Parents' Weekend by Caro
Clark's parents meet Ethan for the first time on Parent's Weekend.
The band is his big news to tell them when they come up. Clark can see by the look on their faces that they're taken aback. They look at Clark a little like he's a stranger and it makes him feel uncomfortable.
His mother asks a thousand questions about the band, about how often they rehearse, and whether that gets in the way of his classes, about what inspires Ethan to write songs, and Clark lets Ethan answers most of it. He doesn't seem fazed by the attention. He's always loved having a new audience to show off to.
They seem to like everyone, though he can hear them mentally comparing them to Clark's old friends. They'd known Chloe, Pete and Lana for a long time. It'll take them a while to get used the new people in Clark's life. But his father and Charlie can talk basketball, and his mom and Franny discuss art.
Caroline's reaction to Ethan, however, is immediate. She watches him suspiciously, bristling every time Ethan touches Clark, which Ethan being Ethan, is a lot. The reaction's not really unexpected. Caroline's been as much Lex's as Clark's from the moment she was born, and she has a tendency to dislike anyone who takes Clark's attention away from her or Lex. What's bewildering, however, is the fact that his father is pretty much behaving the same way. He keeps turning to Lex for cues on how to act every time Ethan talks to Clark.
Clark comments on this to Lex, who laughs. "Maybe I'll buy her a pony," he says.
"Yes, cause encouraging her is the way to go." Clark rolls his eyes. "Why don't you buy my dad one while you're at it?"
"You know, I can afford two," he replies thoughtfully. Clark shoots him a dirty look and he immediately sobers up. "Don't worry Clark, your dad will come around."
"What makes you so sure?"
Lex turns towards him, places a hand on his cheek and says, "Because I can actually do *this* now and your father doesn't reach for a shotgun," before he kisses Clark.
Clark smiles when Lex pulls away. "So, what you're saying is that I should relax?"
"Probably." Lex looks towards Caroline. "Should I go rescue Ethan from her?"
"Don't sound so smug."
"Hey, it's nice being somone's favorite for once," Lex says, and goes to get Caroline. Clark watches her wrap her arms around his neck and allow to be picked up and feels hopeful for the first time all day.
Clark hears them later on in the kitchen, his father and Lex. The Kents have acquiesced and are actually staying with Lex while in town. It's part of the compromise thing that they'd all agreed to back when Clark came out, and they realized that his relationship with Lex was more than just temporary. They've grown to accept Lex as a member of the family, and this means allowing him to help, whether it's supplying extra farmhands to help out while Clark's in college, or occasionally imposing on Lex's hospitality.
He stands in the doorway and listens.
"I can't believe you're letting him get involved in this, Lex," his father is saying. Clark's chest tightens up.
"The last time I checked, Mr. Kent, Clark doesn't need my permission to pursue his interests," Lex replies.
"Oh don't give me that. Clark listens to you, he wouldn't be doing this if you didn't approve."
"I'm not going to stand in Clark's way."
"This isn't about standing in Clark's way. Or have you forgotten? Clark doesn't need the attention. If someone notices him, notices what he can do. I thought we could trust you to take care of Clark while he's here, but maybe we should have known better than to trust a Luthor."
Lex freezes at the name, and Clark can see the look of regret on his dad's face. It's like being back in old roles, and it's something Clark had thought they'd left behind in Smallville. He's about to jump to Lex's defense when Lex speaks.
"Mr. Kent, I can understand your concern but you don't have to worry. This thingÉClark's band has nothing to do with Clark's secrets. It's about Clark, and he's happy. He fits in. Surely, you can see that."
His father sighs and Clark's struck by how old he sounds. "I just worry."
"I know, Jonathan." Lex is calm and reassuring. "But it's been important for Clark to have this. He's doing well, I promise you."
There's a moment of silence in the kitchen and Clark's not sure what he should do. He wants to be by Lex's side, but it almost seems important that he not be there. This is something between Lex and his dad, as much as it is about him. When Lex was brought into the secret of who Clark was, his father had to come to terms with the fact that protecting Clark wasn't only the Kent's responsibility any longer.
"I'm sorry, Lex," his father finally speaks.
"It's fine, Jonathan."
"Sometimes it's just hard for a father to admit when his son doesn't need him anymore. When he's growing up, you always worry if you're doing enough, about all the things you can't give himÉ"
Lex nods. "Clark knows how much you've done for him. He's an amazing man, Jonathan, and you and Martha played a huge role into making him who is. He'll be okay and he'll always need you. It was important to him that you were there today."
Jonathan smiles. "He was good, wasn't he?"
"Yes."
"Needs a haircut though. And I don't like that Ethan fellow much."
Lex laughs and the tension is lifted. Clark breathes, relieved.
Lex is exhausted as they get into bed. "Who knew introducing your parents to your new life would be so tiring? Your mother had to put her foot down to get Caroline to go to bed," he says, stifling a yawn.
Clark leans over and kisses him hard. Lex is breathless by the time they pull away and Clark can feel him hard against his thigh.
"Dammit, Clark," Lex swears. "Don't kiss me like that with your parents in the next room."
"I love you," Clark says solemnly.
Lex rolls his eyes. "I know. Now behave."
Clark ignores him, and instead, trails his hand down Lex's chest, sliding over his boxers, to cup Lex through the thin material.
"Clark," Lex warns but it turns into a whimper. "What are you doing?"
Clark looks Lex in the eye. "I just want you to know."
"Know what?" Lex's eyes are dark with desire.
"You're *my* favorite too," he whispers.
Lex doesn't say anything. Just pulls Clark down and kisses him like Clark's parents aren't in the next room.
05/06/03