Lex as Lois
Dec. 31st, 2003 06:50 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
serafina20I havn't posted a WIP since I was in Angel fandom, and I don't know how much of this I will post. My first drafts often make me want to weep.
But, here it is, an AU in which Lex Luthor is a reporter at the Daily Planet and saddled with cub reporter Clark Kent.
"Luthor, get in here," Perry shouted across the news floor.
Lex looked at his editor and bit back a groan. No, no, *no*, he did not want to go in there. Not ten minutes ago, a new cub had crossed right past Lex's desk and into Perry's office, and Lex could only imagine what Perry was going to do with both of them.
"Now!"
He sighed and saved his article. As he rose, Lex pulled a cigarette from the silver plated case he kept in his pocket. On it, etched in amethysts, were the initials LL for Lillian Luthor. Lex shouldn't smoke, although his asthma had mysteriously disappeared with his hair years before, no more than Lillian should have smoked, as the lung cancer proved. But the way Lex figured it, he was more likely to die from a stray bullet or even flat out murder by a victim of an expose he'd written, so cancer was the least of his worries.
Besides. Smoking pissed Perry off because his wife refused to stay with him if he so much as touched a cigarette. And if Lex was going to get saddled with a kid ....
"Lex Luthor, this is Clark Kent," Perry said without any preamble. Straight and to the point, as always. This was a man who never buried his leads under a heap of niceties.
Lex looked over Kent carefully. Dork was the first word that came to mind; Lex couldn't even see his eyes under all the floppy hair and the thick rimmed glasses. Why anyone would wear such monstrosities, was beyond Lex, especially when in possession of a body like Kent's. Over six feet of gloriously tanned skin and muscle that was, admittedly, hidden beneath a bulky and too big brown suit that was sloppy and unattractive.
He sighed. Obviously Kent was the type who liked to try and blend into the background, which had to be hard with his coloring. But, at the same time, the hunched shoulders and the lack of eye contact did help guarantee that he'd be dismissed out of hand after a cursory inspection, which was, actually, helpful for a reporter.
"Nice to meet you," Lex finally said. He inhaled deeply on his cigarette.
And immediately choked when he saw the eyes that were behind the hideous glasses.
"You okay?" Kent asked, sounding concerned.
He hacked a moment and pounded himself on the chest. "Fine," he managed to get out after a minute. "Water?"
Perry snorted. "Not from me. You brought this on yourself."
But Kent was already across the room pouring water from the pitcher into a glass. Then he was by Lex's side, large, warm hand on his back as he handed the glass to Lex.
"Thanks." He drained the glass, ears warm. This was embarrassing; the kid wasn't *that* attractive, and yet ... there was something in his eyes. And the way he moved.
It wasn't just attraction. There was a story underneath the ugly clothing and awkward grace. And it put the reporter in Lex on alert, wanting to uncover it. In more ways than one.
"Are we done with your little fit?" Perry asked, breaking into Lex's thoughts. He sounded annoyed.
"Yes, sir." Lex quickly ground is cigarette out and dropped it into the glass. "Thanks," he added airily, handing the glass back to Kent. It wouldn’t do to make the kid think he was too grateful. There *was* a balance of power to maintain. "What can I do for you?"
Perry rolled his eyes. "Kent's going to be joining us. He's done a lot of freelance work, but this is his first professional venture into investigative reporting. Show him the ropes."
Lex sighed. "Sir, I'm too busy ..."
"Luthor!" Perry snapped.
Lex didn't flinch, but Kent did.
"Am I or am I not the editor of this paper."
"I believe I heard that rumor."
"Do you or do you not work for me?"
"So they say."
"Dammit, show him the ropes or you lose your job. Now get out of my office."
Lex rolled his eyes and reached into his pocket, ready for another cigarette. But, strangely, it was a look from Kent that caused him to pause. For a moment, their eyes battled before Lex decided he really hadn't wanted one anyway.
"Let's go," he said instead. He cocked his head and left Perry's office. "Hungry?"
Kent fell into step besides him and shrugged. "I guess."
"Good. Let's go to lunch. Your treat."
"But .... Sure. Whatever you say."
Lex smiled as he and Kent left the building. This partnership might not be so bad after all.
* * *
"So, tell me about yourself," Lex said as he bit into his hotdog. Ten years ago, he never would have touched something like this, especially not off the street. Now, it was often breakfast, lunch, and dinner when he was on a case.
Kent shrugged and swallowed. 'There's not much to tell."
"Uh-huh. Tell me another one." He smiled at Clark's befuddlement. "First lesson to reporting, Kent: everyone has a story. And, generally, when they say there isn't one, that means there is."
A smile appeared on Kent's face. Lex liked it there.
"Come on. I'm sure it's at the very least of passing interest. And if I'm going to be saddled with you, at least I have the right to know something, right?"
Blue-green eyes looked at him from the corner of his glasses. "You're the experienced reporter."
Ah. Lex took another bite of his dog and leaned against the railing. They were at the park, overlooking the central pond. Below them, late afternoon joggers, mothers with toddlers, college students, and dog walkers circled the bond. Ducks were fed, people held hands, and all basked in the mellowness of the afternoon.
Lex turned from the scene to study Kent. Clark Kent, six foot four or so, black hair, smooth hands but extremely well built. Cheap clothing which may or may not have anything to do with his current income. Ink stains on his fingertips and one in the corner of this mouth. Mustard in the other corner. Curls tangled. Hunched shoulders. A feeling of awareness that surround him.
"You grew up in a small town," Lex finally said. "You weren't popular for some reason, although you've been tall and muscular forever. You were bookish, rather than athletic, again, I'm not sure why. I think you grew up on the outskirts of the small town. Maybe your family were outcasts as a whole. You spent a lot of time hiding. You got into journalism because you're a people watcher and it was a natural outlet." He cocked his head. "I think your family was teetering on the edge of poverty, and that may have been why you weren't popular. Oh," he added almost as an afterthought when Kent's eyes were drawn to something below, "you're also gay."
Kent's head snapped back. "What?"
Lex smiled and finished his hotdog. "I’m sorry, aren't you?" He leaned over the railing to watch the muscular runner who had caught Kent's eyes. Then he looked up at Kent and smiled.
There was a faint blush on his cheeks, but he didn't seem upset. Which was nice since he was bigger than Lex, although it wouldn't do to remind him of that fact.
"So," he said, handing Kent a napkin. "Where are you from?"
"Smallville," he replied, wiping the mustard.
A shiver of cold went through Lex, prickling his skin uncomfortably. "You don’t say?" he said faintly, hand smoothing over his scalp.
Those eyes caught his, wrinkles in the corners. Lex wondered how the kid's eyes seemed neither magnified nor shrunk by the lenses, then dismissed the thought.
"Yeah." Kent balled the napkin and tossed it into a nearby trash. "I was unpopular, I didn’t play sports, my best friend got me into journalism. Then I went to Princeton, where ..."
"Where you got laid by a football player," Lex interrupted.
"Soccer, actually," Kent corrected with a smile. He turned and looked at the pond. "They don't get as bulky. Jason wasn't bulky at all. He was thin, but strong." He glanced at Lex out of the corner of his eyes.
He settled next to Clark, enjoying the feel of the kid's eyes on his skin. "What happened?"
"Grew up. Graduated. Found other people. Same old story." He sighed and rubbed his chin. "So. Do I get to do you now?"
Coldness settled around Lex like a curtain. He pulled away and glanced at the sun. It was still shining, but it didn't seem as bright. "My story isn't told by other people. Let's go." He turned, but was stopped by a large hand wrapping around his wrist.
"For what it's worth, I think you're right. I don't think your father committed suicide."
Kent was lucky he was bigger than Lex. Lex made it a rule not to hit men who were bigger than him, at least not in public where others could witness him being soundly pounded into the ground.
He carefully composed his face before turning. "My story is not told by other people." Then, after extracting his wrist from Kent's grasp, he turned and strode away.
Happy New Years!
But, here it is, an AU in which Lex Luthor is a reporter at the Daily Planet and saddled with cub reporter Clark Kent.
"Luthor, get in here," Perry shouted across the news floor.
Lex looked at his editor and bit back a groan. No, no, *no*, he did not want to go in there. Not ten minutes ago, a new cub had crossed right past Lex's desk and into Perry's office, and Lex could only imagine what Perry was going to do with both of them.
"Now!"
He sighed and saved his article. As he rose, Lex pulled a cigarette from the silver plated case he kept in his pocket. On it, etched in amethysts, were the initials LL for Lillian Luthor. Lex shouldn't smoke, although his asthma had mysteriously disappeared with his hair years before, no more than Lillian should have smoked, as the lung cancer proved. But the way Lex figured it, he was more likely to die from a stray bullet or even flat out murder by a victim of an expose he'd written, so cancer was the least of his worries.
Besides. Smoking pissed Perry off because his wife refused to stay with him if he so much as touched a cigarette. And if Lex was going to get saddled with a kid ....
"Lex Luthor, this is Clark Kent," Perry said without any preamble. Straight and to the point, as always. This was a man who never buried his leads under a heap of niceties.
Lex looked over Kent carefully. Dork was the first word that came to mind; Lex couldn't even see his eyes under all the floppy hair and the thick rimmed glasses. Why anyone would wear such monstrosities, was beyond Lex, especially when in possession of a body like Kent's. Over six feet of gloriously tanned skin and muscle that was, admittedly, hidden beneath a bulky and too big brown suit that was sloppy and unattractive.
He sighed. Obviously Kent was the type who liked to try and blend into the background, which had to be hard with his coloring. But, at the same time, the hunched shoulders and the lack of eye contact did help guarantee that he'd be dismissed out of hand after a cursory inspection, which was, actually, helpful for a reporter.
"Nice to meet you," Lex finally said. He inhaled deeply on his cigarette.
And immediately choked when he saw the eyes that were behind the hideous glasses.
"You okay?" Kent asked, sounding concerned.
He hacked a moment and pounded himself on the chest. "Fine," he managed to get out after a minute. "Water?"
Perry snorted. "Not from me. You brought this on yourself."
But Kent was already across the room pouring water from the pitcher into a glass. Then he was by Lex's side, large, warm hand on his back as he handed the glass to Lex.
"Thanks." He drained the glass, ears warm. This was embarrassing; the kid wasn't *that* attractive, and yet ... there was something in his eyes. And the way he moved.
It wasn't just attraction. There was a story underneath the ugly clothing and awkward grace. And it put the reporter in Lex on alert, wanting to uncover it. In more ways than one.
"Are we done with your little fit?" Perry asked, breaking into Lex's thoughts. He sounded annoyed.
"Yes, sir." Lex quickly ground is cigarette out and dropped it into the glass. "Thanks," he added airily, handing the glass back to Kent. It wouldn’t do to make the kid think he was too grateful. There *was* a balance of power to maintain. "What can I do for you?"
Perry rolled his eyes. "Kent's going to be joining us. He's done a lot of freelance work, but this is his first professional venture into investigative reporting. Show him the ropes."
Lex sighed. "Sir, I'm too busy ..."
"Luthor!" Perry snapped.
Lex didn't flinch, but Kent did.
"Am I or am I not the editor of this paper."
"I believe I heard that rumor."
"Do you or do you not work for me?"
"So they say."
"Dammit, show him the ropes or you lose your job. Now get out of my office."
Lex rolled his eyes and reached into his pocket, ready for another cigarette. But, strangely, it was a look from Kent that caused him to pause. For a moment, their eyes battled before Lex decided he really hadn't wanted one anyway.
"Let's go," he said instead. He cocked his head and left Perry's office. "Hungry?"
Kent fell into step besides him and shrugged. "I guess."
"Good. Let's go to lunch. Your treat."
"But .... Sure. Whatever you say."
Lex smiled as he and Kent left the building. This partnership might not be so bad after all.
* * *
"So, tell me about yourself," Lex said as he bit into his hotdog. Ten years ago, he never would have touched something like this, especially not off the street. Now, it was often breakfast, lunch, and dinner when he was on a case.
Kent shrugged and swallowed. 'There's not much to tell."
"Uh-huh. Tell me another one." He smiled at Clark's befuddlement. "First lesson to reporting, Kent: everyone has a story. And, generally, when they say there isn't one, that means there is."
A smile appeared on Kent's face. Lex liked it there.
"Come on. I'm sure it's at the very least of passing interest. And if I'm going to be saddled with you, at least I have the right to know something, right?"
Blue-green eyes looked at him from the corner of his glasses. "You're the experienced reporter."
Ah. Lex took another bite of his dog and leaned against the railing. They were at the park, overlooking the central pond. Below them, late afternoon joggers, mothers with toddlers, college students, and dog walkers circled the bond. Ducks were fed, people held hands, and all basked in the mellowness of the afternoon.
Lex turned from the scene to study Kent. Clark Kent, six foot four or so, black hair, smooth hands but extremely well built. Cheap clothing which may or may not have anything to do with his current income. Ink stains on his fingertips and one in the corner of this mouth. Mustard in the other corner. Curls tangled. Hunched shoulders. A feeling of awareness that surround him.
"You grew up in a small town," Lex finally said. "You weren't popular for some reason, although you've been tall and muscular forever. You were bookish, rather than athletic, again, I'm not sure why. I think you grew up on the outskirts of the small town. Maybe your family were outcasts as a whole. You spent a lot of time hiding. You got into journalism because you're a people watcher and it was a natural outlet." He cocked his head. "I think your family was teetering on the edge of poverty, and that may have been why you weren't popular. Oh," he added almost as an afterthought when Kent's eyes were drawn to something below, "you're also gay."
Kent's head snapped back. "What?"
Lex smiled and finished his hotdog. "I’m sorry, aren't you?" He leaned over the railing to watch the muscular runner who had caught Kent's eyes. Then he looked up at Kent and smiled.
There was a faint blush on his cheeks, but he didn't seem upset. Which was nice since he was bigger than Lex, although it wouldn't do to remind him of that fact.
"So," he said, handing Kent a napkin. "Where are you from?"
"Smallville," he replied, wiping the mustard.
A shiver of cold went through Lex, prickling his skin uncomfortably. "You don’t say?" he said faintly, hand smoothing over his scalp.
Those eyes caught his, wrinkles in the corners. Lex wondered how the kid's eyes seemed neither magnified nor shrunk by the lenses, then dismissed the thought.
"Yeah." Kent balled the napkin and tossed it into a nearby trash. "I was unpopular, I didn’t play sports, my best friend got me into journalism. Then I went to Princeton, where ..."
"Where you got laid by a football player," Lex interrupted.
"Soccer, actually," Kent corrected with a smile. He turned and looked at the pond. "They don't get as bulky. Jason wasn't bulky at all. He was thin, but strong." He glanced at Lex out of the corner of his eyes.
He settled next to Clark, enjoying the feel of the kid's eyes on his skin. "What happened?"
"Grew up. Graduated. Found other people. Same old story." He sighed and rubbed his chin. "So. Do I get to do you now?"
Coldness settled around Lex like a curtain. He pulled away and glanced at the sun. It was still shining, but it didn't seem as bright. "My story isn't told by other people. Let's go." He turned, but was stopped by a large hand wrapping around his wrist.
"For what it's worth, I think you're right. I don't think your father committed suicide."
Kent was lucky he was bigger than Lex. Lex made it a rule not to hit men who were bigger than him, at least not in public where others could witness him being soundly pounded into the ground.
He carefully composed his face before turning. "My story is not told by other people." Then, after extracting his wrist from Kent's grasp, he turned and strode away.
Happy New Years!
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Date: 2003-12-31 07:57 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-01-01 12:32 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-12-31 08:05 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-01-01 12:33 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-12-31 08:36 pm (UTC)Thanks
Re:
Date: 2004-01-01 12:34 pm (UTC)I've got more posted; hope you enjoy that as well.
mmmmmm
Date: 2003-12-31 08:59 pm (UTC)YES! YES! YES!!. You've got me hooked already! I seriously want to know how you do that. You've kept me caught up in the COTW series and now you've snagged me into this one.
If I have to, I will beg you not to abandon this WIP. Please......?
Re: mmmmmm
Date: 2004-01-01 12:35 pm (UTC)Glad you enjoyed!
no subject
Date: 2004-01-01 07:34 am (UTC)I’m hoping to read more from this original AU. :-)
Happy New Year!
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Date: 2004-01-01 12:36 pm (UTC)Thanks for the feedback! More has been posted.
no subject
Date: 2004-01-01 08:18 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-01-01 12:37 pm (UTC)That sounds so dirty for some reason. Like it's a new word for cruised or something. ;P
Thanks for the fb. The ironic thing about Lex's "My story isn't told by other people" is that the fic was *almost* in first person. But when I finally started writing, it came out in third.
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Date: 2004-01-01 09:21 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-01-01 12:38 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-01-01 01:08 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-01-01 04:12 pm (UTC)You'll just have to read more to find out what happens next. < eg >
More
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Date: 2004-01-01 06:52 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-01-01 07:38 pm (UTC)