Run

Genre: Angst/Romance

Summary: After coming to a startling realisation, Clark isolates himself from his family and friends, afraid of being rejected. Finally, Lex confronts him and the whole truth comes out. (Clex)

Notes: This isn’t within any particular time frame but Clark is 17 in the story. I refuse to acknowledge that Lex was ever married so technically it’s an A.U. Oh and I should warn you, this story is majorly angsty and can be rather OOC at times! But it does have a happy ending I promise

Words: 6458

Disclaimer: I did not create Clark, Lex, or any of the other characters mentioned within this story; they belong to the W.B network that created the amazing series ‘Smallville’, D.C Comics etc…. All I can claim is the plot.

Clark curled up against the wall, listless green eyes staring out the window. The telescope next to him lay unused as it had for several weeks. It was only seven on a Thursday evening, the sky outside the window showing dashes of pastel colours interrupting the clear blue. Five weeks ago on such a day, Clark would have been outside basking in the last remnants of sunshine or down at the Talon listening to Chloe’s latest additions to the Wall of Weird.

But his previously tanned skin had paled to an almost ivory pallor, the result of days spent determinedly remaining inside and away from company. He had disconnected his phone, ignoring the numerous calls from his friends and persistent visits from Lex that had been declined by Jonathon at Clark’s request.

Clark knew that he was confusing everyone. He fiddled absentmindedly with the ragged ends of his blue shirt and huddled back further into the safety of the dim corner, feeling a sharp pang at the thought of his friends that he quickly pushed to the back of his mind. Maybe it was selfish but Clark believed it was better to push them away on his own terms rather than having to deal with his friends leaving him once they knew the truth. That Clark Kent was not only an alien, but gay as well. Not that he planned for anyone to find about his true origins but to the traditional Kansas community, the latter problem would probably be more of a cause for condemnation than the conditions of his birth.

Night after night, Clark was plagued by visions of his mum and dad kicking him out of the house; Pete and Chloe pointedly turning away from him; Lex looking at him in disgust. The last made his heart clench painfully. Lex had always said that their friendship would be the stuff of legends, had always acted as though there was something special about Clark even though he was just a simple farmboy. Maybe that was why he had fallen in love with his best friend. Clark remembered when he had first realised his feelings. It was like something in his body had just shifted and he knew that it would be permanent.

( Flashback)

Clark slowly stepped backwards, the movement not registering in his brain until he was half way out of the Talon. His face betrayed only a fraction of the shock that was making his stomach churn. In front of him, where he had stood only ten seconds beforehand, Chloe and Pete continued to chat with Lana, not having noticed his departure. Clark noticed in some distant corner of his mind, the shy glances directed by Pete at Chloe as the blond hair swished through the air energetically. Huh, since when did Pete have a crush on Chloe?

But the reason for his current inability to think coherently was a certain purple shirt wearing, bald millionaire who hadn’t seemed to notice Clark’s presence in the coffee shop let alone his early departure. His best friend, who was whispering into the ear of a woman whom Clark noticed with the detached feeling that was quickly becoming his only emotion, was incredibly beautiful. Why couldn’t Clark look away? This had never happened before. What was that hot burning feeling in his stomach; the desire to speed over to Lex and not stop until they were a million miles away or at least, back at Luthor Castle?

God, it couldn’t be possible. The forces of the universe couldn’t possibly be that cruel. Like Clark wasn’t different enough, permanently separated from his friends and all he loved by the circumstances of his birth-he had to be gay as well?

No, not gay so much, Clark realised with a heavy sigh, the first sign of emotion that had managed to escape from his body. He was in love with Lex and only Lex. It wasn’t the sight of a man’s broad shoulders that got his attention as he passed on the street but rather the genuine smile that only he ever seemed to receive from Lex. Or the shirts that clung slightly to Lex’s body, giving just a teasing hint of the toned body that lay underneath. It was just Lex. And that had to be a million times worse than just being gay.

Clark backed into the door of the Talon. He jumped forward again at the unexpected feel of the glass behind his back. It was like an electric shock short-circuiting all of Clark’s thoughts into action. He had to get out of there. Clark spun around, throwing his hands in the air to avoid knocking into the bemused customers just entering the shop. His fumbling actions attracted Lex’s attention. Clark saw his friend look up with his typically alert expression that quickly turned surprised at seeing who was causing the problem. Clark stopped dead in his tracks, caught by the silver blue eyes questioning him from across the room. He shook his head rapidly, feeling like some dumb sheepdog that was only just understanding a simple fact of life that would have been obvious to anyone else. He was in love with Lex, his very straight, older, millionaire friend. There couldn’t have been any more barriers between them if he tried. He had to run, had to get as far away as possible. If Lex ever knew…Clark didn’t even want to imagine the disgusted look on his friend’s face, the accusations of betrayal that Clark knew he would deserve. He might be bullet proof but he just couldn’t handle that kind of pain. But there was no way he would be able to hide the depth of his feelings for Lex. Running was the only option.

Clark gave one last painful look towards his friend before disappearing out the door, running across the road to jump into the truck. He waited just until he had driven to a deserted area of the highway before getting out from the car and beginning to run instead. In ten minutes he was at Metropolis. Not good enough, it was practically owned by Lex. Clark paused for a quick breath and continued on, leaving the state of Kansas within an hour and a half.

(End Flashback)

Clark hadn’t stopped running until he reached California. He spent three days just sitting on the beach staring at the endless crash of waves against the rocks. He had been so absorbed in his thoughts he hadn’t noticed the queries and sporadic taunting directed at him by confused locals. His body had burned under the hot sun but he only rose once his hunger got to the point of desperation. Clark had eaten a quick breakfast at a café before starting his run with the same abrupt energy that had driven him to California back to Kansas, finding consolation in the constant movement and growing ache in his muscles.

When he arrived home early that evening, it had been to a scene of chaos. The farm’s driveway was crowded with cars including his own that he had abandoned on the highway leaving Kansas. Clark had entered the house, seeing Chloe and Lana trying to comfort his mother while his father’s hands clenched with the effort of not taking out his visible frustration on something. Even Lex’s cool Luthor exterior was showing cracks as he talked angrily into his mobile. Clark felt remorseful for a moment in light of the pain he had obviously caused those he loved. However this feeling was soon overpowered by the relentless voices in his head reminding him of how they would hate him once they realised the truth. And so Clark had merely nodded in greeting before heading to his bedroom, ignoring the shocked exclamations and attempts to make him turn to face their questions. Clark had locked the door to his room, falling down onto his bed and almost immediately relinquishing control of his senses to escape to the welcome embrace of slumber even as his door was pounded against by demanding fists.

Ever since, Clark had steadfastly refused to answer any questions regarding his disappearance or engage in any sort of conversation at all. After a huge blow up by Jonathon two weeks into his silence, Clark’s parents had accepted the situation. They had told him that they would always be there when he was ready to talk although Jonathon would occasionally disappear into the barn where there would be heard loud noises of frustration. His friends had not adopted the same calm attitude and Clark was glad there were still two weeks left in summer vacation so he did not have to face them on a daily basis.

Clark cringed in remembrance of Lex’s last visit. His friend, normally so inscrutable and polite, had yelled so loud that Clark had been able to hear it from his bedroom. Lex still came by the farm at least once every three days, seemingly not discouraged by Clark’s continued silence and unwillingness to see him. It was increasingly different to stay away from Lex when everything in Clark was urging him down the stairs to at least see the face of his love. Instead, Clark would bury his head in the Daily Planet, mind working furiously to ignore Lex’s presence and concentrate on critiquing the articles. It was only another year till he left Smallville. Surely he could ignore Lex until then.

The only thing that was giving Clark any kind of comfort was his running. Every night following dinner, Clark would slip on an old shirt, black shorts and trainers, to escape from the awkward stillness of the house. He didn’t bother to use his super speed, finding greater satisfaction in the burn of his muscles as he ran to the outskirts of Smallville and back.

Looking up at the night sky, Clark saw that it was beginning to fade into a dark navy blue, only whispers of pink and orange still streaking across the heavens. Unfolding his long legs, bones creaking slightly because of the length of time he had been sitting on the floor, Clark quickly changed into his running clothes and was out of the house five minutes later.

He took in a deep breath of the fresh air. The mingled scents of freshly mown grass and a distinctive smell that he had never been able to properly identify but that only appeared at night, mingled together to create a pleasant ambiance. Walking sedately down the driveway, Clark stopped at the entrance to the farm to stretch out his legs before beginning to run. Lights in the scattered farmhouses were just flickering on, any noises soon fading so that all Clark could hear was his own steady breathing and the occasional sounds of animals around him. Clark was almost able to convince himself that he wasn’t missing anything by staying inside through the day just as long as he could have this time of peace every evening.

His long legs swallowed up the distance, ankles lightly tickled by the faint dampness of the grass. Clark ran along the road, only detouring into the fields to avoid the sporadic appearances of cars passing until he reached the bridge where he had first met Lex. It had become a ritual for him to stop for five minutes and think of Lex. Thoughts of their past friendship that were filled with happiness and in which he was able to ignore the constant ache in his heart.

He leaned over the railing, eyes seeing but not registering the slow undulating movement of the water as it ran downstream, scattered leaves swirling in the current. The rail had been replaced after the accident, the cool metal now straight as Clark ran his hands across it. Closing his eyes, Clark drifted off into one of his favourite memories. So simple, but made all the more beautiful for its very simplicity. The memory consisted only of Lex helping Clark with his chores back at Kent Farm. Clark was convinced that it was the first time Lex had ever held a hammer in his life, despite his friend’s protests to the contrary. A soft smile spread unbidden across Clark’s face remembering how proud Lex had been of his accomplishment even though he tried to hide it.

“You know, that has to be the first time I’ve seen you smile in weeks. Actually it’s the first time I’ve seen you in weeks” a cool voice broke through the quiet stillness of the evening.

Clark spun around startled, glad for the security of the railing that stopped him from falling right into the river. Staring back at him with what Clark privately labelled his Luthor face was Lex, unreadable blue eyes silently assessing his appearance. Behind him, a sleek sports car had been parked haphazardly across the road. Clark asked himself how he could have not heard Lex’s arrival but his mind could not focus properly being distracted as it was by the immediate rush of emotion he felt at seeing his friend that he still couldn’t control after weeks of trying. Damn but somehow Lex looked even better than Clark remembered. His long slim form was clothed in black right down to his shoes which were tapping lightly on the pavement, reminding Clark that he hadn’t responded at all to Lex’s greeting.

“Lex, I….I have to g-go” Clark stuttered. He tried to step around his friend.

“You’re delusional if you think I’m letting you go anywhere” said Lex, tightly gripping onto Clark’s arm and forcing him back to his original position.

Clark tried desperately to make his features blank, knowing it was his only chance to get out of the conversation with his composure still intact.

“Fine, what do you want?” Clark asked.

Lex was clearly surprised by his turn around but his confusion lasted for only a moment before he shoved at Clark angrily.

“What do I want? What the hell is wrong with you Kent?” Lex ranted, coolness of composure completely disintegrating. “You disappear; don’t talk to your family or friends or me for weeks on end and now you’re trying to leave without explaining? No fucking way”

Clark stared back at Lex blankly. He couldn’t handle this, not when his heart seemed to be literally fragmenting into a million pieces in his chest.

“So maybe you should take a hint” Clark responded in a carefully impersonal tone. “It’s my business and nobody else’s.”

Lex took a deep breath, visibly trying to calm himself. When he spoke again, the bite in his tone made Clark cringe.

“It became my business when my best friend decided he didn’t want to fucking talk to me anymore. Why won’t you tell me what’s going on? If I did something, at least tell me so I could have a chance to fix it.”

Clark turned away towards the railing, using the excuse of picking up his drink bottle to try to regain some semblance of self-control.

“It wasn’t you Lex” Clark whispered softly, unwilling to let his friend carry any guilt. “Like I said, it’s my problem and no-one else’s”

Ignoring Lex’s pleading look Clark moved away from the railing, running back in the direction that he had come from. He wasn’t going to be able to find anymore peace in the evening. Purposefully moving away from the road at the first opportunity, Clark tried to run as fast as he could without switching to superspeed. Maybe if he made his body feel physical pain he could ignore the thoughts running through his head. The continuous cycle of Lex’s face questioning him, yelling at him, pleading with him. Clark felt his mind relentlessly condemning him calling him a freak, a burden, a horrible person who only caused the people he loved pain. He collapsed in the field, still kilometres away from his home, curling into a tight ball in the damp grass. Clark heard from a distance the sound of harsh sobbing, realising it was coming from his own throat and the moisture on his face couldn’t possibly be from rain. He let himself feel all of the things he had been trying to ignore for so long. Shame at ignoring his family and friends, self-hatred that he couldn’t even be normal in that small way and overpowering everything else, a hurt so deep that it seemed to reach into his soul for loving Lex and knowing it would never be returned.

“Clark! Damn it Clark”

Clark felt strong arms cradling him desperately. A low voice whispered soothing sounds frantically as he was rocked back and forth. Clark couldn’t bring himself to care anymore, burying his face into the warm skin surrounding him, his tears a hot stream as his body shook. It was several minutes before Clark stopped shaking. He was incredibly tired and somewhat cold all of a sudden even though it was a warm summer night. Looking down hazily at the elegant white hands clutching him around the waist, Clark admired them for a moment but suddenly realised where he was. And who those hands had to belong to.

“I’m sorry Lex” Clark spoke quietly. He tried unsuccessfully to escape from the warm embrace. He could feel Lex’s cool forehead leaning shakily against his neck and heard the unsteady breathing that disrupted the night in a rough cadence.

“Like I said before, you’re insane if you think I’m letting you go anywhere” said Lex determinedly. His arms tightened around Clark’s middle. “Now, tell me what’s going on. Please Clark, let me help”

Clark’s heart shattered for what seemed like the fiftieth time that evening upon hearing the broken words of his friend. They broke through his last barriers, already so unstable from everything that had happened that night.

“I don’t blame you if you run away so don’t feel like you have to act polite or anything” Clark admitted softly, feeling like his muscles were trying to cave into one tiny little Clark ball. He was finally going to tell someone the truth. “I’m an alien. And I’m gay.”

Lex’s body tensed behind him, his arms around Clark tightening to the point where it was hard to breathe. Clark hung his head, shaggy hair hanging across his face and effectively hiding the tears that had gathered once more in his eyes. Lex was going to leave him now.

“So this alien thing…is it you think you’re an alien because you’re gay or you’re actually an alien from another planet?”

Clark couldn’t stop a surprised half laugh, wondering at the fact that he was capable of laughing at all.

“No, I’m actually an alien. I have powers but not because of the meteor shower; I was the reason why the meteor shower happened. It was when I came to Earth. My mum and dad found me in the field afterwards and took me in.”

“What powers do you have?”

“Um, x-ray vision, super speed, my skin’s invulnerable, I can shoot fire from my eyes, I’m bullet-proof and I flew once. I know I’m a freak” Clark muttered, unable to keep the bitterness out of his voice. “But I was used to that. Being gay on top of it…I just couldn’t deal with it”

The night fell silent once more, Clark still sitting tensely in Lex’s arms while everything in his body was screaming to run away. After a minute of this, Clark felt like his mind was about to explode and he twisted around violently, surprising Lex so much that his arms fell away from Clark’s body.

“‘Look Lex, just get it over with already ok. Just yell at me, hit me, walk away or whatever it is you’re going to do so I can go home and you never have to see me again”

Clark stared at his friend, ready for anything.

“Why didn’t you trust me?” Lex asked softly, his face showing a pain that stopped Clark in his tracks.

Except that.

“Huh?” Clark was unable to speak coherently

“Why didn’t you trust me?” Lex repeated

Clark’s mouth fell open. He gazed hopelessly at the scenery around him, mind trying to catch up with the unexpected question.

“I do trust you but I thought you would hate me” Clark whispered, “I always wanted to tell you about the alien thing and I never could. I know how much you hate people lying to you. As for the me being gay thing, well it’s not really accepted by a lot of people especially not in Kansas. I couldn’t stand the thought of you hating me”

“So you thought you would ignore me and that would somehow make it better?” asked Lex. The anger in his voice tore at Clark.

“I figured it would hurt less if I pushed you away now rather than having you leave me later” Clark admitted quietly, head sinking further down. They were still sitting close together, folded knees only an inch apart.

“You’re a complete moron do you know that?” Lex yelled, making Clark wince. “I told you over and over again that I would protect you. You’re my best friend. How could you think I would hate you just because you’re gay!”

Clark looked up in amazement as Lex reached out a hand to touch his shoulder gently.

“So you don’t hate me?” Clark asked, still in complete disbelief.

Lex just rolled his eyes.

“I might be incredibly annoyed at you right now for being such an idiot but no, I don’t hate you”

Clark smiled incredulously. He felt like the force of his happiness was enough to lift him right up to the moon.

“Clark!”

Lex reached out a hand, tugging Clark back down from where he was floating a metre above the ground. Clark shrugged sheepishly, peering up at Lex from under dark eyelashes still glimmering from his past tears. Lex laughed, a genuine laugh free of self-awareness and his usual Luthor reserve.

“Well I always said you were too good to be from this Earth” Lex teased. Clark’s smile grew brighter, amazed at how supportive and open minded his friend was being.

“I missed you Lex” Clark burst out. He could see his friend’s face soften again as he smiled back at Clark.

“I missed you too Clark. But if you ever do something like that again” Lex’s face grew serious, “I will hurt you so badly that you won’t be able to walk for weeks. I don’t care how invulnerable your skin is, I’ll find some way.”

Clark made a face back at Lex but nodded in agreement. Now that he knew his friend didn’t hate him, Clark didn’t think he could ever go for so long without him again.

“Anything else you need to tell me?” Lex asked dryly. His amused smirk faded quickly as Clark looked hesitant.

“Is there anything that would make you hate me? And think carefully about this” Clark sidetracked Lex’s question. Lex deserved to know of his feelings, if only so he could have the option to never see Clark again if that was what he wanted.

Lex threw his hands out in an exasperated gesture, clearly annoyed at having to prove his friendship again.

“Clark I don’t care that you’re an alien or gay do I? Well technically the last would be hypocritical seeing how I’m bisexual. But no, unless you are secretly giving information to Lionel or something, there is nothing that will make me give up our friendship”

“Hold on, you’re Bi?” Clark half-shouted, so staggered that he shot up to a standing position.

“Yes. I thought you knew?” Lex said, confused.

“Ah, no. It might have made the whole telling you I’m gay thing easier, don’t you think?” Clark huffed sarcastically. He sighed, breath creating a slight mist in the cool air. “Sorry”

Clark sat down again, forcing himself to look directly at Lex even though his nerves were urging him to run away. He ran a hand through his dark hair, absently noticing that the sweat from his run had clumped some of the strands together.

“On the other hand it might make saying this a bit easier” Clark took another deep breath before plunging in. “I’m in love with you.”

Lex’s expression of open mouthed shock didn’t help to decrease his desire to run away. Berating himself for daring to hope that his declaration would be received well, Clark began to stammer, hardly hearing the words that fell from his lips.

“Oh God I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to but I do, love you that is and I know you can’t possibly feel the same way but I really hope we can still be friends”

His babbling was suddenly cut off by the feel of soft lips against his own, effectively disabling his thought processes at the same time. The kiss only lasted for a short moment, making Clark whimper slightly as the warmth left him.

“Lex?” Clark looked up with wide eyes. “I don’t understand”

His mind reeled at the sight of Lex’s loving expression which transformed the already beautiful features into a figure of perfection to Clark’s eyes.

“I love you too” Lex said gently, caressing Clark’s cheeks with a tenderness that made his head spin again. “Alien and all”

Clark leaned into Lex’s hand, turning his head to place a kiss on the long fingers.

“I won’t pretend that I understand why” Clark said slowly, struggling to get the words out of the joyful haze which was covering his every thought. “But I’m certainly not going to question it”

Clark smiled gleefully as Lex laughed. Lex tugged him closer again, their lips meeting in a kiss deeper than before. Clark could taste coffee and chocolate as he slipped his tongue into Lex’s mouth, moaning slightly at the sensation. He could sense Lex’s desire and love and wondered at it, amazed. He wrapped his arms firmly around Lex, needing the close contact to silence the small questioning voice within him that said it couldn’t possibly be real after so many months of wanting. It was only as Lex lowered him gently down to the ground, damp grass brushing against Clark’s ears, that he truly came to believe that it was happening. Lex scattered loving kisses across his cheeks and jaw, placing a playful nip at his neck that turned more intense as Lex focused more attention on the spot, making Clark groan.

Struggling against his own thoughts which were cheerfully urging him to stay put, Clark reluctantly sat up, hugging Lex to his body.

“As much as I would love to stay here” Clark punctuated his statement with a quick kiss, “We really need to get home. My running usually doesn’t last this long so my parent’s are probably getting worried.”

“No wonder. You have a bad habit of running off and not coming back for three days” Lex glared back good naturedly. His semi-annoyed look quickly faded as he tilted his head to one side, curious.

“Where did you go when you disappeared?”

“Um California” Clark said, ducking his head in embarrassment. When he gained the courage to lift his eyes once more, Lex was staring at him open-mouthed.

“You’re lucky I didn’t know that otherwise I would have killed you when you came back. Your parents didn’t think you had left Kansas” Lex finally managed to choke out.

At the mention of his parents, Clark’s good mood faded and he visibly shrunk into himself.

“Lex…do you, do you think they’ll hate me when they find out I’m gay?” Clark asked his sad voice barely audible. He sighed softly as Lex brought his arms to rest around his waist once more and nuzzled into the comforting warmth. Lex began to stroke his hair lightly, soothing Clark with his actions and words.

“Your parents love you Clark, that’s more than I could ever say confidently about Lionel. They took you in as a child, knowing that you weren’t even from this planet. I won’t pretend that there won’t be problems; like you said, we do live in Kansas and unfortunately some people are blinded by their prejudices. But I don’t think your parents will reject you, I don’t think they could. And if the worse scenario does come to pass, I can promise you that you won’t be alone. You will always have me”

Clark smiled gratefully at his best friend turned lover. He basked in the feeling of sitting with Lex in the cool grass, allowing himself that one moment where nothing else mattered. He knew he was probably the only person in the world who had ever been given the privilege to see Lex like he was right then, completely exposed and open. Above them, the sky had turned a deep inky blue, dashes of yellow scattered like a child’s artwork.

Standing up slowly, Clark grasped on to Lex’s hand, pulling him up as well. They stepped out of the field, hands still entwined, walking contentedly across the road back to where Lex’s car was parked. Clark settled into the passenger side, the corners of his lips quirking upwards slightly as he realised Lex hadn’t even scolded him for sitting on the expensive leather seat with damp clothes. They drove back to the farm in silence, the smooth movement of the car barely leaving a sound in their wake. Clark couldn’t stop himself from looking over at Lex, needing the reassurance that he was there, that he knew everything and incredibly, still loved him. Lex seemed to understand, reaching a hand over to gently squeeze his shoulder or leg whenever he caught Clark staring.

Turning into the driveway of the Kent Farm, Clark felt his fear returning, making his stomach clench with a thousand taunting butterflies dancing the tango. Breath turning into harsh gasps; he had to force himself to calm down. He smiled weakly at Lex who was looking at him in concern again.

“You don’t need to do this right now you know?’ Lex said gently, slipping his arm around Clark’s waist as though afraid that the taller male would collapse. ‘It’s already been a bit of an emotional night for you”

The dry tone underlining Lex’s words made Clark laugh slightly, helping him to regain some strength.

“No, I’d rather do it now. May as well get it done in one go right?” Clark tried to squash down his worry and squared his shoulders to at least exude an allusion of bravery.

Lex nodded, arm tightening around Clark’s waist. They walked the short distance up to the front door, Clark kicking the gravel absently with his feet. Opening the door quietly, Clark took a deep breath as they entered the well-lit house.

“Mum, Dad? Are you here?” Clark was embarrassed to hear his voice break slightly.

Martha peeked out from the kitchen, hands fluttering uncertainly, visibly amazed at hearing Clark voluntarily trying to speak with them. Her eyes widened further at seeing Lex next to Clark but a smile lit up her face almost immediately.

“Hi sweetie, did you have a good run?” Martha asked. She gestured for the two boys to follow her into the kitchen where Jonathon sat at the table, the newspaper discarded in various pieces.

“Yeah I did” Clark ran a shaking hand through his hair, taking a seat next to his father. His parent’s expressions of shock would have made him laugh in any other situation. Lex followed him around the table, politely declining Martha’s offer for coffee. Nodding at Jonathon who returned the gesture stiffly, Lex nudged Clark encouragingly, placing his hand on Clark’s knee unseen under the cover of the table.

“I need to talk to the both of you about something if it’s okay” Clark forced the words out over the roar of his mind screaming at him to just escape to his bedroom. But he couldn’t run anymore.

Jonathon’s face grew serious and he sat up straighter in his chair. Pausing from where she had been pouring a cup of coffee, Martha placed the jug back down. She seemed to forget all about her previous task as she hurried to sit at the table, eyes warm but clearly worried. Clark took one more look at Lex before he began to speak.

“I know I haven’t been the easiest person to live with this past month” Clark held up a hand to silence his mother’s protests, smiling gently at her. “And I want to apologise for that to start. I’m also sorry that I didn’t tell you where I was going when I disappeared or contact you at all. But I realised something earlier that day and I couldn’t deal with it. It just seemed like one thing too many on top of everything else that I have to deal with.”

Jonathon shot an entirely un-subtle warning glance towards Lex. Clark sighed softly.

“It’s alright, Dad. Lex knows the truth about everything. Including my powers.”

“But Clark…”

Clark shook his head slowly, trying to placate his father by keeping calm.

“It’s fine Dad. Lex knows, he accepts it and he would never try to do anything to hurt me”

“Never Mr Kent. I only want to protect Clark” Lex spoke up seriously. Jonathon continued to glare suspiciously but turned his attention back to Clark.

“As I was saying, I ran away because I realised something that I had a hard time accepting. I thought if I pushed everyone away then at least it would be on my terms and I wouldn’t have to deal with all the people that I loved leaving me once they found the truth”

“Honey, we would never reject you” Martha said imploringly, tears already glimmering in her eyes. She reached across the table, taking Clark’s hands in her own. Clark smiled back at her tentatively but removed his hands and took a deep breath to ready himself for the final plunge.

“Thank you for saying that. The truth is, I’m gay”

The kitchen seemed to Clark to be completely devoid of any sound. He shook unconsciously; more grateful than he could ever say for the comforting squeeze of Lex’s hand that reminded him that Lex was there to support him.

Jonathon rose suddenly from his chair, a deafening scrape of wood against the floor that startled Clark into looking up. He gazed miserably up at his father, all bravery crumbling into a shattered heap. Jonathon opened his mouth to say something but turned abruptly and walked out of the kitchen. Just before Jonathon reached the door, he turned again, hands twisting together hopelessly.

“Clark”

Clark forced himself to look up from the table.

Jonathon’s voice sounded defeated and confused, barely a whisper in the still silence of the room. “I, I don’t know how to deal with this…I love you, don’t ever doubt that. It’s just….it’s going to take a while to get used to this”

Father and son looked at each other, both desperately wanting to reach out to the other but unable to move from their current positions. With one last attempt to speak words that never passed his lips, Jonathon left. The sound of the front door closing echoed back through the house seconds later. Clark felt like he was breaking and he fell into Lex’s arms as Lex stroked his hair as he had done earlier. So absorbed in his misery, Clark didn’t hear Martha standing up to walk around the table. She knelt next to Clark, gently drawing him away from Lex into her own arms. As he realised whose arms were enfolding him, Clark sunk to the floor exhausted, staring up at his mother with red-rimmed eyes.

“You still want me?” Clark asked, his broken words sounding like a small child’s. The tears that had been building in Martha’s eyes spilled over, darkening Clark’s hair further.

“Honey I’ve loved you ever since I first saw you. Do you really think something like this could ever make me stop?” Martha smiled tenderly, brushing away the tears from Clark’s cheeks. “And your father will come around. He just…it’s just a bit of a shock that’s all.”

Clark stood unsteadily. He felt emotionally drained and all he wanted to do was sleep. Noticing this, Lex made him sit down again. The care with which Lex did this made Martha look at the two of them curiously.

“Lex, I don’t mean to be intrusive but is there something going on between you and Clark?”

Clark’s head shot up and he stared pleadingly at Lex, scared that he might deny it.

“Yes, Mrs Kent. I love Clark and he feels the same way. I hope we have your blessing?” Lex said calmly, his last words coming out in a questioning tone.

Martha smiled happily, giving both boys a quick motherly kiss on the cheek which made Lex blush to Clark’s amusement. He smirked at Lex who glared at him half-heartedly before taking a hold of his hand once more.

“Of course you have my blessing Lex. I suspect if it wasn’t for you, we might never have heard another word from Clark” Martha stated wryly. “And you obviously make each other happy.” Her voice softened as she looked at the pair.

Lex nodded back thankfully. He let out a small laugh as he looked at Clark who was swaying slightly in his chair, eyes drooping to the extent that there could only be seen a small sliver of green.

“I think you need to get to bed” Lex said, urging Clark to a standing position. Lex threw Clark’s left arm around his shoulder and placed his own around Clark’s waist. He said goodnight to Mrs Kent before walking, half staggering from the extra weight, out of the room. Struggling ungracefully up the stairs, the pair finally made it to Clark’s bedroom where Lex dumped his burden unceremoniously on the bed.

Clark smiled up goofily through his sleepy haze. He tugged Lex down to the bed to lie beside him. Ignoring Lex’s protests, Clark buried his head into Lex’s shoulder, legs and arms somehow fitting together in one messy tangle.

“Love you Lex” Clark muttered, yawning into the soft skin before settling down again. He heard a whispered “Love you too” in return which made him hum in contentment.

“You’ll still be here in the morning right?” Clark managed to speak with the last of his energy and was glad that his eyes were at least partially still open as he saw Lex look down at him tenderly.

“I will be”

Clark felt the soft cover of a blanket being placed over his body. He brushed his lips against Lex’s neck and fell asleep with a peace that he had not been able to achieve for weeks.

A.N; This story has been in my head for so long and I finally succumbed to the pressure to write it. I only usually write Harry Potter so this is my first ever Smallville fic and I really need you to review for me!