Work Text:
“Lex, come on..” Clark pleaded as he watched the other man work, unable to miss the look he received in return. “I saved your life.
“Fine, but let me finish here.” Lex responded with a hint of hesitation, not missing how a smile formed on the other man's face. “You can wait in the common area until I'm done.”
“Thanks, Lex.” Clark noted as he collected his books, hesitating in the doorway as he spoke again before he headed out of the man's office. “I swear these science textbooks are written in another language.”
It was weird to consider, based on how Clark seemed to excel in academics, that he would take issue with a subject as common as science. Clark had several assignments due at the end of the week, and he had found himself lost the second he looked over the equations. He didn't know what to do, but he knew that if he failed, he wouldn't be allowed to be in the game. It was this set of circumstances that led him to Lex. He knew that the man was smart, and based on his age, it was safe to assume that he had dealt with this all before. He was certain he would be able to assist him.
Lex was in the middle of some sort of work when Clark walked in, but after he reminded Lex that he had saved his life, he agreed to assist him. Clark made himself comfortable in the common area as he waited for Lex. He was allowed some drinks and snacks that the maid brought to him before Lex arrived. It was nice to be in Lex's home like this. He found himself there much more often than he would admit out loud. Lex took the time to break the equations down and explained how they worked in much simpler terms. Clark found himself enthralled with Lex's words, and for a moment he was certain that he could listen to the man for hours about everything and anything.
“Do you understand?” Lex asked as he finished his lecture, not missing the smile he received as a form of confirmation. “It isn't that hard once it's laid out like this.”
“Can you assist me with the chemistry assignment next?” Clark requested as he took out the assignment sheet, unable to miss the look he received over this action. “I did save your life.”
“And you choose to use that so you can receive an A on your homework assignment.” Lex noted with a mixture of amusement and disbelief, shaking his head as he took the chemistry sheet to examine. “I'll do the first few, and you can do the rest on your own.”
From there, Lex went to work on the problems he had been handed. He seemed almost entertained at the look Clark held as he explained what he was doing in detail, but unbeknownst to Lex, Clark didn't care about the homework anymore. He was more interested in Lex and what else the man knew. Lex was older than him. He was more experienced. He was confident in his actions, and he treated Clark like he was some kind of hero to him. It was nice, and Clark leaned into that. He wondered how much Lex would do for him. He wondered where his limitations were. He wanted to know.
“You seem to know a lot about chemistry.” Clark noted as he watched the man work, hesitating for a moment before he made his move. “I bet if you were an element, you'd be francium.”
“Because I'm rare?” Lex questioned as he continued his work without looking up, not seeming to falter in the slightest. “Or is it because I have the potential to harm others?”
“I would say attractive but rare works too.” Clark noted with a sense of overall amusement, not missing the reaction this received as the other man seemed to lose his ability to breathe. “Are you okay?”
“You should be able to finish from here.” Lex reasoned as he stood up almost too quickly, smoothing his shirt before he continued. “You should stick to trying out pickup lines on people your own age.”
“Where's the fun in that?” Clark questioned as he more or less watched the other man run out of the room to retrieve the inhaler from his desk, unable to hide his smile as he walked out. “Thanks, Lex.”
Clark wasn't sure what he looked to receive with his comments, but he did have to admit that he liked how he took Lex's breath away, almost in the literal sense. He finished his homework soon after that, but he was certain it wouldn't be the last time he asked Lex for his assistance. He saved the man, and he wouldn't ever let him live that down. He owed him his life.