A Helping Hand

Oliver stepped forward, a hand lifted towards Clark. "You love us both." He murmured.

His head turned away, looking towards the tall buildings of Metropolis, Clark nodded. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be." Oliver said, a small smile twisting his lips upwards. "I'm not."

"How can you say that?" Clark demanded, his voice hoarse. "I shouldn't have said anything."

"Clark," a hand closed over Clark's shoulder, squeezing softly. "It's perfectly normal to love more than one person."

"It's not that, Ollie." Clark muttered, tearing himself away and moving several steps forward. "I mean, that's part of it, but...how can you stand here, calmly, and say that you're fine with me being in love with Lex after what he did to you?"

"I didn't."

Clark's head snapped around. "I don't understand.'

"I never said I was fine with it. I said that it was normal, and I said that I'm not sorry. And, I'm not. Knowing that you love me, too, gives me something I didn't have before."

"Hope?" Clark joked dryly. "Because-"

"Clark. Listen to me. I know who you are, and I know what you're about. You are an inherently good person. A kind person. And, I know you love Lex. I know that you do. You've always been upfront with me about that. But, I also know that you will not sit idly by and watch him do things that are reprehensible. It's not in you." Oliver followed Clark's steps, and moved into his path. Callused fingers trailed across Clark's cheek, and turned his face to meet his. "You know that I love you. I'm not going to let this go."

Clark's eyes slid shut tight, and he let out a shaky breath. "I have to go."

Hands moved into his hair and pulled his face close. "Look at me, Clark."

Green eyes flashed in the soft light, and met brown ones. "I can't stay. I can't."

Oliver leaned over, sliding his mouth across Clark's, and whispered against his mouth. "You can't save everybody, Clark. No matter how much you want to. Some people just don't want to be saved."

Clark winced and drew in a shuddering breath. "I have to try."

Oliver nodded, a sad smile quirking up the side of his mouth. "I know. You wouldn't be you if you didn't, Clark."


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Walking into the mansion was a different experience this time. The halls fell cold, and hollow. Clark leaned a hand against the door of the study, pausing for a moment before walking in.

Lex looked up immediately, and carefully laid down the crystal tumbler he was holding on the table in front of him.

"You came back."

Clark shivered at the frayed voice coming from Lex's elegant body. "You thought I wouldn't?"

Lex laughed softly, and lay back against the cushions. "I never know what to think with you, Clark. Especially lately. You keep surprising me."

"I wish I could say the same." Clark whispered.

Sitting back up, his spine rigid, Lex scowled fiercely. "Why did you come back?"

Clark stepped forward. "Because I love you."

"You left me, to go to HIM."

"Lex, you were holding him prisoner!" Clark cried. "What did you expect me to do? Do you not know me at all?" He watched as Lex's face calmed, stormy eyes blinking slowly. "Lex?"

Lex's voice was low and even, perfectly calm as he spoke, "You're mine, Clark."

Nodding, Clark stepped closer. "We've established that."

"You gave yourself to me. We made love." Lex stood up and moved over to Clark. Reached over and ran a shaky hand across Clark's waist.

Clark's eyes darkened, turned wide and sad. "I wish we could have done it without hurting someone else."

Lex's hand curled hard, dug into Clark's skin. "However it came about...however it ended up, Clark, it was you and me, and I won't ever regret it. You want honesty? I'm glad he was there. I'm happy he saw us. I hope he thinks about it every minute of every day." He leaned in a bite hard against Clark's neck. "I hope he's remembering it right now. Seeing, in his mind, the way you looked, laid out golden and beautiful. For me."

Green eyes shone wetly, and Lex raised his hand to brush them closed.

"Don't, Clark." He tugged at impenetrable skin, pulling Clark closer. "I'm sorry about what I did. I shouldn't have done that. I went overboard, like I'm apt to do. I wouldn't have hurt him. I was just scared, Clark. I was scared for us." He brushed soft kisses across Clark's throat, and felt the swallow move against his lips. "Don't say you won't forgive me."

Clark shook against the emotions tearing through him. "I couldn't if I wanted to, Lex. I can't give up hope. Not on you."

Lex smiled softly against Clark's satin skin. "Thank you." He sucked gently on warm, salty flesh. Pressed a soft, open-mouthed kiss against the hollow of Clark's throat. "Thank you, Clark." And, as he looked down at Clark's shoulder, he saw a short strand of blonde hair.

He pulled back, still smiling. "Why don't you go on up to bed? I'll be there in a minute."

Waiting until Clark had stumbled out of the room wearily; he picked up his cell phone and pressed in a number. At the beep, he pressed in a code.

Oliver Queen wouldn't be a problem for much longer. And this time, Clark would get rid of him.

Grinning, Lex placed the phone down on the desk and headed up to bed.