A Helping Hand

Lex opened his eyes slowly, waiting for the world to come into focus. His vision cleared on Clark's tall, curled-up figure, wedged into a too-small chair. Long black lashes lay on smooth gold cheeks and Lex smiled. Reached out a hand to brush soft skin.

The pull in his chest burned, and he winced, his too-loud hiss escaping and startling Clark awake.

He watched as sleepy green eyes turned to his face, a wrenching sorrow in their depths. Concerned, he reached out again, ignoring the streaks of pain that shot through his body.

"Clark, what's wrong?"

Plush lips trembled as a pink tongue stole out to dampen them. "You're in a hospital bed, Lex."

Lex nodded, a soothing smile lighting his pale face. "I'm going to be just fine, Clark."

"I know that, Lex."

Startled at the broken sound of Clark's voice, Lex shook his head. "I don't understand-"

"Can you imagine what went through my head, Lex? Seeing you lying there, bleeding...can you think of it? Can you picture it, if it were me? What would you feel, Lex? Would you feel anything?" Clark's eyes flew away, looked off into space, a lost look on his astonishing face.

"I'm so sorry you had to see me like that, Clark. I would never want for you to go through unnecessary pain."

"Ah," Clark said, a sigh lacing his words. "There's the kicker, huh? Unnecessary. I suppose you thought it was necessary for me to believe that Ollie would try to kill you."

His mind was racing, and Lex felt an ache settle in his bones that had nothing to do with his injuries. "Clark, everything I do is because I love you."

"I know you believe that, Lex." Clark whispered, turning to look into Lex's eyes. "I know you love me. But, you twist it. You try to force something that you don't even need to force. I love you. That won't ever change. I don't understand why you can't have faith in me."

Lex shifted in the bed, forced himself to sit up, ignoring the pain that melted the world into a sea of red in front of his eyes. "Clark, he wants to take you away from me."

"Yes, he does." Clark agreed, nodding. "But, the fact is, you're willing to hurt him, hurt yourself...you're willing to let me live a lie. I thought the lies were over. I thought once I gave you everything, that you would just want for us to be happy."

A humorless laugh was dry on Lex's lips. "Everything?"

"Everything."

"You love him." The words were a sharp accusation.

"Yes." Clark flinched, looking down. "I missed you so much. We were fighting, and apart, and we weren't even talking. And Ollie offered to help me, and we were friends, and then we were at the mansion. And, we were all there together, and things were so confusing, Lex. I was just so happy to be with you. Finally. To touch you and to feel how much you wanted me. And when we were together, it was the most incredible thing in the world. And, I knew, that was how Ollie felt about me. I don't know, Lex. I just know I love him."

"You want to be with HIM." Lex's voice was quiet, calm. His soul was screaming through his eyes.

Clark looked up. "I want to be with you. I chose you. I came BACK to you. I've always loved you, Lex. Loving Ollie doesn't stop that."

Lex swallowed hard. "I can't let you go, Clark."

Clark choked on a sob as he stood up. "You're going to have to."

"Clark-"

"I need some time, Lex."

"With him."

"NO!" Clark screamed, his voice raw. "Damn it. Lex, you try to manipulate me at every step. I want to be with you. I love you so much. But, you're wrecking me. I can't stay with you right now and be whole."

Lex's eyes were glazed, shining, a brilliant silvery-blue. "You said you loved me."

"I do. I just need some space. Some time. And, I need you to give it to me. Without trying to shift reality. I need you to leave me alone for a while. I need to think. I need for you to be Lex for me, and not Luthor; just for a while. I can't live with you when you're like this. It will never work." He stepped away, towards the door. "I won't be the man you say you love if I compromise on this, Lex."

Clark stepped out into the hallway and tried to ignore the sounds of harsh breaths, and glossy tears sliding across porcelain skin.

Lex's hand was in his mouth before he realized he'd lifted it. He bit down hard, and tasted the blood on his tongue. Heard the garbled scream, and lay back on the pillows.

"It's not over, Clark. I'll never let go. I love you. You're mine."

----------------------------------------------

Clark stepped out into the bright morning and drew in a deep breath. He could feel the sun seeping into his skin, and he lifted his arms, palms up. Soaked it in, and felt it refreshing his tired heart.

"You look like a God, drinking in the light."

A smile lifted the corners of his mouth as he opened his eyes to look into Oliver's smiling face.

"Hey."

"Hey."

Clark stepped forward, tilted his head to the side. He lifted thick black brows high on his forehead, displacing messy strands of hair. "What are you doing here?"

"That's a silly question." Oliver murmured, grinning. "I'm here to see you."

"Ollie..."

"I wanted to make sure you were okay." Oliver said, raising a toned arm to run a callused fingertip across Clark's bicep. "So...how did it go?"

Clark shrugged, clenching his jaw. "About as well as I expected. I told him I needed time to think; I told him I needed some space."

Oliver's face brightened, and he moved closer.

"Ollie. I meant it. I need some time to myself. What he did was so wrong. It was horrible. And, I still can't give up hope for him. I know he's a good man. I feel it. He's been raised with hatred, and coldness. A lack of love. It's nearly blinded him to everything but the win...the kill. I know that. And, I know that through everything...I love him still. I don't know that I can stay with him, but I know I love him."

Oliver looked away into the distance, and shivered. "I see."

"You don't. I told him that I love you. He knows."

Golden hair danced in the breeze as Oliver's head whipped back around. "You told him you love me."

Clark nodded. "I'm tired of lying, Ollie. I'm tired of lies. I know I can trust you. I know that. I know that I could be happy with you. I just don't know that it would be fair to you, to try...knowing that I love him the way I do. It doesn't seem right." He shrugged again. "Everything is so complicated."

Oliver watched as lids slid closed over sparkling green eyes and he stepped forward. Brushed his lips across soft lips he'd been dying to kiss. He felt the response, and pressed harder. Reached out with his tongue, and tasted.

He moved back, licking his lips, the taste of Clark bright on his mouth. "Take your time, Clark." He smiled into shocked eyes, and sighed, a soft chuckle breaking the sound in the air. "I know you love Lex. I don't think any of us believes that you two can survive together. I helped you because I wanted you to be happy. But, I'm telling you now...I believe you can be happy with me. I'm telling you that if you come to me, I WILL be happy. I can live with you loving Lex. I can understand it. Just as long as I know that you love me, and you're willing to try. Take all the time you need. You're worth the wait."

He turned and walked away. Stumbled when strong hands grabbed his shoulders and whirled him around. Gasped into a trembling mouth as it covered his own, and sucked him inside. He felt the heat in his chest spread through his body and he reached out with aching fingers to grip Clark's body.

Couldn't stop clenching his fingers, even as Clark stepped back, his mouth bruised.

"Be careful." Clark said softly. "Lex knows who you are."

"I will be. Keep in touch."

He couldn't stop watching, even after Clark disappeared into the rising sun's path on the horizon.

-------------------------------------------

He stepped into the hospital room, and for a moment, felt a surprising surge of pity for the faltering man on the bed.

"Lex."

"Get out."

"No."

Steely eyes whipped around, all signs of vulnerability washed away in pure rage. "You won't have him."

"That's up to Clark." Oliver said firmly, closing the door behind him as he moved further into the chilled room.

Lex smirked, "You know he loves me. He's always loved me. He always will."

"I know that."

Gray eyes flickered shortly before Lex cocked his head to the side. "Are you here because of last night?"

Oliver shook his head, an amused smile playing on his lips.

"Then, what do you want? I don't have time for games."

"I have a proposition for you. One I think you'll want to hear."

Lex frowned thoughtfully before relaxing back in the bed. "I'm all ears, Mr. Queen."