Disclaimer - DC and WB own 'em. I don't.

Clex. Future fic. That's all I'm saying ;)

Feedback would be great. Sorry nel, I couldn't wait!

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It's the heavy pull of pressure on his bladder that eventually tugs him awake.

Clark's never quite figured out if he feels that particular awareness of his body differently to everyone else, but it means the same so he regretfully pulls the covers aside and pushes his feet into plush carpeting.

Leaving the lights off - he doesn't need them anyway and Lex is still sleeping - Clark slowly navigates his way through the quiet apartment.

Hearing the alarm go off just as he enters the bathroom, he changes his mind and hits the light switch. Lex'll need it soon, after all.

Tugging down his pyjama pants, he sighs a little with satisfaction as the pressure's relieved, and is just finishing up when a noise makes him turn his head.

It's Lex leaning against the doorway, blinking slowly and looking distinctly sleep mussed. Clark often wonders how Lex manages to look like that, because it's not like he has any hair.

"You getting up?" Lex asks hopefully, at that point where he's not ready to complete accurate grammatical sentences yet, and looking very much like he wants to crawl straight back into bed and never emerge.

"No," Clark shakes his head, pulling up his pants and flushing.

"I was hoping you'd start the coffee while I shower."

It's not an order, not even a subtle hint. Clark has discovered that there are certain hours of the day when even Lex is incapable of planning something, and this is one of them.

Washing and half-drying his hands, Clark groggily turns towards his husband. "Take your shower," he says, leaning in to press a sleepy kiss to Lex's cheek. Grunting, Lex starts tugging his t-shirt off and Clark heads towards the kitchen.

Switching lights on as he goes, Clark yawns as he reaches the coffee maker. Double checking that Lex remembered to fill it up last night, he flicks the on switch and grabs a mug out of the cupboard.

A teaspoon is resting in the mug a few moments later, and after a quick rummage in the fridge a carton of milk is on the counter, too. Finally, Clark takes two slices of bread out of the bag, placing them in the toaster for Lex to warm up when he comes out.

Shuffling back through the apartment, Clark doesn't dive into the bed as much as he flops down onto it, gathering the covers around him the same way he always does when he's alone.

Drifting again, he doesn't hear the shower stop or see Lex walk into the room. It's only when the bed dips that he's aware, and he opens his eyes to see Lex sitting on the edge of the bed, towel wrapped around his waist.

"Why am I doing this?"

It's not often Lex doubts himself, but early mornings have a way of getting to him like nothing else.

"Because you have to," Clark replies. There's an early conference call that Lex can't miss. On mornings like this, Clark's only wish is that he has the power to eradicate time zones.

Only a few more months, though. Lex will have done what he needs to do then, and he can finally rest.

"You want me to fly you to work?" It's not an offer he makes often, or lightly. Whenever he has in the past Lex inevitably rants about not risking exposure, that Clark should only use his powers when absolutely necessary. This morning, though, Clark knows that Lex is very, very tempted.

While Lex thinks over the offer, Clark turns his head towards the pillow and inhales. It's probably past time since they changed the sheets, but it hasn't quite reached gross levels yet. Besides, he likes the faint smell of them. Of Lex, lingering here. It's reassuring.

Clark wants nothing more than to stay in bed forever - with Lex - but if Lex relents and says yes he'll stand up and get changed and fly him to work.

"Go back to sleep," Lex says softly, bending to place a kiss on Clark's head. "Might as well make sure my driver earns his money."

Clark's hands itch with the desire to pull Lex back into bed, against him, to tug the towel off and just *hold* him.

It's probably what Lex needs.

But Lex will miss the conference call, and Clark has also discovered that sometimes life is about compromise.

"I'll blow you when you get home," Clark murmurs, guiltily grateful at not having to move, but he'll definitely make good on his promise later.

Lex's voice is warm when he responds, and he sounds happier than he has in days. "Finally, something to look forward to," he teases, though it's probably the truth.

"It'll be over soon," Clark promises, closing his eyes. "You said." Lex always keeps his word.

"Yes, I did." Another kiss to Clark's head, a quick fondle through the covers, and then the pressure from the bed is gone.

Turning further towards the mattress, Clark pulls the covers even closer.

It's not Lex, but in the hours until he comes home, it'll do.

~FINIS