Title: Infected
Rating: T
Author: SilverSnikle
Character: Clark
Timeline: Clark Luthor's Seventeenth Birthday
Warnings: Luthor-verse
Disclaimer: Borrowed characters and some dialogue... No affiliation to CW/WB, DC
Summary: My take on Clark Luthor's descent into darkness.
Feedback: Oh, yes please!
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- Chapter 6 -
Clark stands on the balcony alone for all of sixty seconds before deciding he doesn't want to spend his birthday alone. He walks back in to the party, walking straight through the middle of the dance floor. With his hands in his pockets, relaxed, he openly checks out girl after girl dancing to the fast-paced music. He almost makes one or two of them very happy by joining them, but changes his mind at the last second, leaving them alone.
As he emerges from the sea of bodies on the other side of the dance floor he catches a glimpse of Lionel holding Tess's arm, just a little too tight. He bares his teeth and heads straight for them. He could care less what Lionel might do; he couldn't stand to watch Tess be treated this way. No one should squeeze her arm that tight, except maybe him.
Lionel sees him coming, but Clark doesn't care. All he can think about is getting Tess away from him, out of his grip. He's stood by too many years and watched her be treated like the stereotypical redheaded bastard. He's done watching from the sidelines.
“Son. Are you enjoying yourself? I saw you-” Clark doesn't give him a chance to finish his sentence. He grabs Tess's hand and pulls her to him. He knows daddy doesn't like them being physical in public; he's afraid outsiders will recognize what Clark had allowed himself to be blind to all these years. The blatant abuse. That was how their father taught them, by force.
“We're leaving.” He turns before letting himself smile. Lionel's face was priceless, pure shock. He knows they have to walk fast, before Lionel can reach into his pocket and pull out that stupid lead box. He has a strong feeling the green rock would still have power over him, despite his new red ring. He doesn't want to find out if he is right.
They walk so fast, they are almost jogging to the doors. Tess is laughing, and Clark wonders if she's completely lost her mind, but then he finds himself joining her. They laugh as they flee the party, taking the stairs to the exit. They laugh on the street as they walk, holding hands, her free one wrapped around his arm. They both know this feeling of freedom will not last, but for the moment, they do not let themselves care.
Clark remembers hearing about a place he had wanted to go to, but never really had the nerve to during the last semester at school. He realized suddenly he'd spent too much time sulking to understand his own true power, both familial and physical. He thinks the place is called the Ace of Clubs. Tess agrees, saying she was there for some party a few months back. Her admission makes Clark pull her away from his body a little and stare at her, slowing his steps.
“What were you doing there?” Somewhere in the back of his mind he knows he has no true right to care, but he still feels the anger rising in his gut. He doesn't fight the emotions; he openly accepts them.
“Just trying to have a good time. Some dancing, drinking, you know.” She giggles and tries to close the gap he has put between them; he doesn't let her. He wants a better explanation.
“No. I don't know. Who were you there with?” He's still walking, but slows his pace again. He's trying to control how much anger he shows, only because it’s not smart to show too much emotion. That was a lesson their father reminded them of practically on a daily basis.
“Just some girlfriends. We had finished a final and wanted to celebrate. That's all, promise.” She looked like a lost puppy and he almost felt pity for her, almost. He still wasn't completely satisfied.
“Did you go home with anyone?” He sees something flash in her eyes and he stops, turning her to face him. “Well?”
“Of course not. I'm not Lex! I don't screw anything that's willing.” She lets go of his hand and walks on, not caring if he joins her. Or at least, that's what he's guessing she wants him to think. How cute. She wouldn't survive without him.
He decides he believes her, why would she lie to him about her promiscuity? He was no threat. “I'm just looking out for you. That's what brothers do, ya know.” He catches up with her easily, putting an arm around her shoulder and pulling her against him.
They walk into the Ace of Clubs with no problem, despite his age. That's the thing about being Lionel's kid - no one wants to argue with you. The place is loud, lights flashing, and smells of booze. Clark likes it. He drags Tess to the bar and orders them both drinks. Bourbon. While they wait he leans back against the bar and lets his gaze roam the women on the dance floor. Tess moves into his line of sight and he regards her lovingly. He leans forward, his lips against her ear so she can hear him clearly.
“In public, we have a reputation to uphold. Understand?” He pulls back and looks her in the eyes, waiting for her answer. She smiles, finally, and nods.
She picks up their drinks and hands him his before waving at him and moving away, into the crowd. He stays where he is. Eventually, some hot girl is going to get thirsty, and when she comes to get her drink, she's going to get a whole lot more.
Sure enough, it only takes about ten minutes before a leggy blonde comes up to the bar, leaving only inches between them as she orders her drink. She looks over at him and smiles, and he smiles back. He waits for her to get her drink and then motions to a table off to the side of the dance floor, in the shadows. She nods and follows him over.
They sit with their chairs touching, so they can hear each other over the music, and talk while she sips her drink. He can barely concentrate on the conversation, his mind already on the dance floor. He's pulsing with energy and wants to use some up. The moment she finishes her drink he drags her out into the mass of bodies and they dance.
His mind is racing and he keeps imagining things he's only heard about from the guys at school. Things that never really interested him all that much before tonight. Suddenly, he's a true seventeen year old guy, to the core. His hands are roaming the body against him and he doesn't want to be dancing anymore. He wants things that would have made him blush two hours ago, things that would make Tess blush for sure. He likes that thought, making Tess blush would be fun.
The blonde's tight skirt is short, barely covering her thigh, and he thinks it wouldn't take much to slip his hands underneath. He plays with the hem for a moment and kisses her throat. She makes adorable little sounds as he does that and he smiles against her skin. When he lifts his head back up she leans up and presses her lips to his. He smiles before slanting his lips and allowing her to deepen the kiss. She run her hands up his neck, into his hair and then gently digs her nails in as she runs her fingers back down. He feels his entire body shiver and doesn't want to be in a public place any longer.
“You wanna get outta here?” He wraps a large hand around her waist and with the other threads his fingers through hers. He pulls away a little, dipping his head so that he's looking up at her through is thick dark lashes. He pouts a little and raises an eyebrow, like he's not so sure about it himself. He is very sure.
She studies him a moment and nods, chewing her bottom lip. He grins like the idiot he is and drags her through the crowd. It takes him all of two minutes to spot Tess and he tells her he'll meet her at home. He notices her glance at his hand linked with the blonde's and he winks at his sis. She blushes, and even in the low lights of the club he can see it plain as day. He puts one hand on the wall behind her, leaning in against her.
“I'll save the best for you.” She gasps at his suggestion and he laughs, pulling the blonde toward the doors.
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