Ride                                

by The Spike
November, 2001

*

Summary:  Lex and Clark ride, ride, ride, ride in a long black limousine

*

He'd pretty much convinced himself that it was an offhand invitation.  Or at least as offhand as Lex ever really got: a gala charity event in Metropolis featuring more great bands than Clark ever imagined in one place on one night, and Lex produced the tickets at the Beanery with his usual flourish.

"I haven't got a date for the evening, and since you're still owed a concert and a limo ride...  Join me?"

He'd managed to actually swallow the sip of coffee he'd just taken.  Managed to protest that Lex didn't owe him anything.  Managed to joke that Lex could probably find a prettier date than him.  Managed to continue breathing when Lex answered with a lazy grin that was less like agreement than it was like a dare.

A grin that made him...  Yeah.

He might have gotten away with saying his parents wouldn't allow it, if his brain hadn't yelled at him to try and sound a little more like a twelve year old *girl*.  He knew it wouldn't have saved him anyway because Lex was giving him one of those looks.  Those open, honest waiting looks that made Clark feel hot and shivery at the same time.  Like he was being offered something really dangerous, that he wanted anyway.

So, no, he really didn't want to turn that down.  A night in Metropolis with Lex, unbelievable bands, bright lights, big city -- who could  question him for wanting that?  And it's not like it's a 'date' date.  Not like they'd be wearing new clothes...

Except galas, it turns out, require tuxedos.  And since he's having one fitted for himself, Lex has taken the liberty of having one sent up for Clark as well.  And there it is.  New clothes.  He thinks of phoning Chloe and asking for her input on this twist in the 'date' question.  Imagines the conversations that would follow.

And all this going through his head as the tailor measures and chalks and he steps out of and into his pants about ten times until apparently it's finished.  The tailors leave and Clark gets to see the result in the mirror in Lex's dressing room.

At least that's what he thinks this room must be called, since there's no way a room bigger than his bedroom should be called a closet.

And there he is.

He's never worn a tuxedo before, but even he is taken aback by how... polished he looks.  How adult.  How... and the thought makes him blush -- *handsome*.   For a minute he wishes Chloe were here to poke his inflating ego and let some of the hot air out before the embarrassing floating begins, but then Lex is in the mirror behind him, tugging on his own cuffs and looking at Clark with all kinds of approval.

"You need to dress up more often," Lex says.  His tuxedo is spare and stylish.  Black jacket, black shirt, sharp black tie.

"Yeah, maybe a hundred more times and I'll figure out how to tie the tie."

"Ties are easy," says Lex, reaching around Clark to take up the flared ends of the bow.  He pulled Clark's sloppy knot free and evened the silk.  "My valet showed me this when I was 10."  He looped silk as he spoke:  "The rabbit goes around the tree, over the log, through the hoop, into the loop... and voila!  Slightly crooked tie."  He tugs and straightens, frowning critically and the tie is crisp and perfect... and he doesn't let go.

Something skittery and exciting is starting to build under Clark's skin.  Like maybe the slightly rough silk of their too new clothing is making static electricity.  It's a fact that all the hairs on his body are trying to stand on end.  Lex is wearing a cologne that makes Clark slightly dizzy; warm and flushed.  He looks at himself in the mirror, Lex's hands at his throat, not particularly tying the tie at all any more.  Lex is looking a little flushed himself, breathing just a little fast.  But it's his own expression that shocks him -- a sleepy-eyed, almost sly smile that he doesn't recognize at *all*.  It's a smile that's saying "Yes..." even though he's not entirely sure of the question.

Oh, and that's a lie.

"We're going to be late," says Lex.  His voice is low, a little rough.  It makes Clark catch his breath.

"Yeah," he says.

"Well, that won't do," says Lex.  He does that thing... turns the light on behind his smile and the spell is broken.  "I swore an oath that this time you would actually *get* to the concert.  And I intend to keep it."

*

Half an hour out of Smallville and Clark is thinking about everything *but* the concert.

The limo is the same one he sat in with Lana but the feeling is different -- the main distinction being -- this is a date.

With Lex.

A date.

It's beyond unreal.  He's on a date.  With a guy.  Who is Lex.  Who he... likes?  Is that the word?  Maybe *wants* is a better word.  But both apply and Lex doesn't seem to mind *how* he wants to play it.  Seems to flow smoothly from friend to big brother to...

Clark's mind tends to fizzle like water on a transformer at the range of possibility.  It's beyond words and all he gets are pictures and flashes of sensation.  He can put his hands on Lex if he wants.  He *knows* this.  Lex never backs away, or makes a joke.  He just leaves himself open, waiting.  Clark sometimes thinks he *is* waiting for something, some kind of move.  A clumsy kiss, a grope, the full body press that Clark sometimes feels this incredible yearning for.   And more.  Things that make blood rush through his body, things he can only bear flashes of: the imagined feeling of a cock weighting his lower lip; the powder softness of Lex's body; the ache inside somehow, namelessly being filled...

"Drink?"  Lex is holding out a snifter.  Clark is blushing so hard he's pretty sure Lex can feel the heat.

"I better not..." And Lex just gives him the look.  The 'waiting' look.  Letting him have his head.  Like a horse.  Like riding...

He grabs the glass.  Almost too hard and only his inhuman reflexes allow him to ease his grip before he crushes it.  Thin glass, like a brittle bubble that warms in his palm.  He gets it to his mouth but the alcohol punch of it makes him cough and sputter before he can drink.  He glances at Lex, who is now smiling indulgently.

"Yep," he says wetly, giving up on dignity entirely.  "Cool *is* definitely my middle name."

"And to think my dad went with plain, boring Joseph..."  Lex pours himself a brandy, swirls it, breathes it.  Clark follows along.   The brandy, assuming that's what it is, is strong enough that he feels high just breathing the fumes.  He takes a tiny, burning sip.  Waits.  It's not that he's a prude, really it's not.  Just the danger... none of them have any clue what alcohol will or won't do to him.  And Lex probably isn't the person to find out with.  Probably.

And the brandy feels just fine.

And the second snifter is better.   Apparently alcohol just makes him relaxed, charming and kind of funny.  A little dizzy too, but not in a bad way.  Not 'green rock' kind of dizzy.  This is more of a floaty, excited feeling.  And Lex seems to share it.

Generous Lex.

Generous Lex that he's on a date with.  Who is grinning at him.

"What...?" he asks.

"I was wondering what the big grin was about," Lex says.

"Yours?"  Clark is baffled.

"No, yours."  And oh, yeah, he *does* have kind of a big grin on his face.  Clark shakes his head, but he can't shake the smile and Lex is looking at him with that same gentle intensity.  Maybe something else.  Definitely waiting for an answer and if he could think of a snappy comeback he'd use it but all he can manage is the fumbling truth...

"This is a... date." he says.  Has to hold in the giggle, feels it fluttering around in his chest like a little moth.

"Yeah..." Lex says.  He doesn't sound surprised.  But not like he was expecting it either.  More like... he'd been hoping?  And then Lex is a lot closer and he hooks a finger under Clark's tie.  Tugs.  Their faces are an inch apart.  Lex's eyes are huge, dark, magnetic.  Clark's eyes flutter closed against the black heat of them.  And even so he can feel the warm spill of Lex's breath on his lips.  Lex's lips on his lips.  Lex's tongue, a single warm, silky sweep that his mouth has to catch after.  And Lex pulls back.

"That makes it official," Lex says.  He sounds as breathless as Clark feels.  The taste is still on his tongue.  Brandy and... kiss.  Lex waiting on the other side of a bridge of air, smooth-faced, all cool black silk under cool black silk.  He reaches out, brushes his fingertips against Lex's shirt.  Heat under the cool.  Slides his hand in under the wing of jacket, bumping over Lex's  nipple.  Lex catches his breath, tiny sound but it seems so loud and Clark presses his palm there.  Lex's heart is pounding.   Still he doesn't move.

He doesn't look so much older than Clark right now.  He looks... a little desperate.  Like he wants something he can't have without permission.  Clark doesn't want to give permission.  He wants to...

close the distance, fist the fine black silk, mouth on Lex's mouth, cheek, chin, mouth

Take.

Lex is stiff beneath him for a second.  Hard, lean arch against his kiss, draw of breath and then, like melting, Lex's arms come up around him and they are...kissing.  Warm, rough, wet, electric.  What he's dreamed, imagined, wanted.  More than that because there is Lex, under him.  Kissing back like he's just as hungry as Clark is.  Starving, maybe.

Lex's lips are soft: his chin, cheeks, eyes, temples, head so smooth Clark can't stop touching, mouthing, breathing.  Everything.  Lex smells so good, tastes so... *good*.  And his hands on Clark's back pet and stroke with such desperate gentleness that Clark can only writhe for more.  More. Needs more and he doesn't know how he ever lived a second without it...

...and it's way too good.  Wayyy too good.

Clark manages to pull away before disaster strikes.  Just.  He's still sprawled on top of Lex, both of them laid out on the slippery leather seat.  Lex's cheeks are heated, his lips slick and a little swollen from the kissing.  He looks surprised, his mouth open and still soft.  Still hungry.

Just the idea that he's done this to Lex, makes Clark want to dive in again, but Lex is already pulling himself together..

"Okay," he says, breathless,  mouth curling up into a smile that makes Clark want to back away and surge forward at the same time.  "That makes it more official..."  And it's his way out, right there, that smile.  Lex is letting him off the hook, letting it be just friends, brothers, whatever.  Part of Clark wants to take it -- laugh, pull back -- give himself time to think. Most of him, though...

He moves close again, brushes his face against Lex's face.  Cheek pressed to cheek.  Breathing Lex in.  Rubbing his lips against the softest skin he's ever felt.  Feeling these little shudders run through Lex.  He's not sure what it's about -- all the tension.  Like Lex is fighting with himself maybe or...

Oh no...

He pulls back.  Maybe Lex is fighting with himself because maybe he doesn't want this.  Maybe the kiss was *terrible*.  Maybe he just...

Except now that he can see Lex's face, see his eyes blinking suddenly naked, he *knows*.  Lex wants this.   It's almost scary to understand how much.  Clark's body flushes hard.  He thinks maybe he can have what he wants from Lex.  He only wishes he had a clue.

"Clark...?"

"Sorry, I just... I'm..."  He shakes his head, helplessly.  Closes his eyes because he can't bear not being able to say it:  *Want you* and it leaves him alone in that dark, buzzing place inside his head.  And then Lex's hand is on his cheek, curving around his skull, fingers through his hair -- not pulling him in but rising to him, lips to his lips, mouth opening against his mouth.  Such a wild feeling, like he's loose inside his own skin.  Like he needs something solid to push against.

Lex is solid.  Solid like the wind when he's running all out.  Kneeling up, pressed against him, lean and hard.  Both of them kissing and kissing.  Lex's hand in his hair, fisting and tugging -- the other hand roaming his back, his... ass.  Pulling him in until their bodies touch.  Until his hard-on is brushing against what can only be Lex's...  Ohhh.  And too good.   Too *good*.  He pushes away frantically, groans at the wet suck of the kiss breaking.  Panting, forehead resting against Lex's forehead, he can barely speak:

"Sorry..."

And Lex pulls back to look at him.  Studies him with a strange half-smile on his lips.  Lips that stay parted, shiny.  Red.  Clark feels himself swaying toward them, but Lex holds him steady.

"I can't imagine what you're apologizing for," he says.  And Clark has to laugh.

"I don't know what I'm doing."

"I know the feeling."  Lex doesn't break eye contact as he leans in to mouth a kiss.  On Clark's jaw. Under the jaw.  Biting so soft it's just the pressure of teeth and Clark arches into it.  Swallows against the pressure of lips on his Adam's apple and Lex nuzzles in, suddenly deep, an open mouthed suckle in the tenderest angle of his throat.

"Lex!"  He shouts, sure he's going to come right there.  He doesn't, but it's rising in him and Lex won't let go, sucks harder, making him writhe.  Terrifying because he can feel his hands want to flex *hard*, and he'll break...

Lex lets go with a hard final suck.  So loud in the car it stuns him and Clark doesn't know what his body is trying to do now -- get more? Get away?  Burst into flames?  And God, not even a damn *joke*.  And...

"Okay,"  Lex says, settling back into the seat.  "Okay."  Mostly to himself as he picks up the brandy snifter from the mat, rights it on the bar.  Pours himself another drink.  Doesn't offer one to Clark who finally manages to unbend his legs, sit back himself.  Cautiously.  The pants are tight.  Silence stretching a bit as Lex inhales, swirls, sips.  Pats his pockets, pulls out an elegant looking little cigar.  Clips the end and rolls it through the invisible flame of his equally elegant lighter.  Puffs an ornate ghost of sweet smelling smoke that makes Clark instantly dizzy.  Not in a bad way, but...

"Does it bother you?" Lex asks, holding up the cigar.  The concern sounds reassuringly warm.

"No," Clark lies and, before the silence heals over:  "Are you mad?"

Lex looks up, brows raised in surprise.

"No," he says.  Then the half-smile: "Well, not 'angry'.  My mental stability is currently up for review."  Clark laughs.  Relieved.  Back on stable ground.  Joking around.

"Mine's a little--"

"Clark?"  Lex is suddenly intense.

"What?"

"I really want to suck you off."

He can't catch his breath for a second.  Like the words just stroked him.  And... oh.  *Ohhh*.  His mouth is suddenly achingly dry and he's... nodding.  Lex nodding back.

And dropping to his knees between Clark's thighs.  Brandy in one hand, cigar in the other.  The top of his naked head in view and Lex seems strangely young looking up at him like this.  Except for the heavy heat in his eyes.  Heat Clark can feel in his face, his belly, between his legs.  It makes him thrust up a little.

"Take yourself out for me, Clark."  Arches up again.  Voice like hot sand he wants to grind against and his hands are shaking enough that he crumbles the button trying not to tear the fabric.  And he doesn't stop, yanks at the zipper that thank god slides easily...

Hand in under the elastic of his briefs and the touch of his cool fingers on his own heated flesh is unbearable.  Makes him moan high in his throat.  A sound that makes Lex duck his head sideways and shake it, like a horse in the reins.

This is happening.

"Show me."  Breathless and  Clark starts at the sound, jerks his briefs down and he's... naked.  God, don't let him laugh.

Lex is not laughing.  Lex is looking up from his naked dick right into his eyes. Heat.  Lex is watching him intently and swallowing brandy, mouthing his cigar until the end is cherry bright.

Not looking away even when he lowers his head to exhale smoke and brandy, like a tender lick of flame all around his... cock.  Makes him shiver.  Makes him bold.  He skims his fingers across Lex's bare scalp, over his ears.  Lex's eyelids flutter to half-mast, and his 'ohh' is a little wild.  Clark does it again just as Lex lowers his head.  Lips, just the press of moist warmth against the head of his cock and...

"*God*"

...he is arching, fingers flexing.  Stroking.  More gently than gently.  God and god and god.

He's imagined this.  He just never believed it.  And it hasn't even started yet.  And Lex raises his head.  Looks at him so strangely.  If Clark weren't so heavy with need he could figure it out, but Lex doesn't give him a second.

"Do me a favor," he says and hands Clark the brandy snifter.  "Hold this."  Clark takes it.  "And this."  Takes the cigar in his other hand.  Wants to say something, apologize maybe for god knows what but Lex lowers his head again and heat that envelops him this time is blinding.

It's like rushing down a river.  It's nothing like rushing down a river.  It's golden.  It's electric.  It's liquid. It's... god.   He can't stop his hips.  Can't stop his head rolling side to side against the seatback.  He's a babbler, he discovers.  His mouth like a train panting out the words "Lex... Lex... Lex... oh *god* oh god... Lex... oh god..." Non-stop to the top of the hill.  He lasts about a minute and a half.

Comes like he has no brakes at all.  Skid of steel on steel couldn't make more sparks in his brain and he empties like a keg into Lex's throat.  With Lex's eyes on him like another shot and he can't stop twisting and pulsing and shooting.  Not while Lex is swallowing.  Swallowing.  Swallowing.  Feels sudden brief heat against his palm and Lex releases him at last and then it's done.

He floats for a minute, eyes closed, letting all the molecules of Clark that flew out into the universe fall back together.  Feels Lex shift between his legs and then his right hand is emptied.  Left.  Soft, almost-kiss by his ear and the scent of himself and without thinking he catches Lex as pulls away.  Pulls him in for a real kiss.  Lex's mouth so soft and open against his and the shocking taste of himself in Lex's mouth.  It should probably be gross.  It's unbelievably good.

He wishes he lived in the universe where he could ever tell this to Chloe, because she *has* to know about this.  And at the same time he thinks this the laugh starts bubbling up.   So *good*.  He wants to leap up and... dance or something.  Run as hard as he can just for the joy of it.  Laughing into Lex's mouth and he opens his eyes to find Lex right there.  Curve of a smile against his laughing mouth.  Surprised and pleased and a little amused.

"I take it you liked that."

"Oh my god, Lex.  Do people *know* about this?"

"Blow jobs?  Nope.  You're the first."  Clark can't help himself, pumps one fist in the air, shouts:  "Eureka!" at the top of his lungs.  Gets a laugh and a kiss for it.  A kiss that starts light but forgets to end.  Lex straddling his thigh, taking Clark's head in the cup of his hands, kissing and he kisses back and it's like they are passing the kiss back and forth between them and it's getting hotter.  He can feel Lex's hardness against his leg, the way Lex is rocking sort of helplessly.

It makes him feel a little crazy.  The buzz of it.  The new ache where nothing had ever been before.   And he wants to... wants to...  wrap himself around Lex.  Lay him back on the long, leather seat.  Drape himself over the lean body like a blanket.  Rock.  Still kissing and Lex unfolds, wraps one leg around the back of Clark's thigh, hands squeezing and kneading and roaming all lost over his back.

"Is this okay?" Clark whispers beside Lex's ear.

"Anything you do with me is okay."

"Riight."

"I mean it, Clark.  Anything."  Making a hot shiver run through him.

Anything.  And Clark's bad *bad* brain takes him *right* there.

Naked.

*Fucking*

In the back of the car here, on the smooth leather... Even though he's a little fuzzy on the specifics his body knows what it wants.  Thrust.  Hot.  Wet.  Tight. Thrust.   Already moving that way like there's some chance that's going to happen.  Except...

And he needs distraction because that is just too damn much.  Lex's neck is right there.  He dives for it, gets unbelievably soft pale skin between his teeth and sucks.  Shocked at the force of Lex's reaction.  The loud groan.

"Lex?"  Lex is breathing like he's been underwater.

"You're going to... mark me."  Something about the way he says it makes Clark want to bite again.  Harder.  But:

"Sorry."

"No."  Harsh.  "Again."  And oh, he has to.   Bite.  Suck.  While Lex struggles against him.  He needs more skin.  Pulls at Lex's tie.  His collar.  Open to the throat.  More.  Pulls at the studs.

"I'm going to wreck this."

"Yeah," Lex says.  "Wreck it."  Clark almost does.  He almost rips Lex's shirt in half, feels the silk shred a little under his fingers and makes himself slow down.  A lot.  All this pale skin there, just for him.  Pale freckles like little flecks of copper paper across Lex's chest.  Pale, pink nipples... as hard as little stones.   He mouths one experimentally.  Likes the breathed sound Lex makes, like wind in the cornfields and lowers his head to suck.  Mouth flat to Lex's chest, trying to keep suction and Lex' arches up to him, cups his head with his hand again -- no pressure just there... riding him.

Not resisting when he stops sucking to use his tongue to flick and taste, suck again, hard, nothing but there until he skims his teeth against the nub.   The hand fists in his hair.  Yanking before it can stop.  Doesn't let go, though.  Doesn't pull him off so he bites, gently.  More like trapping it in his teeth and he licks it while it's trapped there.  Bites again, a little harder.  Really loves the way Lex is not quite able to keep control over his hand, his hips, his breathing...  He can hear Lex's heart trip-hammering in his chest.  He lets go the nipple and lays his ear there.  Opens more shirt.

Lex's belly is flat and so white it's almost translucent.  He smells good everywhere.  Like warm skin and expensive clothes and... sex.  He smells like sex.  They're having *sex*.  Clark rubs his face across Lex's belly.  The skin seems to jump under his face.  Alive.  Breathing.  It feels so good.  Lex's stomach has hard muscle under the skin but Clark can see the shape of ribs.  Traces them with his fingers.    Looks up to see Lex watching him, mouth soft and open.  Eyes glassy with... with wanting him.  Lex wants him.

Fucking.

Naked.

He wants...

Lifts up enough to tug the shirt out of Lex's slacks, spreads it wide.  Takes in Lex so naked.  Nodding.  His hands skim the flat front of the black silk pants, finds Lex like iron underneath.

"Want to see you..."

"Yeah."

"Naked."

"Jesus.  Anything.  Anything you want."  His hands come down, meet Clark's at his fly.

Anything he wants.

"I'll do it," Clark says, pushing Lex's hands apart.  Lex nods silently.  Watching him with that same black heat.  Clark runs his hands over the fly, not so much to tease but because he's not sure how it's fastened.  Neat hidden zipper.  Buttons inside.  Opening them slowly, methodically.  The only way he can keep from just tearing them free.  Folding them back.  Lex is wearing pearl silk next to his skin.   Over his cock the silk is wet, slick,  nearly transparent.  It clings.  Clark swallows and peels the boxers down.

Heat.  The smell of sex sharp and warm and everywhere.  Lex's cock is pink.  And huge.  Although that could be because there is nothing hiding it.  All of it, base to tip and everything is pink and pale and hairless and Lex is bald as a kid.  All over.  It makes Clark's skin prickle with something that isn't quite fear.  Naked.   Makes him... want.  He dips his head.  Nuzzles Lex's cock with his cheek.  Slick hot flesh, painting him.  Rubs some more.  Turns his head until his lips just touch.  Slick on his lips and he presses a kiss.  Lets his tongue slip out to lick...  Hoping to God that he's not messing this up totally.  But... *God*.

Shuddering at the not-salt taste, at the sharp *something* that's driving him suddenly insane with lust.  Mouthing the shaft from the side and licking and lapping his way up to the head and wanting the head, whole.  Letting it pop into his mouth.  Closing his lips around it.  Slick on his tongue and it's in his nose, his blood.  He wants it all.

Sucks.  Wants to suck... cocksucker.  Wants to suck Lex's whole cock.  Lex's hands in his hair.  Legs writhing under him, trapped between his thighs.  Sucking and sucking because it feels so right in his mouth.  So right with the rough little gasps and grunts Lex is making.  And his mouth is so wet and Lex's cock is rubbing up against his palate and he wants to swallow it whole.

Swallows convulsively at the thought and the hard length in his mouth slides down into his throat.  Dizzying spread of his own flesh and Lex is... ohhh.

Making.  Noises.  Twisting frantic and hard under him and Clark... lets him.  Lets him thrust up, forcing more flesh into his throat -- his nose pressed flat and sudden into Lex's naked mound.  Wet there.  Knows he's drooling.  Swallowing.  Rushes of pleasure like it's his own cock and can't help but work his own hips, feel the weight of his untouched cock so hard again and Lex sounds like he's sobbing and he thinks he can hear his name in it and he just has to look.

Their eyes meet.  Lex is looking at him so... wide eyed, blank-faced... surprise? want? sheer terror?  but only for a second before something so powerful hits and rocks him up and rocks his head back, eyes rolling up as he arches silent and powerful into Clark and his cock pulses hard and again and this is Lex... coming.

All too immediate because he's not swallowing fast enough and it gets away from him, mouth full of come and it's pouring down his chin, pooling on Lex as he pulls back.  Lex's cock, sliding out of his throat, out of his mouth still brimming and it's so alien, so strange.  Should be disgusting but it's not.  Just... intimate.  Slick, hot.  Lex.  Weird flash of clean sheets on the line in his back yard.  His mother's laundry basket.  He wipes his mouth with the back of his hand.  More smeary than anything else but he's not going to use his four hundred dollar sleeve.

Lex is just lying there.  Boneless sprawl of him, black tuxedo shell split and peeled away to show the pink, soft flesh beneath.  Clark has the sudden urge to cover him.  Hide him.  Not sure why but he crawls up Lex's body and drapes himself over him.  A little better. Lex mmm's vaguely and makes ineffective hitching-over motions.  Clark smiles and wedges himself in.

Not really a cuddle but it's... nice.  Warm.  Lex completely relaxed against him.  Heart still thumping even as his breathing slows.  Clark swipes at his face again and Lex tries to grab his hand.  Misses.  Let's his hand fall back on his chest.

"Wow," Clark says, slow grin spreading.  "I've never seen you so... comatose."

"Smug bastard..." Lex mutters.  Brief smile blooms and fades.  Lex's face is wet with sweat.  Cheeks flushed.  Clark wonders when that became beauty to him, or if it always was.  Has to trace Lex's face with his fingers:  cheekbone, temple, over his ear -- which makes Lex shudder -- jaw, neck, shoulder.  His semi-hard-on stirs, nuzzles into Lex's hip.  Lex shifts a little.

"Sorry."

"Yeah, I really hate that."  So deadpan that he's honestly not sure until Lex's free hand comes up and grabs his head and pulls him down for a kiss.  A really really good kiss.  Opens his eyes to see Lex watching him from *this* close.  Does not know what the hell that look is but it does something to him.  Pulls a strange little sound from down inside.

Lex breaks the kiss but holds him, says right into his mouth:

"Did you get what you wanted, Clark?"  Intense.  Maybe a little edged.

"I... It was *amazing* Lex.  I mean..." He pressed his hard dick into Lex's leg by way of illustration.  And because it feels so...

"Yeah," Lex says.  Easing.  Letting him pull back a little.  "Yeah, it really was."  His head falls back on the seat and he lets out a long slow breath.  And Clark watches his face settle back into something calm and unreadable.  And it scares him.  It really does.  Lex is this close and still farther away from Clark than Lana ever was.  And only getting farther, so he makes himself ask it out loud.

"Did...you?"  Lex doesn't answer for a long time.  No sound in the car but distant, gentle roar of rubber on the road and Clark wonders how long they've been travelling.  Chilling somehow.

"Did I get what I wanted?"  Lex says finally.  He turns and looks  "Not everything."

Clark goes instantly rigid, tries not to, can't not.

"Okay," he says, trying not to pull away too fast, not to be rude about it because he really doesn't need Lex to see how much he can't deal.  "Okay I know I'm not very--"

Lex's hand tightening in his hair.

"I mean I still want more, Clark."

"Oh."  More.  But... more like in 'more sex'?  Or, 'more *than* sex'?  Or... God... what if it's 'more' like in nothing to do with sex at all.  Like in questions that make him sick and sweaty with terror.  Doesn't want to know but he has to.  Swallows.

"What do yo--"

And a chime dings, and Clark jumps.

"Sir?"  The voice from the speaker makes him blush, hard.

"Yeah?" Lex says, sounding impossibly normal for a man lying half-naked with another man on top of him.

"We'll be arriving in Metropolis in about 20 minutes, Mr. Luthor."

"Thanks."  And Lex is pulling away from Clark, sitting up.  Surveying the damage.  Clark just lies there watching him.  Not sure... of anything really.  He feels like when the alarm rings and tumbles him out of dreams.

"We're going to the concert now?"

"Of course," says Lex.  He pulls a small box out of a slot under the bar.  It contains towels.  He tosses one to Clark -- warm, wet, subtly scented. He scrubs at his face. "You didn't think I'd let you miss your first gala did you?"

Clark tries on a smile.

"I just... thought..."  And gets another of those odd, unreadable looks.  And Lex turns the light on inside himself and he's all bright smile and confidence.  Mr. Luthor.

"Sorry, kid," he says.  "The gala's only mostly fun.  The rest is business."

"Right.  Business."  Cleaning himself up as best he can, but still sticky.  Still smelling Lex's come underneath the jasmine-almond mask.  And by the time he's done Lex is perfect again.  Smoothly black and pale.

"Tie?" Lex says.  Clark nods.

"Thanks."  Lex does it from the front this time, not looking into Clark's eyes, so Clark is staring at his eyelids.  Pink and bare.  Like his cock.  And okay, knowing that just makes Clark smile.  Lex finishes and seems pleased enough to smile back.

And the car pulls to a stop.  Clark makes to open the door but Lex stops him with a hand.  Gives him a sly, conspiratorial grin that just melts him.  Laughs.

"Try looking a little less like the cat that got the canary, okay?"

"You mean the cream," says Clark.  Lex's mouth makes a small fake 'o' of shocked outrage and it's okay.  They're okay.  Still friends or... back to friends or... whatever.  But it's okay.  And the car door opens and there are lights and camera flashes and people who really honest to god glitter and the crowd is huge.  Clark's lost for a second in the lights, his feet come down on plush red carpet and he's not sure why he can't get up until he realizes it's Lex's hand on his shoulder.  Lex pulling him down to get his lips next to Clark's ear.  To say right in his ear, over the roar of brilliant Metropolis glamour event:

"Just so you know, on the way back I'm going to ask you to fuck me."  And Clark is still trying to remember how exactly he used to breathe when he could breathe, when Lex pushes him forward out of the car and into the brilliance of the night.

*