Author: Marag
Title: Superman

Rating:  R

Pairing:  Clark/Lex

Summary:  Just a moment in time.

Disclaimer: Fair use (Parody, unless TPTB know something about Superman that I don't) Lyrics reprinted without permission of composer.

Feedback address: clearasmud@sympatico.ca

Author's Notes:  Future fic.   Answers the challenge for song fic without lyrics.  Song posted at the end.
Beta:  The beautiful and always amazing Terpsichore.

Superman

It was Thursday.  Superman was almost positive it was Thursday as circled the LeXcorp towers six times before veering off and flying to the outer edge of Metropolis.

He circled Metropolis for awhile.  It was still Thursday, so he flew back to LeXcorp.

He hovered outside the office of the CEO, as if the mirrored glass could provide some form of insight.  His distorted reflection, the sigil of the House of El obliterated by blood, offered him none.

Superman drifted closer, wondering if those inside had noticed him.  He wasn’t sure if he wanted them too or not.  The smell of drying blood turned his stomach.

Swallowing bile, Superman turned away, and flew.

*****

He flew laps around LeXcorp Plant Number One for fifteen, maybe twenty minutes.  He debated landing at the old Castle, but he knew that only Lionel was in residence.

He decided to avoid the senior Luthor; he was depressed; not suicidal

He landed in the yard of the Kent farm. 

It was late afternoon, and it was still Thursday, but there was no sign of his parents.  Too tired to decide if this was good or bad; he walked to the barn.

He stopped at the bottom of the stairs, pulled off his costume and incinerated it.  There was a shower stall set up at the back.  It was solar heated, used filtered rainwater, and his dad had thought Lex insane when he had installed a few years back. 

It wasn't the first time Superman had come here to cleanse himself.  He let the water pour over him; washing away the blood and the sins of others until the cistern was dry.

Clark emerged from the shower.   Feeling more - well human for want of a better word - he walked naked back to the stairs and slowly climbed them.  He didn't want to super speed anywhere at the moment, so clothes would have to wait until he found a towel or a blanket.

His loft changed little over the years.  Instead of reclaiming the space, his parents left it much the same.  Perhaps it was nostalgia, or perhaps they understood that he sometimes needed it to be there.  Waiting.  Safe.

Fresh clothes, including socks and shoes were folded neatly on the table.  Lex was sprawled bonelessly on the sofa.

"Hi."

"What are you doing here?"

"I had a sudden urge to visit my In-Laws."

"Lex."

"Figured you'd need a change of clothing.

"How did you know I'd be here?"

"Educated guess.  Hope is at the Penthouse, Mercy is at the Castle."

"Oh."

"Mercy is hardwired to CNN."

"Oh."

Lex stood up and grabbed his car keys off the table where they rested beside Clark's clothes.  "Get dressed, it's time to go."

"Where are we going?"

"Away."

****

The truck was as immaculate as the day Clark had returned it to the castle so many years ago.  Lex kept it in perfect working condition.

Clark had expected to be tossed the keys, instead Lex climbed into the driver’s seat without a word.  A quick glance told Clark the truck was packed.  Still feeling drained, he just went with the flow, and got in.

The drive was mostly silent.  A word here and there; soft music playing in the background. 

Lex would occasionally reach over and rest his hand on Clark's leg, reassuring them both that they were safe.

After a couple of hours Lex pulled over and phoned Mercy.  After a brief conversation he hung up, turned off the phone and handed it to Clark. "Glove compartment."

"You'll go into withdrawal."

"You can distract me."

Clark smiled his first genuine smile of the day.

"Where are going?"

"Not here."

"Oh."

Lex just grinned and started the truck.

****

They pulled off the main road just after dark.  "Can you drive from here please?"

"Drive where?"

"Just follow this road."

That ended the conversation.  Clark was oddly grateful; the silence was in no way uncomfortable.  Within a few moments he understood the change in drivers.  The road was narrow, twisty and his reflexes were coming in handy

"So, I'm guessing we're not in Kansas anymore?"

Lex's smile was warm and it went a long way toward making Clark feel better "Gee Dorothy, what gave it away?"

Clark smiled back, and it felt good. "Oh, I don't know, the five hour drive, the giant Welcome to Missouri sign..."

"The *mountain* maybe?"

Clark laughed out loud "Yeah, that too."

They settled back into a restful silence.  Clark could feel the tensions beginning to ease.

"Taum Sauk."

"Route 66?"

"You like this whole American Way shtick; I thought you should see it"

"You just never struck me as much of an agritourist."

"Hey, I've shoveled shit with the best of them."

Clark let out a sound he refused to admit was a giggle.  "Do I turn here?"

"Into the State Park?  I think not.  Keep driving, there's a road about five miles ahead."

"Okay, so now I am asking... where are we going?"

"We own a cabin up here."

"*We* do?"

"Well technically, you do..."

"Lex..."

Lex shrugged, trying, and failing to look innocent.  "I had nothing to do with it.  My grandfather left it to my father; my father deeded it to you."

"Huh?"

"He gave me the papers last year, told me to save it for an emergency."

"And the walls are lined with Kryptonite?"

"Lead, actually."

Clark opened his mouth, closed it with an audible snap and kept driving.

****

"Wow."

"I thought you'd like it.  We're alone and it's safe here."

"Wow."

"You said that."

"It bore repeating."

"Want to come inside?"

"Dinner and seduction"

"I was thinking of dinner and sleep"

"Not planning to seduce me?"

Lex stopped and turned, making sure Clark met his eyes.  "No, I just plan to love you."

*******

The cabin was well stocked, the freezer full to overflowing, most of the containers looking suspiciously like his mother's Tupperware.

Dinner was grilled cheese sandwiches and a cup of his mom's homemade Tomato soup.

"How does my mother know about this place?"

"Dad asked her advice about the redecorating.  She keeps the freezer stocked, and she and your dad borrow it from time to time."

Clark processed the information, and then simply ignored it. They chatted about nothing for the rest of the meal.  After dinner they sat on the porch swing, held hands and watched the night sky in silence. 

Eventually Lex stood and led Clark back inside.  No words were spoken as he undressed them both and took Clark to bed, and held him. 

"Are you ready to talk?"

"I'd rather make love and go to sleep."

"Well I'm not likely to refuse, but..."

"It was bad... really bad."

"I know."

"I don't want... Superman..."

"Superman is part of you.  I married you... for better _and_ for worse.  Never feel you have to protect me from him."

"I'm sorry."

"Stop apologizing and fuck me already."

Clark pulled back and stared, trying to decide if he should laugh or cry.  He compromised and kissed Lex instead.

It was rough at first.  A trail of bite marks, a dusting of fingertip shaped bruises, kisses hard and sharp.  Lex opened himself to whatever Clark needed, at first kissing him back with fiery passion, but then slowly soothing with gentle strokes down Clark's side.

Clark knelt; poised at the entrance to Lex's body and Lex braced for hard and fast.  But the brutal thrust never came, instead Clark took him slowly; his movements steady, almost sensuous.  After that, it was gentle.  Clark moved as if he was afraid Lex would break; the tenderness almost unbearable. 

They made love for hours.   Finally Clark felt sated and carefully withdrew.  Lex didn't say a word, he just held him a little tighter.

Tomorrow they would talk. 

Tomorrow Superman would weep.

Tonight, he slept.

***************

The Power of Two

Now the parking lot is empty

Everyone’s gone someplace

I pick you up and in the trunk I’ve packed

A cooler and a 2-day suitcase

Cause there’s a place we like to drive

Way out in the country

Five miles out of the city limit we’re singing

And your hand’s upon my knee

So we’re okay

We’re fine

Baby I’m here to stop your crying

Chase all the ghosts from your head

I’m stronger than the monster under your bed

Smarter than the tricks played on your heart

We’ll look at them together then we’ll take them apart

Adding up the total of a love that’s true

Multiply life by the power of two

You know the things that I am afraid of

I’m not afraid to tell

And if we ever leave a legacy

It’s that we loved each other well

Cause I’ve seen the shadows of so many people

Trying on the treasures of youth

But a road that fancy and fast

Ends in a fatal crash

And I’m glad we got off

To tell you the truth

Cause we’re okay

We’re fine…

All the shiny little trinkets of temptation

(make new friends)

Something new instead of something old

(but keep the old)

All you gotta do is scratch beneath the surface

(but remember what is gold)

And it’s fools gold

(what is gold)

Fools gold

(what is gold)

Fools gold

Now we’re talking about a difficult thing

And your eyes are getting wet

I took us for better and I took us for worse

Don’t you ever forget it

Now the steel bars between me and a promise

Suddenly bend with ease

The closer I’m bound in love to you

The closer I am to free

So we’re okay

We’re fine

Baby I’m here to stop your crying

Chase all the ghosts from your head

I’m stronger than the monster beneath your bed

Smarter than the tricks played on your heart

We’ll look at them together then we’ll take them apart

Adding up the total of a love that’s true

Multiply life by the power of two