Viewing the Landscape

The dodecal challenge #2: 144 words. "Clark is afraid of something, and someone helps him".

Alison's response to the challenge is here:
http://www.livejournal.com/users/acampbell/50485.html#cutid1

And mine:

Viewing the Landscape

Clark looked up at the ferris wheel. "No."

"Why not?"

"I just don't do those things."

"Scared of heights, Clark?"

"No." Clark didn't like admitting it to Lex. "Well, maybe. Okay, yes."

"You know," said Lex thoughtfully, "there's a thrill to doing something that frightens you."

"Adrenaline rush? No thanks."

"Don't knock it till you've tried it. Do you want to play it safe your whole life? Only grey people do that."

"I don't believe that."

Lex looked at him with a quirk to his lips: not judging, just waiting.

"Okay," said Clark. "I'll go up with you."

"You sure?"

"I said I'd do it. Didn't say I'd like it."

Lex grinned. "That's the spirit!"

At the top they could see the fields and the farms, with the Manor in the distance. Clark took Lex's hand and held it.

"I like it," he confessed.

Fannish conversations

Watching Suspect last night, I was musing about the way the show is going. I can never decide whether I like first season or second season Smallville better; there are many episodes I love in first season, but some of my very favourites are second season. Second season seems to have the two extremes: the exceptionally good or the abysmally unappealing.

As with many things, it's all a matter of change and balance. I expected to be fed up if CLex in the show faded or changed, but instead I find two things happening: the CLex is there, but with a new twist, a hard edge, which I quite like; and the good stories (like Insurgence and Rosetta are enough to ignite my enthusiasm, despite the bad stories they are interspersed with (like Visage and Dichotic).

Another thing I really like is the maturing of Clark. Our boy is growing up. I like the way it is happening: the shift of power with regard to him and his parents, the sense of independence and responsibility we're seeing.

And Lionel - Lionel Luthor, the magnificent and evil bastard I love to love. His episodes are worth their weight in gold.

Wheel of Fortune

Dodecal #3 is a sequel to #2, written earlier today. The challenge set was (in 144 words): "Clark is afraid of something, and someone helps him".

* * *

When Clark was frightened his eyes widened. Lex first saw that expression on a sodden riverbank, when Clark looked up at the bridge, knowing he should be dead, just as Lex should be.

Lex saw the same look when he challenged Clark to ride on a ferris wheel with him. Clark liked being challenged. He bit his lip, hesitated, and went for it.

They rose upwards on the monstrous wheel, and Clark sat close. At the top, Clark took Lex's hand. His eyes had a proud, wild look. "I like it." He didn't say whether it was overcoming fear that he liked, or holding Lex's hand, high in the air and almost in public.

Lex considered kissing him, or nuzzling his ear.

Instead he looked over Smallville: the river, the bridge, the limitless sky; and knew himself to be king of all he surveyed.

* * *