1. Hear no Evil

Lex didn't like clocks that ticked. He preferred time to move unhindered by acknowledgment, for in that silence, in that space between now and then, anything was possible. Even the likelihood of hope.

Sitting quite still in the shadowy confines of his office, he listened, nerves tingling. The stillness around him was disturbed by nothing, other than his own hesitant breathing and the faint thrum of life ticking forward, relentless as any timepiece, within the cage of his body.

Warily, he sat and debated his own sanity. As a distant sound made his skin crawl, he acknowledged that there was no debate involved. Footsteps, coming closer. With a slight, skittish breath he looked down, seeing his fingers clenched tight together, his skin ivoried in the half-light; the flesh stretched, smooth over bone. Very deliberately, he relaxed, one finger at a time. Careful as a monk touching rice paper he spread his hands wide, fingertips just resting on the cold glass of his desk. They only trembled slightly; the lack of control almost imperceptible. Forcing air past the knot in his throat, the harshness of his own awkward breathing finally drowning out the elliptic beat of his heart, he managed not to look up when the doors opened.

"All alone, Lex?"

Curiously distanced from his own reaction, Lex watched his hands flinch and the fingers curl suddenly tight. It took a moment's effort to make them relax. Only then did he glance up, watching as the tall figure in the doorway casually flicked the lights on. Too bright. Lex blinked as his eyes adjusted.

"You showered very quickly."

He'd dressed while still half-soaked. Speed had been an essential need, and the same need had pursued him all the way to this room. To his own space. Or the illusion thereof.

"You should have waited - I'd have joined you." There was such rich amusement in the low-pitched voice. If it veered on derision, that was only to be expected.

Very slowly, Lex looked across and stared into his father's arrogant face. "Really? Then maybe that's why I didn't hang around." The venom had to clear on his face, for Lionel narrowed his eyes, the muscles of his face shifting into their more usual half-sneer.

Lionel sighed. "Now, Lex, I do hope you're not going to be childish."

"Childish? You, of all people to accuse me of that?"

"Better than stupidity, or treachery, wouldn't you say?" Lionel closed the doors. "You're a long way from the perfect son, Lex, I'd hate to be any more disappointed in you than you've already made me."

"I've made you -" Unsettled he broke off, and hated himself for such an obvious reaction. Goads from Lionel were too effective, what he needed was calm and distance. "Poor you, having such a paltry excuse for a son."

"Sulky and angry." Lionel walked slowly across the floor, his heels tapping dully, leather on polished wood. "You really should see someone. After all, you can't help your own desires."

"Mine? Jesus, what about you?" The words fell, sharp and bitter. "Shouldn't you be asking yourself the same question?"

"I don't think so. I've no need to doubt myself, Lex. Besides, why would I want to?"

"Because you're wrong?" Lex gestured, his hands opening and closing as anger finally surfaced among the morass of emotion. "Because you're so fucked up you can't see it?"

"Poor Lex, you want me to be disgusted at my own behaviour, to rend my clothing and pour ashes on my head? To despise myself for having sex with my son... or, if you'd rather, for seducing him."

Miserably, Lex shook his head. Leaning forward he stared down, sightless. Pain made him shiver. "Why do you do this to me?" He hardly voiced the words, as if afraid he'd loathe the answer.

Lionel reached the desk. He propped himself on its wide edge, just by where Lex sat. "Why? Because it feels so good Lex." He leaned over, whispering. "I seduced you. There, does that sound better? See it like that and you can put all the blame on your wicked father. That usually works for you."

"Jesus..."

"See? I knew I could help."

Lex looked up and caught the sharp edged smile. Lex felt his stomach heave emptily. "Dad, just fuck off back to your lair. Just leave me alone."

"Oh, I will. Until the next time."

Adrenaline pumping through his blood, Lex stood up, fight or flight suddenly the only response his synapses understood. "No. There won't be a -"

Interrupting, Lionel just ignored him. "Oh, be quiet. You really shouldn't lie to yourself, Lex. I will want you again, and you know you'll come to me."

"No." Lex shook his head, feeling the bruises on his neck protesting. "No, I won't"

A soft laugh, and Lionel was standing too, very close, his angular, bearded face cruelly, triumphantly sure. "But you will. I have you, right here." His hand was open before Lex's face, and then it snapped closed. Lex there, in his father's palm. Trapped.

Lex could feel claustrophobia tightening - could almost feel the dry-skinned fingers as they closed around his neck and squeezed in a vicious parody of affection. He straightened slowly, trying to match his father's arrogance and hauteur, all of which should come so easily. Bitterly, he knew he failed.

He looked up and voiced the lie that kept him sane. "You don't own me..."

"Oh, Lex, come now. I think you know better than that."

Lex stared, emotion burning like bile in his throat. "Then let me put it this way - I don't want to be fucked by you ever again."

"And I love you too, Lex." Lionel laughed. The sound breached Lex's defences. Humiliation there, livid under the onslaught of such dry amusement.

He flinched when Lionel touched a finger to his face, but somehow he kept his gaze level. "But I don't love you at all. Does that mean I win?"

"No. Not when you tell so many lies." Lionel shook his head, his greying hair brushing back and forth on his open collar.

"If I told anyone, you'd be the one seeing a shrink and being told to get yourself straightened out, not me."

"Maybe." Lionel leaned close, his breath peppermint scented, his lips twisting in triumph. "But I'm not the one on my knees begging someone to teach him to be a good cock-sucker."

It hurt more than a sucker-punch. "I didn't."

"No." Lionel, pondering, so content he was close to purring. "But you will next time."

"There won't be a next time!" Lex thought he had shouted, but the words hardly sounded. He swallowed hard, not turning when his father ran a knuckle along his jaw; the touch quick, intense, then gone.

"Don't deceive yourself so much. You know there will be. There'll always be something you want or need from me, Lex. And you know, don't you, that everything I have is yours. For a small exchange..."

Leaving Lex standing, his skin and his soul burning, Lionel walked away. Casually, he turned at the door. "And next time, I'll fuck you over your thousand dollar desk, leave your spunk staining the glass. If you're a very, very good boy I'll let you lick it off."

Lex shook his head in denial. He could see the image. That it left him half-aroused was a clear case for his own damnation.

The lights clicked off. "Goodnight Lex. Sweet dreams."

*

2. See no Evil

Dinner for two in the mansion should have been delightful. Once upon a time (and in a country far away) he'd longed for just this sort of paternal benevolence. The fading of innocence really was far too disillusioning.

"Drink the Tokai, Lex. It's very good." Fumbling blindly across the linen tablecloth, Lionel found Lex's glass, and Lex's hand. He curled his fingers around both. "D'you still have that habit of running your fingers up and down your wine glass' stem?"

"Wh..." Then he caught Lionel's smirk. Stung, he snarled bitterly. "Oh, come on, Dad. That's pathetic innuendo even for you."

"No, Lex. You see you are very sensual. So maybe it's your own fault that I can't resist you."

"No one else seems overwhelmed by me. Maybe you're just a lecherous old bastard."

"Touch!" Lionel smiled sweetly, not at all put out. His hand drifted surely back to his own wine, and he lifted the glass in a silent toast.

Ignoring it, Lex looked down at his plate. Wild salmon, in a sauce that was the chef's most prized secret. He enjoyed it, usually. Not when he knew he was up for dessert.

"Lex, I am not going to eat you - relax for goodness' sake."

Was that more double entendre? Lex glanced up, and saw only mild irritation on his father's face.

"Surprisingly enough I'm not very hungry." He wasn't. Not after spending the last hour throwing up.

"Never mind, the lean and hungry look suits you."

No eating disorder, no secret stash of mood enhancers - the heavy-duty painkillers didn't count - just sick anticipation. "You can't see me, Dad. How can you tell if it suits me?"

"I know. It doesn't suit you to be fat. You need to be sleek, like a hound."

Lex almost laughed, almost asked if his dad was calling him a dog. Instead he slumped back in his chair. "Why? You thinking of hunting me?"

"I don't need to hunt. You always come to heel, eventually."

However much Lex despised himself, what his father said was true. He came to heel, lay down, rolled over.

Lionel inhaled the wine's bouquet; he smiled a little and sipped. "Delicious. I really must congratulate the wine merchant, he's surpassed himself."

"He'll be so pleased." Sarcasm as a battlement. Well, it was better than no defence at all. Sighing, Lex picked up his glass and took a sip. It really was delicious, fragrant and light, yet not sweet. He sighed and drank deeper. With any luck it would react quickly with the meds and start to numb everything.

Lex glanced up. Lionel, his eyes bare of the dark glasses that masked them during the day, was staring directly at him, his expression predatory as a lynx. It was uncanny. Lex shivered, doubt as to the truth of his father's disability surging up yet again.

"So, as that was a light supper, I guess you won't mind if I fuck you right away?"

Blindsided, Lex jerked, spilling wine onto his hand. He wiped it off on the tablecloth. "Wrong, dad. I do mind."

"Shame. I suppose then we'll have to talk business for a while. I'll fuck you after coffee, I trust that'll be convenient?"

Lex shivered. "Sure, why not."

"Good. Now, about these shares you seem so very keen to acquire..."

And the dance went on.

*

3. Speak no Evil

In the dark early hours just after midnight, very slightly drunk, Lex walked up the steps to the house and stood still, wishing thoroughly that his house was his own. Shanghai had been a bastard. No relic, no map, no information, just a lot of cuts and bruises and a distinct aversion to anything electrical.

And Lionel was back. Saint Lionel of the Prison-cell. Lex laughed, swaying on the top step, hardly able to get his key in the lock. He fell forward as the door opened, and Lionel caught him securely.

"Dad." He winced in the bright hall light, squinting at his father's cropped head as it bent toward him.

A frown. Such displeasure. "You've been drinking."

Drinking, smoking, ingesting a few interesting chemicals that maybe weren't quite standard. Oh, it was amazing what a good torture session sent you out hunting. "Yeah, had just a few, Dad. All that searching for God and all his mysteries made me thirsty."

"Come inside, you need coffee."

"No, I need brandy."

"Lex, you need to ease up!"

He heard the door close behind him. Then Lionel was there, hand under his arm, urging him along. "Coffee and a good night's sleep..."

"Oh, leave it, Dad." He pulled his arm away. "Jesus, what d'you think I am? Stupid? This holier than thou crap, I can't stand it. Just leave me alone."

"Lex, you need to sober up."

"I need another brandy and for you to get back to your cell."

"I understand that you're upset -"

"You understand absolutely nothing!" He knew he was hysterical. But Lionel was touching him, and after China, he wasn't sure he wanted anyone touching him ever again. After a deep breath he managed to speak less incontinently. "Just leave me alone. Please."

"Very well." Jesus, Lionel as martyr churned his stomach.

At least he kept his word. Lex watched as Lionel just walked away.

It was good and quiet with him gone. The brandy was good too. Lex made it to his office and poured a stiff one. Followed, almost as a chaser, by another. It helped him forget that everything was a total mess. That nothing was what he wanted - least of all Clark Kent, the hero of the fucking hour.

Saved from a fate worse than death. Or he would have been, in another life, with different luck. The guards had been very keen to humiliate him. Perhaps he should just concentrate on being thankful that they hadn't decided they needed an audience. Screaming in front of Jason had been bad enough - seeing all the rest might have necessitated Jason's demise.

Taking the decanter he went to the pool table, idly rolling a red ball across the baize. Left to right, ricochet, back to his hand. Angles, odds, permutations. Maybe somewhere there was more to life. He drank, straight from the wide neck, spilling some on his shirt. Now he smelled like a drunk. Well, why not. Today he wasn't sure he wanted any responsibilities at all. Certainly none shoved on him by society. Or his father.

Dear daddy, saintedly asleep. Probably. He swallowed, the muscles in his throat tight as hawsers.

Some humiliations were more rewarding than others.

There wasn't even a conscious thought, but he headed out of the room. The bedrooms were on the next level and he walked up, unperturbed by the small voice at the back of his mind that was screaming, silently. Along the corridor, he was smiling as he walked, his feet very soft, silent on the deep carpet.

There was noise from the room. The TV. So, not asleep then, Dad? Lex smiled. Maybe Lionel was a saint, but he couldn't be immune to fleshly delights. And if he were? Then it'd be a good time to crow about all the times Lionel had forced himself on Lex. All those times when he was a kid. All those times before he'd actually come to enjoy the pain and debasement.

The door was unlatched. Pushing it open, Lex peered inside. Lionel was sprawled on his vast bed, half naked, his cock heavy, thick with dark hair, half aroused at his groin. He was stroking it slowly with one finger, while his gaze was fixed on the TV.

A step into the room, and Lex could hear the soundtrack. Panting, wet sounds that reminded him of pain. He swallowed hard, suddenly, unaccountably uneasy. Another step. The decanter almost slipped from his grip, but he held it tight, gripping the neck hard.

The screen showed a wide open mouth, a face expressing extreme misery. The face was his own.

A cut. Another face. The Chinese commander, grinning into the lens, laughing as he fucked the pale ass upturned before him.

Lex remembered the ropes cutting into his skin. He remembered the hideous moment he'd known what they wanted from him. The physical discomfort had hurt far less than the humiliation. It hurt less than now, than seeing his father jerking off to his son's rape.

The decanter thudded to the floor, and brandy pooled acridly around it. Lionel turned his head. The screen was reflected in his eyes.

"Lex. Come here."

"You were the one. The one with more money..."

"Lex, I'm always the one." He smiled benignly. "Come here and get on your knees."

Lex shook his head. "No. No..."

"It's what you came here for, isn't it?" Lionel sat up, his hand cupping the weight of his balls. Dry-mouthed, Lex stared.

"No." He'd come here to win. This was failure. Again.

"Lies, Lex, they really don't suit you."

"I thought you were reformed." Ah, good, sarcasm.

"I am. I also learned a lot in prison. Come and see."

Lex blinked stupidly. "You were fucked...?"

"Me? No, don't be an idiot. But I learned a lot about doing it. I can show you, Lex. Really make you feel. Not like those amateurs." He nodded dismissively at the screen, where pixelated Lex was enduring a quaint variation on a three-thousand year old torture technique involving a very sharp knife.

The brandy swimming in his head, Lex took a step forward. "I don't want this."

"I know. Pretend I'm making you. I'll tie you up if you want."

Shivering, Lex stood at the foot of the bed; he swayed there as if it was a thousand foot chasm. He nodded. "Tie me first." A single step and he was falling. "Yes."

A wide smile spread on his face, Lionel leant back into the pillows. "Go get the ropes then, Lex. I'll be waiting for you here when you get back."

Fin

For Tigertrapped, with thanks. 05.05