Excerpt: Misc fics - and Deadman's Switch

Clark glanced sideways, trying to study Lex without seeming to. His concentration on the lab work, Lex didn't turn around or say anything, but knowing him, he probably noticed and was just deciding to ignore it. For all the intensity that he'd delivered that last speech… for somebody who knew him fifteen years ago, there was something missing. Some part of Lex that had the fire that had captivated the young farmboy. Still slim and lean, Lex hadn't changed much physically from back then. A little stronger, a few lines around the eyes. It was in other things that he was different; Lex had lost the youthful expressions and gestures he used to use – hand running over his head, half-turns away, eyes worried for people. No longer nervous or uneasy in anything, his confident attitude was no longer adopted from his father's, but his very own. As was the charisma. Clark was used to the power of Lex's magnetism. He'd had years to get used to it, in all its various forms. But it had been ... what, ten years? Eight? since the last time Luthor had even tried using a part of his charisma on Clark. Clark supposed he should be thankful. He watched Luthor manipulate and charm his way through almost anybody, and even those who knew better, like Lois and Aquaman, would compromise on negotiations they wouldn't for almost anybody else. But Luthor didn't try with Superman, and he didn't even speak to Clark.

At press conferences, Clark and Lois would stand side by side, hands up for questions, and Luthor would call on Lois regularly... and never Clark. Not once. If Clark shouted a question, it was ignored until Lois repeated it. It had become something of a joke within the press community, because while Clark was never called on for anything, he was still one of the main Luthor Corp coverage reporters, and he still had his press access into everything. Lex never once tried to deny him that, or to keep him out of anything. He just wouldn't talk to him as Clark, and he fought with Superman.

And Luthor still killed people. With no more care than if they were just part of the experimental flies in a jar. Superman couldn't forget Dion; he wouldn't forget. Mutated with no hope anyhow, and then shot dead. And while the second might be considered in Superman's defense, the first was rather the opposite. He didn't want people killed just because Luthor had thought of a new way to test his kryptonite reactions. And yet, here he was, working side-by-side with him... because what were his options?

No, that thought was false - Clark had options... he just wasn't using them right now. He was working with a murderer, to save his own life, and going around in circles. Luthor always did this to him. No matter what the past, when they got to a moment in the present, things just flew out the window. Clark didn't want to be in a position where he cared as little about people as Lex did, and yet, somehow, they always ended up here. It was unforgivable... until the next time they had to work on something. And this something was even different than the usual somethings. Just a few minutes ago, the concern in Lex's face, the gentle touches – the very real sentiment in Lex's voice as he said that he loathed Clark. Between the two of them, Clark rather suspected that Lex was even more messed up than him. Well, okay, he *knew* that. And he couldn't help but think that a lot of it was his fault, even if it had been fifteen years.

He was never going to figure it out. He'd tried, over the years. Lex Luthor scared him more than any other human, mutant, or alien. And there were more than enough reasons to just leave him to take the consequences of his own actions. And still... and still Superman rescued Luthor. Still they worked together. Still they fought. Still they ignored each other. They were in some sort of weird holding pattern, and it wouldn't break. With a sigh, Clark turned his full attention back to the virus. At least that was a solvable problem. Hopefully.