Lex is like a dormant seed that just might be coming to life and showing green leaves of humanity. Those first leaves will probably need a lot of support from Clark, but he doesn’t mind it. He wants to be there for Lex, in a more specific way than he feels the need to save everyone else. Saving everyone else is more like making up for his existence. Being there for Lex is like being really good friends for someone who really needs it and Clark really likes Lex. A lot.
It’s good he has an excuse to be with Lex as much as possible now, since after a while Lex will be self-sufficient in his career as a kind, thoughtful human being.
He won’t need Clark then.
When he mentioned Whitney’s father to Lex, it had the immediate result of a call to the Sharks’ manager and plans for a late night game in the city. He wasn’t asking for a favor, just telling his friend what was on his mind, but this was Lex.
Lex expects to be asked for favors. Clark has the feeling that he doesn’t always bother himself with actually granting them when it isn’t for Clark. But it does happen occasionally, and Clark feels somehow responsible, in a good way. He doesn't know where he's getting off making all these assumption about Lex's personality, but there's an arrogant little voice in his head that tells him it's true.