Chapter Text
“Are you sure you should be moving heavy things around when you’ve just got out of an accident?” Clark asked Lex.
They’ve been acquainted for mere hours but Clark felt a strong concern over Lex’s health. Clark knew part of it was out of guilt. He had been the one to jeopardize Lex’s health when Lex had crashed into him earlier that day.
Clark had lied and said Lex hadn’t hit him when the other man had done so. He fallen on his habit of lying like he always did when he had to explain away instances he had been too strong or too fast.
After the accident Clark had wanted to check if Lex really was okay but Lex had put distance between them every time Clark had tried getting closer and he had left as soon as he gave the authorities his statement on what had happened, taking with him a coffee they had given him. Lex’s behavior only increased Clark’s worry about him having some kind of invisible, internal injury. Now, Clark could see that Lex had no major visible injuries but he still looked awfully pale and he was doing strenuous physical tasks. Clark though Lex should be getting some rest, instead Clark had observed that there were four empty coffee cups on a desk to the side of the door.
“Clark, I didn’t expect seeing you again so soon.” Lex said, his lips a tight, thin line. He was holding what was probably his fifth coffee unless there were other cups of coffee in the other rooms of the mansion, which was not unlikely considering its size.
He doesn’t sound happy to see me. Clark thought. “I wanted to see if you were really okay.” Clark said. “You should really be resting right now, not carrying heavy stuff. Shouldn’t the hauling company workers be doing what you’re doing right now?”
Clark had seen some of the moving vans had come in and the workers pulled the stuff out but it was just left in the mansion foyer but not put into rooms. They weren’t even properly unpacked, almost every item was covered and wrapped up.
Unable to contain his curiosity, Clark asked Lex why.
“Many of the items are very old, delicate and best not exposed to the elements, so they are well sealed.” Lex answered. “I’d rather move them personally.”
“I can help you move stuff around - I promise I’ll be careful.” Clark said, already trying to calculate how much superhuman strength he could get away with using. Clark was becoming frustrated he was failing to get Lex to accept his offered help. Lex should be resting and recovering but instead he was lugging boxes around putting down and picking up his coffee between moving things. Water would be better for what he was doing, right? Coffee dehydrated.
“I can really handle this by myself, Clark. Don’t have anything you should be doing right now?” Lex asked.
“Nope.” Clark said. This wasn’t really true. He did have something to do. He wanted to confront his dad over his discovery of his invulnerability. Normal people would get injured upon being struck by a car. Yet he dreaded the confrontation and now he was putting it off by sticking around the Luthor mansion.
Lex gave him a sharp, intent look before abruptly dropping his gaze and taking a large gulp of coffee. Clark wondered if he was a caffeine addict. “Clark, if you have to do something you really ought to do it. Don’t stay behind on my account.” Lex said, throwing away the now empty cup into a nearby trashcan with surprising accuracy.
Clark flinched at the unexpected edge to Lex’s voice. “I really want help you.” Clark said, meaning it.
“Okay.” Lex said, his voice gentler. “If you really want to help me…” Lex pointed at a large covered item. “That’s my piano. You can push it into the living room.”
“Alright.” Clark said, starting his task. He finishes it all too soon, aware that while he was working Lex had not stopped bustling about at all.
Clark wondered if he should ask Lex for another task, or to ask him to sit down but Lex had his back turned to him and was busy arranging a large stack of boxes. Clark frowned again at the thought of the stress Lex must be putting on his body. Clark looked around and spotted a furniture shaped object covered in a cloth, near the place the piano had been.
Maybe it’s a coffee table. Clark thought. It was roughly shaped like one, long and rectangular but not tall. I could help Lex by pushing it into the living room for him. And having thought of that course of action Clark began to do it.
“Clark, what are you doing?” Lex asked.
The nearness of the voice startled Clark. He was sure there had been several feet between him and Lex but now they were face to face. Clark scrambled back in surprise and the clumsiness of the move caused him to lose his footing. Feeling himself fall, Clark tried to grip the nearest thing he could to stop the drop - this happened to be the cloth covering the furniture he had been moving.
Unfortunately his reflexes moved faster than his brain, one hand decided on Lex while the other caught the cloth covering the furniture he had been moving.
For the second time that day Clark found himself above Lex while the man was lying on the ground.
Letting out an undignified squeak, Clark released his grip on Lex’s shirt. He was relieved that he had kept his strength in check and had not hurt Lex. Clark scrambled to his feet and turned away, embarrassed. Having turned away Clark now could clearly see what he had uncovered by pulling down the cloth.
A coffin.
Clark hurriedly turned to look at Lex again. “I’m - ” Very, very sorry.
“Earlier I mentioned rare antiques.” Lex said. “If I were more specific I would have said very old coffins. This mansion - this castle, was moved over here from Scotland brick by brick years ago - the Luthor family crypt included. Only recently have we arranged to bring have the coffins brought over too.” Lex said. Though his tone of voice was calm, Clark was still mortified enough to feel the urge to hide somewhere. (Not the coffin of course, which likely held some deceased relative Clark had almost disturbed in his clumsy attempt to be helpful. Oops.)
“Sorry.” Clark said, turning to face Lex. He could feel his cheeks burn. “I thought I would help you move more furniture to the living room.”
Seeing Clark’s discomfort and remorse, Lex’s expression softened. “I appreciate your help but this definitely doesn’t belong in the living room.” Lex said.
Clark wasn’t sure if he was suppose to laugh, though Lex was smiling faintly.
“Are you sure?”
Clark heard a voice that was neither his or Lex’s say those words. Clark yelped and whipped his head around. There was a hand coming out of the now open coffin - it had grabbed onto his jacket.
He couldn’t help but scream.
Clark moved to free himself, tugging away. He reached for a bit of his strength or speed but it was not forthcoming. All that came was pain and nausea. He could smell the soil in the coffin and at the edge of his vision - the green rocks mixed in with it.
Clark fell.
“Clark!” Lex shouted, alarmed.
Clark could feel his legs gave way; then arms surrounding and catching him. The coffin opened all the way and Clark groaned as the agony intensified. If he hadn’t already fallen he would have again. Lex kept him from landing on the floor.
A grinning teenager climbed out of the coffin, closing it after his exit.
Clark breathed deeply. The pain had receded.
“Wow shit. You scare easy.” The young man who had emerged from the coffin laughed, his grey eyes alight with amusement.
“Lex, who…?” Clark asked, confused. He struggled to get to his feet. Lex assisted him, his hand a steady presence on Clark’s back.
“Clark, this is my younger brother - ”
“Half-brother.” The young man interrupted. “I can introduce myself, Lex. What’s the point of this entrance if I didn’t?”
“Go ahead then, Lucas.” Lex said.
Lucas scowled at Lex.
“Lucas Luthor.” Lucas said, he held out his hand to Clark, his scowl morphing to a smile. “Nice to meet you. We’ll be, what’s the word? Not classmates…but schoolmates? Since I’m going to be attending Smallville High as a sophomore.”
Clark reached out to take it and found himself pulled forward by a surprisingly strong grip. The movement was stopped as he felt Lex strengthen his hold on Clark. Lex still had his arms around Clark’s middle.
“What happened there, Clark? It was just a little prank. I didn’t think you’d swoon into Lex’s arms.” Lucas said. Clark, who now had his strength back, returned a strong grip. Lucas grimaced.
“I didn’t eat breakfast this morning, guess not starting off the day right caught up to me.” Clark said.
“Oh really?” Lucas’ mouth quirked up again, his amusement returned. He looked to the side, not at Clark but at Lex.
Lex dropped his arms and retreated from Clark.
Clark, surprised by the sudden loss, turned around to look at Lex.
“Clark, since you’re not feeling you should go home and get some rest.” Lex had moved several feet away and had picked up another coffee from somewhere again, drinking it. Clark could still see his eyes. Something dark and unknown swam in its depths. His words were structured as a suggestion but Clark heard the order underneath.
“Um, okay.” Clark said. “Dinner’s probably about ready so I should get to that.”
“You should. It’s not good to miss meals.” Lucas smiled. He walked away from the coffin and to the corner Clark had dropped his backpack. He picked it up and approached Clark. “Seeya later, Clark. I’m sure I’ll be seeing more of you at school tomorrow.” Lucas said, handing Clark his backpack.
Clark took back his backpack a bit too quickly, unnerved by the way Lucas spoke, like he had an inside joke Clark was not privy to.
Clark put it on it and walked to the front door.
“Bye, Lex.” He said before he departed.
“Goodbye Clark. Thank you for your help.” Lex said.
“You’re welcome.” Clark gave a smile that Lex did not return. He avoided Clark’s gaze and Clark left, feeling oddly bereft.