Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Lex wasn’t a normal child. He knew this as soon as his feet touched the backwater town of Smallville. The town itself had a small population of around two thousand, with one elementary, middle and highschool, just enough education opportunity for Lionel to convince himself Lex would be fine here. Away from Metropolis, and away from him. Lex almost felt dizzy with frustration whenever he thought about it. Forsaken to a town that’s barely kept up with modern technology, for god’s sake, the cells that spread like wildfire back home were such a rarity in the town Alex could’ve sworn he was in a different world. Their letters still arrived as letters, emails as foreign as the concept of a decent computer in each home. Luckily his own home did have a decent Ethernet connection, though that was where the positives about it ended.

Highschool wasn’t supposed to happen either. He was supposed to be tutored and pampered at a boarding school his mother promised him when he’d expressed his fears about public schooling. His intellect and very obvious baldness was branding that he was sure would label him as a target, especially since his father refused to let him wear wigs like a regular person with alopecia. Though Lex was anything but normal, the suffocating feeling of punishment lingered whenever he was denied simple comforts again and again.

And he was here. Sitting on the dirty floor, away from the cafeteria’s overwhelming noise and chatter. It irritated Lex to hear others while eating, more so now that he was in an unknown environment. He could feel eyes on him as he walked through the halls, shoulders tense, grating at his nerves all morning. His lunch reprieve would’ve been great if the cafeteria line wasn’t so long Lex’s eyes boggled out of his skull at the sight. Not to mention the horrible greasy smell of food that his supposed equals we’re eating up like pigs. And so instead of eating a meal, Lex instead picked idly at his fingernails, book in one hand.

Lex’s recent fascination has been with aliens. Alien life, a concept so broad and specific at the same time- Lex wasn’t the regular dense conspiracist, he had a fixation on the miracle of life in space currently speculated. People were talking and starting to take the idea more seriously. Nothing like the Roswell Greys, Lex was never daft enough to believe in such even if they initially piqued his interest. He took interest in the science, the miracle of life forming in a space untouched by humans, mirroring a creation man egotistically assumed was unique to us. What it meant for humanity, forms of government and for the everyday citizen. It was a somewhat childish aspect of Lex’s interest, to speculate on matters so hypothetical they might as well not exist compared to his other spots of brilliance. Engineering and physics have always come easy to him, he was a prodigy they said.

Spacecrafts, in Lex’s opinion, were one of humanity’s greatest achievements. His book went into the schematics of the STS-1. The ignition overpressure was four times the power than the vessel could handle, causing the fuel tanks to lose stability. It resulted in a violent jolt that had to be resolved before the official launch, with no fatalities.

Before he could delve deeper, a hand pushed his book down, away from Lex’s face. He looked up to see the average student- white, tall, falling into the category of stereotypical jock asshole with a superiority complex because his daddy paid to get him somewhere. Lex wasn’t foreign to the same privileges, himself getting taller faster than anticipated, but the idiot’s face was twisted in a snarl that was unsightly. And he was crumpling the book’s page. Typical brawn for brains. He instinctively sneered at the thought.

“Fuck off.” Lex shot out. His first week of school, and he couldn’t deny that swearing was the easiest way to get any message into people’s thick skulls- whenever they tried to engage with him it was the simplest way to make people leave him alone. But he had to admit it came with mixed results. His heart couldn’t help but race as the hick cowed at him further, shadowing Lex under his bigger frame.

“Or what, freak?” He guffawed, mocking fear at Lex’s words. The brute carelessly shoved Lex’s book out of his spindly hands, and as it fell on the floor with a thunk, Lex froze. He could feel the humiliating burn behind his eyes, a stupid reflex Lex had yet tamed.

"You're offending my eyes sitting by my locker, so beat it.” Lex was very clearly sitting out of the way of the locker’s view, hell, the dunce would have a better chance convincing someone that he saw him from the moon. Before Lex could say that, a hand pulled the offending student’s body off of his. The shadow encompassing Lex retreated, as if releasing Lex’s from his brief moment of weakness. The jock only turned back with an annoyed look. Another boy was holding him back by the shoulder, and what surprised Lex even more was said boy somehow managing to be even bigger than the shit in front of him. Lex’s eyes fluttered at the sight, as well as to remove the slight burn in his eyes. The newcomer was broad, brows drawn tight and mouth pursed, which Lex catalogued away for no particular reason.

One thing Lex noticed immediately, however, were his eyes. They were bright, almost unnaturally so. Lex wasn’t unfamiliar with blue eyes- he stared at his own every day in the mirror, but this boy’s eyes were different. Even not directed at him, they were piercing.

He shook his head at the stupid jock, disapproving stare almost as powerful as a mother disciplining her child.

“Not cool, dude. Back off.” He rumbled, and Lex felt his cheeks begin to flush. Ugh. It was frustrating being put in an environment not conducive for his body’s alien habits. The idiot hesitated before he recognised he was obviously trumped, and stalked away with a scoff. Good riddance, Lex thought snidely as he began to rise off the floor. His hand reached for his book, and ignored the other set of fingers helping him lift it up. To ignore how much larger than his hands they were, fingers strangely long. Lex’s eyes darted up to the other, though he prided himself in his control as he begun to stroll away.

He needed to find another spot to brood in. Others were watching the altercation with thinly veiled interest, not unlike vultures, and Lex was too irritated to deal with it. He could return to his book in peace, and continue the day unceremoniously. Just another boring day. Lex refused to allow Highschool to have any importance over his life beyond his education, as a fuck you to his dad. To show him that even placed in the shittiest school on the middle of nowhere, he can excel. He was a Luthor.

The sound of heavy footsteps interrupted his thoughts. Lex glanced beside him, and felt himself oddly not disappointed at the sight of his student saviour. He clucked his tongue at the thought.

“Leave me alone, you dimwit.” Lex said with an annoyed droll. He refused to be a part of some random farmer boy’s heroic fantasy. Saving the hopeless, bald teen cornered by the world’s most stereotypical schoolyard bully. The other simply caught up with his pace. Lex noticed as his eyes darted between the book his face, brows still furrowed and brain’s cogs visibly turning.

“Uh, hi.” He began. His voice was awkward, and lacked the same timbre it had previously. Lex noted that curiously, though continued to ignore him. The other didn’t, or wouldn’t catch the hint. “Clark.”

The stranger- Clark, only looked down at him, as if he was flaunting how much taller he was than Lex. He bristled at the thought of a dimwit, like everyone else in his life, annoying him. He spoke again after another pause, as if mulling over the very few words spoken between them.

“I’m not a dimwit, I’m just asking if you’re okay.” He said, voice tinged with frustration. Lex perked up at it.

“Well you’re fucking dumb if you think your saviour complex, or whatever the hell you got out of this, will make me want to be in your presence for any longer than the few moments we’re forced to be together right now. Because of you, by the way.” Lex let all out, almost in one breath. It was impressive how much vitriol Lex could pack into a small rant. Clark looked offended, which he should be.

“Hey! No need to use that language. We’re at school.” He raised his hands in a way that looked out of place on a person his size and build. Lex almost stopped in his tracks at the words alone. The other’s voice tapered out at the end into a whisper, something so menial yet laughable Lex couldn’t help but stare at him. As if, if he looked into his eyes long enough, the absurdity of it would somehow occur to Clark.

The other was somehow oblivious to it, and only stared back with some strange, misplaced resistance. As if he didn’t know what he was resisting. Lex couldn’t help but let out a small hiss of air, a substitute for a laugh, but Clark picked up on it anyways. His brows furrowed and he almost looked even more clueless.

“What?”

Lex had to let out a small cackle at that, laugh high and grating in a way people have told him was unpleasant before. Clark shied away from the sound, and Lex felt satisfaction at the small reflex.

“I’m guessing that means you’re fine.” Clark huffed, though there was an undertone of relief that made Lex wanna roll his eyes. He didn’t say anything back, and continued to walk down the hall. He was beelining to the library, where he should’ve really hid before at the beginning of lunch but didn’t have the energy to walk all the way to. The stupid midwestern school’s library was small and in a weird spot, because education be fucked, but with the target already on his head Lex figured it worth the exertion. And for some reason, Clark was still next to him, following along like some hapless puppy.

He didn’t make any noise, if Lex tried he could entirely ignore the other student on his own. It wouldn’t be hard, Clark’s presence wasn’t very domineering despite his size. The slouching, haggard clothing and gaudy glasses didn’t add to any of his wow factor. His knees were grimey, as if he knelt with his jeans on in some dirt outside. The plaid was obnoxious, and his neck looked too big for his body. And Lex was thinking about all of this as he rounded his way around the corner.

Clark hummed at the sight of the Library sign, and he pointed at it.

“The library, huh? Good place to read, I’m guessing.” Clark’s face was split in a small grin, as if relishing in his own idea of a joke. Lex didn’t respond, simply walking in. The place could only be described as decrepit, and Lex scrunched his nose at the sight. Dusty, barely maintained, with a woman at the ripe age of seventy at the counter in front of them. She looked like she’d wither away with a book.

Upon closer inspection, the books weren’t horribly organised. Or dusty. He might’ve been a tad dramatic, though in comparison to his father’s library, the school’s one was child’s play. Lex was familiar with the large, weaving halls of his father’s mansion, dark mahogany shelves towering over him nearly daily. He enjoyed spending time in libraries, they were productive hours where he could get lost in worlds of information, away from everyone. Lionel was frustrated, finding Alex preferred the company of books rather than the other rich brats he’d have Lex mingle with. He moved in closer to drag a finger over a book’s spine, pointedly not looking at the boy still hovering behind him. He could almost see Clark’s visible confusion, it would’ve been palpable on his face if he turned around.

“Why are you looking at other books, you literally have one in your arm.” Clark asked. Lex only sighed before he twisted around to glare at Clark. Clark only squinted at the book in his arms, and Lex momentarily took in the silly sight it was, such a big person relying on a small bit of technology to navigate the world. Clark lit up and he looked up at Lex.

“You like astrology stuff too?” Lex only shrugged as he continued to amble around the library. Clark beamed at him.

“More specifically space shuttles and whatnot.” Lex said begrudgingly. “I find the engineering aspect engaging. Nothing a dunce like you could understand I bet.”

Clark rolled his eyes at him, still smiling. “I like space well enough. It's cool to look up and see all the stars look back at us.”

Lex perked up at Clark’s words. They were almost insightful, but he wouldn’t give him that. Clark continued, voice almost wistful.

“The never ending information about things larger than us… it’s comforting.” Clark ended softly. Lex scoffed, and he pulled his book out as if to shove it in Clark’s face, but he simply held it where Clark could see the cover.

“Incorrect. What is amazing is humanity’s ability to catalogue and explore the unknown, somewhere where humans are virtually powerless..” Lex ranted, a gleam in his eye. Clark only watched. He continued, still waving his hand at the book. “We can do anything, any setbacks are negligible compared to the will of man. It’s empowering and inspiring to learn about others who’ve moved us forward. I’ll be one of those people some day.”

Pure confidence shone in Lex’s voice, a rock solid belief in every word he said, if not a tad dramatic. Lex’s face felt hot, as he noticed Clark was still simply just staring at him, with those radioactive eyes of his. He fumbled around for words before settling on sneering.

“Now that you’ve listened to me, something amazing, I know, stop following me.” Lex demanded. Clark blinked, and he lowered his head slightly. His brows were furrowed.

“Not until you tell me if you’re okay.” He said firmly. Lex tensed at the statement, and watched a myriad of expressions pass Clark’s face. Determination and worry being the main ones. Lex let out a long exhale as he pinched his nose, and Clark didn’t let up.

“I’m serious! Those guys, they’re mean- like real mean, and it’s your first day. I don’t wanna leave you alone.” Clark let out all in one breath, as if he’d been holding it in the whole time they’ve been together. Lex clucked his tongue.

“What sweet sentiments, you don’t even know my name.” Lex grumbled. Clark raised an eyebrow.

“You know mine.”

Lex grumbled. “Touché. And you knew it was my first day, how?”

He knew he struck something when Clark’s eyes widened as he faltered, like a fish gasping for air as he stammered out an answer. A familiar feeling of shame burned bright in Lex’s stomach. It was the same fumbling he received from every caretaker his father had employed after Lex had returned home from the accident. Eyes darting away, refusing to look at him. Though Clark’s eyes didn’t stray from him, it made Lex grit his teeth. The other scratched the back of his neck sheepishly.

“Well, I’ve never seen you before and-“

“It was the bald head, wasn’t it?” Lex snapped. He was furious, veins borderline popping out of his head. It should have been obvious. Lex shouldn’t have been entertaining the brainless fuck following him around, just for him to turn around and point at him. Clark shook his head and waved his hands about.

“No! It was-“

“Fucking save it Clark.” Lex hissed, and he swatted the other’s hands down from the air. His face was bright red at this point, bottom lip trembling. “Fuck you and your stupidly vapid boy next door saviour complex! You’re not special, you’re not someone worth talking to, and you’re not my friend!”

Lex’s chest felt thudded, and he hurried to race to a dark corner of the library, away from prying eyes. He didn’t dare look at the other boy, face scrunched up in anger. How fucking dare he follow Lex around just to tell him his bald head was a big ‘fuck around and find out’ sign on his back. The audacity to even try and worm his way into Lex’s day. Lex had better things to attend to than a hick that couldn’t take a hint. Lex snarled into the air as he slammed his book down onto the small table, and his chair squeaked as he dragged it out to sit on.

The other student was long gone, Lex’s outburst as effective as ever. He let out a low sigh and ignored the prickle in his eyes as he opened his book up again.

The Soyuz T-10-1 was an aircraft that burst into flames due to a fuel spillage before the lift off. Lex’s shoulders untensed as he read on. The vehicle then immediately exploded, nearly killing the crew inside who narrowly escaped last second through planned contingencies designed into the ship. It was almost considered a miracle.

Chapter Text

Clark wasn’t alien to abnormalities in his days. Being an alien itself gave him enough problems to last a lifetime, though the day was strange in a different way. Almost childish by his standards, of which were to not crush something in his hand and to think about every step he took up a staircase lest he punch a hole with his foot. His life was an exhausting whirlwind of restrictions, cautionary tape over every part of his teenhood. It was frustrating, it was demoralising, and most of all lonely. How many people can say when they hug their own parents they had to be sure not to squeeze them so tight they crumble? Or that they can hear every little thing for miles, leaving them in almost catatonic states some days from the sheer overwhelming stimulation. Not many, no one Clark knew at least.

He was lucky his parents tried to equip him with skills to handle navigating life as the most inconvenient soup of superpowers known to man. It had to be overkill how much Clark could do, whoever made him like this just wanted him to suffer. Being found in the meteor shower was a blessing and a curse for them, something that weighed Clark’s mind everyday. And that day, he was late, like most.

“Honey, the bus left!” Martha called out, griddle in hand. Jon sat at the table, unperturbed reading his newspaper, as Clark sped down the stairs. Martha tutted at the sight of Clark’s cardigan loosely draped across his shoulders last minute. “Chloe wasn’t here to scream for you out front.”

Clark only nodded as he shoved a piece of toast in his mouth, arms reaching for the fridge. “Yeh, sthe’s out at Metropolith for the internthip-“ He shut the door of the fridge closed, and Martha sighed from where she sat at the dinner table. Clark quickly swallowed the bread and followed it up with a long chug from the milk. Martha made a noise of disgust from the table.

“Clark!” He wiped his mouth and placed the milk back in the drive.

“Sorry ma, it tastes better that way.” He grinned. Jon only chuckled.

“I’d say stop waffling and get movin’ before that bus becomes a memory.” He laughed as he flipped a page. Clark honed in on the bus, hearing its engine weakly chug along, and waved it off.

“It’ll be fine, I’m faster after all.” Clark jested. Jon only raised glanced at Clark over his paper with an unimpressed look. Martha sighed as she ate her breakfast, though Clark could see her lips were curled in a small smile. He hurried to swoop down and plant a kiss on both of their cheeks on his way out to the door.

“Love you ma. Love ya, pop.” Clark said warmly, before unceremoniously dashing out the front door. You could have barely seen it open and close with how fast Clark went, a blur in the wind. It was hard describing what it felt like to move fast- it was a cool ability that’s saved Clark from several detentions, maybe one of the best he had. It wasn’t outwardly destructive, which was great! Though Clark did have to actively make sure he wasn’t buzzing all over the place if he felt hasty. It was kind of slow motion, Matrix style which made Clark feel both awesome and weary that his life experience could only be shared with Keanu Reeves on a movie screen.

Clark grinned, hair swept and eyes wide at the sight of school come in view. It was a decently sized highschool, though from what Chloe has told him about her time in Metropolis, it was bare bones compared to the buildings they had there. He’d never personally been there to scope it out, but he didn’t question her for even a moment. Metropolis was a few hours drive away, leaving much for Clark’s imagination to run wild. A place where he could be even smaller than he felt now, it felt almost impossible yet also alluring in its promised anonymity. The lack of voices nagging at Clark as he entered the schoolyard made his heart ache, though he’d never tell Pete and Chloe that.

Pete had moved away, the entire process messy with tears and emotional exchanges between him and Clark. He had needed to move for family reasons Clark couldn’t help with, powers or not. Losing such a large part of his support system- especially someone who actually knew about him and his powers was a gut wrenching experience. Clark got a cell just to text Pete regularly, but as things go, their messages got sparser and sparser as time went on. It was a different kind of mourning Clark went through these days regarding Pete, and with Chloe also gone for the entire summer, he was alone. Their original trio chipped down to one.

The school hallways were bustling with students milling around waiting for the school day to end. Clark would’ve joined them? before the bell rung and he quickly shuffled off to his class. Being tall had its perks, meaning he could look over the crowds of students tryna cram their way into class, because no teenager wanted to start the term not sitting next to their friend. Clark sighed internally. He had no friends to sit next to, and being the wallflower he was, he didn’t really wanna take a spot someone else could be taking when he knew he’d be morose all term.

As he sat down on one of the few empty tables, closer to the back than he’d like, something caught his eye. Clark’s flushed at the sight- the greenest eyes he’d ever seen. And coming from someone with unnaturally bright blue eyes, those eyes were special. Clark often sought to see the beauty in everyone, but it was just radiating off this person- Clark quickly soaked in the rest of their appearance, and eyes widened at the very evident lack of hair. It was shiny- as if someone took a polishing thingymajig you’d use for a car and had a hay day up there- which Clark immediately scolded himself for thinking. He was dressed impeccably, clothing ironed and everything as he strolled into the classroom, obviously alone. Clark’s clothes were rarely ever that neat- a twig here, splotches of dirt there. His pa always jested that it was just the way of life for farmers, no prissy fussing needed when you could get honest work done. And Clark agreed with him, though somehow this person made Clark wish he was just as well dressed if not to impress him.

Clark slunk into his chair, and watched as the mystery person rounded his way around to another empty table. He didn’t even spare Clark a glance, which he wasn’t surprised by, even if it stung. As the teacher droned on about physics, of which Clark had little interest in, Clark absentmindedly scrawled down notes between periodic moments of looking up at the mystery student. He glanced down at his notes with an unimpressed huff, his writing was almost ineligible.

It continued like that during the entire lesson. And then they had to move on, and Clark watched as the newcomer walked the opposite direction of Clark’s leaving for their next period. His second period was just as mind numbing. Clark was never one for school, not that he did particularly bad but he wasn’t the best either. He was average, painfully average in a way his parents found relief in. Despite his physical prowess, Clark wouldn’t be writing home about anything special unless it was his stint for journalism. He mainly just did menial tasks for Chloe as an excuse to hang out in the room, but with her gone, so was his excuse to be there.

Overall, Clark’s mind was kind of murky as he walked out of the cafeteria, food inhaled as he had no one to talk to. He ambled down the hall mindlessly, before hearing a thud that sounded much more purposeful than the average item randomly falling. Clark had to learn how to distinguish sounds quick once his hearing started to pick up, and he sped down the hall towards the sound.

Clark’s shoulders tensed at the sight of a student cowing over another. What a pain. As a high school in the middle of nowhere, bullying was expected to be a problem. It was something that made Clark’s blood boil, and he tried to help whenever it looked plausible for him to. Frustration would boil up in him whenever he thought a little too hard about all the good he couldn’t do, headphones the only way to truly block out everything wrong happening around him.

They lay heavy on his shoulders now, as Clark padded up to the bully, and almost faltered at the sight of the person underneath. His book was sprawled, face down a little ways next to him, green eyes framed by a scrunched up face twisted into a snarl. Despite the brave show, Clark’s ears felt warm as the quickening heart rate jack rabbited in his ears.

Clark placed a hand on the bully’s shoulder, and watched as it fell down with the weight of it. Fine, so Clark was using a little of his strength.

“Not cool dude. Back off.” He said, annoyance evident. The other turned back to glance between him and the new student, before he shrugged Clark’s hand off with a huff. Clark knew this guy. He was one of the footballers who liked to call Clark all sorts of names when it was a bad hearing day, and he had his noise cancelling headphones on. Of course, all they really did was make his hearing as normal as everybody else, and Clark would always stiffen at the boisterous cackles others would make when calling him a retard. Clark’s jaw set as he watched the bully get up and storm off. Good riddance.

Clark turned back to the new kid, not bothering to conceal his concern. And then, as they exchanged a few snippish words, Clark found himself in the library with the newcomer. He rarely ever did if he were alone, though clearly this new person was someone so different to him he couldn’t help but be intrigued. He had given his name freely, tailed the other with the determination of a Kent with enough goodwill to fill a house.

As the other rambled on about space, Clark could only smile. To meet someone with so much passion, that was rare in Smallville. Refreshing, even, to hear someone have aspirations other than the regular picket fence life Clark had always dreaded. Maybe it had something to do with how wrong Clark was. His too bright eyes, too long hands, towering height, small ears. Clark had always felt alien- then it was confirmed. And Clark resigned himself to the feeling of watching his life from the outside. Knowing he couldn’t do much other than exist.

Then the mystery student’s face twisted into a look Clark couldn’t entirely name.

“Stop following me.” Green eyes demanded. Clark felt something give in his chest at the command.

“Not until you tell me if you’re okay.” Clark was set, as if a flame had been lit under him. He needed to know. He continued to ramble, and hands ran through his hair.

“I’m serious! Those guys, they’re mean- like real mean, and it’s your first day. I don’t wanna leave you…” Clark swallowed, and hands fell from his head. “…alone.”

The last part he almost whispered, as if a confession, that clearly the other didn’t understand the weight of at the sight of his unimpressed gaze.

“What sweet sentiments, you don’t even know my name.” Clark raised an eyebrow. As if he hadn’t given the other a million opportunities to tell him it, not that Clark was fishing but- well yeah, he was.

“You know mine.” He said bluntly.

There was a moment of silence. “Touché. And you knew it was my first day, how?”

Clark flushed, mouth opened and closed before he scratched the back of his neck sheepishly. Green eyes flashed in his head- god, he’s a weirdo. What could he say that wouldn’t make him sound like a weirdo? He shouldn’t bring it up, but then his pop’s voice piped up at the back of his head. ‘Honesty is the best policy’a gravelly voice floated through Clark’s head, and he winced before speaking.

“Well, I’ve never seen you before and-“

“It was the bald head, wasn’t it?”

Oh crap. He shook his head as the other continued.

“No! It was-“

“Fucking save it Clark.” He hissed, and he swatted at Clark. “Fuck you and your stupidly vapid boy next door saviour complex! You’re not special, you’re not someone worth talking to, and you’re not my friend!”

Clark watched as the other ran off, in shock.
He gulped. The conversation took such a dip in the wrong direction, he was left speechless. Clark had only tried to make someone feel a little less alone than he did, and a sinking feeling came over him at the thought.

Clark left the library, tail between his legs. School was dull after lunch.

When he got home, he was greeted by the the sight of his parents swaying, laughing to some music from the radio. He smiled, before he coughed to let his parents know of his existence, and watched as they scrambled to let go of each other. His dad’s face had a wide, roguish grin, and his mum looked sheepish.

“Clark! You’re home.” She huffed, almost accusatorily, like he was the reason she couldn’t dance with her husband anymore. Clark laughed, and walked in to give her a kiss to the cheek.

“Ma, it’s a quarter past three.” She only fussed around, trying to look busy as dad laughed heartily. He smacked Clark’s back with a warm smile.

“Just having some fun is all, Clark. You’ll get it one day.” Clark smiled back.

“I think I get it now, dad.” He said almost exasperated. Jon simply gave Martha a quick kiss in response, and Clark’s nose wrinkled.

“Doesn’t mean I wanna see it, though.” He jested, feigning fake vomiting that got a laugh out of his parents. Martha only rolled her eyes and shooed Clark and Jon out of the kitchen.

“C’mon, aren’t there chores that need to be done?” She grinned. Jon nodded, with a grunt, and he led Clark outside.

“She’s right. We gotta fix up the chicken wiring for the coop, it’s getting frayed again.” He huffed. Clark nodded. He was familiar with chores, and a large part of him always felt warm when his pops dragged him out to do something. Even if Clark would rather be in the loft, blasting music most of the time. It helped him drown out the world as best he could without his headphones.

Clark’s hands, somehow never calloused despite years of labour on the farm, carefully ripped the old chicken wire off the coop. It was too frayed to be fixed in simple patches, his dad had simply decided to replace it entirely. Clark didn’t need gloves to do such, and he quickly reattached a new swathe of mesh faster than his dad could blink.

Superspeed was his favourite power, by far, Clark thought childishly.

“How was school today.” Jon asked, as they trekked back to the main house. Clark shrugged, and wouldn’t look in his dad’s eyes.

“Normal. Why?”

His dad huffed good naturedly. “A father can’t ask his son questions anymore?”

Clark only shrugged again. There was an almost empty feeling in him as he relayed the day in his head. Gosh, he could be mean sometimes. “Sorry, pops.”

His dad shook his head. He was surely accustomed to Clark’s rough edges, being the one to sand them down into something manageable. “Ah, no worries Clark. But if something did happen, you can tell me. If you want.”

His tone was playful, but Clark could hear the worry. Jon licked his lips. “With Chloe gone, y’know. On top of Pete.”

Clark let out a frustrated noise. “I’m fine, dad.” They both continued to tread slowly. His dad raised his eyebrow at Clark very obviously not speeding off like he usually would. Clark’s hands twisted in his flannel. His dad being the one to fish vulnerability out of Clark today was almost humiliating.

“It hurt… to see someone alone today.” Clark began. “It hurt that I made them feel lonelier too.”

Jon hummed. “What’d you do?”

Clark shrugged and waved his hand about, almost in disbelief. His eyebrows were raised. “I don’t even know! Well, I guess I do, but-“ Clark huffed. Green eyes hurt face flashed by in his mind. “It was silly.”

Jon only patted Clark’s back as they arrived home. “Guess you have a lot to think about, son.”

What a nothing statement, Clark thought snidely, before he scolded himself. His dad was just trying to help him, his classic Jonathan Kent reassurance. It brought him down to earth, the simpleness of how Jon often went about Clark’s issues. It reminded Clark that despite how much larger he felt than his skin, that he was just seventeen. It was as comforting as it was a little annoying.

He watched as his dad greeted his mum in the living room, and went up to his room without another word.

Chapter Text

Lex was alone, as he was usually. The library room was spacious, expanse so large that most would barely be able to comprehend a house on top of the library they were looking at. The shelves were stacked with all sorts of books, mostly non fiction scientific work as per Lionel’s preference. Fiction was a rarity if it wasn’t considered a classic or world renowned, though Lex liked to think that Lionel’s fascination with mythology toed that line. He couldn’t relate, often only indulging in it when he felt particularly sentimental about his mother.

Lex absentmindedly wanders down the winding hall, a few books in hand. His mother loved to shower Lex with fantastical tales, most likely thinking it’d help balance out the rigid parenting Lionel pushed onto Lex from the sweet age of zero onwards. Perseus was a hero she was fond of, which was quite stereotypical of her. His happier ending compared to his fellow Greek heroes was something she obviously strived to ingrain in Lex, and he agreed. His story was to end with awe and heroics.

She also favoured Odysseus. With how often he shed tears, not unsimilar to Lex, it brought the two a sense of kinship with these larger than life heroes. Convinced Lex he could do the same, grow out of the small skin he had.

Though it hasn’t helped any. Lex was bored out of his mind now more than ever, chained to Smallville like a bird in a too small cage. This mansion was a small blessing, if Lex had to live in a farmhouse like some of his fellow students did, he’d throw a fit. He expected a level of quality in his life that had to be maintained. He was a Luthor, after all.

The miraculousness of Lionel having a manor in the middle of nowhere tickled Lex’s interest. Why his father had any stock in Smallville left him burning with intrigue, the factory having been closed years ago. Shortly after Lex was knocked off his ass, and every cell of his body suffocated in radioactive waves, he was sure that the factory closure had something to do with the unfortunate incident. Lex scoffed at the thought. It was wishful thinking to speculate his father’s decision was in any way informed by Lex.

He was seldom bothered by the staff outside of the clockwork reminder to eat at least one meal a day the chef would plead. Maybe so she’d just have something to do. Other than that, the cleaners cleaned, though Lex assumed they had an easy time with the only important resident being Lex. At the big age of seventeen, he was fine left to his own devices.

Lex stalked down the hall, book folded underneath one arm and the other hauling a small bag. It was heavy, the contents inside packed tight and safe as Lex heaved. He kicked open the door he reached, the exit from the library out into the backyard, and huffed as he dragged the bag along with him. Out into the cold, night air.

If there was one thing Lex appreciated about the town, and only one thing, it was the sky. The lack of light pollution was something so foreign to Lex, having grown in Metropolis almost all his life. It was the only highlight of Lex’s long days, to see the stars come into view and swim amongst the sky with all their glory. They were magnificent from every angle, and Lex thought that with a strange lightness in his chest. To think his father’s factory was one step into ruining such beauty, it made him appreciate the closure of the factory. Appreciate how his father’s claws in the town hadn’t dug too deep or sucked the area of all it had to offer.

Lex hurried to jog out more into the open, the backyard of the mansion leading out to the massive rolling plains that seemed to be endless. Corn was all a person could see for miles once they walked a certain ways far, where Lex stopped with his chest heaving. He was far from athletic, but he felt the same rush every night to get to his spot.

A small spot on one of the rolling hills, grass scratchy from the recent lack of rain. It was higher up, allowing Lex’s eyes to wander downwards and observe the dark town. A few lights on here and there, but the people of Smallville were simple, and often almost all turned off their lights so early in the night it was laughable. Lex was used to the constant hustle in the city, lights on at every moment, and white noise surrounding him no matter where he was.

On the hill, it was quiet. Asides from the wind ruffling the corn swaying in the breeze, and a few cicadas being attention whores, it was quiet. Peaceful.

Lex sighed into the cold air, and fiddled with his bag. He gently pulled out his telescope- a small portable one that was a gift from his old caretaker back in Metropolis. A sweet old lady who was devastated after his mother’s passing. They had been close, as close as they could’ve been under the watchful eye of his father.

Lex shucked the telescope to make it expand, and set up the small stand it came with on the hard dirt. He bent down, eye level with the telescope, and breath caught in his chest at the sight. Layers and layers of stars exposed before him, lighting up the night sky. It was as breathtaking as usual. It left Lex with a feeling of wonder he so rarely felt, lighter than he thought he could ever feel.

That was where humanity has gone. The touch of man expanded so far as to reach the beauty of the galaxy, and that simply shook Lex to his core. All the astronauts and ships he’d read about were so devastatingly real it lit a fire underneath Lex. A burning passion in him to do the same, to do something so amazing that it was revelled by others. That he could eventually inspire the same feeling in someone.

A childish part of Lex squealed at the sight, consumed by the ideas of extraterrestrial life that could somehow relate to him. Share the same burning passion to show others the magnificence of their intelligence. The simpleness of being better, something Lex yearned for someone else to understand. Even if it made Lex seem like an asshole, which he was fully self aware about. He wasn’t dim.

He clicked his tongue, a nervous habit, as another annoying voice echoed in his head. A stupid, deep voice going on about the comfort of being smaller in the face of extraterrestrial life. Lex sneered at the thought. He was Lex Luthor. He was better than the need to feel comforted, coddled by the universe. The flush on his face had nothing to do with the dunce he met yesterday. Clark…

Lex shook his head, and focused back on the telescope. If he tried, he could maybe find Perseus.

. . .

Clark was tired this morning. A rare comfort that he was as vulnerable as everyone else to the whims of poor teenage sleeping habits. Even more so. They found out fast when Jon proposed that maybe he didn’t require as much sleep, and Clark struggled to stay up for more than a day without crashing to see if that was true or not. He’d been so grumpy, Martha would laugh about it now and then. Her precious little Clark huffy over losing a night’s worth of sleep. Now Clark slept like a rock, dead to the world, and unfortunately a loud snorer from his mum’s accounts.

He smacked his lips as he stretched like a cat on the bed, satisfaction curling around his body.

“Clark!” A voice called out from downstairs. He cracked an eye open, and zeroed in on the clock on his wall.

“Clark!” Martha shouted again. He raced downstairs, leaving his blanket to puff up with the gust of air he left from his sheer speed. He tumbled down the stairs, bed hair a mess, and pouted at his mum. She was in the kitchen, with a bowl of leftover coke chicken and peas from the night before. The sickly sweet smell of it filled the room.

She didn’t look up at him as she set out the food. “Come on, we need to deliver some goods.”

Clark pouted even harder as he slumped into a chair. “You couldn’t have let me sleep in just a little more?”

Martha only chuckled as she ruffled his hair. She had clearly already finished eating. “Come on, eat and we’ll go right away. We’ve got a new home to deliver to today, actually.”

Clark perked up at that, mouthful of chicken. He swallowed. “Really?”

She walked towards the door, ignoring the look of contemplation Clark was sending her. “Yup! So hurry up, we can’t leave them disappointed.”

Clark inhaled his food, and sped to place the plate in the sink before he followed his mother. He hummed, lost in thought. “New neighbours? That’s kind of rare, ain’t it mum.”

She shrugged as she unlocked the truck. “Guess the new eatery Lana’s family built has been pulling in some new people. Raising the value of Smallville.”

Clark could only agree as he hunched into the passages seat of the truck. It was an old truck, one that his dad had to fix nearly every other week, but good ol Kent stubbornness insisted buying a new one would be a waste of valuable money. Clark shifted uncomfortably in the seat. He was technically right. Clark tried to not worry his parents but he happened to have super hearing, and on the first few nights of those powers developing he heard some nasty financial stuff he was too young to really wrap his head around. It didn’t help that Clark ate like a horse.

The produce was already in the back of the truck, and Jon gone to help a neighbour fix up their coop with the leftover chicken wire from last night. Clark looked out of the window, admiring the seemingly endless view of corn. Soon the corn fields trickled out into dirt road, houses now coming into view. The Kent farm was a little isolated, the perfect place to raise an alien baby.

Clark and his mum worked their way through their regular orders, orders for fresh produce to homes with the elderly who couldn’t leave to get them on their own. Homes where parents were too busy to go out to the market, where some decided sticking to the deliveries was better than splurging without a second thought. It helped that their produce was considered high quality, with their rotating selection of goods seasonal.

The people in their homes almost always sent Clark a smile of gratitude as he knocked on their doors. It made Clark feel good, to help carry in everything while his mum talked shop with the neighbours. One house in particular had a big dog that loved to nip at Clark’s heels. He laughed everytime opening the door to a fluffy beast that wanted nothing more than to herd Clark away into the house, as Martha watched with exasperated joy. Another house was a couple with four kids- Clark always thought it was an odd number to settle on but was always delighted to see the younger ones. Two and four, they were so cute Clark’s heart could burst at the sight. The older ones, seven and nine, were tougher to talk to. Call Clark awkward but once kids had consciousness, it felt like he was playing a game he couldn’t win when talking to them. It was a fun game, anyhow. The one parent that was home looked so grateful to see Clark play with the kids, even if it was just for a little while.

Then there was this one lady, she was kind of a town pariah. Clark didn’t like seeing it that way, she just happened to keep to herself, but he understood small conservative towns loved to talk. Clark wasn’t foreign to the queer rumours himself at school. She thanked him, phone in one hand as he brought in the produce. Another man, he was elderly with a son who came around to help but didn’t have the time to juggle his own family and his father simultaneously. It reminded Clark of Whitney, before his dad passed. Clark enjoyed jesting with the old man, getting a laugh out of him was always tough but satisfying.

Clark looked out the truck window. They had been driving longer than usual, this their last and newest stop. Past most of the residential houses, they kept driving on the gravel road till it turned smoother. Clark’s eye caught on the sight of a house- more like a mansion. Scratch that, it was a mansion.

It was ginormous by Smallville standards, three stories high and so fancy it made Clark sweat just at the sight of it. His jaw dropped, and he turned to his mum with wide eyes. Martha only laughed at her son, as they began to drive into the bend toward the building.

“That’s the new house?” Clark exclaimed as he kicked the truck door closed. “It’s massive! How have I not seen this place before.”

Martha chuckled at his surprise as she unloaded the truck. By the looks of it, they had ordered a lot of produce too. There must’ve been so many mouths to feed in the home. “It was abandoned before, I believe. I guess some people have moved into it now, though I swore there’s never been a for sale sign up...”

Clark only nodded as he made his way to the front door. He rung the unreasonably ornate doorbell, and waited a moment. Then another. And then he rung again. Martha walked up to him, a crate on her hip, and just as Clark was about to complain the door swung open.

A portly woman greeted them, dressed impeccably. She had a black apron tied around her waist, and fancy dress shoes that left Clark and Martha’s dirty boots in shame. She seemed to light up at the sight of them. Martha smiled.

“Hello, delivery for a Shuster?” The woman nodded with a polite smile.

“Yes, please come in. I’ll lead you to the kitchen.” She said, voice light and airy. Clark nodded, and headed back out to get another few crates while his mum followed the woman through the winding hallways. Surely he could manage to find it without a guide, how hard could it be?

Clark stood in the hall, two crates on one hip and another in one arm, eyes wide at the sight. He hadn’t really taken in the inside of the building yet, he decided it’d be more polite to not stare until he had the space to, but now there was another problem. He began to meander around, and soaked in the sheer power of the building. It was built to impress, that was for sure. With high ceilings, dark wooden walls. The real classy kind, not the chipped exposed kind back at the barn. The floor had carpeting rolled out on it, a deep dark green, which Clark found a nice choice. It really complimented the gold accents, and gosh he sounded prissy just saying that. Lana would tell him he was just appreciating the beauty of something, and she was right even if Jon’s voice told him at the same time beauty was a farce and getting real work done was a man’s- he didn’t let the thought go on for too long.

An odd thing Clark noticed as he wandered the hall, trying to find the kitchen, was the lack of photos. Of anything that really connoted people lived in the space. The woman he saw earlier clearly worked here, and surely others did too, but he’d seen no signs of life that weren’t employed. It was strange.

Clark huffed as he adjusted the crates on his hips. He didn’t need to, really, but he was so used to making it look as if carrying stuff was difficult, it was almost second nature to him. He shuffled in place, debating the ethics, before sighing. He had to get the produce to his mum or she’d be a little annoyed with him later, and there was nothing like Martha Kent when she was peeved.

Clark’s brows furrowed with squinted eyes, and vision got blurry, but somehow clear at the same time. As if someone put a filter over his eyes, one that let him see through walls. He scanned around himself, trying to look for the sight of his mum before his breath hitched. A familiar set of green eyes stared back at him, startling Clark into blinking out of his x ray vision. He stumbled back, and watched as the clear sight of green eyes staring at him transformed into a wall.

He bit his lip, and looked around, before peeping again. Green eyes wasn’t looking directly at him, he seemed to be glaring at something on his wall. Clark peeled back his x ray vision a few inches, and laughed at what the other was looking at. A poster for the Mighty Crabjoys, tattered at the edges. Something they both had in common, he supposed with a weird amount of joy.

The other boy huffed and tore it down abruptly, and Clark could hear him grumble to himself. Clark stifled a laugh at the sight.

“Clark?” He jolted.

It was his mum, Martha staring at him unimpressed from behind. He hurried to steady the crates shaking precariously on his hip, and gave her a big smile.

“The kitchen in this way.” She said with a raised eyebrow. Clark could only huff a light laugh as he played off his stalkering.

“Yeah, yeah I was just looking for you! I just got lost.” Clark shrugged, and gestured around the hall. “You know, this place is massive. Not a lot of personal photos, though.”

Martha hummed affirmative as she left towards the door to pick up more produce. “Don’t go looking for any trouble, okay honey?”

“Of course not, ma!” Clark called out to her as he turned back around. He squinted, and through the walls saw that Lex was now gone. Darn it. Clark would’ve scratched the back of his neck out of sheer embarrassment as the thought really dawned on him- dang, he was really stalkerish. Now that he thought about it, it made sense that green eyes lived in a mansion… well, not really, that was overselling how prim and proper he was. Clark was expecting upper class but he didn’t expect the highest class, green eyes swore so much it didn’t feel right.

Clark muttered to himself as he meandered towards the kitchen, now that he knew the direction. He wasn’t lying when he said the place was confusing, but Clark could manage. He perked up when he entered the kitchen, and was awed again. The tiled floors shone and kitchen was just absolutely massive- the size of those ovens? Clark could tell his mum would’ve lost it here during thanksgiving. The fridge was massive too, a far cry from the Kent’s dingy one, though Clark thought it added character.

Shuster was there in the middle of the kitchen, putting away the produce into what looked like endless shelves. Filled form head to toe with spices and other goods you’d get from a regular store. Clark smiled at her as he carefully placed the crates onto the table. With so much, green eyes family must have massive appetites.

“Thank you so much.” Shuster said, though it had a level of professional distance that was jarring. Clark only smiled with a nod.

“No problem! I’ll go get the rest now.” Off the top of his head, his mum carried in one crate, Clark three, and with her getting one more than left only one left. Easy work.

Clark was about to make his way out before he froze as a haughty voice.

“Shuster! I’m hungry.” Green eyes called out, voice whiny and petulant. Clark turned to glance at him, and watched as those green eyes widen before they squinted angrily. He was dressed more casually than at school, in a shirt and some unassuming pants. Clark had no doubt they weren’t fancy brands though, from the looks of his house. He was as pretty as he was at school, and Clark gulped. Green eyes huffed, and stalked around him like an angry cat. Clark thought the comparison genius.

“What are you doing here?” He began warily. Before Clark could respond, Shuster beat him to it. She was still guys putting everything away.

“He’s here to help deliver the produce.” She said calmly. “I’ll prepare you something soon.”

Green eyes stared at all the food incredulously. He gestured at them. “Why in the hell do we need so much food? I don’t eat this much.”

“We need food for the other workers, sir, and you need to eat more anyhow.” Shuster’s voice took on a more threatening tone at the end. The teen only simpered under her ire, and glared at Clark. He was still standing there, feeling silly as his whole face began to flush at the sight of green eyes. No family… Clark took note of it.

“Uh- yeah, what she said.” Clark stuttered. “I’ll be out of your hair soon-“ He balked. Oh gosh, he was so dumb.

If green eyes’ face could get any stormier, it did. Clark quickly waved his hands about. “I mean that like- the idiom! Saying! Not literally!” He stammered. Green eyes only snarled at him. Clark could see his eyes get shiny again, gosh. He was so mean.

“Obviously, because what hair is there!” He yelled shrilly.

“Just one crate left to go!” Clark turned to see Martha enter with a crate on her hip. She lit up at the sight of green eyes, and smiled warmly at him. “Oh, hello! You must be Lex.”

Lex. Clark mulled over the name in his head. It was unconventional, almost sharp. It was oddly fitting. Green eyes- Lex, attempted to furiously blink the tears out of his eyes. Clark watched as he stood up taller and nod.

“I am. Thank you for bringing us all this food.” Lex mumbled, almost bashful. Embarrassed from being caught yelling at someone, Clark guessed. Martha placed the crate on the kitchen island, and shooed at Clark.

“Go on, honey, get the last crate.” Lex blinked and eyes darted between Martha and Clark, as if trying to compute the relation between the two of them. Clark couldn’t blame him. His mother being a red head and dad being a blonde- it was obvious to all of Smallville he was adopted. That and his massive stature. Clark grinned at his mum with a little salute and hurried to slide out of there.

Leaving green eyes- Lex! Back there with his mum. His mum, who will surely pester and ask him all these questions about how he knows Clark, because she obviously heard the yelling. A sinking feeling overcame Clark, embarrassment filling him. Gosh, he was so lame. His mum was so lame and she was gonna make him look so lame. He purposefully blocked out the sound, focusing purely on the crickets so he wouldn’t hear what humiliating things were being said about him as a baby.

Head hung low, Clark gathered the last crate, admiring the sunset before he made his way back. By the entrance to the kitchen, Clark watched with a flush that Lex and Martha were sitting at the kitchen island, with Shuster seemingly cooking something up. He could hear his mother’s astonished voice.

“This kitchen really is just gorgeous- promise you’ll let me have a spin in it sometime, Shuster.” She laughed good naturedly. The mood was a lot more relaxed than when Clark absolutely biffed it all up. He wiped his free hand on his shirt and sheepishly grinned as he entered, trying to look small.

“Last one, ma.” Clark said meekly, as he placed the crate against the island on the floor. Martha smiled at him warmly, and gestured for him to come over.

“Oh, we were just talking about you, Clark.”

Clark smiled nervously. “Last I knew, I wasn’t a kitchen.”

Martha just continued as Clark scanned the seats. The only seats left were next to Lex. He sucked up his horror and gingerly placed himself on a chair, as if that’d make him invisible to the piercing green eyes staring a hole into his head.

“Well, I didn’t know you knew Lex. I mean of course you go to the same high school, but he told me you two already met?” Lex stared up at Clark from under his eyelashes, and Clark was sweating bullets. He cleared his throat and tapped the kitchen counter mindlessly.

“Uh, yeah. We met yesterday, and stuff. Not super interesting.” Clark’s voice got smaller as it went on. Lex scoffed, and turned to Martha with a grin Clark could feel from miles away.

“Not super interesting- he’s too humble, isn’t he Mrs Kent?” Lex said in a sugary false tone. Martha only nodded, exasperated.

“It’s the Kent in him.” She said with a sigh. Lex nodded sagely. His hands lay on top of each other so delicately that Clark couldn’t help but notice how small his hands were in comparison to his.

“Your son saved me from a hulking bully. Of course I could handle it on my own, and I was, it was almost laughable how silly Clark looked hunched over next to the student asking him to kindly leave me be.” Lex said with a grin. “But he did- and then Clark followed me all day. Refused to leave me alone after oh such a traumatic experience.”

His voice tapered off into a snicker he hid behind a cough. Martha only raised an eyebrow at Clark from across the table as Lex was distracted momentarily by Shuster. She mouthed ‘we’ll talk about this later.’.

Clark pretended to pay her no mind, as he laughed awkwardly. “Yeah, what a day. Anyways, what are you making, If I could ask?” Clark leaned over the counter to address Shuster, who had been at the pans periodically moving them. She didn’t look back at him as she answered.

“Pan fried duck breast with a bourbon cream sauce. And a vegetable tian with all the fresh produce your mother brought on the side. Hopefully that’s to your liking.” Clark could only salivate at the thought. Lex got this cooking every day? For every meal?

“Wow, that sounds amazing. Thank you so much.” Clark said, awed.

“No worries, Mr Kent. I’m glad to provide for Alexander’s guests.”

Lex- short for Alexander. It was so strange Clark smiled into the air giddily. What a funny choice.

“Yes, thank you so much, Shuster. You can’t believe how hard it is for me to get a home cooked meal out of my husband.” Martha laughed. Clark laughed with her.

“That’s because if dad was in the kitchen, he’d burn it down.” Clark said cheekily. Martha only nodded along.

“Shush, just because you’re right doesn’t mean a girl can’t dream.” Martha giggled. Lex looked out of place in between the two of them, and Clark could sense the growing tension in the boy. It was as funny as it was sobering. Clark had made the other boy cry yesterday, and now he’s in his home uninvited (well, technically he was invited), getting all cozy in his kitchen when they’ve barely had a conversation that hadn’t ended with Lex screaming.

Clark licked his lips. “Well, how’s Smallville treating you, Lex?”

The other looked up with a jolt, as if he didn’t expect to be addressed. Jeez, did he ever talk to other people? He cleared his throat.

“Well, it’s quaint.” Lex began with Martha looking at him expectantly. “It’s… nice. Quiet. A big change from Metropolis.”

Clark zeroed in on the city name, excitement painting his face. He leaned into Lex’s space unconsciously. “Really? How is it there? I’ve hardly been- maybe once or twice.”

Lex shrugged, and Clark could tell he was feigning nonchalance in the face of Clark’s presence. “It’s loud, busy. Everyone’s always doing something all the time, and you can get anything you need anywhere. I do miss the convenience of it.” Martha hummed at Alex’s admission.

“Me and Clark’s father go there sometimes just to get away, it’s a very nice place when you know where to go.” Martha said lightly. Lex nodded.

“My father took me out to gorgeous places all the time- though I do like the change of pace here.” Clark was surprised to hear the genuineness of Lex’s voice. He tilted his head.

“What do you like about being here? Smallville doesn’t have much going on in the fun scene.” Clark sighed. It was annoying how little he could do in Smallville. The new eatery Lana made was fun, but Smallville still lacked in fun things for teens to do other than loiter around in the tall grass.

Just then, plates were set out by Shuster, and Clark’s stomach grumbled at the sight. It was fantastic looking- the duck crispy, and sauce, oh gosh the sauce. Clark had to hold himself back from absolutely demolishing it, and he glanced over at Lex for etiquette cues. He knew his mum probably was doing the same, she always made a big fuss about matching others table side manners, and Clark knew for sure she hadn’t had a meal this fancy in someone’s home before. A private chef was next level stuff.

Clark basically ignored the vegetable tian. It was laid out beautifully in its pan, but Clark only had eyes for the duck. His parents found out fast that like other teenage boys, Clark had an aversion to vegetables and an undying love for meat. He ate more meat than a regular teenage boy, however, and ate so much Clark felt like he was eating their money away. Something about needing to eat more to be denser to accommodate for his birth planet’s probably higher gravity, it explained why Clark was naturally so large with so little help.

“Oh this is just lovely, Shuster!” Martha had a hand over her mouth as she chewed, eyes lit up like it was Christmas. Clark could only moan in agreement at the first taste of the duck, his fork shoved in his mouth.

“Oh my gosh this is so good.” Clark groaned in disbelief. “You eat this every day?”

Lex only huffed as Clark continued to dig in. “Well obviously Shuster does a different dish every meal, otherwise it’d get boring. Though this dish is a regular favourite of mine.” He said as he scooped over some of the vegetable dish onto his plate.

Clark didn’t respond, enraptured by the meal. Martha had a little more tact, though it was obvious she was enjoying it as well.

“Smallville is lovely, but working off Clark’s question, what do you like specifically about the town? It’s always refreshing to hear new people talk about our home- now yours too.” Martha said in between bites. “We don’t often get new people ‘round here.”

Lex chewed on his food for a moment before he responded. Clark could almost see the thoughts racing in his head as he settled in an answer.

He swallowed. “Well, for one I do like the lack of light pollution. The sky is quite beautiful at night.” He murmured, almost shy. Clark could only beam at him.

“I love stargazing too! Y’know from the barn, it’s a real pretty sight.” Clark rambled. It was one of his favourite pastimes- to put his headphones on, blast music and watch the sky at night. Some nights when he was particularly wistful, he’d envision his parents. Other alien life forms that’d understand him. Truly understand what he felt like as an outsider in every way. Relate to his sometimes soulless eyes and too long limbs. Angsting like that in the barn made him feel like a real teen,

Lex cringed backwards from him, and pointed at his face.

“You got a little something there.” He said, put off. Clark blinked and wiped it away sheepishly.

“Ah, thanks for pointing it out.” He said into the napkin, face hot.

The three ate in amicable conversation for the rest of the night. With mostly Martha and Alex talking, and Clark inhaling the duck and the leftover portion of duck that Shuster kindly cooked for him when his stomach grumbled again. And trying not to make himself look like an ass in front of a cute guy that kind of hates his guts. Your average Saturday for Clark.

It really didn’t occur to Clark until his play was empty for the second time, all warm and satisfied from a good meal, that Lex hadn’t once mentioned his family beyond his father.

“So it’s just you living in the house?” Clark said, perplexed. Lex looked a little frustrated to be talking to Clark again after his long moment of peace, but answered anyway.

“Yes. Father is back in Metropolis still maintaining the company and I’m here for the foreseeable future. With help, of course.”

Clark was well aware, listening to the sound of dishes being washed by Shuster. Martha only sighed, too sated by the amazing meal.

“Well, thank you for having us anyhow Lex. You’re welcome to pop by the Kent farm anytime.” Her eyes sparkled that way it did when Martha really wanted something out of someone. Lex could only smile tightly back at her with a polite nod. “We best be getting out of your way, Jon’s waiting at home for us you know.”

Clarke laughed at the thought of his dad home alone, sullen with last night’s leftovers. “He’ll be so jealous hearing about what we ate tonight!”

Martha simply swatted Clark as they both got off their seats. Lex turned to them with a smile.

“I’ll take you up on that offer eventually, Mrs Kent. It was lovely having you.” He aptly didn’t mention Clark, and led the two of them out of the mansion. Left to his own giant mansion and Lex wasn’t throwing party after party? Clark knew a large portion of their school would salivate at the chance of an empty house to ruin, Lex truly was odd. Even Clark had thrown a party once- though he wouldn’t wanna again to be honest.

They exchanged pleasant goodbyes, a much more amicable end to the night than Clark could’ve ever anticipated.

As Martha headed to the truck, Clark had a moment alone with Lex finally. He turned around from the entrance, mouth open to say something along the lines of ‘thank you for not telling my mum I made you cry-‘ when the door slammed in his face.

Huh. Clark blinked. They weren’t getting on as well as he hoped.