and I needed time to think. I said I might not be home tonight at all."
"You lied to them."
"No I didn't. I'm doing my thinking here, that's all. It wasn't a lie."
"A lie of omission is just as bad."
"Lex, don't. The last thing I need is a lecture. What I need is help... your help."
{God, Clark.... if you knew what you were letting yourself in for..}
"They really aren't expecting you until morning?"
"As long as I get there by breakfast, they won't send out the police or the FBI."
"Are you sure you're ready? This could get... profound."
"I'm ready. I'm more than ready. Lex, please... say yes."
{Hell. Noone ever told me being on the other side of that phrase could turn all my good intentions into smoke and me into a wet noodle.... Alright, Kent. You'll get what you're asking for. And a boatload of things you haven't even conceived of yet....}
"You'll do what I ask? Shyness may be cute and charming in high school or in the Talon, but when it comes to sex it's just counter-productive."
"I promise. Whatever you ask."
Lex uncrossed his legs, stood, strode the foot or two to where Clark sat and extended his hand. Clarok iok it and allowed his friend to stand him up.
"There's a free-standing full length mirror by the closet. Bring it here."
Clark retrieved the object as easily as if Lex had asked for a pillow instead of a bulky piece of furniture. Placing it back on the floor carefully , Clark grinned in anticipation.
"What now?"
"Don't make me doubt your intelligence, Clark. Now you strip."
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TBC.......