Title: Do You Believe In Magic?

Author: danceswithgary and morganichele

Pairing: Clark/Lex

Rating: NC-17

Warnings: None

Spoilers: None

Word Count: 46,400

Archive: Fine, just let me know

Summary: AU. What if the circus was in town the day the sky fell down?

Notes: Many thanks to jakrar for her helpful suggestions on the posts!

***

Chapter 1

***

Lex was sure that whichever of the group had come up with the idea of going to the circus, while flying high on Lex's latest chemical concoction, was a certified genius. The lights and sounds were intense, almost painful, as they washed over him, completely different from those encountered while dancing in a club or rave. It was grittier, raw, a taste in the back of his throat that left him wanting more.

The others, wasted and out-of-control, hooted in derision in their front row seats, mocking the clowns and the animal acts, and were now shouting out that they wanted the trapeze acts to fall. Lex found himself wanting to pull away, to find somewhere else to sit so he could marvel in gape-mouthed silence at the thousands of flickering stars bespangling the costumes and listen to the gasps of the surrounding crowd fill the air like the breaths of a gigantic, mesmerized beast.

Following the announcement of a new act, the figure that emerged from behind canvas walls was imposing, his height matching an impressive breadth of shoulder. The vivid red cape that fluttered behind him outlined the bright blue costume that shimmered as it caressed the muscular form. Dark curls brushed his shoulders, slicked back save for a single curl that teased his brow. A close-cropped beard did little to hide the firm jaw that rose above the thick-hewed neck and chest.

Reaching the base of the trapeze platform, the performer unclasped the cape and let it fall to the tanbark, earning another gasp from the onlookers as the sheer beauty and poise of his form was revealed. His bared biceps knotted and flexed as he stretched, red bands at the wrists matching the red leather of his soft boots. He did not climb the ladder to the platform. Instead, a rope lowered, and grasping the loop at the end with one hand, he flew to the top, arm extended as if he planned on punching through the canvas roof and joining the clouds and stars above.

He was greeted at the apex of his climb by the three other trapeze artists that had been performing earlier. Grasping the bar that swung between the two platforms, he leapt and soared to a new height, slipping backwards to catch the bar behind his knees. Hanging upside down, he clapped his hands once and the slim man jumped out to catch his wrists, and was easily deposited on the opposite platform. The catcher extended his arms out to the side, and on the return arc above the first platform, the two women each took one arm as their own human swing bar and joined him in the air.

At the height of the swing, the catcher slipped back to a seated position, still holding the two women out from his body in what seemed to be an impossible feat of strength. The crowd gasped, with one or two screams, when at the next arc the catcher slipped again to balance in the middle of his back, legs extended out to the waiting man, who grasped them and joined the three in the air. The result was the catcher supporting the three other performers across a narrow bar, legs and arms outstretched as if nailed to an invisible cross. Pumping their legs in unison, the three who dangled forced the swinging into ever higher and faster arcs until they reached the point at which they could begin to catch and release in a series of aerobatic moves that left the crowd first breathless, and then screaming their approval.

Finally, the catcher dropped each of his partners to tumble to the nets below, waiting for each to clear before releasing the next. Alone, he returned to a seated position and pumped himself higher and faster until he leapt from the bar flying upwards to touch the canvas before tumbling in an intricate aerial ballet, bouncing into the net and then out to the ground to land on his feet and acknowledge the thunderous applause. Lex caught sight of his fraternity brothers standing with the rest of the crowd, whistling and clapping as the catcher dipped his head graciously and accepted his cape from one of the rope handlers. With a wave, he left the ring, closely followed by his fellow performers.

The crowd subsided slowly, returning to their seats as a set of clowns appeared, their antics provoking laughter and rude shouts from Lex's companions. Lex ignored them, his mind still held fast by the grace and strength of the flying man. The sight of a large elevated stage being wheeled out, occupied by several intriguing-looking devices called him back from his musing. The ringmaster strode to the front of the center ring and announced in a thundering voice that the 'Magnificent Kal-El' would be entertaining them with unparalleled feats of magic and illusion. As he pointed to the stage behind him, a flash of fire and smoke cleared to reveal a tall, dark-haired man dressed in a billowing, white shirt and slim, fitted pants.

With a gasp of pleasure, Lex was sure he recognized the catcher from the trapeze act who had taken on a new persona. Leaning forward, he focused all his attention on the man, admiring his sweeping, theatrical gestures and clever patter. There were the usual card tricks and vanishing birds, amusing but nothing that Lex hadn't seen before, and he began to feel a trifle disappointed.

It wasn't until Kal-El's petite blonde assistant laid down across a board suspended between two stone walls that the true magic began. After a few passes of his hands above the young woman, Kal-El reached down, removed the board and set it to one side, leaving the woman suspended by her head and feet alone. Extending a single finger, Kal-El placed it in the middle of her back and lifted until she was above his head, held aloft by a single digit. Using a ring, Kal-El passed it over her feet until it reached his finger, and then continued to pass the ring over her head, demonstrating clearly to the audience that there were no wires attached to her.

To another round of thunderous applause, Kal-El slowly lowered the blonde to the stones again and snapped his fingers to awaken her. Her limbs loosened and with a squawk of dismay, she tumbled to the ground. She jumped up, rubbing her shapely buttocks and frowning at Kal-El, who shrugged and looked sheepish at his failure to replace the support board.

The laughter from the crowd led to the next trick, where Kal-El walked through a simple door suspended in a frame and invisibly crossed twenty feet of empty space to another suspended door, in the same time as it took to throw a hat across the stage and retrieve it in the air as he stepped out. The trick stunned the audience to silence before a roar of approving applause and left Lex surprised at his inability to figure out how the trick was managed.

A set of ordinary tricks followed until Kal-El's assistant was directed into the crowd to obtain a volunteer. Lex rolled his eyes at the obvious ploy, until the blonde stopped in front of him and urged him to join her on the stage. Shocked, Lex let her drag him out in front of the crowd, leaving his cat-calling friends behind. Fortunately, the drugs he'd taken had metabolized sufficiently so that he didn't end up stumbling onstage. Once there, he was given two tapers to hold, one in each hand, and asked to stand at the far end of the stage.

Lex followed the directions and turned to face Kal-El, arms outstretched, candles extended. With a flourish of his hands, Kal-El pointed at first one, and then the other, causing the candles to burst into flame. Lex was sure that his shock was visible at the topmost rows of the audience as wax began to drip down from the flames.

The blonde retrieved the candles, put them out, and handed two shorter candles to Lex, backing away. Another set of flourishes and Lex was holding flame again. The third time, she shoved Lex's sleeves back up his forearms and presented him with two large wooden matches. Not too sure about the size of the target, Lex almost declined, but at a pleading look from the stunning green eyes across the stage, he held out the matches. A wave of the large hands and he felt the heat as the match heads flared to life. He quickly dropped them and stomped them out before he could be burned, and then took his bows with Kal-El and his assistant to a round of applause.

Escorted back to his seat, Lex sat down quickly, before the trembling of his knees could be detected. The trick had been amazing and if it wasn't truly magic, then he'd just encountered a wonderful puzzle to pursue when he got back to the chemistry labs at the university. He was already postulating a set of tests as Kal-El and his assistant left the stage to another round of applause.

Having seen the dark-haired man in two different performances, Lex diligently watched the remainder of the show hoping for another glimpse of the handsome magician cum trapeze artist, but was disappointed when he did not reappear. His friends, still flying high, pulled him along with them and they all left the circus behind, heading for the more prosaic lights and sounds at their favorite club.

. . .

The fairgrounds at the outskirts of Metropolis looked sadly barren as Lex pulled up to the closed gate in his silver-gray Porsche. A honk brought a guard out from the hut at the side, but he wasn't able to tell Lex where the circus was headed next. The best he could do was hand Lex a tattered poster that was blowing across the empty lot. Lex thanked him politely and glanced down at the name emblazoned across the top in bright red, yellow and blue. He was sure a little online research would turn up information on the Sullivan-Kent Star-Filled Circus, and the handsome magician that went by the name of Kal-El.

***

Chapter 2

***

With a little research entailing phone calls to booking agents, Lex had been able to find out that Grandville was the next scheduled stop for the circus. Taking his last set of finals before graduation was supposed to be his top priority, but somehow finding out more about the traveling magician seemed to be occupying more of his attention. He was only able to settle down and study after he promised himself a trip out to Grandville after his next-to-last test.

The two-hour trip went quickly, the CDs he'd made to help him study providing at least some distraction from the monotonous fields of corn and wheat. He arrived in time to purchase a front row seat once again and contentedly made his way inside the canvas walls to wait for the show to start. As he glanced around the ring at the various pieces of equipment and props waiting to be used, he couldn't help wondering if the lack of chemical enhancers in his bloodstream would make a difference in his reactions to the show and to one performer in particular.

. . .

"Hey, Clark! Come and look, I think we've picked up a gilly kicking sawdust." A perky blonde, dressed in a scanty, spangled costume swirled with color, looked over her shoulder at the tall, young man behind her. She'd been peeking out through a gap in the sidewall at the gathering crowd, always interested in their faces and forms.

Shaking his dark head as he continued his inspection of the equipment anchored to a movable platform, Clark refused to join her. "Chloe, we see thousands of people every season. How can you possibly believe you recognize one face out of all those in the house? Lot lice all look the same anyway, why bother?"

Eyes sparkling in humor as she grinned back, she walked over and grabbed his arm, tugging him over to the peephole in the lacings. He shuffled over slowly in his slop shoes, indulging her whim, as they both knew that if he didn't want to be shifted, no one could move him. "I think even you'd remember this one, Clark. It isn't very often we get a young baldy up on stage, especially one with eyes that blue, and that skin, just wow." She pointed out the man in question, seated in the front row of the grandstand, and easily visible from their position backstage.

Leaning over her shoulder to peer out, Clark searched the faces until he spotted the man she was pointing out. She was right. He was definitely the same volunteer that they'd brought up on stage for the fire throw. Clark had noticed his soft-looking, pale skin and the exotic look of his bare head, as well as the piercing, blue eyes. It had struck him then that the young man would have easily drawn the crowd's attention as an artist himself, and he hadn't been surprised when Chloe selected him from the rest. "Good eye, Chloe. It's definitely him. So, who do you think he's after?"

Shrugging, she turned away and re-arranged Clark's magician's costume that was waiting for him to finish his turn as a flyer. "Who knows? He could be here for any one of the kinkers, from a zany to a ponger, maybe even fell for a spec girl." Flashing another grin, she chuckled, "Maybe I'll keep my eyes peeled, and see which act makes him sit up and pay attention. Could be fun. Want to lay a bet?"

Leaving his post at the wall, Clark shook his head with wink. "Not with you, Chloe. You'd own the G-top if your father would let you get away with it, you're too good at a burn, and never miss a steal. I'm sure if you're offering me odds it's because you already know the answer." Leaning down, he kissed her cheek before swatting her behind with his broad palm. "Enough, let's run through the lady lift patter again. I'm still not happy with the end of the routine."

With a little sniff, Chloe retorted, "Well, I think dropping the brodie would help. Dumping me on my ass every night might be funny to you, but I'm a little tired of the bruises. Why don't we just switch, and I'll lift you, and you can be the one that tumbles?"

Lifting one brow, Clark nodded slowly. "You know, that might just work. Let me think about it."

Conspicuously rubbing the body part in question, Chloe smiled, and handed Clark his red cape.

. . .

Lex was forced to concede that drugs had nothing to do with his growing fascination with the performer called Kal-El. Watching him flying through the air, as though gravity had no dominion over him, left Lex breathless with desire. His eyes traced the muscle hugged by the brilliant blue costume, lingered on the glossy, black curls, and drank in the dazzling green of eyes glowing in the spotlight. His fingers itched to find out if his dark beard was soft or would rasp, and how deep he could press before golden flesh met heavy bone. The skill and confidence he displayed at his illusions only increased the pull Lex felt towards him.

Lingering as the crowds left the fairgrounds, Lex watched in interest as the midway shut down, and observed a team of men circling the tents, checking the ropes and pegs that anchored the heavy canvas. Eventually, Lex was obliged to exit without catching sight of the distinctive figure he sought, although he recognized a number of the other performers as they hurried about the grounds. Reluctantly abandoning his search, Lex returned to his car for the trip back to Metropolis, his only consolation being the successful acquisition of the circus' route card, telling him where they would be appearing next.

. . .

Watching the Porsche drive away from his vantage point, deep in the shadows between the trailers, Clark frowned, weighing possibilities. Chloe had spent entirely too much time teasing him in the back yard about his new admirer, refusing to believe that it was just as likely that he was watching her, not Clark, during the magician turn. Unfortunately, she insisted that the mysterious, pale gilly had never taken his eyes off Clark through his catching and flying turn, so if that was true, then Chloe was right and he had another stalker on the sawdust trail. Hopefully, this one would just give up and go back home before Clark had to be impolite and send him packing.

. . .

Leaning against the railing, Clark stared unseeing at the water that lazily washed against the bridge pilings. They'd been running a little ahead of schedule, so he'd taken a break after the king pole had been raised. Enjoying the sun beating down on his back and head, he'd run across the countryside, and took in the changes that had been made in the year since they'd last passed through.

Smallville had always been a special place for him and his parents, as well as for a number of the others on the show. It all came back to that day when he'd arrived in a shower of falling stars, and fell into the path of the twenty-four-hour man and his pretty, red-haired wife. They'd told the story of finding him many times, until it had passed into the realm of jackpots, a tall tale of Jonah's Luck that turned into straw houses and turnaways, a gilly show that grew.

There was still so much that was a mystery, and each return to the beginning brought the chance of meeting someone new that had changed because of that fateful day. Clark wondered if Chloe would find yet another stranger hiding their differences, and track them down to become part of their family, just as Cassandra, Tina, and Cyrus had in the past. Clark always hoped for the best, while knowing that all too often, the differences could prove to be too much for some to hold inside, and tragedy was the result.

Thinking, hoping, Clark paid no attention to the sound of passing traffic until it was too late.

. . .

"I told you, Dominic, I'm taking a break. I've been going non-stop for too long between school and my internships." One hand on the wheel, the other pressing his cell phone to his ear, Lex cruised down the county highway just above the speed limit. "Reality check. It's not too much to ask for a week off before I start at my new position. LuthorCorp isn't going to suffer for lack of my presence."

Rolling his eyes at the resulting squawk of protest, Lex sped up a little more as he sighted a large billboard proclaiming Smallville as the meteor capital of the world. A short distance ahead, he spotted a bridge and beyond that, more green fields, as far as the eye could see. Sighing, he decided the conversation needed to end. "Dominic, I'll see you next week." Flipping the phone shut, he tossed to the seat next to him only to frown as it slid to the floor. Reaching over, he felt along the carpeted floor for the elusive piece of electronics, taking his eyes from the road for just a moment.

A moment was all it took at the speed he was traveling. A flicker of movement caught his eye as he straightened back up with the phone in hand, and Lex hit the brakes hard, skidding as he tried to miss the dog that had decided to cross the road. Tires squealing, he wrestled with the wheel, grimacing as he saw the railing of the bridge approaching fast. Horrified, he watched as the car slid inexorably towards a figure leaning casually against the railing, unaware of any peril. Striking the metal hard, his head snapped forward and he lost his grip temporarily as the car slid along the barrier, sparks flying. A body flew past, and he groaned at the thought that he'd managed to kill someone due to his inattention.

Grinding to a halt, the car quivered for a moment before stilling, the air oddly hushed as if waiting for the next movement in the symphony of destruction. Blinking in shock, Lex fumbled for his seat belt, hands shaking as he whispered a blasphemous prayer under his breath. Unable to open his door, jammed shut against the railing, he prepared to slide across to the passenger side to try to find out who he'd hit, and how badly they were injured, the car left running in his haste to exit.

As Lex groped for the door handle that was determined to remain out of reach, a knock on the window brought his head up, eyes wide and startled at the face that appeared. A second knock roused him from his stupor, and he scrabbled at the handle again, finally able to open the door and tumble out to the pavement.

"Are you okay?" The deep voice that reached Lex's ears sounded unhurt, and a quick glance over the man standing above him confirmed Lex's initial impression. Squinting up, he nodded his head and looked around for any other bodies. He watched silently as the other man crawled across the passenger seat and turned the key in the ignition, taking it with him as he retreated and came back to Lex, holding out the key ring. "Are you sure you're all right? Can you try to stand up?"

Taking the offered hand, Lex stood on wobbling legs and turned in a circle, searching for a body. "Where...was it you? Did I hit you? I thought...I thought I hit someone."

Shaking his head with a rueful grin, the dark-haired man disagreed. "No, I dodged. Good reflexes. You're damn lucky you didn't end up in the river. Personally, I'm glad I didn't have to jump in to pull you out. The water looks cold."

Tipping his head up a little to look into his potential rescuer's face, Lex frowned. He scanned the tall, broad body dressed in well-worn jeans and red T-shirt, noting the ebony waves that touched the collar of his denim jacket. Clean-shaven, with high cheekbones, and brilliant, green eyes, the face looked hauntingly familiar. "Do I know you?"

Lex thought he saw a flash of dismay cross the handsome face before a blinding grin replaced it. "You might remember me, although we've never really met." A giant hand extended and Lex shook it automatically. "I'm sometimes known as 'The Magnificent Kal-El', but you can call me Kal."

***

Chapter 3

***

Without the beard, and viewed close up, Kal had looked surprisingly younger than Lex's first impression. Introductions complete, Kal had helped Lex pry the Porsche free from the railing using the tire iron from the trunk, and easily bent the fender back out from the tire. Although the dents and scratched paint had left Lex wincing, the car was still safe to drive, and Lex had politely offered Kal a lift back to the fairgrounds.

The conversation had been stilted during the short drive, both men too lost in their own thoughts to offer any topics of lasting interest. Pulling up outside the gate, Lex had apologized once more for the close call, and Kal had accepted it graciously before he exited the car. With a short wave, he'd entered the grounds, leaving Lex admiring his broad back and long legs until Kal was out of sight, before turning the car back on and reluctantly driving away. He knew he would have to wait until the next performance, scheduled for early that evening, before he could see Kal again.

. . .

Lex slammed on the brakes as he rounded the sharp corner, his eyes widening as he saw several bodies in his headlights, racing across the dark road towards a truck. The squeal of the tires as the truck pulled out resonated in the still night, and Lex slumped in the leather seat of his damaged Porsche, the specter of past asthma attacks threatening. He felt his breathing even out slowly, as he pulled the car off the road to rest on the grass verge, the near-miss too reminiscent of earlier that day.

Reaching out to clasp the keys, he turned off the engine with a twist of his shaking fingers, and he rested for a moment in the silence. The stillness enveloped him, and he felt something drawing him to open the door, and step out into the light chill of the evening air.

"Help me."

He felt a jolt race through his body as a faint voice cut through the quiet. Turning towards the still-trembling stalks of early corn, he moved forward. "Hello? Is anyone out there?"

He waited, his body tense, and felt an odd pang of disappointment at the emptiness that answered him, convinced he'd been mistaken. Lifting his hand towards the car door, he moved back, ready to leave.

"Please. Help me." The voice was weak, shaking and broken.

Rummaging through the glove compartment, Lex pulled out a flashlight and flicked it on. Stepping into the field, he played it about, holding up an arm to try to keep the sharp, green leaves from cutting the pale skin of his face, hissing as one sliced across his cheek, drawing blood. "Where are you?"

A soft moan was the only answer, and he sped up, his heart beating frantically in his chest, torn between concern and fear. A clearing was up ahead, and he fought his way towards it.

Breaking into the small, barren circle, he found himself at the foot of a wooden cross, looking up into a cruel scene taken from a Roman tragedy.

He was there. Kal. Stripped of everything but his boxers, tied to the cross with his head hanging limply above a necklace lit with green fire, he lifted pain-filled eyes to Lex in a silent plea.

"Oh, my god! What the fuck is it with Smallville, and their human scarecrows?" Lex jumped towards him, dropping the flashlight, his hands shaking violently as he tore at the thick, rough lengths of rope binding the young man's hands and legs. Appalled, he rejected the fierce shock of lust that roiled through his body as his fingers brushed over firm muscles, chilled flesh. "Who did this to you?"

His hand shot out, splayed across Kal's chest as he began to fall forward, the necklace chain breaking under his fumbling grasp. Helping him down, carefully, to the ground, Lex raised his hand up to smooth dark strands of hair away from the damp, pale-gold skin of Kal's face. In the dim starlight, his eyes watched dry lips work to form words.

"It d-doesn't matter."

Lex's eyes flared blue flame from the shadows. "Yes, it does. This isn't the first time I've seen this happen, Kal." His hand passed over his barren skull and rubbed the back of his neck. "Of course, it was daylight then, and the meteors came..."

A gasp. "Lex...you..."

Shaking off his memories, Lex retrieved the flashlight, looking over Kal's body and noting the dried paint peeling off his beautifully defined chest. Lex's fingers skimmed over the scarlet markings even as he shook his head. A pale hand slipped down onto a slim waist, gripping lightly, fingers flexing in an unconscious caress. A soft gasp caught his attention, and Lex's gaze shot up to meet Kal's shocked eyes. Releasing Kal, he turned and grasped a rumpled shirt that lay in the bent grass, and handed it to Kal. He watched brawny arms stretch up over dark, shining hair to pull the shirt on. Moving back a few steps, he nudged the trousers and shoes that had lain beneath the shirt towards Kal.

Taking a deep breath, Lex pulled himself further back, and held out a hand to help Kal up. Embarrassed by his unruly libido, Lex looked away as he waited, hissing out a short breath as Kal yanked the dark trousers up over his hips first. Thick, strong fingers skimmed across Lex's palm and he closed his hand around them, grasping firmly.

"Come on. I'll get you back to the fairgrounds." As Kal stood up, slowly, Lex noticed the skin warming quickly beneath his fingers. A glittering flash caught his eye, and he squatted and slid his finger underneath the thin, gold chain that lay in the dirt. Lifting it up, he saw the small, dime-sized green stone glinting in the dim light provided by the stars. Standing back up, the necklace in his hand, he reached out quickly as Kal's legs seemed to falter beneath him, his usual grace missing. "Careful there, Kal." Sliding the necklace into his pocket, Lex eased an arm around Kal's waist, helping the man to lean his long, heavy body against him for support.

They progressed slowly towards the car, Lex walking the shaky young man around to the passenger door and helping him inside. Once the door was shut behind Kal, Lex forced himself to breathe deeply and release, attempting to relieve some of the tension in his chest. Slipping around the front of the car, Lex yanked open the door and climbed inside.

A quick flick of his wrist brought the powerful engine rumbling to life, and Lex threw a glance over his shoulder as he eased the car back onto the road. "I'm not sure I remember how to get back there from here. I have to admit I've been lost since I left after tonight's show, and I've driving around for quite a while, hoping to hit a road I recognized, or a place I could stop and ask for help.

Suppressing a chuckle, Kal's voice was quiet and a little nervous as he gave Lex directions back to the circus. "Look, I really appreciate you helping me. If there's anything I can do..."

"You can tell me the truth," Lex replied, his eyes flashing over to slam into Kal's in the darkness. "What happened tonight, Kal?"

He returned his attention to the road, unwilling to chance a third accident in one day, but out of the corner of his eye, he saw Kal lean his forehead against the dark glass of the window. A soft, shaky sigh echoed in the closeness of the car.

"Kal, I'd like to help you." Lex's fingers twitched on the steering wheel as he gripped the leather wrapping tight in an effort to keep himself from reaching out and sliding his hand over to Kal.

"It was just a misunderstanding, happens pretty easily when you're the stranger," Kal whispered, his voice breaking as a shudder ran through his body. "Some guy in the coffee shop in town thought I was hitting on his girlfriend earlier today."

Lex nodded, narrowing his eyes at the road unwinding under the semi-circle of his headlights. "That's quite a drastic response to a simple misunderstanding. They tried to crucify you, Kal."

Kal's breathing seemed shallow and wispy. Slipping a hand down to the sleek controls on the door, Kal played with the buttons until the window rolled down a little. "It's no big deal." Lex felt something hot and dark jerk through him at the silky laugh that slid from Kal's lips. "Besides...I was hitting on her."

Forcing out a light laugh, Lex pulled up the dark, quiet parking area. "Where should I go?"

Lex followed Kal's directions towards the back yard, where trailers of varying size were set up. Most of the trailers' windows were dark, giving the area an empty, abandoned feeling.

Lex stepped slowly on the brake, and gently slid the car into park under the single light that kept the darkness at bay. Turning in his seat, he looked over at Kal, taking in the wide, green eyes that seemed to glow in the heartbreakingly lovely face, still drawn with faint lines of pain.

"Thanks," Kal murmured, his eyes locked onto Lex's for a moment before they moved down. A quick, indrawn breath, and Kal's hand came up, his thumb sliding carefully across Lex's cheek. "You're hurt!"

Lex shrugged, trying to act nonchalant while his heart raced under Kal's gentle touch. "No problem. It's probably healed already, I don't feel anything." He struggled to keep his eyes open as Kal casually licked his thumb, and then rubbed away the blood, frowning.

"You're right. There's nothing there." Kal looked puzzled, and then his face cleared. "You said you've been here, been in Smallville, before." He reached out towards Lex's head and then pulled his hand back with an apologetic grimace. A quick nod and he opened the door.

Lex watched, feeling something wrench inside of him as Kal stepped out of the car. He licked his lips and muttered a curse before jumping out of the car. "Kal, wait." He watched Kal shut the passenger door and turn to look at him curiously. A rush of warmth swept through Lex, and he shrugged off his jacket, throwing it back inside the car before shutting his own door.

He walked around the front of the car, stepping into Kal's space, and watched in wonder as color flooded across high, sharp cheekbones. The pain and listlessness seemed to drop away from Kal like a discarded blanket, and Lex couldn't resist lifting a finger to see if the skin where Kal's jaw met his throat was as smooth as it looked. His finger drifted over the skin, brushing up and against the dark stubble that ran along the planes of Kal's face. He recalled that he'd been amused earlier that evening when he'd realized that Kal used a fake beard as part of his costume.

"Kal-"

Another, brighter, light filled the yard and Kal blinked, looking up quickly. A strong hand clasped Lex's wrist, pulling him towards a dark trailer and tugging him up squeaky stairs into a warm, narrow space. "Sorry. I didn't want to answer a bunch of questions."

Lex's lips quirked and he drawled, "Really? I'm starting to get that impression." He felt Kal's fingers loosen from his wrist, and he snapped out with quick fingers to grasp Kal's retreating hand. "So, it's not just me. You just don't like questions, in general?"

Kal laughed, the deeply pleasant sound belying the nervousness flaring in his eyes. "Is that a question?"

Grinning, Lex nodded. "I'm full of them. I have an insatiable appetite for knowledge, Kal. Mysteries intrigue me. And you...I want to know everything about you." His eyes swept across Kal's face, and he stepped closer, biting his lip as he pressed his body between Kal's long legs. "It's really close in here."

His eyes moved down to Kal's throat, watching the tanned skin quiver as Kal swallowed and then dipped his head. "Yeah. It is." His voice lowered, almost a whisper. "Lex, what do you want from me?"

Blue-gray eyes snapped up hard to meet bewildered green. "Now, there's a very interesting question." Lex's tongue darted out to wet his lips, and he watched Kal follow the movement avidly.

A quiet, low murmur broke free from one of them, and Lex smiled as Kal's lush, black lashes fluttered down to shield his brilliant eyes. Moving closer, Lex leaned his head back and slid a hand around Kal's neck. He pushed his palm flat against the top of Kal's spine, using a firm pressure to bring Kal's parted mouth down towards his.

"Lex, what are you doing?" Kal was breathless, his words sweet against Lex's face.

Lex shook his head, nostrils flaring as he drew in Kal's scent, shivering as a silky tendril of black hair brushed against his cheek. "What I've wanted to do since the first second I saw you." He lifted himself up, pressing his mouth into Kal's. A moan flared up from his straining throat, winding its way through Kal's lips, and when Kal opened his mouth a little more, Lex slipped inside. He could taste the faint remnants of something salty in the sweetness, and the warmth pressed against his tongue was overpowering. He felt his mouth watering, and he swallowed hard, a wet growl escaping as Kal's tongue swept up against the roof of his mouth.

They drew apart reluctantly, the sound shockingly loud and erotically moist in the tiny space. Lex pushed his body in closer, grinding his erection against a hard thigh. An answering thrust made him groan, and he smiled against Kal's panting lips. "I want you."

Kal shuddered with a gasp, and opened his eyes. "I can tell."

Lex laughed softly, nipping at his plush lower lip. "You want me, too."

A large, strong hand slipped across the small of Lex's back, pressing him in hard. "Yeah, I do. It's always been girls...I never thought...but, I do." Kal sucked in a sharp breath, and looked away. He trembled when Lex set his teeth against the long, tanned throat laid open for the taking. "I don't know what to do."

The unease behind Kal's words crept into Lex's mind, and he shook his head as they penetrated. He looked into the flushed, worried face and sighed, the sound gentle. "Oh, Kal." He backed away, wincing as his overeager cock brushed against Kal's. Reaching down, he pressed hard against himself through the dark fabric of his pants, squeezing his fingers tight around the base of his erection.

"Do you not want to...?" Kal's eyes shifted back to his, uncertainty and anxiety creeping in as he pressed forward.

Lex held up a hand against Kal's chest, holding him back, and attempted to smile. "I do, so much, Kal. It's just...I forgot for a minute."

"Forgot?" Kal looked confused. Thick, dark brows furrowed beneath a sweep of black curls. "Forgot what?"

Lex grimaced. "You're not like me." He looked back at Kal to see, with dismay, that Kal jerked back as though he'd been slapped. "Kal. I didn't mean it in a bad way."

"How did you mean it, then?" The question was quiet, and so, so soft.

Lex blew out an unsteady breath, and stepped away. "We're very different."

"Not a big surprise, Lex."

"Beyond the obvious, Kal. I've never really cared about anyone's feelings before, or how my actions might affect other people. I usually just take what I want. My life has been set, driven towards my father's purpose. It's all I've ever known. Wanting, taking, everything geared towards success in a cut-throat world. Everything about your life...the people, what you do...the way you are...it's all so different than what I've known. There are a lot of expectations for me."

Kal nodded, his eyes growing dark and guarded. "I understand the drive to succeed better than you'd think." He looked deep into Lex's face.

"Kal, I think maybe we just need to back up for a minute. I'm drawn to you. There's something about the way I feel with you, about you. I don't know enough, I don't understand it." He smiled wryly. "On the surface, you're too good to be true. An illusion. In my experience, when something seems to be too good to be true, it is."

Green eyes considered him carefully for a moment, first solemn, then bright. Smiling widely, Kal lifted a fist between them and turned it over, opening it slowly to display a white rosebud. "Illusions are a way of life for me."

"I should probably...go," Lex whispered, looking down at the soft petals lying against the smooth, golden skin of Kal's palm.

Kal bit his lip, and then smiled softly. "Are you sure you don't want to stay?" A dark eyebrow arched up over a mischievous, green eye. "I think I could find a place for you."

Lex groaned, and tilted back his head, rolling it on his shoulders, a wry grin sliding over his lips. His hand shot up to run across his bare scalp. "Thanks, but I was planning on finding a hotel or something."

Quiet, gentle laughter filled the small room. "Okay, I get it." Kal murmured. "Well, the only place nearby is a motel just outside of town."

"A motel?" Lex scowled. "Well, it's just for the night, I guess." He saw Kal's full lips start to open, and he shook his head before the man could speak, a chuckle breaking free from his chest. "However appealing the alternative may be, I think it would be best...for tonight." He stepped forward to brush a soft kiss over smiling lips. "Now, tomorrow..." Lex shrugged, in a futile attempt to act casual. "You will still be here tomorrow?"

Kal nodded and beamed, pressing back against Lex, hands steadying him as he walked him back towards the door. "I'll come by the motel in the morning to see you."

Lex managed to walk out the door without stumbling, and grinned ruefully as he ambled towards the car in the dark, cautious with all the outside lights turned off, shaking his head at himself. A dust devil blew around him, a cool breeze, and he shivered.

Climbing into the car, he turned on the ignition before he looked up at the steering wheel where a soft, white rosebud balanced, gleaming in the starlight.

***

Chapter 4

***

Yes, it was the only damned motel in town. Lex rolled his eyes at the sliver of soap wrapped in cheap, waxed paper. Walking gingerly into the bathroom, he'd winced when he tried drying his hands on the coarse, white towel. The cheap terrycloth felt like sandpaper. He could only imagine the way that it would feel on the rest of his body.

Unable to deny the need for a shower, quite possibly a cold one, Lex had started the water as he shrugged out of his clothes. Lacking a laundry service, he hung his clean shirt and pants on the back of the bathroom door, hoping the humidity would take care of the wrinkles for the next day. Stepping into the small enclosure, he shivered as he entered the tepid stream. The water temperature seemed fairly decent, however the fluctuating pressure was absurd. First, it poured out hard enough to bruise at some points, and then, for no obvious reason, the water would suddenly become a trickle too slight to wash away the soap suds from his skin. The miserable experience did little to help with the aching tension in his body as flashes of smiling, green eyes and a taut, perfect body rampaged through his memory.

The towel was, indeed, just as rough as he'd thought it would be. He'd forgone it after a couple of tentative swipes over his body, choosing to drip-dry as he perused the rest of his cut-rate refuge. The entire room was done in what Lex could only assume was 'homey' decor. There was an overstuffed armchair by the window/air-conditioning unit, as well as the low chest under his small suitcase. The heavy rose-patterned curtains clashed with the chair, garishly upholstered in green and blue stripes. The industrial carpeting seemed clean, although an unfortunate shade of olive.

The double bed carried a spread in a fabric similar to the curtains, along with pillows that Lex presumed stuffed with some artificial material, not his accustomed goose down. In all, the room was sanitary enough, just very well-used, and Lex found himself uncomfortably dismayed at his hitherto, unrepentant snobbery.

The thought of Kal, sleeping peacefully in his meagerly-equipped, yet snug and welcoming motor home, intruded. Surprisingly, he didn't find the idea of joining him there terribly repugnant. He suspected that the lack of his usual luxuries was offset by the dream of using those long lines of golden flesh as a mattress. The mental image produced a feral grin, a frisson of desire running up his spine.

He pictured Kal lying on the bed, close to him, in nothing more than what he had worn while hanging on the cross. Smothering a tiny flare of guilt, he concentrated instead on dark nipples, drawn taut in the cool air. He imagined flicking his tongue over them, and feeling them warm, softening inside his mouth, but the dream faded in the chill of the room.

Resigned to reality, and a lonely bed, he laid down. Running his hand across his chest and down his stomach, he felt his flesh twitch with interest, but exhaustion set in. With a final glance around the small room, he turned out the light and fell asleep with a dissatisfied sigh on his lips, and visions of Kal's body flying through the air.

. . .

"Lex, are you in there? Time to hit the lot, sleepyhead!"

The yelling and pounding at the door was not going away. Lex groaned and slapped his forearm over his face, shielding his eyes from the sunrise infiltrating his room through the partially-opened curtains. "...Mmm...sleeping."

There was a metallic click and snap before a low chuckle filtered through his sleepy haze, and Lex twisted on the lumpy bed to peer through bleary eyes. Baffled, he blinked up at amused, green eyes, watching tantalizingly full, red lips form words that almost made sense. "I ran into town because I thought maybe you'd like to have breakfast with me, Lex. I want you to know how much I appreciated your help last night."

Finally starting to wake up, after an abbreviated night spent tossing and turning due to a series of erotic fantasies, interspersed with nightmares, Lex licked his parched lips and sat up. A quick check of the cheap bedside clock had him grimacing in disbelief at an hour of the day he'd rarely seen. Resigned to his fate, he threw back the covers that had bunched around his thighs, the response a ragged intake of breath. Looking up, he watched Kal's face flood with dark color as he registered the fact that Lex slept in the nude.

Unable to repress a smirk, Lex rose from the bed, lazily stretching his arms high over his head and arching his back. Walking leisurely over to the bathroom, comfortable in his body despite its unique qualities and quite aware that Kal was watching his every move, he deliberately left the door open as he relieved himself. After washing his hands and face, he sauntered over to the chest, tossing his clothes on the bed. Retrieving clean boxers from his suitcase, he pulled them on slowly, every movement deliberately seductive as he declined to conceal his evident arousal. Sliding on his fitted shirt, he buttoned it as he teased, "Since you're not going to join me in bed, where are we going?"

Still blushing furiously, Kal cleared his throat. "Umm...I was thinking we could go back to the cookhouse. You could meet the others, if you want. I mean..." He bit his lip and looked away with a shrug, attempting to pretend that Lex's answer didn't matter.

Surprised warmth spread through Lex's chest, and he found himself smiling brightly at the invitation. "That sounds nice."

Kal's head whipped back around. "Yeah?" His brilliant eyes lit up, sparkling with unconcealed delight. "Great!" His smile shone like a beacon, and Lex was drawn in, a benighted ship heading for the rocks without a care for the cost. "Everyone is going to love you."

"I wouldn't be so sure about that, Kal." Lex mocked himself with a wry twist of his lips, shaking his head as he zipped up his pants.

Straightening, arms folded across his broad chest, Kal's face took on a determined cast, chiding Lex gently, "Of course they will." A warm palm descended to cup Lex's shoulder, squeezing gently, and Kal leaned over to smile against Lex's cheek, his words tickling. "You saved me. Besides, they already think you've got great taste."

Lex huffed a laugh, his face grazing against satin skin and the stubble that oddly felt as if he was stroking against the grain of the finest velvet. He drew back reluctantly, and sat on the edge of the bed to pull on his socks and shoes. "Is that so?"

Kal grinned. "Yes, it is." He tipped his head to look into Lex's averted face. "Did you think no one would notice you in the stands at Grandville, after you were on the stage in Metropolis?" The grin widened as Lex took his turn at flushing in embarrassment. "Chloe pointed you out to me when she saw you in the audience. And, well...she has a habit of picking up and reporting all the toby news. So...everyone knows."

"Everyone knows what, Kal?" Lex persisted. "That I came to see the big show more than once? What does everyone know?"

Kal shook his head adamantly, and refused to share any more details. "Come with me and find out." He waited patiently, watching Lex gather up his few belongings and beaming when Lex finally nodded that he was ready. Gleefully rattling the key ring when Lex frowned and patted his pockets, Kal grabbed Lex's suitcase, and they were on their way.

. . .

Pulling through the gates into the fairgrounds, Lex followed Kal's directions and parked at the end of the long line of trailers and motor homes. They walked over to a nearby tent that bustled with activity, sharing a sly grin as their bodies brushed up against each other. The rich smells wafting towards them on the early morning breeze were incredible, and Lex felt his stomach contract with a sudden hunger.

"You hungry?"

Wondering if Kal could read his mind, Lex smirked, tilting his head to the side to measure Kal's attraction in the strengthening rays of the sun, one exaggerated eyebrow rising in risque humor. "Um-hmm. More and more all the time."

Kal's laughing response was bright and open, and the warmth in Lex's chest expanded as a large, surprisingly soft-skinned hand reached for his wrist to tug him through the entrance of the open tent. "C'mon. The flag's up."

Lex followed as Kal led him towards a long table set up to the side, stacked with mountains of food. Kal's voice was warm and happy as he introduced Lex to some of the people lined up, waiting to select their breakfast. Lex noticed the initial wariness in the eyes that assessed him, and was shocked when the people quickly pushed suspicion aside to welcome him with a friendly smile, or a slap on the back.

Carrying their food to a roughly-hewn table, they sat down across from another on benches and dug in immediately. A low hum of approval escaped Lex's lips as he sampled the selection, and he arched an eyebrow in question as Kal observed him in amusement.

"So, what do you think?" Kal asked, gesturing casually at their surroundings.

"About breakfast?" Lex joked. "It's delicious."

Kal rolled his eyes at the teasing. "About the circus, the show. You're getting your very own behind-the-scenes tour, here."

Nodding in concession, Lex thought for moment before answering. "It's really...really nice," he murmured, reaching for his cup of coffee.

"You sound surprised."

Lex shrugged. "I am. I've never been to any place like this before. Everyone here is so...pleasant. They don't even know me, and they're still so relaxed and friendly. I'm not used to people just accepting me." Lex shook his head in bewilderment, running a palm back across his scalp in a gesture borne out of habit. "That's new."

His eyes gentle as he watched Lex's puzzled face, Kal explained, "What makes people different out there..." Kal flipped his thumb towards the entrance of the tent, "...makes them normal here." He tapped the top of the table with a gentle forefinger.

Reaching across with his left hand, Lex slid a finger over the back of the hand that was still poised over the table. Nestling inside the crook of Kal's bent thumb, he rubbed lightly. "What makes you normal, Kal?"

Kal exhaled a smiling laugh. "Well..."

"Who do we have here, Kal?"

Lex and Kal jerked apart, turning their attention to the graying blond-haired man watching them. Carefully maneuvering around their table, he sat down on the bench next to Kal. A little wary, Lex held out his hand, smiling genuinely when it was accepted. "Lex Luthor."

Raised eyebrows, and an amused quirk to the left side of the man's mouth, transformed the older man's sun-lined face. "Jonathan Kent."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, sir. You're...one of the owners, then?" Lex asked, turning to check back with Kal, who looked nervous. Confused, he leaned forward, stretching his arm back out again to touch his fingers to Kal's.

Jonathan nodded slowly. "Yes, I am." His eyes narrowed as he looked down at their entwined fingers, and his mouth twisted. "I'm also Kal's father."

Lex's fingers flexed, but did not loosen. The people seated around them had gone strangely silent, and Lex looked up at the curious faces. His blue-gray eyes shifted back to note Jonathan's gaze was fixed steadily upon Kal's face. "Your son is an incredible man, Mr. Kent." Lex said softly. "I've never met anyone quite like him."

Jonathan Kent's eyes were sharp and assessing as they flashed over to him. "He is indeed, one-of-a-kind. Somehow, I doubt you'd be surprised to find out you're not the first person to take notice of that."

Lex ruefully shook his head and chuckled, "No. I can't imagine anyone not seeing just how special Kal is."

"Clark."

Both men's heads spun to stare at the green eyes that watched them, open and earnest. Out of the corner of his eye, Lex caught an odd look passing between father and son, and wondered, as Jonathan seemed to nod and then shrug his shoulders in resignation.

Turning back to Lex, Kal's smile lit up the world around him. "Call me Clark."

Lex felt a sharp flare of tension at the implied trust, mysterious attraction heightened, and an erotic shiver ran down his back to coil with banked heat at the base of his spine. Looking directly into Kal's...no, Clark's anxious eyes, he nodded and his fingers telegraphed his thanks. "Clark, then."

Clark's face failed to conceal his relief and he beamed at his father before pulling Lex up from his seat. "Are you done eating?"

With a soft smile and a wink at the beautiful face above him, Lex nodded. "I guess so. Well, what now? What do you usually do after breakfast?"

As Clark walked backwards, tugging Lex after him, they emerged into the brightly lit back yard. "There's always something to do here, even when we're taking a break like now. Usually, I'll work with the flyers, but Chloe and I are working up some new effects. Maybe...would you like to watch for a while? I don't know how interesting it would be..."

Lex chuckled. "Of course I wouldn't mind watching you...Clark." He looked around a little enviously at the busy people, working around him in efficient movements, even as they chatted together easily. "Maybe there's something I can do to help around here."

Clark pulled gently on his arm, tugging him forward again. "What did you have in mind?"

"I don't honestly know," Lex admitted with a laugh. "I just thought, as long as I'm here...maybe I could try out the life."

A wicked smile crossed Clark's face, and Lex felt his heart thud painfully against his ribs at the sight. "Okay. Let's go see what Gabe can fix up for you."

Lex trailed his tall companion through a maze of tents and booths, his eyes wandering in enjoyment down the smooth, powerful muscles of Clark's body as he strode along confidently in front of Lex. Unprepared for Clark's abrupt halt, Lex slammed into his broad back, his state of arousal instantly detectable based on Clark's choking gasp.

He waited as Clark turned around slowly, his surprise reflected in wide, sea-green eyes. Those same eyes slid down Lex's body to his crotch before moving back up leisurely. Clark leaned forward, his smiling lips a breath away from Lex's. "I think we'll save that for later," he whispered, a faint blush spreading across his cheeks, a lingering trace of shyness contradicting the husky need in his voice.

Moving back, Lex cleared his throat. Smirking, he reached down and adjusted himself deliberately, noting Clark's pupils expanding, tracking the move. "Yes, we will. But, until then..." At Clark's jerky nod towards a group of men, Lex followed him.

"Gabe," Clark called as they approached the men, "I've got you a new roustabout."

A friendly-looking blond man stepped toward them, holding out a welcoming hand to Lex. "I'm always happy to get new help. What did you have in mind?" His eyes flitted across Lex's body, frowning as he noticed the white, button-up shirt and tailored black trousers. "He's straight out of the star backs, Clark. I don't know what he's going to be able to do."

Clark's eyes widened guilelessly, and an irresistible plea spread across his face. "He's not the only first-of-May we've ever brought on. I'm sure you can find something for him."

Gabe cocked his head to the side, shaking his head at the blatant manipulation with a quiet chuckle. "All right, Clark, we'll find something. Why don't you go get him a change of clothes?"

The broad smile on Clark's face brightened, flaring brilliantly as he turned back to Lex triumphantly. "Come on. You can borrow some of mine."

With a soft thank you and quick shake of Gabe's hand, Lex left with Clark. Looking up at Clark as they started back towards the motor home, his hand settled proprietarily in the center of Clark's back, he teased, "Is this just an excuse to get me out of my clothes?"

His eyes sparkling, Clark looked down at Lex and responded in good humor, "Would I really need an excuse?"

Lex raised his eyebrows playfully with a cheeky grin. "Probably not."

***

Chapter 5

***

Standing on the pedestal high overhead, Clark stopped to watch Lex moving beneath him, following behind the punk pusher in his borrowed clothing. The time-worn, faded jeans hung low on Lex's slimmer hips, and the soft fabric alternately concealed and then clung to Lex's long, leanly muscled legs. Clark's tightest, white t-shirt was a little loose across a sculpted chest and highlighted the strong biceps that Lex had kept hidden by tailored clothes. Lex was surprisingly lithe and strong, and he'd quickly impressed the men he was working around with his endurance and his quick wit.

Lex's laughter filtered up to Clark, and he grinned down at the man, happy when blue-gray eyes lifted for a moment to smile up at him before returning his attention to the instructions he was receiving on how to rag out the side poles and check the bale rings. Clark was especially pleased that Jonathan was taking the time to educate the newest member of his crew on the importance of making sure the tops were secure during uncertain weather, to avoid a blowdown. Lex was taking it all in and working well as a roustabout, but to Clark, Lex was beautiful and elegant, and he could easily see him joining the show as an artist.

"Clark!"

Shifting his attention, Clark looked at the flyer in the center of the tent, wearing the mechanic and dangling at the end of the mid-rope, his arms crossed in frustration. Sheepishly, Clark swung out to retrieve his neglected partner. Embarrassed, he offered a hasty apology. "Sorry, Justin."

Justin blew light-brown curls off his forehead and narrowed his eyes, flicking his gaze down once at the bald man Clark had been watching. "I've never seen your focus this off before. You're lucky it's me up here, and not one of the girls. At least I can lift myself back if I need to; they'd be just left hanging out there." His feet left the platform and he hovered in the air for a few seconds to demonstrate.

Clark winced. "Sorry. I'll block him out. I'm just...he asked if he could stick around today, and it's really nice to have him here." He shrugged. "I like him. A lot."

"I can tell, big guy." Justin teased. "And, from the way he keeps sneaking glances up here, I'm pretty sure the feeling is mutual. But, then again...based on what Chloe told me, I think that was pretty obvious before today. You did kind of surprise us all, though. You've been all about the jills before now, a definite lady's man."

Flushing a bright pink, Clark ducked his head shyly. "He's different, really something special...and he's one of us. I...I told him to call me Clark at breakfast."

A happy, warm smile brightened Justin's face, making his eyes gleam. "So, you're keeping him, then?"

Clark's delighted laughter was loud, echoing around the tent. He looked down to see Lex looking up at him, and he reached up for the trapeze bar, gripping it between his hands and stepping up to the edge of the platform. "I'm going to try."

With a leap, he launched himself into the air, and flew.

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

Lex watched Clark throughout the day. The younger man was incredible, not only in his strength and talent, which was considerable, but in his demeanor. He was constantly helping, reaching out to grab a guy wire, steady a platform, or to help carry a load of boxes. BIG boxes.

It was obvious that everyone in the circus adored him, and that Clark was happy in the many roles he played there. Lex felt a wave of envy for the comfort and pleasure that was so easy here in this environment, and wondered if there was a place for someone like him in such a world. He found, with a pang, that he hoped there was.

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

"I know that I confirmed he was in Smallville on that day, and that he lost all his hair because of it, but are you sure he's changed?" Waiting for an answer to her question, Chloe handed Clark a black, velvet eggbag and a bright-blue, silk handkerchief from the small table on the platform. "Last year you thought that girl, Lana, was one, until you figured out it was her necklace that was affecting you, not her. That did not go well at all."

Waving the silk with a flourish, Clark stuffed it into the bag he was holding, and then turned the bag inside out to demonstrate that it was empty. "Yeah, and I paid for that mistake this year. Her boyfriend remembered what happened, and hung the damn thing around my neck, and then hung me up on that cross." Tapping the bag with a thin black wand he produced from nowhere, Clark reached inside the bag and began to pull out a long string of bright silks, all tied together. "It was a good thing Lex found me. I was really having a hard time breathing, Chloe. I was getting scared."

Chloe rolled her eyes as she accepted the bag and twenty-foot length of silks from Clark and placed them back on the table. "Well, it never would have happened if you'd hadn't made him so freaking jealous. Why you thought seducing her in a graveyard was the way to find out if she was a mutant..."

"Come on, I was trying to find out if she really heard dead people, or if she just talked to them without them talking back. Yeah, yeah, I've heard enough about that. I learned my lesson, didn't I?" Clark shrugged as he practiced his charlier cut, and riffled the cards he was holding. "What can I say, I was young and foolish."

Crossing her arms over her generous cleavage, Chloe frowned at her friend. "And one year later you're what...old and intelligent?" When he stuck his tongue out at her, she laughed. "I rest my case, you idiot. Just be careful, okay? I don't want to see you get hurt, Clark."

Gathering her up in a gentle hug, Clark kissed her cheek before releasing her. "I'll be all right, Chloe, I promise. Thanks for caring." Stepping back, he cut his eyes at her and grinned. "So, shall we see if you can handle lifting me?"

. . .

Dinnertime finally rolled around, just as the sun was setting into a sky filled with purples and rich orange tones. Lex's muscles were warm and tight, mildly achy beneath the damp fabric of his shirt, and he smiled. He felt like he'd really accomplished something today, and there was a huge satisfaction in that. Lex had enjoyed himself, working with the roustabouts, and other people around him, and just being near Clark.

He felt himself light up inside as Clark walked towards him, refreshingly beautiful in the dimming daylight.

"You did really great today, Lex. It was wonderful having you here," Clark said, smiling at Lex as he reached out to slide a hand across Lex's lower back, directing him through the cookhouse's entrance and to the table where they'd shared breakfast. He studied Lex's face carefully, and then nodded. "You look like you're about ready to drop. Why don't you sit down, and I'll grab you a plate."

Lex murmured a soft thanks and slid onto the bench. It was only a few minutes before Clark rejoined him, carrying two fragrant, steaming plates of food. Placing one down in front of Lex, he took the seat opposite him, mirroring the morning's positions. Looking down at his heavily loaded plate, Lex smiled gratefully at Clark before lifting his fork and starting to eat.

They chatted about their day, Lex teasing Clark about his strength, and laughing about the others urging him to charge Clark for the dents in the Porsche from hitting Clark on the bridge. Clark colored a little at the joke, and then a pleasant quiet fell between them as they ate.

Lex felt himself drifting off, jerking his head up as he found it suddenly very near his plate. A soft chuckle grabbed his attention, and he looked up to see Clark looking at him fondly, something unreadable in his deep, green eyes. He stood up and came around the table to stand next to Lex. "Come on, Lex. We'd better call it a night. You're about to pass out."

"I don't think I should drive like this, Clark." Lex admitted. "Maybe, I could just take a quick nap...grab a few minutes in the car before I head back to the motel."

Clark shook his head and reached down for Lex's hand. "I think I have a better idea." He pulled Lex up alongside him, and they walked together back to Clark's motor home. Lex stole sideways glances at Clark, appreciating the way the shadows of early evening played over Clark's stunningly perfect features. They entered the waiting vehicle, and Clark shut the door firmly behind them.

"Why don't you go grab a hot shower?" Clark suggested, pulling a clean towel down from a cupboard and handing it to Lex. He pushed Lex towards the bathroom, chuckling at the groggy response. "Just remember it's a small tank on the water heater."

Lex turned on the shower, waiting for the water to warm, and looked at his reflection in the mirror. 'If Dad could see me now,' he thought with a silent laugh. Smudges of dirt and sweat marred the skin of his face, and his eyes were weary, but happy.

He stepped into the spray, moaning softly as the heated water ran over his tired body. He heard a knock on the door, and called out for Clark to enter.

He peeked out from behind the shower curtain to see Clark standing in a cloud of steam, his cheeks a brilliant pink. He held out a brand new bar of soap to Lex. "I...thought you might like this. It's fragrance free. I didn't know if you had sensitive skin or anything like that. I just use whatever, but for you..." Clark broke off, embarrassed, and Lex smiled.

"Thank you." He took the bar from Clark, brushing his fingers against Clark's palm, and grinned as he saw Clark tremble. He raised an eyebrow and looked towards the still-open door. "I'll be out in a few minutes."

"Oh! Well...enjoy your shower. I'll just...leave you alone so you can finish." Clark stumbled out of the bathroom, his eyes everywhere but on Lex, and after the door closed behind him, Lex heard a small thud, and pictured Clark banging his head against the flimsy wood.

He couldn't stop the snicker that escaped him, and finished his shower humming a tune he'd heard one of the other roustabouts singing.

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

Pushing open the bathroom door, releasing a cloud of steam, Lex stepped out into the main area. Clutching his towel closed around his waist, Lex moved towards the bedroom in the back, and greeted Clark, already lying out on the bed in a pair of flannel bottoms. "Hi. I'm done."

Clark jumped up, his eyes sliding over Lex's body. Lex heard the hiss of breath that escaped Clark's full, lush lips and grinned. "Hey, Lex." Clark pointed to a pull-out bed that rolled out from beneath his own bed and blushed. "I...um...I thought that I'd take this, and you could use my bed."

Lex walked over to the pull-out and dropped down on it, rolling onto his stomach. "I'm pretty happy right here."

Sighing quietly, Clark laid back down.

Lex shifted, reaching down to pull the sheet up his legs, and gasped at the twinge of pain in his back and thighs.

"What? Lex, what's wrong?"

"I'm just sore, Clark; it's okay." Lex said. "I work out pretty regularly, but not using these muscles like I did today. It's okay, I'll get used to it. I'll be fine tomorrow."

He watched Clark bite the inside of his cheek before a small frown twisted the side of his mouth. Suppressing the urge to kiss it away, Lex shut his eyes and attempted to make himself comfortable. As much as he wanted Clark, he would wait for him to be sure about his newfound attraction to men. He'd rather keep the friendship that was growing between them, and avoid the dissatisfaction that he was left with after casual sex. He wasn't interested in acquiring another fuck buddy. He'd had enough of those in the past.

A large, warm hand on his back surprised him, and he opened his eyes to see Clark smiling down at him. "Hey, you." Grinning, Clark held up a slender bottle of oil. "You interested?"

Rejecting the first thought that passed through his overtired brain, and reminding himself of his earlier resolution, Lex laughed. "What did you have in mind, Clark?"

"It's jojoba. Supposed to be very good for massaging tired muscles." Thick, dark eyebrows waggled as Clark tempted him, sliding down off the bed to straddle Lex's hips. "I've been told that I've got really good hands."

"I don't doubt that at all, Clark," Lex whispered, resigning himself to his fate. He watched over his shoulder as Clark uncapped the bottle and poured a small handful of oil into his broad palm.

Clark rubbed his hands together to warm the oil, and placed his hands on the small of Lex's back, kneading gently with the heels of his palms. Switching techniques, his fingers pressed in tiny circles, working outwards across his back and sides, and finally his taut buttocks and upper thighs. "How's that?"

"It's...fucking...fabulous," Lex mumbled, shifting his hips against the mattress beneath him. Clever hands continued to travel over his body, working the sore muscles, and turning them fluid and warm. "Feels...so...good, Clark."

A soft sigh brushed over the back of his neck as Clark leaned over him to work on a shoulder. "Your skin is like silk, Lex. My hands just glide over it." There was a long pause, heated words whispered above him, and Lex had to strain to hear them. "I love the way you feel. I could touch you...forever."

Groaning, Lex pushed up onto his elbows, and rolled onto his back, reaching out to grasp Clark's arms and keep him close over him. "I wouldn't mind that at all, Clark. I like you touching me." One look into Clark's desire-darkened eyes and he sighed. "Kiss me."

Easing himself down carefully, his eyes fixed on Lex's, Clark took the offered mouth with soft brushes and licks. He sucked gently at Lex's lips, his teeth grazing them with tiny nibbles. Lex responded by opening his mouth and running his tongue over Clark's lips, breathing in his soft gasp. Sliding a hand up and across Clark's shoulder, he ran his fingers up Clark's neck and settled them in the thick, soft hair. He moved deep inside Clark's mouth, tasting the spice of their earlier meal, and finding a flavor that was all Clark, and he hummed in satisfaction.

The sound seemed to break something in Clark, and his eyes slid shut as he pushed down, moving to lay his body down over Lex's. Clark pulled his face back, panting softly against Lex's open mouth. "Lex? Is this okay?"

"God, yes. Don't stop, Clark." Lex pushed his head up, taking control of Clark's mouth. His fingers slid through Clark's hair like water, and one hand slid to his own waist to tug open the towel. He felt his erection lengthen, harden even further in the open air, brushing up against the soft flannel of Clark's pajama bottoms. His hand grasped frantically at the waist of Clark's pants, pulling them down over Clark's hips, freeing his sizable length. They slid against each other, drawing a harsh breath, a hiss from both of them.

Clark's movements were erratic as he moved his legs, shoving the pants down his calves, and over his feet, to fall on the floor.

"Touch me, Clark."

"Where?"

Lex groaned. "Anywhere. I want your hands. On me. Just touch me."

Clark leaned back, slipping his legs between Lex's thighs carefully. He reached over and grabbed the bottle of oil, pouring a large amount into his hands. He massaged his hands together, sliding the oil between his fingers, ignoring the fat drops of oil that slid down his wrists. Positioning his slippery hands, he pressed them against Lex's stomach, moving in no set pattern. His hands explored, a thumb sliding into the recess of Lex's navel and then slipping back out. Fingers grazed across skin towards Lex's chest, reaching sensitive nipples. Grasping the tender nipples between the inside of his fingers, Clark closed and opened his hands in a slow tease. "You're so beautiful, Lex."

Lex tried to speak, finding his voice broken and choked. He turned his head to the side, away, feeling emotion filling him beyond what he thought he could take. Just seeing Clark worship him like this...the look in his eyes...it was beyond anything he'd thought he was capable of having.

Clark's unbelievable hands were moving down, sliding across his stomach, moving through the trails of oil, towards his hips. A brief pause made him look up, and he saw Clark pouring even more oil into his hand. He protested weakly, "You're going to kill me. This is so good, Clark. I can't take it."

"You can take it, Lex," Clark whispered. His slick hands eased back onto to Lex's flesh, closing around the base of his need and sliding up. The movements were wet, and slow, and hot, and Lex jerked up into Clark's hands with a growl.

"Fuck, Clark. I want you."

Clark's voice rumbled deep in his chest, his eyes glancing from his hands, still moving steadily, to Lex's flushed face. "You have me."

"Fuck me, Clark. I want you inside me." Lex threw back his head with his eyes squeezed shut. "Please. Please, get inside."

A breeze, Clark's hands went missing then returned in a heartbeat. Lex felt slick fingers move over his sac, and down along the tender skin there. A finger slid over his hole, feeling him gently, circling, and he pushed against it.

"In." His voice was husky and desperate, and he didn't care. "Clark."

The finger slid inside, and he forced his eyes open so he could see Clark's face as his finger moved in deeper, twisting and pushing. "More."

The finger eased out, only to be joined by another as Clark slid them back inside. Lex hissed out a breath, smiling up at Clark when the younger man hesitated. "It's okay, I like it. Do you like the way I feel? That's going to surround you in a minute. I'm going to be all over you, pulling you in."

Clark's hand pushed up, filling him further, as Clark leaned down and captured his mouth in a breath-stealing kiss. He was gasping as Clark pulled his hand back to add a third finger, carefully, slowly easing them inside in a twisting glide.

"You're so smooth," Clark murmured, his voice breaking. "So close around me. So different from..."

Not eager to hear about any others before him, Lex twitched and then gasped as Clark twisted his fingers inside of him, easing out and stretching him carefully. "I'm ready for you, Clark."

Tearing open a foil packet, Clark extracted a condom and quickly slid it on. Looking into Lex's face, he paused. "What...how should I?"

Lex pulled up his legs, holding his knees as he smiled in welcome. He watched Clark pour more oil into his hand and smooth it out over his gloved cock. He licked his lips, and let his eyes fall shut for a moment as Clark lined himself up. "Slowly...push inside. Just a little, get in. Come on, beautiful."

Clark held himself in his hand, and pushed carefully, gasping as Lex's body finally relaxed enough to allow him entrance. He paused, waiting for Lex's signal to continue.

Lex opened his eyes, marveling at Clark's flushed face, and the sharp pain/pleasure of Clark inside of him. "More, Clark."

The push was slow and incredible. Clark was thick, and opening him wide, and he groaned with the burn and the ache. Clark stopped, fighting for control, and Lex gritted his teeth with impatience. He wound his legs around Clark's waist, digging his heels into Clark's firm ass, and pushed. The fill was immediate, and shocking, and Lex felt the spark flare deep inside of him, surprised at the burn of his oncoming orgasm.

"Oh, god, Clark, hurry. Fuck me now. I'm going to come."

He watched Clark moving above him, loving the way his lips flared open as he panted, the sweat-damp curls that framed his face and neck. The passion in his green eyes hid away behind long lashes and then flared as they snapped open, wide and wild. Clark was thrusting hard, pushing the wave of heat through Lex's body; his large, slick hand jerking hard on his cock throwing him over the edge into a silent oblivion. He spurted across his stomach, and as Clark moved, inside and out, thick, creamy drops squeezed over the tops of Clark's fingers.

Clark's hand slid in the come, moving over Lex's stomach to the side of the bed, and gripped in the sheet. Clark jerked forward, hard, and came with a choked whimper, his body shaking as he collapsed over Lex's body, catching himself before he crushed the smaller man.

Gently, carefully, Clark eased himself over and onto his side, and pulled Lex towards him, spooning him.

"You know," Lex muttered, a grudging laugh in his voice, "I just showered."

Clark nodded sleepily against his neck. "Oops."

Lex fell asleep grinning.

***

Chapter 6