Title: Sacrifice
Author:Lydia
Pairing(s): Clark/Lex
Category: AU
Disclaimers: Smallville characters not mine. *sniffle*
Rating: PG
Author's Notes: Just a songfic. :)
It doesn't mean much
it doesn't mean anything at all
the life I've left behind me
is a cold room
I've crossed the last line
from where I can't return
where every step I took in faith
betrayed me
and led me from my home
And sweet
sweet surrender
is all that I have to give
You take me in
no questions asked
you strip away the ugliness
that surrounds me
are you an angel
am I already that gone
I only hope
that I won't disappoint you
when I'm down here
on my knees
And sweet
sweet
sweet surrender
is all that I have to give
Sweet
sweet
sweet surrender
is all that I have to give
And I don't understand
by the touch of your hand
I would be the one to fall
I miss the little things
oh I miss everything
It doesn't mean much
it doesn't mean anything at all
the life I left behind me
is a cold room.
~ Sweet Surrender,
Sarah McLachlan ~
Sacrifice
Lex Luthor stared out of his farmhouse bedroom, surveying his home.
He thought briefly on the city not too far away that could have been
his to rule. The world that could have been his to rule. 'But that
doesn't matter anymore.'
He turned to the sound of a door closing and saw Clark walk in. The
mile mannered reporter threw a smile his way before taking off his
coat and throwing it over a chair in the corner. At Lex's raised
eyebrow he shrugged sheepishly and chuckled muttering "clean freak"
under his breath. The offending coat was soon picked up and placed on
a hanger in the closet before Clark joined him at the window.
They stood in silence Lex soaking up the warmth of his love, leaning
against the solid strength of his mate. He learned to do that a long
time ago, in the beginning, before it became easy to lean upon anyone
but himself.
"A dime for your thoughts?"
Lex smiled as a muscled arm was wrapped around his chest, a face
nuzzled into his neck. He felt the slightly tickle of air being
inhaled, Clark inhaling his scent again. He still remembered the
fight over his wearing cologne. Clark's "I want to breathe you in not
some smelly chemicals!" had ended it. To this day not a spritz
of 'Eau Sauvage' has touched his skin.
"Not worth a penny. What'd you do today?" He could guess the most, it
was just the little things like Lois teasing him, or Jimmy making a
doofus of himself in front of a pretty girl that he liked to hear
about. Not the new myriad of people who owed his love their lives.
Clark tugged at his arm and they turned from the sunset view to sit
in the kitchen. Lex heated up dinner as Clark made himself
comfortable at the table. As they waited to eat Clark filled him in
on his day.
Lex listened avidly and laughed at the more outrageous things that
poured from Clark's lips. He continued to talk as they ate dinner,
his fork punctuating his words as he gestured animatedly. Soon he
wound down and asked the question he asked everyday.
"What'd you do today Lex?" Lex picked up their plates and headed to
the sink to wash the dishes, as Clark dried.
"The usual. I worked some in the lab earlier. I made some progress on
that material that the AI gave you. It's really quite amazing." Clark
smiled and nodded as Lex talked excitedly about the technology that
he was studying.
"And I'm getting really close to the replica sequencing. I think with
a few more tests, we may be ready to try some wheat grains since the
rice worked so well." Clark smiled down at his lover and placed a
hand against the small of his back after he dried his hands. Lex
unstopped the soapy water and rinsed his hands, drying them as well.
He looked down then up into Clark's eyes earnestly. "Clark if we
could get some scientists besides myself, and if we had the AI's
technology this could go so 'faster', so much easier..." He trailed
off at Clark's weary sigh, and let go a sigh of his own. It was a
road they traveled many times, to no avail.
He turned away and headed into the bedroom stripping once in the
room, clothes discarded into the hamper. He stretched then plopped
down on the springy mattress.
He stared at the ceiling until he felt Clark's naked body settle
against his own. He felt Clark curl up against him, warmth and
comfort read into the lazy sprawl of his body, though he knew Clark
could feel his tension.
"We've talked about this plenty of times Lex. Many places are already
benefiting from the work we've done, and it's all public. I don't
want to take this to a small number of people-who-need-to-be-screened-
and-sworn-in-with-secrecy level. Between the AI and you, there's
nothing you won't be able to figure out, or do."
Lex sighed, shrugged and gave in, turning to face his love an arm
coming up to rest against his biceps. "When are we going to the
Fortress of Solitude anyway?"
"You mean the loft?" Clark smirked at his teasing his love with the
well-worn joke of their youth.
"Clark..."
"How about Friday? I get off of work early since Lois is writing up
that big story and she won't need my assistance. Besides chief's been
nice enough to let me spend some extra time off. We can spend it to
see AI, and then maybe a picnic?"
Lex nodded and rubbed soothing circles into Clark's belly. Clark
yawned and was out like a light in no time. Lex though stayed awake
and watched Clark's breath even out, steady in and out.
Lex got as comfortable as possible on the lumpy mattress, and moved
closer (he still refused to admit he snuggled to Clark), and thought
of their past. Once he slept on lavish soft mattresses, with silky
sheets, and thick comforters that covered him head to foot. Food
served on a regular basis, servants to do dishes, and laundry. Plenty
of time to work on things that interested him, without work to be
done, and when he wasn't on call with his father.
But now he was living by simple means, something that was constant
and pleasing to Clark. Comforting to his alien love. He once said as
they stood outside their home that it reminded him of the farm when
his parent's were alive. Warm, just big enough, and homey.
A fair cry from the cold dark hallways, and large, impersonal
bedrooms, guest and his own. Luxury, yes. Warm fuzzy feelings,
comfortable Clark mat, and safe in his own skin, in his own mind not
his fathers', no.
He flashed to the end, or the beginning, of his life. His father had
asked him to use his newest invention, the satellite bouncer, to
throw the politicians into disarray for his own evil purposes. Lex
had been torn between obeying his father, ultimately becoming him,
and being next in line for the family company. Or saying no and being
disinherited.
It had been close and the only thing that had made him destroy the
machine, and leave his father behind had been shining hazel eyes. Had
been a warm hand enveloping his own, a soft caress on his cheek, warm
welcome to a gentle house were he began to heal. The only thing
keeping him from losing his mind, though he had suffered a break down
at one point, was Clark.
He thought he would lose face but Clark seemed to take everything in
stride. Even his dark past and dark future seemed to be peeled away,
layer by layer by his sweet smile, and guiding hand.
Yes he missed the things being rich could provide, but relinquishing
them brought him things that can't be bought. Things that made him
richer in life than he ever was. Like waking up to the most beautiful
creature ever to grace the earth every morning. Like finding a way to
beat world hunger. Like finding that his soul was intact.
Besides sleeping on a springy mattress by the furnace that was Clark
Kent was infinitely more appealing than an empty cold bed, in a
heartless cold room.
~ End ~