hackthis_archive | Well, what do *you* do when you can’t sleep?

I had this whole fucking fic written at 12:45 last night, but I had no computer so well, we all know where that story is. At that great unfulfilled plot bunny resting place in the sky. Damnit. I have to write something before I go barmy.

I can’t get over some of this historical fiction I’m reading. I couldn’t resist this.

*idea nicked from alexander:child of a dream by valerio manfredi*

It’s one of those things, things being the opportune word. Bones are fragile and skin is self-replicating. It heals, it gives second chances and third chances and if not science can fix it. Whatever it is.

But this little thing. It’s just a tooth, but it conjures up so many adjectives. Thoughts. Metaphors. Razor-sharp, cutting edge, cutting your teeth.

Maybe that’s why Lex’s mother kept it, or maybe she was just being sentimental. How else to explain Lex’s first baby tooth being frozen into a paperweight.

Lex never thought his mother was morbid.

“Lex, is that what I think it is?”

“Well, that depends on what you think it is.”

“It looks like, like a tooth.”

Well, Lex never thought Clark was dumb.

“Well, is it?”

“Is it what, Clark?”

“A tooth.”

“I would’ve thought the fact that I didn’t refute your assumption would’ve been enough.”

“I was just asking, you don’t have to get touchy.”

Touchy. Well, yeah.

“Do you know about Alexander and Hephaestion?”

“Hephaestion? Not again with the history lesson, Lex. What do dead people have to do with that tooth in your hand?”

“Just humor me.” Just the way that Lex humors Clark, all the time. All those tall tales.

“Okay, Alexander and Hephaestion. Weren’t they best friends?”

“The best of friends, Clark.” Small pause. “They would’ve done anything for each other.”

So much for subtlety.

“Okay, so what do they have to do with the tooth?”

“I read that when they first met, Hephaestion gave Alexander a tooth as a sign of his friendship and loyalty.”

“Because flowers just aren’t enough these days?”

“Clark.”

“I was just saying. Go on.”

“They were both around seven at the time and they met while playing soccer in the palace courtyard. At the end of the game, Hephaestion gave Alexander a tooth that he had lost a few days earlier.”

“Sounds a bit morbid to me.”

“*Clark.*”

“Sorry, sorry.”

“As I was saying, when Hephaestion presented Alexander with the tooth, Alexander realized that he didn’t have a gift of equal value. However, he did have a tooth that was some what loose.”

“Lex, you’re not serious…”

“So Alexander pulled out his own tooth, and from a mouthful of blood came the greatest friendship ever known.”

“Okay, you’ve just completely lost me here. Are you saying you want one of my teeth to prove that I’m your friend?”

“Well, it wouldn’t be the strangest thing I was ever given.”

“Lex, if you want it…”

“I don’t want any of your teeth, Clark. If for no other reason than getting teeth pulled without morphine is not one of my favorite experiences.”

“…”

“I’ll tell you another time.”

“So, what do you want Lex.”

“The teeth are a metaphor, Clark. For trust. Complete trust.”

“And you want me to trust you?”

“Isn’t that what friendship is all about?”

-end-