Hey, it's me

The challenge was rather specific in that one Smallville character was supposed to admit their love for another. Sorry, that means no Sam and Drew!




“The speleothem rate of growth is only about one cubic inch every one hundred to one hundred and fifty years, depending on the chemistry of the water and the amount of water flowing through cracks in the cave walls, the types of rock, the humidity and temperature, and the air circulation.”

“Don’t forget surface evaporation,” Lex said, lifting PJ out of the car seat. He closed the sedan door with his hip.

“Oh, yeah.” Sam thumped his forehead with the heel of his palm. “D’oh.”

Clark stared at his son, as he hooked the diaper bag across his chest. Obviously, Sam had enjoyed watching The Simpsons at the hotel last night.

Lex deposited PJ in the Snugli Carrier strapped over his shoulders. Facing forward, she kicked her chubby legs, bouncing in the frontpack, and made motorboat noises. Barely any parking spots in the lot at Ruby Falls remained. Families trudged through the sweltering heat towards the main building and the entrance to the cave. Clark and Lex joined the procession, with Sam between them, the soles of their shoes sticking to the asphalt.

“What kind of speleothems will we be seeing?” Lex asked Sam.

“Stalactites, stalagmites, columns, drapes, and flowstone,” Sam ticked each off his finger, then took Lex’s hand. They passed another couple with two children and Clark’s features darkened at the disgusted look they received. “I think the drapes are the most interesting. I understand that it’s the minerals that form the bands of color in the calcite, but why are do they look alike? How do the minerals know where to go? Shouldn’t there be stripes or plaids or spots, too?”

“I would hypothesize that the weight of the minerals has something to do with it,” Lex said. He glanced over at Clark and his brow furrowed in question at the scowl. Clark shook his head.

“Hm, I’d have to research about that,” Sam said. “I’ve read about the types of rock and minerals we’ll be seeing, but not their specific properties.”

“Maybe there’ll be a book in the gift shop,” Clark said, opening the door of the main building. A gust of cool air from the air conditioning hit him before he stepped aside, holding the door open for Sam and Lex. He caught sight of the other family nearing the entrance and grabbed Lex’s arm.

Lex half-turned and looked up at Clark. “Wha-nnmmm,” his question was cut off with Clark’s kiss. Clark didn’t make it a passionate one, though he was tempted. It was simply a short, meaningful kiss on the lips.

“Love you,” Clark said clearly. He felt satisfied to see the horrified expressions on the other couples’ faces.

“Papa Lex, come on,” Sam tugged at Lex’s hand, trying to pull him through the door. Lex gave Clark a curious look and allowed himself to be pulled inside.

Clark gave the couple a sneer and followed.

“What was that about?” Lex cornered Clark while Sam was skimming through the geology books in the gift shop a few minutes later. PJ squealed and reached for Clark from the frontpack resting against Lex’s chest.

“Homophobes,” Clark said, offering his fingers to PJ. PJ latched onto them and immediately stuck one in her mouth. He bent and kissed her head.

“Ah.” Lex slid his hands in his pockets, which Clark knew was a sign that he was hiding his emotions. “Unfortunately, we are in the Bible belt. They probably won’t be the only ones.”

“I know,” Clark sighed. “I just hate that people think it’s wrong that I love you.”

“The only opinions that matter are mine and yours.” Lex took a hand from his pocket and nudged Clark’s chin up. “And you know how I feel about you.”

Clark smiled slightly. “Yeah, I do.”

“Good,” Lex said, dropping his hand. “Try and put them out of your mind for now. Later, after the kids are asleep, we’ll lock ourselves in the bathroom and do all the nasty stuff they’re imagining we do.”

Clark’s smile widened and he snickered maliciously. “Too bad we can’t videotape it and send it to them.”

Lex smirked. “Who says we can’t?”


-End



FFL Timeline Updated