Thanks to Mel for the ruthless beta and for the inspiration when I was about to give up. And sometimes, you just need a little schmoop.

"Someone to Watch Over Me"

Clark arrived right on time. As he pulled up to the gatehouse at the Luthor manor, he was practically vibrating with excitement. He was driving his father's old truck, but he anticipated that he would be leaving with that nice new red truck which he could finally accept as a gift. It was still his, Lex had said so several times.

He had seen it, sitting in Lex's garage. It looked out of place with all the European sports cars lined up in there. Clark had told his father at dinner the night before that he wasn't going to be giving gifts back to Lex anymore. Jonathan hadn't been happy, but had finally accepted that with Clark going off to Met U in a few scant weeks, he would need transportation, and it made sense to just accept the gift, although he still muttered about how inappropriate it was and how he hoped that there were no 'strings attached'. As far as Clark was concerned, Lex could attach all the strings he wanted. And ropes and chains and...whoa! Clark had blushed bright red at that thought and it had taken several minutes to calm down again.

Hence, the reason Clark was pretty excited tonight. He was happy that his father and his best friend had finally reached some sort of a truce, because things were about to change. Drastically.

For one, Clark had come to the conclusion several weeks ago that he loved his best friend. He not only loved him, but he was in love with him. He was pretty sure that Lex felt the same way. At least he hoped he did. Thinking back to all the looks and gifts and touches, Clark figured Lex could have been telling him for some time how he felt. In a sort of subtle, Lexian way. But Clark was underaged, and the time had never been right to say anything. Until now. His eighteenth birthday. He was an adult in the eyes of the law now. He could make this decision, and he had. Sooner or later, he would have sex with Lex Luthor, and if he had his way it would be sooner.

And now Lex was having a party that just happened to coincide with Clark's birthday. Clark was betting that this was some sort of elaborate ruse to throw him a surprise. Turning the keys over to the valet, he schooled his face so that he could feign surprise if necessary as he walked up the front stairs to where the bright lights were flickering.

Clark had invited Lex to a small gathering of family and friends the night before celebrating his birthday, but the older man had been unable to attend, citing a conflicting meeting. Clark had been disappointed but had understood, and having Chloe and Pete and Lana over had been fun. It just wasn't like the time he spent with Lex, though. He wondered if all his friends and family were in on tonight's surprise. None of them had let on if they were, although his mother had smiled to see him in his tux that night. He looked good in it, he knew. It was surprisingly comfortable and was yet another gift from Lex. Clark thought his mother probably knew how expensive a custom made designer tux was, but, by mutual agreement, neither had ever discussed it with Jonathan. Dad is so touchy about gifts, he'd freak if he knew how much stuff Lex actually gives me, Clark thought.

Enrique opened the door and gestured Clark in with a friendly nod. The place was lit up with lamps and candles and looked very festive. There was a band playing in the corner and several people were milking around the hall, chatting.

"Hello, Clark." Lex was breathtaking in his black tux, his skin glowing under the lights. His sky blue eyes seemed deeper somehow, enhanced. Clark just stared for a second, fighting the urge to touch that satiny skin. "H... hey Lex," Clark stuttered, "this place looks great!" All the while his brain was babbling at him, ohmyGodohmyGodhesgorgeous.

Lex smiled. "But of course, nothing but the best for the Luthors, Clark. Here, let me introduce you around."

Lucky thing Clark had a perfect memory. He spent the next hour meeting Waynes and Cabots and Bushs and even a couple of Kennedys intermixed with some industry giants and even a few film stars.

"Wow, Lex! You know Marcella Andretti?" Clark gasped as Lex politely pried his arm away from a gorgeous but grasping woman who seemed determined to monopolize Lex's time.

"Yes, we're old friends, Clark," Lex smirked. Read: I've fucked her, Clark thought.

Looking around, Clark realized how much power and money was in the room. Ok, so maybe this isn't my birthday party, he thought. But it was still fun. That is, until Lex left him with an attractive girl with long dark hair, who looked kinda like Lana. "Clark, this is Annette Hardwick, Victoria's younger sister." Clark had smiled politely and then the next thing he knew Lex was patting his shoulder with a wink and leaving to talk to someone else. "Have fun," he whispered as he left.

Fun? What kind of fun was there to be had with no Lex at his side making ascerbic and hilariously cynical comments under his breath? Clark politely chatted with the really friendly and quite touchy feely Miss Hardwick for a few minutes, then excused himself to go mope in the corner. He watched under his eyelashes as Lex expertly worked the room and he saw five women and at least as many men hit on him. Lex politely rebuffed all of them. Clark hated them all.

Unfortunately there was no spin that Clark could put on this to make this event appear to be even remotely for his benefit. There seemed to be a lot of business talk and merger talk and a ton of politics being discussed, and there was no way Lex had planned this for solely him. This led Clark to the inescapable conclusion that Lex had simply forgotten the significance of the day. And who could blame him, Clark thought miserably, as he snagged another glass of champagne from a passing tray. Just because Clark would reorganize his week at the drop of a hat if he thought Lex might want to hang out, that was no reason to think that Lex would remember anything that wasn't immediately advantageous to his business.

Ashamed of the thought, and realizing he was falling into a funk, Clark took his glass and walked outside for some air. Squinting, he spied a gazebo and walked towards it, listening to the jazz band as they played old favorites. It was nicer outside, quieter, and oddly, more intimate. There was a full moon and the night took on a hazy, romantic quality. Clark wished he could get Lex outside to see this, but he was the host, so there was no way.

Inside the gazebo there was a high backed bench spanning the perimeter. Clark sat down and let out a deep breath. So, tonight was obviously not the night that he could confess his feelings to Lex. Not unless he wanted several hundred witnesses. And what made him think Lex was interested in him that way anyway? So far as Clark could tell, Lex looked at everyone and everything like it was a matter of time until he seduced them. Clark wished that he were more sophisticated, more worldly, or at least out of high school, so that Lex might take him seriously. Yes, he was going to college in a few weeks, but was he seriously thinking that Lex would suddenly be interested in him? A simple farmer's kid from Kansas?

Dejected, Clark lost track of time as he sat on a bench in the gazebo staring up at the stars, thinking about where he came from and what life would have been like if he had never come to earth.

A movement in the corner of his eye caused him to look at the entrance to the gazebo. As he watched, the shadows there resolved into Lex walking towards him with a basket under one arm. The sight of him made Clark's breath catch. He had been elegant before, but now he was just plain sexy. His tux jacket was slung over his shoulder and his tie and shirt were undone, leaving a tantalizing glimpse of that smooth white throat. Clark had the sudden urge to lick right there. And the way Lex stalked towards him reminded Clark of a jungle predator, all sleek and muscled. "Hey Lex, what are you doing out here? You still have all those guests."

A slight smile played over Lex's lips. "The party is long over Clark," he said softly. "I was actually kind of hurt that you might have left without saying goodbye, until Enrique mentioned that he had seen you come out here. I thought that you would at least stick around to get Annette's number."

Who? Oh, right, the dark haired girl. Clark waved his hand dismissively. "She's not my type," he said.

Lex, raised an eyebrow. "Not your type? Since when, Clark? She's the spitting image of Lana, only not so... standoffish."

"Since I got a new type," Clark said, looking down at his hands. A new hot sexy bald type, Clark thought.

"You need to tell me these things, or I'll just keep making these errors, Clark." Lex shrugged and continued. "Well, it doesn't matter. They're all gone anyway."

Clark looked up, surprised. "Wow, was I out here that long? Sorry, Lex. I can go now too."

Lex shook his head. "No, I meant for you to be the last one here, Clark. I knew I wouldn't have time to spend with you during the party, but I figured we could celebrate your birthday tonight once everyone left."

"Oh." Oh. Clark was suddenly glad he hadn't run home. Lex hadn't forgotten, he * had * planned something. "It sounds like the party is still going on," he said. "That band is still playing."

Lex sat down on the bench next to him and, reaching into the basket, pulled out champagne glasses and a chilled bottle. "Yes, I had them keep playing so that we could hear them out here." He expertly uncorked the bottle of absurdly expensive champagne and poured two glasses. Raising his glass in a toast, he said, "Happy Birthday, Clark."

The look in Lex's eyes were causing fluttery feelings to unfurl in Clark's stomach. Taking a deep drink, Clark sneezed as the bubbles tickled his nose, and almost choked.

Lex slid his arm around Clark's shoulders and, peering up into this face patted him on the back. "You ok there, Clark?" he asked.

Clark nodded, smiling sheepishly. "So much for being sophisticated," he joked, wiping his nose. "Can't take me anywhere, huh?"

Lex's gaze sharpened and he said, "I would take you anywhere, Clark."

Clark smiled. "Would you, Lex?" He dropped his eyes at the sudden heat he saw in the depths of Lex's gaze. "What wouldn't you do for me?"

Lex leaned back against the bench and closed his eyes. "There is nothing that I wouldn't do for you Clark," he said simply. "You know that."

Clark laughed nervously. "I dunno, Lex. That sort of statement leaves you open to all sorts of stuff. You should be careful."

Lex smiled, eyes still closed and said, "I am open to anything with you, Clark. Anything, any time anywhere. Just name it and it's yours."

Well. There would likely be no better opportunity, Clark thought. He leaned into Lex's personal space and whispered, "What if I said I wanted you, Lex? What then?"

Lex's eyes slowly opened and he seemed to look straight into Clark's soul. Straightening up, until his lips were a hair's breath from his friend's, he whispered, "You have always had me, Clark."

Clark couldn't have said later who started the kissing, but he knew they both participated quite enthusiastically. He moaned as Lex's soft lips pulled away from his after a few minutes. "We need to take this inside," Lex whispered. "But before we go, I want to do one thing. I've been thinking about this for a while, ever since I built this thing." Taking his hand and pulling him to his feet, Lex led Clark to the center of the gazebo, and, turning to face him said, "May I have the honor of this dance, Mr. Kent?"

Clark smiled and nodded, stepping into the haven of Lex's arms. Wrapping his arms around him, Clark buried his face in Lex's shoulder and inhaled his scent. Like everything else he did, Lex was an superb dancer, and so he guided the younger man around the center of the gazebo expertly, yet tenderly.

The band struck up a new tune, and it was vaguely familiar to Clark, he just couldn't place it. Raising his head to look into his beloved's eyes, he asked, "Hey, what song is this? I like the tune."

Lex smiled, and as they swayed to the music, Clark heard him start to sing the words to the song softly, in a surprisingly good baritone. "There is somebody I'm longing to see, I hope that he, turns out to be. Someone to watch over me...."

~Fin