Dated to Sunday, July 27th
Jul. 28th, 2008 10:11 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
capable_ofXander and Clark take a walk down the beach, talking and 'accidentally' holding hands when they are watched from the trees by a new arrival. When the watcher makes themselves known, Lex and Clark finally have their island reunion. But a happy reunion quickly dissolves into an awkward situation that Clark finally flees from.
Xander couldn't help grinning as he walked next to Clark, just talking and relaxed like friends again. It was such a relief, even after Clark's drunk assurance. "So what do you think of that assignment in our literature class huh? I hear he's related to Virginia Woolf which is why we have to read so much of it." He speculated goodnaturedly.
"It's..." Clark had no words, really. "Something." He chuckled scrunching his nose. "I think I'm more of a Scifi kind of guy? So, this'll take some getting used to."
"I'm with you man." Xander agreed with a small nod, bumping Clark's shoulder slightly with his own. "Give me the classics of Lovecraft and Asimov any day, this poetry stuff, I barely understand what it's saying let alone what it means."
Clark laughed nodding, his fingers grazing against Xander's, which caused him to quickly place his hands in his pockets. "I dunno, I mean, I can figure it out, it just...take extra effort." Clark was used to the speed reading he could do back home - his mind seemed to work faster there, too. So, doing things at a "normal" pace was...definitely an adjustment.
Xander had noticed but instead of blatantly offering his help, he'd just taken to studying with Clark. It helped that he studied slow to begin with. "I find reading them out loud helps. Her punctuation makes them look so much more confusing, ya know?" His fingers curled slightly after the contact with Clark's but he kept them where they were, instead shooting Clark a small look out of the corner of his eye.
It was like practicing an out of shape muscle. Sure, he'd been able to take in knowledge faster than a speeding bullet to process, it just took time. And considering he didn't exactly have chores or a farm to upkeep, Clark had all the time he needed to do that. "Yeah, I agree," he said, his hand slipping out of his pockets again after a few moments. "Still, it's nice....doing something again, you know?"
That earned an eager nod, with an enthusiasm that caused their hands to brush once more, completely by accident. "I can't believe I'm going to say this but you are so right. Even with the building crew stuff I'm doing now, it's nice to not just be sitting around. Though the sitting around did have it's ups, ya know?"
Lex had just been walking down the shore, collecting his thoughts as they came to him: about farmboys and junior superheros, of farmtowns and mysterious islands. He would have stayed lost in thought, except a nearby voice brought him out of it. He looked up and saw Clark and another boy also walking along the shore. Instead of approaching them, he moved into an outcropping of trees with an easy step to the side, just watching. The touches didn't escape his notice, nor the easy way they were with one another.
Clark nodded, with a grin, and said, "I think the sitting was the worst part, though. After a while, I mean." His fingers brushed againstXander's again, though this time Clark's index and middle fingers hooked with Xander's , an unconscious move. "But some of the sitting by the tide was good. You at least had a part time job, I was just wandering around figuring out what the hell was going on." Still was, in fact.
"The tides were fun! We should do that again sometime soon." Xander didn't acknowledge Clark's fingers in his, except for the fact that he reciprocated, causing their hands to be loosing tangled together. It was easy and oddly relaxed. "I haven't had the job long. You could join you know? They always seem to need people and it's doing something with your hands. You must have done some building on the farm right?"
They were only a fraction away from holding hands. Lex noticed this with both interest and a slight worry. Two years separated him and Clark. He could see the time had been kind to his friend, which was no surprise. He was more worried about other, less obvious changes. Was this scene before him an insight into one of them?
"Yeah," he said. "Fences, parts of the house, the barn." He shrugged. "Kind of par for the course." He brushed some hair out of his eyes before, as he noticed their fingers, hesitated before slipping his hand inXander's, which...felt strange.
Xander managed to school his reaction to just a slight duck of his head and a flush of his cheeks, though he did squeeze Clark's hand slightly in positive reply. "See that's all that we do. Just build other people's huts and stuff, plus some other things around the island. I already worked off my auction hours and I really don't want to stop. Maybe you should come join too?"
It was the innocent question out of context, Lex had heard their voices but wasn't positive on the subject of their conversation, and the definite holding of hands that promptedLex to step out of his hiding place towards them as if he was just stepping out of the jungle on his way to the beach. He even managed a note of surprise in his voice. "Clark?"
"Maybe," Clark said, smiling softly but tensed when he heard his name, his hand quickly pulling away from Xander as he turned around slowly. His brow furrowed and he took a step back. There was an overwhelming surge of... Something when Clark sawLex. An ache that gave way to happiness with simultaneous dread. Was this real? "Lex?" he said softly.
It was the sudden movement on Clark's part that had Xander very confused for half a second before he heard Clark say something. Then he just froze. He'd been working up the courage to tell his friend thatLex was on the island, having heard if from Jill and Bart, but after his last tell all he's been understandably nervous. Now he was all ready to defend his friend ifLex tried anything. He took a step forward to move himself slightly in front of Clark, though no further. Something in Clark's tone...seemed almost fond? He looked between the two but opted not to say anything.
Lex couldn't help himself. He smiled at his best friend in relief that so far there was no anger on Clark's features, though the slight fear cut him to the core. "Clark." He said more definitely, ignoring the other boy for the moment as he stepped forward. "I'm so glad to see you here." Oh was he and he let it show in his voice.
For a moment, just a moment, Clark had his best friend back. An emptiness that seemed to exist while he was on the island ever so slightly ebbed and, despite his better judgment, he took a few steps closer and gaveLex a hug, though his grip was comfortably tighter, and he was no near as warm without his powers (it came without being powered by the sun, nor with a need to watch his strength).
Lex sighed in relief as he hugged Clark back as hard as he could. An unconscious part of his mind catalogued the differences in Clark on the island from the Clark he knew at home but at the moment he wasn't thinking about it. He was just enjoying the solid feeling of Clark in his arms. Then, with another small sigh that he just couldn't hide as much as he wanted too, he pulled back to look up at him, still smiling brightly. "The topics seem to do you good Clark."
Xander had been pushed aisde by the hug, but he wasn't feeling hurt or anything about it because he was instead staring at the scene in front of him in awe. Clark Kent and Lex Luthor were hugging as if they were the closest of friends long separated. It was...surreal. And he was so confused...
Clark pulled back, brow still furrowed as he examined every bit of Lex, almost as if he still expected him to just...not exist. "You're hurt," he sais softly, not even registering Lex's comment because it was still so surreal to see Lex standing in front of him, while his hands reached up and his fingertips lightly touching Lex's face.
Reaching up to take Clark's hand in his, Lex pulled it down, but held it in his. He may be married but Clark always had been a touch oriented person and he wasn't about to completely put a stop to it. "Being in a plane crashing into the ocean will do that. Unfortunately, they don't seem to be going away as fast as they used too, but they are still only scratches and bruises." Clark's concern couldn't help warming his heart a bit.
"Plane crash?" Suddenly, he was brought back to reality. He ran away that summer. He'd gone to the funeral and stayed away from the crowd. He watchedLex be buried and a part of him died that day. He also remembered who did it. "Helen," his brow furrowing in anger, remembering how awful those times were for all of them, andLex being stranded on that island.
Looking back and forth between them, Xander could not believe what he was seeing. They were supposed to be arch enemies...not close friends. He was so very lost so he finally spoke up in a small voice, "Clark?"
Hearing Xander's voice again, Clark took a deep breath and pulled away from Lex completely. "Xander..." He blinked. "God, sorry." He cleared his throat. "Uh, Xander, this is Lex." He glanced at Lex. "Lex, this is Xander.
When Clark spoke his wife's name in anger, Lex's happy expression couldn't help morphing to one of complete surprise. Why was Clark mad at Helen and not his father, the no doubt cause of the crash? He didn't have much time to ponder this as Clark pulled away from him and introduced the boy he'd been with.Lex put on his best polite smile before extending a hand. "Any friend of Clark's is a friend of mine." He said pleasantly, burying the slight twinge of wariness.
Xander just kind of looked at his hand for a moment before shaking it. He was shaking Lex Luthor's hand. He tried very hard not to snatch it back. "Yeah, same here."
Clark cleared his throat. This was...very awkward for some reason. "Xander's been showing me around the island," he said, "and we're taking classes at the Island University." He ran his hands through his hair, still trying to wrap his mind around this.
Awkward was putting it mildly, for Xander anyway. "I uh...I mean yeah, I've been helping him get settled and stuff. Friends stuff." He babbled slightly, as he now fought the urge to hide behind Clark.
Lex looked between the two, also sensing the awkwardness. "Just friends?" he asked intuitively with a raised eyebrow. He had always been interested in Clark's life, why would that change when he was married and they were on a strange island? Though he did make the mental note that Clark seemed to prefer the very dark brunettes..."I'm convinced Clark could make friends anywhere." He continued easily, remaining as outwardlyun-phased as possible. "Though the classes are a pleasant surprise considering all of the free time and free beach."
"It gets old fast," Clark replied, clearing his throat. "I was supposed to start school in the fall, so..." He shrugged. "A little sense of home was nice. Gave me something to do." Especially now that he wasn't working on the farm. He didn't address the 'Just Friends' thing, obviously.
Xander couldn't address it either, instead opting to blushing and looking everywhere but at Lex or Clark. He wanted so badly to bolt but he was reluctant to leave Clark alone with this deceptively young and charming version of his greatest enemy. He really wished Clark had mentionedLex at some point, at least prepared him for this!
Lex seemed to sense Xander's need to flee reflex and was quite willing to take advantage of it. "Clark, I'm sure your friend doesn't want to listen to us reminisce about home.Smallville is as dull to talk about as it is to live there. And I want to hear all about the time I've missed. I've heard about the time differences and if your starting school, then I've missed at least two years." He had yet to let go of Clark's hand and he had no plans too.
This was very, very, very awkward. Clark hesitated but he pulled his hand away. "I..." He glanced at Xander. "I need to go," he said, after a few moments. "I'm not feeling so well. So, I'll just..." He started to back away. "I'll see you. Island's not very big." Except for how massive it was. "I'll talk to you later." Pause. "Promise."
Xander pointedly ignored Lex as he put a hand out to touch Clark's arm in a comforting gesture. "Are you okay? Do you need me to walk back with you?" His steps matched Clark's retreating ones in his concern.
When Clark pulled his hand away, Lex just calmly put his in his pockets, his polite smile back. Something was wrong and he'd find out later. Clark was obviously spooked and that was the last thingLex ever wanted. "I'm up in the compound for now Clark. Come find me any time you like."
Clark just nodded at Lex. "I'll be fine," he said. "I just need to think." He looked Xander in the eyes, gave him a light touch on the shoulder before he walked in the opposite direction of both of them.
At the touch, Xander gave Clark a small comforting smile. Then the two of them stood there and watched Clark for a few moments. There was an exchange of glances, one nervous and shy, the other amused and confident before they both turned in opposite directions and left.
Xander couldn't help grinning as he walked next to Clark, just talking and relaxed like friends again. It was such a relief, even after Clark's drunk assurance. "So what do you think of that assignment in our literature class huh? I hear he's related to Virginia Woolf which is why we have to read so much of it." He speculated goodnaturedly.
"It's..." Clark had no words, really. "Something." He chuckled scrunching his nose. "I think I'm more of a Scifi kind of guy? So, this'll take some getting used to."
"I'm with you man." Xander agreed with a small nod, bumping Clark's shoulder slightly with his own. "Give me the classics of Lovecraft and Asimov any day, this poetry stuff, I barely understand what it's saying let alone what it means."
Clark laughed nodding, his fingers grazing against Xander's, which caused him to quickly place his hands in his pockets. "I dunno, I mean, I can figure it out, it just...take extra effort." Clark was used to the speed reading he could do back home - his mind seemed to work faster there, too. So, doing things at a "normal" pace was...definitely an adjustment.
Xander had noticed but instead of blatantly offering his help, he'd just taken to studying with Clark. It helped that he studied slow to begin with. "I find reading them out loud helps. Her punctuation makes them look so much more confusing, ya know?" His fingers curled slightly after the contact with Clark's but he kept them where they were, instead shooting Clark a small look out of the corner of his eye.
It was like practicing an out of shape muscle. Sure, he'd been able to take in knowledge faster than a speeding bullet to process, it just took time. And considering he didn't exactly have chores or a farm to upkeep, Clark had all the time he needed to do that. "Yeah, I agree," he said, his hand slipping out of his pockets again after a few moments. "Still, it's nice....doing something again, you know?"
That earned an eager nod, with an enthusiasm that caused their hands to brush once more, completely by accident. "I can't believe I'm going to say this but you are so right. Even with the building crew stuff I'm doing now, it's nice to not just be sitting around. Though the sitting around did have it's ups, ya know?"
Lex had just been walking down the shore, collecting his thoughts as they came to him: about farmboys and junior superheros, of farmtowns and mysterious islands. He would have stayed lost in thought, except a nearby voice brought him out of it. He looked up and saw Clark and another boy also walking along the shore. Instead of approaching them, he moved into an outcropping of trees with an easy step to the side, just watching. The touches didn't escape his notice, nor the easy way they were with one another.
Clark nodded, with a grin, and said, "I think the sitting was the worst part, though. After a while, I mean." His fingers brushed againstXander's again, though this time Clark's index and middle fingers hooked with Xander's , an unconscious move. "But some of the sitting by the tide was good. You at least had a part time job, I was just wandering around figuring out what the hell was going on." Still was, in fact.
"The tides were fun! We should do that again sometime soon." Xander didn't acknowledge Clark's fingers in his, except for the fact that he reciprocated, causing their hands to be loosing tangled together. It was easy and oddly relaxed. "I haven't had the job long. You could join you know? They always seem to need people and it's doing something with your hands. You must have done some building on the farm right?"
They were only a fraction away from holding hands. Lex noticed this with both interest and a slight worry. Two years separated him and Clark. He could see the time had been kind to his friend, which was no surprise. He was more worried about other, less obvious changes. Was this scene before him an insight into one of them?
"Yeah," he said. "Fences, parts of the house, the barn." He shrugged. "Kind of par for the course." He brushed some hair out of his eyes before, as he noticed their fingers, hesitated before slipping his hand inXander's, which...felt strange.
Xander managed to school his reaction to just a slight duck of his head and a flush of his cheeks, though he did squeeze Clark's hand slightly in positive reply. "See that's all that we do. Just build other people's huts and stuff, plus some other things around the island. I already worked off my auction hours and I really don't want to stop. Maybe you should come join too?"
It was the innocent question out of context, Lex had heard their voices but wasn't positive on the subject of their conversation, and the definite holding of hands that promptedLex to step out of his hiding place towards them as if he was just stepping out of the jungle on his way to the beach. He even managed a note of surprise in his voice. "Clark?"
"Maybe," Clark said, smiling softly but tensed when he heard his name, his hand quickly pulling away from Xander as he turned around slowly. His brow furrowed and he took a step back. There was an overwhelming surge of... Something when Clark sawLex. An ache that gave way to happiness with simultaneous dread. Was this real? "Lex?" he said softly.
It was the sudden movement on Clark's part that had Xander very confused for half a second before he heard Clark say something. Then he just froze. He'd been working up the courage to tell his friend thatLex was on the island, having heard if from Jill and Bart, but after his last tell all he's been understandably nervous. Now he was all ready to defend his friend ifLex tried anything. He took a step forward to move himself slightly in front of Clark, though no further. Something in Clark's tone...seemed almost fond? He looked between the two but opted not to say anything.
Lex couldn't help himself. He smiled at his best friend in relief that so far there was no anger on Clark's features, though the slight fear cut him to the core. "Clark." He said more definitely, ignoring the other boy for the moment as he stepped forward. "I'm so glad to see you here." Oh was he and he let it show in his voice.
For a moment, just a moment, Clark had his best friend back. An emptiness that seemed to exist while he was on the island ever so slightly ebbed and, despite his better judgment, he took a few steps closer and gaveLex a hug, though his grip was comfortably tighter, and he was no near as warm without his powers (it came without being powered by the sun, nor with a need to watch his strength).
Lex sighed in relief as he hugged Clark back as hard as he could. An unconscious part of his mind catalogued the differences in Clark on the island from the Clark he knew at home but at the moment he wasn't thinking about it. He was just enjoying the solid feeling of Clark in his arms. Then, with another small sigh that he just couldn't hide as much as he wanted too, he pulled back to look up at him, still smiling brightly. "The topics seem to do you good Clark."
Xander had been pushed aisde by the hug, but he wasn't feeling hurt or anything about it because he was instead staring at the scene in front of him in awe. Clark Kent and Lex Luthor were hugging as if they were the closest of friends long separated. It was...surreal. And he was so confused...
Clark pulled back, brow still furrowed as he examined every bit of Lex, almost as if he still expected him to just...not exist. "You're hurt," he sais softly, not even registering Lex's comment because it was still so surreal to see Lex standing in front of him, while his hands reached up and his fingertips lightly touching Lex's face.
Reaching up to take Clark's hand in his, Lex pulled it down, but held it in his. He may be married but Clark always had been a touch oriented person and he wasn't about to completely put a stop to it. "Being in a plane crashing into the ocean will do that. Unfortunately, they don't seem to be going away as fast as they used too, but they are still only scratches and bruises." Clark's concern couldn't help warming his heart a bit.
"Plane crash?" Suddenly, he was brought back to reality. He ran away that summer. He'd gone to the funeral and stayed away from the crowd. He watchedLex be buried and a part of him died that day. He also remembered who did it. "Helen," his brow furrowing in anger, remembering how awful those times were for all of them, andLex being stranded on that island.
Looking back and forth between them, Xander could not believe what he was seeing. They were supposed to be arch enemies...not close friends. He was so very lost so he finally spoke up in a small voice, "Clark?"
Hearing Xander's voice again, Clark took a deep breath and pulled away from Lex completely. "Xander..." He blinked. "God, sorry." He cleared his throat. "Uh, Xander, this is Lex." He glanced at Lex. "Lex, this is Xander.
When Clark spoke his wife's name in anger, Lex's happy expression couldn't help morphing to one of complete surprise. Why was Clark mad at Helen and not his father, the no doubt cause of the crash? He didn't have much time to ponder this as Clark pulled away from him and introduced the boy he'd been with.Lex put on his best polite smile before extending a hand. "Any friend of Clark's is a friend of mine." He said pleasantly, burying the slight twinge of wariness.
Xander just kind of looked at his hand for a moment before shaking it. He was shaking Lex Luthor's hand. He tried very hard not to snatch it back. "Yeah, same here."
Clark cleared his throat. This was...very awkward for some reason. "Xander's been showing me around the island," he said, "and we're taking classes at the Island University." He ran his hands through his hair, still trying to wrap his mind around this.
Awkward was putting it mildly, for Xander anyway. "I uh...I mean yeah, I've been helping him get settled and stuff. Friends stuff." He babbled slightly, as he now fought the urge to hide behind Clark.
Lex looked between the two, also sensing the awkwardness. "Just friends?" he asked intuitively with a raised eyebrow. He had always been interested in Clark's life, why would that change when he was married and they were on a strange island? Though he did make the mental note that Clark seemed to prefer the very dark brunettes..."I'm convinced Clark could make friends anywhere." He continued easily, remaining as outwardlyun-phased as possible. "Though the classes are a pleasant surprise considering all of the free time and free beach."
"It gets old fast," Clark replied, clearing his throat. "I was supposed to start school in the fall, so..." He shrugged. "A little sense of home was nice. Gave me something to do." Especially now that he wasn't working on the farm. He didn't address the 'Just Friends' thing, obviously.
Xander couldn't address it either, instead opting to blushing and looking everywhere but at Lex or Clark. He wanted so badly to bolt but he was reluctant to leave Clark alone with this deceptively young and charming version of his greatest enemy. He really wished Clark had mentionedLex at some point, at least prepared him for this!
Lex seemed to sense Xander's need to flee reflex and was quite willing to take advantage of it. "Clark, I'm sure your friend doesn't want to listen to us reminisce about home.Smallville is as dull to talk about as it is to live there. And I want to hear all about the time I've missed. I've heard about the time differences and if your starting school, then I've missed at least two years." He had yet to let go of Clark's hand and he had no plans too.
This was very, very, very awkward. Clark hesitated but he pulled his hand away. "I..." He glanced at Xander. "I need to go," he said, after a few moments. "I'm not feeling so well. So, I'll just..." He started to back away. "I'll see you. Island's not very big." Except for how massive it was. "I'll talk to you later." Pause. "Promise."
Xander pointedly ignored Lex as he put a hand out to touch Clark's arm in a comforting gesture. "Are you okay? Do you need me to walk back with you?" His steps matched Clark's retreating ones in his concern.
When Clark pulled his hand away, Lex just calmly put his in his pockets, his polite smile back. Something was wrong and he'd find out later. Clark was obviously spooked and that was the last thingLex ever wanted. "I'm up in the compound for now Clark. Come find me any time you like."
Clark just nodded at Lex. "I'll be fine," he said. "I just need to think." He looked Xander in the eyes, gave him a light touch on the shoulder before he walked in the opposite direction of both of them.
At the touch, Xander gave Clark a small comforting smile. Then the two of them stood there and watched Clark for a few moments. There was an exchange of glances, one nervous and shy, the other amused and confident before they both turned in opposite directions and left.