He slipped it into the lock, turned it and entered the sweeping foyer. It was dark inside but Clark could navigate the main rooms with his eyes closed. He took off up the stairs quickly but silently, wanting to pounce on Lex, wanting to surprise him just a little.

At the door to the entertainment room, Clark paused and peered inside. Lex was sprawled on the couch, head turned toward the massive television watching "It's A Wonderful Life". The snow on the screen was nothing compared to the snow outside.

Lex was drinking something and staring at the screen. Clark could smell the scotch from the doorway and could hear the drowsy pulsing of Lex's heart. He was surprised that Lex was even still awake. Lex was rarely this relaxed while conscious.

The little girl on screen chirped, "Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings!"

Lex grunted and shook his head, murmuring, "Sentimental bullshit." He took another sip of his scotch.

Clark moved into the room with cat-like stealth and stood silently behind the couch. Lex stretched a little and Clark admired the way his t-shirt rode up, exposing firm, muscled stomach and sexy obliques. Rare to see Lex in sweatpants and a T-shirt. Clark grinned.

"You're sexy when you're bitter and drunk."

Lex jumped and sloshed his drink onto his chest, staining his white t-shirt.

"Fuck, Clark!" Lex's eyes were wide, startled.

Clark laughed, moved around the couch as Lex relaxed back into the cushions. He pushed Lex's legs over and settled in next to him. Clark reached over, took Lex's drink from him and sipped it. The alcohol burned a little going down, but he liked it. It kind of tasted like Christmas. He took another sip.

"You turned 21 recently, Clark?"

"Lex, if we are going to break one law, why not break a dozen?" Clark grinned and winked before setting the glass on the table beside the couch, out of Lex's reach.

He then shifted and leaned back against Lex's legs. "We can break a lot of laws tonight. I told Mom and Dad that I'd be staying here all night."

Lex frowned. "And they agreed?"

Clark shrugged. "They agreed."

Lex shook his head. "You say that like your father didn't come here last month and tell me, in no uncertain terms, to keep my dick to myself."

Clark laughed. "Dad can be colorful when's he's upset, huh?"

Lex sighed. "Yes. I supposed you could call it that."

Clark leaned forward, placing his hands on either side of Lex's head, brushed his lips over Lex's.

"Good thing you have a persuasive boyfriend, Lex."

Clark closed his eyes as Lex kissed him. Always something that sparked between them, always something that made him ache inside. But he pulled away.

"We'll talk about why you lied about Christmas later. Right now, I have a gift for you."

Lex's brows lowered in skeptical curiosity.

Clark pulled the small package from his pocket and handed it to Lex.

"Just something small."

"Damn, I was hoping for another Porsche," Lex murmured taking the tiny box. Clark watched as Lex's long fingers ripped at the paper and finally picked the tape from the corners and freed the top of the box.

Silence.

"Lex?"

Lex looked up at him and started to laugh. Clark smiled back but he was confused.

"What? What's so funny?"

"Nothing. I just can't believe that you got this for me."

"Do you like it?"

Lex reached in and pulled out the tiny, metal Warrior Angel figurine and held it in the palm of his hand.

"I like it."

Clark smiled and turned to the t.v. as "It's A Wonderful Life" wrapped up. Lex put the figurine back in the box and tucked it under the couch.

"I'm sorry, Clark. I don't have your gift. It won't be here until tomorrow."

Clark's eyes narrowed, but he didn't turn away from the screen. "It better be something I can keep this time."

"I think it is."

Clark nodded. The commercials announced that "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas" would be airing next.

Clark toed off his sneakers, peeled off his wet jacket and dropped it to the floor. Lex watched him lazily.

"Scoot over, you bed-hog."

"This is a couch, not a bed."

"Scoot." Clark pushed and prodded until he was laying with his back to the couch and holding Lex in front of him.

"Let's watch the Grinch and then break a bunch of laws."

Lex turned into his embrace and nuzzled his neck.

"I'm glad you came over. This is a good Christmas."

Clark smiled and held him close.

"I'm glad I'm here, too. Now, shh. I'm trying to watch this sentimental bullshit."