Lex sat back in his chair and swallowed hard. His head was awhirl with confusion and he was breathless with wonder and excitement and just so full of emotion his chest was tight. And his groin was aching, ever since Kal-El had smiled at him.
The fact that Kal-El dreamed about him was unexpected, and yet not somehow. It strengthened his feelings of some sort of connection between them. It still didn’t explain how or why, but frankly, Lex didn’t care, as long as Kal-El trusted him. “What… what kind of dreams?” he asked quietly. Kal-El flushed beautifully and looked away from the camera. “The kind that make me wish I didn’t constantly have a camera on me,” he whispered. The ache in Lex’s groin grew to hot desire and he groaned. “Oh God, Kal. I wish I could…” Lex trailed off uncertainly. “Touch me?” Kal-El breathed. “Yes,” Lex admitted in a whisper. “Me too.” Lex closed his eyes and tried to work some moisture into his suddenly dry mouth. “Soon?” Kal-El asked. Lex nodded, then opened his eyes to stare at the hopeful face on the screen. “Soon, I promise,” he replied solemnly. “Good,” Kal-El sighed quietly, “I want to see if you are as beautiful in reality as you are in my dreams.” Lex inhaled sharply, “Kal.” Kal-El smiled up at the camera. “You are,” he whispered. “So are you, Kal,” Lex whispered back. Kal-El smiled again and it lit up his eyes. Lex touched the screen with a sigh. “I should go.” “I know,” Kal-El nodded, “Night, Lex, sweet dreams.” “You too, Kal,” Lex smiled. “I always do,” Kal-El whispered. Lex’s chest clenched that little bit tighter. He switched off the video feed and the sound override, and sat back again, breathing out heavily. Closing his eyes, Lex smiled. @>*~ Kal-El lay back on his bed, trying to keep the grin off his face. For the first time in twelve years, he was happy and hopeful, and he had someone he could trust. A friend; maybe even more than a friend. Again, he wished there were no cameras; he was hard, had been since he knew Lex *was* the man from his dreams. But at the same time, it wouldn’t have felt right to touch himself without Lex there. With a happy sigh, Kal-El got up to get ready for bed. @>*~ Lex woke slowly with a smile on his lips. He remembered! He’d finally remembered what had happened the day of the meteor shower. How a dark haired boy had helped him, protected him. How they’d curled up together, each comforting the other wordlessly, eventually falling asleep together until his father had found them. Lex’s smile faltered and he blinked against the sudden prickle of tears. Swallowing hard, Lex squeezed his eyes tightly shut and rubbed his hand over his face. It was his fault. *His* fault that Kal-El had been locked up and experimented on like something less than an animal for *twelve* years. And just when he’d gained Kal-El’s trust. Now what was he going to do? Whatever happened, he still had to help Kal-El escape. He thanked whatever supreme being that might be out there that he’d got Kimmie to fix the security system when she’d offered. The only question now, was, where Kal-El would be able to access the outside, so that he could find him and get him away from the plant. Not even bothering with a shower, he got dressed and hurried to the office and picked up the phone. “It’s me. The nutjob, I want to see him… No, not here, at the plant… I don’t care if he objects, just do it. I’ll meet you at my office there.” Lex switched off his phone and tapped it against his lip. The man *had* to know where the access was. @>*~ Kal-El had had a long day. Dr Redman was obsessed with him floating, insisting that if he could float, he could fly. Kal-El wasn’t sure about that, but he didn’t want to succeed. Only the thought of talking to Lex and possibly, imminent escape, kept him going. He’d never been quite so relieved to be shoved into his room as that evening. Sitting on his bed, Kal-El picked up a book and tried to distract himself so that he wouldn’t stare at the camera expectantly. But he still couldn’t help tapping his free hand on his thigh in anticipation. “Nervous?” “Lex!” Kal-El exclaimed happily, he managed to resist looking up at the camera. “It’s okay, the video feed’s on.” Kal-El frowned, Lex sounded very subdued and it worried him. “Lex? What’s wrong?” “Nothing,” Lex sighed. Kal-El looked away from the camera, his throat suddenly tight. He tried to swallow and ended up making a strange, choked sound. There was a noise from the speaker like someone shifting. “Kal?” Lex sounded concerned. “I, I thought we were friends. Lex, I can feel that something’s wrong,” Kal-El tried not to let tears overflow. For some reason, whatever was distressing Lex, he could feel it, like it was something to do with him. “Please, you’re the only… the only friend I have.” “Kal, it’s not that. We are, we are… friends,” Kal-El frowned at the slight pause, but Lex continued. “I just… I can’t tell you this, at least, not yet.” “Why not?” Kal-El whispered. There was a moment of silence. “Lex, please. Don’t shut me out. I’ve never been able to listen before, let me try.” “I don’t… I don’t want you to hate me, Kal. I couldn’t take it… not now.” There was a click and Kal-El knew he was alone again. Rolling over on the bed, so he was facing away from the camera, Kal-El desperately tried not to let the sobs catching in his chest out, or the tears that stung his eyes go. Stupid. God, he was so stupid. How could he have been *so* stupid?! Kal-El smashed his fist into the bed, hearing the wooden slats under his mattress snap. He did it again, and then again, over and over until he was sobbing. “Stop, please!” Lex’s voice suddenly interrupted his self-loathing and Kal-El paused. “Why?” he snapped. “I’m sorry, Kal, please,” Lex whispered. “Tell me what’s wrong,” Kal-El ground out. “I can’t.” “Tell me what’s wrong,” he repeated more harshly. “I don’t want you to hate me,” Lex said pleadingly. Kal-El stood up and looked right at the camera, “I can’t hate you, damn it, I love you!” @>*~ Lex sucked in a breath of utter shock. “You… you *love* me?” “Yes,” Kal-El whispered. “But, you, I… you can’t,” Lex tried to focus, but his heart was too busy skipping in his chest. “I can and I do,” Kal-El said firmly, still staring at the camera. “But…” “Lex,” Kal-El whispered, “What’s wrong?” Lex looked away from the screen and shifted in his chair again. How could he expect him to think straight after… after saying *that*?! “I, it’s my fault,” Lex whispered, “I’m so sorry, Kal, all this, it’s my fault.” “How can it be?” Kal-El asked quietly. “I was out in the fields, the day of the meteor shower, the day I lost my hair. But I wasn’t alone. You… you found me, Kal, and because of me, my father found you,” Lex’s breath hitched a little and he forced himself back under control, “And you ended up there.” Lex glanced at the screen long enough to see the look of confusion on Kal-El’s face. “No,” Kal-El shook his head, “No, I remember, I remember you. Oh God, Lex, you were just as scared as I was. You were just a kid too, what your father did is not your fault. Please, Lex, believe me. This is not your fault.” Lex took a deep, shuddering breath and reached out to touch Kal-El’s face on the screen. “I’m getting you out of there, now!” “Now?” Kal-El sounded shocked. “Yes,” Lex cast his eyes up for a brief second, praying to whomever that Kal-El would agree. “Please? I need you out of there… I need you,” he whispered. “Oh God, Lex,” Kal-El sounded like he was going to cry again. “What do I need to do?” “I can override the whole system, and I can use the cameras to direct you. But I have to get there first and set it up,” Lex quickly thought through anything he might need. “Why don’t you get some sleep?” “Okay,” Kal-El smiled shyly, “See you later.” Lex grinned, “Yeah, see you later.” He paused a moment, “Kal?” “Yeah?” “I love you too.” @>*~ Lex hurriedly unhooked his laptop and slipped it into its travel bag. Grabbing his cell phone, he hurried downstairs. Everything he’d ordered should already be in the car waiting, so he didn’t pause. He didn’t have any time to waste if he wanted Kal out of the plant before the day started. Unfortunately, he wasn’t going to be able to use the speakers in the areas outside Kal’s room, he’d risk being overheard. He was just going to have to give Kal directions, let him know where the guards were and provide the security and camera overrides as he made his way to the access elevator, where Lex would be waiting. Sneaking into his office in the plant wasn’t too difficult, and he hooked up his laptop quickly switching on the overrides and setting up the video feeds for each security camera. Finally, he switched on the sound and video links to Kal-El’s room. Kal-El was lying on his bed, but he obviously wasn’t asleep. “Kal, you ready?” he whispered. “Of course,” Kal sounded breathless with anticipation and excitement. “You’re going to have to be really careful, I can’t speak to you outside your room, unless it’s a real emergency. I can tell you where the guards are and where you have to go now. Okay?” Lex explained. “That’s fine, I…” Kal-El paused, “I’ll be able to see if trouble’s coming.” Lex frowned, “How?” “I can see through things,” Kal-El sounded hesitant, but Lex was still touched by the level of trust he was showing. “Really?” Kal-El nodded shyly. “Wow, well, I… I mean that’s great, it’ll help,” Lex breathed, “You ready?” “Yeah. @>*~ The door opened for him and Kal-El breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe this would work. Lex had given him the directions leading to parts of the installation he’d never been to. He was watching Kal-El’s progress, opening each door as he came to it. Kal-El was trembling with nerves, as he checked through the walls at each corner with his X-ray sight. He also had to focus on not thinking about seeing Lex for the first time. But as each door and corridor was left behind, his confidence and excitement grew, he was going to be *outside* and with Lex. Finally, he was standing by the elevator, looking nervously up the corridor, just waiting for the horrible moment where he’d be caught. Pressing the button, he waited, chewing on his lip. “Shit, Kal!” Lex hissed suddenly. Kal-El looked up the corridor but he couldn’t see anything. “Elevator,” Lex whispered. Kal-El’s eyes widened in horror as the elevator doors opened and he came face to face with Ian. “Kal, what the hell?” Ian exclaimed. They stared at each other, Ian obviously a little nervous, despite wearing his necklace. Kal-El swallowed and stared at him pleadingly, desperately. “Please, Ian, please, let me go,” he whispered. Ian blinked at him, licked his lips and swallowed, then he nodded and stepped aside. “Thank you,” Kal-El breathed. Ian smiled ruefully, “Good luck, Kal.” The elevator doors shut and Kal-El felt his stomach plummet with nausea. He gasped, and tried to swallow past the bile rising in his throat. Scanning the walls weakly, he realised they were made of the green rock. “Lex,” he whispered, dropping to his knees. “I’m coming, Kal, don’t worry, you can make it.” @>*~ Lex raced for the elevator access, praying that he was right, that Kal could make it. He arrived just as the doors opened and Kal-El stumbled out. Lex caught him, bracing himself against the wall so they didn’t fall. “Kal? Shit, are you okay?” he gasped. “I will be,” Kal-El whispered weakly, “Get me away from the elevator.” “We have to get out of here anyway,” Lex grunted as he slipped an arm round Kal-El’s back to help heave him back to his office, where he deposited him gently on a chair. Quickly, Lex moved behind his desk and switched off all the overrides, before shutting his laptop down and unhooking it. Looking up, he saw Kal-El was staring at him from under long eyelashes and he smiled. “Hi,” he said quietly. Kal-El flushed and smiled shyly, “Hi.” “You ready?” “Oh yes,” Kal-El said urgently. Now that he was away from the elevator, he felt a lot better. But he felt slightly awkward. Now they were face to face, he wasn’t sure how to act. Lex walked back round the desk and held his hand out. Kal-El took it, shivering at the tingle that ran down his arm, and stood up. Lex stared up at him, moving closer, and suddenly, they were holding each other. Kal-El breathed out heavily, pulling Lex close, marvelling at how well the smaller man fitted in his arms and how good it felt. Lex rested his head on a strong shoulder and sighed. He felt as if warmth was surrounding him and filling him. Like they were reconnecting somehow, like all the emptiness inside him had gone, filled with the warmth of Kal-El’s presence. Squeezing briefly, Lex pulled away reluctantly. “Come on,” he said quietly, “We have to get out of here.” Kal-El nodded wordlessly, feeling oddly bereft without the physical contact. Maybe Lex felt the same thing, because as soon as he had picked up his things, he took Kal-El’s hand, leading him to the private elevator at the back of the office. In the elevator, Kal-El stood as close to Lex as he could. Lex smiled and leaned back against him, sighing again at the feel of the large, strong body behind him. Kal-El slid an arm round him, flattening his palm against his stomach. All too soon, he had to pull away again and sneak Kal-El to his car. “I think it would be best if you stayed down until we’re clear of the plant,” Lex suggested. “Okay,” Kal-El nodded. He bent down and buried his head in Lex’s lap. Lex gasped, his eyes widening and his pants tightening. It wasn’t quite what he’d meant, but it felt too good to say anything. Unable to resist, Lex stroked Kal-El’s thick hair, smiling at the quiet moan. He let go reluctantly to start the car and drove out of the garage. He concentrated on putting some distance between them and the plant before turning off the main road and heading straight into the farmlands. They weren’t going back to the castle immediately, Lex had had a feeling that Kal-El would enjoy being outside for a while. Despite being in the clear, Kal-El remained in Lex’s lap, especially as Lex seemed to have no objection. It just felt too good; strong, slim thighs under his cheek, the bulge in Lex’s pants pressed against the back of his head matching his own erection. Finally, the car stopped and unenthusiastically, Kal-El sat up. He looked round in confusion, they appeared to be in the middle of nowhere. “Where are we?” he asked. Lex smirked, “A field?” Kal-El pouted, “I can see that, I mean why?” Lex got out of the car and gestured to Kal-El to follow him. Sighing, Kal-El got out of the car, then he stopped. Closing his eyes he breathed in deeply and just stood there, feeling the warmth of the sun beating down on him. Lex smiled and walked round the car to lean against Kal-El again. Again, a strong arm slipped round his waist, pulling him closer. “Nice, huh?” he asked quietly. “It’s great, thank you,” Kal-El whispered, slightly in awe, “How did you know?” “Being cooped up in that installation all the time can’t be fun,” Lex shrugged. “No,” Kal-El agreed emphatically. “Do you want to see the view?” Lex asked. Kal-El opened his eyes and looked up at the windmill Lex was pointing at. “Definitely,” he nodded, grinning down at the smaller man. Lex smiled and led him to the ladder. Kal-El followed Lex up, trying not to stare at the slim ass encased in snug fitting pants. It struck him as slightly strange that this was the first time he’d seen Lex in clothes and he laughed as he hauled himself onto the platform. “What?” Lex asked with a grin. “You are beautiful with clothes on,” Kal-El whispered. Lex flushed and blinked at him, a little unsure of how to answer that. “So are you,” he whispered back. He sat on the edge of the platform, patting the wood next to him. Kal-El smiled and sat down. “Look,” Lex pointed and Kal-El stared out over fields and trees. Not too far away was the skyline of a city which almost seemed to glitter in the sunlight. “That’s Metropolis,” Lex said quietly. “It’s beautiful,” Kal-El sighed and bent his head, resting it on Lex’s shoulder. Lex rubbed his cheek gently against silky hair and they sat quietly, just enjoying the view, the sunshine and each other’s presence. Kal-El wasn’t sure how much time had passed, but eventually, Lex shifted. “Are you hungry?” Lex asked. “Yeah,” Kal-El suddenly realised he was starving. “Let’s go back down to the car then,” Lex grinned, “I brought a picnic.” Kal-El gaped, “A picnic?” He grinned suddenly, “I’ve never had a picnic.” “We are going to do anything and everything that you’ve ever wanted to do, Kal,” Lex smiled gently. Kal-El beamed at him. They climbed down carefully and Lex opened the trunk to retrieve the basket and blankets. Kal-El took the basket from him with a grin and they walked further into the field, before Lex spread out the blankets for them to sit. Lex didn’t eat much, he just watched in amusement as Kal-El inhaled most of the food as if he’d been starved for several days. When the younger man finally slowed down, Lex started to put things away. “We’re not leaving yet, are we?” Kal-El asked quietly. He was enjoying the peace, fresh air, and simply being with Lex, far too much to leave just yet. “No,” Lex smiled, “Just thought it’s be easier to relax without the clutter.” Kal-El grinned and lay back on the blanket, staring up at the sky. Lex lay next to him, shoulders touching. Swallowing almost nervously, Kal-El slid his hand over and placed it over Lex’s. Lex turned his hand palm up, linking their fingers, and Kal-El sighed happily. Rolling on to his side a little awkwardly, Kal-El stared down at Lex. The older man raised an eyebrow curiously. “Lex?” “Yeah?” “Can I kiss you?” Kal-El held his breath in anticipation. “Please,” Lex whispered, touching his bottom lip briefly with the tip of his tongue. Kal-El gasped quietly. He let go of Lex’s hand so he could shift his arm to slide under Lex’s neck before bending his head. Slowly, he leaned in until they were sharing breath and their eyes were locked together. “Kal,” Lex breathed, slipping his hand up to soft, silky hair and pulling Kal-El closer. Both men sighed as their lips met gently before parting slowly under deepening pressure. Lex’s tongue flicked into his mouth and Kal-El groaned, he let the older man direct him as their lips moved together and tongues became entwined. Lex had never been kissed so sweetly, so reverently before, and it touched him in a way kissing or touching never had before, as if his groin was connected to his heart. Every pulse of hot pleasure coinciding with a sweet tug deep in his chest. If just kissing Kal-El could do this to him, he wasn’t sure he could survive more. Breathless and almost overcome, Kal-El explored the smaller man’s mouth as thoroughly as he could, tasting, fast becoming addicted to the taste and feel. Hands roamed over his back and ass, and he clung to Lex. This was so much better than his dreams, the heat of the older man, the silkiness of his lips, strong hands clutching at him, tugging him on top of the slender body. He held himself up slightly on his elbows, so he didn’t crush Lex, but he couldn’t help pressing his pelvis down against the hardness he could feel digging into his hip. Lifting his head, Kal-El sucked in a breath and smiled down at Lex, who was panting hard. Lex cupped his face gently. “Kal, are you sure about this?” he asked quietly. “Can’t you feel how sure?” Kal-El whispered, rocking his hips slightly. Lex gasped and bucked up against him helplessly. Groaning, he pulled at Kal-El, needing to taste those tantalisingly soft lips again. A wolf whistle interrupted them and Kal-El pulled away. Lex sat up slowly and turned round, biting back a groan. Just great, Lana and her little friends. He frowned, recognising the other girl from somewhere. Lana frowned slightly, blinking in confusion as she stared from Lex to Kal-El and back. “Lex, what’s going on?” Lex resisted the urge to point out the obvious, but the other girl would have beaten him to it anyway. “Well, gee, Lana, looks to me like he was making out with the…” she paused and blinked at Kal-El in a way that made Lex suddenly feel fiercely possessive, “Hello, stranger!” Kal-El flushed, feeling distinctly uncomfortable, and shifted behind Lex. Knowing somehow from the tension in Lex’s shoulders that the older man wasn’t happy about the way they were being stared at, he wrapped his arms round his waist protectively. Lex couldn’t have prevented the sigh that escaped his lips if his life had depended on it and he leaned back into the embrace. “Chloe!” Lana exclaimed, then she stared at Lex again, “Lex!” “What?” Chloe shrugged, “Come on, how often do you find one of the richest men in the world making out in a field with a young boy?” “I knew he wasn’t quite right,” the blond boy sneered. “Whitney!” Lana gasped. Lex’s eyes narrowed and he patted Kal-El’s arm when he felt the body behind him tense up. “First, he’s not a boy, and second, don’t push your luck Fordman,” he managed to dredge up Lana’s boyfriend’s name from his memory, at the same time remembering the name of the other girl. “Miss Sullivan, if you’d kindly stop undressing my lover with your eyes, maybe I’ll let you keep them.” Kal-El blinked in surprise at Lex’s tone and harsh words, but recognised the protective, slightly possessive edge to them. It made him shiver pleasantly. “Hey, it’s a free country, Luthor!” the other boy finally spoke up. Lex sighed at the sneering disdain used in conjunction with his family name, he wasn’t sure it was something he’d ever get completely used to. A gentle hand squeezed his shoulder and he smiled. “Leave him alone,” Kal-El said quietly but firmly, glaring at the boy, whose tone of disgust had hurt Lex. “It’s okay, K…” Lex stopped suddenly and searched his mind for a name he could substitute, “Clark, I was going to suggest leaving anyway.” Kal-El raised an eyebrow at the name Lex had given him, he wasn’t sure he liked it particularly, but he nodded and stood up, smiling in satisfaction as he towered over the other two boys and they backed off slightly. He grabbed the picnic basket and the blankets and followed Lex back to the car. Before he got in, Lex turned back to the four teenagers, “It would be best for everyone if this little encounter was forgotten, if certain shops are to remain open, scholarships kept, parent’s jobs to remain secure and land not bought out.” He smirked as they blanched and nodded their heads in unison. “Good.” Lex slid into the car with Kal-El, and drove off without a backwards glance. He was a little unsure of how Kal was going to react, and he avoided returning the younger man’s penetrating stare. “You know,” Kal-El started quietly, when he realised Lex wasn’t going to look at him, “You’d think after twelve years of being locked away, I’d hate it if someone was possessive of me,” he stopped at Lex’s sigh and stopped the smaller man’s apology before it could start. “But I don’t, Lex, not with you, I feel cared for, safe.” Kal-El slid over in the seat and nuzzled his nose against Lex’s neck gently, “And you’re pretty sexy when you’re being possessive,” he whispered. The car lurched to the side, and he smiled, pressing a kiss to the soft skin below Lex’s ear. “Jesus, Kal,” Lex gasped, trying to force himself to concentrate on the road. Hot breath huffed against his neck from Kal-El’s quiet laughter and he groaned. “I have *got* to get you home, now!” “You know, it’d be quicker if I ran,” Kal-El commented quietly. Lex blinked, “Really?” “Yeah, I mean, if you want?” Kal-El bit his lip. Lex pulled over and bit his lip contemplatively. One of the reasons he was heading back to the castle was because he didn’t think anyone would look there, *if* his involvement was discovered. But leaving his Ferrari abandoned on the road might prove useful. “Okay,” he nodded at Kal-El, who grinned widely. They got out of the car and Kal-El swept Lex into his arms. “Which way?” he asked. Lex looked round and pointed at a building Kal-El could just make out in the distance. Wrapping a protective arm around the smaller man’s head, he gently pressed Lex’s face into his shoulder before he started to run at full speed.