bradygirl_12: (corn-on-the-cob)
[personal profile] bradygirl_12
Title: Tastes Like Sunshine (1/1)
Author: BradyGirl_12
Pairings/Characters: Clark/Lex, Jonathan/Martha
Continuity: Smallville
Genres: Challenge, Fluff, Slice-Of-Life
Rating: G
Claim: For my 2011 [livejournal.com profile] clexmas Spring/Summer/Autumn Fling Bingo Card.
Prompt: Corn/Hay
Pattern: Basic Bingo (Floating/A Straight Line/Horizontal)
Prompt Count: (4/5)
Warnings: None
Spoilers: None
Summary: The Kents invite Lex to take part in a family celebration.
Date Of Completion: May 26, 2011
Date Of Posting: June 14, 2011
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, DC and Warner Brothers do, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 1244
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
Author’s Note: Once again, food fic! ;)



First harvest,
Golden and sweet,
Just like the taste
Of you.


Jewel O’Day
"Sunshine Sweet"
2001 C.E.



“You’re inviting me?”

Lex’s genuine surprised puzzlement made Martha feel sad. For all his wealth and fame, he did not seem to have much experience with simple, heartfelt invitations.

“Yes, Lex. The first corn is in and we like to celebrate.”

Lex still looked hesitant but he managed a smile. “Does Mr. Kent join in this invitation?”

Martha laughed. “You don’t worry about Jonathan. Clark and I will take care of him.”

His smile grew wider. “All right, then. I’ll be here.”

“Come at 11:30. We eat at noon.”

Lex thanked her and got into his silver Porsche, driving down the gravel driveway with a flourish.

Martha went inside the house, entering the sunny kitchen. Jonathan was cutting up apples for the pie she intended to bake.

“So you invited him.”

“Yes, dear.”

Jonathan sighed. “Martha…”

Martha took out a wooden cutting board and the King Arthur flour. “Honey, Clark is friends with Lex. I know he’s a Luthor and all, but he’s been nothing but civil to us.” Jonathan harrumphed. “Besides, think of how it might tweak Lionel to see our boys as friends.”

Jonathan quirked a smile. “I guess Lex isn’t so bad.”

She laughed.

& & & & & &


Lex arrived punctually at 11:30, bringing a box labeled Maria’s Bakery.

“Is that red velvet cake?” Martha asked.

“Yes, ma’am,” said Lex.

“I made apple pie, but we can have both. Gives us a choice.”

“Choices are always good.”

Martha smiled. “I’m glad you could come, Lex.”

“Thank you for inviting me.”

“Come on. You can help with the food.”

Lex obediently followed, Martha impressed by the quiet politeness of her son’s best friend.

She led Lex to the backyard where the picnic table was covered with a red-and-white checked tablecloth, paper plates held down by a paperweight from the last county fair. A pitcher of lemonade was set on the table in the shade of the ancient maple tree, the branches towering up to the sky.

“Come on in. We’re going to be bringing out the food soon.”

Jonathan looked up from his duties at the barbeque, the smell of cooking meat wafting on the air as he turned the hot dogs and hamburgers over on the grill.

“Hello, Lex.”

“Hello, Mr. Kent.”

“Clark’s in the kitchen, dear,” said Martha to Lex.

He followed her inside, Clark turning at their entrance. He smiled brilliantly. “Hi, Lex.”

“Hi.”

“Whoa, is that a Maria’s box I see?”

“It is,” Martha said with a smile. “Red velvet cake.”

“Oh, wow, thanks, Lex!”

“Ah, the way to a Kent man’s heart is through his stomach.” Martha’s green eyes twinkled.

“I’ll remember that,” said Lex with a twinkle of his own.

Clark was cutting up tomatoes and cucumbers. “Grab a knife, Lex. Plenty of veggies to slice.”

“Don’t forget the peppers, honey,” said Martha as she set the box on the counter. The kitchen smelled of fresh corn, a basket of ears set on the table.

Clark finished his batch of grape tomatoes and started shucking corn. Martha wrapped the ears in foil, bringing a plateful out to Jonathan.

“We’ll grill some and you can eat others plain. Both flavors are delicious.” Clark started a new batch of corn.

“I’ve never had grilled corn before.”

“You’re in for a real treat.”

Martha was at the screen door as Lex said, “I’ve never had corn-on-the-cob before, either.” She stopped with her hand on the door handle. She could see the shock in Clark’s eyes, though Lex was busy with his chopping and missed it.

“Well, like I said, you’re in for a treat,” Clark said smoothly, covering up his surprise.

Martha was saddened at the lack of simple pleasures in Lex’s life. She turned the handle.

“How’s the salad coming, boys?”

“Great, Mom.”

The soft glow of the kitchen was soothing, Martha proud of her domain, of the green hanging plants and the net of onions, the potted oregano plants on the windowsill, the blue gingham curtains and the colorful array of refrigerator magnets that created a hominess that welcomed everyone who came into this house.

Clark was positively sparkling, laughing and teasing Lex, who was enjoying himself. Lex was usually reserved but when with Clark, seemed to relax and have fun.

Martha asked Lex to toss the salad as Clark finished wrapping the ears of corn. She watched Lex’s precise movements as he chopped, scooped, and tossed the ingredients.

What must it been like to have been raised by Lionel after Lillian was gone? Alone, a vulnerable child in Lionel’s clutches?

Martha brought out the plate of corn to Jonathan. Well, they could give Lex a taste of family life.

Clark and Lex came outside with the salad and corn, and Martha went back in to get the buns. By the time she returned to the picnic table, the boys were seated and Jonathan was placing the plate of hot dogs and hamburgers on the table.

“We’ve got mustard, ketchup, sweet relish and corn relish for your condiments. Oh, and red onion slices, too,” Martha recited.

“Mom, where’s the pickles?”

“Oh, I forgot ‘em. I’ll go get them.” Martha started to get up.

“No need, Mom, I’ll get ‘em.” Clark smiled at Lex. “Lex likes lots of pickles.”

Lex laughed. “What can I say? I love pickles.”

“Clark does, too.” Martha took a sip of lemonade. “Something else you boys have in common.” She smiled at Lex’s startled expression. She was pleased that he was relaxed enough to joke. Clark came back with a jar of hamburger pickle slices.

“Thanks, Clark,” Lex said with a smile.

“I also cut up some beefsteak tomatoes,” Clark said, setting a plate down on the table.

“Mmm, good idea, honey,” Martha approved.

Lex happily added pickles and tomatoes to his hamburger already topped with chopped onions. He added corn relish and mustard and took a bite.

“Delicious,” he declared.

“Thanks, Lex,” said Jonathan. “Martha made the patties and I did the grilling, of course.”

“I use eggs and bread crumbs to mix in.” Martha put pickles on her own burger.

“This is better than Kobe beef,” Lex said.

“You mean those fancy burgers like in Metropolis?” asked, Clark.

“Yes.”

“Aren’t they expensive?”

“About twenty-five to thirty dollars a pop.”

“Wow!”

The Kents were surprised to hear such a high price for a hamburger. Lex chuckled.

Martha admitted to herself that she was a good maker of hamburgers and Jonathan a good barbeque chef. The tang of mustard and onions combined with the sweetness of the pickles and corn relish, with the added richness of ketchup.

Even better was her son enjoying his time with his friend, and Lex having a good time, too. Clark positively glowed with happiness.

& & & & & &


Lex was happy. He tasted the hamburger with extra pickles, eating a hot dog next, his appetite ravenous. He ate a fresh ear of corn, then a grilled one, the taste like sunshine.

He nearly blushed at the notion. When had he left his world of cold, hard facts and entered the realm of fanciful prose?

When you met Clark.

It was so simple, really. Corn tasted like sunshine, and he wanted to taste Clark. Did he taste like sunshine, too?

Someday he intended to find out. For now, he was just enjoying a nice summer day with no agenda or suspicions, just happiness.

Clark smiled at him.

Like sunshine.



Date: 2011-06-14 11:38 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] zwinacer.livejournal.com
Aww, I like when Lex gets to put his guard down and relax for a change :o)

Date: 2011-06-15 12:29 am (UTC)
ext_148128: (SV_Martha)
From: [identity profile] ctbn60.livejournal.com
This was a lovely treat for Lex. Being with the family and a real part of it. I liked that martha picked up on little things. Leave it to a mom. She cares for them both and it shows. Lovely story honey!

Date: 2011-06-15 02:36 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] me-ya-ri.livejournal.com
Awwww, yay for Martha making sure Lex had corn on the cob and quiet times with Clark! They can both use them, that's for sure. Thanks for sharing, sweetie!

Date: 2011-06-15 05:42 am (UTC)

Date: 2011-06-15 03:36 pm (UTC)
danceswithgary: (Default)
From: [personal profile] danceswithgary
That was lovely! :-D

Date: 2011-06-15 05:24 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] lilacs-roses.livejournal.com
Aaaawwww.... this was just so ... it was perfect. The mythos surrounding these two - made so much clearer/poignant by the Smallville addition - is just amazing, but never more so than the first few seasons we saw of the budding friendship and then the crumbling....

Very well done hun :) Very well done indeed.

Date: 2011-06-15 09:42 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] lilacs-roses.livejournal.com
Well... they had to stick with the mythos... the greatest hero/villain 'in history' pretty much, I guess.

You have every right to beam :) And you're welcome :)

Date: 2011-06-17 03:35 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] maigie2010.livejournal.com
“Besides, think of how it might tweak Lionel to see our boys as friends.” FTW!!!!
I liked this story - innocence and sunshine....

Date: 2011-06-17 05:45 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ilovetobefree.livejournal.com
His smile grew wider. “All right, then. I’ll be here.”
“Come at 11:30. We eat at noon.”
Lex thanked her and got into his silver Porsche, driving down the gravel driveway with a flourish.

Lex’s smile and the silver Porsche reminds me old times of Smallville when Clark and Lex were friends - I loved that. :)

Clark was positively sparkling, laughing and teasing Lex, who was enjoying himself. Lex was usually reserved but when with Clark, seemed to relax and have fun.
I liked the image of laughing Clark and relaxed Lex.

Even better was her son enjoying his time with his friend, and Lex having a good time, too. Clark positively glowed with happiness.
Boys had a great time - perfect. :)

Someday he intended to find out. For now, he was just enjoying a nice summer day with no agenda or suspicions, just happiness.
Clark smiled at him.
Like sunshine.

Awesome ending.

AWWWW, all the delicious food and Lex having fun with Kents. That was a wonderful story Brady. Thank you very much for sharing this. :)

Date: 2011-06-21 09:31 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] jlvsclrk.livejournal.com
Yum! This fic tastes like wonderful. And not for the first time after reading your stories, I find myself hungry all of a sudden!

Date: 2013-03-01 08:37 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] phoenixnz.livejournal.com
OMG I cannot believe I never commented on this. While it is a lovely story, it's a little sad in a way because of Martha's observations about Lex. If only he'd been able to experience this in the show - even without the Clex, I think things would have turned out so differently. I've always thought that if the elder Kents, or Jonathan at least, could have seen past the name and actually given Lex the chance to be a part of a real family like the picture you've drawn here through your beautiful words, he might have made better choices. Anyway, I love the story and the little glimpse into what could have been.

Date: 2013-03-01 08:37 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] phoenixnz.livejournal.com
OMG I cannot believe I never commented on this. While it is a lovely story, it's a little sad in a way because of Martha's observations about Lex. If only he'd been able to experience this in the show - even without the Clex, I think things would have turned out so differently. I've always thought that if the elder Kents, or Jonathan at least, could have seen past the name and actually given Lex the chance to be a part of a real family like the picture you've drawn here through your beautiful words, he might have made better choices. Anyway, I love the story and the little glimpse into what could have been.

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