Crossroads - Chapter 3

by a campbell

Clark Kent/Lex Luthor, PG-13

____________________

Clark climbed the stairs to the loft on his return, bypassing the house. Mom would be home soon and would want to fix supper, but he still wasn’t hungry, and he couldn’t bear her questions right now, no matter how sincere and well-intentioned. His stomach was in knots, and he just wanted to nurse his wounds in private. He scuffed across the wood floor and flung himself on the worn sofa, squeezing eyelids shut to stave off the flow of tears that threatened to erupt.

This was very nearly the worst afternoon and evening of his life. The visit to Lex went about as badly as it possibly could have. A fiasco. Lex would probably never speak to him again, and, however desperate, Clark was too proud to go back there. So, that was that. It was over.

Clark let his palm glide down his chest over his stomach, probed at the small swell with questing fingers, almost fearfully. Tears burned the back of his throat when he thought: he’d let the baby down big time this afternoon. Lex wouldn’t help them; he’d never help them. Maybe never even know that he was a father.

He still had no solutions. Maybe, when the time came, he could at least do a caesarean with his heat vision. Of course, no one would be able to sew him up afterward. But even if it killed him, at least the baby might live. He’d leave Lex a long letter explaining everything, and begging that he’d take good care of their child after he was gone.

Maybe Lex would be sorry when he was dead. Wish he’d forgotten more readily all the grievances he had against Clark and just forgiven him for every lie, every deception, every blow, every wrong thing Clark had done to him, for every damn time Clark had let him down.

He didn’t want to think about it any more. Didn’t want to think at all. He was so tired…

Clark curled up in a tearful ball on the threadbare cushions and lost himself in sleep.

**

He awoke at dusk to find Lex standing at the foot of the couch, looking down at him. Clark squinted. I must still be asleep, he thought, rubbing his eyes. He wondered if he could cling to blessed oblivion and prolong the illusion for just a bit longer. He squeezed his eyes shut, then opened them again, hardly daring to breathe.

The vision was still there, standing there in the black wool coat, same troubled, thoughtful expression.

“Hi,” Clark mumbled, voice thick with sleep. He waited for Lex to vanish into the air at the sound of words in the cool, dark air of the loft.

Lex didn’t disappear. He didn’t answer, either, but sank slowly down at the foot of the couch. He looked off toward the stairs and into the darkness, not meeting Clark’s eyes, cryptic as the Egyptian Sphinx.

Was he still angry? Clark couldn’t tell. He struggled to sit up on his elbows and moistened dry lips with his tongue. “You’re the last person I expected to see tonight.”

Lex still didn’t look his way. “I imagine so.”

Clark thinned his lips and waited, one hand smoothing the afghan that covered his body to the waist.

Lex glanced over at him with a heavy sigh. “Clark, I was out of line before at the mansion, and I apologize.”

Clark could almost feel his eyes widen. Lex Luthor rarely apologized to anyone, for anything. A faint flicker of hope stirred in his chest.

“Doesn’t matter. Not like I haven’t been out of line more than once.” His lips curved in an anxious smile. “You owed me.”

“Yes, but I pride myself on my self-control. If you don’t know that by now, you should.”

“Lex, you can’t say you’ve always shown extreme self-control around me.”

Lex ducked his head with a quick grin that appeared and disappeared so fast Clark almost thought he had imagined it. He could feel the heat spark, kindle in the air between them.

A quick swipe of palm over mouth and a grimace of frustration from Lex.

“So, it’s all true?”

Clark laid his hand on Lex’s arm. “All of it. Lex, I’m through lying to you. For good. Promise. I’m just sorry it took so long for me to come clean.”

“Funny: I believe you.” Lex turned to Clark then and smiled, his beautiful, sleek smile, eyes going sleepy and seductive. “I’ll believe anything you say. Just try me.”

Clark choked on tears. "I’m missed you so much. Please, Lex—"

Lex leaned over and reached to frame Clark’s face with his hands. Clark moaned, let his eyes drop shut, and pulled Lex close for a kiss: hot, wet, desperate and grateful. He fell back on the couch.

**

Clark wasn’t sure how long they’d lain huddled under the afghan after the best sex ever, even though neither of them had taken the time to remove more than a piece or two of clothing. The hunger, desire had been too intense to deny.

Clark plucked at Lex’s sleeve and cuddled in closer with a sigh. Maybe they should get out of this habit of having sex in place of talking things out. It had certainly caused its share of problems, one of which was nestled under Clark’s ribs right now. But it was such a great habit...He smiled as he felt Lex stroke his hair.

“So,” began Lex in that silk-sleek voice that always sent a tremble down Clark’s spine and thighs. “Why today, of all days?”

“Full moon?” Clark deadpanned, then chuckled. “Except that I’ve wanted to tell you for ages, there’s a big reason right now.” Getting bigger by the minute, too, he thought with bleak humor.

“I’m not proud of the way things have gone between us, either. I’m glad finally to know for sure and to have heard it from you. But I still want to know why you decided to come clean today, after years of secrecy.”

“There’s something else I have to tell you that’s even more important—something you have a right to know, and I’m really scared, so just bear with me.” But he wasn’t as afraid as he’d been earlier today, buoyed up by the realization that Lex had heard his secret, and had come to him tonight. He knew, and still came, and things weren’t that different. Yet.

“More important?” The old look was back on Lex’s face, appreciation, warmth, interest. Avid curiosity. God, how he’d missed that expression over the past couple of years.

Clark took the deepest breath his lungs would hold. “That you’re going to be a father.”

The silence seemed to last eons. Clark summoned all his strenth to hold Lex’s gaze and try not to tremble as he watched the color drain from Lex’s cheekbones.

“What the hell are you talking about?” Voice low, flat and matter of fact, Lex hesitated for a mere beat before continuing. “If that’s a joke, it’s hardly funny.”

“It’s no joke,” Clark mumbled bleakly. He could see Lex flipping mentally through the catalog of all possible female candidates for the mother of his child, a scan that took near a minute before the light bulb came on.

“Clark, you don’t expect me to believe that Lana would confide in you? You’re not exactly her favorite person right now. It’s not possible, at any rate. Only fools don’t use protection. And I know you think I’m a fool, Clark--”

Clark shook his head. “You’re not a fool, Lex.”

“Then where did you come up with this crazy notion?” With an uneasy thinning of his lips, he turned a dark, worried gaze back to Clark, as though trying to read his inmost secrets once again.

“Lex, it isn’t Lana who’s pregnant. It’s me.”

Lex looked at him, blank for a moment, then incredulous, and Clark would have laughed himself and wished for a camera if this hadn’t been so serious. Lex made a scoffing sound, almost a snort, and laughed. “Good joke, Clark.

“No, it’s really true. Please,” Clark shifted closer to Lex on the sofa, and Lex looked almost frightened as he drew back. Clark fumbled for Lex’s hand and pushed up his flannel shirt with the other. Lex tried to tug his hand back, but Clark held tight. He pressed Lex’s cool, reluctant fingers on the warm flesh that covered and protected the embryo and looked up at Lex’s dazed face.

“Feel that,” he commanded in a whisper so unexpectedly forceful he surprised even himself.

Lex eyes grew large and dark; he swore under his breath, then flinched and drew back his hand when Clark loosened his grip. “Clark, you have a tumor. You need to see a doctor right away. I’ll get you the best specialist--”

“Lex, it’s no tumor. Remember: powers? I can see inside myself. It’s a baby. Really small at this point, but there’s no doubt. A baby: yours and mine.”

“No,” Lex insisted. “That’s not possible.”

“I wouldn’t have thought it was, either, but it’s happened. Somehow.”

As close to frantic as Clark had ever seen him, Lex was shaking his head, dazed and looking as though he wished he were anywhere else. “No, Clark, this is impossible.”

Clark made a deliberate effort to stay calm and hold Lex’s gaze with his own. “What about what I told you this afternoon? Wouldn’t you have said that’s impossible, too? I’m not crazy. I’m just—different. Really different.”

Lex was really quiet for a long moment. He stood, strode over to the window, and looked out into the damp darkness, biting his lip. Clark rose to his feet, too, and stepped over near him, but not too close.

“And I thought you made that clear enough this afternoon. God, Clark. What is this: alien biology?”

“I guess it must be.” Clark, suddenly needy, opened his arms again.

“It’s crazy, insane.” And despite his words, Lex approached.

“Tell me about it,” said Clark with a glum roll of his eyes. He leaned in close again, as Lex tensed, then relaxed in Clark’s welcoming embrace. Clark teased Lex’s lips open with his tongue for a kiss, warm, long, sweet.

“How long have you known about this?” Lex asked when he’d caught his breath again.

“A couple of months.” Clark brushed half-open lips over Lex’s scalp, loosened his grasp with reluctance.

Lex considered Clark’s words for a moment or two. “How do you know it’s mine?”

Clark’s heart gave an unpleasant jolt. “How do you think?” How didn’t mean to snap, but Lex’s question really hurt. “Like I’ve slept with anyone else that could get me pregnant? There hasn’t been anyone but you for months.”

“I didn’t mean that,” Lex hastened to assure him. “I just thought, maybe your species reproduces itself. How do you know for sure?”

“I just know,” Clark grumbled. “It’s yours: trust me.”

“I didn’t mean...of course, I believe you, Clark.”

They stood for a few more minutes in silence, looking out over the sodden fields. Eventually, Clark turned to find Lex gazing fixedly at him. He waited.

Lex leaned in, peered close, with a gentle touch to his cheek. “Are you all right?”

Clark smiled, throat tight at the softness and concern in Lex’s voice. He nodded. “I am, now that you’re here. And now that you know. I know you’ll help me figure out what to do.”

Lex exhaled. “We’ll come up with an answer, Clark. Somehow. But now, I have to go.”

Clark fought the impulse to protest. He offered another weak grin. “Lana’s waiting, huh?”

Lex didn’t answer. As he stepped toward the stairs, he weaved a little.

Clark, concerned, followed, grasping his elbow to steady him. “Lex, you sure you’re all right?”

“Yeah,” said Lex. “Just a little taken aback. I need some time to wrap my mind around this one. But I will, trust me.”

As they headed for the stairs together, Clark stumbled. Lex caught him by the arm this time to keep him from falling.

“What’s up?” asked Lex in alarm.

“Just a little dizzy. Guess I haven’t eaten much today.”

“God, well, eat. I’ll get you whatever you want. Just name it.”

“Strawberry shortcake with jalapenos. I’m kidding,” Clark insisted, amused at the way Lex’s eyes widened in astonishment. “Never mind. Mom will fix supper for me if I go over to the house. I haven’t even seen her for a couple of days.”

“Okay, well, then...till later. Just make sure you eat.”

“I will. Till later.” Clark reached out to grasp Lex’s hand one last time and was relieved at the answering clasp he received in response.

**

Clark’s cell rang about seven minutes later as he finished trudging down the loft stairs. Lex’s name and number displayed on the screen. He picked up without saying anything. Lex couldn’t be home yet, even at the speeds he drove.

“Clark?”

“Yeah?” He slowed to a stop on the ground floor.

“Just checking to make sure I didn’t dream that conversation we just had.”

“What a nightmare, huh?” Clark choked back a grim chuckle. “Nope, it was no dream. It was real.”

There was a brief silence, then a heavy sigh. Clark waited.

Lex’s quiet voice held a tinge of wonder. “I’m going to be a father.”

“If everything goes okay,” Clark hastened to reply.

“It will,” said Lex. “It must.” And when Lex sounded that confident of things, Clark couldn’t help feeling hopeful, too.

“And you’re going to be what: a mother?” Lex broke into a rare hearty laugh as Clark felt the blush mount into his cheeks.

I’m not a girl, Lex, he wanted to say. He settled for: “I guess we’ll both be dads.”

Clark waited for Lex’s next comment. When it didn’t come, he spoke again. “What will happen, Lex?”

“Wait and see. But everything’s going to be okay. Are you eating?”

“I will be. Don’t worry.”

“Don’t forget! Have you told your mom?”

“Not yet. I know I have to.”

“Well, we’ll tell her tomorrow. Together. I’ll be over at 9.”

“Okay.” Clark was willing to accept any direction offered. “’Night.”

He snapped the phone shut. Lex hadn’t said he loved him, or offered any specifics about the future.

But that was okay, he told himself. Clark chastised himself mentally for his doubts and fought to be patient. Even geniuses need time to think things through.

The first welcome rumblings of hunger stirred in his stomach as he strode across the yard past Martha’s parked car and on through the evening mist to the brightly-lit farmhouse.

_________________

Feedback is welcome at amoss53@yahoo.com

Return to homepage