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With a booming sound that would shatter human ears, Superman landed in the concrete floor, that coated Metropolis like a sheet of paper. Glimmering dark grey asphalt stuck to his torn up flesh, Clark finally arose. He started to climb out of the hole, left by him and was greeted with faces on faces of people.
Shit.
He can't explain this one to them, not even a bit. He couldn't think, his head started spinning and his throat seemed to grow bigger and bigger. He was starting to sweat. He could always just run away, but Clark's feet were glued to the floor. He felt sick thinking of possible excuses how he was alive and what happened.
"Superman! You're okay!", an excited voice exclaimed, followed by cheering of the hundreds of people in front of him.
Superman? He'd never allow himself to be called that.
He's not a preschooler. Surely, if Pa ever allowed him to display his gifts, he would never chose such a stupid name. But at least the people didn't seem to recognize him. Maybe this Superman really wasn't him at all! It couldn't be. He can't recognize where he was or where he came from originally.
"Sorry, but where are we?"
„Oh. Metropolis. Maybe we should get him to a doctor for real. He doesn't look to good"
Nope. No doctors. They could lock him away, tear him away from his family. Disassemble him in a lab. Whatever those people think of him, he needs to get away somewhere safe, fast! Gather your mind and safely return home.
His dad had a bad heart and he didn't want to stress his Ma and Pa out even more. If they find out he's been basically turn to a meteor that struck Metropolis, they'd send him off to clean the goose pen. And he really didn't want to. Those animals hurt his overly sensitive ears and bite him. Not like they could actually break his skin, but it hurt Clark more to know that those animals could possibly be hurting themselves by biting him. Even if they don't show it.
„Metropolis General would probably take him, right? They've already taken care of the Flash before." Clark had no idea who they're talking about. He prepared to squeeze in between the people to get away from them, but instead of blocking his way, they stepped aside. Clark rolled his eyes. He was not one of those stars walking on a red carpet in those magazines Chloe despised.
Clearly, he must be dreaming. Walking away from the masses, he looked around and tried to orientate himself. He clearly can't just run home now, he felt too dizzy. But he was in Metropolis after all. And Metropolis was owned by the Luthor's. He knew where to go. He needed Lex advice on what to do. Whether or not this is a bad dream, Lex had experience with bad dreams. Surely, he could try to find him around the LuthorCorp plaza. Usually, if a man falls from the sky, Lex is immediately contacted and runs over, only to find Clark confused and laying on the dirty floor. But explaining his situation would be difficult if Lex didn't know of his secret.
Sigh.
He wanted to tell Lex for a long time about his gifts and then tell him about his feelings. Let the secret about him being an alien sink in before confessing that he's been in love with him for months.
Okay, months could be an understatement. Maybe years.
Even being over 21 or not, his parents always disagreed upon his idea. Ma was scared for their family and Pa always hates on Lex for no reason. Holding a grudge against Lionel, Clark could understand, but his Pa only saw Lex's last bame when talking about him.
Following his feet, Clark walked down a busy road, being gawked at by bystanders. Whatever, he fell from the sky. People don’t see that every day after all.
He's visually confused when being confronted with a big green and purple LexCorp sign instead of the familiar purple and black LuthorCorp one he saw everywhere in Smallville since he was a child. LexCorp was Lex's love, destroyed like every other passion Lex had in his life by his father. A proud sensation overwhelmed him and he started to smile, walking into the building.
Mercy came storming into Lex's office, Superman's arm in her hand like he was a lost child. Lex rolled his eyes.
"Tell me what I did wrong now."
Superman looked confused at him. Lex didn't change his cold and emotionless expression. Clark's expression changed from excitement to hurt when he realized that Lex was indeed not joking.
"He crashed and walked here. I asked him what his business was and he asked me where to find you. Claimed to need to talk to you.", Mercy interjected.
Lex stood up and came closer. Clark is a pain in the ass. Why has he taking on walking now? Isn't ruling the air enough for him? Mercy owns him a day of vacation if Lex was right about Superman finally turning into an alien conqueror. For which he would be of course prepared for.
"I look like I work at the circus right now. I'm not here to do any business, ma'am. I'm sorry."
Lex stopped in his tracks. His voice.
It wasn't Superman's stern and loud voice. It was the warm and soft voice that he connects to warm skin under the Kansas sun and the smell of freshly mowed grass. It made him furious.
"Clark, I do agree to your statement, but I think you should go. Now. We have nothing to talk about."
Mercy tugged on Clark's arm. Initiating their leave.
"Wait, please! I don't know what's happening, Lex! I-I woke up in the middle of the road, people are calling me Superman and I'm wearing this ridiculous costume! I mean, I don't know about the weather in Metropolis, but it isn't that warm in Smallville when it's Halloween!"
Clark's voice trembles and he looked at Lex. He looked at Lex like he did in Smallville. Doe like eyes. Like Lex knows everything in the world. His voice still soft-spoken, unlike Superman and unlike the caricature that is the reporter Clark Kent. Daily Planet Clark Kent who will always take the chance to take it upon him to look like the world's most incompetent man. This voice only belonged to smiling farmboy Clark. Lex hesitated.
"Thank you, Mercy. I can deal with this myself."
His only trusted associate let go off Clark's arm and walked back into the elevator they came from, but added that the ring is in his desk if he needs it. Lex implemented many Superman related security measures, mainly from the outside. Inside, infrared trackers and lasers just didn't match his personal aesthetic, so he kept a Kryptonite ring within reach at all times.
"Clark, if this is some kind of sceme-.."
Lex stopped breathing. He felt Clark's strong arms around his body once the ding of the elevator chirped. His arms were even stronger then he last remembered and swallowed up Lex even more. Shield him from all the harm this world can do to a person. Just as Lex wanted to for years. As much as we would like to embrace the hug, Lex tried to pull away from him.
"Lex, you got LexCorp back! That's so awesome, we should celebrate! Ma could bake her apple pie that you love so much as celebration!"
Okay. Pause, please. What is happening? Lex freed himself from Clark's arms and reached for his bottle of brandy he keeps in a separate drawer for situations like this.
"I want to believe your surprise, Clark. I really do. But I can't trust you that this is real."
Oh god. The hurt puppy eyes.
"You're my best friend. Why can't you trust me? I know that I've always been secretive about stuff, but-"
Lex feels like he's in his late 20s again. Clark sighed and continued.
"Okay. Here I go. I'm... not from here. You know. Like.. not from earth. And I got abilities that come with that. That's how I saved you under the bridge! It's really me, Lex. You can trust me."
What the fuck is going on?
"Thank you for telling me, Clark."
Lex cursed himself. He couldn't help himself. He lost all common sense a labeled 'crazy scientist' could have.
"Listen, Clark. I don't know what's going on with you. Either you're being genuine or pursuing a career in acting. Tell me what happened."
Clark looked down at himself and smiled sheepishly.
"Have you seen me actually act? I'm terrible! I was only cast in MacBeth once, since Lana dragged me into the Theater club and they didn't have any guys." Huh. He would've loved to see that play. Clark isn't a horrible actor, he must admit. If he didn't know any better he would never suspect Clark of being Superman, because his actions as Superman are nothing Clark would ever do. Except for saving damsels in distress or dress up like idiots.
As if Clark could read his mind he asked for new clothes. "This is way too tight! Did I lose a bet or something?"
Lex laughed. It's true. He could make out exactly every detail of his body. They should use his body to label body parts in Biology class. It was so ridiculous perfect, but so was everything else on Superman. From his perfectly moulded curl, to his ridiculously bright red boots. Lex nodded and let Hope bring Clark something he could fit in. Which was in Lex's house a bathrobe. Lex really wasn't the biggest guy known in Metropolis and he certainly was half the size of Clark. When he picked up the rope, Lex just assumed he would wear it over his suit, but he heard the sound of a zipper and turned quickly away.
"Couldn't you just have asked me where to dress yourself?" Even though he couldn't bare to see Clark's face, he knew that he was smirking. Whatever plan Clark has come up right now, it was clearly working on Lex. Fuck. His heart pounded up to his ears as they turned a light pink shade. Yes, he still felt attraction towards Clark. All of the good memories they've shared were overwritten by years of lies, accusations and manipulation. But Lex never stopped finding Clark incredibly attractive. He just pushed it off as him having functioning eyes. Clark was always good looking, but growing into his 30's, he looked like a creature god created with his own hands. Every nook and cranny was carefully crafted by a higher power and this was all just to mock Lex, he was sure. The Justice League wanted to actively seduce Lex Luthor and they chose Superman to be their unfortunate candidate.
"You can look at me again. Finally got that stupid circus outfit off of me."
He dared to look and immediately regretted it. Clark's smiles beamed at him. Looking down on his body, a muscular chest with plenty of hair was revealed. Shit. Superman was making a mockery out of him, he was sure.
"Honestly, I can't remember anything that happened. Just landed here and started looking for you. I figured you always know the answer, like usual. "
Lex narrowed his eyes. Flattery, how cheap. But he indeed got the notification about a lab explosion from Mercy. But that couldn't have erased Clark's memory, right? Maybe he wasn't even on sight and this was a weird coincidence.
"How old am I?"
"Aw, geez Lex. I know you're older than me. But I suck at birthdays and ages. But trust me, you look still very.. uh.. youthful."
Thanks. As if Lex couldn't fight off the press calling him a twink, now Clark had to call him this as well.
"Great. Thanks. What year is it?"
"2011, Lex. You were upset over Steven Works dying, because you couldn't meet him before his death, if you can remember."
Lex does remember. Works was incredibly popular and a revolutionary man. Lex wanted to know how he managed to be both things. Only the greatest of minds could obtain both public and scientific favor.
But clearly, something is going on with Clark. Lex narrowed his eyes at him.
"Clark. I need you to follow me into my lab. I think you might be in serious danger because of the Kryptonite you've inhaled from the explosion."
Clark looked pale and just nodded, adding that he was indeed 'allergic' to them. So, Clark knew where he came from. Lex's mind couldn't help but ask himself when Clark knew and how he obtained the knowledge. He couldn't know much about Kryptonite and his heritage yet, otherwise he wouldn't treat the only thing that could kill him in this world as a simple allergy.
Taking the elevator, Lex and Clark moved down to the lower levels of the LexCorp headquarters. Test tubes illuminates the dimly lit room until Lex turned the lights on. They were a bright white, though Lex manufactured special bulbs for his labs. Ones who give the most light without being too damaging for his eyes and the environment.
Lex dragged Clark into a corner of the room that had curtains mounted on the ceiling. He drew them and pointed Clark to a chair, standing in the middle of the makeshift room. Next to it was a computer where he could insert a needle into his patients and the computer would check their brain activity and vitals.
"Clark, I'll have to insert a needle into your arm if that's alright with you."
"How are you gonna do that?" It sounded more like sarcasm than an actual question.
"You stay here and I will put some Kryptonite solution onto the tip of this needle. I promise, it won't hurt you. This will just make it possible for me to get this needle into your arm."
Clark nodded and seemed to calm down. Lex leaves the room and does as he told Clark.
This Kryptonite solution was originally to line bullets with it, not to save him. Lex grunted, remembering that he not only had his best friend back in his house, but also his arch enemy. Going back, Lex carefully inserted the needle into Clark's arm and waited for the results.
So, good news and bad news, Lex. Bad news is Clark breathed in Kryptonite mist and lost some of his memories, all thanks to your explosion. Good news is that he isn't faking it.
"Clark. I want you to stay with me for at least a day, got it? I will put a mask on you and filter out the Kryptonite mist in your lungs. After that, your memories should be able to recover soon. Especially once the sun is out again." Lex pulled the remaining Kryptonite shards out of Clark's body and left the lab with him once his procedure was done.
This was a nightmare. He was sure of it. He would've preferred for Superman to make a fool of himself and act like he did in his early 20's again, but no. This was serious. No known memory from Clark in the last ten years. That's a long time to lose memory of. Lex wasn't too familiar if Clark's brain processed memories differently, but it would be a miracle if Clark recovered them back.
As much as he and Superman had conflict, he contacted Bruce Wayne immediately. He doesn't even question how the guy has contacts to Batman, but the Justice League needs to cover for Superman right now.
The world has grown too dependent on him. That's one of the reasons why Lex despised him. Maybe it secretly was because he didn't want anything to happen to Clark like it did now, but he would never openly admit that. Now the world will see just how much they shouldn't rely on heroes to save them from every little thing. Clark can't carry the world on a soft pillow and protect it from everything. That's the reasoning Lex would give on why he likes having Clark here. The more selfish reason and the one that is just for him is: Lex missed his best friend.
"We should have dinner over some wine. I have to apologize for my behavior earlier."
Surely, Clark would eat a meal for a whole family with kids. And he has all the means to provide him with that.
"Oh please! I mean.. the food. I doubt the accusations you did came from nowhere."
Lex sighed. He had to make a deal. For his own sanity.
"I'll get dinner ready. But, Clark? We shouldn't talk about what you did in the last ten years. It will corrupt your memory."
Lie.
Selfish lie. Lex just wanted one moment of happiness. Having his best friend back, even if it's just for one day shouldn't be soiled on with the past. The bad past.
"That makes sense. Take me out to dinner, sir."
Clark grinned smug. He hates him.
"I can't take a man only dressed in a bathrobe on a date. I have standards."
"I'm not completely naked!"
Clark reached for the knot in front of his waist to show him that he is, in fact, not naked and still wearing his underwear. Lex stopped him by grabbing his arms. Clark looked guilty at him and let go of the knot.
"I'll have a table on my balcony set out for us. You can watch over the whole of Metropolis from there. You'll love it."
"I'm afraid of heights."
Really?
"Wow. Okay. That's unexpected. But, don't worry. I'm there with you."
"That's makes it even worse! What if I can't save you!"
"I don't need saving, Clark."
The table was lit with candles Mercy set on the table. If Mercy wasn't his only loyal friend and worker in his life, he might've just thrown her down the Gotham Pier. And that's the worst kind of pier to drown in. Lex is convinced that you'd come back mutated once you step even a foot into those waters.
The table was perfectly arranged, with all the utensils one could wish for. Clark wouldn't need any them probably. He wouldn't know how to use them. He's seen Clark eat his lunch with his bare hands one time like a barbarian.
Unlike his unattractive eating behavior, Clark in the candlelight and with only sparse moonlight lighting his face looked like he crawled out of a painting.
"You're beautiful. It's insulting how you're not even human and are a beauty standard for men. Which is impossible, since muscle mass production is genetic. Not to mention your face."
Clark started to grin.
"I wasn't the one who was voted the most popular bachelor every year since the title existed. You look absolutely stunning as well."
Lex snorted. It was true, but nowadays Bruce Wayne graced the title. He must admit, he kinda wanted it back. Even if it means throwing a party and arranging a beautiful partner to seduce Bruce and marry him to them. Lex amused himself by the idea of putting Oliver Queen together with him. Two obnoxious billionaires who have both annoyed Lex for years in their meetings. Lex suspected they’re just a menace to him out of jealousy.
"Do you remember when we were in your loft and moved the couch towards the window?"
Clark smiled. "Yes. I don't do it as often now. I know where I'm from. Unlike when you met me first and I didn't know where my place on this world was. I searched for it and you were by my side. Maybe that was the answer all along."
Fuck. This isn't right. Lex swallowed, trying to keep his feelings down, instead trying to change the topic.
"Do you know where you are from now? Which of those stars is your home, Clark?" Knowing the answer, Lex still felt somewhat bad asking it. But he can't forget that possibly in a day or so, he will be the man again that makes his life a living hell. Superman.
"My home is here, Lex. But I was born on Krypton. It's long gone. I thought about what you told me. About.. stars that exploded millions of years ago, but we still see their effect on our sky today. I'd like to think about my birthplace that way." Clark smiled at him like a kid on his birthday. To be fair, Clark's smiles that he shared with Lex always looked that way. Reporter Clark Kent rarely smiled like that. A smile that bright would arouse too much attention on him probably.
Lex must admit he's a selfish person. But he is enjoying himself, finally laughing again after what felt like were years. So when Clark told him that he'll go to bed and Lex insisted that he'd stay in Lex's room with him so he can monitor his recovery better, he lied once again for his own gain. Laying down next to Clark. The man who pulling him out of his pits of evil and pushed him right back in.
It's been 10 Minutes already. No one has said a thing or attempted to sleep. They're basking in eachother's presence.
"Lex."
He looked at Clark.
"I really don't know if I'll remember this evening or if I'll remember the last ten years."
He looked like he wants reassurance. Lex couldn't give him that.
"I don't know either Clark. I've looked at everything."
A smile.
"I know. I trust you with my life, Lex. That's why I want you to know that-.. I don't know if I've told you this in the last ten years, but just in case I forget my memory, please remind me that.. I love you, Lex."
Lex sat up straight in his bed. This was a dream. Lex, wake up to your depressing mundane life. Happiness wasn’t the option for a Luthor. Get yelled at by Superman. Fight him. Get defeated by him. Something that hurts less than those words put of his mouth. His dirty, lying mouth. Once he regains his memory, he will probably try to sue Lex for waking up next to him.
"I-.. Clark.. You haven't said this to me, no."
Clark tested how far he can go. Sat up as well and took Lex's hand into his. The other one didn't pull back, even though his common sense yelled at him to do so.
"I should've done so then. I always planned on telling you my secret before.. the other secret I have."
"That you have feelings for me?"
Lex learned from years of Clark lying that you really have to squeeze information out of Clark to get a clear answer. Maybe he's hiding little green aliens in his cellar, but no one's ever asked him.
"Yes."
Good.
"Clark, this will be very awkward if you remember everything again. But.. I- I do care about you too, you know."
Clark tried to kiss him. Lex pulled away. Part of him wanted to collect all of the kisses he could from him, just feel Clark and don't worry about anything else, but he couldn't. Clark can't consent to this.
"Clark. We can't. You don't know what you are doing. You lost ten years of your life."
He tried to keep a steady voice, but failed. Clark retreated.
"I've clearly hurt you in that time. Hold me here until we've talked about this when I caught on. Promise?"
Lex wasn't sure if Clark would ever awake out of his memory slumber. Lex was jealous of him.
"Promise not to run away then?"
"I promise."
Lex is used to waking up early. But not as early as Clark apparently, because he is out of the bedroom. Probably ran away from his problems and confrontations, in true Clark Kent fashion. He almost gave up hope that their talk would never happen, but then he smelled the burning eggs. His kitchen staff would never burn an egg. This was him.
Putting his morning robe on, Lex approached the kitchen and felt bittersweet when he saw Clark in the kitchen, cursing at the burned eggs. However, he was wearing his usual flannel shirt, not the robe Lex gave him. And as obsessive as he was, collecting Superman trophies, he didn't keep Clark's farmboy clothes.
Lex used to joke that Clark only owned checkered flannel shirts and Clark proved him wrong by showing him a striped one.
"Good morning, Lex. I hope I didn't invade your space too much."
Lex narrowed his eyes at him and looked at him in a cold demeanor. The new outfit meant that Clark found his way to his Metropolis apartment.
"You got your memory back. Why are you still here? You should go."
Lex couldn't allow himself to be happy in the long term. Only for short burst, if even at all. A tragedy will strike immediately after. He knows no other way. The universe wouldn't let him be happy. Clark looked like he was just caught stealing a chicken from his neighbor's coop or something, he looked this guilty.
"I do. But I promised I'd stay, right?"
Lex growled immediately.
"Get away from the stove, you animal. You're burning all of my eggs. I'll call a cook."
They've sat down on the balcony again. Where they've been so carefree yesterday and so plagued by feelings again today. Clark took a deep breath, announcing that he will speak soon. Lex wouldn't give him the chance.
"So, you know everything that happened yesterday."
Clark just nodded. Expecting Lex to continue talking.
"It felt nice to have my best friend back. Without him constantly lying through his teeth. I would've preferred this version of you from the beginning."
Clark sighed.
"Lex.. I-.. I know. I'm sorry. I enjoyed yesterday very much as well."
Lex glared at him.
"Of course you did! In your perfect little world we were still best friends! Do you know how hard it was for me to have you say-... things to me that I wished you would've said 10 years ago?"
Clark narrowed his eyes together. His thinking face could use some work in order not to look pissed off constantly.
"Lex, I'm sorry. I didn't plan on losing my memory of course. It hurts you more than anything and I.. don't want that."
Lex rolled his eyes.
"Please, Kent. You've shown up enough times in my house, always unannounced just assulting my workers and screaming at me for things you seem as righteous! Don't lie to me and say you don't want to hurt me!"
Clark clearly wanted to snap back, but took another breath instead.
"I'm sorry. I really do care about you. As you've.. heard yesterday. I got frustrated about you getting into shady and illegal business. Those people are dangerous and I can't-.. I don't want you to get hurt when I'm unable to save you. I only showed up everyday to see you!"
Lex groaned.
"I told you already. I don't need saving. I appreciate you sticking up for what you've said. I love you too, for the record. Honestly, sometimes I just build things that were no real threat to get your attention after you've left me alone for a few days. So, I'll take some blame, Kent."
"So I've noticed."
The tension was immediately cut by a worker of Lex' serving breakfast. They both welcomed the silence while they ate their meal.
"Better then those burned eggs you dared to serve me."
"I bet you don't even know how your stove turns on."
"Touchè."