Fic: Perfect Petals (Smallville Big Bang Fic), Part 2

[sinderella81]

Title: Perfect Petals
Author: cinderella81 
Beta: lexalicious70
Word Count: 16033
Rating: NC-17 (for sexual situations)
Pairing/Genre/: Clex, AU drama romance
Summary: Clark Kent thought he had the perfect life: married to his high school sweetheart, Lana Lang and running the flower shop in town. It wasn’t how he’d planned his life turning out, but he was happy … or so he thought. Then Lex Luthor drove into town and swept Clark off his feet; suddenly, Clark is questioning everything he thought he knew.
Author’s Notes/Warning/Disclaimer/ Spoilers: Slight spoilers for the whole series. Smallville and its characters do not belong to me, I just enjoy playing with them!

Come check out the awesome fanmix that ryuutchi  did for me here!!!!!

 

The early morning sun warmed Clark’s face as he lay sleeping on Lex’s couch. He pried his eyes open and looked around, slightly disoriented. He grumbled and rolled off the couch, grunting as he came into contact with hardwood covered in Persian carpet.

“Lex, movies,” Clark murmured, standing and rubbing his hair sleepily.

Lex was in the kitchen, nursing a cup of coffee. Sleep had not come easily, not knowing that the man that had starred in many a wet dream had been asleep in his house.

“Coffee?” Clark whimpered as he entered the kitchen.

Lex looked over towards the doorway and a chuckle died on his lips. ‘Holy fuck … ’ Clark’s shirt was scrunched up around his waist, giving Lex tantalizing glimpses of the man’s golden skin and … he was barefoot. ‘How can feet be sexy?’ Lex thought to himself.

His eyes lit upon Clark’s wild, sleep rumpled curls and he couldn’t fight the wide smile that came to his lips. Lex decided right then and there that he would sneak into Clark’s place and destroy any hairdryer or flat iron that would even attempt to tame those gorgeous curls.

“Coffee?” Clark asked again.

Lex was finally able to breathe and nodded, fixing Clark a large mug.

Clark mumbled a ‘thank you’ and poured a ton of sugar and creamer into his coffee. He took a large sip and sighed happily. “Coffee,” he said, suddenly sounding much more coherent.

“Good morning to you, too,” Lex teased.

Clark blushed and looked over the lip of his mug at Lex. “Good morning,” he said. “Sorry … I need my coffee.”

“No, you need the sugar and creamer you pour into it,” Lex said with a wink. “I’m the one who needs the coffee for the caffeine.”

Clark just grinned, shrugged, and continued to sip his coffee. “I’m sorry,” he said.

“For what?” Lex asked, leaning against the counter.

“For falling asleep on you,” Clark said. “I had totally intended to stay up and finish all the movies.”

“We’ll have more chances,” Lex replied. “I promise.”

“Good,” Clark said, downing the rest of his coffee. “Damn, that was good. What kind of coffee is that?”

“The expensive kind,” Lex replied with a wink. “Kopi Luwak - it’s only been roasted after it’s been eaten and excreted by a palm civet.”

“Eaten and ex - you mean it’s … Ew!” Clark said, making a face.

Lex laughed at Clark’s face, trying not to think about how cute it was. “But it was good, right?” he said.

“It was probably the best coffee I’ve ever had,” Clark replied. “Just … eaten and excreted … If you ever get me to try something new again, don’t tell me what it is, okay?”

“All right,” Lex said. “My lips are sealed.” He calmly sipped his own coffee, smiling over the lip of his mug at Clark.

Clark rolled his eyes and looked around for real food; coffee only did so much. Clark didn’t know if he really needed to eat, but he certainly liked to eat. He spotted a plate of bagels near Lex’s right hand and leaned over to snag one.

Lex smiled and watched Clark carefully. He couldn’t deny that there was an inherent air of grace and beauty around the man. Just the way he moved was … beautiful.

“What time do you have to leave?” Lex asked as he finished his coffee.

“Um … “ Clark looked down at his watch. “Shit! Um … now. I gotta get home and get the shop opened … Bart will be there soon and there are deliveries and …“

Lex laughed and held up a hand. “Relax,” he said. “Go open your shop. Maybe I’ll stop by for lunch?”

Clark gave Lex an almost shy smile. “I’d … I’d like that,” he murmured.

“Great,” Lex said. “Then I’ll see you later.”

“Okay,” Clark said. He popped the rest of the bagel in his mouth, gave Lex and wave and then … he was gone.

“God, he has no idea what he does to me,” Lex whispered.

***

Bart whistled to himself as he headed for the backdoor of Perfect Petals. He was a little late, but he didn’t think Clark would mind. He wrapped his hand around the doorknob, turned it and … nothing. He rattled the knob a bit. ‘Maybe it’s stuck,’ he thought as he tried a couple more times.

“Sorry! Sorry, hold on!” The backdoor opened and there was Clark, hair mussed, shirt rumpled.

“Sleeping in now that the missus is out of town, huh?” Bart asked with a grin.

“Um … no, actually,” Clark said. “I … well, I just got home.”

Bart blinked. Twice. “Just got home? Where’d you head off to?” he asked.

“I went over to Lex’s and we watched some movies,” Clark admitted, stepping out of the way so Bart could go inside.

Bart stopped and stared at his boss/friend. He looked a bit flustered, but … happy. He looked really happy.

“Did you have fun?” Bart asked with a grin.

“We watched 80s movies,” Clark said. “Do you know that Lex hasn’t seen any of the classic 80s teen movies?”

“I never would have guessed, man,” Bart replied cheekily. “Thought he’d be watching ‘Breakfast Club’ every weekend.”

Clark snorted and swatted his friend’s arm. “Smartass,” he said.

“You look … really happy, dude,” Bart said. “Um … can I say something?”

“Sure,” Clark replied as he headed into the shop and began to open up.

“You look … happier than I’ve seen you,” Bart said softly. “Don’t know if I’ve ever seen you this happy.”

“I am happy,” Clark said. “I … God, Bart … I feel so … free! Like I have my whole life in front of me.” The realization hit and almost instantly his face fell. “Fuck.”

“What? What’s wrong with being happy, man?” Bart asked.

“Because,” Clark whispered. “Because I feel this happy … without Lana … you know, my wife?”

Bart hopped up on one of the counters and watched his friend, swinging his feet. “Then maybe this is a sign,” he said.

“A sign,” Clark mumbled as he unlocked the front door and flipped the sign to ‘Open’. “I need to talk to Lana.”

“But, isn’t she in Metropolis? Some flower convention or something?” Bart asked.

“Metropolis isn’t that far,” Clark said. “After work I’ll … drive out there and talk to her.”

“Wow, man,” Bart said. “You sure about this?”

“Yeah,” Clark said softly. “If I’m this happy … and she’s not here … then something’s wrong. And I need to talk about it with her. We need to figure this out.”

“Don’t you want to wait until she comes back?” Bart asked. “I mean, really dude, take some time to think about this … “

“No, I need to talk to her about this now,” Clark said. “While it’s fresh in my brain. I don’t want her to come home and we fall back in this … funk.”

Bart nodded, pushing wild curls off his forehead. “So … you’re happy … when you’re hanging out with Lex?” he asked cautiously.

Clark was quiet for a minute, mulling Bart’s question over in his head. ‘Am I happy when Lana’s not here, or is it that I’m just happier with Lex?’ he thought to himself.

“I … I don’t know, Bart,” Clark said. “I’m happy when I’m hanging out with Lex, but … I don’t know if … if he’s the reason or if it’s just that … “

“That Lana’s not here,” Bart said. “Gotcha. Well … sounds like you got some thinking and some talking to do.”

“That I do,” Clark agreed. He got the computer booted up and printed out Bart’s schedule. “Okay, you don’t have a lot of deliveries today … just a couple around town, and they’re in the cooler waiting for you.”

“All right,” Bart said. “I’ll get them done in a flash.”

“I know you will,” Clark said with a smile.

“And hey … everything is gonna work out,” Bart said, putting a hand on Clark’s arm. “Just … do what makes you happy, man.”

“Right,” Clark replied softly.

Bart gave Clark’s arm a gentle squeeze before heading off to do his deliveries for the day, leaving Clark to his thoughts.

***

Clark closed the shop early and climbed into his beat-up pickup truck and drove to Metropolis. He used the three hours to go over how he was feeling and what he wanted to say.

“Something has changed,” Clark said to himself softly as he drove. He didn’t even have the radio on, fearing it would distract him from what he wanted to say. “I’m … I’m not happy.” He’d finally said it. Granted, he hadn’t said it to his wife, but he’d said it out loud. “I’m not happy and … I think we need to think about a separation.”

‘Wow … that felt really good saying that out loud,’ Clark thought to himself as he got off the freeway in the heart of Metropolis and headed for the hotel Lana had said she was staying at.

“I’m looking for Lana Lang-Kent,” Clark said, smiling at the young woman behind the counter.

“And you are?” the girl asked, looking at her computer screen as she typed.

“I’m her husband,” Clark said.

The girl immediately looked up at Clark, her eyes wide. “H-h-husband?” she said, her face going pale.

“Yes,” Clark said slowly.

“Oh … um … well,” the girl stammered. “She’s not here.”

“She’s not here,” Clark repeated. “Do you happen to know where she went? I know that she was here for some convention, but it should be done for the day by now.”

At that, the girl got a confused look on her face. “Sir, there are no conventions in the area,” she said. “Your wife did check in, but she left some time ago … “

“Wait, no convention? She left?” Clark asked, confused. Lana had told him that she was there for a floral convention … she’d lied to him?

“Yes, sir,” the girl said, gulping. “About two hours ago … “

“Do you know where she went? I really need to talk to her,” Clark said.

“A car picked her up … The same car that’s picked her up the past three days,” the girl said. “But I don’t know where it took her.”

“Thank you,” Clark said, turning away from the desk and walking outside. He stood in front of the hotel, scanning the traffic. He didn’t know where she went … didn’t know if she’d be back.

“I guess I’ll just wait,” Clark murmured, sitting on a bench near the entrance to the hotel … waiting.

***

Lana curled up against Oliver as the limo wound it’s way back to her hotel. She still didn’t know how she’d managed to convince her husband that she was at a convention for a whole week … Had he checked online he would have discovered that there was no convention. Lana couldn’t understand the blind faith and loyalty her husband had in her.

“You’re here for another couple of days, right?” Oliver asked, kissing Lana’s hair.

“Until tomorrow night,” Lana said. “I go home Saturday morning.”

“I was thinking tomorrow we might go to the theatre,” Oliver said.

“Or, we could just stay in,” Lana said, smiling up at Oliver. “We’d have much more fun.”

“Can’t get enough of it, can you?” Oliver growled as he pressed Lana back against the seats and kissed her.

“You know I can’t, baby,” Lana purred, wrapping her arms around Oliver.

“Such a little slut,” Oliver said, nipping Lana’s neck as the limo came to a stop in front of Lana’s hotel.

“Always for you,” Lana replied with a grin. “I better go … don’t want to be late in case he calls.”

“He didn’t call last night … maybe he won’t call tonight,” Oliver said.

“I don’t want to take that chance,” Lana said. “I’m surprised he hasn’t figured it out already … “

“Fine,” Oliver said. “But I’m coming tomorrow to get you for a night on the town.”

“I’ll be here. See you tomorrow.” Lana climbed out, but leaned right back inside, giving Oliver one last kiss. As the limo pulled away, Oliver poked his head out the window and blew Lana a kiss. Lana laughed and gave Oliver a wave before she turned to enter the hotel.

Clark saw the limo pulled up and perked up a bit. He’d been waiting for a couple hours, just sitting outside the hotel. He watched as his wife climbed out of the limo, then leaned in and … Clark’s heart nearly broke in two when he saw his wife kissing another man. ‘How did I not see this?’ He asked himself when he saw the joy on his wife’s face. She was happier without him.

Lana was almost at the door when she saw Clark.

“Hello Lana,” Clark said softly, standing and walking over to her.

“Clark … what are you doing here?” Lana asked.

“I came here to see you,” Clark said. “No convention?” Before Lana could speak up, Clark spoke again. “I talked with the girl at the check in counter. So, I sat out here and waited … I was going to ask why you’d come out here … but I guess I know why now.”

“Clark … “ Lana started.

“How long?” Clark asked. “How long have you been cheating on me?”

Lana wrapped her arms around her chest and looked down at the ground. “Almost a year,” she whispered.

“A year?” Clark said, taking a step back. “A year … How could I have been so blind?” He turned and started to walk away.

“Wait!” Lana rushed over and put her hand on Clark’s shoulder.

Clark shrugged her hand off. “Don’t,” he whispered. “Don’t touch me … “ He turned and looked at his wife. “Was our marriage really that bad that you had to run here and find someone else? We’ve been together since high school, Lana … “

“I know,” Lana murmured. “And our marriage wasn’t bad … “
 

“But it’s not a marriage,” Clark said. “Not anymore.” He turned away from her and started walking to his car. “Don’t worry about coming home right away … stay here … finish out your … convention. Take some time to think things out.”

“Clark - “

“I’ll be moving into the bed and breakfast on the edge of town … Do whatever you want with the shop,” Clark said, not even bothering to look back at Lana as he climbed into his truck and sped off.

***

The dying light from the fireplace cast a glow over the amber liquid in the glass in Lex’s left hand. He sat on the large leather couch, staring at the glowing embers, mulling over the past few days with Clark.

He had really enjoyed just spending time with the younger man and not trying to get into his pants. Not that Lex didn’t want to get into Clark’s pants, just … he still wasn’t one hundred percent sure how Clark felt. And if he couldn’t have Clark in his bed, he at least wanted Clark in his life.

“I won’t take him from his wife,” Lex murmured. “I won’t be like my father, splitting up a happy marriage.”

“My marriage is anything but happy.”

Lex jumped and turned, nearly dropping his glass of scotch. There was Clark in the doorway, eyes red, hair a disheveled mess. “Clark, what - “

“I’m sorry, but your valet let me in … I … um … I didn‘t know where else to go.“ Clark wrapped his arms around himself.

“What’s wrong?” Lex asked, carefully setting his glass on a nearby table before standing and approaching Clark.

“After … our movie night,” Clark whispered. “I went back to the shop … and I talked with Bart a bit … I was so happy, Lex. Happier than I’ve felt in a long time … So, I went to Metropolis to talk to Lana … “ Clark swayed a bit and Lex raced to his side to help him sit down.

“You went to Metropolis … “ Lex started.

“I went to the hotel, the one Lana’s staying at,” Clark said. “And she wasn’t there … the girl behind the desk told me there was no convention …”

Lex got a sinking feeling in his stomach. He got the distinct feeling that Clark’s story wasn’t going to end well.

“So, I waited outside for her,” Clark said. “I waited for about an hour or so … and when she finally showed up, she climbed out of Oliver Queen’s limousine.” His eyes watered up and he wiped his face with the back of his hand.

“She’s been cheating on you,” Lex murmured.

Clark nodded and dropped his head back against the back of the couch. “A year,” he murmured. “A year!” He pounded a fist onto the couch angrily.

“I’m sorry,” Lex said, reaching over and placing a hand on Clark’s forearm.

Clark sniffed and blinked at Lex. “It’s not your fault,” he murmured. “I don’t even know if it’s my fault … “

“It’s not your fault,” Lex said. “If she can’t see what’s right in front of her, then it’s her problem.”

“I’m … I’m moving into the bed and breakfast on the edge of town,” Clark said. “Lana can do whatever she wants with the flower shop … damn, I need to call Bart … “

“Calling Bart can wait, I’m sure,” Lex said. “Worry about yourself for now … “

Clark rubbed his face and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “Five years,” he whispered. “We’ve been married for five years … together for four years before that … nine years together and … it’s over.”

Lex didn’t quite know how to respond. He knew Clark was hurting, and struggled to find comforting words. “It is over,” he said. “But … now you know. Now you can … find things that really do make you happy … “

“Right now I just … want to stop hurting,” Clark whispered.

“Oh Clark,” Lex murmured, immediately pulling Clark into his arms.

Clark sank into Lex’s embrace, burying his face in Lex’s neck. “It hurts,” he mumbled. “It hurts so much … why doesn’t she love me?”

“She’s crazy for not seeing what she has,” Lex said, rubbing Clark’s back soothingly. “You’re a great guy … kind, caring, funny …”

“But I couldn’t make her happy,” Clark said, resting his head on Lex’s shoulder. It felt right, being with Lex.

“Lana’s crazy,” Lex said. “She’s letting go of the best man she’ll ever know … “

Clark sniffed and pulled back, giving Lex a tentative smile. “Really?” he whispered.

“Really,” Lex murmured, brushing a lock of hair off Clark’s forehead. “You’re a catch.”

Clark sniffed again. “Does it stop hurting?” he asked.

“Honestly? I don’t know,” Lex said. “I haven’t been in your situation. But … now you know the truth and can move on … be happy.”

“Can I tell you something?” Clark asked.

“Of course.”

“I was … really happy on our movie night,” Clark said. “I can’t remember the last time I’d felt so … free. Being with you … “

Lex smiled and rubbed Clark’s arm soothingly. “I really enjoy spending time with you, too,” he said.

“I … “ Clark said. “I’m really confused.”

“I know,” Lex said. “And … I’ll be here whenever you want to talk. But I think right now the best thing is for you to go home. Pack up your things and go to the bed and breakfast. Take some time for yourself, Clark.”

“But … “

Lex smiled and ran a thumb over Clark’s cheekbone. “I’m not going anywhere, okay?” he said. “But you need to take time for you. You need to take time and think. It’s your time, now.”

Clark blushed and leaned into Lex’s touch. “My time,” he murmured. “I … just don’t disappear on me, okay?”

“Didn’t I say I wasn’t going anywhere?” Lex teased gently. “I’ll be here … anytime.”

“Okay,” Clark said softly. “I … I guess I’ll go?”

Lex nodded and shifted back a bit so Clark could get up. “Call me or come by whenever you want, okay?” he said.

Clark nodded. “I will,” he said. “You’re … you’re my best friend.”

Lex gave Clark a smile. “And you’re mine,” he said. “Come find me when you’ve figured things out, okay?”

“I’ll talk to you soon,” Clark said. He leaned forward and gave Lex a tight hug before leaving Lex alone.

“Well, wonders never cease,” Lex murmured to himself.

***

“Clark!” Bart entered the Talon and saw his friend sitting in the back, sipping a coffee.

“Hey Bart,” Clark said. “Glad you made it.”

“Well, when I got to Perfect Petals and saw it was closed … and then I got your call … I knew something was up,” Bart said, sitting down across from Clark.

“Lana’s not opening the shop?” Clark said.

Bart shook his head, sending whisky colored curls flying. “Shop hasn’t been opened in a couple days,” he said. “Lana left a note for me on the door saying she wasn’t gonna run it anymore. I kinda hope she gives it you … you’d turn it into something awesome. So … you two … ?”

Clark nodded. “I went to Metropolis and … she’s cheating on me with Oliver Queen,” he said. “I guess she has been for a year.”

“No shit?” Bart said. “That sucks, man.”

“But I’m glad I found out,” Clark said. “It … it made my decision that much easier.” He took a deep breath, the tension leaving his body. “I filed for divorce.”

“Whoa,” Bart said.

“Neither of us were happy,” Clark said. “I deserve some happiness … and I wasn’t happy with her.”

“You weren’t,” Bart said bluntly.

Clark smiled a bit. “So, I actually had a thought,” he said. “You still need a job, right?”

“Well, yeah,” Bart said. “I gotta keep myself lookin’ hot!”

Clark burst out laughing. “Well, if Lana’s not going to run the shop,” he said. “I was thinking of … buying it from her.”

“And doing what?” Bart asked. “You’re not meant to be a florist, man.”

“Don’t I know it,” Clark said. “I was thinking of turning it into a comic book shop.”

“Really?” Bart asked. “That would be totally awesome, dude! And you’d let me work there?”

“Of course I would,” Clark said with a smile. “You’re my comic buddy.”

“Thanks, man,” Bart said. “So … a divorce, huh?”

“Yeah, I’m going to be a divorcee,” Clark said. “Kind of strange, but … it’s what’s right.”

“So … you caught Lana in Metropolis,” Clark said. “Where did you go … after that?”

“I couldn’t think of anywhere else to go … I went to Lex’s,” Clark said.

“You went … but it had to be like, after midnight,” Bart said.

“Lex was awake,” Clark said with a shrug. “We talked for a couple minutes.”

“Did you tell him?” Bart asked.

Clark blushed a bit. “I told him about how happy I was when I was with him for the movie night,” he said.

“And?” Bart asked, sitting on the edge of his seat.

“He likes spending time with me, too,” Clark murmured. “I told him I was confused, and he said that he would be there if I needed to talk.”

“You’re confused?” Bart said, reaching out to touch Clark’s hand.

“Yeah,” Clark said, almost shyly. “Extremely. I mean … I feel all these … things for Lex.”

“Things?” Bart asked gently. “What kinds of things?”

“The things … the things I used to feel for Lana,” Clark whispered, looking around as if to make sure no one around would hear him.

Bart smiled a bit and pat Clark’s hand. “I understand your confusion,” he said. “I went through that same confusion.”

“You?” Clark asked. “What did you do?”

“I spent some time alone,” Bart said. “Then … I went to a couple clubs. Tested it out.”

“Oh … I couldn’t … “ Clark blushed and looked down at his coffee.

“I don’t think you’ll have to do what I did,” Bart said with a smile. “I mean, you’ve got someone already. If Lex is saying he’ll be there for you … I bet he’s hoping that he’s the one you want … I say go for it, man.”

“I’m still coming to grips with everything,” Clark said. “I mean … I just found out about Lana a couple days ago.”

“I know,” Bart replied. “I’m just saying … I don’t think you’ll have to go far to find that special someone … the one who makes you forget about your broken heart.”

Clark ducked his head a bit. “I don’t think I’ll have to go far either,” he said. “So … are you okay until Lana and I figure things out with the shop? I can loan you some money or put you up at the bed and breakfast for a while … “

“Nah, I’m good,” Bart said. “I’m chilling with a friend in Star City for a while. But you’ve got my cell, right? You’ll let me know when you open that comic book shop?”

“You’ll be my first call,” Clark promised.

“Awesome,” Bart said. “Anyway, I gotta jet. Talk to you soon?”

“Definitely,” Clark promised with a smile.

“Cool,” Bart said. “Catch ya later!” He gave Clark a wink and a smile as he stood and left the Talon.

Clark stared down at his coffee, stirring it idly as he mulled over his future.

***

“I don’t want the flower shop,” Lana said. She sat across from Clark at her attorney’s office in Metropolis. She was wearing a new pale pink suit and her hair was obviously professionally styled. She had easily fallen into the role of Oliver Queen’s arm candy.

“You don’t?” Clark said. He didn’t have enough for an attorney so he was there alone.

“I never really did,” Lana said.

“Ms. Lang is willing to sign the flower shop over to you free and clear,” Lana’s attorney said.

“What’s the catch?” Clark asked, instantly suspicious.

“There’s no catch, Clark,” Lana said, crossing her legs demurely. “I don’t want the flower shop. In fact, I don’t plan on going back to Smallville. Ever.”

“Not going back … “ Clark stared at his soon to be ex-wife.

“I’ve moved all of my stuff out of the apartment above the shop,” Lana said. “I don’t need anything else there. You’re more than welcome to it.”

“Um … thank you,” Clark said. “I assume this means you don’t care what I do with it.”

“Tear it down, turn it into a salon for all I care,” Lana said. “Just … sign the divorce papers and we’ll be done.”

Clark couldn’t believe the change in Lana. Less than two weeks after filing the divorce and she’d become a different person. “I’m more than willing to sign the papers,” Clark said. “Just give me the shop.”

The lawyer passed over two separate stacks of paper. “Stack on the right is for the shop, stack on the left is the divorce papers,” he said. “Sign where indicated and Ms. Lang will do the same.”

Clark nodded, taking the blue pen the lawyer offered. He stared at the papers for a few minutes, the reality of it all sinking in. He uncapped the pen and began to sign - first the papers for the shop, then the divorce papers, all the while trying to block out the sound of Lana drumming her perfectly manicured nails on the lacquered table.

“Wonderful,” the lawyer said, passing the papers over to Lana to sign.

“Right, wonderful,” Clark murmured, clasping his hands in his lap as he watched his now ex-wife sign everything.

“By the authority vested in me by the State Bar of Kansas, I pronounce you divorced,” Lana’s lawyer said, making a copy of the documents and passing Clark his copy.

“Thanks,” Clark said. He stood and turned to grab his coat off the back of his chair. He turned back to say goodbye to Lana, but she was already gone. “Goodbye, Lana.” He grabbed his papers and left the plush office, heading down to his beat up truck and driving straight for Smallville … straight for Lex.

***

The past two weeks had been hard on Lex … harder than he’d cared to admit. He’d gotten used to talking to Clark all the time, seeing his beautiful smile. But he wanted Clark to have time to himself to figure out what was going on … to make sense of everything.

So he waited.

The gossip had spread like wildfire, and soon the whole town had been talking about how Lana had been cheating on Clark with Oliver Queen and the shop was closed. Rumor was that Lana was signing the shop over to Clark to do what he wanted, but Lex hadn’t seen any change to the outside of the shop, other than the ‘closed’ sign.

Lex swirled his glass of scotch. It was hard being patient, knowing that Clark was about to be on the market, and that there were sparks between them and yet …

“I hate waiting,” Lex muttered to himself.

“Especially when it’s for something good.”

Lex nearly dropped his scotch as he looked over the back of the couch to see Clark in the doorway of his study. “You know, you really have to stop doing that,” he said, drinking in the sight of Clark. The young man stood tall and confident, wearing khaki pants and a dark green button up, his hair a mass of riotous curls.

“Sorry,” Clark said with a smile. “I just … it’s over.”

“Over,” Lex repeated.

“I’m officially divorced,” Clark said, wandering further into the study. “I just signed the papers.”

“How are you feeling?” Lex asked, gesturing for Clark to sit down.

“A bit numb … and very relieved,” Clark said, collapsing on the leather couch next to Lex.

“Rumors have spread like wildfire around here,” Lex said with a small smile.

“I’ve tried to avoid everyone, but … now that everything’s said and done I don’t think I’ll be able to avoid it,” Clark said.

“So,” Lex said. “I see that the shop is still closed.”

“It will be for a while,” Clark said. “And when it does reopen, it won’t be a flower shop.”

“No more flowers? No more tulip deliveries?” Lex asked with a smile.

“No, but if you want to get the latest ‘Warrior Angel’, you’ll be able to get it in my new comic book shop,” Clark replied with a smile.

“Comic books?” Lex said. “Really?”

Clark smiled wider and nodded. “I was talking about it with Bart,” he said. “And … I love comics … always have. My folks used to indulge me when we had the money, but Lana … she didn’t get it.”

“It’s an escape,” Lex replied.

“Exactly!” Clark said, his eyes full of life.

Lex leaned back against the couch and smiled at Clark. God, how he’d missed the man. “So,” he murmured. “Did you figure anything else out? Besides what to do with the shop?”

Clark ducked his head and blushed a bit. “I did,” he murmured.

“And?” Lex prodded, intensely curious.

Clark’s face flamed red and he looked up at Lex from under lowered lashes. “I really, really like how I feel when I’m with you,” he whispered.

Lex reached over and carefully took Clark’s hand in his. “I like how I feel when I’m with you, too,” he murmured.

“I mean … I haven’t felt anything like this since … “ Clark trailed off, looking down at his and Lex’s twined hands.

“Since?”

“Since the first time I saw Lana,” Clark admitted. “I saw her, and … butterflies took flight in my stomach and all I could think about was her … that’s how I feel with you.”

Lex smiled, took a chance, and kissed Clark’s fingers. “I can’t say that I’ve ever really been in love,” he said. “I closed my heart off, trying to keep it safe … and then you burst into my life.”

“I’ve never … I mean, Lana’s all I know,” Clark whispered.

“We have all the time in the world, Clark,” Lex said.

“Can I … can I kiss you?” Clark breathed.

Lex bit back a groan and nodded. “Fuck yes,” he said. “I’ve been wanting to kiss you since the first moment I saw you.”

Clark gave Lex a wide smile as he leaned in and pressed his lips to Lex’s in an almost chaste kiss.

Lex moaned against Clark’s lips - Clark tasted just like he’d imagined. Coffee and sugar and a hint of cinnamon. He wrapped his arms around Clark and pulled him closer, teasing Clark’s lips with his tongue.

Clark gasped against Lex’s lips - Lana had never kissed him like this. He could feel Lex’s tongue mash against his, and suddenly he couldn’t get enough of the feel. He wrapped his arms around Lex, somehow slipping his hands under Lex’s shirt. His fingernails scratched Lex’s skin as he deepened the kiss.

Lex groaned softly, finally pulling back and panting softly. “Hold on there, farm boy,” he said with a smile.

“What?” Clark asked, panting as well. His cheeks were flushed and his lips were swollen.

Lex reached out to touch Clark’s lips with his fingers. “Eager, aren’t you?” he teased.

“I feel like I’ve finally got everything I want,” Clark said. “I … I just want to experience it all.”

“And we will,” Lex said. “But … we’re going to take our time.” He cupped Clark’s cheek and smiled softly.

Clark leaned into Lex’s touch. “You promise?” he asked.

“I promise,” Lex said. “We have all the time in the world.” He leaned over and kissed Clark again, sweetly and gently, not allowing Clark the chance to deepen it before pulling back. “So, tell me about these plans you have for the comic book shop.”

Clark smiled brightly. He turned on his side, resting his cheek on the back of the couch as he launched into a description of what he was going to do with the shop. “I’m going to tear out all the coolers and really open the place up. Move the register to the back so that I have more room for the displays,” he said.

“You’re going to do this yourself?” Lex asked. “You sure about that? I know some really good contractors … “

“I helped my dad renovate the farmhouse,” Clark said. “And I did most of the work renovating the original flower shop, too … “

“A man who likes to work with his hands,” Lex teased, twining his hand with Clark’s once more. “My kind of guy.”

Clark smiled. “It won’t be done for a while. I mean, once the renovations are done, I still have to repaint and think of a name and … It’ll be a while.”

“Well, I will definitely patron your shop,” Lex said. “It’ll be nice to not have to drive to Metropolis all the time to get my ‘Warrior Angel’ comics.”

“You’re more than welcome to come by, anytime,” Clark murmured, leaning over and kissing Lex shyly. “You’re always welcome.”

“Good to know,” Lex replied, running a hand through Clark’s riotous curls. “She’ll never know what she’s missing … letting you go like that.”

“She’s not who she used to be,” Clark said. “We both … changed.”

“You changed for the better,” Lex murmured.

***

The name of the shop was simple; ‘Clark’s Comics’. It had taken Clark nearly three months to get everything up and running. His opening day came and he worked nonstop from the time he opened until closing time. He even had people coming from Grandville to buy comics.

“Dude,” Bart said as he ushered the last of the customers out. “This day was bank! You’re not going to have any problems keeping the place going, man.”

Clark pushed hair off his forehead and smiled. “It was a good day,” he agreed. “And the fact that I managed to get a contract with one of the lead providers of unique ‘Warrior Angel’ memorabilia doesn’t hurt either.”

“People are going to be coming here from all over to get this stuff,” Bart said.

“Time for one more customer?”

Clark turned to see Lex standing in the doorway. The past three months had been paradise between the two of them. Coffee together almost everyday, lunch together twice a week and weekend dinners had become standard practice. Clark had never felt as close to Lana as he felt to Lex.

“I always have time for you,” Clark said with a smile.

“Night, guys,” Bart said with a smirk. He headed to the back door and looked at Clark. “Catch you tomorrow?”

“Be here at noon,” Clark said with a nod.

“Killer,” Bart said. “Night!”

The second the backdoor closed, Lex was across the room, arms wrapped around Clark. “Good first day?” he asked.

“Fabulous first day,” Clark said. “Thanks to you and your contacts. People are coming from Grandville to get this memorabilia … have I told you I love you?”

“Not in the last … eight hours,” Lex replied with a grin.

“I love you,” Clark said, kissing Lex gently. “Ready for dinner? I cooked.”

“When did you manage to cook?” Lex asked.

“I put it in the crock pot this morning before I opened,” Clark said. “Slow cooking all day, it should be finished.”

“You’re amazing, do you know that?” Lex replied, slipping his hand into Clark’s and allowing himself to be led up the backstairs to Clark’s apartment.

Clark just blushed and tugged Lex to the dining room. “Have a seat and I’ll dish it up,” he said, kissing Lex again before heading to the kitchen to dish food up.

Lex couldn’t keep his eyes of Clark throughout the whole dinner. There was something … different about the young man. He continued to stare even as he helped Clark clean up afterwards.

“What?” Clark asked shyly after the dishes had all been put in the dishwasher.

“You look … different,” Lex murmured, leaning over and kissing Clark’s neck.

Clark hummed, leaning into Lex’s kiss. “Didn’t do anything different,” he replied. “Same clothes … same hair … “

“Something is different,” Lex breathed, nipping at Clark’s skin, chuckling when Clark whimpered softly.

“Come on … “ Clark said, stepping back and taking Lex’s hand, tugging him in the direction of his bedroom.

Lex followed eagerly. He’d been so patient … waiting for Clark to be ready. They’d only ventured so far as to jerk each other off, and while Lex had wanted more, he knew that Clark wasn’t necessarily ready for more.

Clark stopped just inside his bedroom, waiting for Lex’s reaction. After a couple of embarrassing chats with Bart, and some eye opening searches on the internet, Clark finally felt he was ready for that last step. He wanted to feel Lex … wanted it so much.

Lex looked around the bedroom. It looked as if every space available was covered in little flickering candles and the bed was made with dark purple sheets, ready and waiting for them. “Clark,” he murmured.

“I’m ready,” Clark said, moving to stand in front of Lex, the light from the flickering candles bathing his face in an ethereal glow.

“Ready,” Lex repeated. “Are you sure? I mean … I want to - God, I want to. But I want to make sure … “

“I’ve never been more sure,” Clark said, stepping closer and taking Lex’s hand in his.

“Oh Clark,” Lex said, closing the space between them and pressing his lips to Clark’s. He slipped his hands under Clark’s shirt, relishing at the feel of the warm skin under his hands.

Clark hummed, pulling Lex towards the bed. “I love you,” he said. “I love you so much … and I want this … want to feel you.” The back of his legs touched the bed and he stopped moving, looking down at Lex.

“I just … wanted to wait for you to be sure,” Lex said.

“And you’ve been so patient,” Clark said, tugging his shirt off.

“Been so hard,” Lex replied, running his hands over Clark’s chest.

“No more waiting,” Clark said, his fingers fumbling with Lex’s shirt buttons.

“Right, no more waiting,” Lex agreed, hands going down to Clark’s pants. The belt was tossed aside, the pants dropped, and Lex stared down at Clark’s erection straining under the red boxer briefs. “Impressive.”

Clark blushed as he got Lex undressed. “You, too,” he murmured, staring down at Lex’s cock … he hadn’t expected Lex to be going commando.

“You’re sure about this?” Lex asked, nudging Clark towards the bed.

Clark allowed himself to be led, easily falling down on the bed, staring up at Lex with wide eyes. “Very sure,” he breathed, shimmying out of his underwear and tossing them on the floor.

“Just double checking,” Lex murmured. He looked over to the nightstand and saw a large bottle of lube. “Prepared, aren’t we?”

Clark blushed and ducked his head a bit, his hands reaching out to grip Lex’s hips. “Very prepared,” he said.

“No condoms?” Lex said. “You’re sure?”

“I’ve … never been with a guy,” Clark said. “And … I trust you.”

Lex leaned down and kissed Clark. “I love you,” he whispered, before blazing a trail across Clark’s neck and chest with his lips and tongue.

Clark gasped softly, arching under Lex’s tongue. “Oh … Lex … “

Lex hummed and continued on his path, one hand reaching over to the nightstand to grab the lube. He stopped long enough to drizzle the lube on a couple fingers, easing them inside Clark gently.

Clark’s eyes widened at the new sensation. “Lex,” he breathed. “That’s … oh …”

“More?” Lex asked, scissoring his fingers gently.

“Yes,” Clark hissed, arching needily into Lex’s touch, hands clenched in the bed sheets.

Lex smiled and added a third finger, making sure Clark was stretched nice and wide for him. “Fuck, you look gorgeous like this,” Lex breathed.

“Please, Lex,” Clark gasped. “Please, please, please … “

Lex smiled wider as he removed his fingers, coated his cock and slid into Clark slowly, carefully.

Clark cried out, hands moving from the bed to Lex’s hips, tugging Lex closer.

“Easy, easy,” Lex breathed, leaning down and kissing Clark softly. “This is your first time … let me be gentle … “

“Just … just this … this once,” Clark gasped.

Lex chuckled and continued to press forward until he was in up to the hilt. “Fuck, you feel so damn good,” he murmured against Clark’s lips. “Could stay like this forever.”

Clark whimpered softly and nodded. “I need … Lex, please … “

“What do you need?” Lex asked gently, shifting his hips ever so slightly.

The shift caused Lex’s cock to brush against Clark’s prostate, making Clark cry out. “Oh!” Clark cried. “That! Do that … “

“What, this?” Lex asked with a smile, shifting his hips again.

Clark arched off the bed, his nails scraping Lex’s back. “Yes, that! Again, Lex … please … “

Lex smiled and began to thrust, slow and easy, making sure each stroke hit that same spot. He slid a hand down between himself and Clark, taking Clark’s cock in his hand and stroking gently.

Clark was so on edge - Lex’s hand and cock were doing wonderfully things to him. Clark couldn’t remember a time when he felt so … complete. He came after just a few strokes he was coming, covering Lex’s hand and clamping around Lex’s cock.

Lex felt Clark clamp down around him and came, covering Clark’s mouth with his own as he came.

Clark eagerly returned the kiss before flopping down on the bed. “That was … wow,” he breathed.

Lex smiled as he carefully licked his hand clean. “Mmmhmm,” he agreed. He carefully slid out of Clark and rested his head on Clark’s chest, closing his eyes.

Clark smiled and wrapped his arms around Lex, holding him close. “I love you,” he said.

Lex smiled softly and kissed Clark’s chest. “You’ve shown me what love is, Clark,” he said. “I love you so much … “

Clark smiled wider, running his fingers up and down Lex’s back until his drifted to sleep.

Lex stayed awake a bit longer. His life had never been perfect, he knew that. But in that moment, wrapped in his lover’s arms … life was perfect.