The sun dyed his eyelids in red and orange hues. Hmm, the sun didn't normally shine into his bedroom. And there was a rather comfortable weight on top of him, warm and still. The feeling of soft skin against his own, brought back the night's events, making him blush. "Lex?"

"Mmmphf?" came the sleepy answer.

"Oh." Clark smiled, eyes still closed. "It wasn't a dream then?"

Lex shifted on top of him, seemingly trying to get even closer. He sighed contentedly, then winced. "No, I'm fairly sure it wasn't. If it were, I have no idea how to explain why my ass is sore."

Clark frowned. "I seem to recall you telling me that I didn't hurt you."

"I swear Clark, you didn't hurt me, I said I was sore, which in this case, I consider a pleasant feeling."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah." Lex shifted again, then went absolutely limp. "Mmm, I think I've grown addicted to my new pillow."

"New pillow?"

"Yeah, my Clark-shaped pillow."

Clark shook his head. He could feel the curving of Lex's lips against his neck. "I'm sorry to ruin your lounging, but I need to go to the bathroom."

"Ok, if you must," he answered with a indulgent sigh; rolling off Clark to lie on his back, Lex stretched his body. The contented noises he was making and the sight of the long, lean body on the bed had Clark super speeding to the bathroom and back.

The phone rang and Lex answered it, reaching out to drag Clark down next to him at the same time. "Lex Luthor." He kept looking at Clark, surprise and awe written on his face.

"He's... better. Yes... It worked very well." Lex gave Clark's arm a reassuring squeeze. "Yes, Mrs. Kent... Martha, we'll be there."

"Well?" Clark asked, a little impatient. "Be where?"

"She wants to try mending the broken pieces in neutral surroundings." Lex stood and pulled Clark with him toward the bathroom. "We're meeting with your parents at the Talon in two hours"

"Oh." Clark followed Lex and even the thought of meeting with his parents couldn't keep him from stealing swift touches, and Lex didn't seem to mind, on the contrary. Pulling away from a deep kiss, Lex leaned against him, resting his head on Clark's shoulder. He sighed deeply. "We better shower and dress without too much mmpfh..."

Clark drowned whatever Lex was trying to say in a long, exploring kiss. "There's plenty of time..." he mumbled when they parted again.

"Not if you're planning on the both of us showering... at the same time."

"No, seriously. The way you drive? We'll be there in no time." Clark couldn't help laughing a little.

Lex shook his head and smiled, silently surrendering. 45 minutes later, they tried to dry each other off, which took a lot longer than it should have, especially when Lex discovered just *how* ticklish Clark was.

Dressing, Clark realized, posed a recurring problem. As he pulled up his jeans, he could feel Lex staring at him. "What?"

"You're going commando, Clark?" Lex sounded very surprised.

"Um, yeah."

"You don't want to borrow another pair of briefs?"

"Ah, no." Clark could feel the heat in his face. "There's a little matter of the size..."

Lex choked. "What?" He watched with fascination and interest as Clark zipped and buttoned his jeans. "Does that mean you weren't wearing any last night either?"

Clark hadn't thought he could blush anymore than he already was. "Ye... yeah."

"God! Clark, if I'd known..." He smiled up at Clark. "Maybe it's good I didn't."

Clark grinned. "Well, it's more comfortable going commando than trying to squeeze into some of your underwear."

"So you're planning on meeting with your parents like this?"

Clark just realized he'd found his mean streak. "Seeing it affects you this much? Absolutely."

Lex chuckled. "Well, it'll be an exercise in self control on my part then."

~

The Talon wasn't exactly buzzing with activity on Sunday at noon, so they had no trouble finding a table, well in the back of the room.

"They're late," Clark stated, looking around nervously, tapping his fingers on the table.

Lex's hand descended on his, holding it and giving it a reassuring squeeze. "No, we're early. Don't worry, they'll be here." Lex ordered them some coffee, and they sat in easy silence.

A moment later Lex got up and moved around to sit at Clark's side of the table. Clark looked up, seeing his parents coming in.

Clark drew a deep breath, held it and let it back out, slowly. He nodded at his father, trying to read his features. There wasn't much there, apart from what looked like a slight unease. That and a visible effort not to glare at his son's boyfriend, especially when Lex chose to give Clark's parents a very open and welcoming smile.

Clark couldn't help the chuckle as his mother leaned in, giving Clark's arm a squeeze and hugging Lex. The surprised look on Lex's face softened and his smile turned shy.

They sat down, both looking a little tired. "Well?" Martha looked at them, waiting.

Clark cleared his throat, but Lex was a little faster. "It's... better."

Clark blushed a little, at the warmth in Lex's voice, wondering if he'd ever get used to it - wondering if he wanted to.

"I'm confident we'll get through this." His mother nodded, then hesitated before going on, shooting her husband a warning glance. "And, Clark, your father has something to say to you."

Clark's breath hitched. God, he hoped his father's temper wouldn't get the better of him - especially in public. He didn't dare answer, not trusting his voice, but he nodded.

"Clark... son..." Jonathan concentrated on Clark, obviously having trouble finding the words. He tried again: "Clark, I'm... I can't say that I willingly accept your relationship with... Lex, but... please, I'm... sorry for my behaviour last night."

Martha nodded and when he didn't make any indication of continuing, she glared at him, making him squirm and look very ill at ease.

"Lex, I'm... sorry for the things I said last night. I know you're not your father, but as much as I love my son, please understand how hard it is for me to accept this."

Lex nodded. "I can't say it didn't sting - the words, but I've more or less learned to live with being compared to my father and having to prove that I'm not him." He chewed on his lower lip. "I hope, however, that we can both agree to behave civilized - if for nothing else, then for Clark's sake."

Jonathan agreed with a relieved sigh. "Yes." He turned his attention back to Clark. "Please, Clark, believe me when I tell you that I love you and that I don't want to loose you."

Clark blinked hard. If his father could do this, so could he. "So you're going to at least try to live with the fact that we're together?" He relaxed a little, as Lex hand again settled on top of his.

Martha smiled when she saw it. "He'll try, just don't... don't expect miracles, give him time." She reached across the table, her hand closing on theirs.

They both nodded, keeping their hands where they were for another moment, then let go.

Martha turned her attention to Lex. "Be careful to whom you tell or show this..." She sighed. "Clark is above the age of consent, but this is Kansas, and we do have a sodomy law."

Lex cleared his throat again, trying to school his face into one of his masks. To Clark's delight, he didn't quite succeed, as a rosy tint to his cheeks revealed his feelings. "We will, Martha, don't worry."

"Hey! Why the serious faces?" Chloe's words startled the three of them, as she and Pete stopped next to the table.

"Oh, um, Chloe, hi!" Clark wondered how much she'd noticed. Probably a lot more than she let one. Pete, on the other hand, who was standing behind her, frowned a little when he noticed Lex. Clark was *not* looking forward to telling his childhood friend about the love of his life

Clark risked a look at Lex, before he answered her. He was rewarded with a soft smile. "It's nothing, Chloe, it's... it's ok now."

Chloe frowned. Of course she'd sense that there was more there than met the eye. Her attention swung back to Lex. "You look mighty happy today."

Lex nodded, shooting Clark a quick, mischievous grin. "Yeah, I've had a good night's sleep."

Chloe grinned. "A good night's sleep is always important, Mr. Luthor." She winked at Clark. "Especially if you wanna keep up with Clark here - Just don't let him drink too much coffee, ok? Then even a good night's sleep isn't enough." Her brows drew together. "And you know what they say about sleep and sinners, right?"

Lex's eyes narrowed. "What *do* they say about sleep and sinners, miss Sullivan?"

"Um... something like 'he who sleeps, sins not'." She made it sound so innocent. And it was ruined a little by Pete's snicker.

"Nope, it's hard to sin when you're in bed." Lex's grin grew wider. "I was just fortunate enough to get a good night's sleep - very comfortable." He kept a perfectly straight face. "I have my new pillow to thank for that..."

Clark had, unfortunately, just taken a sip of his coffee, which he spewed out, coughing hard to regain composure. And as all eyes turned on him, he did what he could to show them his most innocent expression. An effort, it seemed, Lex was trying very hard to destroy, by running his fingers up and down the inside of Clark's thigh. 'Well, no one had said it'd be easy,' Clark mused.