Clark kept quiet during their drive back to the mansion. He was aware of Lex stealing a worried glance at him every now and then, but he was far too lost in thought to react to it. He closed his eyes, trying hard not to do a replay dinner. He still couldn't believe his father's rude comments. Ok, he hadn't been so naïve as to believe his father would just accept Clark's choice and bury his dislike of Lex. Never, but he'd hoped his father would at least *try* hiding it better. Try to understand what Clark felt for Lex, and see that it was true. 'And you were any better?' He'd been so startled by his father, so filled wit anger that he'd just gotten up, gone out the door and run like there was no tomorrow. He'd been half-way into the state of Oklahoma when he'd realized what he'd just done. *Fuck!* He'd actually left Lex behind with his parents. Doing a 180 degree turn, making dirt and gravel fly, he'd hurried back. To find Lex leaving the house.

n For a moment he'd feared that Lex was leaving for good, leaving him, leaving because of Clark's father... The memory of throwing himself at Lex like that made Clark blush a little. What was Lex thinking right now? Was he making calculations as to whether Clark was worth the trouble or not? As they pulled into the garage, Clark closed his eyes. He hadn't felt this miserable since he'd dreamed about Lex's death. How could a day, that had started out as... wonderful as this one, end so badly?

"Hey, are you ok?"

Clark was startled out of his thoughts as Lex leaned in through the open door of the passenger side, warm hand resting on Clark's knee. "I... yes... no, I'm..." Clark shook his head, closing his eyes again. What could he say? He'd already tried apologizing to Lex, any more would be too much. "I... just don't want to think about it right now."

Lex nodded, obviously understanding. "Come on inside, I'll be glad to help ease your troubled mind."

The quickly raised eyebrow and mischievous grin drew a little smile out of Clark. Take his mind off the dinner; off his father's reaction and harsh words. Clark found himself unbuckling, getting out of the car and following Lex out of the garage and into the house. He couldn't help smiling and feeling a little better, as Lex waited for him inside, slipping his hand into Clark's to comfort him, lightly pulling him up the stairs, along the hallway and into the bedroom.

"Look," Lex said, tugging Clark in the direction of the bathroom. "Go fill the tub, and I'll be with you in a moment."

Clark felt something cold spread in his chest. "Lex, I..." He swallowed hard, hating the needy tone in his voice. "I need you right now." 'Please don't leave me alone.'

Strong arms slid around his waist, pulling him close. "Hush, it'll be all right." Warm lips pressed against his. "I promised your mother to call her when I found you and we got back here."

"Oh... ok." Clark felt stupid. Of course his mother would worry and of course he could do without Lex for a little while. 'Just not too long... not tonight'.

As if Lex had been reading his mind, he pulled Clark into another kiss. "I'll be right back, just fill it up, climb into the tub and I'll join you in a few minutes."

Clark nodded, letting go of Lex reluctantly. He stayed in the same spot, even after Lex had left. Finally realizing that he might as well do as Lex had suggested, Clark went into the bathroom, turning the faucet, hot water soon filling the huge tub.

Clark stripped his clothes, closing his eyes as he slid into the tub, the warm water felt good against his skin, soothing. Leaning back, he kept his eyes closed, trying hard not to think about the evening's events.

"Room for one more?"

The question tore Clark back to reality and he finally opened his eyes. Lex was standing next to the tub, still dressed.

"I mean," a chuckle escaped his friend. "The tub should *theoretically* be large enough for two people, but then again... you're awfully ...big."

Clark almost choked, feeling heat rise to his cheeks. "Lex you have..." He couldn't help laughing, feeling a little better.

"I have what?" Lex unbuttoned his shirt, kicked off his shoes and let the shirt fall to the floor. "A wonderfully snarky personality?" The slacks were unzipped and joined the shirt as did the socks. "The best ...boyfriend I could possibly want?" With the last words he bent forward, kissing Clark while he slid his briefs down.

Clark swallowed hard, feeling hot and cold all over. He swept his eyes over Lex's lean body. 'Wow.' Scooting forward, as Lex moved to slide down behind him. "I was going to say 'a dirty mind', but the other stuff is true too..." Clark trailed off. "Boyfriend?"

Silence behind him, then Lex's arms slid around his waist, the slender body against his back, skin warm against his own.

"If you want to?"

Clark wasn't sure, but for a second he seemed to catch a slight undercurrent of insecurity. But that couldn't be, could it? Lex was always the confident one, always in control of whatever situation he was thrown into... wasn't he?

As Clark's fingers curled around Lex's, resting against his chest, he understood that might not be the case. Clark thought for a moment that perhaps it should have been a little unsettling - to find out that Lex was more... well, human, normal, could have his doubts too. It wasn't, not really. If anything, Clark realized, it only strengthened his feelings for the man holding him at the moment. It meant that Lex Luthor wasn't untouchable, didn't live behind an impenetrable, emotionless shield.

"I... I'd like that, yeah..." Clark felt suddenly shy and somehow Lex must have seen it coming, because the embrace tightened and soft kisses were pressed against the nape of his neck, sending shivers down his spine.

"Feel better?"

"Mmmm, a little." Clark finally allowed himself to relax against Lex, enjoying the soft, soothing touches.

"Just a sec, I know something that might help." Lex's whisper was hot against his ear.

Clark wondered what was going on behind him, as he felt Lex stretch to the side, where a tray had been placed. Clark's eyes widened, ice cream? With marshmallows? A lump formed in his throat. "Ice cream?"

The container was held up in front of him. "Your mother revealed to me that your comfort food was ice cream." A softness to the voice.

Clark closed his eyes. "My mother, I should... I should call her..." Not that he really wanted to, not right now.

"It's ok, Clark." The arm around him tightened once more. "I've already called her - and we agreed that you should stay here for tonight."

"Don't you think that'll only make things worse with my dad?" Somehow Clark couldn't see his father's mood getting any better with the knowledge that Clark was spending the night with a man. With Lex to be more specific.

"I'm afraid it can't get much worse at the moment, I'm sorry." A deep sigh. "But it is better for your father to cool down, and it's better for you stay here." Another kiss was pressed to his shoulder. "Trust in your mother, she's a smart woman."

Clark nodded silently, once again drifting off into thoughts he didn't really want to think. He closed his eyes to keep tears from falling. He really couldn't see an end to this mess at the moment.

"Hey, stay here with me." Lex's voice was soft.

Clark opened his eyes again, finally accepting the offered container of ice cream. "No spoon?"

A snort. "There is no spoon..."

Clark rolled his eyes. "Lex, please."

"What?" Lex tried very, very hard to sound innocent.

"Dumb spoon joke." Still, he couldn't quite help a little laugh.

"What? Would you prefer a spoon? You don't eat with your fingers?" Lex held up a spoon. "Spoilsport," he whispered, as he leaned against Clark, head resting on his shoulder.

Clark sighed contentedly, allowing himself to enjoy some of the ice cream. It was... nice. Well, beyond nice, really. And it wasn't just the ice cream. It was the idea of Lex doing this to make him feel better.

"Lex?"

"Mmm?"

Clark raised an eyebrow. "Are you sleeping?" The weight against his back had increased a little, as Lex had relaxed.

"Mmm, no," soft purr of voice. "Just enjoying this." Lex nuzzled his neck, the hands resting on Clark's chest were rubbing soothingly.

Clark squirmed around, sucking in his breath as he noticed Lex's eyes. The almost hypnotizing effect of pure darkness bordered by grey. "Lex?" This time merely a whisper.

As Clark settled down on his knees, between Lex's legs, his lover leaned forward, pressing a light kiss to his lips. Clark shuddered. God! How could breathing suddenly have gotten so difficult? Where had all the oxygen in the room gone? He cupped the back of Lex's head, drawing him up for another kiss. Long, slow movement of tongues, tasting, dancing, exploring. At some point the ice cream went over the side of the tub, tumbling to the floor as Lex clung to him with both hands, hanging on for dear life.

"I..." Clark drew in breath. "I think I've got a new kind of comfort... food now."

"Ngh?"

Clark blushed. "You," he whispered, hoping the Lex could see in his eyes, hear in his voice, what he couldn't express in words.

He obviously could, considering it was Clark's turn to hang on, praying for sanity to return - at some point at least - not that he was in a hurry.

"Out... we need to get out of..." Lex was panting, leaning in for another kiss. "The tub's not the best place for any of this... For what I want to do for you..." Trailing kisses from Clark's lips to his throat, he slowly pushed him back against the tub. "But don't worry, I won't... I won't hurt you, and you set the limits."

Hurt? Oh, what if... well, nothing had happened this morning, but still... Was it really fair to Lex? Keeping his own secrets, when he could actually hurt Lex without wanting to? If his control slipped, just the tiniest bit?

He'd kind of decided not to tell Lex until he was sure about his own feelings... but he was fairly sure that what he felt was real. It had to be. The fear when he'd dreamt he'd lost Lex, how his father's words had hurt, not just himself but on behalf of Lex as well. And the comfort... Lex's urge to make him fell better. How it made Clark warm inside.

Lex had called his mother to tell her he was all right, had found something that could lighten his mood a little - ice cream... Had joked gently to make him feel better, had kissed senseless. He'd already experienced the loss of Lex, even if it had only been a dream. Could he afford to keep his secrets to himself?

"Lex... I... There's something I need to tell you." Urging himself to go on, Clark drew a deep breath and opened his mouth to continue.

A warm hand landed on his lips, silencing him, as Lex got up to stand in front of him. "No, Clark. There is no obligation for you to tell me anything."

Clark sighed. "But I need to..." 'Want to...'

"Clark... Don't add to your vulnerability by telling me." A soft kiss. "Don't tell me until you're really ready for it."

That was... different. "You've been giving this a lot of thought, haven't you?"

Lex chuckled. "Oh yeah, I have. You're more important to me than your secrets." He levelled a serious look at him, and gave him another kiss. "Don't get me wrong. I *do* want to know, but it can wait." Lex stepped out of the tub, taking Clark's hand and motioned for him do the same. Grabbing a towel, he began drying off Clark.

"Yeah... sure. Later then." He watched as Lex dried himself, dropping the used towels on the floor. Clark felt his inner argument escalating. What if he hurt Lex? What if... Any pros and cons he could have listed were blown away, as Lex put his arms around Clark's neck, stood on tip-toes and kissed him.

Growling deep in his throat, Clark reached down cupping Lex's ass, pulling him up off the floor. If Lex wouldn't let him reveal his secrets in words, he'd just stop faking, stop acting like an ordinary human being. Besides, who knew, maybe what he was doing now, what they were doing right now, was considered normal by his people.

Hanging on to him, Lex tangled his fingers in Clark's hair, wrapping his legs around Clark's waist, and was making the oddest whimpering noises. Noises that Clark had to admit was turning him on even more than he already was.

Aiming for the door, Clark began what seemed like a very long walk back into the bedroom. 'Bed, it's gotta be around here *somewhere*.' Finally he felt the bed in front of him, lowering them both onto it, never for one little second breaking the kiss. Everything seemed so difficult all of the sudden. Breathing was hard, thinking was impossible, especially with Lex arching up, grinding against him.

Then suddenly, Clark found himself being rolled over, the weight of Lex on top of him, grounding him. Lex braced his hands against Clark's shoulders, leaning back a little, panting like he'd just run a marathon. A mischievous grin spread on his face as he leaned forward and began trailing kisses down Clark's neck and chest. Moving down, tongue trailing down over his abs, a little to the side to pay special attention to his hipbone. "Lex!" Clark felt his entire body jerk when Lex's teeth sank into the sensitive skin on the inside of Clark's thigh.

Then Lex's attention fell on an even more sensitive area. About to lick the head of Clark's cock, Lex was almost pushed off the bed, as Clark suddenly scrambled backwards. 'No! What if he was... poisonous to humans, what if...'

"Clark?" Lex looked at him, blinking in surprise. "What...?" A little hurt. "You can give me a blowjob to remember, but you won't let me return the favour?"

Clark felt heat rise to his face. "Lex, I... I can't do this without... without you knowing..." His voice trailed off. How on earth was he going to tell Lex? 'Yeah, well, you know, I'm not exactly your average ordinary human farm boy...'

"Does this have anything to do with what you were trying to tell me before?" His voice was low, though a little unsteady, still slightly breathless. When Clark didn't answer, Lex nodded. "I thought as much."

Lex crawled on hands and knees across the bed to where Clark was sitting. Clark swallowed hard, feeling his body again reacting to the sight. Lex had a right to know... What they'd done in the morning - and in the afternoon had been, well... not exactly innocent, but Clark suspected he couldn't get sick, he *never* got sick, so he hadn't thought twice about what he'd been doing. With Lex... is was something else. All he wanted right then and there was to close his eyes and hope that when he opened them again, things would be better, less complicated. Nothing ever worked that way, of course.

"Mutant?" Lex sat down next to him, not quite touching, but close enough for Clark to feel the heat of his body.

Clark shook his head, eyes still closed. Figured that Lex would consider the possibility of Clark just being another meteor created freak. How to explain that he was a freak that had come down *with* the meteors?

"Clark, if it would make you feel better, then just tell me..." A shift in the mattress next to him and Lex leaned against him, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek. "I promise I won't freak out."

Clark swallowed hard, finally opening his eyes. "Don't make any promises you might find hard to keep." He shook his head when Lex opened his mouth to answer. "I'm not from around here, Lex."

"Kansas?" Lex nuzzled Clark's neck, sending shivers down his spine.

"More like this solar system..." If he hadn't been so caught up in his nervousness, Clark might actually have prided himself on his voice not breaking mid-sentence.

"You're not kidding me, are you?" Lex's voice was carefully controlled, soft and his breath hot against Clark's ear.

Clark shook his head. "I mean, we don't know anything about... I ... if you..." Clark trailed off. This was really beyond embarrassing. The feeling was quickly gone, though, when Lex crawled into his lap, insisting on kissing Clark senseless. And it seemed to be working pretty well.

Coming up for breath, Lex looked into his eyes. "You're afraid that if I swallow, I'll get sick. That's ok, there are plenty of other ways to have fun." To give his words a little extra weight, shifted his hips, making Clark gasp. "It just means postponing blowjobs until I've had a chance to run some tests." He arched an eyebrow slightly. "I can think of several entertaining ways of getting the samples..."

"Lex!" Another deep kiss silenced him and Clark was beginning to feel like the ice cream, pretty much melting. "You're pretty hell-bent on making me feel better, aren't you?"

"Mmm, yeah. Don't worry, Clark. I'm ok, it's just not every day I have an alien in my bed." Lex's fingers slid down his abs. "An alien that I intend to show all the joys of human sex..."

"Lex! You sound like some cheap porn movie."

"Oh," Lex raised an eyebrow. "How would you know?"

Blushing furiously, Clark buried his face against Lex's neck, refusing to answer that. "Mmm, I could stay like this forever."

A sigh. "I couldn't."

"No?" Clark pulled back. "Why not?" A little worried that Lex had had a change of heart.

Instead of answering, Lex took Clark's hand and firmly planted on his erection.

"Oh!"

"Wanna do something about it?"

"Um, yeah?" Clark had a tough time believing this was really happening. He'd actually revealed his secret to Lex and Lex still wanted to... um... "So this doesn't freak you out?"

Lex sighed, giving him a slightly disapproving look. "I'm still here, aren't I?"

"Well, yeah, you sorta live here." At least Lex hadn't kicked him out...

"I... I did hit you that day." He stated as a fact, not a question.

"Yeah," Clark sighed.

"Invulnerable?" Lex nuzzled his ear.

"Yeah." May as well get the questions out in the open.

"100%?" Lex licked a trail from Clark's jaw to his ear.

"Um, so far? More or less." And more every day.

"Cool." Teeth sank into his hear lobe.

"Hey!"

"Invulnerable, but still sensitive."

"Lex! Will you ditch your inner geek!" Clark moaned when Lex went back to treating the skin under his ear with the utmost attention.

"Inner scientist, Clark, inner scientist, not geek."

"Geek," Clark pouted, his nervousness somewhat diminished.

"I need to know how far I can go, Clark."

"Um... all the way?" It left Clark's lips before he could think.

"Clark?" Lex pulled back, searching his eyes. "Do you have any idea of what that means?"

Clark swallowed. "Not, I guess, entirely, but I have a pretty good idea." He drew a deep breath. Sure, it wasn't like he hadn't come across it on the internet, and he wasn't as naïve as people tended to think. "I was hoping... that maybe youcouldteachme." See, now it was out in the open.

Lex frowned. "Teach you? Clark, I need you to tell me how far you can imagine this going, because once we get started, I'm not entirely sure I'll be able to stop from one second to the next, even if you ask me to."

"I... Lex, I know, I... I'm invulnerable, you can't hurt me."

"Maybe no physically, Clark, but I'd like to keep you just the way you are mentally as well." He poked a finger at Clark's chest. "And don't give me any crap about that part being invulnerable as well."

"You won't hurt me either way, Lex, I trust you."

Something dark swept over Lex's face, his eyes growing distant. "Maybe you shouldn't, Clark."

"Don't worry, I won't let you..." Clark had moved before he'd even ended the thought. Looking down into grey-blue eyes full of surprise, he couldn't help laughing out loud. His self confidence, he mused, seemed to be returning. If Lex could accept his lover being an alien, then the least he could do was trust Lex, even if Lex didn't trust himself. "I think we need to work on your self esteem... Baldy."

"Hey! If my baldness..." that was pretty much as far as Lex got before Clark leaned forward and licked from eyebrows to the top of the scalp. The body under his shook. "God! Clark, don't... don't *do* such things."

"Why not?" Clark couldn't help the smile that was spreading on his face.

"Because... because... just. Don't. You. Ever. Dare. Do. That. In. Public!"

"Ooh, liked it that much?" Clark moved forward again, this time giving him a slow, lingering kiss. Lex whimpered and his lips parted to allow Clark inside. "Told you I had a new favourite comfort food..." Clark whispered when their lips parted again. Nibbling and licking his way up from the corner of Lex's mouth, along the jaw line, enjoying the way Lex's body squirmed under his hands as he ran them down his sides. Sucking at Lex's ear lobe, leaving little kisses across his face, on his closed eyelids, his nose, licking the now kiss-bruised lips.

"Somehow, I don't think you need to be taught too much..." Lex panted. "If you and your tongue get any better, I might suffer a heart attack, though..." His hands slid down to cup Clark's hips. "But I would die a happy man."

Clark smiled down at him. Maybe things would be better in the morning, perhaps the comfort Lex was offering was exactly what he needed to push his father's disapproval into the background, at least for now. "Thanks Lex." Clark kissed him again. "For everything."

TBC