title: a story in flight
author: jessica
mail: thegirlinglasses@illuminatedtext.com
date: november 08, 2002
notes: for the snugglefic challenge.
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Lex thinks that the bad things only happen when he's around. It's the reason he doesn't like to fly. He only tolerates it, a necessity of his business.
He flies commercial when he can. He doesn't like how empty the LexCorp jet can feel. He still flies first class and, when Nicky and I can't be with him, there's usually a mother in the next seat over, willing to listen to the happy father stories he claims he doesn't tell.
"It's not ego, Clark," he explained to me once. "If a plane's going down in America, it's probably going to be the one with the Luthor inside."
I smiled, nodded, and Lex thought I was agreeing. I decided not to tell him my theory of power and control.
Of course, this wouldn't be a story if Lex liked to fly.
He took the aisle seat, easy access to the flight attendant and her mini bar.
"So Nicky can have the window," he argued.
Nicky is curled up, asleep under his window. I had to pull the blind down before he would close his eyes. Sinking further in the seat, eyelids heavy, and still he refused sleep. He didn't want to miss the world rushing past the window.
He looks so tiny, but he barely fits in the seat all curled up like that. One leg has come unhooked and is slowly falling to the floor. I catch it and tuck him back in. There's a muffled moan, but Nicky doesn't wake. I wipe up a little drool at his mouth with the corner of the blanket and let him sleep.
Lex is on my other side, eyes closed, but the quick breaths tell me he's still awake. Stiff in his seat, reclined only as much as the woman behind will allow. He's pale, always, but maybe a little more today.
His fingers grip the armrest, tight. He takes a breath, calming himself, but holds it much too long. Lex jumps and his eyes snap open when I cover his hand with my own.
"C'mere."
We can't do this like we do at home. It's uncomfortable, but Lex agrees.
He leans over to lay his head on my shoulder, armrest biting unforgiving into his hip. I could pull the thing right off, but the cabin is too quiet and I don't think I can hide the sound of ripping metal in a cough.
I take my sweater off instead, bundle it up and tuck it in between us.
"Better?"
No words, but a satisfied moan that vibrates through his entire body. There isn't much space for arms and legs but we figure it out. There's one on my thigh, fingertips playing an unconscious rhythm. There's a hand on his head, tugging at his earlobe. Shoes lost for sock feet more comfortably tucked under a body too big to sleep on a plane.
Lex presses his nose into my neck, sighs into my body. Everything is quiet, and the bite catches me with a yelp.
"I thought we were trying to sleep," I laugh.
"We are," he murmurs, soft against my skin. "But I want us to have good dreams."
He laughs to himself and the hand on my thigh moves a little higher.
I put out the light above us and close my eyes.
"Sleep," Lex tells me.
And when I do, I dream.