Clark walked home slowly, heedless of the crowds pressing in around
him on the sidewalk in busy, downtown Metropolis. Lost in his own
thoughts, he allowed his feet to guide him automatically to his
favorite café. The owner's familiar smile greeted him. Clark only
nodded in return.

It had been a long day at the Daily Planet, on top of a long week
and an even longer month. Clark sat in his usual booth. He failed to
notice a set of eyes following his every move. Reaching out, he
pushed away the complimentary newspaper on the table in disgust.

Over time, he'd become disenchanted with the journalism business. It
was nothing like he'd thought it would be. The Torch had been a
paper of integrity. But integrity was a dirty word in the newspaper
business. The object of a reporter was to sell papers. It didn't
matter who was hurt in the process. And, of late, it was unavoidable
to live in denial about it any longer.

The Daily Planet had been running a serious of articles
sensationalizing the death of Lionel Luthor. The tone of the
articles targeted Lex's possible involvement in his father's
untimely demise by falling in front of a bullet train while they
were in Tokyo, on a business trip.

It made Clark sick to his stomach to watch Lois chortle with glee as
she wrote them. Often, he was asked for personal recollections of
his friendship with Lex. True, they hadn't been close for years, but
it didn't mean that he felt they were his secrets to tell. It went
against everything his parents had ever taught him.

Lex's friendship had meant so much to him, as a teen. And when he
gave it up, he had no idea how precious it really had been. Yet,
because of his stubbornness, he had never gone back that day to
apologize for his behavior and what amounted to a temper tantrum.
So, he carefully kept his recollections to himself. He may have lost
Lex as a friend, but he would not betray him. Especially, as he came
to realize he didn't just miss Lex's friendship, but somewhere along
the line had developed feelings for the man.

The young millionaire's face haunted his dreams at night, and his
day dreams, as well. His face seemed to appear on every newspaper
that passed his desk, or magazines from stands he walked by. At
last, he'd given in to his feelings in the only way he could.

Lex had been a headliner in his sexual fantasies. And, as time
dragged on, they became more sentimental in nature. Clark chalked it
up to not being a hormonal teenager anymore. He wanted more. His
ultimate dream was that Lex would someday forgive him, and they
would become lovers.

But, it was too much to ask for. Even Clark knew that. Especially
with the stories the Planet had been running. How could Lex ever
forgive him for sitting there and watching it happen? He was as good
as condemned by the company he kept.



Poking at his food once it was delivered to his table, he mused over
his own integrity. On the one hand, he was Clark Kent, alien son of
farmers raised with old-fashioned beliefs and respect for others. On
the other, he was Superman, a defender of truth and justice. Yet, on
a daily basis he was the antithesis of all that. And it made him
sick.

He could still hear his father's voice in his head as he spouted off
one of his favorite sayings, "To thine own self be true." He simply
couldn't justify his life as a reporter. Not any longer, and
certainly not with a clear conscience.

Laying down his fork, he reached into his pocket for his cell phone
and flipped it open. "White, here."

"Mr. White, its Clark Kent; I wanted to let you know that I'll be
handing in my two weeks notice this afternoon." Silence met his
statement, but a great weight seemed to lift off his shoulders as he
said the words.

"Don't bother." Clark blinked in surprise that the words didn't
bother him as much as he supposed he should. "I should have known
you wouldn't have the stomach to work on the Luthor expose with
Lois."

"It's not an expose and it's not journalism either, Mr. White. What
the paper is doing is simply a smear campaign and an attempt to ruin
Lex's life. He was my friend, and I won't betray that. It goes
against everything I believe in," Clark argued.

"Is Luthor paying you off, Kent? Those who live in glass houses
shouldn't cast the first stone. The Planet's number one priority is
to sell papers. Take off the rose colored glasses, Kent, or go back
to the farm," Perry snapped.

"Fine, believe what you want. Print what you want. It's not like
you'll check your facts, anyway. Just ship my stuff to my apartment,
along with my last pay." Clark closed the phone and then his eyes,
sighing in relief. It was over.

~*~

Clark looked around his apartment for the last time. The boxes were
taped and labeled. It was now just a matter of waiting until the
cover of darkness to fly his belongings back to the farm in a few
short trips. "I see you've made some changes to the place. Going
somewhere?"

Turning swiftly, Clark was surprised to see Lex Luthor leaning in
his open doorway. "Uh, yeah. I'm going back to the farm."

Lex folded his arms. "I never pictured you as a quitter, Clark."

Clark sat down on a box and gestured to the others. "Feel free to
take a seat."

Nodding, Lex sat down on a nearby box. "Word is you left the Daily
Planet. I can't help but wonder why. After all, it gave you the
perfect chance to attack me."

"It was Lois, not me, Lex. I know you don't have any reason to
believe me, but it's the truth."

"I suppose it depends who I'm speaking to. Clark Kent, mild mannered
reporter, Clark, son of Martha and Jonathan Kent, or Superman, last
son of Krypton."

"You always understood me better than anyone," Clark smiled. "I
couldn't resolve the first with the latter personalities. I didn't
like what I'd become."

"What they wanted you to be, you mean," Lex drawled. He slid his
legs around the side of the box, hands smoothing out invisible
imperfections in his pants.

"It was too close, Lex. I felt like a hypocrite. Quitting the Planet
was the best thing I've ever done." He looked with amusement at Lex,
grinned as the intricately dressed man carefully straightened the
edge of tape on a box with a manicured fingernail. "Is it me, or
are we getting along again?"

"We are, at that. Perhaps, when you get settled in back at the farm,
you could swing by the castle?" Lex queried, paused, and with a
smirk edging up one side of his mouth, added, "Produce optional."

"Okay." Clark smiled, happy that the rift between them seemed
settled. Perhaps, it wasn't just him that didn't like what he was
about to become. Maybe, Lex didn't like it either. Was that what had
caused the distance between them? Or, was it the secrets? Clark
frowned. "You don't seem mad about my alter-ego."

Lex shrugged. "I've known for a long time." His face tilted,
amused. Eyes filled with something Clark couldn't name held
his. "Pity you didn't trust me."

"I'm trusting you now," Clark replied, leaving the promise of
confidentiality hanging in the air.

"Better late than never," Lex winked. "Isn't that something your
father would have said?" Pale eyebrows rose slightly at the lack of
response.

"I'm sorry about Lionel," Clark said for the first time.

Lex stood up, nodded, and headed for the door stopping in the
doorway. "I didn't do it. But, we both know the world won't miss
him."

"He was still your father."

"Yes, he was." He moved to walk out of the apartment.

Clark quickly added, "I've missed you." He found himself holding a
breath he didn't need to.

Lex turned and gave Clark a sultry grin. "See you soon."

~*~


Martha ran out to greet her son as he arrived home at last, though
she'd known he was shuttling his belongings home since the barn had
been filling up over the past few nights. "Clark!"

Happily, Clark swept up his mother in a hug. "I missed you, mom."

"It's okay, Clark. I know you were busy with your job and protecting
everyone." Martha smiled, her motherly one that radiated
forgiveness. Clark kissed her on the cheek and hugged her
again. "Why now, honey?"

"I didn't like what I was becoming, mom. It wasn't what I thought it
was. I quit. Do you need another hand on the farm?" Clark asked
wryly.

Martha laughed. The farm had long since been rented out, turning a
small profit, but when combined with Jonathan's life insurance and
the money Clark had sent home, was enough to keep it afloat. Clark
knew he'd have to find work soon, but first, he just wanted to enjoy
his mother's company and cooking.

And hopefully, getting to see Lex.

~*~

The next few days were spent re-adjusting and strolling down memory
lane. Clark ate heartily, happy to enjoy the simple pleasure of home-
cooking and being home.

Newspapers in Metropolis wondered where their hero had gone. But,
Clark knew the public's memory was a short one, and he'd soon be
forgotten. He knew from history that Smallville's own oddities would
be enough to keep him busy. Metropolis had made do without him
before and they could do it again. He promised himself that if some
big natural disaster came along, Superman would be there.

But first, he'd promised to visit Lex. Yet, if he went the first
day, would that seem needy? Should he wait a couple of days? But how
long? Wouldn't that make Lex think he didn't want to come? Would it
make Lex think he didn't want his olive branch of friendship? The
ball was clearly in his court.

He decided to wait until the end of the week. The first weekend
after his return would seem an adequate period of time to settle in.
Wouldn't it? Had Lex sensed his attraction? Lex had seemed
straightforward. But, was he?

Was there any chance that Lex was just luring him in to humiliate
him? No. There was no reason. Lex had gone the extra mile to repair
their friendship when it was Clark who had blown it in the first
place. Now, he had a second chance, and he was not gone to mess this
one up.
~*~

Clark drove the old pickup over to Lex's. He got stuck behind a
horse trailer and to his surprise, followed it to the castle in the
corn. Getting out, he was greeted by Lex with a smile.

It was all Clark could do not to read too much into that smile. Lex
wasn't one to randomly smile. Was that smile just for him? Or, was
he happy about this horse? He usually wore a mask to hide his true
feelings. That is, except when they were younger and still friends.
Would Lex let him back in that easily? Was he really completely
forgiven?

Lex moved over towards him and slid an arm around one shoulder.
Clark smiled at him, feeling the walls between them crumble into
dust, along with his doubts and fears. It was as if they'd stepped
back into time. Had he managed to redeem himself in Lex's eyes?
Clark bit back the hope that there could be more between them than
friendship and tried to enjoy having Lex back in his life. It would
have to be enough.

He leaned casually back into Lex's arm and was rewarded with a
squeeze and another blazing smile. Clark felt his heart melt and
firmly reminded himself that to push for anything further could send
Lex out of his life once more. And, even though he'd been forgiven,
he had a feeling if Lex called an end to the friendship, it would be
over forever. He inhaled Lex's scent deeply and told himself he
could fantasize later.

"Just load him over there," Lex pointed to what appeared to be a
brand new barn with his free hand. Seeing his gaze drift to the new
structure, Lex gestured toward it. "Do you like it? It's state-of-
the-art facility, complete with tack room, riding arena, vet
station, office, and trophy room."

They walked over, and Clark couldn't help be impressed. He whistled
as they entered the huge barn. "This is great."

The horse was brought in, and Lex smoothed one hand over its
muscular flanks. Yet, his eyes never really left Clark's. Clark felt
a shiver run through him as old feelings rushed through him. He
often had thought about Lex in sexual situations, but they were
fantasies, nothing more. Or were they?

As he watched the horse calm under Lex's touch, Clark felt himself
heat up. Lex's graceful hands danced over the dark horse flesh,
stroking the stallion occasionally, causing the skin to tremble
underneath his hand.

Clark watched every dip of his fingers and wondered if they would
feel hot on his own flesh? Or cool? Would it calm him or excite him?
Added to this incredible show in front of him, he could smell the
leather from the tack room. It was a scent that never failed to turn
him on, although, who would ever think it of him?

Would Lex? Did Lex like sex wild and rough? Or slow and deliberate?
Was he kinky or vanilla in his approach? His fantasies about Lex
were coming to him in a flood of hormones.

And still, Lex caressed the horse. The stallion made a gentle
snickering sound, which Clark wondered meant `more'. If he were in
the horse's position, that was certainly what he'd ask for. He'd
pleaded for more enough, in his fantasies of Lex.

Shadow met light, sweat met coolness, as Lex's hands glided over the
horse flex. It didn't seem to miss a thing. Clark's hands clenched
into fists and his nails dug into his impenetrable skin. He had to
hold on or he'd burst into flames on the spot. Or, his heat vision
would go wild. Lust surged through him as if he was sixteen once
more, and not well into his twenties.

How many times had he dreamed of Lex's hands caressing him like they
did this horse? The countless hours spent at press conferences,
watching Lex's graceful hands, commanding, strong and yet graceful
at the same time. His fantasies were seemingly coalescing before
him. Never before had he been as jealous as he was now. The horse
was living out his fantasies.

But, had he based them on fact? Lex's steely, smoldering gaze met
his own and Clark's cock jumped, hope surging through him that maybe
it was his turn to receive a full body inspection. He shifted to
adjust his pants and Lex's gaze turned into a smug smile. Giving the
horse a light smack on its hindquarters, he nodded to the man
leading it, and the pair walked toward the row of stalls.

"Why the sudden interest in having a horse, Lex?" Clark asked,
hoping to shift his mind to somewhere north of his belt.

"He's a stud horse." Lex smirked. "Care to watch when he mounts up?"

Clark hoped he was too old to blush, but if Lex's grin was anything
to go by, he wasn't. He gulped. "Um, so what's his name?"

"Clark."

"Yes?"

"Clark."

"Yes?" Clark asked with some irritation in his voice.

Lex laughed. "His name is Clark."

"What? Why would you name him Clark?" he asked in surprise.

Taking a step into Clark's personal space, Lex leaned forward and
breathed, "So I can ride him, all day or all night, as long as I
want and as hard as I want." Closing his eyes, Clark fought not to
fly apart at the seams. "Look at me."

Gulping, Clark opened his eyes to stare into Lex's. "Don't tease
me."

"I've waited a long time, Clark. I promise, I'm not teasing. Be my
lover. We've been destined to be lovers since you saved my life,"
Lex whispered a breath away from his lips.

It was too much and with a rush of wind, in mere seconds, Clark had
Lex flat on his back and completely undressed on his bed in the
castle. When Lex came to his senses and realized what was happening,
Clark was already licking a path down his chest.

"Is that a yes?" Lex chuckled.

Clark leaned up and kissed Lex deeply, leaving him breathless.
Pulling away, he seemed to look into Lex's soul, and answered. "Yes.
And, Lex?"

"Yes?"

"Change the name of the horse."

~*~

The end