DIVERGENT
PATHS
PART SIX
Clark looked out the window as the farmland
whizzed by. The bus was crawling in Clark’s estimation. ‘Could
have been to Metropolis already.’ Leaning his head back,
Clark took in the acres of empty farmland. The crops were in,
Thanksgiving was less than a week away, and he was going to get to
spend almost a week with his boyfriend. Clark had not been to
Metropolis since he helped move Whitney into the duplex Whit’s aunt
was letting him rent while at Met U. Clark missed Whitney; the
support, the laughter, the warmth. The sex was great and plentiful
-- once they'd gotten together it happened all the time -- but the
intimacy they shared, that was what Clark missed. That was what
Clark looked forward to. He wanted to hold and touch his beautiful friend, all the rest was gravy.
A small smile crossed his face. He and Whitney traded emails
several times a day. They had last seen each other during
Homecoming. Clark recalled that as being their first real fight.
“Clark, I’m really busy with school work, I can’t make it,”
Whitney had said over the phone. Clark was having none of it.
“Whitney, please? We never get to see each other and it’s the
perfect excuse.” Clark knew Whitney hated it when he whined.
“Clark…I really don’t want to go to Homecoming.”
Something in Whitney’s tone caught Clark, clued him in to the
hidden reason. “Whitney, love, I want to see you, you can work on
your homework and stuff here…it’s okay. It’s my Senior year and I
would like to spend homecoming dancing with you. Please?”
The sudden jolt of the bus pulled Clark back to the present and
nearly threw him out of his seat. If he had only flown...
‘Stupid rule!’ Clark thought. He had wanted to fly to
Metropolis for this visit, but his parents had forbidden it.
“Clark, your powers are not there to help you get laid!” Martha
had scolded
“MO - OM!!!” Clark had been appalled. He was even more horrified
when his dad chimed in, “Well Clark, she has a point. No flying to
Metropolis.” Then Jonathan added as he walked towards the door, “Or
running.”
“Stupid rules," Clark muttered under his breath as the bus roared
ahead. "I could be holding him right now, kissing him, loving him.”
Reaching down, Clark adjusted his crotch, but instead his cock got
harder. ‘Great. Why did I decide NOT to wear underwear?’ He
knew very well why. To take his mind off of it, he shifted his
thoughts back to Homecoming. It had been a struggle, but Clark had
been able to get Whitney to come home. Now Clark was seeing just how
much Whitney did not want to be in Smallville.
“Whitney? Why are you so tense?” Clark asked as he tried to pull
his friend into a hug.
“It’s nothing Clark, sorry - just a little preoccupied,” Whitney
intoned as he turned to look out of the loft.
"Why?" He placed a hand on his boyfriend's shoulder, but
Whitney edged away. "Whitney?"
“What, Clark?" Whitney asked without turning.
Clark looked at his friend. All the pressure to get him to come
home...Whitney's reluctance, his silence now. 'He can't even
look at me,' Clark realized, plunging into sudden despair. He
could only think of one reason, and the hurt that began stabbing at
his chest was ferocious. “Whitney, why are you avoiding me? Why do
you keep shying away?”
Whitney turned, and saw the naked hurt Clark's eyes. “I’m not…I
can’t be here, Clark.”
Clark’s chest began to heave, his vision blurred. He turned
quickly and sat on his couch. Tears began to flow down his cheeks.
He could already feel it. This was going to hurt worse than Lex. So
much worse. "Who is he? Somebody in one of your classes? That
guy--Thad-- that you play pickup--" Clark's voice failed him.
Whitney was stunned. He rushed to Clark’s side and knelt next to
him. “What are you talking about? How can you think that?” Whitney
took one of Clark’s hands and held on for dear life..
Clark tried to speak but his voice would not come out. He looked
down at the linked hands and tried to calm down. Finally, “You…you
did not want to come home. You move away every time I try to touch
you. What was I supposed to think?”
Whitney pulled back a little. “I…I didn’t want to come because
it’s Homecoming, Clark.” His voice broke, the emotion of the moment
getting to him as well. “I HATE Homecoming!”
The truth broke over Clark in a huge wake of relief. He pulled
Whitney into a tight hug. “I’m sorry.”
Whitney hugged Clark fiercely. “I’m sorry, Clark. I am so, so
sorry. I still don’t know how you can love me after what I did.”
Clark held his friend. “I forgave you years ago. Please
move past it, you are my friend and boyfriend. I’m sorry I doubted
you.”
Whitney pulled back and wiped his eyes. “We’re a pair,
aren’t we?”
Clark answered with a kiss, making it deeper and richer with each
moment. He could feel Whit respond, hands moving across one another.
They moved onto the couch, mouths probing each other, tasting the
familiarity of each other.
Whitney broke the kiss first. “Clark, I love you. I…I want
you.”
Clark’s cock jumped. He knew what Whitney meant. Running a finger
along Whitney’s cheek, Clark met those piercing blue eyes. “You
sure?”
Whitney gulped. “Yes, please. I want to feel you in me.”
‘That was the first time I entered him…and the first time for
him ever.’ For Clark it was a gift beyond words. He helped
Whitney out of his clothes and eased out of his own. Clark kissed
his friend again, holding him against his body, contact made from
head to toe. He dropped his hand to caress Whitney’s ass, feeling
the hard muscles under the soft skin. “Relax love, relax.” He turned
so Whitney’s back was rubbing his chest.
Whitney moaned as Clark began to run a finger across his
entrance, teasing it gently. “I am…just…nervous.”
Clark slicked his fingers from a bottle under the couch. Moving
them around Whitney’s pucker, slowly entering it to the first
knuckle then withdrawing. He listened to the moans and felt the
squirms around his fingers. Clark moved his finger in deeper,
slowing fucking Whitney, finding his prostate and getting a howl for
his efforts.
“CLARK!” Whitney screamed.
Smiling, Clark reached around and found Whit only half hard, but
leaking up a puddle. “Shhh…Still too tight, want you to enjoy,
no…love this.” Clark maneuvered a second finger, to join the
first inside his friend’s ass. He began moving both, scissoring them
to open Whitney up.
Whitney was grinding back on Clark’s fingers, feeling the slow
strokes of Clark’s hand on his dick. “Clark…please?”
Clark felt Whitney get hard, very hard. Withdrawing his fingers,
Clark lubed his cock and guided it to Whit’s hole. ‘No condoms
for us…ever.’ He pushed forward, stopping when he heard the
sharp intake of breath from the man under him. “It’s okay…we can
stop.”
“NO! Just…a moment.” Whitney willed his muscles to relax, letting
Clark sink fully into him.
“OH!” Clark began to move back and forth, also running his slick
hand along the length of Whitney’s cock. He would not last, neither
would. “So, tight…so good.”
“FUCK!” Whitney screamed and spewed all over Clark’s hand.
Clark could not hold back and filled Whitney with his own
essence. Both men were breathing hard. “I love you Whitney.”
That had been an amazing weekend for both of
them. 'Hell, I never got fucked once. Whitney did like it.
’ Clark still smiled when he
thought of Whit’s response, about how close he felt to Clark because
he could still feel him inside, even the next day. Whitney opened up
and let Clark inside in every way that weekend. 'He also said
never to worry, that I am the only one for him.’
When Clark felt the bus begin to slow, he shook himself out of
his reverie and glanced down. ‘FUCK!’ A wet spot was
beginning to form on his jeans. ‘There is a reason I only think
about these things when I’m alone.’
They were at the depot. He waited for the bus to stop before he
reached and grabbed his backpack. Checking his jacket he felt the
all-important envelope was still there. He had a surprise for
Whitney.
He got off the bus and grabbed his one other bag. He’d made sure
his erection was not too noticeable nor was the wet spot. “Thank God
for un-tucked shirts,” he muttered. He looked around and saw the
smiling face he had longed to see.
Whitney saw Clark, the slight flush on his face and the small
other signs told him Clark was already horny. ‘When isn’t he
horny?’ Waiting for Clark to come over, Whitney has happy the
week was finally here, no parents, nothing but them for a week.
Clark walked up and Whitney pulled him into a hug.
Clark was slightly shocked, and a little pleased to get a
greeting hug. He was more shocked when he felt Whitney’s hand link
with his. “Hi. You look great.”
Whit led them out to the SUV. “So do you. Come on, I’m making
dinner.”
Clark laughed. “Will it be edible?”
Lex placed the phone back in the cradle. “I
never knew Martha could be so…icy,” he murmured to the empty
penthouse. He walked over and poured a drink. ‘Should have
expected that,'
he thought. 'Of
course none of the Kents would ever see that I only left to spare
Clark the pain. I gave up the best thing I ever had so he could be
free, and what do I get? Scorned.’
Clark was in town, Lex had just discovered; information that
beautifully complimented other news he had learned about Clark this
week. With the holidays coming up, he was visiting his close friend,
Whitney Fordman. 'Or should I say boyfriend, if what I am
hearing is true.’ That was some of the less welcome news he'd
learned recently, but it didn't trouble him. Lex turned and looked
out at the Metropolis skyline. “It's time to renew our friendship
Clark. You belong to me.”
Clark closed the door and looked at Whitney's duplex. It was a
huge old two-story house that had been in Mrs. Fordman's family for
several generations. Whit had the whole second floor -- two
bedrooms, two baths, kitchen, dining room, small office, and living
room. It also had a deck and a Jacuzzi in the back. Clark had loved
the place from the moment he saw it; it was close to the campus and
in a great neighborhood, as well. The high ceilings and spacious
floor plan welcomed Clark the first time he had seen it. He had not
seen it furnished and could not wait, being curious how Whitney
would decorate it.
“Hurry up, Clark. I have chicken in the oven,” Whitney called
from the stairs that led to his door.
Clark grabbed his backpack and hurried to follow Whitney inside.
Turning up the next series of stairs, Clark saw a huge painting
hanging on the wall. His mouth fell open when he saw the room.
Simple and tasteful, a full living room set and a large TV adorned
the room. A huge rug covered the hardwood floors, creating an
intimate environment.
Whitney looked at Clark, pleased that he liked it. “Here, I’ll
put your stuff in the bedroom. Make yourself at home, okay?”
Clark looked around, seeing a few pictures, candles, but nothing
that dominated like the painting. He walked around the place taking
in the whole atmosphere. “Whitney! This place is great…amazing!
Where did you get all this stuff?”
Whitney placed Clark’s bag on the bed, and went to see where he
was. He found him in the office area, which was where he studied.
The computer and all his books were in there. “My mom and my aunt
cleaned out the furniture left from my grandfather’s house. They
gave me some of their old stuff. I bought all the electronics
though. I had money saved and money from the Military settlement for
the accident. The manufacturer fucked up, so I got a nice check.
Sucks though.”
Clark wrapped Whitney in his arms. “New rule, this week we forget
the past. This is about us and enjoying our time together.” Clark
turned Whitney to face him and kissed him for the first time since
arriving in Metropolis.
Whit surrendered to the kiss, hugging Clark close. “I like that
rule. Okay, I’m going to the kitchen to finish an EDIBLE dinner. The
password on the computer is ‘clark99’, DVDs and CD’s are in the
cabinet in the Living room, stereo equipment is there as well.” Whit
pulled back and went back to the kitchen.
Clark turned and walked to the bedroom. He saw two drawers that
were empty and open for him to use. ‘Oh I could get used to
this.’ He slowly stretched, looked around the room, and his
eyes fell on a picture of the two of them from the summer. ‘How
did I ever doubt that he loved me?’ The smile on both their
faces and the casual embrace spoke volumes to Clark. Clark took off
his jacket and the letter fell out of his pocket. Clark placed it
under his pillow. Slowly he put away his clothes, taking in the feel
of the room. “Maybe, just maybe.”
“Clark! Dinner’s ready.”
Clark left the room, the smile on his face almost permanent. “Be
right there.”
Whitney settled back on the bed, waiting for Clark to finish
brushing his teeth. Whitney still had his boxer-briefs on, not
wanting to seem too eager to have sex with Clark. 'Who am I
kidding? I want him so bad!’ He heard the door open and a very
naked Clark walked towards the bed.
“You are a little overdressed for bed, love.” Clark said
laughingly. He settled on the bed, reached over and let his fingers
run along the waistband of the Calvin’s. “Let me help you with
those.”
Whitney leaned over and kissed Clark while his clothing was being
removed. Whit’s hands cupped Clark’s face, sliding down that
sculpted body. He could feel Clark’s hands doing the same to him.
Whit broke the kiss. “I missed you, I missed you so much.”
Clark pulled Whitney into a hug, his hands still roaming over his
friend’s body. “Me too, love, me too.” Clark leaned in again to kiss
his friend. “I want you…it’s been months.”
Whitney smiled at the request. “Okay.” He knew the first night
would be quick, but that lovemaking would be the rule for most of
the week. Pulling back, he reached over to his nightstand and pulled
out the tube, quickly coating his fingers he brought them to Clark’s
entrance.
The cool slickness invaded Clark’s body, forcing a groan from his
lips. “So long…need you,” he whispered. A finger found his prostate,
forcing pre-come from his cock. He let Whitney guide his face down
into a pillow and he felt that big cock pierce him. “Yes!”
Whitney established a rhythm; he was as horny as Clark normally
was. “Love you so much.” Whitney bit Clark’s shoulder, embracing his
moaning lover, it was paradise. Finally he slipped his hand around
and gripped Clark’s cock, slowly jacking it for him.
“Oh…oh! Gunna…” Clark exhaled, he’d needed this since the bus
ride, pent up frustration was finally giving way to release. He came
all over Whit’s hand and felt Whitney shudder and come in his ass.
Whitney slowly pulled out and brought Clark against his chest.
“Thanks. This will be such a great week.” He saw Clark wipe his hand
and then reach up and kiss him.
“Whit…I have news…I think you might like.”
Whit heard the nervous tone. “What?”
Clark reached under the pillow and pulled the envelope out. “I…I
got accepted to Met U and have scholarships to cover tuition.”
Whitney’s heart began to rapidly beat. “Wow, that is great
news.” The news brought such a rush. ‘Do I push? It could
so great…’ “Not…not to be pushy…”
Clark rolled over and draped himself over Whitney. Placing a
tender kiss on his friend’s lips, he waited. “Yes?”
Whitney was lost in Clark’s eyes. He lifted a hand and ran it
through that thick raven hair. “Nothing has to be decided right
now.” Whitney kissed Clark again. “But there is plenty of room
here.”
Clark kissed Whitney again. “I hate waiting till the last
minute…Done!”
Whitney hugged Clark and rolled him underneath. “I love you
Clark, love you so much.”
Whitney finished his shower; Clark had still been dozing when
Whit woke. Not wanting to disturb him, Whitney simply began his
morning ritual. He walked out of the bathroom, drying his hair, and
noticed that the bed was empty. It was then that he smelled
something cooking. Taking a moment to throw some boxer-briefs, he
walked to the kitchen and saw Clark making pancakes. “Morning. You
look busy.”
Clark smiled, and kissed Whitney on the cheek. “You said make
yourself at home, so I did.”
Whit smiled in response and hugged Clark. “I like the sound of
that. It feels much better with you here.”
Clark laughed. “Here, a batch is ready. Eat and we can decided
what we want to do later.”
Whitney took the proffered plate and sat down at the small table
in the kitchen. In a few moments Clark joined him.
“These are good Clark.” Whit stated as he swallowed a mouth
full.
“Mom insisted that I learn how to survive on things other than
junk food.” Clark smiled as he ate as well. The silence was
comforting as they ate. Small smiles, eyes locking, the occasional
brush of a leg against one another. “Whit, I need to go grab some
things…can I borrow your car?”
Whitney sat back, puzzled. “You don’t want me to go with
you?”
Clark blushed. “It will take a minute…I need to pick something
up…a surprise.”
Whitney stood up, grabbed his and Clark’s plates, trying to hide
his grin. “Sure. I’ll do the dishes, you go run your errand.” He
watched Clark hurry to the bedroom and soon heard the door close and
the Forerunner pull out of the driveway. Whitney slowly settled into
cleaning up breakfast. ‘Well at least he did not make a big
mess.’ Whitney finished in the kitchen, slowly drifting through
the house to clean up items, the Marine Corp had instilled a sense
of neatness and order that was now reflected in his living
environment. An unexpected knock on the door caught him off-guard.
He walked to the door expecting Clark to be there, not knowing which
key unlocked the door.
“Clark, it’s the…” The words died on his lips as he saw Lex
Luthor standing at the door, poised and nonchalant. “Lex? What can I
do for you?”
Lex’s lips curled into a half smile. “You Mr. Fordman, nothing.
However, I came to see if Clark is available.”
The contempt coming from Lex was palpable and Whitney shifted
into defensive mode immediately. "No, he's not." 'Clark isn't
available to Lex Luthor in any way whatsoever,' Whitney
thought, then realized that he had no right to make that call. “I
mean, he’s not here at the moment. If you wish, you can wait in the
living room.” Whitney moved back, allowing the door to swing
open.
Lex entered the duplex, walking up the steps, slowly, casually
taking in the décor. “I must say I’m surprised. I would have bet
this place would be decorated by Budweiser.”
“Why are you here, Lex?” Whitney asked through gritted teeth.
“To speak to Clark.” Lex intoned coolly as he sat down on the
sofa.
“So you can hurt him again?” Whit queried as he walked to the
kitchen to grab a bottle of water for his ‘guest’.
Lex followed Whitney, looking at the duplex, again taking in the
environment, all to assess his nemesis. “No, but to talk to him, to
make Clark understand that we belong together. No offense, Whitney,
but you are not worthy of him. You can offer him nothing.”
Both men turned at the sound of the door and found Clark striding
across to the kitchen. “Lex, what are you doing here?”
Lex saw Clark with an envelope in his hand. “Waiting to talk to
you, Clark. We have a lot to discuss.”
Clark placed the envelope in his back pocket. “I have nothing to
say to you, Lex.” Clark moved past him and past Whitney to get to
the refrigerator.
Lex turned to look at him and saw Whitney standing there. “Would
you excuse us, Whitney? This is a private conversation.”
Clark turned and placed a hand on Whitney’s shoulder. “In case
you haven't noticed Lex, this is Whitney’s house.”
“That doesn't negate our need for privacy. Whitney, really, it
would be best if you left us alone…. What I have to say will take
fifteen, twenty minutes at the most.”
Whitney was at a loss. If he stayed, he might not be able to
control his anger at Lex’s attempt to take Clark away. If he left,
Clark might think he wasn't willing to fight for what they had. He
turned to his boyfriend. “Clark? It's up to you.”
Clark had not seen Lex since the day Lex mentioned rumors of
their affair were spreading. The next day Lex had been gone. Maybe
there were things that needed to be said.
“Okay Lex, you get fifteen minutes," Clark told him. "It’s okay
Whit. I’ll be fine.”
Whitney’s heart sank. 'FUCK! You can’t have him Lex…you
abandoned him!’ Aloud he could only say,“I guess I’ll go for a
run.” He walked out of the kitchen, threw on some suitable clothes
and ran out of the house.
“Okay, Lex, he’s gone…the clock is ticking.”
Lex walked over and stood in Clark’s personal space. “Good to see
you again, Clark.”
Clark stepped back. “The feeling is not mutual.”
“Come off it, Clark. I know you are coming up here to school next
year. You're leaving Smallville behind. We can be together
again."
"You're joking."
"No, I'm not. I want you to come home with me. Now. You deserve
better than anything Whitney Fordman could possibly offer you. Our
friendship Clark…the stuff of legends.”
Clark laughed, bitterly in Lex’s face. “Amazing. The arrogance
that radiates from you is like a sickly pallor. Friendship? You left
me, Lex, left! I had to deal with all that shit BY MY SELF! You have
the audacity to come here and think that you can just say, Come with
me, and I would? FUCK YOU!”
“Clark, I left so you wouldn't have to deal with the rumors. I
left to give you freedom.”
“You left because you were a coward! As for Whitney, he gives me
something you NEVER could -- unconditional love and support. I will
never hide again or sneak around. He opened my eyes to what love is,
not lust. It’s over Lex. All I see when I look at you is a man who
used me to get off.” Clark turned and walked to the door. “GET OUT!
I never want to see you again.”
Lex turned and walked to the door. “I expected this, Clark. Your
emotionalism. But you'll come around. You belong to me. Whitney is
nothing. We will see each again. When all is said and done, you will
be where you belong. In my bed. At my side.”
Lex walked out and Clark slammed the door. “Fucking bastard!”
When Whitney came back from his run Lex's silver Jag was no
longer in his driveway. 'Please God, let Clark still be
here.’ He took the stairs two at a time. At the top of the
stairs he heard music playing softly over the sound of his harsh,
heavy breathing. Walking around the place, he finally found Clark on
the bed, curled up. “Clark? You okay?”
Clark rolled over and saw his lover. “He wants me back.”
“I know. He told me.” Whit sat next to his friend.
“I love you. You know that don’t you?” Clark took both of
Whitney’s hands in his own.
Whitney leaned down and kissed Clark. “Yes…yes I do.”
Clark pulled Whitney down on top of him. “You are my friend,
Whitney. I’m happy; I don’t have to hide how I feel about you around
other people. You are happy, I can tell.” Clark kissed Whit again.
“I have a surprise for you.”
Whit rested his head on Clark’s shoulder. “What?”
“Are you busy Monday night?” Clark was having a difficult time
talking through his smile.
“No plans…why?”
Clark shifted them both, reached and handed Whitney the envelope
from earlier. “I thought we might go there Monday.”
Whitney pulled out two tickets from the envelope. “The U2
concert? Clark…I…yes!” At a loss for words, Whitney kissed Clark
deeply, and began to help to remove both sets of clothes. The kisses
remained tender and deep. Hands caressed muscles, moans whispered to
each other. Whitney pulled back, reached for the tube on the
nightstand, and slicked Clark’s cock.
Clark saw what Whitney was doing and grabbed the tube and used it
to slick a finger. Gently he sat up and began to tease Whitney’s
orifice. “Don’t want to hurt you.” Clark kissed Whitney again and
guided him into position.
Whitney slowly sank onto Clark’s cock, undulating his hips,
eliciting moans from his lover. He kept the pace steady and even,
allowing the pleasure to build. “Oh…Clark!”
Clark bucked his hips deep into Whitney, the emotional outburst
replaced by the warm love of his friend, his rock. His hands drifted
up, to touch the smooth chest in front of him. “So beautiful.” His
control was on a precarious edge. Thrusting deep, his hands fell and
gripped Whitney’s cock. Clark lost control and filled Whit’s ass.
Clark’s vision clouded, he felt his chest and stomach covered in
stickiness.
Whitney fell on Clark, kissing him again. “I love you Clark.
Don’t ever doubt it.”
Clark snuggled against Whitney. “I won’t, love, I won’t.”
Dawn broke through the bedroom window, a slight cool breeze
entering through it. Whitney peered at Clark and saw that he was
awake. Whit moved on top of Clark and began kissing his tender lips,
each kiss longer than the prior; moving deeper, with no hurry, only
love. Whit caressed Clark from head to toe with his body, feeling
Clark’s erection with his own. Gently Whit pulled back to stare at
his beautiful friend. The slight nod sent a shiver down Whit’s
spine. He slowly lifted Clark’s knees towards his chest. Bending
down, Whit kissed Clark’s full lips again. Without breaking the
kiss, Whitney grabbed the lubricant. The kiss slowed to a gentle
whisper of breath, a brush of tongues, then Whit eased back,
savoring the beauty of his sweat-soaked friend. Leaning over Clark,
he entered him with one long, smooth stroke, relishing the
sensations.
Clark arched into the invasion and moaned, every thick inch
bringing him pleasure, sending tremors through his body. Locking
eyes with his lover‘s, he moved his hips to meet the thrusts, the
slow grind melting his insides. He reached behind Whitney’s head and
brought it closer to his. The kiss was smooth and deep, his tongue
moving to meet its mate. Another moan came as the thrusts in his ass
and the grinding of his hips sent waves cascading through him again.
Whitney was in no hurry. This was the last time they would do
this in his bed, his home for a while. ‘No, our home.’ He
shifted slightly, changing the angle of penetration. Moving at a
steady pace, Whitney felt Clark moving to match the rhythm. Their
eyes met, locking again, another kiss started and they captured each
other’s moans. Despite all his intentions, Whitney was getting close
and he could tell Clark was as well. He increased the tempo, flexing
his cock and getting a yelp from Clark and a counter flex. The
sudden clinching around his cock sent him flying over the edge and
he filled his gorgeous lover.
Clark screamed as Whitney flexed in his ass, that one move
against his sweet spot pushed him past the brink and he covered his
stomach, and Whitney’s, with his come. He wrapped his arms around
his friend, pulling him closely against his chest, feeling Whit slip
free from his ass. “Wow."
"Yes." They clung to each other and the sense that they were
still one.
"I really don’t want to go home.”
Whitney nuzzled Clark’s neck. “Me either. This has been…perfect.
But...parental cooking is waiting for us."
"Pumpkin Pie."
"Mmmm... Turkey and dressing." Whitney rose onto his elbows,
frowning. "Does your Mom do chestnut dressing or oyster?"
"Chestnut."
He smiled. "Oh, good. So…shall we shower and head for
Smallville?”
Clark kissed Whitney’s cheek. “Last one to the shower has to wash
AND dry the dishes!”
Clark pulled into the farm’s driveway. “Looks like your mom is
already here.”
Whitney opened the door and stepped out. “Yep, its her car.”
Whitney walked around and grabbed Clark’s stuff. Suddenly he was
engulfed in Clark’s arms and a soft gentle kiss settled on his lips.
“Ahem.”
Both boys turned to see Jonathan at the front door.
“You guys coming in or you going to give the county a show?”
They broke apart, Clark leading the way to the door. “Hi dad.
Miss me?” Clark found himself in a quick embrace.
“Yes I did, son. Whitney, how are you?” Jon asked as he offered
his hand.
Whitney smiled and shook Jon’s hand in greeting. “Very well sir.”
Whitney followed Clark inside for a nice holiday dinner.
Clark looked around and saw his parents chatting with Whit’s mom.
Catching Whitney's Eye, he whispered, “Now?”
Whitney nodded his head in agreement.
“Mom…Dad…Betty…ummm?” All the attention at the table turn towards
him. “Whitney and I, well, we talked…and…next fall…I’d like to live
with him.” The three parents exchanged a round robin of knowing
looks.
After a few moments, Jonathan looked at both young men. “Boys,
your mothers saw this coming and we've all talked it over.... It is
obvious to us that you two love each other. We are willing to allow
you to live together, as long as your grades don’t suffer.” Jonathan
chuckled. “Besides, we figured that you would see each other all the
time anyway.”
Clark beamed. “Great! So…dessert now?”
Whit leaned over and cuffed Clark lightly. “Man, feeding you is
going to be a fulltime job.”
Clark looked out over the crowd from the dais. The sun was
shining overhead, a gentle breeze keeping things cool in the late
May afternoon. He could see his parents and Whitney sitting near
each other. Their relationship had been out in the open since
Christmas when Whitney had kissed Clark under the mistletoe at the
Talon. The shocked looks on everyone’s faces had been almost
comical, but Whitney had warded off any potential trouble with a
forcefully worded warning: “I will beat the shit out of anyone who
ever bothers either of us. Got it?” No one had bothered Clark the
rest of the school year.
Clark's gaze moved on, scanning the crowd. He caught his breath
sharply when a too-familiar face caught his eye. ‘LEX! The Hell
is he doing here?’
Clark was furious. Lex had no right to be here. The two letters
that Lex had sent to him at the farm had been returned unopened.
Clark had been able to read them with his x-ray vision, of course,
but the symbolism could not be lost on Lex. 'Why doesn't he just
take the hint and leave me alone?'
'God this is boring.’ Whitney shifted in his chair,
hoping he wasn't disturbing Martha. She seemed genuinely interested
in what the commencement speaker was saying, but Whitney was just
plain bored. Or maybe anxious was a better word. In this suit pocket
was a letter that was going to change everything -- for him and for
Clark. The news had been a shock, both good and bad, but Whitney had
finally come to understand the reasoning behind it.
He was anxious to tell Clark and the Kents. Their original plan
was for Whit to stay in Metropolis over the summer, only coming down
every other weekend to visit Clark, and for Clark to come up to the
city a few weeks early to find a job. He had excellent academic
scholarships, but they wouldn't cover the room and board that
Jonathan had forced Whitney to agree to accept. Clark had to pay his
share of the living expenses, or there would be no living together.
Period.
Whitney was hoping his news would change that.
"Miss Joanne Kensey...Mr. Clark Kent..."
"Thank goodness," Whitney muttered as Jon and Martha cheered
their son.
An hour later Clark and Whitney settled back on the couch at the
Kent house, relaxing next to each other. Martha and Jon sat down to
relax as well. Whitney knew this was the moment. He cleared his
throat nervously. “I think there is something you all need to
know.”
Clark pulled back slightly, allowing him a clear view of his
lover’s face. “What?”
Whitney pulled out the letter he’d been carrying and handed it to
Clark.
Clark opened the letter and read it out loud.
Dear Whitney,
As I write this letter, you are a bright-eyed twelve-year-old
boy, full of energy and athleticism. I hope you are still the same
when this letter finds you around your 21st birthday. Your mother
and aunt do not know this; so do not be mad at them. I have a gift
for you, as my only grandchild. I am leaving you the majority of my
estate, in a trust, to do with it as you will. I have found in the
course of my life, that people who are handed everything, always
expect more, that is why this has been a secret. You are still young
enough to make choices, but old enough to have made some mistakes.
Learn from them, as I was forced to learn from mine. Money is not a
source of happiness, but can be a source of freedom, and that is my
gift to you. Use it wisely.
The attorneys will have all the details for you, but I wanted
you to know my reasons. I have loved watching you grow up. You never
let on how much you knew, you always kept people guessing. I hope
you still play chess and read when you think no one is looking. I
love you, Whitney. Use this gift well.
Always in my thoughts,
Grandpa
Clark finished the letter and handed it back to Whitney. “Wow.
How much did he leave you?”
"Clark! That is none of your business," Jonathan reprimanded him
before Whitney had a chance to say anything. “Whitney, that was a
wise decision on your grandfather’s part.”
“It took me sometime to see his reasoning, but I finally did,"
Whitney replied. "I brought it up because I don’t want Clark to have
to worry about working to pay his share of the household
expenses.”
Martha placed a hand on Jonathan’s arm, a signal that she would
handle it. “That's a kind gesture, but Clark has to pay his own
way.”
Whitney sighed, linked his hand with Clark’s. “Not to be
disrespectful, but I don’t want Clark to have to work so hard that
he doesn't have a chance to enjoy college life."
Jonathan thought for a second, then responded, “Clark needs to
learn responsibility. He has enough money to be able to pull his
weight at school. A job will cover his living expens--”
Whitney groaned. “It’s not about pulling weight, it’s about
studying and growing. I’ve met too many people who carry full course
loads and work, and come home and study and are too tired to enjoy
what should be one of the most incredible experiences of their
lives. Instead, college for them is just an endless grind. I don't
want that for Clark, and I know you don't either."
"No, of course not," Jonathan said, "but Clark's
responsibility--."
"Sir, Clark grew up on a farm. I think he knows something about
responsibilities.”
Martha calmed Jonathan down with a touch to his shoulder.
“Whitney, that money is yours, not Clark’s. I don't see that this
changes anything from our original agreement that you and Clark
could room together as long as Clark paid his way. Just think about
it from the perspective if you did not have that money. What would
you be planning on doing then?”
Running a hand through his hair, Whitney chuckled and shook his
head. “I was planning on paying most of the bills myself. I wanted
Clark to keep as much cash from his scholarships as possible so he
would not have to work much.”
Clark looked at his boyfriend and smiled. “Really?”
Whitney smiled at him, a slight blush on his face. “Yeah. I want
to take care of you, like you do me. That’s all.”
Martha watched the exchange and cleared her throat. “Clark,
Whitney, Jon and I need to discuss this--"
"No, Martha, we don't. Whitney coming into a bit of money doesn't
change anything. He needs to put it back--"
"My grandfather left me $50 million dollars, sir. I don't
need Clark's share of the rent and utilities, and for Clark to work
20 hours a week at minimum wage just to satisfy an arbitrary--"
Jonathan came to his feet. "My son is not going to be 'kept',
Whitney."
Whitney's impulse was to rise to the challenge, stand toe-to-toe
with Clark's father, but he knew better. There was too much at stake
to lose his temper now. "I would never suggest anything like that,
sir," Whitney replied softly, his voice even. "That would be an
insult to Clark and to what we feel for each other. But there's
something to be said for the philosophy, 'Each according to his
needs, each according to his capabilities.' I'm capable of putting a
roof over our heads. Clark has access to fields full of organic
produce." Whitney smiled up at Jonathan. "Considering his appetite,
I might be getting the better deal."
Martha laughed and the wind blew out of Jonathan's bluster. She
took her husbands hand and rose. "Let us talk about it, Whitney. Jon
and I are going to go for a walk and see what we can come up
with."
Whitney's smile widened. "Thank you. Clark--" He turned to his
boyfriend and found Clark staring at him in disbelief.
"Fifty--"
Whitney nodded. "Million."
"Dollars?" Clark croaked.
"No lire. Of course dollars," Whitney said with a laugh. "In
stocks, a little land, bonds, and some cash. The income off the
investments is about two million a year, but I only get part of that
until my 25th birthday. Then I can do anything I want with the
money."
"Fifty--"
Whitney took a deep breath. "Million dollars." He looked at Jon
and Martha. "You might as well go for your walk. It could take some
time for him to come out of shock."
"You're not rich, Clark," Jon admonished.
Clark grinned at his father. "Yeah, I am, Dad. But I was just as
rich yesterday and the day before." He wrapped Whitney
in a huge bear hug and pulled him close. "Cause look what I
got."
"Yes, Clark, we are all richer for the love in our lives." She
tugged Jonathan's sleeve. "Come on, Jon. I think it's safe to say
our son has his priorities straight."
Whitney pulled back from Clark’s embrace, gently kissing him as
he did so. “This doesn’t change anything for us. I still hope you
can come up a month early, get settled, and let us get used to
living together.”
Clark pulled Whitney close again, leaning them both back against
the couch. “It only means the next time I ask for a quarter for some
gum, I know you have it.”
Whitney saw the smirk on Clark’s face and kissed him. “Scoundrel.
You know I hate carrying change.”
Clark stood and pulled Whitney to his feet. “Come on, let’s grab
a nap.”
Whitney agreed, heading upstairs with his boyfriend, the future
looking very bright for both of them.
‘This is it.’ Whitney turned down the lane to the Kent
house. Six weeks had passed since graduation, and now Clark was
moving in with him. ‘Never thought this day would get
here.’ After some serious negotiations, the Kents had agreed to
let Clark live with Whitney rent-free on the condition that Whitney
could not give Clark money or gifts beyond the normal birthday and
Christmas mementos. Clark had to pay his own way when it came
to school, personal and recreational expenses, and if his expenses
exceeded his scholarship income, he was expected to get a job, not
sponge off Whitney.
Oh, and a weekly delivery of organic produce would be sent to the
boys during the growing season.
‘Ah well, at least they agreed to let us be together.’
Whitney pulled up and parked the SUV in front of the bright
yellow house. Clark came bouncing out of front door.
“Hey!”
Whitney found himself swept up in a kiss. “Hey, can you let go,
breathing is required.”
Clark's laugh faded when he saw his mom on the porch fighting
back the tears. He dashed back up and gave her a big hug. “Mom…I
promise to write and call. Hey, just think of me being up the
road.”
Martha smiled and ruffled his hair. “Oh Clark. I know, but you
are all grown up now. Going off to college, living with your
boyfriend. So much changes now, dear.”
Clark choked back his tears and kissed his mom’s head. “I’ll
always love you and dad. Nothing changes that.”
Jonathan placed an arm around both Martha and Clark. “This will
always be home Clark. Go to college, find your destiny.” Jon let go
and went into the house to help Clark load his stuff.
Whitney watched the scene in silence, part of him aching at the
tenderness of it, part of him happy that he would be with Clark. As
the Kents broke apart, he walked up the steps, but was stopped by
Martha. “Yes ma’am?”
Martha smiled. “I know you will take care of him and he will take
care of you. No matter what, never go to bed angry at each other.
Even if you can’t agree, at least calm down.”
Whitney laughed. “Mom said something very similar. I love him,
Martha. I owe him…and you, so much.”
Martha hugged Whitney close. “You are part of the family now.”
She let go, and they went inside to get Clark all moved.
After an hour, all of Clark’s things were in the SUV, and lunch
had been finished. Whitney was placing Clark’s backpack in the
backseat. That was everything. He opened the driver's door, but
before he could slide in, strong arms snaked around him from behind.
Whitney twisted in Clark's arms to return the hug. "Ready?”
Clark smiled. “I’m so happy to be home.”
Whitney chuckled. “I hope you put geography on your first
semester class schedule. We haven’t left yet.”
Clark tightened his embrace and pulled Whitney closer. “This
is home. Right here, with you.”
Whitney kissed Clark and climbed in. He waited for Clark to say
his good byes, and once Clark was buckled in, they headed for a new
life together, in the urban jungles of Metropolis.
Look for the sequel series, Journeys, in the
late Spring 2003.
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