Standard disclaimers apply, they don't belong to me, neverhave, never will. I just like to borrow them and play pose'em with 'em. They get put back, honest. lol
They say that a picture is worth a thousand words and looking at the photo in his hands Lex could easily speak thousands upon thousands of words to describe the scene. There they were, sitting in the middle of the gardens at his mansion, sitting with the sun fully shining on them. Clark had his arm slung casually over his shoulder as he laughed heartily, head thrown back in abandon. He could still hear the echoes of that laughter if he focused hard enough. Lex was still amazed at how relaxed he appeared in the photo, an easy smile gracing his face at Clark's amusement. They looked good together; he could admit that now, though then he would have pulled his armor around himself in defense.
That was a year ago, an hour before Clark had told him the truth about himself... about his origins. Clark had pulled him aside from the house, deep into the hedge maze and calmly announced that he was an alien. Announced that the cave's writing really did make sense to him because that's where his people had stored their information for Naman's arrival. That since he was the last of his people it left only him to be Naman. The caves did hold importance to him as it held the sentience of his biological father within. A father that was forcing him to begin his journey, to become a "true son of Krypton."
When Lex finally found his voice to ask a question he could only ask why Clark was telling him all this. Clark gazed sadly at Lex and simply said, "I've got to go for a while. I don't know where and I don't know when I'll be back. I didn't want to leave you wondering what happened and for you to think your father had managed to drive away one of the few true friends you have."
"My only true friend," Lex corrected.
Clark smiled, "I had hoped you'd say that. I wasn't sure if you'd be angry with me for not telling you sooner."
"I'm a little disappointed but I can understand the drive for self preservation," Lex grinned back at Clark. "Will you stay in contact?"
Clark shifted on his feet, "I don't know if I'll be allowed to." Clark looked off into the distance towards the mansion, "The last time my father forced me to leave I was sucked into the cave walls for months."
Lex blinked, "Wha- when did that happen?"
Clark smiled sadly at Lex, "The night when your dad poisoned you. My father tried to remake me into the perfect son to rule the Earth, but when I came back I was naked and had amnesia." Clark laughed at the memory, "Lois found me in the corn fields and drove me to the hospital where mom found me and took me home. I wasn't quite myself at the time."
Lex smiled at the memory of how different Clark seemed to be when he was allowed to truly be himself after he "came out' to him. He carried himself with a confidence and assurance that was uncommon in someone his age. Gone were the awkward movements and seeming not to fit in his skin. He moved with an unconscious grace that drew the eye to the powerfully corded muscles that made up his body. A body that Lex's craved like some of the finest drugs his money could never buy. He could admit it to himself now, in the darkness, brandy in hand and solitude surrounding him. He loved Clark and could only hope that Clark would still want him as a friend after he returned from wherever he had gone.
Lightning lit up the room moments after he replaced the photo on his desk, thunder masking the sound of his penthouse balcony door opening and closing. It was the scent of ozone that wafted in on the fresh air that alerted Lex to something different. Spinning around in his chair and standing in a single fluid movement brought him face to face with a face he had feared he'd never see again.
"Clark," he breathed.
Clark's face shifted into one of the happiest grins Lex had ever seen before he was suddenly engulfed in a fierce hug. Lex's arms wrapped around Clark's body as he pressed his face into the solid neck and murmured, "I missed you."
"I missed you too," rumbled Clark's reply.
Lex smiled as he thought, pictures may be worth a thousand words but he'd take the words any day.