Raspberry Harvest

by a campbell

Smallville, Clark Kent/Lex Luthor

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(I stole the name, "Jonathan" for the Kent baby from "Unexpected," by Nix, one of the first Smallville fics it was my pleasure to read.

This fic is for dear Cleo, for being the kind, caring and thoughtful friend she is. Please forgive me, though, Cleo: I just couldn't have the guys call each other "Babe," even once! Even for you!

Warning: there's a baby in this fic, but the mush-and-sap factor is low.

Stick around after the story for the bonus recipe!

Thanks to kind, perceptive and helpful betas: Elizabeth and Signe. The picture is by Signe.

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7:24.

Lex looked at his watch as he climbed the front steps of the Kent farmhouse. I'm never out here at the farm this early on a Sunday morning, he thought with some dismay. Temperatures had been record-breaking even for late July, near one hundred all week, and the farm fields would be baking in the prairie heat in an hour or two. As of now, though, the sun was barely up, and a refreshing, almost cool breeze had greeted him as he stepped from his car.

Too early. But, here he was. To spend the morning with Clark, picking raspberries. Because Clark needed some attention.

Lex sighed. It wasn't as though he wasn't always happy to see Clark. Or as if he didn't love him with all the breath in his being. But the week ahead was going to be busy, and making time for this outing had challenged every time-management skill in his possession.

Two nights before, the boys had lain in Clark's loft hammock, despite the summer heat and buzzing flies, coming to terms with the fact that their time together would have to be curtailed, or at least more specifically scheduled, after Lex tied the knot with Helen Bryce next week. Lex was confident that they could pull it off seamlessly. Clark wasn't so sure.

Clark was fuming. And sulking. Lex had his work cut out for him.

"Nothing really has to change, Clark. She knows how I feel about you." Lex let one finger trail idly down Clark's chest before leaning over for a slow kiss. Clark returned the kiss, but responded with a heavy sigh, not a smile, before he spoke.

"She's okay with it?" His shuttered expression was beginning to worry Lex.

"She said so." Lex tugged the collar of his shirt open, sending one of the buttons flying. "God, it's hot."

"I don't believe it," Clark hissed, and turned on his side to face Lex, almost upsetting the hammock.

"Ouch," Lex complained. "Careful, Clark." Their legs tangled hopelessly as they both tried to straighten out. Clark huffed in impatience as he frowned, and Lex touched a gentle finger to the young man's mouth, smiling at the perspiration beading his upper lip, glistening and moist on the thin film of five-o-clock shadow. Clark pulled away. "I told her, and she agreed it was all right. Trust me."

"If you believe it, Lex, you can't be as smart as I've always thought you were. How can she be?" Clark spat the words, swatting at Lex's other hand, which was wandering toward his crotch. Lex let his moving fingers slow to a stop.

"Trust me, Clark," Lex said again. "She is."

"She doesn't know everything. About us. Does she?" To Lex, it sounded more like an accusation than a question. Coming from mild-mannered Clark, this was hostility.

"She knows enough." Lex knew he should be meeting Clark's intent green gaze with his own, but somehow he couldn't manage this at the moment. The heat was making him tired, he thought. Instead, he stared up into the darkness of the rafters, hands behind his head.

"That's not fair, Lex. To her, or to me."

"It doesn't matter," said Lex, still not looking at him. "She'll get used to it. Get used to us." He turned, then, stole an arm over Clark's side and brushed smooth lips across the young man's brow, giving him a minute to calm down before he continued.

"Clark," Lex sighed, low and tried to make his voice as soothing as possible. "You're just edgy right now. Feeling 'displaced,' that's all." Martha had come home from the hospital with the new baby, a boy named after Jonathan, just a few days before.

Clark reached for the pillow that had fallen on the floor and thumped Lex irritably on the head with it. "Stuff it. You're getting married, for God's sake. 'Edgy' isn't the word for it!"

"Clark, it has to be. And, you're mature enough to accept it."

"You say so. Don't tell me to like it, though. 'Spose you'll want me to call before I come over, now. Make an appointment."

Clark was flinging himself into pouting mode with reckless abandon, Lex thought, doing "brat" incredibly well. But he knew hurt feelings were the real cause. He sighed, reaching to ruffle Clark's dark curls with one hand. Clark shrugged him off again, and Lex gave him a gentle shove. "Come on," he said, his voice low and beseeching. "You're just making it worse."

Clark rolled over to sit up, and then turned to Lex with an expression of forced brightness which crumpled and dissolved almost immediately. Lex looked away briefly, and then back at Clark with a focused intensity that caused Clark to swallow, hard.

"I know you're upset, Clark. I don't blame you. But, she'll be cool with it, I promise," Lex spoke steadily, holding Clark's gaze. "Because I'm not giving you up."

Clark looked away, and exhaled a long breath, biting his lip. For a few moments, there was silence in the loft. Lex hauled himself out of the hammock, and stood up, brushing dust from his clothes. He walked over to the big, open window and looked out into the humid darkness.

Clark spoke again to Lex's back, his voice low, beseeching. "Why do you have to get married? You love me, I know you do. Why can't it just be the two of us, at least for awhile. You know how bad it turned out the last time."

"That was a mistake, Clark," Lex's slight shrug dismissed the comment. "Over and done."

"I thought you said you'd be more careful next time. So what's the big, fat hurry?"

Lex exhaled a long breath, and turned around, trying to ignore the palpable charged attraction that always seemed to thrum in the air between them. "I am being more careful. Helen is not Desiree. Or Alison, or whatever her name was."

Clark flashed a glare of what looked like pure jealousy in Lex's direction before turning over on his side. Lex reminded himself to be patient. That Clark was still young, had only just turned seventeen. He told himself, too, that he'd expected this sort of reaction. Now, he just had to defuse it.

"I hate it," Clark muttered. He got to his feet and threw himself down on the couch. Lex came over to sit beside him, putting a gentle but firm hand on his arm. Clark stared at the ceiling.

"Clark, look at me." And Clark did, swallowing hard as he obeyed.

"Clark, you know I'm an ambitious man."

"Yeah, you could say that," said Clark with a shrug, tensing. Still, he didn't shake off Lex's hand this time, but slid one of his own over it, kneading as Lex spoke.

"Maybe you don't realize how important the Luthor family is to me, despite what I might say, or do, at times." Lex grasped Clark's hand and held it still, stroking the back with his thumb.

Clark shifted with what seemed to Lex like discomfort. "I figured they were, but you never actually said so. Not in so many words. Sometimes you seemed to hate being a Luthor."

Lex's half-smile was almost imperceptible as he continued. "I have an image to establish and maintain. Successful businessmen generally have wives, not husbands. And that's not all, Clark. To seal my inheritance, I need offspring. And that's something you can't give me, unless there's more about you I don't know."

Clark responded with an embarrassed chuckle, and Lex continued.

"I have to get married, for that. Now do you understand?"

Clark nodded, considering, and Lex noticed how pensive his gaze grew. "I guess," Clark grumbled, after a moment, as though he were trying to resist cheering up. "Wouldn't want Lucas to get everything, that's for sure."

Lex was quiet for a few moments. "Clark, I wouldn't say this to anyone else, even to Helen. I'm never afraid of anything. I don't allow myself to be afraid. But the thought of being a parent...." Lex shrugged, swallowed hard, and clasped his hands in front of him.

Clark's expression betrayed a dawning awareness, and his eyes grew round. "You're scared, Lex?"

"Yeah."

"Why?"

Lex ran a hand over his perspiring scalp, moistening his lips with his tongue before speaking. "I want to be a good father. And I'm not convinced that will be so easy."

"Lex, you're successful at everything you do. Why should that be any different?"

Lex clasped his hands between his knees, and looked at the floor. "Look at the role model I've had. I don't want my child to feel about me someday the way I feel about Lionel."

"Oh." murmured Clark, and Lex continued as though talking to himself.

"I really wouldn't have to be that involved. There are always au pairs, servants. I'd rather do better than that, though."

Clark was quiet a moment, and then leaned closer to Lex, his voice serious. "Lex, you're not your father. You've got to remember that. You don't have to repeat all his mistakes."

"We'll see, Clark. I hope so. Right now, I have to go." Lex gave Clark's fingers a lingering squeeze before getting to his feet. Clark stretched, and sat up, too, tossing his overlong hair back from his eyes.

"So, do we at least get to spend some time together beforehand?" he wondered. He seemed to be trying to be more cheerful, but his gaze was still subdued. The wedding was Friday evening, exactly one week away. "How long did you say the honeymoon was going to last?"

"Several years, at least," Lex chuckled. "No. A week."

"So, I won't see you for over two weeks. I'll never make it!" Clark's needy moan was enough to melt Lex's resolve.

"Let me think," said Lex. "I could come over early Sunday." He let his voice go silken, coaxing as he sat back down beside Clark once again. Sliding one hand up under Clark's t-shirt, he tweaked a nipple. Clark flinched, broke down, and smiled. "But then, I have an appointment in the afternoon, and next week is booked solid."

"Sunday morning?" Clark sounded doubtful. "Won't exactly be quality time. Dad's got me scheduled. Unless you want to help me with the berry picking. Has to be done early, before it gets too hot." He reached up under his shirt to put one hand over Lex's, which still lingered on Clark's chest.

"I don't know," Lex shook his head. "What will your dad say?" He looked at his watch, wondering how soon he could slip away. The heat was making him irritable, his clothes were sticking to him, and, much as he treasured time with Clark, he wanted a shower and sleep. And, considering the mood Clark was in, there wasn't going to be any sex tonight.

"It's weird," said Clark, stretching and flexing his long arms. "Since you stayed with us a few months ago, Dad seems to pretty much think you're okay all the time. He even says good things about you when you're not here. I don't think we need to worry! It'll be fun." He turned to wrap Lex in an embrace, and suddenly Lex could almost see the light dawning, the idea-bulb flashing "on" over Clark's head. His eyes widened, his smile broad as he pulled back.

"What is it?" Lex's voice came out almost cautious as he waited for Clark's response. He was relieved that Clark seemed to be over his funk, but sometimes he hardly knew what to expect when volatile teenage emotions were involved.

"Lex," said Clark, his words tumbling breathlessly over each other as he spoke. "We're both forgetting something very important. Mom just had a baby, remember? So, after we do the berries, let's babysit. This is the perfect time for you to practice your parenting skills. With Jon."

Lex tried to suppress a twist of discomfort. At the very least, his instincts were to dig in his heels. "I don't know," he waffled. "We'll have to see how much time we have. There'll be time for the berries. I don't know about time with the baby."

But Clark was already beaming, and scheming. Lex could tell.

And Lex gave him the slightest, most skeptical grin he could manage, but rested content.

He seemed to be forgiven, for the moment.

____________________

So, here he was. Knocking on the Kents' door at 7:30 a.m., in jeans and a t-shirt, a cooler of iced bottled water in hand.

"'Morning, girl." Lex held out a hand as Ladybird bounded up the steps behind him. The dog snorted with delight as she sniffed at his hand.

Clark opened the screen door with a full mouth, and a piece of toast, liberally slathered with plum preserves, in his hand. He chewed and swallowed. "Hi." He broke off a corner of his toast and tossed it in Ladybird's direction. The dog leaped up and caught it on the fly.

"Hi, yourself." Lex couldn't help catching his breath at the sight of Clark this morning. White t-shirt, snug jeans, bare feet. Eyes wrinkling into a smile, making his heart flip.

"Come on in. Glad you're here." Clark held the door open.

Lex stepped into the kitchen, which was cool, thanks to the two fans facing each other across the room, running at high speed. The gingham curtains fluttered wildly in the cross breezes."I am, too, Clark. These past couple of weeks have been hectic beyond belief."

"Tell me about it!" said Clark, setting the half-eaten slice of toast on the counter. "Harvest starting, your wedding coming up, and a new Kent family member, all at once! Hectic isn't the word for it!"

"Come up with a better one, then," Lex challenged. Clark grinned, reached out, and reeled him in with strong arms.

"Missed you," he murmured, bending to mouth Lex's neck. Lex caught his breath, a cool shiver running through his body at Clark's touch.

"I never asked how you feel about jam," Clark's voice was soft and warm, his breath cooling the wet spot on he'd left on Lex's skin.

Lex knew what was coming, but he shrugged, playing along. "I don't know." Clark's t-shirt was damp with perspiration that was already seeping into the fabric of his own shirt, and the toned muscles of Clark's ribcage rippled against his chest.

"Well, tell me now," Clark leaned in with open lips and teased Lex's mouth open with the tip of his tongue, then moved in for a kiss. Lex could taste the flavor of the ripe plum jam that still lingered in Clark's mouth. He closed his eyes as Clark slipped his tongue in between his lips just to tease, then pushed it in, letting it almost fill Lex's mouth. Lex responded with a muffled gasp of pleasure. Clark pulled back after a moment, and gazed at him with burning eyes.

"That help you decide?" he whispered, touching a gentle finger to Lex's cheek.

"Yeah," Lex tensed, coughed, and cleared his throat. "Okay, Clark. Your parents are upstairs. Let's put the brakes on it for now."

"Okay," Clark agreed, relaxing his grip with reluctance as Lex pulled away. Lex smoothed his hands down the front of his jeans with a quick intake of breath, desperately willing his unbidden erection to subside.

We broke that off just in time, he thought, swallowing hard, as he heard the scuff of Jonathan's boots on the landing. With a deep breath, he sat down quickly on one of the kitchen stools so his lower body was concealed by the counter, and exhaled, trembling.

"You'll like the raspberries even better," Clark predicted, a wicked sparkle in his eye. "They're one of the best things to harvest."

He's really enjoying this, frazzled Lex thought, willing the blood to subside from his cheeks.

"Think you boys will be able to handle it?" said Jonathan as he reached the bottom step. He came forward to shake Lex's hand in greeting. "Glad you could make it, Lex. Clark will be glad of the help."

"Morning, Mr. Kent," said Lex, trying to appear cool and collected, as Jonathan walked over to the counter beside the sink and switched the coffeemaker to "on". He hoped desperately that Clark's father wouldn't think him rude for staying seated for the handshake, but he didn't have much choice right now.

"How about some breakfast, Lex?" Clark offered, rummaging about on top of the refrigerator to review the available cereal selections. "We've got toast and three different kinds of cereal: Corn Flakes, Corn Chex, or Corn Pops."

"Something without 'corn,'" Lex joked. "No, thanks. I've had breakfast."

"What did you have?" asked Clark.

"Mineral water, coffee." Clark looked at him askance.

"You're going to get hungry," he warned.

"I never eat before noon," Lex said. "I'll take more coffee when it's ready, though."

"Well," said. Clark. "There's real food for lunch. And don't tell me you're not staying. The sandwiches are already made. Tuna and egg salad. If you don't like either of those, there's always peanut butter and jam." He flashed Lex a conspiratorial grin. "But, you've got to have something. Mom insists. She said, 'Make sure Lex eats. Don't let him spend the whole day working on an empty stomach. Berries don't count.'"

"How is Martha?" asked Lex.

"Fine--" began Clark.

"Tired--"Jonathan started to say. Father and son both broke off, looked at each other, and laughed.

Clark held up his hands. "You do the talking, Dad."

"Resting right now," Jonathan finished.

"But, you get to see the baby later, don't worry," Clark continued, beaming, too excited to stay quiet. "Mom says you can even hold him. She must trust you. She didn't trust me, at first. Did she, Dad?"

"No," Jonathan admitted, "Or me, either." He chuckled as he turned on the faucet and ran his cow mug under the stream of water.

"Maybe she shouldn't," said Lex thoughtfully, "I haven't held a baby since Julian." He shifted on the stool, and frowned, looking almost worried for a moment.

"Well, then, it's about time," Jonathan set his mug on the counter and pulled another from the dish drainer for Lex. "Have to get some practice in for when you have kids of your own."

"Dad's thinks it's cool that you're getting married," Clark observed around his last mouthful of toast. His voice was light and casual, but he didn't meet Lex's eyes.

"Thanks, Mr. Kent." Lex looked down, his mouth twitching at the corners.

"Just be prepared," said Jonathan. "That new babies are up for most of the night!" And Lex noticed, as he held his hand out for the full mug of coffee, that Jonathan did look tired, a little pale, with circles under his eyes. But that, even fatigued, he looked happy.

"I slept through it all," grinned Clark, and Jonathan grimaced, giving him a playful smack on the arm, which Clark pretended to duck.

"I'll wake you up tonight so you can take a turn!" Jonathan vowed. "Since school's out for the summer!"

"I dare you, Dad," Clark chuckled, and poured out a bowl of cereal, which he doused with milk as he continued talking. "You know what I'm like when I'm woken out of a sound sleep!" He grabbed a glass from an upper cupboard shelf and filled so full of milk that he had to bend down and sip from the side of the glass before picking it up.

"Make sure you get enough berries, guys" said Jonathan, filling his cup with black coffee and then topping it off almost to overflowing with cream. "Your mother says she wants us to flash freeze them, so she can bake pies when she's feeling up to it again." He bent down to rummage in the basket of berry-picking gear Clark had assembled: small baskets, Lex's sunscreen and cooler, rags, gardening gloves. "Give Pete a call," Jonathan continued, "An extra pair of hands will help."

Lex felt himself freeze, and Clark, in the middle of a giant swig of milk, choked. "I think he's busy today, Dad. His family goes to church on Sunday mornings."

"Darn," said Lex, shaking his head, and making Clark laugh as he swiped his mouth with the back of his hand. Jonathan smiled, too, shaking his head, as he blew on, then sipped, his coffee.

"Okay," said Clark, on his last mouthful of cereal. Tipping up his bowl, he drained the last of the milk. "Ready to go, Lex? Geez, I don't know how you guys can drink coffee in this heat!" He grabbed light socks and a pair of sneakers from the mat by the door and sat down to pull them on.

"This morning, Son," Jonathan declared soberly, "it's a necessity."

Lex placed his mug in the sink. "Let's get started, then."

"And, take the "Buzz Off," in case the bugs are bad," Jonathan poured himself a second cup and grabbing the Sunday funnies. "I'll be heading out to the corn, in a bit. You can help me with that, tomorrow, Clark."

"Geez, Dad. One thing at a time!"

"It never rains but it pours," said Jonathan.

Clark rolled his eyes in Lex's direction.

"First things first, Dad," said Clark. He finished tying his second sneaker and stood up. "Come on, Lex."

____________________

Lex sneaked his first taste of berries as soon as he could. The flavor sent him careening back to his childhood, remembering the one straggling raspberry bush that had clung to the backyard fence of the farmhouse on the Montana farm he and his mother had visited for vacations long ago. The rest of the bushes had been thinned and transplanted elsewhere a long time previously, but this one had remained. For some reason, he always went looking for that bush immediately when he arrived, expecting every summer that it would be gone. But he always found it waiting for him. He would only find three or four berries among the few leaves it bore each season, but they seemed to taste better because of their scarcity, even the ones that were unripe, and half white. Today, at the Kents, he could eat his fill. He tried to keep his consumption down to modest levels, though, only popping one now and then as he knelt on the ground beside a row of the bushes. Clark, on the other hand, gobbled them left and right, almost nonstop.

"Sell many of these?" Lex wondered, thinking as he watched that, by the time Clark was done snacking, there wouldn't be many left.

"Not really," said Clark. "Can't charge enough to make it worthwhile. Most of them we just eat, freeze, or give away. Mom makes this great dessert with crushed-up cookies, berries, butter and whipped cream. I've been known to eat a panful all on my own." He stood up, stretched, and aimed a huge handful of the berries at his mouth. The ones that didn't make it fell on the ground. "Oops." Ladybird, who had followed them out from the house, sniffed at the berries where they had fallen, but lost interest almost at once. She bounded at Lex, nudging at his calf with a wet nose. He leaned over to stroke her smooth coat.

"You could charge folks to come pick their own."

"Yeah, we could. But Mom usually just gives them to people."

Lex plucked one berry from the push before him, and rolled it between his fingers. He popped it delicately into his mouth, and rolled it around on his tongue before letting it dissolve.

The air was already hot and muggy. He brushed an arm across his moist brow, then looked up at Clark, who had slowed his berry-gathering to a stop and was looking down at him with a proud, almost possessive expression. Lex could almost see his gaze light up with a spark of heat as their eyes met. Lex sat back on his heels, noticing how Clark's white shirt, stained with berry juice and perspiration, clung to his chest. He's stayed semi-aroused since they'd been in Clark's house, and all at once he ached for Clark's mouth, tinted crimson from the raspberries, wanted those lips on his. Clark let one hand wander down, tantalizing, over the front of his pants. Lex watched, hardly daring to breathe, everything seeming suspended in the midmorning sun. In a moment, Clark dropped to his knees beside Lex, and bent in for a kiss, as though he'd read Lex's mind. He took one of Lex's hands and pressed it to his crotch, so Lex could feel his erection.

Lex moistened his lips, aiming to keep his tone light. "What's the occasion?" he said, his voice surprising him by coming out husky, instead.

"Being around you," said Clark. He pulled Lex to his feet and drew him in for a deeper, wetter kiss, and Lex could almost feel himself melting in Clark's embrace.

Clark reached down for a handful of the berries without releasing his grip. He rolled one between his fingertips and held it to Lex's mouth. "Open," he murmured, nudging at his lips with the ripe fruit.

Lex obediently parted his lips, and Clark slipped the berry between them. Then leaned in for another kiss, pushing the berry further into Lex's mouth, crushing it with the pressure of his tongue.

"Tastes good," Clark murmured in a throaty voice, letting his free hand wander down Lex's side and over his thigh.

Lex swallowed and shrugged, looking away.

"What is it?" Clark's eyes darkened with concern; he reached up to grasp Lex's chin gently and turn his face back toward him.

"So," said Lex. "Did you really invite Pete today?"

"What do you think?" Clark whispered, letting both arms steal around Lex's waist before giving him a gentle squeeze. ""Three's a crowd, remember?" Clark bent in to nibble an earlobe. "You look great today, Lex."

"The mosquitoes seem to think so, too."

Clark tightened his embrace. "I want you," he said, drawing back to meet Lex's gaze. And Lex felt himself flush, uncharacteristically, at the passion and intensity in Clark's expression. Or, maybe it was the heat of the hot summer morning.

Lex swallowed, and took a deep breath. "Clark," he said, "Let's take a break. It's hot, and these flies..." Lex swatted at the bugs with an open palm, then regarded Clark with cool curiosity. "Funny. The bugs don't seem to be bothering you."

"They are," Clark insisted. "Trust me. They just know you taste better." He squinted up at the sun, as if to ascertain what time it was. "Want to go back to the house? Dad's probably in the fields by now. Mom's probably still asleep."

Lex shook his head. "No. Somewhere else. But, where?"

Clark thought a moment. His glance, when he looked back at Lex, was shy and sleek. "Sure," he said. "The well house is just on the edge of the wheat field. It's cool there."

Lex pulled off his gloves and threw them into the supply basket. "So, lead the way."

____________________

The well house had been on the Kent Farm property since long before the Kents had owned it. It pre-dated the present farm house. The late-morning heat was kept at bay by the thick fieldstone walls, and the interior of the old building was cool, although it had been many years since food had been stored there or since the stone trough on the floor had actually held water. Lex felt refreshed the moment he stepped inside.

Clark picked up the cooler that held the iced water, fished out and uncapped a bottle."Have some, Lex."

Lex took a big gulp of the water and held it long enough to chill his mouth before he swallowed. "Clark," he beckoned with one hand. "Come here."

Clark stepped over, smiled, and waited. Lex smiled back, then, his gaze darkened. He pushed Clark against the wall, attacking with vigorous kisses, making Clark gasp with shock and delight at the coldness of his mouth.

Lex broke the kiss and smoothed a hand down the front of Clark's jeans, outlining the head of his erection with a fingertip. "So hard already," he whispered, shaking his head as though Clark were an exasperating child.

Clark, grinning, took a deep breath. "Cold kisses. Great. Especially when you're giving them. Not to be missed."

"Yeah..." breathed Lex. "I wanted to share that with you. This will be great, too." He slipped his hand from beneath Clark's and reached down with both hands to unfasten Clark's jeans as he slid to his knees.

"Okay," said Clark softly. "I'm not going to argue." He stood, still and obedient, as Lex pulled his fly apart and let his cock bob free in the cool, still air. Lex exhaled, closing a hand around the shaft, tracing the blue vein on the underside with a slim finger. Clark slid a hand over Lex's, and Lex kissed it before moving it gently away.

"Beautiful," breathed Lex. "Always so cooperative. Good." With a glimmer of affection in his eye, Lex tipped the bottle, cooled his mouth again, eased back Clark's foreskin and let his lips close over the head of his cock, which was already dark with blood and oozing pre-come. Clark flinched and gasped as Lex vigorously tongued the slit, the coldness seeming to intensify every sensation. "Yeah, Lex..." Clark seemed barely able to stammer out the words, shuddering as though in pain. "So why haven't we done this before? The ice water, I mean?"

Lex drew back to respond, "Quiet, Clark. Too much talking," and then returned to his task. He slipped both arms around Clark's thighs and held him steady against the wall as he sucked. After a moment, he pulled off again, earning a groan of protest from Clark. "Or, if you have to talk," he said smoothly, quietly, his voice a whispered breath, "I'll make you beg." He let his mouth glide down to the nest of curls at the base, and nuzzled at the sac, taking first one, then the other, testicle into his mouth and sucking lightly. Then he rubbed his smooth cheek against the length of Clark's hard cock, letting his teasing tongue flick across the wet tip, reaching up to push the foreskin back and forth ever so slightly with the fingers of one hand.

Clark's moan resounded, half agonized, half delighted, in the cool air. Lex muffled a chuckle, and opening his mouth wide, let himself slide back down, hard, strong, on Clark's cock, drawing, pulling Clark back, deep into his throat, letting himself groan, now, and kneading Clark's thighs with strong, slim hands. Clark backed against the stone wall with a thud, wincing, his head falling back in ecstasy as Lex accelerated the strength and speed of his sucking, applying his skills so intently that Clark cried out within minutes as he climaxed with a great shudder.

Taking his time, in no hurry to set Clark free, Lex swallowed, savoring the taste and the certainty of Clark's satisfaction before releasing him. Clark slid to his knees, then, and slumped to the floor beside Lex.

"Mmm," said Lex, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "Tastes like raspberries."

Clark rolled over on the floor and moaned. He was quiet, but, in a moment, Lex could see his shoulders shaking. The boy tried to muffle a spurt of laughter as he sat up, leaning over to kiss Lex's bare head. "Yeah, right. Lex..." his voice trailed off.

"Hmm?" Lex was chuckling, too.

"You give the best blow jobs in the world."

"How do you know?" asked Lex coolly, swiping his mouth with the back of his hand as he got to his feet. "Who are you comparing me with?"

Clark grinned. "No one. I just know. You're the best at everything you do. Everything."

Lex pulled him up for a kiss. "You'd better be telling me the truth, Clark, if you know what's good for you."

"Or you'll what?" Clark teased.

"Wait and see," Lex touched a finger to Clark's berry-stained lips, and kissed him again.

Clark smiled, and his eyes darkened. "Your turn, now, Lex."

"Shouldn't we get back outside before it gets too late? And too hot?" Lex had to admit to himself that this was really just a ploy to get Clark to try to convince him otherwise. He felt like being persuaded at the moment.

"No," Clark snorted, as though it were the stupidest thing Lex could have said. He grabbed hold of Lex and pressed him, in turn, back against the wall."Not a chance. This will be our last time together before...your trip. I want you to remember me while you're gone." He slid to his knees before Lex.

A delicate shiver cascaded down Lex's spine, and he cleared his throat. "Okay, Clark. If you insist." He waited, commanding himself not to fidget.

"So, Lex. This will be the first of your wedding presents. So tell me if I do this better than Helen."

Lex had been looking down at him with fondness, touching a hand to his hair. But a shadow glided over his face as Clark spoke. "Let's forget Helen for right now, Clark."

And Clark closed his eyes as though in assent. He nosed at Lex's crotch, nipping at him through the fabric. Steadying Lex with one hand, he pulled down the zipper of his jeans with the other, nudged the front of his boxers and licked at the material with the flat of his tongue, pressing against the hard length inside. Lex tried and failed to suppress a groan and a shudder of anticipation as he braced his hands on Clark's shoulders.

"Want me to do the ice-water thing?" Clark's voice was husky, his breath warm against the cloth as his unusually-deft fingers parted the slit.

"You can," Lex replied, letting his eyes fall closed. "Either way." If he were this noncommittal at business meetings, he thought, he'd no doubt lose a fortune in an afternoon.

The next thing he felt was a literal oxymoron, cool heat around his cock, as Clark's mouth closed around him.

Lex was usually proud of his staying power, but he was moaning almost immediately and spasming, gasping, and shooting into Clark's throat almost before Clark had settled into anything of a rhythm at all.

Clark pulled off slowly, coughing and chuckling at the same time. "It's okay, Lex. After Friday, you'll have all the sex you can handle. Maybe more!" His face changed as soon as he had spoken, and Lex, gazing down at him hazily from half-lowered lids, raised his eyebrows, laying a palm gently on Clark's cheek.

Clark dropped his eyes, ashamed. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that."

"It's all right," Lex heard his own voice through a haze, as though drugged.

"It's just that: it hurts. Thinking of you with her. It kind of helps me, to joke about it."

"I know," said Lex, quietly. He pushed Clark back gently, and zipped up. "Okay, Berries. Remember?"

"Eating them, or picking them?"

"Both."

Okay." Clark got to his feet, and headed toward the door. "Come on." At the door, he stopped, turning around so abruptly that they collided.

"Lex, I'm sorry I've been a dick, these last few weeks," Clark let his arms slide around Lex's body, and bent to whisper the words in the smooth shell of his ear.

"It's okay, Clark," Lex's voice remained low as he replied. "I'll forgive you anything about now." His own arms wound their way around and over Clark's, and he leaned in to kiss Clark's throat.

"I just don't want to lose you," Clark murmured, his voice so thick that Lex wondered if he were trying not to cry.

"You won't," Lex assured, not daring himself to meet Clark's yearning gaze.

I've been certain of that, he thought, ever since I fell in love with you.

____________________

Lex sighed with relief as they climbed the stairs after lunch, and thanked God that Jonathan was on his way back out to the field. Clark, sitting across the kitchen table from him, had been sending glances of such heated intensity his way between mouthfuls of chips and egg salad that he was sure the elder Kent could only be pretending not to notice. It had been a struggle, trying to converse about organic fertilizer and sowing schedules all the while Clark was devouring him with his eyes. The air between them had seemed to be charged with sparks, almost crackling. But, as they reached the landing, Clark only grabbed his hand, putting a finger to his lips for quiet as he pushed open the first door on the right.

Lex had been in the nursery, all whites and soft blues and cool quiet, on an earlier visit last month, when he'd helped Clark carry up all the things from Martha's shower. This week, more gifts had arrived, and the cradle that held the baby was even harder to find in the piles of stuffed animals and infant clothing spread around the room.

Lex and Clark stood by the crib for a bit watching the sleeping child. Clark finally turned to Lex, raised his eyebrows and smiled.

"Well, what do you think?" To Lex, he looked a little like a grade schooler seeking approval on a school project.

Lex nodded coolly before answering. "Looks like you," said Lex. "A dead ringer for his big brother."

Clark smiled proudly, but then chuckled, giving Lex an elbow to the ribs. "I'm adopted, dork. How could he?"

"I know that," Lex said, studying the infant. "But still, he does."

Clark reached down to touch the soft down on the baby's head. "His hair's blond, almost red, though."

"Clark, hair doesn't matter that much. I should know!"

They both laughed.

"He sleeps a lot," Clark mused, leaning on the side of the crib. "At least during the day. Poor Mom and Dad!"

"I wouldn't complain about that if I were you," Lex stepped back to pick up a sky-blue teddy bear from the top of the dresser and place it in the crib next to infant Jonathan. "In a year, he'll be getting into everything you don't want him to."

"Yeah," Clark considered. "I should just enjoy this, huh?" He leaned harder on the rail and jiggled the crib lightly, but the infant just gave a tiny stir and sigh, and slept on. Clark's face settled into the slightest of goofy grins as he watched.

"Let him sleep," Lex advised, putting a hand on Clark's arm.

Clark frowned. "Doesn't look like he's going to wake up anytime soon. But, you still need to hold him."

"That's okay," said Lex, hastily. "I have to go."

Clark raised his eyebrows and cast Lex a glance of exasperation. "Oh, no, you don't. Here," Clark leaned over and slipped fairly confident arms underneath the child, lifting him up to his shoulder so carefully that the he didn't awaken. He joggled him gently up and down, making soothing sounds for a brief moment.

"Don't be scared," Clark counseled, "Here. I was petrified the first time I did it. But, you just have to get a feel for it. Easy, Jon," he said, "this is Lex, my best friend." Lex's arms opened as though on command, and Clark carefully settled the infant into them, murmuring instructions all the while.

"Here, put your arm under his head. Hold it steady. It flops if you're not careful. Now, sit down with him. In the rocker. Take it slow."

Lex eased obediently down into the chair, keeping quiet, aware of how important this was all making Clark feel. "That's it," Clark exhaled on a sigh. "You're good." He draped one arm over Lex's shoulder and nudged the baby's small hand with a finger, smiling when tiny fingers closed around his.

"He's cute," Lex had to admit. He'd forgotten how impossibly small and fragile newborn babies were. Holding Julian hadn't seemed this scary, not at all. Maybe because he himself had been smaller, then?

"You seem like a natural," Clark was babbling away, his voice a distant hum. "You know, Lex, you're going to be a sucker for kids of your own."

"Maybe," said Lex. "But not right away."

"You never know," warned Clark, "the unexpected can always happen. Ask my folks!"

Lex smiled, and rocked the chair gently for a few minutes. The room was quiet, except for the ticking of the nursery clock.

"Do you mind?" Lex mused, as though lost in thought.

"Mind?" echoed Clark. "Mind what?"

"I meant, mind having to share your folks, now?"

Clark sighed, and a shadow passed over his face. "No. I'll be leaving before long, anyway. At least now they won't be alone. They'll have someone else to worry about, besides me." He chuckled. "It might be good, for all of us, for a change."

Clark shifted, and let his fingers play with the fine strands of light hair on Jonathan's scalp. "It was hard for awhile, though" he admitted. "Before he was born. Because he's their real son, and I'm just adopted, and even though I've been here for a lot longer than he has, that will never change. It took awhile for me to face that, accept it. But, I'm okay with it, now. I can't be jealous of him. He's just too cute."

"Yeah," Lex agreed. "He is."

Clark kneaded Lex's shoulder with a light hand, and leaned over to murmur into his ear."I'm still not used to the idea of sharing you, though. That's harder."

"I know, Clark," Lex sighed. "But, you'll come around on that, too, just as you did with Jonathan, here." He shifted the baby carefully up to his shoulder.

"Maybe...could I be...godfather, or something, when you have kids? Or honorary uncle, or something? I'll have had lots of practice, by then."

Lex stood up and laid the infant back down in the crib. With a stir and a little sigh, the baby slept on. Lex turned to Clark. "Sure, Clark. That can be arranged," His arms free, he spread them wide, arms, and Clark moved into them, reaching to tip Lex's chin up for a kiss.

After a moment, Clark broke the kiss, and smiled, nodding at the crib. "So, was this fun?"

Lex looked almost embarrassed. "Yeah."

"Think you can get good at it?"

Lex nodded. "If I'm already feeling gooey towards this kid after twenty minutes, bonding with my own shouldn't be that hard."

"That's what I was hoping," said Clark. "but, you'll need more practice. So, let's make this a regular thing."

"Guess you're the boss," said Lex, and Clark beamed.

____________________

Clark and Jonathan both walked Lex out to the car a short time later.

"So, what's on for this afternoon, Lex?" Jonathan wondered. He ran a lingering hand over the fender of the Ferrari as he spoke, and Lex chuckled inwardly at the gleam he saw flicker briefly in Jonathan's gaze.

"Meeting with the organist. Helen's very particular about the music."

Jonathan turned to face him with raised eyebrows. "And what about you, Lex?"

"Anything but "Lohengrin" is all right by me, Mr. Kent."

Jonathan laughed, and put his arm around Lex's shoulder, then drew it away, but not before slapping him companionably on the back. Clark, watching, couldn't help but look amused, and Lex tried and failed to hide a grin of his own.

"Don't forget, Clark," said Lex, "Your tux fitting is tomorrow. Nine-thirty. Be on time."

"I'd better get back inside," said Jonathan. "In case Jon wakes up. Your mother's still asleep."

"Thanks for today, Mr. Kent, Clark. It was great." Lex fished in his pocket for his keys.

"You're welcome any time, Lex. See you Friday evening!" Jonathan winked as he turned to go up the steps. Opening the screen door, he disappeared into the semi-darkness of the house.

Clark bent his head to muffle a chuckle as Lex opened the trunk. They lifted the several baskets of berries he'd been given to place them inside.

"This going to be enough for you?" Clark was arranging the containers as he spoke, and Lex leaned in to help.

"Yes," said Lex, "Even if my future wife turns out to have the maddest of passions for raspberries. Maybe I'll have my cook make us a pie. Helen will like that. I'd better get on the road, now, though," Lex said, standing up, "or Helen will have my head."

"She can't," Clark said smoothly, "Not permanently, at least. It's mine." He met Lex's eyes with a smirk that faded into a wistful smile, and looked down. Lex, concerned, reached out to tip up Clark's chin, dropping his voice to a confidential murmur.

"Come on, Clark. Promise me. No more sad thoughts. Everything's going to be okay."

"I know," Clark sighed. "It's an adjustment, though. You'll have her, but I'll still be alone."

Lex looked off across the wheatfields, shimmering in the early afternoon heat, and then back at Clark. He held his gaze, willing him to be strong. "I know what it's like to be alone, Clark, believe me. You aren't losing me. I'll be back, and I'll be here."

Clark aimed one last plaintive glance his way, and nodded. "Yeah. Sure."

Lex moved closer, fingers playing lightly with the collar of Clark's shirt. "Smile for me, Clark."

Clark still looked downcast. Lex would have thought he was being difficult on purpose, but his heart told him Clark's reaction was sincere. So he moved in closer, lowering his voice even further.

"We'll give it our best, won't we?"

Clark dropped his gaze, his breath warming Lex's hand as he spoke. "Just promise you'll have time for me once in awhile."

"I'll make time," Lex leaned up to whisper in Clark's ear, "and, when I do, I'll make sure it's good time. Trust me. And don't stop loving me, okay? I'll be back before you know it."

"Okay," Clark's smile was like sun breaking through clouds. "I love you, Lex. You don't even have to ask."

"And I love you, Clark. That will never change." Lex drew Clark in for one last kiss before getting into the car.

____________________

Midsummer Berry Dessert

(which appears (mentioned by Clark) as Martha's recipe in the fic. Note: recipe contains raw egg. But no one in the Kent family--certainly not Clark--has ever suffered ill effects from it.)

1 10-oz. package butter cookies
1/2 cup butter or margarine (1 stick) (Martha uses butter)
1 cup confectioner's sugar
2 eggs
1/3 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (Martha uses walnuts)
1 qt. Strawberries or raspberries, cut in half (Martha always uses raspberries, when she has them, and has found that she can make one pint do!)
1 cup heavy cream, whipped

Roll cookies into crumbs. Cover bottom of 8-in. square pan with of crumbs. Thoroughly cream butter and sugar; add eggs one at a time, and beat well after each addition; spread mixture over crumbs, sprinkle with chopped nuts; top with berries; spread with whipped cream, and sprinkle with remaining crumbs. Chill thoroughly in refrigerator. Garnish with cookies and whole berries. Cut into squares to serve.

Serves 12.

____________________

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