Author: Hergerbabe

Title: Marked

Rating: NC-17

Summary: Clark gets marked

Challenge: Clark gets a tattoo that has something to do with Lex. It can't be 
Lex's name or a Luthorcorp logo or anything like that. How does he manage to 
get a tattoo? (Cassiopeia)

Disclaimer: No, they don’t belong to me, and no, I’m not making any money from this 

Feedback address: hergerbabe@yahoo.co.uk 

NOTE Part of the Clex Fest at http://www.kardasi.com/Lexclusive/Clex-Fest/

BETA: Ghini Tynant (thank you!!!)

A/N: Messing with the timeline somewhat. Also, remember to think long and hard 
before getting a tattoo, they are for life. 

For Cassiopeia, who inspired me to write something I’d only thought about before

 MARKED
by hergerbabe

“Have you found your mate yet?”

Clark blinked, “I… excuse me?”

Jor-El’s image smiled at him. “A mate, your life partner,” he prompted gently.

“Oh, um,” Clark flushed, “Aren’t I a little young for that?”

“I think you know the answer to that,” Jor-El smiled kindly.

Clark nodded unconsciously. He’d known right from the start, even though he’d tried to resist, when he had found his mate. And that he’d been ready, for a long time. How his parents would react, Clark dreaded to think. Of course there was also the question of how Lex would react. Would his sophisticated, older and *very* male best friend really want to settle down at *all*, let alone forever with someone like Clark?

“You’ve found your mate,” Jor-El said quietly.

Clark flushed again, “Yes, well I mean, it’s just that… well, it’s a man.”

“Is this a problem for you?” Jor-El frowned.

“No, I just wasn’t sure if on Krypton…”

“When you meet the one you are to be with, male or female, it doesn’t matter,” Jor-El explained.

“Oh, okay,” Clark was relieved but still hesitant.

“What’s wrong, Kal-El?”

“Well, it’s just that I don’t know if he… you know, wants me the same way,” Clark whispered.

“You haven’t yet claimed him, of course,” Jor-El nodded thoughtfully. “And you know he’s the one?”

“Yeah,” Clark breathed, smiling softly at the thought of his best friend.

“Very well, I will mark you. Then, once you tell him, you can bring him to be marked.”

“Marked?” Clark frowned questioningly.

“With the symbol of your mate,” Jor-El raised an eyebrow, “I assume humans don’t do this then?”

“Um, sometimes, but most people think it’s a stupid thing to do,” Clark shrugged.

“Would you prefer not to?” Jor-El asked.

Clark bit his lip. The thought was really appealing. Lex’s symbol, permanently inscribed on his body.

“I want to, but… I don’t know what to use as his symbol,” Clark admitted.

“He has no family crest?” Jor-El asked.

Clark frowned thoughtfully. The LuthorCorp insignia? No, too Lionel Luthor. Lex’s name? Definitely not, that was tacky somehow. Symbol… “Oh,” Clark gasped, of course, Alexander’s breastplate.

“You have thought of something?” Jor-El asked.

“Yes, it’s an S shape inside a diamond, like this,” Clark sketched the design in the dirt.

Jor-El made a strange noise and Clark looked up, “What?”

“This is most unusual…” Jor-El’s image went blank for a second and Clark waited. When he returned, Clark waited expectantly. “Our family crest is almost identical, possibly a coincidence, but it is a good sign.”

Clark blinked in surprise, he hadn’t really thought about his Kryptonian family having a crest. He still hadn’t spent much time with Jor-El learning about his origins; but it was more than weird that the symbol he’d chosen to represent Lex was similar to his family crest.

“Okay, I really want this, in purple and black,” Clark said firmly, with a sniff and a nod.

“Where?”

“What?” Clark was confused.

“Where would you like the mark?” Jor-El was smirking a little.

“Oh, oh right,” Clark bit his lip again. He cleared his throat and flushed, “Uh, over my heart.”

“Wise choice,” Jor-El smiled gently.

“What do I do?” Clark asked nervously.

“Remove your shirt and lie back, this won’t take long.”

Clark nodded and pulled his shirt over his head, lying back as directed. A bright, intense beam of light shot out of the pod and began to trace an image on his skin. It burned, but wasn’t exactly painful. Clark watched in fascination as the purple and black symbol took shape.

“It’s done.”

Clark sat up and looked down at his chest properly. “Wow,” he breathed, touching his newly branded skin.

“What should I do now, Jor-El?” Clark sighed. There was still the matter of whether Lex
was even attracted to men, let alone attracted to him.

“I think you should speak to him, don’t you?” Jor-El smiled quietly.

Clark swallowed hard, “I g-guess?”

“You don’t sound very sure, Kal-El.”

“I’m not, I don’t know what to say, and how do I tell him I’ve been lying to him all this time, how do I tell him that losing his hair was my fault, what do I do if he hates me, or is freaked out by me… what if he’s disgusted by me…” Clark worked himself into a panic.

“Kal-El,” Jor-El said sharply, “Calm down and be rational about this.”

“Sorry,” Clark smiled ruefully, “I don’t want this to go wrong.”

“It won’t,” Jor-El said gently, “You’ve felt the connection with your mate, it is unlikely that he has not felt the same thing.”

“Really?” Clark felt his heart pound harder with hope. Jor-El nodded. Clark took a deep breath. “Okay, I’ll do it.”

“Good.”

@>*~

Lex glanced at the clock, then berated himself for counting the seconds till Clark’s delivery. Stupid, stupid! Sitting back, Lex blew out a puff of air and closed his eyes. To think he’d been reduced to this, sitting like some pathetic sap waiting for his best friend, a *teenager*. This is what he got for letting his emotions get the better of him.

Imagine, Lex Luthor with a hopeless, unrequited love. Lex snorted at himself, shaking his head, he could just imagine his father’s reaction. Emotions were something Lionel Luthor barely recognised except as weaknesses in his enemies that he could use against them.

Well, fuck his father. Lex had learned that his mother was right. Everyone needed love, everyone needed friends. It was just unfortunate that Lex had fallen in love with his best friend, who happened to be a teenage boy. Shaking his head, Lex got up and slowly made his way down to the kitchen to coincide neatly with Clark’s delivery.

“Lex!”

The enthusiastic greeting never failed to make him smile. “Hey, Clark.” He replied, directing his smile at his friend. Only Clark wasn’t really looking at him. Lex frowned and walked round the central table towards his friend. On closer inspection, Clark looked distinctly nervous. “Clark?”

“Uh, yeah?”

Lex watched in amazement as the younger boy actually shuffled his feet, then moved. *Away* from him. Lex tried very hard to crush the hurt he felt. “Is something wrong?” He winced at the slight bitterness apparent in his tone, but it seemed to have an affect on Clark, who immediately looked up, blinking widely.

“No, of course not!” Clark exclaimed, “I just… I wanted…”

Lex raised an eyebrow and decided to try moving closer again. This time, if anything Clark actually leaned into him, as if seeking comfort. “What, Clark?” Lex asked gently.

“Nothing,” Clark sighed heavily as if it wasn’t really nothing, but that he couldn’t say anything. Lex was getting distinctly used to it, which bothered him more than a little.

“Do you want to stay a while?”

Clark’s face lit up, “Can I?”

“Of course, if you haven’t got anything else to do,” Lex paused, mentally calculating the time he’d need to complete his work in order to clear his schedule and spend some real time with his young friend. After all, it was the weekend, the Kents had to let Clark out occasionally, didn’t they?

“In fact, if you give me two hours to get my work out of the way, how about you see if you can persuade your parents to let you stay over tonight.”

“R-really? Stay over?”

Lex frowned again, Clark was looking and sounding nervous again. What on earth could be wrong with him?

“Well,” Lex shrugged, trying to appear casual, “You know, only if you want Clark. You’re not obligated or anything.”

Clark’s eyes narrowed a little. “What? Lex, are you kidding? I’d love to.”

Somewhat mollified, Lex smiled. “Good. I’ll see you in a couple of hours then?”

“Hopefully,” Clark nodded and smiled, “I’ll call you if my parents are completely unreasonable.”

Lex just managed to bite back an acidic comment on Jonathan Kent’s ability to reason and nodded, “Great.”

Unable to quite help himself, Lex watched Clark leave, finally letting his body react uninhibitedly to the sight of tall, strong farm boy in tight jeans and tank top. “Oh God,” he whispered and fought to bring himself back under control. After all, he had work to do.

@>*~

Clark sat in the truck for a long time when he reached home, mostly berating himself for being a coward. He’d been all set to ask Lex if they could talk, and tell him everything. Until he’d seen his sexy friend smiling at him.

Clark’s heart had started to pound again, and he wasn’t sure he could have spoken at all if it hadn’t been for Lex sounding so… hurt.

He still wasn’t sure whether to be thrilled or terrified at the opportunity of spending such a long time with Lex… just the two of them. What if Lex saw the mark? Clark still wasn’t sure he could tell Lex how he felt after their earlier meeting.

With a sigh, Clark wandered down to the storm cellar.

“Well?” Jor-El appeared immediately.

Clark pulled a face, “I chickened out.”

“What does poultry have to do with this?” Jor-El looked confused.

“Huh?” Clark frowned, then realised his ‘father’ didn’t know what he was talking about. “Oh, I mean I was too scared to tell him.”

“Oh.”

Clark could have sworn Jor-El looked disappointed. “But, if my parents agree, I’ll be staying over with Lex tonight. I’ll try again, I promise.”

Jor-El smiled, “Of course, my son. It’s not easy to face the possibility of rejection, especially when it involves your heart. But I repeat Kal-El, you do not have to worry.”

Clark took a deep breath and nodded, “Okay. Let’s hope when I come home tomorrow, I’ll be bringing Lex with me to be marked.”

“Yes,” Jor-El smiled wider, “Let’s hope so.”

Clark nodded and headed back to the house. He slipped his hand under his top to feel the slightly raised areas of his skin where he was now tattooed, taking strength in the knowledge that he *did* love Lex, with everything he was and no one would ever replace that. No matter what the outcome, he would always have that mark, and it would always mean something to him.

“Penny for them.”

“Huh?” Startled, Clark actually jumped, knocking his mother over. He moved in a split second and caught her, helping her stand upright again. “Geez, sorry Mom, I didn’t see you.”

She smiled at him. “I guessed that much after I said your name three times.”

Clark flushed. “Mom…”

The petite woman tilted her head and stared at him penetratingly. “There’s something different about you.”

Clark cleared his throat and quickly checked to make sure his tattoo was still covered. “W-what do you mean?” he asked nervously.

“I really don’t know, but it’s there, I know it,” she shrugged. “Is there…” she paused, “Clark, do you want to talk? About anything, I mean.”

Clark’s chest tightened a little at the sad look in her eyes. “Mom, I…” he started, then stopped with a sigh. “This is difficult… God, Mom I just found out some stuff about, well about me and *shoot*!” He stopped again and looked away.

“Mom, I need to go talk to Lex, can I stay over with him?” he asked quietly.

“Why do you need to talk to Lex, honey? What is it you can’t tell me?” She looked hurt and sad again.

“Please, Mom, I don’t even know…” Clark stopped again to draw in a hitching breath, “I need to know something first, before I can tell you, please.” He stared pleadingly at her.

She stared back for a moment, the sadness deepening but tempered by understanding and she nodded. “Okay, Clark, but check your father doesn’t need you to do anything first.”

Clark sighed, but nodded. “Thanks, Mom.” He gave her a quick but fierce hug and hurriedly left the house.

@>*~

Clark was finally driving back to Lex’s. His father had tried to give him too much work, but that had just made him even more determined to finish and get to see his friend for the whole night.

The way he was feeling, it was going to take him that long to get up the nerve to talk to Lex about not only his feelings, but whether or not he wanted to mate for life.

Lex was waiting for him, leaning casually against the door frame of the kitchen as if he knew he was coming. Which he probably did, what with security and such.

“You made it,” Lex grinned, watching Clark pull a bag out of the truck and head towards him.

Clark couldn’t help but grin back, “Yeah. My Dad was a dick about it, but I made it.”

Lex smirked and raised an eyebrow, he always found it immensely amusing when his friend insulted his father. “A dick, huh?”

Clark flushed, but nodded. “So, have you really got the night off?”

“I really have the night off,” Lex smiled almost mischievously.

“Cool, so what are we going to do?” Clark grinned.

Lex shrugged, “Whatever you want. Swim, watch a movie, play billiards, cook dinner…”

“Cook?” Clark blinked, “As in we… you *cook*?”

Laughing, Lex nodded. “Of course I can cook, I made it a point to make sure I’m completely self sufficient under any circumstance.”

Clark rolled his eyes a little, how very Luthor of him. “Of course,” he snorted. Lex almost pouted at him and he grinned. “So, what are we making then?”

“You want to cook?” Lex checked.

“Sure, then we can eat in front of a movie,” Clark nodded. Then he grinned, “Got anything I really shouldn’t watch?”

Lex laughed as he turned to walk to the fridge. “What do you think?”

“Is there anything you haven’t got?” Clark challenged, trying to think up some way of dropping a hint or at least gathering information.

“Like what?” Lex was a little distracted, staring at the inside of the fridge, trying to think of something he could make that Clark would like.

“I don’t know, like, I bet you haven’t got any gay porn,” Clark flushed as he said it, and actually couldn’t quite believe he *had* said it, he was going to say musicals.

Lex straightened so fast he whacked his head on the door and staggered. Clark was next to him in an instant trying to help steady him. Lex reached out and grabbed for something, anything. Which was a bad idea, as anything turned out to be a shelf in the fridge.

Lex lost his balance as the shelf slid out and he fell against Clark. Clark yelped, tripping over his own feet and they both went down. The shelf and all its contents crashed down on top of them.

Clark screwed his eyes shut against the multitude of emotions hitting him, embarrassment warred with lust and the sheer need to laugh hysterically. Opening his eyes carefully, Clark went with laughter. It was that or he’d end up just grabbing Lex and kissing him.

Lex blinked down at his friend as he started to laugh. Lex’s mouth twitched, then he snorted. If he laughed, maybe he could forget the fact that he was lying on top of Clark’s warm, strong body. Of course, as they were both coated in tomato sauce, it wasn’t long before they were both roaring with laughter.

Lex rolled onto the ground and stared up at the ceiling while they both tried to recover their breath, still chuckling a little.

“Okay,” he managed finally, “What say we go get cleaned up, get take out and watch…” Lex smirked, “Gay porn.”

Clark choked, “You have gay porn?”

“Sure,” Lex licked his lips nervously. He was a little worried about his best friend’s reaction.

“So, uh,” Clark paused, he had to be careful here, “Are you gay?”

“I’m bisexual, Clark,” Lex sat up and stared down at the younger boy seriously, “Is that something you can handle.”

Clark sat up and smiled, “Lex, I’m gay, I think I can handle it.” He grinned widely at the sight of a completely shocked Lex, not something he thought he’d ever seen before.

Gay. Clark was gay? But Lana? “Gay?” Lex raised both eyebrows, “So Lana was just…?”

“What I thought I was supposed to do… be, whatever,” Clark shrugged one shoulder, “Lex, are you okay?”

Lex was so okay he was trying not to dance a jig. Clark was gay?! Oh God, maybe he had actually done something right in his life to get an opportunity like this. “Yeah, it’s cool,” Lex smiled, “I’m glad you told me.” He stood and held out his hand to Clark. Clark took it and stood too.

“You’re the first to know actually,” Clark flushed a little as they walked out of the kitchen and up the stairs towards Lex’s bedroom.

Lex paused for barely a second, surprised and touched. It occurred to him that Clark had been probing to see if he would be able to tell him. “Would you have told me if I hadn’t told you I was bi?”

Clark bit his lip thoughtfully as Lex glanced at him, but he was already nodding. “Oh yeah, eventually, and you still would have been first.”

Lex grinned, “Good, I’m glad you know you can talk to me about anything.” Lex got a little closer, “And I do mean anything.”

Wow. Clark couldn’t help flushing. He wondered if Lex had meant that to sound quite as suggestive as it had. “Thanks, Lex.”

Lex just smiled and began to strip off his clothes as they walked through his bedroom. Clark cleared his throat and looked at the floor, trying really, really hard not to peek, even though he could still see pale skin being inexorably exposed out of the corner of his eyes. Oh God.

Okay, so Lex was blatantly trying to get a reaction, which was possibly a little cruel after Clark had just admitted to being gay, but he *had* to know. If Clark was gay, did he stand a chance? Only, Clark wasn’t looking, he was studying the floor determinedly. Lex sighed.

“I’m going to take a quick shower, are you okay in here for a moment?” he asked.

“Yeah,” Clark nodded, sitting gingerly on the edge of the bed, trying not to drip tomato sauce anywhere.

Lex chuckled at the sight, even with his disappointment. Clark looked cute perched on his bed nervously. “You can have a shower and change after me.”

Clark nodded. The door finally closed and Clark adjusted himself with a groan of relief. He wasn’t going to look through the wall, he wasn’t going to… Lex came into focus through the bathroom wall, at first too much and Clark was slightly worried by the fact that even Lex’s skeleton turned him on. Then his sight adjusted and a clear image of naked Lex was presented to him.

And Lex wasn’t just naked. Oh God. No, Lex was naked and *hard*… naked, hard and jerking off.

“Oh shit,” Clark gasped, his cock jumped and his jeans stretched ominously. Almost without thought, Clark pulled his pants open and pulled his straining erection free, wrapping his fist round it tightly. “Lex,” he whispered. He watched Lex lean against the shower wall, and matched his strokes to those of his best friend.

How he wished he could be in there doing it for Lex, touching his best friend. But he still couldn’t be sure, even if he now knew Lex was bi, it didn’t mean he wanted Clark. Some guys always jerked off in the shower, it didn’t mean anything. Well, it meant something to his sanity, but he’d have to deal with it. Later. Right now he was drowning in the pleasure of watching Lex jacking his cock.

Lex’s eyelids fluttered and Clark had the urge to suck gently on them, then the sight of his best friend coming, pulled the climax from his body in a series of almost painful spasms. He had to use his speed to catch his semen in a tissue before it got anywhere. Only practice allowed him to do this in the brainless state coming left him in.

Clark flopped back onto the bed, panting for breath.

@>*~

Lex stood in front of the mirror for a moment. He’d just masturbated to fantasies of his best friend. Would said best friend be able to tell? He sighed and pulled on a t-shirt and a pair of boxers, gathering himself to be able to face Clark calmly and still suggest gay porn for the evening.

If he was really lucky, maybe they’d get as far as a mutual masturbation session. Or maybe that would just make things worse. Lex really had to stop thinking about things too much.

He left the bathroom, grinning at Clark who was grimacing at the congealing sauce in his hair.

“Go take a shower, Clark,” he chuckled.

“Thank you,” Clark said enthusiastically. He grabbed his bag which had appeared as if by magic earlier. Clark flushed, hopefully not whilst he’d been masturbating.

Closing the bathroom door carefully behind him, Clark wondered what on earth was going to happen the rest of the night. The thought of being so near his best friend after seeing that, and knowing Lex was bisexual, and the promise he’d made to Jor-El.

Clark pulled off his shirt and sighed, staring at his tattoo in the mirror. He had to tell Lex now, had to know.

“Clark, do you know…” Lex walked into the bathroom suddenly, then stopped. Lex frowned, his eyes drawn immediately to the mark on Clark’s chest before his friend jumped and covered his chest with his shirt.

“Lex, don’t you knock?” Clark yelped in shock.

Lex frowned deeper, “I’m sorry I just… was that a tattoo?” He just couldn’t imagine, firstly, Clark with a tattoo, but also the Kents allowing Clark to have a tattoo, especially at seventeen.

Clark groaned and dropped his head. “Yes,” he said in a quiet voice.

“Is there something… Clark, what’s going on?” Lex asked in confusion.

“There’s a few things we need to talk about, Lex,” Clark sighed, “Stuff I’ve been working up to, I wanted to tell you everything tonight, I nearly chickened out, but I…” Clark grimaced and looked up, meeting Lex’s eyes.

“Can I just take a shower and then I’ll tell you what’s going on, okay?” he begged.

Lex sighed, smiling sadly. He didn’t like the fact that whatever was wrong had Clark looking at him like he thought Lex was going to hurt him. “Sure, Clark, I’ll wait for you in the den, how’s that?”

“Thanks, Lex.”

Lex left the bathroom and Clark speeded through his shower. Then he sat down on the floor trying to think about what he was going to say.

@>*~

Lex was not clock watching. Luthors did not clock watch. But God, Clark seemed to be taking forever and Lex was distinctly worried. After all, Clark had just admitted he was gay, what else could be up that could possibly have gotten him so worried?

“Just please God don’t let him ask me for advice on sex,” Lex whispered. He wasn’t sure he could cope with helping Clark win someone else. Helping him with Lana had been hard enough, but even then he’d known sex wasn’t really involved in Clark’s crush on her.

Clark paused in the doorway, Lex’s whispered plea completely confusing him. What the hell did that mean?

“Hey,” he said finally.

“Clark,” Lex turned and smiled. “Are you coming in?”

Clark flushed and nodded, actually walking into the room and sitting opposite Lex.

“Are you okay?” Lex raised an eyebrow.

“Yeah,” Clark managed a smile.

Lex sighed, “Are you sure? Because you don’t look it.”

“I’m just worried,” Clark admitted carefully, he didn’t like seeing the hurt look in Lex’s eyes and it always appeared when Clark couldn’t talk to him.

“Just talk to me,” Lex said gently, “You can tell me anything, I won’t judge you, I won’t turn away, I promise.”

Clark laughed self derisively. “You say that now,” he muttered.

Lex frowned. “So was that a tattoo?” Clark sighed and nodded. “Can I see it?”

Clark swallowed and bit his lip nervously. He couldn’t even be sure Lex would realise the significance of the design. He had to admit to himself that he’d be very disappointed if Lex didn’t realise. He took off his t-shirt.

Lex blinked. At first he thought it was just a blob, but as he looked closer, he realised it was a purple diamond and ‘s’ shape with a black background. “Alexander’s breastplate?” he asked quietly, a little confused. Clark nodded. But why purple and black? “But why those col… oh,” Lex blinked again.

“Clark, is there something you want to tell me?” Lex didn’t look up, he just stared at the tattoo, trying to ignore the litany of hope in his head and heart.

Clark took a deep breath. “Do you understand what it means?” he whispered.

“I think so,” Lex answered slowly, “But I want to hear it from you.”

“It, it means I belong to you,” Clark breathed almost silently.

Jesus. “Jesus!” Lex exclaimed, “You, I, what about… oh my God!”

Clark looked up at him, eyes stinging with tears. “I’m sorry, I’ll just go.”

“No!” Lex shouted, “No, you won’t. You can’t tell me something like this and just leave. Dear God, Clark, do you have any idea how long…” Lex clamped his teeth down onto his bottom lip.

Clark’s head snapped up and his heart beat even faster. “How long what?”

Lex shook his head. He wasn’t saying anymore until Clark clarified what he’d said. Lex wasn’t about to mess anything up through misunderstanding. “Clark, I need to know what you mean.”

Clark frowned in confusion, “I belong to you, Lex. I’m yours, if you want me… I love you.”

“Why did you get the tattoo, Clark? You only had to tell me,” Lex whispered, shifting closer to his friend.

“I can’t tell you,” Clark sighed, Lex grunted in frustration, “Yet,” Clark qualified his statement.

“Why not?” Lex asked.

“Because I still don’t know how you feel about this,” Clark whispered, trying not to sound as desperate as he felt.

“Are you insane?” Lex shook his head with a tiny smile, “How can you possibly not know that I’ve belonged to you since I woke up at the river?”

Clark’s eyes widened. “Really?” he squeaked.

Lex nodded and smiled as arms wrapped round him and pulled him into a dream he’d thought would never be fulfilled. “Really. And God yes, I want you, and I… I love you too.”

Clark took a deep breath, held it for a moment, then released it heavily. Then he let himself bury his face in Lex’s neck. His heart was in his mouth, his blood was fighting between his skin and his groin, Clark laughed, he actually felt a little light headed.

Lex cupped the back of Clark’s head for a second, before he pulled back a little. “Clark, you said you couldn’t tell me then, can you now? Because we really need to talk about this. I can’t be with you if you lie to me,” he said seriously but lightly. He didn’t want to put Clark on the defensive or push him away, but Clark had to know how he felt.

Clark sighed, “Okay, this is going to be the longest, most convoluted explanation for getting a tattoo ever, just… bear with me okay?” Lex nodded and Clark smiled tightly.

“You did hit me with your car, and I just… I walked away. So I went home and tested it. I stuck my arm in a wood chipper… Lex, I *broke* it. That was the day my parents finally told me that I wasn’t just a freak, I was an alien.” He felt Lex stiffen in his arms, and tightened his grip.

“Then they showed me my ship, and a tablet with some writing I don’t, well didn’t, understand. I mean,” Clark laughed self-mockingly, “You’ve just discovered you’re an alien and all you can think about is this guy who nearly died, and you *know*, just know, that if he had, you would have been empty for the rest of your life.”

Clark let the tears come as he remembered all the feelings he’d had to deal with on that first night; betrayal, fear, awe, love, need… and more fear. That’s why he’d never faced his feelings for Lex even after he’d gotten to know him, fear.

“Do you have any idea how freaked out I was by that?” Clark whispered.

Lex was facing an emotional war inside his head and heart. He loved Clark in a way he’d never quite believed was possible, and he understood now, he really did, why Clark had lied to him for so long, but fuck! An alien?! He had no illusions as to what he would want to do if the alien hadn’t been Clark… but he was and Lex just *couldn’t*. Couldn’t do anything but want to protect him.

“It’s okay, Clark,” Lex whispered soothingly, “It would take anyone time to deal with something like that. You’re very brave.” Clark pulled back and looked at him, Lex smiled.

“Really?” Clark asked hesitantly.

“Yeah,” Lex nodded. “You don’t have to worry, Clark, I’d do anything to stop you from being hurt.” He reached out and gently wiped at the glistening trail of tears on Clark’s cheek. “And I’m glad I’m not the only one who felt something between us the day we met.”

“You… you felt it too?” Clark gasped, astounded but so happy. Jor-El had been totally right.

“Yes,” Lex smiled. Then he reached out to trace the tattoo on Clark’s chest. “Why this, Clark?”

Clark flushed again. He now knew Lex loved him, and still loved him after his confessions, but still, lifetime commitment was a lot to ask. “It’s my people’s tradition, to be marked with the symbol of your mate.”

Lex blinked, “Mate?”

Nodding, Clark licked his lips. “Life partner,” he explained.

Life partner? As in life? Clark wanted to… wow. “But Clark, you’re seventeen, I can’t ask you to make a decision like that,” he exclaimed.

Clark snorted and shook his head. “You’re not asking me, I’m asking you. I’ve already made my choice, Lex. It’s forever for me, even if you say no.”

“Oh God,” Lex had to shut his eyes. Clark had chosen him, Clark would love him… forever? “Forever…” Lex couldn’t quite suppress his insecurities the way he usually did, “You want forever, with me?” Then a thought struck him.

“Clark, how did you know?”

Clark frowned, “Know what?”

“About your people’s tradition, for that matter, how did you get a tattoo?” Lex sat a little straighter, scientific curiosity almost overwhelming his desire to just *know*.

“Oh,” Clark smiled just a little, “We finally worked out how to open my ship, there’s a holographic program that’s teaching me about my home planet and my people. He tattooed me.”

Home planet… holy fuck. Lex blinked, it was funny how particular phrases really brought things home to you. Home planet.

“Lex?” Clark stared at his friend who looked somewhat shell shocked all of a sudden. Lex blinked at him a little more and Clark wasn’t sure what to do. On impulse, he leaned forward and kissed him.

Lex opened his mouth to suck in a breath of shock and Clark’s tongue dipped inside. Oh God! Plush, warm lips pressed against his, wet tongue flicked lightly against the scar on his top lip and then slipped between his lips again. Lex moaned quietly and gripped at Clark, sucking and licking, returning the kiss wholeheartedly.

Lex tasted, oh God, so good. Now that he seemed to have snapped out of his daze, Clark pulled back reluctantly. Lex made a decidedly interesting noise that Clark could have interpreted as a whimper if he wanted blackmail material, and he couldn’t help grinning.

Lex narrowed his eyes and pouted. “You’d better be doing that again, and soon.” Clark grinned brightly and nodded. “Good. Clark, am I… do I,” Lex paused trying to work out how to phrase a question that determined his future. “The tattoo…?”

Clark’s grin turned shy. “Um, well, if you… if you want uh, well me, Jor-El will give you a tattoo of my family’s crest.”

Lex smiled. *If* he wanted Clark. He ran his fingers over Clark’s tattoo, feeling the slight difference in texture, feeling Clark’s shiver under his touch. Then he leaned forward and licked it.

Clark whimpered, then whimpered again when Lex pulled back, frowning.

“That doesn’t hurt, does it?” Lex checked. Clark shook his head and tugged him back.

“Touch me, please,” Clark whispered. Need shuddered through Lex’s body and he bent his head again to run the tip of his tongue over the lines of the tattoo. Clark’s whole body tightened under the soft, wet touch and he gasped quietly.

Lex moved once he’d explored the marking, to gently lap at hard nipples, slowly moving his way upwards. He wanted Clark’s mouth again, but he was reluctant to let his lips leave the warmth of his lover’s skin. The choice was taken from him when Clark pulled him up and claimed a kiss, possessively taking his mouth.

Clark needed… he wasn’t sure exactly what, not having had much… well, any experience, but he knew he needed Lex. Now. “God, bed, now, please, God, Lex,” he babbled.

Somehow, they managed to get to their feet without letting go of each other or breaking the kiss, but they weren’t moving anything like fast enough for Clark, whose whole body was trembling with need. He just hauled Lex into his arms and speed-ran for the bedroom.

Lex gasped for breath when he was dropped onto the bed. Fuck! He glanced up at his lover to ask him what the hell had just happened, but the words caught in his throat and he managed to make a mental note to talk more about Clark’s abilities later.

Clark stood over him, practically glowing with the need he seemed to be projecting. Clark cocked his head. Something wasn’t quite right. He was almost bursting and burning with need, and he wanted nothing more than to claim his mate…

Mate! That’s what was missing.

Lex stared up at Clark, a little worried by the predatory look that was combined with a little confusion. “Clark, what is it?”

“I need to claim you,” Clark growled. Lex shivered at the depth of desire in his lover’s voice.

“So claim me,” Lex offered himself up.

Clark shook his head. “Jor-El didn’t make it clear. We both need to be marked before I can claim you properly.” His insecurity shoved his desire to the side for a moment. “I mean, if you want.”

“Yes, Clark,” Lex sat up and took Clark’s hand, “Yes, I want. But can we hurry, because I really want you to *claim* me.”

Clark shivered at the highly suggestive quality of Lex’s tone. He picked Lex up again and ran as fast as he could.

Shit! Lex could barely breathe, the wind whipped past them, stealing his breath, but suddenly it was over and they were standing outside the storm cellar. Lex glanced round warily. He was only dressed in boxers and a t-shirt, Clark only in shorts, he really didn’t want Clark’s parents coming out and seeing them like this.

“Come on,” Clark opened the cellar doors and led him down the stairs, pulling on the light as they reached the bottom. Lex stared in shock, first at the small pod-like vessel, then at the hologram that projected from it.

“Kal-El,” it greeted his lover.

“Jor-El, this is Lex, my mate,” Clark grinned proudly.

The hologram turned to look at him, and Lex stiffened. Unexpectedly, it smiled at him.

“You have chosen well, my son, strength and intelligence as well as great beauty. Are you aware of the implications of being marked?”

Lex blinked, then he laughed, at least he had one parent’s approval. “Yes, I choose Clark, uh Kal-El?” Lex raised an eyebrow at Clark who nodded, “As my life partner.”

“Good, Kal-El was remarkably unsure considering the bond I feel between the two of you.”

Lex smiled, “He wouldn’t be Clark if he hadn’t been. What do I do?”

The holograph smiled again. “Take off your shirt and lie back, I will place Kal-El’s family crest in the same position he chose for your symbol if that’s acceptable.”

Lex nodded and took his t-shirt off, lying back, resting his head in Clark’s lap as his lover sank to the floor with him. It burned, a lot, but it was quick and started to feel better as soon as the laser stopped.

Clark stared at the mark with awe. It was exactly the same shape, just different colours, red on a yellow background. He wanted to lick it.

Lex looked down and frowned. “Is this some sort of joke?” The fact that the symbol differed only by colour suddenly made him a little suspicious and possibly scared.

“Lex?” Clark blinked worriedly.

“It’s the same,” Lex said carefully.

“Yes, a remarkable coincidence I assure you. Kal-El was unaware of his crest’s design until I told him that what he’d chosen was almost the same. I merely adapted his design so it was identical. I considered it a good sign.” The holograph shrugged.

Lex stared into Clark’s eyes seeing the truth in them and sighed. “Sorry, but it is weird, you have to admit.”

“Yeah,” Clark nodded. Now the minor crisis was over, his eyes were irresistibly drawn back to Lex’s tattoo. He still wanted to lick it, he wanted to suck and lick, rub his cock on it. His eyes widened as his cock hardened and his body shuddered with want.

“Oh God,” Lex whispered, watching the change on Clark’s demeanour. And he couldn’t stop looking at Clark’s tattoo. He reached out to touch it again and Clark hissed.

“Make you mine,” Clark growled, “Make me yours.”

“Yes,” Lex nodded. He knew they were both losing control, he really didn’t care. He just grabbed Clark by the back of the neck and yanked him forward into a hard kiss, laying claim to his mouth not quite violently.

Neither of them noticed the hologram of Clark’s father smirk, and disappear.

Clark slid his hands down to Lex’s hips and pulled the smaller man closer, almost into his lap. He just had to be in Lex now, Clark almost didn’t care that Lex was pushing at his chest urgently.

“Huh?” he blinked in confusion, finally releasing Lex’s mouth.

“Clark, no,” Lex panted out, berating himself even as he spoke, he was wasting precious time by resisting the urge to open himself to Clark.

“No?” Clark growled, Lex couldn’t stop now.

“Not here, your parents…” Lex just managed to say before he gave into the need to consume Clark.

Clark couldn’t even protest, his mouth was too full of Lex’s tongue licking into him. His lover was in his lap now, erection grinding up against his own. Clark moaned. He couldn’t care less about anything else at this moment, least of all his parents.

Lex found himself on his back and Clark was wrenching his boxers off. He took a deep breath, trying to regain some measure of control, but then Clark was naked and looming over him and any coherency abruptly left his brain.

“God, Clark, need!” Was as far as Lex got. Clark dropped an almost gentle kiss to his mouth, then leaned further over him. Sighing happily, Clark pressed his straining cock onto Lex’s smooth chest, rubbing it slowly over the tattoo. He stared down, watching himself, watching Lex watch him.

The sight of Lex’s eyes darkening, the trail of pre-come slicking up the branded skin was like a slow burn of pleasure extending from his heart to his groin.

Lex continued to watch as his lover pulled back again and rubbed the pre-come into his skin. “Clark,” he whispered. He knew he was being claimed, he knew that Clark was going to fuck him and he didn’t care, he just wanted, *needed* it. His lover shoved him up on the stairs, then tugged him forwards so his ass was hanging off the edge.

Clark grinned. It was just sharky enough to actually worry Lex for a split second before his lover’s head disappeared between his legs. He didn’t know what he was doing, really, but it didn’t seem to matter, Clark was just doing and it felt so right. Licking a stripe between the cheeks of Lex’s ass elicited a shriek from his lover and Clark couldn’t help grinning again.

Holy fuck! Lex felt himself flush over the shriek that had startled him, but not apparently, Clark, who sounded as though he was laughing. How the hell had the tables been turned like this? Shouldn’t Clark be the one making embarrassing noises? Why didn’t he even care?

“More, now!” Lex growled out. Clark hummed happily and licked between Lex’s asscheeks again, from the small of his back up to the base of his balls. Lex smelt so good, tasted so good, God! He had to have more. Clark ignored the burning ache in his cock in favour of tasting more of his lover and plunged his tongue into Lex’s body.

“Oh shit!” Lex couldn’t quite help screaming even though in the back of his mind there was still the niggle of Clark’s parents being nearby. But the feel of slick heat invading him, wiggling inside him and opening him up, was enough to erase any concern. Clark was fucking him with his *tongue*.

Even in his wildest dreams he hadn’t imagined Clark doing that. Being claimed was fucking *great*. Lex rolled his head back, wrapped his legs round Clark’s neck and sank into the heated pleasure coursing through his body.

Lex was chanting. Clark managed to concentrate enough to actually realise that Lex was chanting his name and he grinned. He stabbed his tongue deeper into Lex’s body, holding tight when his lover made the most amazing noise and bucked against him.

Coming, Lex was coming and Clark hadn’t even touched his dick. Shudders wracked his body and spurts of come hit his stomach even as Clark growled and pulled free. On impulse, Lex sat up, wiping some of his semen off his stomach and rubbing it on Clark’s tattoo.

Clark gasped and shuddered as the viscous fluid almost seemed to burn into his skin, disappearing almost instantly. But he was quickly distracted when Lex wiped his stomach again and ran his semen-slick hand over Clark’s aching cock.

“Fucking claim me,” Lex demanded impatiently.

Clark nodded and pulled Lex down off the steps and onto the ground. He lifted his lover’s legs and hooked them over his shoulders. He still didn’t really know what he was doing but he was running on pure instinct. Carefully lining himself up, Clark began to push his cock into Lex’s tight heat.

“Fuck,” Lex gritted his teeth and tried to relax. Despite having come already, he was almost too keyed up for this and semen and spit didn’t make the best lube. “Easy, Clark.”

Clark nodded, managing somehow not to just bury himself inside his lover. He’d never felt anything so amazing before. Lex’s ass gripped him tightly, velvet heat wrapping him in lust, love and completion. He eased forward slowly as Lex opened to him and they both moaned as he filled his lover to the hilt.

The overwhelming urge to claim Lex had eased somewhat and Clark waited, just staring down at Lex with a shy smile. Lex grinned up at his lover. Shifting his legs down to round Clark’s waist, Lex tugged him down for a gentle kiss, lapping at full lips till they parted, stroking Clark’s tongue with his own.