The food was laid out in the kitchen just like a normal Saturday dinner, Jonathan already seated at the head of the table. Clark slid into his usual place, gesturing for Lex to take the spot across from him while Martha set a huge bowl of mashed potatoes on the table.

"What would you like to drink, Lex?" she asked, "We have milk, soda, juice and water. Nothing fancy, I'm afraid."

Lex smiled up at her innocently. "I'll have milk, please, ma'am. I'm starting to think I drink altogether too many fancy things as it is." The twinkle in his eyes belied his politely self-deprecating tone, and Clark had to smother a giggle. It seemed Lex had caught on to their 'poor little rich boy' campaign and was doing his part to win Jonathan over.

Jonathan grunted in what almost sounded like approval, and starting serving himself from the various dishes, passing them around to Clark as Martha got milk for both the boys before sitting down herself. They all spent a few minutes in relative silence filling up their plates with fresh corn, chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes and gravy.

They all paused long enough for Jonathan to say a cursory grace. Clark stretched his long legs out under the table, feeling around with his bare toes until he found Lex's shoe. The brief look of surprise on Lex's face when Clark's toes started running up his calf was almost as priceless as the expression that replaced it when Jonathan turned to him and asked, "So, Lex, I guess it gets pretty lonely for you up in that castle, what with your only family always in Metropolis."

After a rather undignified first try, a great deal of throat clearing and a big gulp of milk, Lex managed to reply, "It's not so bad, I guess. I get relative peace and quiet in which to work, all my needs are taken care of... but I do envy Clark his close family ties."

Jonathan raised an eyebrow at that, and Clark smiled quietly and a little smugly as his posture worsened and his toes crept higher up Lex's calf. "He spends a lot of his time off doing paperwork at the Talon, too, Dad," Clark added. "Although I know Chloe and Lana both keep him from getting *too* much done on his supposed evenings off."

Lex slouched a little himself and grinned affectionately at Clark, who responded by beaming and sneaking his toes ever higher. "That's true," Lex replied. "I'm actually surprised at how little I miss the shallow Metropolis crowd. There, everyone fawned over me for my money and my name. Here, the few people that actually like me do so despite those things, not because of them." Lex ducked his head as if to hide the sardonic twist his smile had taken on, and made a show of taking a bite of steak.

Jonathan looked surprised for a moment before replying, "Well, it must be hard on you not to have any women willing to talk to you that are out of high school, unless you're big on cradle robbing."

Clark chose that moment to slouch completely in his chair, grinning nonchalantly and tucking his toes neatly under Lex's balls. Lex choked on his bite of steak, and Martha got up to slap Lex on the back, glaring at Jonathan and Clark equally, as if she wasn't quite sure who was responsible but positive it was one of them. Clark, for his part, sat up with impressive alacrity and grinned innocently, not eager to be caught playing footsie under the table.

Lex recovered, thankfully containing himself to a very short but evil look at Clark before turning to answer Jonathan, his voice quiet and serious. "I like to think that I'm past the stage of foolish conquests, and able to choose my dates based solely on mutual affection rather than convenience or availability. If nothing else, Victoria's 'little visit' taught me that!"

Jonathan seemed impressed, and Clark scored one for the bald boyfriend, but decided to change the subject to something a little less... volatile. Just to be on the safe side. "So, dad, how'd the work go without me?"

"Pretty well. Why, does your mother need you tomorrow, too?" Jonathan turned what Clark liked to think of has his affectionate scowl onto Martha.

She calmly ignored the look and picked up her fork, replying, "I'd like to have them both, actually. They promised to build me a rose trellis, and Lex said he'd have time tomorrow," before nonchalantly taking a bite of her dinner.

Jonathan attacked his own food a little zealously, everyone eating in silence for a few minutes before he spoke in a slightly pained voice, "Well, why don't you have Lex come by in the morning this time? He can have breakfast with us, and I could really use Clark's help in the afternoon on that fence."

Clark couldn't believe his ears, and it looked like he wasn't the only one. His dad, inviting Lex to breakfast with them? He looked from one man to the other, hoping Lex would see this for the major concession it was.

"I'd love to, Mr. Kent." Lex replied.

It looked like he might say more, but he was interrupted. "Please, it's Jonathan. Mr. Kent makes me feel old!"

"Well, you are about my father's age. Jonathan." Lex smiled, eyes twinkling at the joke. Jonathan looked disgruntled but was forced to agree. Lex pressed on, asking, "What ungodly hour of the morning should I be by?"

"Well, usually we sleep in a little on Sundays. How about eight o'clock?" It was Jonathan's turn to look a bit evil.

Lex blanched at that, but rallied gamely, replying, "Eight o'clock it is. Should I bring extra clothes again, like this time?"

Clark could feel his cheeks reddening at this, and tried to look like his mashed potatoes fascinated him. Evidently his father was concentrating on Lex too much to notice, but he caught his mom giving him a speculative look out of the corner of his eye. He was pretty sure she'd counted showers, though, and knew that nothing overly untoward could have happened, but he had a feeling she might have thought of his newfound use for x-ray vision long before he had.

Jonathan grunted his assent, and turned his concentration back to his food. "Good corn, Martha. I think that new mix is really helping the crops this year."

Lex began questioning Jonathan about his fertilizing practices, and they soon were embroiled in a lengthy and, to Clark's ears, incredibly boring conversation about, well, shit. Clark and his mother exchanged sympathetic glances.

"So, Clark, did you boys get everything done today you needed to?" Martha asked, tilting her head and smiling a conspiratorial smile.

Clark blushed a little, saying, "Uh, yeah, mom. We got it all worked out. I think the lilacs will grow up really beautiful, and sooner than you think."

Martha raised her eyebrow at that. "Oh, really? Well, I think the clover you boys put there will make an excellent ground cover, but you'll have to keep it in check or it might end up overrunning the whole garden."

Clark hadn't had time to look the clover up, so he wasn't quite sure what his mom was getting at, but he thought he had an idea. "I'm pretty sure I can handle it, Mom."

Martha raised her eyebrows at that, "Well, I think the garden will be lovely and lasting, but remember that these things take time and attention, and a lot of loving care."

It seemed like that last had finally drawn Lex's attention away from the fascinating world of organic fertilizer, because Clark could see his ears turning pink as he turned to Martha and added, "Don't forget, I can and will make time to help with the garden, if you need me. I feel sort of responsible for it now that I've had a hand in planting it."

Clark almost sprayed the table with milk when his mother replied, "As well you should, young man. Never fear, now that I've gotten you into my clutches, you'll soon be a regular fixture around here!"

"A little hard work never hurt anyone," added Jonathan, absent-mindedly munching on his corn.

There went the milk, and Clark's plate, and a good section of the table. Lex was the one to the rescue this time, patting Clark on the back solicitously while Martha grabbed the roll of paper towels and began cleaning up the mess. Jonathan, unaware of the undercurrents in the conversation around him, just advised Clark to be careful about things going down the wrong pipe.

Clark choked again.

Eventually he managed to regain his normal breathing and color, dinner was declared a loss and pie was brought out. They sat around the newly cleaned table; Jonathan restarted the fertilizer conversation and Clark just basked in the glow of affection he felt as he watched Lex making notes in a little electronic organizer. Eventually they wound down, and his mother poured them the last of the coffee and cleared the plates.

"Well, Jonathan, you've got some interesting ideas. There might actually be a way to turn Plant No. 3 into a wholly organic facility and still remain profitable. I'll have to do some research, do up a business plan..." Lex trailed off, lost in thought.

"Dad! Look, now you're making *more* work for him!" Clark admonished, getting up to put his cup in the sink. "If I can drag him away from you for a little while, I'd like to take *my* best friend out to the barn to look for wood."

"Fine, fine, son. Just don't stay out too late, remember you've got work to do for your mother in the morning." Jonathan got up and wandered out into the living room, Martha putting the rest of the dishes to soak and following him.

"Sure, Dad." Clark grinned. His father hadn't even flinched at the 'best friend' comment. Lex had really charmed him today, with his uncomplaining work and carefully steered conversation. Clark was suddenly bursting with pride for his boyfriend. He knew his father had been slowly wearing down since their initial meeting, and tonight he'd seemed to finally begin seeing Lex as a person and not just an extension of his father.

Or so Clark hoped.

"Lex?" he said, tapping Lex on the shoulder.

"Oh, hmm?" Came the absent reply. "Just a second, Clark, I just want to jot a few more things down..."

"Lex, you're working. On a Saturday night. At my kitchen table!"

"Right, right. Sorry, Clark, but your Dad has some really good ideas. If I thought he'd accept the money, I'd hire him as a consultant on the spot, but I know you need him here on the farm more."

"Really?"

"Really, Clark. He's a lot smarter than he gives himself credit for, I think. He's just stubborn, is all." Lex's usual sarcastic smile was back as he looked up, stowing his organizer away in a front pocket as he stood. "Shall we adjourn to the comforts of your barn, Clark?"

"Sure, Lex. My barn is your barn."

They headed out into the cool spring evening, laughing.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

They'd decided to relax in the loft for a bit before braving the woodpile, and Clark let Lex go ahead of him on the stairs, glad for a chance to stare openly at Lex's gorgeous ass without any fear of reprisal. He could feel himself hardening, forgetting the things he'd been meaning to talk to his boyfriend about as certain other parts of his body took the blood away from his brain. He was starting to wonder if his resolve to take things slowly would survive the onslaught of a teenage libido.

Libido or not, though, when Lex turned around to sit, Clark couldn't help but laugh.

"What's so funny, Clark?" Lex asked, puzzled.

Clark pointed to the spot where a corner of the PDA was poking at the front of Lex's pants. "Is that an organizer in your pocket, or..." Unable to even finish the sentence, Clark dissolved into helpless giggles once again.

Lex looked down, then back up at Clark. He sighed a great big put-upon sigh. Clark continued to laugh, flopping down on the couch to avoid falling over. Lex adjusted his PDA. Clark's giggles took on a new note of hysteria. Lex started to giggle, then laugh, then ended up joining Clark on the couch, breathless.

At least, Clark thought, his cock had decided to give back some of the blood and calm down a little. Lex curled up against Clark, panting. Clark's cock sent out the repo men. Lex put a hand in Clark's lap.

And cracked up laughing again.

"What?" asked Clark, indignant.

"I think," Lex gasped out in between giggles, "I found... some wood!"

Clark dissolved back into hysteria, as well, while the small corner of his mind that was still coherent commented that all his mother's worries about their differing maturity levels would vanish if she could see them now. Well, maybe without Lex's hand in his lap. Which, commented that third part of his brain that was lodged firmly in the cock under said hand, actually felt quite nice.

Their laughter died down a little more quickly than last time, and he found himself with a lap full of limp and gasping Lex. Somehow during the course of things, Lex had crawled into his arms and he didn't seem to have any intention of leaving, which suited Clark just fine. Instead he blatantly displayed his strength by shifting them both until Lex was straddling him.

Lex's face glowed softly with affection, the twinkle in his eyes darkening as lust began to take over. Clark thrust up against him once before running his hands up Lex's back. He once again gently cupped the naked skull, drawing Lex's face close to his own.

A thousand things crowded into Clark's mind during the infinitesimal pause between intent and action, a hundred endearments and questions and declarations trying to escape past his lips. Clark ignored them all, deciding that the time for talking was past, future, any other time that he didn't have a lap full of pliant, willing Lex. He held them back with the first electric touch of their lips, and banished them completely as the firm slide of Lex's mouth across his own filled his brain with a whole new set of thoughts, each one dirtier than the last.

Lex's lips were strong, but soft, with a slight hint of something slick. Clark's tongue flicked out to taste, and a subtle sweetness burst across his palate, hints of coffee with cream, apple pie, and Lex's ubiquitous cherry Chapstick. Clark licked at Lex's lips, his tongue finding the roughness of the scar he'd known was there all along, but had proved too subtle for his own lips to discern.

A tentative probe with his tongue was rewarded when Lex opened his mouth for Clark to plunder, all the worries about strength and parents and alienness dissolving in the moment. His hands explored the subtle contours of Lex's head while his tongue tasted and catalogued every crevice of Lex's mouth. The coffee was stronger here, and the cinnamon from the pie, and also hints of dinner, the richness of his mother's gravy and the bright soft flavor of the corn. And, of course, Lex. A taste Clark couldn't describe at all but just *knew* this time, with the sudden unshakeable certainty that whatever happened, he would always recognize Lex's taste, his smell.

That thought a catalyst, Clark remembered to breathe finally, sucking in air through his nose. With it came the subtle scents of Lex, devoid now of the soft cologne that he usually wore, and the beginnings of desire. Lex broke away long enough to take a deep breath of his own and came back, littering small pecks onto Clark's face. Clark let his hands trail down the back of Lex's sweater, feeling the strength hidden under the soft knit of the turtleneck. One hand came up the front, fingers brushing over a cloth-covered nipple, while the other hand continued down and behind to cup the round flesh of Lex's ass.

Lex moaned softly to himself, pausing to rest his forehead against Clark's. He was almost panting, and Clark felt no little pride in the desire that was so obviously written in his boyfriend's features. Lex looked beautiful in the dim light; the tense, careful mask he usually wore in public had been discarded in favor of an expression so full of honesty, need and love that it seemed to hover somewhere between transcendental joy and breathless agony.

"God, Lex, I..." Clark began to apologize, to pull away, only to be cut off by a brief, fierce kiss.

As if reading his mind, Lex said, "Don't, Clark. I can wait, and I will, but I want, I *need* for you to see what you do to me, even when I can't find the words."

All the words that had been clamoring in his skull earlier seemed to desert Clark now. He growled low in his throat and captured Lex's lips for another kiss, trying to show his own passion, frustration and affection just as clearly as Lex had. His hands roamed more freely this time, while Lex tangled his in Clark's hair.

Soft wool gave way to softer skin as Clark found his way up under Lex's clothing, running up the strong back to hold him close. Clark devoured Lex's kisses like a starving man given a feast. Hands gripping Lex's shoulders, Clark shifted his hips and exerted just enough pressure to grind their erections together

Lex gasped against Clark's lips, and Clark breathed in his desire.

"Clark, god, we have to stop," Lex said, even as his own hips found a rhythm.

"Why the fuck would I want to stop?" asked Clark, his tone low and rough. He bit at the softness of Lex's lower lip, moved to nibble down as much of the tender throat as he could reach. His spine was tingling, his balls drawing up. All he could think about was how good it felt, how much he wanted Lex to feel good as well.

"Ah, Clark! Please... I really don't want to have to explain... Fuck! To your dad, why he found me sodomizing his only child in the barn," He replied, distracted by Clark's ministrations. He managed to pull far enough back to finish his thought. Clark froze, as Lex added roughly, "And that's where this is heading, because I'm about to pass the point of no return here."

Clark felt a flash of guilt for putting Lex in this state, despite the fact that he himself had been on the verge of coming in his pants. Lex had said just a few hours ago in the hallway he wanted to cool things down until Clark was ready, and here he was pushing and pushing like a horny, selfish teenager. "God, Lex, I'm sorry. I just got carried away, I didn't think... It's not fair to you, for me to wind you up and then leave you hanging like this."

"Clark, Clark. It's ok, I'm perfectly able to take care of myself." Lex grinned impudently and tweaked Clark's nose. "I just don't want to have to do it in your bathroom with your parents downstairs."

And wow, was that an image. Clark sat stunned for a moment, his guilt forgotten as a red wash of desire flooded his brain with pictures of Lex in the shower, Lex at home in his bed, Lex on the couch at the castle taking matters into his own hands.

"You like that idea, don't you, Clark? Me, touching myself, thinking of you."

"God, of course I do!" He put his hands safely to his sides, feeling suddenly twitchy and out of control.

Lex's face took on a speculative look, and he ground down into Clark once, hard enough to make him gasp and clutch at the cushions. Then he slowly slid off of Clark's lap and backed away, his gaze sultry and intent. Clark was confused, turned on and guilty and a little afraid, but he couldn't tear his eyes away.

"You'd like to watch me, wouldn't you?" said Lex, his hand moving down to cup himself, stroking none-too-gently along the length. "You'd like to see me on my knees right here," a thump and a little dust as Lex did just that, dropped to his knees unceremoniously without missing a beat. "You'd like to see me finish what I started in the shower."

Clark's eyes were riveted on Lex's hand, his ears picking up the soft rasp of the zipper going down, the jingle of the belt buckle, the soft whisper of fabric against fabric as the pants sagged open to reveal the lavender cotton beneath. A dark stain highlighted the place where Lex's cock was trapped, and Lex ran one white fingertip over it, pressing down and making Clark gasp. "Shall I, Clark? Do you want to see me come for you?"

Clark closed his eyes once, emotions warring inside him. God, how would he ever explain *this* to his father if he caught them? But still, it seemed like not only something Clark himself wanted, but like something Lex needed. Clark opened his eyes and nodded. "Yes. Please, Lex."

Lex's smile was bright, his eyes glittering with mischief. "You, too, Clark. Fair's fair, after all."

It took Clark a moment to realize what Lex meant. That he was supposed to do it to, to touch himself, get himself off to the sight of his boyfriend doing the same thing. He groaned softly, his cock making the decision for him, and quickly shimmied his boxers and jeans down to his ankles. Lex's smile took on a predatory edge as Clark's cock was revealed to him for the first time.

Lex let his own pants fall to mid-thigh, and then eased down his boxer-briefs to free his weeping cock. Clark could almost smell the desire from where he sat, even with his own scent surrounding him in heated clouds. One hand wandered up to a nipple of its own accord, hiking his shirt up with it. The other he slicked up with pre-come and used to jack himself with practiced strokes. Memory flashed of the last time he'd been here, jacking off to images of Lex, and he felt the tension in his belly coil a notch tighter.

Clark stroked absently, letting the hand on his cock take over the task it knew so well. Pinch, twist, pull; the other hand wandered from one nipple to the other until he deliberately let his shirt fall and sucked two fingers into his mouth. The rough fabric of the couch was just another sensation as it rubbed against his ass. All of it was just background to the main event, the show Lex was putting on for him. Nearly sensory overload from his eyes alone.

The sweater covered Lex's torso, hanging down to the top of his hipbones. Grey fabric concealed the toned muscles Clark now knew were there, but his main concentration was on the too-brief swath of pale flesh that were revealed beneath its edge. The lavender briefs had been pushed down, but not nearly enough for Clark's eyes, just enough to free Lex's blood-darkened cock. Lex's hand was pumping it roughly, the other one buried in his underwear, cupping and fondling his balls.

Clark's eyes darted to Lex's face and were trapped there by eyes gone dark and hooded with desire. Lex's mouth was pink and slack, breath coming in soft pants. His hand did something, a twist Clark picked up out of the corner of his vision, and even white teeth bit into one of those moist, inviting lips. The grey eyes fluttered closed, releasing Clark's gaze to drift downward again to where Lex was pumping frantically, pre-come flowing in clear spurts from the purpling head.

Clark didn't know where to look, the expression on Lex's face almost as fascinating to him as the frantic activity of his hands. Clark's own body was starting to tense up from his ministrations, and he got ready. He wanted Lex to know how much this meant to him, to see just how much he was turning Clark on.

Lex's eyes opened again, and he whispered, "Clark, I'm close. I'm gonna..."

Clark's eyes dropped down just in time to see Lex's hips snap forward, to see him pump milky white streams onto the floor. Up again for the look of pure ecstasy on Lex's face. Clark felt the tingling start in his balls, felt himself swiftly approaching the point of no return. He willed for Lex to look, to see, to open his eyes as Clark's own started to drift shut. Clark's back arched and he let go, gifting his release to Lex.

"Lex!" he cried out, feeling the hot come falling in splashes over his hands, his thighs. Feeling the wave of release that was nearly as shocking as the realization that this was the first time he'd ever come with another person in the room.

"God, Clark. You're so beautiful."

Clark's eyes snapped open and he saw Lex's face much closer than he'd expected. Suddenly felt shy about sitting there with his dick in his hand, starting to blush and stammer something right up until Lex dipped a finger to capture the pearl of come left at the tip of his own still-rampant cock. Opted instead to stare in unabashed wonder as Lex licked his finger clean and smiled like a cat in the cream. So to speak, and Clark felt the earlier hysteria creeping up on him as his brain supplied the information once again, just for emphasis, that he and Lex had just... whatever it was they had done.

"So, Lex what do you call this? You skipped it in your talk..." Clark started to ask. He was forced to abandon humor or even speech as Lex was busy kissing the breath out of him. There was an unfamiliar taste to Lex now, a softly bitter undertone that reminded him of something he couldn't quite place, and something else that was splattered all over the loft.

"It's a circle jerk, although usually there's more guys involved." Lex replied when he finally released Clark's lips. He had regained most of his usual aplomb, but the mask was still down, so Clark could see the humor and desire playing around his lips as he rearranged his clothing. "You might want to clean yourself up a little, Clark."

Somehow, Lex's blase attitude was just the thing Clark needed to ground him, to stop the swirling of thoughts in his head. He leaned to rummage around under the couch for his box of supplies, grimacing as he felt the come dripping down to stain the couch. After cleaning himself and the couch up as best he could, he went over to where Lex had been. All that there was left to show what they'd been up to were some dark spots in the dusty wood of the floor. Clark smiled to himself, deciding to leave them for now. A little bit of Lex in his Fortress of Solitude.

Lex just leaned on the arm of the couch and watched all this with a happy little smile on his face. Clark wasn't sure exactly what that meant, but he was pretty sure it was a good thing.

"Well, Clark," said Lex, sidling up to him with a sexy shimmy that was going to give Clark some very good dreams, "Now that we've taken care of our wood, shall we go find some that's more suitable for your mother's trellis?"

Clark curled Lex into his arms, and kissed him soundly. "Sure, lover. Now that you've, what, partially deflowered me? Sullied my pure virgin eyes? Taken the first small installment on your droit de signeur?"

"Made you merely as pure as the slightly trodden-upon snow?" Lex supplied, eyes sparkling with mischief and a hint of some deeper emotion.

Clark grinned and kissed him again. He could definitely get used to this, being able to kiss Lex whenever the urge struck him, instead of having to always just look on from afar. "Sure, Lex, that'll work."

They were just heading down the stairs when Clark remembered something he'd wanted to look up. "Hold on a sec, ok?"

Clark went and dug the precious book out of its hiding place while Lex waited somewhat impatiently by the stairs. He flipped to the index, and then the appropriate page, and there it was: Clover. "Think of me."

Clark felt like his grin could eclipse the sun as he put away the book and joined Lex in hunting for wood. He had to jerk his brain back on its leash several times, and the dick jokes got a little out of hand, but in the end, they found what they were looking for, in time to get Lex home for a full night's sleep.

Clark walked him to his car, and kissed him good-bye. "I'll miss you, but I'll get to see you bright and early tomorrow!"

Lex mock-groaned. "Eight o'clock in the morning! How did I ever let you convince me of this?"

Clark grinned evilly as Lex started up the car, waiting to add his parting shot just before he shut the door. "We'll turn you into a Kent Man yet!"

Lex flipped him off as he drove away.

Clark laughed and headed inside, where he found his mother still up reading and having a last cup of tea before bed.

"Did you boys find enough wood for my trellis, Clark?" she asked, her eyes holding a complex set of emotions. Amusement, weariness, concern, love. Other things that he probably wouldn't understand unless he somehow became a parent and had to watch his own child starting their first serious relationship.

Clark only hoped this would be his first, only, and last. "Yeah, mom. More than enough." He knew he was glowing, knew something in his face must be giving him away, but if she saw it, she was feeling kind enough to ignore it.

"All right, then, I guess it's time for me to get some sleep." She closed her book and went upstairs, stopping to give him a quick hug and kiss on the cheek on the way.

Clark looked up through the house, his own room and out to the stars for a few minutes, the headed up for his own bed, feeling content and well loved.

continued in Out, Chapter 8: Morning After