It made Clark nervous to be here, he felt so out of place. Tall, lanky farm boy amidst all the upscale citizens of Metropolis dining at one of the best sushi restaurants. Lex was dressed all casual, for Lex. Which met slacks, pale blue silk shirt, loafers and no tie. His head gleamed under the fluorescent lighting of the restaurant. He sat across from Lex at a small table, and they were right by the tropical fish tank that took up nearly the whole wall. He had always wanted some tropical fish, but not in a tank this size.
"Clark, just relax." Lex told him for about the fiftieth time. The waitress had come and gone already. He was sipping his glass of ice water.
"I'm sorry." Clark flashed him an apologetic smile. He clutched his napkin in his lap.
"Sorry for taking up my invitation? Sorry for being seen with me?" Lex frowned at him, thinking that maybe this hadn't been a good idea. It had seemed perfect earlier in the day.
"No!" Clark snapped, and then blushed, afraid he had been too loud. "That's not what I meant." He hissed more softly. "I'm still stunned that you asked me. I can't believe I'm here. Besides, if anyone should be sorry for being seen with someone, it should be you."
"Excuse me?" Lex arched an eyebrow at the object of his secret affection. Well, he tried to keep it secret. It wasn't really that secret now, was it? Good one, Lex.
"You know, people who know you, know your family could be here, and wondering 'what's Lex doing with that hick?' It'll get back to your dad, and he'll have a fit, and he'll..." He saw how Lex's eyes darkened at the mention of his father and he stopped. "I'm sorry." Clark blushed again, dropped his gaze.
Lex smiled.
"Clark." Lex said his name softly, warmly. He liked how it made Clark's ears turn a darker shade of red. He stretched his leg out and easily found Clark's legs under the table. He brushed the calf of his right leg against Clark's left leg. "These people are all wondering who is that young god with Lex Luthor? He is so handsome. How did Lex get so lucky?"
The ears appeared to be staying a permanent shade of red. Clark dared a glance up at Lex, and Lex saw that Clark's incredible green eyes were sparkling. "No, Lex, I'm the one who's lucky. It's not just anybody who gets whisked off to the big city to eat raw fish with you."
The waitress showed up with their drinks and their salads. Clark had a Coke and Lex had tea. They didn't say anything for a little bit, and Clark's attention shifted slightly to the fish tank. Lex's attention did not shift, it stayed on Clark. He had a sudden desire to have a large fish tank installed back at the castle. They were supposed to be a good source of stress relief. His shrink would no doubt approve.
"What?" Clark asked softly, smiling at Lex. He blinked, caught in out right study.
"I was just wondering..." Lex took some lettuce between his chopsticks. He considered it before popping it into his mouth and chewing. Clark patiently waited. "If you'll come over more often if I get one these." He nodded his bald head towards the fish tank.
"I'm not over enough now?" Clark grinned, gaze dropping down to the salad. He chased a cherry tomato around with his fork. He hadn't even tried the chopsticks; he knew his limitations with cutlery or whatever chopsticks were considered.
"No, Clark." He stared back at his young friend. He thought about various things, but kept his reply down to. "You are never over enough."
Clark stared up at Lex after that, and couldn't think of a good response. He wasn't sure what he saw in Lex's eyes, and he wasn't sure how much he should read into the leg resting against his under the table. He stabbed a cucumber chunk and thought if a guy did that to a girl, it would definitely mean something, like a sex something .
The waitress reappeared with a helper. They whisked away the salads and set out the platters containing Clark's tempura combo and Lex's selection of sushi.
"Will there be anything else, sir?" The waitress asked with a slight bow.
"Clark, do you need another soda?" Lex asked his dinner companion.
"Uhm, yeah, sure." Clark flashed a smile at the waitress.
"Another Coke for my friend." Lex told her, and she was dismissed.
Clark was eyeing the interesting assortment of items in front of Lex. He was fascinated at how easily Lex used chopsticks.
"It won't crawl off my plate, Clark, I assure you." Lex was smirking.
"I wasn't worried about that." Clark ducked his head. He had chicken tempura and a variety of vegetables. It looked pretty good, but Clark knew he'd be hungry again in an hour. This wasn't enough to really fill him up.
"Don't worry. I know of a Macdonald's on the way back to Smallville."
Clark replied by kicking the foot next to his, though gently. Lex chuckled.
"Remember, you are required to try at least one bite of this." Lex told him as he took a small bite of a sliced pink thing.
"What's that?" Clark frowned, frowning at the pink stuff.
"Sliced pickled ginger. Clears the palate." Lex picked a small slice and held it out to Clark. Clark reached over with his fingers, but Lex pulled the bite back. He arched a hairless eyebrow at Clark. Clark smiled, ears red again. So the younger man leaned forward and opened his mouth.
Lex's heart hammered in his chest. ohmygod
The tip of Clark's tongue touched the ginger. Lex's hand shook only slightly as he put the miniscule piece of pickled ginger into Clark's mouth.
Clark's lips wrapped around the chopstick, his tongue disappearing, and removed the ginger.
Lex pulled his hand back. He stared at Clark's mouth as the young man chewed thoughtfully.
"Kinda hot. I like it, though." Clark nodded. "What's the green stuff?" Pretending not to notice Lex's reaction.
"Wasabe, and it's too hot for you." Lex refused to share that. He really didn't think he could handle Clark's mouth again too soon. "You haven't tried your tempura yet."
"Okay." Clark smiled slyly.
They ate in silence for a little while. Clark made little murmuring noises as he discovered he liked tempura. Vegetables weren't his favorite thing, but he liked them like this. Dipped in a light batter and fried. The dipping sauce was a bit bland so he added some soy sauce to it. Then he watched Lex eat some of his shushi.
"It's just raw fish, but... you look like you really enjoy it." Clark commented, keeping his voice pretty soft. The people around them talked and laughed, but he was still afraid of being too loud. He didn't want Lex to regret bringing him.
"You will try a bite for me, won't you?" Lex met Clark's gaze. It wasn't so much a question as a rather gentle statement of fact. When Lex had told Clark where they were going it was with the clause that Clark would have to try a bite of sushi.
"Of course." Clark swallowed nervously. There was obviously a current passing between them. It seemed to be running a little hotter today than others. Why would Lex be interested in him when he could have any woman he wanted? Maybe he was just being unsophisticated. Maybe guys who grew up in the city, going to private school, acted like this normally. Maybe Lex didn't want him that way.
He tried to give the restaurant a quick, furtive glance. There were two other tables that just had men sitting at them. One was a group of young business types in suits and ties, and Clark could clearly hear them going on about some conference and what "Fred did". The other table had two guys at it, sitting side by side. They were holding hands under the table, and their legs there were closest were pressed together. They were whispering softly to each other.
"Clark." Lex had a bite of something pink, and it wasn't ginger. The chopsticks were suspended mid-air.
"Oh, sorry." Clark blinked. "What's this?"
"Salmon." Lex told him, keeping his smile to himself. He had seen the look Clark had given the restaurant, and how his eyes had lingered on the gay couple. "Be brave for me."
"Lex." Clark drawled his name, but felt his cheeks go pink yet again. His fingers clutched his napkin, his gaze locked with Lex's as he leaned forward, mouth open. He could see the sweat break out across Lex's forehead. Wow Clark mused, power. And all I have to do is open my mouth.
No tongue this time.
"Well?" Lex asked after a moment.
"Can I have more of that ginger stuff?" Clark smiled. Lex arched an eyebrow at him. "Yes, I liked it. Didn't taste real raw fishy like I expected."
Squaring his shoulders, Lex gave Clark another bite of the pickled ginger. It was a little bigger than the first bite, and a bit more potent. Clark sucked in his breath, and took a good drink of his soda.
"Woweee." Clark nodded. "Like my dad says, clears the sinuses."
Lex laughed. "Yes, it certainly can do that."
"The next time we come..." Clark swallowed, realizing what he just meant, but continued on, "...can I try some of the wasabe?"
"If you behave." Lex smile was cryptic. Clark didn't know about cryptic smiles until he had met Lex.
"I'll behave." Clark nodded, letting his eyes go all big and round. Lex blinked at him a couple times. heh heh
"You can go for the gold by trying a bite of octopus." Lex held up something made Clark wrinkle his nose.
"No, thanks. I'll have to settle for the bronze."
"Silver, Clark." Lex corrected him. "Silver."
"Wow." Clark grinned happily. "Thanks, Lex."
"Anytime."
They finished their food, Clark earning a few more tiny bites of ginger. They finished it off with some green tea ice cream. Lex would not let Clark see the bill. As they walked through the restaurant on their way out, the gay couple looked up at them and smiled conspiratorially.
Clark blushed.
Lex smiled and nodded back.
They walked along the sidewalk heading back towards the parking garage at a leisurely pace. Lex had his hands stuffed into his pockets. Clark walked beside him, and noticed how people just seemed to step out of the way for them. Was that Lex or Luthor thing?
"While we're here, any where else you would like to go? Since Mom and Dad are distracted for the evening, and don't know I've kidnapped you." Lex asked as they crossed a street. It really had been quite fortuitous, having Clark's parents suitably occupied for the night. "There's a few clubs I know of that we could check out. If you're interested."
"No, I mean, yes... Do you want to? Cause if you do, I would. It's just..." Clark shrugged, ignoring the thousandth blush of the night. Thank god it was dark outside. Maybe Lex couldn't see his red ears this time. "I'm not a great dancer. I have no rhythm, and..." He shrugged, shutting up.
"I asked for you Clark. I'm quite happy to continue on back to our little neck of the woods." Lex lead the way up the ramp to where the valets waited. He gave the first one his ticket, and the fellow scurried off to fetch Lex's car.
"Oh." Clark blinked. "Okay."
Once in the car, Lex asked, "Who said you can't dance?"
"Oh, I did. Chloe just said it's because I have no rhythm. I stomped on her foot one too many times." Clark sunk down into the leather seat and sighed. He loved Lex's cars. "I really enjoyed the food, Lex. Mom always shudders when someone mentions sushi. I didn't think I'd like it, but I did. I'll try more next time. You know, if there is." He glanced over at Lex. "You know, a next time."
"I know." Lex guided the car out into traffic. "And, you know, there will be."
Lex kept thinking about Clark's mouth, those red lips, and just what they shouldn't be wrapping around. He's only fifteen. It's illegal. It would only seal my fate with his father.
"Can I roll the window down?" Clark asked, and Lex looked over at him. Long, long legs. Tanned muscular arms. those hands
Lex turned up the a/c. "No, not until we're out on the freeway."
"Okay." Clark flashed him a crocked grin. "Don't want to mess up your hair."
"Play with the stereo like a good little boy." Lex mock scowled at him.
"Really?" Clark chuckled. "Oh, goodie." He bounced in the seat and clapped his hands. It made Lex grin, so being goofy was worth it to him.
Lex didn't regret letting Clark play with his stereo, but his ears did throb later.
Much later.
When he was alone.
But then, it wasn't the only thing throbbing.
--
END