Clark stopped at the foot of the stairs, entranced. Lex was hunched over a desk littered with papers, cups and empty blue bottles, lips wrapped suggestively around the end of a fat pink highlighter. He was moving it slowly in and out of his mouth, occasionally removing it to mark haphazard-looking squiggles on a page in front of him. The marker would tap as if asking for entry, then disappear behind Lex's pursed lips only to emerge, seconds later, slick with saliva.

Lex seemed completely unaware of what he was doing, or that Clark was there raptly watching him do it. He nibbled gently on the end of the pen, even white teeth leaving no marks in the hard, bright plastic. When Lex's tongue flicked out, red against the pink, Clark squeezed his cock through his jeans and let out a low moan. Lex whirled around, marker still in his mouth, a blush creeping up his cheeks.

He pulled the marker absently from his mouth. "Clark! I... I didn't hear you..." Lex seemed to really *see* Clark for the first time, taking in the placement of Clark's hand, the flush in his cheeks. "What's got you so hot?"

Clark burst out laughing. He tried to stop laughing, and managed to gasp out, "God... Lex... You... Marker..." before collapsing in a fit of giggles.

Lex looked bewilderedly from Clark to the marker in his hand and back. After several minutes of helpless laughter, Clark managed to contain himself enough to walk over to Lex and grab the offending object. He grinned evilly and said, "Here, Lex, let me show you what you were doing when I walked in."

He went over and sat at the desk, eyes skimming over the test results. He took the marker and tapped it against his own lips, feeling the sharp edge of the plastic against the soft tissue. He opened his lips just enough to suck the marker in, sliding it in, tasting Lex on the hard plastic surface.

"Oh god," Lex replied, voice strangled. "You mean I've been doing... that... with *that*?"

Clark pretended not to notice, gently sucking in and out, then nibbling on the end of the pen, careful not to leave an imprint. When he flicked his tongue over the tip the way Lex had, a hand closed over his and gently pushed the marker away. It was replaced by Lex's soft, wet mouth. They kissed deeply, Clark's bitter coffee aftertaste diluted by the sweet sparkling water lingering on Lex's tongue.

They moved smoothly, Clark swiveling in the chair until Lex could straddle his lap, their erections rubbing together with just enough friction to tease but not satisfy. After the intensity of this morning, Clark didn't mind the slow build. They kissed almost languorously, tongues tangling, Clark's hands wrapping around Lex's hips and Lex's hands braced on Clark's shoulders.

Neither of them seemed in much of a hurry, content to kiss and kiss with no end in sight. Clark had no idea how long they spent down there, passion waxing and waning, affection like a bright ember between them. He pulled Lex against him, burying his face in the soft cashmere of Lex's sweater, inhaling his scent. Lex's hips canted forward, rubbing his erection firmly along the length of Clark's and making him moan.

A soft buzz filled Clark's brain, vibrations right next to his half-hard cock fueling his libido. He didn't even register the annoying music that accompanied it until Lex shimmied out of his lap with a curse and pulled a ringing phone out of his pocket.

"Yes, what is it?" he said, terse and irritated.

Clark couldn't hear the rest of the conversation, so he turned his attention to the papers spread out over the desk, mainly to keep himself from molesting Lex while he was on the phone with god knew who. Lots of little numbers were highlighted in pink, and Clark smiled gently to himself. He was going to have to put that marker somewhere safe, and use it to embarrass Lex when they were old.

And OK, *that* was a new thought. He tested it out again with his mind, imagining the two of them years from now, Lex wrinkled and pale and skinny, Clark red-nosed and fat with bushy white eyebrows. Cuddling on the couch and arguing about the plans for their 50th anniversary celebration and Clark taking out his teeth to give Lex head and shut him up about the fucking waiters' uniforms already.

Yeah, he could live with that.

"Why are you smiling like that?" asked Lex, walking over and putting his phone back in his pocket.

Clark turned and caught Lex's mouth for a kiss like wet velvet, absolutely positive that an honest answer would scare Lex more than any of the alien-related difficulties. "Just, er, thinking about giving you a blowjob someday," he said instead, nibbling on Lex's neck.

"Mmm, good thing to think about," he murmured, before reclaiming Clark's lips. A few more breathless minutes later he pulled back and said, "Let's go upstairs. We can do this curled up in front of a fire instead."

"You gonna tell me what all these pink numbers mean?" asked Clark, straightening Lex's sweater.

Lex returned the favor, finger-combing Clark's hair back to its usual disorderly mop instead of the obviously-post-necking mop it had become. "Of course," he said. "Now that I've gone over the preliminary findings, we can leave the data in the safe down here... unless you really want me to get technical?"

Clark looked at the pile and shook his head; he'd had enough of numbers today. "Naah. If I ever need to know, you can explain it to me then." He shuffled the papers into one big pile and handed them off to his boyfriend, pocketing the pink highlighter while Lex's back was turned.

They headed upstairs, Clark stopping at an intercom to ask the kitchen to bring a dinner of finger foods to the media room, Lex pausing to lock the door and conceal the lab and its precious secrets. During the long minutes spent choosing a movie, the banter was so much like their old life that it made Clark's chest ache. He kept kissing Lex, just to prove that he could, hating that he'd had to give up his father's love for those kisses, but knowing he'd do it all over again if he had to.

Once the entertainment was chosen, they busied themselves building a fire. Snacks close at hand, they settled themselves in and started the film. Clark was almost unwilling to burst this bubble, but his curiosity about the tests was eating away at him. He turned to Lex with a perfectly straight face and said, "Eh, what's up, doc?"

Lex laughed, putting down his cup and turning to face Clark. "Well, Bugs, where should I start?" he asked.

Clark laughed, suddenly nervous. "Wherever you want, Lex."

Clark tried to be patient, admiring the view as Lex sat thinking for interminable moments. "Well," he began, the affection in his eyes belying his professional tone, "let's start with something we already knew was an issue, your strength. The good news is, you didn't hurt my fingers at all when you came, so I can most likely safely penetrate you. The bad news is that my table now has two hand-shaped dents."

Clark nodded. He'd noticed the handprints, but hadn't wanted to ruin the moment by mentioning them. "Go on," he said, gaze locked with his boyfriend's, hand finding Lex's blindly.

Lex squeezed his hand reassuringly. "Well, the other good news is that I'm almost positive that none of your fluids are toxic to me." Lex smirked and cocked his head, heat sparking in his eyes as he said, "You can ride me bareback 'til the cows come home, and it won't do me any harm. Well, chemically speaking, at least."

A blush rode up Lex's cheeks as he added, "You don't even have any harmful flora in your digestive system, so rimming would be safe."

Clark smiled and squeezed back. He was starting to get turned on just by the thought of Lex's mouth on him, Lex's tongue inside him. He cleared his throat and asked jokingly, "And me? Can I suck you off, lick your ass and take you like a man?"

Heat flared in Lex's eyes, and the cynical, sexy grin reappeared as he dubiously repeated, "Take me like a man, Clark?"

Clark blushed and said, "Hey, I'm new to this dirty-talk thing. Cut a guy some slack!"

Lex laughed, the tension broken, and said, "Well, those results are inconclusive. Because I don't know much about your biology, I can't really say how your body would react to my semen. To be honest I doubt there's anything from this earth that could truly harm you. There's always a small risk that something could be toxic, and we'd never know it until you got sick."

There was genuine worry in Lex's voice, and guilt in his eyes. Clark smiled reassuringly and said, "Lex, that's a risk everyone takes, right? I mean, some normal people react badly to stuff like lube and condoms, right?"

Lex smiled wryly and said, "I suppose. I just... I don't want to hurt you, physically or emotionally, by pushing for things you're not ready for. I'd want to do a much more thorough exam before I penetrated you without protection, just in case you've got some secret alien womb in your ass or something. Unless you don't want more tests..."

Clark laid a hand on Lex's arm. He'd finally come to the conclusion that it was in his own best interest to know as much about his body as he could, but he knew that Lex was hesitant to ask for fear of scaring Clark off. "Look, Lex," he said, and he could see his boyfriend steeling himself for rejection. "I... I realized today that you're right. I need to know more about myself, and you deserve to know." He grinned and cocked his head, adding, "Plus, you're the only person I know with his own private lab and a deep-seated desire to give me as many anal probes as it takes."

Lex laughed, and they both relaxed, snuggling up together in the huge leather couch, fire burning off to their left and the movie flickering mostly unwatched on the screen in front of them. They fed one another their dinner, sipped on the hot cocoa that Rose had brought them -- Lex's topped off with whiskey, Clark's with whipped cream -- and generally acted like none of their problems existed.

"Well," came the wry comment from the doorway, "I knew you were reckless, Lex, but I never thought you'd be foolish enough to have one of your little catamites living here with you."

"Why, hello, Dad. How nice of you to call ahead, and no, you're not interrupting anything." Lex leaned languidly back, tension stiffening his spine beneath his deliberately lax pose. Clark scooted away, embarrassed, and grabbed for his cocoa, needing something to hide behind.

Lionel stalked over, planting himself firmly between them and the television. "Cut the sarcasm, Lex, I'm serious. What in the world made you think that this," he said, gesturing angrily at Clark, "was acceptable?"

"This," said Lex, "is my good friend Clark Kent, who is having family problems and whose mother has asked me to let him stay here until things are better at home."

"This isn't Metropolis, son, these people won't support you if they think you're a deviant," he said, completely ignoring the introduction. Clark was glad he hadn't bothered offering to shake hands, and he leaned back and sipped his cocoa, trying to echo Lex's nonchalant attitude.

Lex smiled bitterly. "Yes, I'm perfectly aware that this isn't Metropolis."

"Then just what exactly do you think you're doing with this underage boy-whore?" Lionel's gesture towards Clark was almost violent this time, as though he wanted to strike him down from a distance without having to sully his hands.

Clark's anger flared hot behind his eyes, and he stiffened. Lex laid a comforting hand on his arm and then stood, saying, "That's enough, Dad. Did you have some actual business here, or did you just come to hurl epithets at those raised too polite to return them in kind?"

Lionel smirked, the expression both disgusted and insinuating, and Clark had to spare a moment of admiration for the range of condescending emotions that Lionel managed to convey. "You mean he's too scared to stand up to me himself. Or did you train him to be silent in the presence of his betters?"

Clark stood, almost trembling with the effort to stay relaxed. "Mr. Luthor," he said, trying to channel his mother's 'righteous anger' mode. "My mother taught me to be polite to my elders, but I don't believe that includes standing here being insulted." He took advantage of Lionel's shocked expression to stalk over to the door. "Good evening. Lex, I'll be doing homework in the library if you need me for anything."

Even though Clark hated leaving Lex alone with his father, he knew that Lex would be more comfortable having this battle in private. He did, however, stay near the door to listen just in case, confident that he'd be able to speed into the library and fake industry when the time came.

"He's almost ready for polite society, Lex, but are you sure you want to have a little boy on your arm at the next charity dinner?" Lionel's voice carried easily through the halls, harsh and cutting. "No woman of good breeding will want to be seen with you once this gets out."

Lex's voice was lower, harder to make out, and Clark strained his ears to hear. "I'd be proud to take Clark anywhere with me. He's worth twenty, say, Victoria Hardwicks. You never know where her type has been."

Clark wasn't sure why Lex chose to name her, but he knew it had to be deliberate. Lionel's voice was a low growl when he replied, "At least you always know where you stand with a woman like that. You're letting your emotions get in the way of your good sense again, son."

"You're becoming a broken record. Where would Alexander have been without Hephaestion?" Clark smiled to himself; he secretly thought it was adorable when Lex started pulling out the historical references.

"Planning on turning your farm boy into a soldier, Lex? He didn't even stay by your side for five minutes, not such a great start."

"He understands that some things are best kept within the family," said Lex, voice hard. "Although I wouldn't expect him to take Victoria's route with that, if I were you. You might find yourself unpleasantly surprised."

"Pretty as he his, I still prefer to get my toys from the other half of the gene pool." Wait, were they implying that Lionel had... with Victoria? That was so... sick. And wrong.

Lex's laugh this time was derisive, and Clark got the strange feeling that they were winding down. "That's not what Dom said."

Clark heard Lionel's footsteps stalking unmistakably towards the door, and he made a break for the library. He was unhappy at having to miss the end of the conversation, although there were certain parts of it he wished he could eradicate from his memory. He grabbed one of the books Lex had suggested he read for his history paper and sat, one leg thrown over the arm of the chair. He even managed to process a few paragraphs before Lex came sauntering in, hands in his pockets, posture shouting defensiveness.

Clark hadn't really dealt with Lex after one of his father's visits, at least not since they'd started whatever it was they'd started, and he wasn't sure what to do. He tried to remain relaxed and open, setting the book aside but not standing or otherwise invading Lex's space. "How'd it go?" he asked, as lightly as possible with the tension coiling in his guts.

"He's gone, but he'll do what he can to break us up. Expect him to contact you within the next few days, probably with a bribe or a threat." Lex's reply was curt, angry. He stared pensively at the shelves, idly running his fingers along the spines but obviously not really reading. Obviously the endgame hadn't gone well.

"Oh," said Clark, nonplused. He waited for a few minutes of tense silence, until he couldn't take it anymore. "Um, so... what now?"

"Huh?" said Lex, turning. "Oh. Well, obviously you don't want him to use anything against you. I've already put certain protections in place, but he found out earlier than I'd hoped." Lex dropped his gaze, pinching the bridge of his nose. "No matter, we'll work with what we've got."

Clark stood and came up behind Lex slowly, careful as he entered his boyfriend's personal space. He'd seen Lex like this before, prickly as a cactus, and he didn't want to scare him off. When Lex allowed the closeness without comment, Clark took a chance and began gently massaging stiff shoulder muscles.

Lex moaned softly and let his head go slack, murmuring, "Mmm. Just what the doctor ordered." He looked up, grey eyes tired and earnest. "Do you want to finish the movie, or just call it an early night?"

What Clark really wanted to do was burrow under the covers with Lex and never come out, but he wasn't sure if last night's sleeping arrangements were a one-time thing. "I'd like be wherever you are, Lex," he said, shyly.

Lex put a cool hand over Clark's and leaned back into his body. Clark put the other arm around Lex's waist, exhaling a sigh of relief. "I'd like a shower and then bed, but I don't want to push..."

Clark laughed softly. "I was just thinking the same thing." He kissed Lex's temple, then his lips when proffered. When they broke apart, he said, "I appreciate that you're letting me set the pace, but I want you to know that waking up in your arms for the first time will always be one of my most precious memories."

Lex's eyes were bright, his smile genuine as he replied, "Mine, too." One corner quirked up into a smirk as he added, "I've never made anyone hot enough to set fire to the room before, after all."

Clark laughed, blushing, and they wandered upstairs, leaving the remains of their dinner to the servants, and the rest of their worries behind with the ashes of the dying fire.