COTW 52: Cat and Mouse
Aug. 15th, 2006 10:12 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
serafina20Previous Parts
"How are you holding up?" Lana asked.
Lex shrugged. "I'm fine. A little tired. I was up early. "
Lana finished the drink she was making and handed it off to a waiting waitress. "You're always up early."
"Yes, but today I was up early milking cows after being kicked out of my house and having all my money taken away. It adds stress." He frowned as Lana started on another drink. "Why are you working? I know you're a work-a-holic, but all your friends are having a party. Right there." He pointed to the now thinned out table; Mark had gone home, leaving Whitney behind with Chloe. Pete had taken off soon after, on the arm of some girl Lex didn't know. Whitney, Chloe, and Clark were in the middle of a fierce game of Scrabble, at least on Chloe and Clark's end.
Lana sighed. "I know, but one of the waitresses quit last night. We're short staffed until I can hire someone new."
"And you plan to work every shift until you can?"
"Exactly." She beamed at him. "No, we'll manage. But, since I'm here, and we have customers waiting.... It's only really going to be a problem today and during the busy hours tomorrow."
"What's going to be a problem?" Clark asked. He came up behind Lex, put his hand on his shoulder, and squeezed.
Lana put another finished drink on the counter and wiped her forehead. "Jessie quit and I'm short staffed and, thus, working double or triple or whatever until I can hire someone new."
"Oh." Clark frowned. He was rubbing Lex's shoulder, which was probably a bad thing to do in public, but Lex didn't care. "Um. Well, we need three coffee's."
She groaned.
"Do you want me to get them?"
"Could you? I have a backorder on espresso drinks." She stepped back to the machine, then stopped. "Actually, first, could you take that one to table eight? Please?"
Clark froze under batted eyelashes. Then he took the drink and moved off.
"Why don't you hire him?" Lex asked. "At least temporarily."
Lana rolled her eyes. "Clark? He's good in a crisis, but not the most reliable when it comes to being where he's supposed to be." She started her next drink.
"Which is why it wouldn't be permanent. Just until you hire someone permanently." Lex leaned forward.
"He does know everything around here," Lana admitted. "And it'd help me."
Clark came back. "I got a tip! Can I keep it?" he asked, holding up five dollars.
"Who is sitting at table eight?" Lex asked, whirling around.
A gaggle of little old ladies. Who were all giggling and looking at Clark.
Lex did as well, eyebrow raised.
Clark's face went red.
"So, Clark," Lana said, "are you interested? Pays six dollars and hour, plus tips. And it's only until I can get someone new in." She batted her eyelashes at him. "Please?"
Clark sighed and ran his hand through his already rumpled hair (Scrabble was murder on his hair). "Yeah, sure. I'll work for you."
"Don't you think you better check with the boss first?"
Tingles ran up Lex's back. He turned. "Lucas."
His brother smirked at him. "Lex." His eyes slid to Lana. "And you are?"
Lana's cheeks flushed. She lowered her eyelashes and looked at Lucas up through them. "I'm, uh. I'm Lana."
Lucas smiled and leaned against the counter. Leaned into Lana, obnoxiously inserting his body between Lex and Clark's. "Lana. What a pretty name."
She blushed harder. "Thank you. So. You're the brother everyone's talking about."
"Yes, I guess I am. Lex crying in his coffee to you?"
"No. He's too strong a man for that."
Lex snorted.
The look Lana shot him was priceless. Wide eyed, mouth open, brows lowered.
"So," Lucas said, straightening. "I like the whole Egyptian/Assyrian vibe. It's clear you've put a lot of time and effort into this place."
"Yes, I did," Lana replied, obviously flattered.
Theresa, who had taken Lana's place at the espresso machine, was shooting Lana dirty looks as she looked at the list of drinks needed.
"Lex did a lot, too."
Liar. If Lex had had anything to do with it, it'd be a lot more like the original Talon pictures. Lana had taken what had been in the photographs, and gone way overboard. But, it kept Clark happy to have Lana happy--and the customers never seemed to mind--so he never said anything.
Lucas gave the room a quick survey, and said, "Yeah, well, Lex isn't exactly in the picture anymore."
"Actually, I am." Where the hell had Lucas gotten that idea.
"No you're not. Our father kicked you out. Took everything away from you."
"Yes, but... this wasn't his to take away." Lex frowned and mentally reviewed everything he'd put up for collateral against the Plant. No. The Talon had definitely not been one of them. "It's still mine. And Lana's."
Lucas frowned. "But..."
Lex stood. "Lucas, we should talk." He put his hand on Lucas's arm.
His brother stiffened immediately and threw off the touch. "Fine. Let's talk."
"We'll go into the office."
"Lex?"
"Go play Scrabble, Clark." He smiled thinly at Clark. "And get Chloe's coffee before she goes into a coma. Lucas?"
"After you."
Lex nodded and led the way. Lucas's arrival had jolted him from the numbness that had settled over Lex after Pete's revelation. It was as if, after everything, his emotions had just shut off. Well, not at first. First had come the rage. After that, nothing. Just weariness.
Now, though, he was waking up.
"So," Lucas said after they got to the office, "how's life on the farm?"
Lex leaned against the desk and faced Lucas. "Good."
"Yeah. Right."
"Yes. It is good. The Kents love me. Why wouldn't I want to be there?"
"Because you're penniless. You have nothing, Lex."
"Actually, I do." Lex cocked his head. "I have this place. While it may not be raking in the profit the plant did, it makes enough to survive on. Almost." He smiled. "I'm not without means."
"And as long as you have the Kents..."
"Yes. And as long as I have the Kents, I know I'll be safe. They'll take care of me."
"Because they love you." So much scorn. He sounded as if he'd been raised at Lionel's knee.
Lex nodded. "Yes." He hesitated, then had to ask. "Hasn't anyone, ever... loved you like that? Or at least... cared enough to take care of you, no questions asked?"
Lucas rolled his eyes. "Don't turn this one me."
"It's just a question."
"Oh, well then, yeah. I've known love. There was one foster mother who loved me so much, she taught me special ways to show it. And then, there was a man I lived with who loved me so much that taught me all about Jesus. About how if you were good and clean and pure for Jesus, you had to be beaten with this big black belt until you were good and clean and pure. And then there was this couple who loved me so much, they took all kinds of pictures of me."
Lex swallowed. Rubbed the back of his neck. "Was it always that bad?" he asked, not sure what else he should say.
Lucas seemed taken aback at the question. Some of the defensiveness slipped. "Uh. No. I guess they were the exceptions. But life was no picnic for me. Excuse me if I don't fawn over you or whatever right now because your life sucks."
He laughed. "I don't, believe me. And my life doesn't suck. Look, I was getting out anyway. I'm going back to college. I'm moving into my own home. If Dad doesn't want me to use his money to do that, fine. I'll fine my own way." Lex pushed away from the desk. "I didn't find you to use you. No matter what Dad thinks, that was never my intention."
"Why should I trust you?"
"No reason. Especially with your experiences. But I am genuine. All I want from you is a brother." He hesitated, then added, "You know you can't trust Dad, right?"
"Yeah. But he's more upfront with me than you."
Lex snorted. "How so?"
Lucas raised her eyebrow. "He always told me he was using me. He contacted me three weeks ago. Told me that you were looking at me. That you wanted to use me in a corporate raid, and that he was going to use me against you. To prevent you."
"He was wrong."
"I don't think he knew that."
Good point. Lex had always played the game before, and quite willingly. This time, he was the one who changed the rules. "All right," he conceded. "Dad thought I was looking for you to use you. He was wrong."
"Why would you want to find me?" Lucas asked. He crossed his arms over his chest. "You already have a brother. You have *Clark*."
Moment of truth. Should he take it?
Well. It'd been awhile since he'd gotten a good beating, right?
"Clark is not a brother figure in my life," he admitted.
Lucas rolled his eyes. "No, really?"
"He's my boyfriend."
Silence. Then, "I hate fags."
"Well. Your brother is one."
"Why? I mean, did you see that girl down there? She's gorgeous."
"So is Clark. I love him."
"Yeah, well, I'm guessing Lionel does too, huh?" Lucas snorted and rubbed his face. "This is sick."
Lex frowned. "Why do you say that?"
"Because it is sick. You sick your dick in his ass for Christ's sake. That's disgusting."
"Like you'd never go it with a girl," Lex said impatiently. "I mean, why do you say that Dad's in love with Clark?"
"Yeah, but a girl is a lot different from some faggy guy. Dad said that Clark was delectable or something. I don't remember exactly, but it was skeevy."
"Did he say it to Pete?" Lex guessed.
Lucas looked surprised. "Yeah. How did you know?"
"Because I know Dad," he said grimly. He rubbed his face. "Dad sucks."
"Yeah. I kind of agree. Still. I'm living the posh life now because of him, so I won't complain." He shoved his hands into his pockets. "I don't know if I want a brother. Did that shtick a few times. It sucked."
"It won't suck with me."
Lucas rolled his eyes.
"It won't. I don't know exactly what it takes to be a brother, but the Kents are teaching me about family. And family is supportive. There for each other. Not coercive or mean or abusive. Just... there."
"Just there." He rolled his eyes again. "Whatever, man. I just came for some coffee. I'm leaving."
Lex nodded, heart sinking. He was completely failing.
"I might stop in tomorrow," Lucas said suddenly. "Around noon."
"Oh. Well. I might be here."
"Do you play poker?"
He nodded.
Lucas smiled. Shrugged. "Cool. Bye."
Bewildered, and just a big hopeful, Lex watched his brother leave the office. "Bye."
You know what? I almost think that I could end it here and just go on to "Fever". After revision, editing, and betaing of this fic, of course. Any thoughts?
"How are you holding up?" Lana asked.
Lex shrugged. "I'm fine. A little tired. I was up early. "
Lana finished the drink she was making and handed it off to a waiting waitress. "You're always up early."
"Yes, but today I was up early milking cows after being kicked out of my house and having all my money taken away. It adds stress." He frowned as Lana started on another drink. "Why are you working? I know you're a work-a-holic, but all your friends are having a party. Right there." He pointed to the now thinned out table; Mark had gone home, leaving Whitney behind with Chloe. Pete had taken off soon after, on the arm of some girl Lex didn't know. Whitney, Chloe, and Clark were in the middle of a fierce game of Scrabble, at least on Chloe and Clark's end.
Lana sighed. "I know, but one of the waitresses quit last night. We're short staffed until I can hire someone new."
"And you plan to work every shift until you can?"
"Exactly." She beamed at him. "No, we'll manage. But, since I'm here, and we have customers waiting.... It's only really going to be a problem today and during the busy hours tomorrow."
"What's going to be a problem?" Clark asked. He came up behind Lex, put his hand on his shoulder, and squeezed.
Lana put another finished drink on the counter and wiped her forehead. "Jessie quit and I'm short staffed and, thus, working double or triple or whatever until I can hire someone new."
"Oh." Clark frowned. He was rubbing Lex's shoulder, which was probably a bad thing to do in public, but Lex didn't care. "Um. Well, we need three coffee's."
She groaned.
"Do you want me to get them?"
"Could you? I have a backorder on espresso drinks." She stepped back to the machine, then stopped. "Actually, first, could you take that one to table eight? Please?"
Clark froze under batted eyelashes. Then he took the drink and moved off.
"Why don't you hire him?" Lex asked. "At least temporarily."
Lana rolled her eyes. "Clark? He's good in a crisis, but not the most reliable when it comes to being where he's supposed to be." She started her next drink.
"Which is why it wouldn't be permanent. Just until you hire someone permanently." Lex leaned forward.
"He does know everything around here," Lana admitted. "And it'd help me."
Clark came back. "I got a tip! Can I keep it?" he asked, holding up five dollars.
"Who is sitting at table eight?" Lex asked, whirling around.
A gaggle of little old ladies. Who were all giggling and looking at Clark.
Lex did as well, eyebrow raised.
Clark's face went red.
"So, Clark," Lana said, "are you interested? Pays six dollars and hour, plus tips. And it's only until I can get someone new in." She batted her eyelashes at him. "Please?"
Clark sighed and ran his hand through his already rumpled hair (Scrabble was murder on his hair). "Yeah, sure. I'll work for you."
"Don't you think you better check with the boss first?"
Tingles ran up Lex's back. He turned. "Lucas."
His brother smirked at him. "Lex." His eyes slid to Lana. "And you are?"
Lana's cheeks flushed. She lowered her eyelashes and looked at Lucas up through them. "I'm, uh. I'm Lana."
Lucas smiled and leaned against the counter. Leaned into Lana, obnoxiously inserting his body between Lex and Clark's. "Lana. What a pretty name."
She blushed harder. "Thank you. So. You're the brother everyone's talking about."
"Yes, I guess I am. Lex crying in his coffee to you?"
"No. He's too strong a man for that."
Lex snorted.
The look Lana shot him was priceless. Wide eyed, mouth open, brows lowered.
"So," Lucas said, straightening. "I like the whole Egyptian/Assyrian vibe. It's clear you've put a lot of time and effort into this place."
"Yes, I did," Lana replied, obviously flattered.
Theresa, who had taken Lana's place at the espresso machine, was shooting Lana dirty looks as she looked at the list of drinks needed.
"Lex did a lot, too."
Liar. If Lex had had anything to do with it, it'd be a lot more like the original Talon pictures. Lana had taken what had been in the photographs, and gone way overboard. But, it kept Clark happy to have Lana happy--and the customers never seemed to mind--so he never said anything.
Lucas gave the room a quick survey, and said, "Yeah, well, Lex isn't exactly in the picture anymore."
"Actually, I am." Where the hell had Lucas gotten that idea.
"No you're not. Our father kicked you out. Took everything away from you."
"Yes, but... this wasn't his to take away." Lex frowned and mentally reviewed everything he'd put up for collateral against the Plant. No. The Talon had definitely not been one of them. "It's still mine. And Lana's."
Lucas frowned. "But..."
Lex stood. "Lucas, we should talk." He put his hand on Lucas's arm.
His brother stiffened immediately and threw off the touch. "Fine. Let's talk."
"We'll go into the office."
"Lex?"
"Go play Scrabble, Clark." He smiled thinly at Clark. "And get Chloe's coffee before she goes into a coma. Lucas?"
"After you."
Lex nodded and led the way. Lucas's arrival had jolted him from the numbness that had settled over Lex after Pete's revelation. It was as if, after everything, his emotions had just shut off. Well, not at first. First had come the rage. After that, nothing. Just weariness.
Now, though, he was waking up.
"So," Lucas said after they got to the office, "how's life on the farm?"
Lex leaned against the desk and faced Lucas. "Good."
"Yeah. Right."
"Yes. It is good. The Kents love me. Why wouldn't I want to be there?"
"Because you're penniless. You have nothing, Lex."
"Actually, I do." Lex cocked his head. "I have this place. While it may not be raking in the profit the plant did, it makes enough to survive on. Almost." He smiled. "I'm not without means."
"And as long as you have the Kents..."
"Yes. And as long as I have the Kents, I know I'll be safe. They'll take care of me."
"Because they love you." So much scorn. He sounded as if he'd been raised at Lionel's knee.
Lex nodded. "Yes." He hesitated, then had to ask. "Hasn't anyone, ever... loved you like that? Or at least... cared enough to take care of you, no questions asked?"
Lucas rolled his eyes. "Don't turn this one me."
"It's just a question."
"Oh, well then, yeah. I've known love. There was one foster mother who loved me so much, she taught me special ways to show it. And then, there was a man I lived with who loved me so much that taught me all about Jesus. About how if you were good and clean and pure for Jesus, you had to be beaten with this big black belt until you were good and clean and pure. And then there was this couple who loved me so much, they took all kinds of pictures of me."
Lex swallowed. Rubbed the back of his neck. "Was it always that bad?" he asked, not sure what else he should say.
Lucas seemed taken aback at the question. Some of the defensiveness slipped. "Uh. No. I guess they were the exceptions. But life was no picnic for me. Excuse me if I don't fawn over you or whatever right now because your life sucks."
He laughed. "I don't, believe me. And my life doesn't suck. Look, I was getting out anyway. I'm going back to college. I'm moving into my own home. If Dad doesn't want me to use his money to do that, fine. I'll fine my own way." Lex pushed away from the desk. "I didn't find you to use you. No matter what Dad thinks, that was never my intention."
"Why should I trust you?"
"No reason. Especially with your experiences. But I am genuine. All I want from you is a brother." He hesitated, then added, "You know you can't trust Dad, right?"
"Yeah. But he's more upfront with me than you."
Lex snorted. "How so?"
Lucas raised her eyebrow. "He always told me he was using me. He contacted me three weeks ago. Told me that you were looking at me. That you wanted to use me in a corporate raid, and that he was going to use me against you. To prevent you."
"He was wrong."
"I don't think he knew that."
Good point. Lex had always played the game before, and quite willingly. This time, he was the one who changed the rules. "All right," he conceded. "Dad thought I was looking for you to use you. He was wrong."
"Why would you want to find me?" Lucas asked. He crossed his arms over his chest. "You already have a brother. You have *Clark*."
Moment of truth. Should he take it?
Well. It'd been awhile since he'd gotten a good beating, right?
"Clark is not a brother figure in my life," he admitted.
Lucas rolled his eyes. "No, really?"
"He's my boyfriend."
Silence. Then, "I hate fags."
"Well. Your brother is one."
"Why? I mean, did you see that girl down there? She's gorgeous."
"So is Clark. I love him."
"Yeah, well, I'm guessing Lionel does too, huh?" Lucas snorted and rubbed his face. "This is sick."
Lex frowned. "Why do you say that?"
"Because it is sick. You sick your dick in his ass for Christ's sake. That's disgusting."
"Like you'd never go it with a girl," Lex said impatiently. "I mean, why do you say that Dad's in love with Clark?"
"Yeah, but a girl is a lot different from some faggy guy. Dad said that Clark was delectable or something. I don't remember exactly, but it was skeevy."
"Did he say it to Pete?" Lex guessed.
Lucas looked surprised. "Yeah. How did you know?"
"Because I know Dad," he said grimly. He rubbed his face. "Dad sucks."
"Yeah. I kind of agree. Still. I'm living the posh life now because of him, so I won't complain." He shoved his hands into his pockets. "I don't know if I want a brother. Did that shtick a few times. It sucked."
"It won't suck with me."
Lucas rolled his eyes.
"It won't. I don't know exactly what it takes to be a brother, but the Kents are teaching me about family. And family is supportive. There for each other. Not coercive or mean or abusive. Just... there."
"Just there." He rolled his eyes again. "Whatever, man. I just came for some coffee. I'm leaving."
Lex nodded, heart sinking. He was completely failing.
"I might stop in tomorrow," Lucas said suddenly. "Around noon."
"Oh. Well. I might be here."
"Do you play poker?"
He nodded.
Lucas smiled. Shrugged. "Cool. Bye."
Bewildered, and just a big hopeful, Lex watched his brother leave the office. "Bye."
You know what? I almost think that I could end it here and just go on to "Fever". After revision, editing, and betaing of this fic, of course. Any thoughts?
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2006-08-16 05:29 am (UTC)Clark's reaction to the tip was adorable, btw. It made me grin. And I love the interaction between Lex, Lana and Lucas.
Good for Lex for coming out!
no subject
Date: 2006-08-18 03:48 am (UTC)I agree about ending it here. It feels right; dragging it out more would be... painful. Thanks. :)
no subject
Date: 2006-08-18 04:22 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-08-18 04:22 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-08-16 06:07 am (UTC)I can just see Chloe and Clark getting competitive over scrabble. hehe
no subject
Date: 2006-08-18 03:50 am (UTC)no subject
no subject
Date: 2006-08-18 03:52 am (UTC)I just wish the writers of SV would realize that. :)
Thank you!
no subject
Date: 2006-08-16 03:18 pm (UTC)A gaggle of little old ladies. Who were all giggling and looking at Clark.
Lex did as well, eyebrow raised.
Clark's face went red.
Heee! Jealous Lex, and cute blushing Clark. *G*
I love the scene at the end between Lex and Lucas.
I think it would be a good place to end the fic too. You've put everything in place for the next one, and it *feels* right to end it here. :-)
*squishes you tight*
no subject
Date: 2006-08-18 03:53 am (UTC)Jealous at first, but this will definitely become ammunition for Lex to tease Clark mercilessly with. :)
Thanks!
no subject
Date: 2006-08-19 02:09 am (UTC)