Page 3 of His Plaything

Right?

He rolled it over in his mind. Clark’s house–estate, call it what it is, Seth–was about twenty minutes from Seth’s place. Even if Clark truly only wanted Seth to fix a button and the actual sewing took like fifteen minutes, because buttons weren’t exactly difficult, that was still almost an hour round-trip. Probably longer, with drivers being careful on the still-icy roads.

So it would be a later night, but Seth had a late afternoon shift tomorrow. He could afford a late night.

Seth:Okay, sure. A button is an easy fix.

This time the reply came almost immediately.

Clark Not!Kent:Perfect. I’ll have Daniel pick you up in twenty.

It was just enough time to eat his dinner, run a toothbrush around his mouth, and switch his uniform shirt out for something less retail. Then he received another text saying that Daniel was waiting outside.

Jake was thankfully nowhere to be seen when Seth hurried out into the living room to leave. He rewound the scarf around his neck, and pulled back on his winter jacket and boots. With one last look in his backpack to make sure that his sewing kit was still there, Seth headed out.

Chapter Two

Seth couldn’t help but fidget the entire drive over to Clark’s place, still not quite believing that he was doing this. He was getting driven over to Clark’s estate by chauffeur, because the man wanted Seth to fix a button.

Did that make him pathetic, dropping everything just to jump when Clark said he wanted something? Yeah, maybe. But there was just something about Clark. The man had such an electric presence that Seth couldn’t help but want to see him again. Even if that meant getting into a car at seven o'clock at night and being whisked across town.

What must Clark’s driver, Daniel, think of him? It was a little mortifying to know the man had seen the house Seth lived in, that he must have drawn some conclusions about the random nobody he’d been sent to pick up on this frigid Tuesday night. Daniel had to wonder if Seth was making a more… personal type of house call.

Wasthat what Seth was doing? Was Clark going to try to touch him again?

Did Seth want him to?

Seth pressed his lips together and bent his head back over his phone, trying to distract himself with YouTube until he realized the car had stopped, and Daniel was opening the door for him.

Seth hurriedly shoved his phone in his pocket and unbuckled. “Sorry!” He scrambled out of the car. “Sorry, you didn’t have to get the door for me. I’m sorry.”

“No worries,” Daniel said, closing the passenger door. “It’s what I’m paid for.”

“Right,” Seth said. “Um. Thank you for the ride.”

“Have a good night, Mr. Brown.”

Seth tried to smile, and then thanked Daniel again before turning to the house’s front door. What was Seth’s life?

This time he didn’t hesitate to knock at least. He knew he was supposed to be here.

A moment later the door opened to Clark, smiling at him and ushering him inside. “Come in, let's get you out of the cold.”

“Thank you,” Seth said quickly, happy to both be inside where it was warm, and also away from Daniel and whatever thoughts he might be having.

“It’s a cold winter,” Clark said, as he shut the door. Today he was wearing a dark gray sweater and slacks. The sweater looked warm and soft, and fit Clark very well.

Seth turned away to unzip his coat so he wouldn’t be caught staring. A heavy hand landed on his shoulder. “Is that jacket warm enough for you?”

“Oh, uh–” Seth shrugged his coat the rest of the way off. “It’s okay.”

“Just okay?” Clark asked with a frown.

Seth licked his lips. “I’m meaning to get a new one. I just haven’t had a chance to get to the thrift store yet.”

“I see,” Clark said, holding his hands out for Seth’s coat. “Well, let me just hang this up, and I’ll show you the suit. I do appreciate you coming all this way.”

“It’s no problem,” Seth said. “A button’s a pretty easy fix.”

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