Lex stepped out of the shower. Dinner with the Kents, right. He sighed deeply. Why had he said yes? Why? When he *knew* it would be torture? An evening spent with Jonathan Kent staring hostilely at him. And Martha, oh. Definitely not good. Clark had mentioned she'd guessed that there was something between them. Clark. *Sigh*. The reason he was doing this, the reason he was getting himself all worked up about the dinner invitation. The sole reason he hadn't said no...

Drying himself off, he smiled at the thought of finding Clark in his bed earlier the same day. It felt like half a lifetime ago, not mere hours. He still felt a little bad about... harassing Clark while he was on the phone with his mother. Not that Clark hadn't taken his revenge while Lex answered the phone call from Lionel.

Lex closed the bathroom door and leaned back against it, feeling the cool wood against his warm skin. When had life taken a turn for the more... absurd? It had never once crossed his mind before coming to Smallville that something like this might happen. He'd thought this to be the end of the world, being sent here, out in the middle of nowhere. A small town he'd learned from day one had its own secrets. Like dark enigmatic farm boys who could survive being driven off a bridge. Where afore mentioned farm boy would still risk his own life to save the driver. Where the youths of the town would string up their saviour, tauntingly like a scarecrow. The same saviour who week after week risked his life to help people. To help Lex.

Lost in thought he put on his clothes. Casual clothes. Like Clark had suggested. Tone it down, try not to dress or act hostile. Lex blinked and frowned. Again, why was he putting himself through this? Because it meant something to Clark. Because Clark meant something to him. The fact, Lex mused, that he'd been invited over for dinner, said something for Clark's mother. No matter how much she'd guessed, the fact that she'd let Clark back into Lex's home, and included a dinner invitation suggested that she was more at ease with her son's choice of love than Lex would have expected.

And Jonathan? The thing he found unsettling wasn't really that he had to deal with Jonathan. He wouldn't approve of his son's relationship with Lex, that much was certain. What really scared him was Martha. As much as he hoped she would support them, he found her attempt to make him part of the family... scary, like a trip into unknown territory.

Lex closed his eyes and took a deep breath. No, Jonathan would definitely not approve. The more he thought about it, the worse the idea seemed. Jonathan was stubborn and protective of his son, but what if he forced Clark to choose? Choose between a father and a... a lover? As much as Lex feared losing in that category, he also knew that it would change the father-son relationship. He had a feeling that as loving as Clark seemed, as much as he seemed to forgive people the most horrible things, this wouldn't be one of them. It might damage his relationship with his father beyond repair.

And Lionel? What would he do to Lex if... when he found out? Disown him? Try to drive them apart? Become aware of all the inconsistencies that were Clark Kent? Like the ones Lex saw, like the ones he tried to ignore, the ones he hoped Clark would someday reveal out of his own free will?

Lex realized how protective he felt toward Clark. Odd, it wasn't really the age difference that caused it, more... the need to protect someone who... Lex sighed. Someone who made his miserable existence worth enduring. Who, with one smile could wipe away a bad day. And what a smile it was. A draught pulled him out of his reverie.

"A penny for your thoughts." Strong arms wrapped around his waist.

"Clark!" Lex couldn't help jerking a little, surprised by the sudden appearance of his lover. "You startled me." Lex wondered for how long he'd been lost in thought. Must have been quite a while, since Clark was already back. "I should like to think they're worth more than a penny." He leaned back against the warm presence behind him. He couldn't quite remember ever feeling this way with a lover before. Considering his choice of bed partners, that didn't really surprise him.

"Ooh, expensive thoughts?" The breath was hot on the skin of his neck.

"Mmm, priceless, considering whom they were about." He was more than a little surprised to be spun around and finding himself with an armful of very eager teenager, who was, much to Lex's delight, trying to kiss him breathless. Which worked pretty well.

When they finally came up for air, Lex looked at his watch. "You better shower and get dressed, or we'll be late." 'Not that I'm in a hurry to get to what might be my execution, but I *do* want to make a good impression.'

"Oh, ok." Clark sounded more than a little disappointed, as he reluctantly let go of Lex.

"Now, shoo." Lex gesture in the direction of the bath room, hiding his smile. The impatience of youth. 'Like you're that much older.' He couldn't quite help a snicker. It was amazing what Clark brought out in him, and Lex wouldn't quite put it past him to make him feel younger too. Something about Clark seemed to awaken a child in Lex. Like he sometimes wanted to start a pillow fight. And considering this morning... it didn't really sound like a bad idea.

Lex went to stand by the large windows, enjoying the heat from the late afternoon sun. For how long he'd been standing there, he had no idea, when a clearing of throat forced him back to present. He didn't turn around, Clark couldn't possibly already have showered and dressed. And naked Clark would *definitely* make them late for dinner. Very late.

'I, um...' The voice trailed off, and Lex finally turned around.

Keeping the door as closed as much as possible, only allowing enough room for him to stick his head out, Clark looked absolutely... well, adorable didn't cover it. 'Fuckable is more like it.' The dark hair was wet, skin gleaming with moisture. "I... sorta forgot to bring... underwear." A flush in no way related to the shower he'd just had spread on Clark's face. "You wouldn't happen to have an... um extra pair I can borrow?"

Lex nodded, tearing his eyes away from the enticing sight. Underwear, yes. He found a pair for Clark, handed them too him, and watched as Clark closed the door as fast as he could. Still so shy, even though they'd had sex twice already.

The door to the bathroom finally opened and Clark stepped out. Faded blue jeans and a body hugging, long-sleeved, grey t-shirt. Beautiful, absolutely beautiful. Lex noted the odd look on Clark's face, but let it go.

"Ready to go?" Lex took his coat and led the way downstairs and out into the garage. He stopped, wondering which car would be best.

"I like the silver Porsche." Clark leaned against him, gesturing toward the car mentioned.

"It's a little... flashy." Lex really didn't want to come across to Clark's parents as the rich, spoiled kid.

"It's just fine, Lex." A moments silence and a soft kiss to his temple that made Lex close his eyes. Such open sweetness and honesty. "They've seen you in it before."

What? Since when had Clark developed the ability to read minds?

Soft laughter, if a little nervous. "You were wondering which would annoy my parents the least, weren't you?"

Lex couldn't help grinning broadly. "Am I that easy to see through, Clark?" He certainly hoped not.

"Not really, but somehow I think you'd worry about something like that." Another light brush of lips against his ear. God, he could get used to this. And why not? Clark had already said he loved him. Lex swore he'd do his to make this last - preferably forever. He frowned as they moved to the Porsche. As much as he wanted to know all of Clark's secrets, he realized he'd have to tell Clark some pretty bad secrets of his own, to make sure they didn't surface on their own later.

Getting into the Porsche, Lex realized he'd forgotten the keys. Ok, as much as this day had started out like a dream, it seemed to be slowly turning into a nightmare. Why? He'd never been particularly worried about the Kents, but then again, that had been *before* he'd woken up to find their son in his bed. And definitely before he'd had sex with said son.

Movement next to his head and a soft jingling noise brought him back to present. The keys to the car were dangling from Clark's index finger. The smile on his face could have been smug, but it wasn't. Which, to Lex's horror, made his heart do a little jump and an odd warmth spread through his chest.

Lex sighed, a small smile playing on his lips. As he reached to take the proffered keys, Clark took hold of his hand, not breaking eye contact. Lex closed his eyes, still overwhelmed by the emotions displayed in those hazel eyes. A soft kiss was pressed to his knuckles, making his pulse rise.

"It's ok, Lex." A shift of the body next to him, and warm breath caressed his temple. "I'm worried too, but I have every intention of getting through this and making it work. Making us work."

Lex still kept his eyes closed as kissed his cheek, a feather-light brush of lips. This, the possibility of loving someone - and being loved in return was ...different, unknown to him.

Slowly, though far more calm now, Lex slid the key into the ignition, revved up the engine and smiled when Clark pressed the remote on the dashboard. He could do this. He *would* do this.

Concentrating on driving and *not* getting distracted by Clark, who was sitting, quiet next to him, the trip to the farm seemed to take no time at all.

The Kents' driveway seemed ominous and Lex began dreading the dinner once again. As the Porsche came to a stop, Lex was once again wondering what had possessed him to accept the invitation.

The door on his side was opened, Clark leaned in, unbuckling Lex's safety belt and stealing a quick kiss as he withdrew, taking a step back as he waited for Lex to step out.

As Lex still made no move to get out, Clark tugged lightly at the hem of his coat. Lex looked up into hazel eyes, seemingly just as tense as he was, but determined to see this through to the bitter end.

Lex finally stepped out, closing the door behind him, turning only to find his way blocked by Clark. As much as standing this close to his lover, back pressed against the car, was arousing, the driveway of the Kents' wasn't the best place to enjoy it.

Another quick kiss landed on his lips. No, definitely not a good idea. "Please, Clark, don't, not here." Lex cast a quick glance over Clark's shoulder, almost choking. "And *not* with your mother watching from the kitchen window."

The blush swept over Clark's face. Hot breath against Lex's lips. Large hands slid up his arms, shoulders, neck, cupping his face, ever so carefully. "I know," his whispered, a little fearfully, before claiming Lex's lips in a breathtaking, legs-trembling kiss, tongue, if not skillfully, then enthusiastically sliding against Lex's.

Lex, who in return tried futilely to swallow the whimper, lost in the heat of Clark's mouth and Clark sucking on his tongue. Panting, swallowing hard, Lex felt heat rise to his face when Clark finally let him go again. What? Blushing shouldn't be contagious, should it?

Grinning broadly, every bit as flushed as Lex, Clark pulled him toward the house. God, how was he supposed to survive a dinner with these people, when Clark insisted on flaunting their newfound relationship in public like this?

Entering the kitchen, Lex steeled himself, as Martha came to greet them. What almost cracked his calm facade, was the hug he was engulfed in. "Mrs. Ke-kent," Lex stammered, not knowing what to do or say.

"It's Martha to you, Lex." She pulled back, though not letting go of his shoulders. "Considering how... fond my son is of you, I think we can skip the formalities." She gave Clark a look from top to toe then shook her head.

"Mo-om!" Clark looked torn between embarrassment and pride, a smile finally breaking through. When Martha finally released Lex, he noticed it had turned into a frown, and Clark voiced what seemed to be their greatest concern at the moment.

"Does dad...?" His voice trailed off.

"No," Martha sighed. "he came home a few minutes before you did."

They exchanged worried glances. So, the worst confrontation was still to come.

Jonathan tidied away the last of his tools, stretching to work out some of the kinks of his neck. Even he had to admit that he wasn't getting any younger. Helping the Smiths was something he gladly did, but he was quite glad it wasn't something he had to do every day.

The farm chores at home weren't so bad, though they would have been far worse and impossible to get done if it hadn't been for Clark. Jonathan felt a pang of guilt. He wasn't trying to abuse his son's abilities, to exploit them. It was just that Clark could do things that would take several men several days to get done. And he often had it done before going to school.

Jonathan frowned when he heard a car coming up the driveway. He'd called Martha earlier to tell her he'd be a little late. And she in turn had told him she'd invited - of all people - Lex Luthor. Considering the noise of the car outside, it couldn't be anyone else. What was the world coming to these days? He couldn't even escape the Luthors at home, at the dinner table. Not since his son had befriended that... bald freak. He drove too fast, spent too much money on his 'toys' and seemed far to interested in spending time with Clark.

The latter, Jonathan knew, was what annoyed him the most. He didn't want Clark to get hurt when Lex grew tired of him. Didn't want Lex to find out about Clark's secrets. The man was powerful, a shrewd business man, and above all, he was the son of Lionel Luthor. Who knew what harm he could cause Clark if he ever found out about his abilities?

Then again, Jonathan didn't want to upset Clark. He knew his son valued Lex's friendship and if necessary, Jonathan was pretty sure he could play nice, at least for the evening. With a sigh, he pushed the barn door open, just enough to slip out.

Coming to a dead stop, only halfway through, hand still on the door, he quickly slipped back inside. What the hell? The silver grey sports car in the yard was definitely Lex's. But what exactly was Lex doing with Clark? He held his breath and looked back out to see his only son frame Lex's face with his hands and kiss him. Long and hard. Jonathan felt anger and confusion rise inside. What the hell had the freak done to his son to make him act this way? Some voice inside Jonathan's head tried to tell him that maybe, just maybe, this was Clark's doing, and not Lex's.

Ignoring the voice, Jonathan started pushing the door open again, ready to go out there and put a stop to this... he gritted his teeth. Then he caught sight of his wife, in the kitchen window. A broad smile on her lips, not the least surprised by what she was witnessing.

Jonathan felt the anger return, though this time it was more the fact that Martha knew and he didn't. He knew that look on her face, she probably found what her son was doing right in front of the house cute. Jonathan tried to calm himself. If he went storming out there to stop this... insanity, she'd never forgive him - and nor would Clark. He closed his eyes before steeling himself to leave the barn, and hoped that his mere presence would scare off Lex. This was beginning to give him a headache.

When he left the barn, both his son and... Lex had already entered the house. Taking a deep breath, Jonathan followed.

As he came through the door to the kitchen, three pairs of eyes were glued to him immediately. One pair watchful, expecting the worst, knowing better than to hope for the best. Another pair, young, nervous, hope for the best reflected on the face. And the last pair, expecting him to be Jonathan Kent, husband and father. And an adult who would behave himself while they had visitors.

Gritting his teeth, Jonathan mumbled something about getting cleaned up, as he made his way through the kitchen, leaving them to wonder about his abruptness.

Mind abuzz with his new discovery, Jonathan went through the routine of shower and dressing. It still annoyed him to no end that Martha, apart from knowing about this, also seemed to... encourage it. He decided to *try* to keep his annoyance down. Try being the operative word.

As he came down the stairs his eyes immediately found Lex, who looked like he wanted to be anywhere but there. Good. That was good. Perhaps the man would finally understand that Jonathan didn't like him hanging around. Then a steel-like look from Clark, almost a warning. And his son actually had the guts to touch Lex's elbow, a quick, but reassuring brush of fingers, visibly easing Lex's nervous stance.

Jonathan was considering seating himself between the two at the table, when Martha ushered them out into the kitchen, of course sitting them down next to each other. Jonathan sighed inaudibly. He had yet to understand his wife's attitude toward their guest. How could she invite him in, smile at him so warmly after what they'd both just seen?

And still no one had made any moves to tell him. Jonathan could feel his anger and disappointment rise a little.

Jonathan didn't partake in the small-talk at the table. Martha gave him semi-warning look, Clark just looked a little worried. Worried that his father would guess, that he might already suspect. Jonathan was well aware of the lack of distance between his son and Lex Luthor.

And worried Clark *should* be. Especially when Jonathan noticed the angle of Clark's arm. Using one hand to eat with, the other had obviously strayed to Lex's side. And the looks they were sending each other. Lex's a little nervous - and Clark? It shocked Jonathan to see all the things he knew were in his own eyes when he looked at his wife. Trust... love... What surprised him the most though, was the look of possessiveness that seemed only to grow stronger.

Shoulder brushing shoulder, elbow to elbow, far more intimate than they should have been. Jonathan found himself speaking before even thinking, as anger and quite a bit of disgust finally rose like bile in his throat.

"So, does Lionel Luthor like his new son-in-law?" The remark was harshly spoken and somehow Jonathan couldn't bring himself to care as awkward silence descended over the dinner table.

"Dad?" The stunned look in his son's eyes did nothing to stop his biting remarks.

"I mean, the great Lionel Luthor couldn't possibly have a problem with a queer as a son, not one who brings home such a lovely trophy." Jonathan watched with pleasure as Lex blanched. The table trembled as Clark grabbed the edge of it, visibly fighting to keep himself under control. Standing abruptly he turned and left, to Jonathan's horror using his superpowers

The blood in Jonathan's veins ran cold. He hadn't expected his son to react so rashly and he was glad that Lex had had his back to Clark when it happened, or Clark's secrets would have been revealed. What hit him when his attention returned to the table was the surprised look from Lex, mixed with quiet anger, which suited Jonathan just fine. What really hurt though, was Martha's reaction. Martha never yelled, never raised her voice in anger, but her eyes promised him hell to pay.