First Kiss

This sprung from an idea inspired by a RL situation. THAT situation didn't resolve but hopefully this one does. This is part I of III.

Thanks, as always, to Melisande for the meticulous beta.

Feedback is why a lot of us do this. Well that, and a desire to see the boys happy. Please let me know what you think.

This was not the way Lex had planned on his day going. When he had woken up this morning he had had his day all mapped out, and an impromptu trip to Hong Kong had not been on the schedule. Damn his father anyway. He pulled up his day calendar on his computer and scanned it closely, working out things that he had to reschedule. Distracted, he didn't hear the knock at the door. Another knock had Lex looking up to see Clark standing a bit uncertainly in the doorway to his home office.

"Ah, there you are Clark," he said, standing up and walking out from behind his desk.

"Hey, Lex. My mom said you called wanting to see me?"

"Thanks for coming, Clark," Lex said. "I need to ask you for a favor."

Clark walked over to the couch and sat down. "Sure, Lex. Just name it," he said.

Lex walked over to the pool table, grabbing a bottle of Tynant on his way.

"Clark, I hate to do this," he said, "but I have to take a rain check on our dinner plans tonight." Tipping his head back, he drank deeply. Looking back at Clark, he correctly interpreted the disappointed look on his friend's face.

"It's ok, Lex," Clark said. But it clearly wasn't. Lex needed to do something quickly before Clark started pouting and Lex ended up promising him something. Like his Lambourghini. Or his eternal devotion. Uh oh, best not to think of that.

"I have to go to Hong Kong for an emergency meeting and I have to leave tonight." Lex wasn't thrilled about this meeting, but his father was demanding that he show up as soon as possible. As it was, he should have left earlier, but a plant emergency had saved him from having to call Clark from the plane.

Clark stood up. "It's ok, Lex, I get it," he said sadly. "We can reschedule dinner for some other time."

Damnit, Lex didn't want to leave things like this. Suddenly, he had an idea. "Wait, Clark, maybe not," he said, turning and walking quickly over to his glass desk and looking at his computer.

"The Luthorcorp jet leaves at ten p.m. What if you drive me to the hangar? We can have dinner first in Metropolis and then, after you drop me off, you can bring the car back to Smallville tonight. That way we get to talk. I know you said you needed some advice."

"I need to check with my parents, but that would be great, Lex." Clark visibly perked up.

"Great!" Lex was relieved. He hated when his best friend was upset. "Well, I need to pack and you need to talk to your parents, so how about we meet back here at," he checked his watch, "six p.m.? That will give us plenty of time to get to the city and eat before I leave."

Clark grinned. "So, which car are we taking, Lex?" he asked.

Lex smirked. "Your choice, Clark. You get to drive it, after all."

~

It hadn't been too much trouble to get his mom to agree to let Clark take Lex to the airport. His father had not been so agreeable, however. "What, he doesn't have employees that can do that?" Jonathan said.

"C'mon Dad." Clark wasn't above begging to get his way. "We were supposed to get together tonight and this was a sudden business thing that came up. At least this way we still get to have dinner before he goes away."

Martha looked up from the batch of orange cranberry muffins she was making. "Jon, it wont hurt to let him go," she said softly.

Jonathan was no match for the combined force of his wife and son. "All right. Just promise me you will be back home by midnight. It may not be a school night, but we still have a lot of work to do tomorrow."

"Thanks, Dad!" Clark was gone before Jon could say another word. "I've gotta get to Chloe's before I leave!" floated back to them in the wake of his sonic boom.

Ten seconds later he was at the Sullivan residence knocking on the door. Chloe answered. "Hey, Clark. Come on in. You ready for tonight?"

"Chloe, there's been a change in plans," Clark said as he trailed her into the living room. "I won't have a chance to do the 'seduce Lex' thing tonight. He has to leave town, so we're going into Metropolis for dinner and then I'm dropping him at the airport so he can go to Hong Kong."

Chloe shook her head. "Worst luck, Clark," she said. "But you don't have to completely give up on the plan, just rework it."

"How?" Clark asked. " I don't even know what restaurant we're going to."

"Well, you'll obviously have to hold off on the full out seduction, but you can at least let him know you're interested. This might be better, in fact," she ruminated out loud. "This way, he has a chance to miss you while he's gone and he'll be eager to explore the possibilities when he gets back."

"I dunno," Clark said. ""What if I just completely turn him off? God, Chloe, he may decide to never come back to Smallville!"

Chloe rolled her eyes. "Dramatic much?" she said. Why was Clark so oblivious to his appeal? Lex was obviously smitten, and who wouldn't be by Clark? He was six feet four of virile, buffed hotness, who had no idea.

"Trust me on this, Clarkbar, he will not be turned off."

Clark snorted. They had had this discussion before, and he didn't see his overwhelming appeal. If he was so hot, why wasn't he inundated with offers? "Ok, well, even if he's not, I don't think I have it in me to just come out and say how I feel."

Chloe grinned. "Why not? I mean, the other plan involved you talking that assistant of his into letting you in to light candles and set a romantic dinner at the castle. So what if you can't get the same ambiance in a restaurant? The whole idea is to get him thinking of you romantically, right?"

"Yeah, but if he had rejected me it would have been in private. This way it's in public and I probably have to be more explicit, and how embarrassing would that be?" Clark was whining and he knew it but he figured he was entitled. After all, his big plan was unraveling around him.

"Clark Kent! You are a big coward!" Chloe declared, hands on her hips. "You want the easy way out. Instead of just telling the man that you love how you feel about him, you just want to hint around it. You want him to figure it out just because you set a romantic mood. Well sorry, you have to take a chance. And I don't think just telling him how you feel will work anyway. You're gonna have to show him."

Show him? Was she insane? How the heck was he supposed to show Lex anything? He gaped at her.

Chloe rolled her eyes again. "Don't give me that wounded puppy dog look," she said. "Lex is not a man who will just take your word for it if you make a declaration and then run away. You have to do something to prove how you feel."

Clark nodded dejectedly. "You're right, Chloe. I know you're right. I just don't know what to do." He buried his face in his hands.

She snapped her fingers. "I know! You have to kiss him."

Raising his head slowly, Clark looked at his friend incredulously. "You want me to kiss Lex Luthor?" he said. "In public. On the lips. Riiight."

"No, I'm serious. If you lay a big wet one on him, there is no way he can mistake that for anything but romantic interest. And don't you want to kiss him, Clark?" She smiled at the look that crossed his face. "Uh huh. I thought so. Who wouldn't want to kiss Lex? You just know he's a great kisser. Don't you want to know first hand?"

God, did Clark ever want to know. He'd dreamed about kissing Lex, that agile tongue exploring his mouth and... other places. "Yes Chloe," he whispered. "I want to know what it's like to kiss Lex. But our first kiss, in an airport? It just seems so... cheesy."

Chloe rolled her eyes again. "It is not cheesy. It will be lovely and romantic and probably really really hot," she said. "When you go to hug goodbye, look him in the eye and just lean in and kiss him. I guarantee he'll respond."

Yeah, probably by decking me, Clark thought.

"What are you going to wear tonight?" Chloe continued, looking at him critically.

"What I have on, probably," Clark said. "Why?"

Chloe looked him up and down thoughtfully. "Because if you change into something dressier, it makes it seem like you thought about this date tonight. That you put some effort into looking good. He'll notice, and it'll get him thinking."

Date? Oh shit it was a date. He was going on a date with Lex. Somehow, when it was just two friends hanging out at the castle, it hadn't seemed so... datelike. "Oh crap, Chloe! What am I going to wear?"

"Calm down, Clark," she said. "I know just the thing. You still have those clothes from when you were in Metropolis last summer, right?"

~

Lex was ready slightly ahead of six, just in case something went wrong and he had to arrange for a car to take him to Metropolis. He knew that there was a tendency for Clark to get caught up in random emergencies in town, and, while he figured his friend would do his best to be there, Lex really couldn't miss this plane. "Yeah Dad, I missed my flight 'cause the boy I have a crush on, who was supposed to take me to the airport, had to use his mutant powers to save some townspeople" would not be a valid excuse for Lionel Luthor. Although it would be fun to see his face if I ever told him that, Lex thought. He laughed out loud at the image that came to mind.

"Glad to see you're not anxiously pacing waiting for me," Clark said from the doorway.

Lex turned around and almost swallowed his tongue. Clark looked amazing. His hair was slicked back, the riotous curls tamed with some hair product, but the result was the emphasis of his bright green eyes and his sculpted face. Lex's eyes drifted down of their own volition, sweeping across the broad shoulders, narrow hips and long long legs. Clark was dressed in a black shirt that hugged his incredible physique, tight black jeans, and why had Lex never seen those before? as well as black leather boots.

"Well, Clark," Lex said when he could speak. "I don't think I have ever seen you not in flannel. You look very nice."

Clark smiled shyly and ducked his head. "Yeah, well I figured I ought to look presentable for our da... uh trip to Metropolis. Especially since we're going out to dinner there."

Presentable? Try edible, lickable, fuckable. Lex turned away and willed his body to relax. He wouldn't survive a ninety minute car ride in this state. He had to calm down.

Clark ran his eyes over Lex's sleek form as soon as he turned away. Lex was always well turned out, but looked he particularly delectable this evening in a light gray turtleneck and charcoal gray pants that hugged his muscled body. Clark fought the urge to look through those clothes at the body underneath. He couldn't peek at Lex's package... could he?

"Well, we should hit the road, Clark," Lex said. "What car are we taking?"

That had been yet another hard decision Clark had had to make that afternoon. And Chloe couldn't help him with this one. But in the end the choice had been easy. "The red Ferrari, Lex," Clark said, grinning.

Lex smirked and whirled, tossing the keys at his friend. Clark caught them reflexively. "Somehow, I knew that would be the one, Clark," he said. "The stuff's already loaded. Shall we go?"

The Ferrari was parked in the circular driveway, bright paint gleaming as it sat idle waiting for its occupants. Clark grinned at Lex as he slid into the driver's seat. "Mmm, this is so cool," he breathed.

Sunglasses perched on his face, Lex smirked and sat back, watching as Clark made the engine purr as he took them expertly out onto the highway. Once they were on the road, Lex tilted his head back and shut his eyes, enjoying the comfortable silence.

"Lex, I need to ask you something." Clark was really nervous, but had been steeling himself to do this for the past forty miles.

Lex cracked one eye open and looked at his friend. "Ask, Clark," he said huskily.

Ok. He could do this. "How.. how many people have you kissed, Lex?"

An eyebrow went up. "Interesting question. Why would you want to know that?"

"I've only ever kissed two people," Clark said softly, eyes glued to the highway. "And, well, I wasn't sure if I was doing it right, or if they enjoyed it. So, I figured since you've probably kissed a lot of people, you could give me pointers."

Lex sat up a little straighter in his seat. "Well, Clark," he began, "I have found that technique depends on who you're kissing. Some women like a more aggressive approach, lots of deep tongue, while other prefer the gentler approach."

Women? Oh, right. "Yeah well, I'm not sure what approach this person likes, Lex," he said.

Lex straightened up a bit more. "Oh. So you have someone specific in mind then, Clark?" he asked silkily.

Blushing was the bane of his existence, Clark decided. Here he was, a super powered alien, and he still blushed. He needed to develop a new power. Blush resistance. "Um, yeah I do have a certain person in mind," Clark muttered.

"Well. I won't make you tell me who she is, although I suspect I have an idea," Lex said. "If this is who I think it is, your approach will need to be quite... gentle." Because she's a vapid twit, he thought viciously, who would be scared off by any real emotion. He was briefly ashamed of himself for the thought. Very briefly.

"Actually, Lex, I think the identity of this person would surprise you," Clark said.

The other eyebrow went up. "Oh? Well, I won't pry into your secrets then, Clark," he said. "In my experience, how you kiss someone just depends on the circumstances. And really, everyone is different, so it just takes getting to know your partner. Don't worry," he said smiling and relaxing back into his seat. "It's unlikely she'll be scoring you."

Yeah, and that comment so didn't help, Clark thought. Now he would be worried that Lex would be grading him against some impossible sexiness scale. Shit! Why was he doing this again? He glanced at Lex, who had drifted off to sleep. Oh yeah. Because his best friend was the sexiest man on the planet and he had the hots for him. Bad.

As Clark brooded, the lights of downtown Metropolis swept towards them steadily. When he was on the outskirts of the city, he reached over and gently shook Lex awake.

Lex had been having the best dream, starring himself and a familiar looking dark haired, green eyed man... Looking up into warm green eyes, he was mildly disoriented at first, but then quickly became aware of his surroundings. He was in a car. With Clark. Going to Metropolis. Oh, and Clark probably needed directions, didn't he?

"Ah, so we're almost there," he rasped, running a hand over his scalp in a quick gesture. Sitting up, he looked around and started giving Clark directions to the restaurant.

As he followed Lex's directions, Clark kept glancing at the man next to him. He watched that hand as it swept over the bald scalp, and he wondered idly what Lex would do if he leaned over and licked the soft skin just behind his ear.

"Clark, pay attention. That's our turn." Lex had made reservations at The Duck Club, an exclusive, members-only restaurant in downtown Metropolis.

Clark executed the turn smoothly, and pulled to a stop in front of valet parking. As he handed over the keys to the uniformed attendant, he glanced at Lex, who had somehow managed to smooth his clothes down so that they looked impeccable. How did he do that?

Glancing at Clark, Lex's breath caught again. The boy really was quite spectacular looking when he was dressed up. Lex wondered fleetingly when he would get the opportunity to see Clark in a tux again.

They were ushered to the best table in the restaurant, of course. The owner came over to welcome them personally. "Mr. Luthor! It is so good to see you and your guest. Please allow me to buy you both a cocktail."

Graciously inclining his head, Lex thanked the man, and the two chatted cordially for a few minutes. Then he left and Clark breathed a sigh of relief. Lex caught the action and smiled quizzically. "What's wrong, Clark?" he asked as the waiter filled their water glasses.

Clark smiled sheepishly. "He was just making me nervous, that's all," he said, starting to blush again. Would he never stop blushing?

The waiter came and took their orders. Clark took Lex's recommendation and ordered the New York strip steak with peppercorn dressing, which they were apparently famous for. As they sat waiting for their salads to arrive, Lex looked over at Clark and asked. "So, Clark. You said that there was something that you wanted to discuss with me."

The moment had finally come, but Clark was terrified of all that he could lose by broaching this topic with his friend. His best friend. But, he had to tell him, and he had to know how Lex would feel about this before they could proceed any further.

"Lex, I... this is really hard..."

Lex reached across the table and placed his elegant hand gently over Clarks. "Relax, Clark," he said softy. "You know you can tell me anything. And if it makes you too uncomfortable, then you don't have to tell me at all."

"I'm gay," Clark blurted, looking down and pulling nervously at his napkin with his free hand. "I'm gay, and I like someone, and I don't think he knows how I feel so I can't tell if he likes me back."

And suddenly there was no Lex hand covering his. Clark squeezed his eyes shut. Was this the end of his friendship? Glancing up from underneath his lashes, he saw Lex sit back in his chair a closed look on his face.

"Who told you?" Lex asked suddenly.

Told him? Told him what? "I... what are you talking about, Lex?" Clark asked, confused.

Lex narrowed his eyes. "Told you that I'm bisexual," he said softly, almost... menacingly? "That's what this is about, isn't it? This is some elaborate way to ask me about the rumors."

Rumors? What the hell...? "No Lex!" Clark was a bit louder than he intended and several people at other tables looked their way. He continued in a subdued voice. "No, Lex. I don't know anything about rumors, how would I? I'm just confused and thought that you could possibly help me."

Lex leaned forward again, gazing deeply into Clark's emerald eyes, as if searching for treasure. And maybe he found it, because his eyes went from cold and impersonal slate to a warm sky blue again. "I'm sorry, Clark," he said grasping both of Clark's hands in his this time. "I forgot who I was dealing with for a moment. You would never deal in rumors. It's just," he looked down at their linked hands, "a lot of people know about my past, and every now and again it comes back to haunt me." Looking up, he smiled wryly. "And now that I have completely embarrassed both of us, how can I help you with this, Clark?"

Clark was floored. Lex was bisexual? That meant... that meant there really was a chance that he and Lex could possibly.... He clamped down on that thought ruthlessly. First, he had to see if Lex thought of him as attractive, then he could worry about the rest.

"Well, there's this guy, and I really like him but I don't know how he feels about me," Clark began, staring meaningfully at Lex, willing him to understand.

Lex simply nodded and kept listening attentively.

"And, well, I don't know how to tell if a guy is interested in me, y'know?"

"Stop, Clark," Lex said suddenly. Looking around as if he suspected that there were spies, he leaned forward and said, "It's not Pete, is it? 'Cause I hate to tell you, but Pete is not gay."

"No!" Lex was so not getting it, Clark thought. He leaned back, deciding on a different tack. "I'd rather not say who it is, but let's just say that recent events lead me to believe that he could be gay. Now, how do I subtly let him know I'm interested?"

A strange look crossed Lex's face. He pursed his lips and for a second seemed to be struggling with some emotion. Finally, unable to suppress it any longer, he laughed merrily. "Subtly? Well, Clark," he chuckled, "since my experience with picking up guys comes from clubbing, I am not the expert on subtle attraction." He smiled wryly. "In fact my relationships have been limited to people who I meet through business contacts, or through wild nights at clubs or private after hours parties. I wouldn't recommend either of those options for you."

At that moment their salads arrived, and by mutual consent, they stopped talking about the topic and started eating. Watching Lex chew and eat his food did nothing to calm Clark's libido however.

Forty-five minutes of dinner and casual conversation, and then they were ready to go. The meal had been delicious, and Clark had even tried to flirt with Lex a couple of times. Subtly. But Lex remained oblivious. By the time they left, Clark was somewhat preoccupied. As they went to claim the car from the valet, Clark acknowledged to himself that Chloe might have been right. He would probably have to do something to show Lex how he felt. All this hinting was not working.

As he drove the car out of the restaurant lot, Clark started to mentally rehearse his plan. The Luthor private jet was in its own hangar, so there would surely be an opportunity for him to have a private moment with Lex before he got on the plane. And that was all he needed really. A moment. If it went well, they would have a lot of time to explore the options. If it went badly, then Clark could leave quickly and try to get over the embarrassment. Either way he would have an answer soon.

Lex was still thinking about the conversation at dinner. He thought he hid it well from his friend, but he was almost consumed with the need to know who his rival was. Clark was interested in another man? What the fuck? And why hadn't Lex sensed a change in Clark, a hint, something? Lex looked at Clark out of the corner of his eye as they approached the Luthor private hangar. He looked... resolute? Damn, he had probably come up with a seduction plan for his new boyfriend, which Lex would have to hear all about the success of the next time they spoke. Because Lex had no doubts about Clark's success in this. Look at him, Lex thought. He's gorgeous, with a body that won't quit, and he's got that charming innocence. This guy will snap him up if he has half a brain.

"Here we go, Lex," Clark said, pulling into the hangar with a flourish. "Thanks for riding with Clark's limo service."

Lex chuckled despite himself. As the two men exited the car an attendant started unloading the luggage. Lex looked at Clark and said," Well, I have a few minutes. You want a soda or something before the drive back?"

"Sure, Lex," Clark said, and followed him into the building. They settled into a couple of comfortable chairs, and Lex again brought up the topic that had been plaguing him since the restaurant.

"Well, Clark," he began, "I don't want to pry, but do be careful, ok?" At the puzzled look Clark gave him, he elaborated. "With your plan regarding your possibly gay friend," he said. "Do use precautions, promise me."

At Clark's embarrassed nod, Lex smiled. "Well, I should be going," he said standing up. "Just drive the car back to your house and Hans will send someone around for it in the morning. And thanks for doing this, Clark. The company was... pleasant." The last was said softly.

Ok, this was it. The moment. Standing up, Clark glanced around and, seeing no one else in sight, leaned in as if for a hug. Lex obliged by leaning in as well, and then, time seemed to slow down. They hugged, and then as he was pulling back, Clark tentatively brushed his lips across Lex's. Lex froze as Clark's tongue gently probed at his closed mouth, then Lex gasped silently, providing the perfect opportunity for Clark to explore. The tentative brush of his tongue against Lex's made both men moan, then, after a hesitation, Lex took over. Somehow, his tongue coaxed Clark's deeper into his mouth, the sensual thrust and parry causing both men to step closer and tighten their arms around each other. The kiss deepened, roughened, as both men realized that no one was pulling away to end it. Finally, breathing became an issue, at least for Lex, who was forced to step back and end the kiss. Their lips clung of their own volition, before finally parting.

Lex's eyes remained closed for a moment, then he looked up into Clark's green eyes and smiled. "Well, Clark. I've been a bit obtuse haven't I? It didn't occur to me that I might be the man you have an interest in." Then, a slight hesitation. "I am, right?"

Clark nodded shyly. "I decided that I had to show you how I feel," he said.

Lex nodded, unconsciously licking at his lips as if he could still taste Clark there. He laughed lightly. "Well the timing sucks, since I have to get on a plane right now and leave for a week, but I won't be as worried that you're out cruising for men," he quipped.

Stepping back into Lex's personal space, Clark gathered him into his body once more. "I'll be waiting for you, Lex," he promised huskily.

They hugged for a moment, then Lex smirked and started sauntering towards the plane. "I should hope so, Clark," he called over his shoulder. "We have a lot to talk about when I get back."

Once he had watched Lex get on the plane, Clark turned away and got into the Ferrari. A cloud of dust, and he was gone.

~Fin