—Lex. It froze him in place, blinking once right when Clark said it, a low flick of recognition. It pulls his jaw to flex, those formalities dropped. His fingers stopped instantly….dragged them to his knee and squeezed the jumping leg, somehow didn't notice that either. Honestly annoying. His head hurt, took way longer to respond. Still turning over the reporters words, like reading the same passage over again before he registered what he said. Rooted to the moment he heard his name. For some reason unknown to Lex, hearing it never left him feeling more exposed. Human. Too personal, coming from this man.
It sounded like it had been said before. Yes, he was called Lex plenty, really preferred it. But not by him, felt somehow recent. Or years ago? He couldn’t tell. The wave of it momentarily dis/oriented LUTHOR'S line of thought, scraping across his brain, down his throat. It catches right there knotted, doesn't let it travel behind his ribs because he actually feels, how it carries a subtle weight of vulnerability before Clark clamps down on the next question, pulls him right in.
The facade held, but just barely, straightening, Lex exhaled a thin breath through his nose, voice calm again when it came. ❝ Ah yes, so you say… I suppose we'll see when it prints. ❞ thinly quipped, pale eyes drift, not looking back up this time, his temple grew tense, the light above too fucking loud. Another long sigh drew from his nose, thinking.. yes, calculating a favorable response. Mistrusting & highly suspicious. He shifted, gaze flicking up to the clock on the wall, Lex was promised extra time, was on his best behavior to even be granted this.
After a pause. ❝ They don't need to know anything. I want them to think, Mr. Kent. ❞ swallowed thickly, pursing his lips, shoulders lowered, looking to meet the others features. Let the silence stretch, pinned ice to blue through glass and large frames. ❝ Clark. ❞ tested the name, and that was possibly worse than hearing his own. Lex leaned forward, the phone turned tighter in his grip, cadence steady.
❝ For years, they’ve consumed a version of me that fit their morality play. I want them to recognize the machinery behind it. Cause, effect, motive. Every choice came from something human. fear, conviction, I’ve learned to see that in myself now. ❞ Lex glances past Clark briefly, choosing his next words carefully. ❝ My desired outcome is simple. ❞ a laugh barren of warmth, ❝ The public loves redemption arcs. They won’t get one [ .iwont. ] What they’ll get is context. If that softens my image, it’s incidental. The goal isn’t to be liked or forgiven. It’s to be understood. ❞