Summary: You and Lex had been friends for as long as you could remember, but you have always longed for more. So when Lex asks you for an extraordinary favor, you can't bring yourself to say no.
Content: 18+, MDNI, fake relationship, childhood friends, see each chapter for individual warnings (CW/TW).
TW/CW: Violence against reader (punched) and sui ideation/better off dead thoughts.
A/N: tysm for all the support!!! I appreciate each one of you :)
Your head was pounding.
It felt like there was too much stuff in your skull and it was threatening to split open. With each heartbeat, your head throbbed painfully.
It was confusing, waking up somewhere new. There was always that moment of disorientation before realizing where you were. It was even more confusing to wake up and realize you couldn’t move and there was a gag in your mouth.
You scrunched your eyes before blinking them open.
Where were you? Everything was dark, but your eyes were already adjusted to the dim lighting. You were in a chair, tied down, facing a corner. Whoever had tied you up had spun you so that you couldn’t see much.
You tried turning your head, but with every motion, a bolt of pain zipped down your spine. You let out an involuntary grunt of pain. You could feel the pins and needles in your feet from the tight restraints. Your hands were not much better.
“Ah, Luthor’s pet is awake!” A voice shouted far too loud for your liking. You winced as you heard footsteps approach, but there wasn’t anywhere for you to hide.
Fingers dug into the crown of your head and ripped your head back. You yelped in pain through the gag and the man peered over you from behind. He had a black ski mask on with holes cut for the eyes and mouth.
“Pretty little thing, aren’t ya?” He used his free hand to stroke your neck. You recoiled from the touch, but the man held you still.
“Quit talking to ‘er,” another voice barked from behind you.
“Aw, I’m just havin’ some fun, aren’t I, princess?” The man tightened his grip on your scalp and you let out a small whine.
“Shouldn’t we rough her up a bit?” A new voice spoke, and you were starting to lose track of who was who. You couldn’t tell much about them except that they sounded like male voices.
“Why do we gotta do that?”
“So Luthor knows we mean business. Send ‘im a finger or some shit.”
“What, you think you’re Penguin, kid? That’s some mob boss shit.”
“This could be a huge ransom deal, more than we made at the bank. We can’t fuck this up.”
“I know that! But you think chopping off a finger will get Luthor to pay more?”
The voices dissolved into a full blown argument. The man above you huffed and released your head, stalking off to go argue with them.
They were amateurs, which made this whole thing even scarier. Experienced criminals knew what they were doing. These guys didn’t. And that made them more dangerous, at least for you. They could decide on a whim to shoot you because you might be able to identify their voices, or they could simply get skittish.
It was scary.
The argument came to a conclusion when they decided to record a video to send to Lex. They flipped your chair around and you could see that there were five people in total. All in black, all faces covered.
“I still think we should still give her a black eye or something,” the same voice from earlier mused from his reclined position on the wall.
“We are not doing that,” the largest huffed. He strode over to you and began undoing the gag. Once removed, he stepped back and held up his phone.
You knew Lex was not coming for you. That would be more trouble than it was worth. It might even be better for his image if his supposed girlfriend died. It would garner him some sympathy. No one had to know that the two of you fought. Lex could easily spin this into a win for himself.
But you couldn’t tell the kidnappers that. If they didn’t think they could get a ransom for you, then you would serve no purpose and they could easily get rid of you.
The thing you needed now was time. Time for the police to catch up. Otherwise you were done for.
The man holding his phone clicked a button on it, then held it in front of your face. “Okay, three, two… Mr. Luthor, we are willing to make a trade for her life for 10 million wired straight to our account.”
The man who was recording stepped closer and tilted your chin up. “Why don’t you ask your boyfriend to come save you, sweetheart?”
“Fuck you,” you grit out.
The man sighed and tapped his phone. He grabbed your chin roughly. “Play along, princess, or else.”
Your mind kept turning, though. Maybe it would be better for Lex if you did just let them kill you. It wouldn’t be his fault. And again, it would bring so much attention to him. He could milk the media on this for years.
Dark thoughts slipped into your mind, crawling out of boxes you had hidden away. Always present, always there, just never at the forefront of your mind.
Maybe it would be better… for Lex. Lex didn’t have 10 million dollars, his assets were still tied up. He couldn’t afford a ransom.
Here you were, causing trouble for him yet again.
“Or what?” You snapped before you could stop yourself.
“Or you’ll regret it,” the man said simply.
“I doubt it,” you huffed. Your head was still pounding; you probably had a concussion. You couldn’t think clearly as well, everything seemed foggy.
But one thing was clear.
They couldn’t hurt you more than you already had been.
“See? We need to-”
“I get it! Fine!” The man holding your chin dropped it then pulled his fist back and punched you, connecting with your cheekbone.
The shockwaves made your chair tip and tilt back before settling on the ground again. As you reeled from the punch, the kidnappers began arguing again.
Blood collected in your mouth from biting your tongue during the punch. You turned your head and spit it out off to the side before chuckling.
“What’s so funny?” The man closest to you snapped.
“You are all a bunch of idiot amateurs. You don’t know what you’re doing,” you spat cruelly.
“Shut the fuck up!” He reeled back and delivered another punch, this one connecting with your mouth, splitting your lip.
You laughed again and spit out more blood. “You don’t even know the best part, though.” You knew what would happen if you said it. But you needed to. You needed to tell someone. It was like a heavy weight on your conscience. Someone had to know.
“Know what?”
“That Lex doesn’t-”
An explosion cut you off, rubble raining from the roof. Light poured into the building from the new hole, filtered through the smoke.
All of the men pulled their weapons and pointed them at the breech.
“Am I late to the party?” A cheerful voice asked. The red and blue form of Superman formed behind the smoke.
“Fuck, run!”
The men all darted for different exits, but policemen began pouring into the building. They quickly surrounded the men.
You sagged in your chair, warily watching Superman approach. He knelt down and started undoing your restraints.
“Sorry,” he apologized when you winced from the rope burn.
“It’s fine,” you muttered.
A policeman approached Superman as he worked. “We need to question her.”
“Sorry, I am on a time table,” Superman flashed the policeman a smile. “She can talk to you later.”
The policeman frowned. “That isn’t protocol, Superman.”
“She just went through a traumatic experience,” Superman said firmly. “Give her a break.”
The policeman sighed and shook his head. “Fine.” He turned on his heel and left the two of you alone.
“Don’t worry, miss, you’ll be home for dinner.”
You frowned, curious as to what Superman meant. Once freed, Superman leaned in and scooped you into his arms.
“Ready?”
“I guess-”
Superman didn’t wait for you to finish, instead taking off immediately and shooting into the sky. Your breath caught in your throat and your hands fisted in his suit. You squeezed your eyes shut, hoping you would be on solid ground soon.
The wind rushed past you as Superman flew through the air. He was not kidding, he was acting like he was late for something.
Eventually, Superman jostled you as he touched down on solid ground. You pried your eyes open to look around. You were on a balcony very high up. Before you could ask where you were, a voice called your name.
Superman gently lowered your feet to the ground, but they were still asleep from the restraints, so you stumbled forward.
A solid body caught you and supported you from your waist. You looked up to see Lex. He almost looked… worried.
“Lex?” You whispered.
“It’s okay, you’re okay,” he started mumbling and looking you over. He examined your face, gently turning your chin back and forth. His eyes flickered when his eyes landed on your split lip.
“You,” Lex looked up sharply to Superman. “What took you so long?”
“I think the words you are looking for are ‘thank’ and ‘you’.” Superman replied happily. “The police want to talk to her-”
“I’ll take care of them,” Lex huffed. “You may leave.”
Superman raised an eyebrow. “Still waiting on an expression of gratitude, Lex.”
Lex ground his teeth so hard you could hear it. “You did well bringing her back to me. Now leave.”
Superman smirked, feet already lifting off the ground, and saluted the both of you.
Then he was gone.
“Come, love. Let’s get inside.” Lex pulled you along, but you stumbled again. Lex caught you again.
“Are you alright?” Lex’s eyes flicked over your face.
“Yeah, I just- the ropes cut off circulation to my feet so they’re still asleep.”
Lex’s features hardened and he nodded. “Then I’ll carry you.”
“You don’t have to,” you said quickly. “Just give me a minute, I’m sure I can-”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Lex huffed, stooping to wrap an arm beneath your knees. You were too weak to fight him on it, so he picked you up without much effort.
He carried you inside what you now realized had to be his penthouse. He walked through the flat, making his way to the back. He walked through the master bedroom and into the attached bathroom. He set you down on the toilet seat and pulled back. You watched him rummage through the cabinets.
“I don’t have much in the way of first aid, but I am sure we will manage.”
“Are… are we going to talk?”
Lex froze for a moment, but then continued rummaging.
“About what?”
You sighed. “You don’t need to do all this.”
“Do what?” Lex settled to his knees in front of you. He placed the supplies on the floor and raised a hand to your face.
You knocked it away with a stern look. “Pretend.” When Lex just looked at you curiously, you continued. “Pretend that you care.”
“I don’t find pretending to do anything to be productive,” Lex sighed and reached out again.
You pushed him away again, firmer. “You pretended to court me. And now you’re pretending that you give a shit about me.”
“That was different," Lex sighed. “Let me clean your cuts.”
“No, not until we talk!”
“Fine,” Lex snapped and sat back on his heels. “Talk about what.”
“I can’t do this anymore.” Your voice cracked and shook. Hot tears welled up in your eyes. “I just can’t keep pretending, Lex.”
“Pretending what?”
“Pretending that I don’t love you more than anything in this world. Pretending that it doesn’t bother me that you will never feel the same. Fuck, Superman probably only took me here because our fake relationship- he would have done better to take me back to Colorado.”
Lex frowned. He didn’t look like his usual self. He felt more… vulnerable.
“I asked him to bring you here,” he finally admitted.
You blinked. “You asked Superman to bring me here?”
“Well, I asked that stupid reporter to tell Superman, but yes. I wanted you here.”
You searched Lex’s face for answers, but got none. You were just more confused.
“You… asked Clark to ask Superman to… save me?” You spoke slowly and unsurely, piercing the parts together. It was so unlike Lex. Lex would never ask for anyone’s help. Let alone Superman's.
Lex pressed his lips together in irritation. “Yes, I did.”
“Why?”
Lex did not hesitate. “I need you.”
He had said those words before. I need you for now. At the ballet.
But now those words felt different. Less like a threat and more like a promise.
“I love you.” You said it surely, confidently. You knew that you did. It wasn’t a question, it was a fact.
The corners of Lex’s mouth ticked upwards. “I know.”
“Say it back,” you pressed.
Lex sighed. “But you know.” It looked like he was fighting back a smile.
“Say it.”
“Will you let me clean your cuts?”
“I’ll let you do anything.”
Lex leaned forward, crowding your space. He pressed his forehead to yours and cupped your cheek.
“I nearly died at the thought of you being gone. Taken from me.”
“Say it, Lex. Please.”
Lex sighed again, a puff of warm air passing over your mouth. You shuddered from the heat.
“I love you.” His voice was low and soft against your lips.
Your eyes fluttered closed and you tilted your head to meet his.
And you kissed Lex.
And he kissed you back.
You knew at that moment, nothing else mattered. Nothing but the man in front of you. He was your world.
A/N: hope yall enjoy! Tysm for all the support so far!
After the disaster that was the ballet, you had been gracefully avoiding Lex. And he gave you the space. When you declined dinner due a phony upset stomach three nights in a row, he didn’t so much as say a word. You figured it was the least he could do after tormenting you.
You were currently sitting on the couch, Penny in your lap, watching your favorite movie. The movie was a comfort movie to you, you had watched it over a thousand times. You could quote lines from it from memory, recite the scenes with a near perfect description. But most of all it made you feel safe. You needed that these days.
It was much harder than you thought to live like this. To have a taste of something you could never fully possess. It was agony, really. You wanted Lex so bad and this wasn't enough. It could never be enough. And you still couldn't leave. It wasn't an option. He needed you.
Or, rather, you needed him.
Your phone lit up from its spot on the couch beside you. You picked it up, trying your best not to shift too much so as to not disturb Penny. She noticed, though, as was typical with cats, and left your lap. You shifted out of the position and pressed pause on the movie.
Your phone was vibrating, announcing a call from an unknown number. You frowned. Usually you would never answer an unknown number, but this wasn't your normal situation. Lex might have had one of his workers call you from an unknown number.
You reluctantly answered the phone. “Hello?”
The voice on the other side of the phone, which you assumed was male, greeted you with your full government name.
“Uh, yeah, that's me. And you are?”
“Oh right, sorry, gosh I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Clark. Clark Kent. With the Daily Planet?”
“Oh, Cat’s coworker!” You exclaimed in recognition. “Right, I was expecting you to call. What can I do for you?”
“I believe Cat spoke to you about the possibility of me interviewing you?” He phrased it as a question, as if there was still a chance that you could back out.
“Yeah, of course. I owe her. When were you thinking?”
“Ah, as soon as possible if you wouldn't mind.” He paused. “I have a deadline,” he admitted sheepishly.
“I understand completely,” you smiled. You really did understand the pressure of deadlines to write things. “I can meet you somewhere now if you need?”
Clark sighed into the phone and the microphone cracked. “Perfect, can we meet at my apartment? If you don't mind? I just got off work and I'm heading there now.”
“Yeah sure, text me the address.”
“Awesomeness,” he gushed into the phone. Awesomeness? Who even said that? “There sent.”
You pulled the phone from your ear and put the call on speaker. You put the address into the maps app. “Maps says it'll take 15 to get there by car. So expect me in 20.”
“Great, thank you! Looking forward to meeting you!”
“Likewise,” you answered politely. The guy sounded like a dork. Probably had a bald spot and greasy hair. You were skeptical about going over to a guy's apartment, but Cat vouched for him. Still, you shot a text to Cat letting her know that you'd be at Clark's. She responded quickly letting you know that it would be fine.
You hoped it would.
You quickly changed into something more presentable than your lounge wear. You put on a skirt and an off the shoulder top, not wanting anything too heavy due to the heat weave that had been hanging like a cloud over Metropolis.
You pulled on your favorite pair of shoes and gave Penny one last pet before heading down the elevator. Lex had set it up so that you could request a car at any time to go anywhere just by asking the front desk. You hadn’t used the service yet - most of the places you had left for you had either gone with Lex or walked - but now was as good a time as any.
You walked up to the front desk and smiled at the woman working it. You introduced yourself and asked for a car. She nodded in recognition.
“Yes, of course. Unfortunately, it will be at least a half hour before a car will be available.”
You sucked your bottom lip between your teeth. You had told Clark to expect you in less than that.
“It’s alright, I’ll take a taxi.”
The woman nodded and apologized for the inconvenience, but you assured her it was fine. You walked outside and hailed a taxi in a matter of minutes.
The taxi ride was relatively quick, and you were at Clark’s apartment building before you knew it. You pressed the buzzer for his apartment, and his voice answered on the intercom.
“Come in, just opened the door!”
You pushed through the now unlocked door and made your way to the elevators. You rode up to his floor and once you reached his hallway, you saw a man standing outside an open apartment door. He looked up at his phone and waved at you, calling you by your name.
He was… not what you had expected. Tall, built, and sturdy. Strong jawline, biceps bulging out of his dress shirt, and washed, not-greasy, full head of hair. He was objectively and conventionally attractive.
You were sure a lesser woman would swoon as he held the door open for you as you entered his apartment, flashing you a charming smile, but you were no lesser woman.
You were Lex’s woman.
“You can take a seat on the couch, do you want water?”
“Please,” you answered. Clark broke off to fetch water from what you assumed was the kitchen while you walked to the living room and sat on the leather couch.
You observed the space. It was clean and tidy, but almost perfectly so. There were not many personal affects that lead you to any assumptions about him. There was a picture of an older couple on the fireplace mantle, along with a picture of Clark and a dark haired woman.
Clark returned with a glass of water and set it on the glass coffee table in front of you. You thanked him and took a sip before placing it back down.
Clark settled in an arm chair across from you, pulling out a voice recorder and a small notebook from his pocket.
“Is it alright if I start this?” He held up the voice recorder and gave it a little wave.
“Of course,” you smiled, shifting in your seat. Straight to business, you supposed. You had expected a bit of small talk beforehand, but maybe Clark was on a very tight schedule and didn’t want to waste any time.
“I'll ask you to put your phone on silent as well, just so that it doesn't mess with the recording.”
“Right.” You offered a smile and pulled out your phone. You just turned your phone all the way off, just for ease.
Once you were done, he clicked play and set the recorder on the coffee table between the two of you.
“Alright, miss, I am going to ask a few questions and if you don’t feel comfortable answering one or all, just let me know and we will skip to the next one,” he spoke without looking at you, flipping through the pages of the notebook.
“Sure, duly noted.”
Clark flashed you another brilliant smile. “Perfect. Now, as far as I am aware, you and Mr. Luthor met in elementary school. Is that accurate?”
“Yes.”
“Can you tell me a little more about that?”
“Of course. We met after an - a, well, an incident, where I had defended him from some bullies.”
Clark nodded. “I remember that from your appearance on the Tonight Show. Were you fast friends after that?”
“He enjoyed having me around,” you answered vaguely. He enjoyed having you around for protection, not for companionship, but Clark did not need to know that.
“For protection, I assume?”
You blinked. You were caught off guard, so you chuckled weakly. “What do you mean?” You hoped the nervousness didn't tinge your voice. It was almost as if he could see right through you.
Clark looked down at his notepad and pointed at something only he could see. “Well, the two of you went to a school in the slums. Now, according to their records, Mr. Luthor had been in multiple fights, as well as yourself. You had been suspended twice for fights prior to meeting Mr. Luthor. Now, as Mr. Luthor had a track record of losing fights, and you had one of winning them, it would make sense that a friendship with you would be profitable for him.”
Your mind reeled. “Um, if you put it like that I guess so?” You realized your mistake after you answered. “But it wasn’t like that,” you added quickly.
“Right, of course,” Clark nodded. “The two of you ended up going to the same middle and high school. You stopped getting into fights, but the two of you remained friends. Was this due to your popularity in the school? I see you were head of the student council and won many popularity awards.” He paused. “Including prom queen.”
You froze at the mention of prom. He couldn’t know. There was no way. Lex had scrubbed the records of that incident from the school afterwards. Clark couldn’t know… right?
“I- uh, yes…”
Clark raised an eyebrow. “Yes? Yes that Mr. Luthor kept you around just for popularity by association?”
“Of course not,” you snapped. He was trying to trap you. Your defenses went up and you were on guard now. “We were friends. We went to prom together, as friends.”
“Right, right,” Clark nodded. “That’s where he broke Carter Blackwood’s nose, who just so happened to get the title of prom king.”
And there it was. He knew. But how?
Lex had been so furious that someone had beaten him out for something that Lex thought he deserved - that he did deserve - he broke that kid’s nose and stormed out. You had followed him all the way to Centennial Park, to the bridge, where he had-
Clark said your name, ripping you from your thoughts.
“Yes, I-” You paused, scrambled for an answer. But you didn’t need to think too hard. Honestly, being delusional about Lex was your specialty. “He was jealous.”
Clark grinned wide and leaned forward. “Because someone else was getting all the attention?”
You acted surprised and shook your head. “What? No, because Carter would have gotten to dance with me. You see, Lex was planning to ask me out that night. During the prom king and queen dance. He was upset his plan had been ruined.” You paused and smiled. You were deep in the lie; you almost, almost, believed it. “He tends to overthink.”
Clark’s smile dropped and his brows furrowed. “So… then what?”
You sighed, attempting to act forlorn. “I didn’t see him for a while. He thought he had messed everything up and cut off all contact.” Lie, truth, lie, truth. You were spinning a web of tangled mess of half-truths tied up in your delusions.
“When did he finally reach out?”
“After he was released. He came to my place in Colorado-” Liar. “-and begged me for forgiveness.” Liar. “Of course I took him back-” Liar. “I still loved him.” Liar, liar, liar, you always loved him, you never stopped.
“I see.” Clark paused, the closed the notebook and leaned forward. “Miss, it is clear that you care for Mr. Luthor a great deal. Has it ever occurred to you that the timing was a little suspicious?”
Oh lord have mercy, Clark thinks you are in the dark about it all? That you are some sort of victim? A pawn in Lex’s game? Being used without your consent?
“What do you mean?” You frowned.
“I mean,” Clark’s tongue darted out to wet his lips and he shifted in his seat as if he was uncomfortable. “When Mr. Luthor’s reputation is at all all time low, he seeks you out. You, who are loved and popular with all ages, but specifically the young voter demographic. Suddenly he announces a relationship with you and the negative press about the incident a few years ago is… gone.”
“What are you suggesting?” You snapped. Anger flooded your cheeks. But not at Clark. At yourself. For not playing your role better, for allowing this- this guy to get so close to unraveling everything Lex had built.
Clark raised his hands in defense, clearly misplacing your anger. “I am just saying-”
“Lex would never do that to me. I know all of you think you know him but you don’t. You don’t know him at all, not like I do.”
Not like I do, no one knows him like I do.
“You haven’t seen him in a decade. Do you know him like you-”
You don’t give Clark the opportunity to finish the sentence. You know Lex, you know Lex.
“Have you met Lex before? Or do you get all your information from third parties? Seems like poor reporting, in my opinion.” Your voice was dripping with venom; your eyes could kill.
Clark pressed his lips into a line, his expression hardening. “Look-”
“Do you have any other questions, Mr. Kent?”
Clark blinked. “Right.” His voice was stern and clipped. He leaned back into his chair and opened his notebook once more. He scanned the page then snapped it shut again. “Are you aware that Mr. Luthor has locked exes of his in pocket dimensions for perceived wrongs?”
You couldn't fight the smile worming its way into your face. Clark didn't have shit on Lex. You were his only hope. You were his one in on Lex and you had crushed that swiftly.
“Is that amusing to you?” Clark raised an eyebrow again, curious.
“It's amusing what you are implying,” you answered sweetly.
“What am I implying?”
“Based off of your other line of questioning, I assume you are asking if I am afraid of wronging Lex.”
“Are you?”
You scoffed. “Lex would never do anything to hurt me.”
“Really?” The corners of Clark's mouth ticked upwards. “Like how he cut all contact after high school?”
You pressed your lips into a hard line. “I don't know what you're talking about.”
A flash of sympathy crossed his face. “I'm sorry to bring it up, miss-”
“Then don't.” Please don't, please don't.
Clark offered a sad smile. “I have to.”
“Why?”
“Because I need you on my side,” Clark answered, brutally honest. “Does he know about your stay at-”
“Don't.” You closed your eyes and took a deep breath before opening them. You forced a smile.
I know Lex better than you, I know him, I know him.
Does he know me?
“Does he know?” Clark whispered softly.
“Know about what?” You feigned ignorance. You felt trapped. Locked. “I'm not sure-”
“Miss,” Clark sighed. “Please don't make me pull out the patient records.”
You grit your teeth. “My stay at- that is confidential, private health records that is completely unrelated to the point of this interview.”
“But you were admitted to the facility three days after prom.” It wasn't a question. It was a fact.
“And?”
“What did Lex do?”
He kissed me. He kissed me and ruined any chance I had at living without him. But you knew you couldn’t say that. Not because it was a lie, but because you knew he would never believe it.
“Nothing.”
Liar.
Clark said nothing, just raised an eyebrow.
“Completely unrelated,” you repeated with a fake smile.
Clark said your name softly. He reached out and put a hand on your knee. “What did he do?”
“That was a long time ago…” You whispered softly, closing your eyes. “He didn't mean it…”
Clark said your name again, squeezed your knee.
“I know Lex, he would never, ever say anything like that…” You swallowed thickly. “I know him. I know him.”
“Like what? What did he say?”
“That he-”
The front door began rattling with the force of someone banging on it from the outside.
Bang, bang, bang!
You jumped at the noise; the spell was broken. You composed yourself as Clark grumbled and got up to check the door.
You followed him. Clark foolishly opened the door without the chain lock and the guest threw the door open and pushed past Clark.
“Lex?” You gasped incredulously.
Lex stormed towards you, exuding anger and thinly held restraint. He looked like a crazed man. He stepped in front of you and yanked you by your collar into him, the other hand behind your neck.
He inspected you, turned your head back and forth.
“All you alright? Your phone was off, I-” Lex swallowed thickly. “I didn't know where you were, I-”
“I'm alright,” you managed to mutter, stunned at how close he was. You were breathing the same air. You were breathing his air. “Um, we were doing an interview, Clark and-”
And like that, he snapped.
He pulled you close and kissed you.
At once, your brain short circuited and stopped. Your mouth was open, gasping from the shock, and Lex slipped his tongue into your mouth. You couldn't move. You couldn't think. Your body was on fire and frozen all at once. You couldn't describe the shock you felt even if you tried.
Lex pulled away and that is when your sense snapped back into you. You fisted your hands into his lapels and dragged him back, kissing him like you hadn't ever in your life. Lex growled, low in his throat.
Time melted and stretched and warped. You were there and then Clark cleared his throat.
A bolt of embarrassment shot up to your cheeks and you pulled away, albeit reluctantly. Lex chased your lips and huffed when you pulled out of his reach.
Lex released you and straightened his suit. “I apologize-”
“Don't,” Clark responded. He was smiling. “I should-”
“I wasn’t apologizing to you,” Lex snapped and glared at Clark. Once satisfied that Clark got the message, Lex turned back to you. “Grab your things love, we're going home.”
“Okay…” you mumbled, still physically reeling from the kiss. You stumbled back to the couch and picked up your things. You slowly made your way back to Lex, who was openly glaring at Clark.
“Well, I'm sorry we worried you, Mr. Luthor,” Clark offered, a knowing smirk on his face.
“I was worried about her safety, not her loyalty,” Lex bit out. “Do I know you?”
Once you were near Lex, Lex wound his arm around your waist and pulled you close.
“I believe we haven't met.”
“Right, we haven't.” Lex agreed. “So don't address me like you do. My girlfriend and I will be departing now. Feel free to contact my office if you feel you need another interview with her.”
“Of course,” Clark smiled. Clark turned to you and as soon as he did, Lex's grip on your waist tightened. “I am glad you were right about him.”
Lex bristled and led you out the door. Clark closed the door and slid the lock into place.
Lex did not look at you the whole walk towards the elevators. He pushed the button with more force than necessary. When the elevator doors opened, he smacked the ground floor button then shoved you against the wall.
He crowded against you, shoving a leg between your thighs and leaning down toward your mouth.
“Don't you ever do something like that again,” he growled into your mouth before stealing your breath with a bruising kiss. He pulled away as soon as you started leaning into him. “Answer.”
“Y-yes, sir,” you responded reflexively, your voice shaky with barely concealed lust. Your brain couldn't even define what you were agreeing to, you couldn't articulate what he was saying. All you knew, all you could know, was that Lex was so close.
“Lex,” he corrected.
“Yes, Lex.”
Lex smirked. “That's right.” He pressed close, breath ghosting the shell of your ear.
Summary: Lex needs to figure out to save you, but he has very slim options.
Masterlist Link
WC: 2k
TW/CW: Lex has a tantrum (aka strong language) and reference to past intentional overdose (not in detail, but its there).
A/N: i’ve gotten a few questions about prom – i am not going to be posting what happened at prom anymore. i want each reader to imagine the worst possible thing Lex could say to hurt them, as an individual, and as author i declare it is canon :) enjoy the emotional turmoil, you are welcome :)
Lex prided himself in his immaculate composure. Nothing really got to him, nothing affected him. Of course he had lost his cool when Supershit had evaded all of Lex’s plans a few years ago, but he had time since then. Time to reconsider everything as he sat in jail. He had built his walls back up, and nothing could tear them down.
But when the group of four had broken the news to him, something happened in his gut that he didn’t quite understand. They had told him that she had been taken hostage by a few rookie bank robbers. Wrong place, wrong time.
But his stomach lurched like he had been nauseous.
It was… abnormal.
Lex hadn’t understood his feelings since the ballet. To be quite honest, Lex hadn’t understood anything since the call. She had agreed so quickly, so willingly - it didn’t make sense. And the more he learned, the more it didn’t make sense.
How could she like him? How could she? After what he said to her on that bridge all those years ago… Lex wasn’t stupid. Lex was anything but stupid. He knew she had been admitted to a psychiatric facility. He knew he had hurt her.
That was why when he called her that night, he had been expecting a fight. A swift rejection. He had prepared blackmail to get her to agree! He was willing to do anything to raise his reputation, even if it meant hurting her again. He was. He needed to.
It was the most logical conclusion. She was popular and would cover up the bad press. It was as simple as that. It was the easiest way to go about this. They would marry, and maybe down the line divorce if his image was stable enough. Then she could be free to do whatever she wanted with her life. Marry whoever she wanted.
The thought of her walking down the aisle toward a man that wasn’t Lex was quite nauseating.
When they were kids, of course he thought about asking their relationship to be more. Lex had written it off after the fact as hormones and their proximity. They were always together, they did everything together. They walked home together, did homework together, and went to the movies together. Some of the student body was already convinced that they were dating.
Every time she denied it, Lex had felt a pang of annoyance.
It was a given that they would go to prom together. And that was where he was going to do it.
It was stupid, foolish, and misguided.
But that didn’t stop him from wondering. If he didn’t push her away… if he had been honest…
It didn’t matter now.
“Fucking useless pieces of shit!”
“I… I’m-”
“If you apologize one more fucking time,” Lex snapped. He looked for something to lob at the messenger, but he had already torn everything off of his desk, shelves, and any adjacent surface. He was not about to bend down to pick something up either.
The man pressed his lips into a thin line. Smart.
“How long has it been?” Lex was mostly over his tantrum and was switching gears.
“About 34 minutes since she was abducted,” a woman with a tablet answered from the far corner of his office. A team of four had gone in to break the news to Lex, and most of them kept their distance. Which was smart.
“And the police?”
The woman hesitated. “They didn’t follow due to the hostage’s safety, and as a result, have no idea where they could be.”
“Fuck!” Lex screamed and slammed his hands on the table. “Useless! I have to do everything myself!”
“About that-” The woman swallowed thickly. “It would be a violation of your parole to get involved.”
Lex worked his jaw, anger rolling off of him in waves. “So you’re saying I should sit here and do nothing?”
“Mr. Luthor-”
“Get out!” Lex roared. “Get the fuck out!”
As the idiots stumbled to leave Lex’s office, Lex was already thinking. He was not going to sit here and do nothing, but he was quite limited with his options. He couldn’t violate his parole. But he needed to find her. Someone had to save her.
The answer slotted into Lex’s mind.
He cursed and kicked his chair, shoving it from where he had already tossed it earlier. There had to be another way. There had to be something.
But there wasn’t. He didn’t have his task force anymore, and if he cobbled one together now, it would be traced back to him quickly.
Lex had no other option. He had no time, no resources, no help. He was utterly and totally powerless.
And that infuriated him.
He stormed out of his office. “There will be a car waiting for me downstairs.” His employees scrambled as they made the necessary preparations.
When he arrived on the street, his car was waiting, idling, for him. He slid into the car and gave the driver directions.
Lex was nearly vibrating with how angry he was. He did not like this plan. He did not like this plan at all. But what other choice did he have?
He drummed his fingers on his lap, impatient. It was taking too long. Lex’s only hope was that the idiots who took her realized that she was his. That way they would keep her alive longer in the hopes of a ransom.
Which he would never provide.
No, he had something else planned for them.
When the car slowed to a stop, Lex leapt out of the car. He rushed to the door, catching it before it closed behind a resident exiting. He jogged to the elevators and punched in the appropriate number. He had a sense of deja vu – last time he was riding this elevator up he was also on edge.
He arrived on the reporter’s floor and marched to his door. He then began banging on the door.
Yes, deja vu was certainly the right word.
It took a while but eventually the door opened. The oafish reporter opened the door with an annoyed look. Lex pushed past him and strode into the apartment.
“Can I help you?” Clark Kent sighed.
“Yes, otherwise I would not be here,” Lex responded cooly. He pivoted and met Clark’s gaze. “You have contact with the alien, correct?”
Clark’s jaw worked and he blinked dumbly at Lex. “Uh, what?”
Lex sighed in frustration, tapping his foot. “The alien, I need him. You know him. You have interviewed him.”
“You… mean… Superman?” Clark spoke slowly, unsurely.
“Yes!” Lex snapped angrily. He was starting to lose his composure.
“You… need Superman?” Clark raised an eyebrow with a smug smirk.
“Must I repeat myself?” Lex grit his teeth. Clark was not going to make this easy.
“Okay,” Clark threw up his hands. “I’ll bite. Why?”
“I can explain to the alien.”
“Nah, I think I wanna hear this one myself,” Clark’s shit eating grin widened and a country accent worked its way into his voice. He folded his arms across his chest and leaned against the wall of the apartment.
Lex cursed and rubbed his temples, eyes squeezing shut. “Fine. Some amateur bank robbers took my girlfriend.” Lex opened his eyes to see a skeptical look on Clark’s face.
“Wasn’t she just here?”
“Yes, but we–” Lex wet his lips with his tongue, pausing. “She went on a walk and didn’t come back. My team informed me that she was taken hostage.”
Clark still seemed to doubt Lex, which was infuriating for Lex. “Couldn’t you deal with yourself?”
“I could,” Lex said, unwilling to admit that he really couldn’t deal with this. He did not have the resources he used to have. “But I don’t know where they took her.”
Clark raised an eyebrow. “Don’t you have a tracker on her?”
“She left her phone behind,” Lex huffed. “Can you contact the alien now?”
“Didn’t you put nanotrackers or something in her? In case that happens?”
Lex huffed and rolled his eyes. “Nanobots freak her out.”
“What?” Clark blinked and his features froze. Lex didn’t know why he was reacting this way. It was a simple fact.
“She doesn’t like nanobots. They freak her out.” Lex spoke slowly and deliberately, as if talking to a small child.
“And… so you didn’t put any in-”
“No, she doesn’t like them.” Lex stressed the word ‘like’ to hopefully get the point across to the bumbling idiot before him. Lex wasn’t sure what Clark didn’t understand. She had never liked the notion of nanobots, they terrified her. The idea of miniscule machines that could take over her body just freaked her out.
“You didn’t put them in her anyways?” Clark repeated, as if he were clarifying an absurd notion. “Even though she doesn’t like them?”
“Obviously not, otherwise I would not be here,” Lex gritted out. “Are you going to contact the alien or not? We have limited time here.”
Clark seemed to think for a second, then straightened up.
“Right,” Clark nodded. “I’ll contact Superman.”
Lex stood there, impatiently, waiting for Clark to make a move. When he didn’t, Lex waved his hands and sighed. “Well?”
“Well what?”
“Are you going to call him or something?” Lex rolled his eyes.
“Oh, yeah. You have to leave though.”
Lex frowned. “I can’t talk to him?”
“I will relay the information,” Clark responded vaguely. Clark took a step back and opened the apartment door.
Lex ground his teeth together in frustration. He didn’t quite enjoy placing his trust in the hands of this reporter that had just manipulated Lex’s girlfriend into coming here alone. But what other choice did he have? Clark was the only contact Lex had with the alien, outside of causing chaos.
Lex gave a stiff nod. “Fine, but if she is not safely returned to my penthouse in three hours, I will be coming back here.”
“I’ll let Supes know to have her home in time for dinner,” Clark grinned.
“Watch it,” Lex growled.
Clark raised his hands in defense. “It’ll be fine, Superman will take care of it.”
Lex huffed a laugh. “He better. Otherwise he won’t like what happens.”
“Is that a threat?” Clark’s eyes flashed from behind his glasses.
“If it needs to be,” Lex responded vaguely. He stepped out into the hallway and turned to Clark one last time. “Three hours, got it?”
“Of course, Mr. Luthor.”
And then Clark shut the door.
Lex stood there a moment longer, but decided against doing anything rash. He just needed to get back to the penthouse and… wait.
It was not a good plan. It was not a plan Lex liked. In fact, Lex abhorred this plan.
But it was the only plan that would ensure her speedy and safe return. That was all that mattered. Plain and simple.
Because Lex needed her.
It didn’t occur to Lex that his revived image could be ruined if something were to happen to her. It didn’t occur to Lex that he might have to start over if she were to die. It didn’t occur to Lex that he needed her for his greater scheme.
No, none of that entered Lex’s mind. Because one thing had been true this whole time. The one thing that had been true since they were children. Since the day she saved him. Since the day he saved her. Lex needed her. Not for his fame, or image, or plan.
There were only two truths left at the end of the day.
Lex needed her.
She needed Lex.
It was something raw and primal, something deeply woven into the fabric of who he was. Lex felt in his bones. He had since the day she saved him. And she had to have felt it since the day he saved her.
Lex’s stomach churned as the memories of that day returned to him. Of her, on her couch, comatose. Merely 13 years old, the both of them. Too young to understand.
Images flashed through Lex’s mind of the last time he almost lost her. And here he was, close to losing her again.
He had felt it then. The draw to her.
It never left. It never faded. It was always there.
The ride back to the apartment building was tense. Lex did not speak or look at you the entire time. He said what he wanted to say and that was it. It was final.
But your mind was swirling. It made no sense! Lex had told you not even three days ago that he only needed you while you were useful. Now he was barging in on you during a harmless interview and kissing you like he was possessed.
You wanted so badly to clarify where you two stood, but you knew that was a bad idea. He was worked up and angry about the Clark incident and you didn’t want to provoke him more. That would be a death wish.
So you kept silent during the ride. You sat next to Lex, a healthy space between the two of you and your hands folded in your lap.
When the car pulled up to the apartment building, you stayed seated, waiting for Lex to make the first move.
“Are you going to get out?” Lex drawled, not even sparing you a glance from his phone.
You frowned. “Are we going to talk about what happened?”
Lex sighed. “What is there to talk about?”
You blinked, dumbfounded. “Um, well first of all how you broke into Clark’s apart-”
“Don’t say his name,” Lex snapped, finally looking over at you. There was a fire in his blue eyes you didn’t quite recognize.
“Fine, but it doesn’t explain why you kissed me.”
Lex scoffed and turned back to his phone. “You say that as if you didn’t enjoy it.”
Heat crawled up your neck in embarrassment. “That’s not the point. The point is that-”
“What?” Lex snapped and put his phone down on his lap, turning to you fully. “I can’t kiss my girlfriend whenever I please? In case you forgot, we are dating and that means-”
“No, Lex, in case you forgot we aren’t actually dating,” you snapped. “At the ballet you told me my feelings changed nothing, so why did you kiss me?”
Lex’s eyes narrowed. “I felt like it.”
“That’s it?” You waved your hands for him to continue.
“That’s it.” He agreed.
You didn’t know what to say to that. Everything else made sense. He was angry that you had gone on an interview with someone who so clearly did not favor him. The kiss in Clark’s apartment made sense. It was a show, a display. It was a performance, to sell the idea that he was a worried, caring, possessive boyfriend. All of that made sense to you. It tracked with Lex’s character. It made sense to who he was, who you knew him to be.
What didn’t make sense was the kiss in the elevator.
No one was looking. There was no logical reason to do any of that. And at the end, when he had said… what he said. There was no reason for that. No reason at all.
You shook your head. An anger you didn’t quite recognize ate you alive. “No, that’s not it. You don’t get to play with me like that. You know how I feel-”
“So? I don’t care how you feel-”
“Let me finish!” You snapped at him. Lex looked stunned, so you took the opportunity to continue. “I have been making sacrifices all this time, just to be there for you when you needed me the most. You do not get to treat me like this.”
Lex pursed his lips before he responded, slowly and dangerously. “I can treat you however I want.”
What Lex left unsaid, you knew right away. He could treat you however he wanted, because he knew you would stay. He knew he could do anything he wanted to you and it didn’t fucking matter because you were too weak to leave him. Too desperate for his love that you would do anything to keep him.
And once you realized that, something in you shattered. You had been clinging onto this hope for so long that Lex would realize how much he loved you, realize how wrong he was, realize that you knew him better than anyone else and that you were the only one for him.
But that was just a dream.
Lex was not going to do that.
And he never would.
You had been deluding yourself ever since that call came. You never mattered. Clark was right, you were just a willing tool in Lex’s game. Lex never cared about you and never would. There was no point to any of this.
Tears began falling from your face before you could stop them. You reached up and scrubbed them away. You looked away from Lex and took a deep breath to compose yourself.
Thankfully, Lex opted to stay quiet. He said nothing as you deliberately placed your bag on the middle seat and said nothing as you got out of the car and began walking down the street.
You just kept walking, no destination in mind. You just had to get out of that car. Get away from Lex.
You knew Lex was not going to follow you. And now he couldn’t. As you got further and further away, the tracker on your phone that you had left behind sat useless next to him.
Deep down, a small part of you wished he would follow you. But you knew that was just another delusion. A dream. All of this was just some sick, fucked up dream you would wake up from and find yourself back in Colorado, alone, but happy. Happy that Lex had never called you, happy that Lex had never kissed you, happy that Lex had never broken your heart.
Again.
Again and again, how many times could you be hurt by one man? How many times would you come crawling back? How many times could he tear your heart into pieces?
You weren’t aware of your surroundings until a large boom shook the ground beneath your feet. You thought for a moment you were still dreaming, but the ringing in your ears proved otherwise. You and everyone around you fell to the sidewalk at once. You scanned the area to see that the blast had come from a bank across the street. Rubble had exploded outwards from the building.
People were screaming and running away, and you didn’t know what possessed you, but you jogged towards the rubble. It was obviously a bank robbery, but that fact didn’t seem to register in your mind.
You could hear a small child crying.
You followed the sound until you saw a girl’s leg trapped under a rock.
“Help me! Please, someone help me!”
You rushed to her side and did your best to calm her before lifting the piece of the building up and away. You helped her to her feet, bending down to pick her up, but a sharp pain to the back of your head made you stumble forward.
The next thing you knew, you were pulled backwards into a body. A thick arm wrapped around your neck and cold metal was pressed to your forehead.
“Got a hostage!” The voice behind you yelled.
“Get in the car!” A voice replied.
The burly man behind you began dragging you backwards as you thrashed.
“Quit struggling!” He snapped, pressing the metal further into your temple. You froze when you realized it was the muzzle of a gun.
You walked with him, stumbling from the awkward angle you were in. After a few steps you were roughly tossed into a car. You scrambled for the door but it slammed in your face. The next thing you knew, a sharp thud on the back of your head made everything go black.
A/N: thank you for all the support so far! Hope you guys like this one!! (also peep the masterlist for a sneak peak at the next few chapters hehehe :) )
Courting Lex Luthor was better than anything you had ever dreamed of- and you had dreamed of it a lot.
Since your feelings started bleeding out of platonic in high school, you had fantasized about being with Lex on a near daily basis. One could say that was obsessive and weird, but you liked to think of it as love.
Weeks passed since the Tonight Show, and Lex made a deliberate effort to parade you around town.
And god was it amazing. The way he looked at you when people were around- it was intoxicating. The two of you, though, didn’t spend much time together alone. Living in the same building as him, the two of you could pretend to be sharing a place.
It was everything you dreamed of and more.
And still, you ran into problems you hadn't imagined.
The two of you were currently seated in a small box watching the Metropolis City Ballet along with a few of Lex’s work colleagues. They were doing their rendition of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
They talked business throughout the whole show, but you didn’t mind. Lex had a hand on your bare thigh, and it was taking up all your brainpower not to melt.
The dress Lex had picked out for you had a slit going up your left leg. The garment was not something you would usually wear, but Lex had insisted on it. Lex had taken the opportunity to slip his hand through the gap to rub absentminded circles on your bare thigh.
It was causing… problems.
You couldn’t exactly wear underwear with this dress, so you were worried about the mess you were making soaking into the dress.
It was embarrassing what he did to you.
You couldn’t think about anything other than Lex’s hand, hoping it would dip higher, into dangerous territory.
Dammit, none of this was helping.
You couldn’t hear anything that was being said. You couldn’t take in the splendor of the dancers on the stage. You couldn’t focus on a damn thing other than the heavy weight on your thigh.
Suddenly, the hand on your thigh gave a quick squeeze. You couldn’t stop the squeak your vocal chords produced.
Your eyes snapped to icy blue, regarding you carefully. He had an eyebrow raised and had quite obviously said something or asked you something.
You tried to say the words ‘I will be right back,’ but they slurred into an incomprehensible mess of nothing. At the same time, you grabbed his wrist and placed his hand on the arm rest between the two of you. Then you stumbled to your feet and made a hasty escape.
One of Lex’s guards broke off from the door and followed you all the way to the ladies’ room, posting himself at the door.
You rushed inside, quickly checking to see if anyone else was there. Thankfully, it was empty. Sighing in relief, you found that your mess hadn’t leaked and made a spot on your dress.
Sagging, you made the walk over to the nearest stall to clean yourself up.
You worked quickly, wiping away the mess, then flushed the toilet. You left the stall and leaned on the sink. You turned on the water and began washing your hands.
You met your gaze in the mirror and frowned.
You looked nice, your hair was done up nice, your makeup was spot on. You looked good.
But Cat’s words had been bugging you.
You deserve someone who isn’t pretending.
You had relationships during the ten years Lex never replied to you. Of course you had. You had a few long-term relationships, but they never worked out. They were never… they just weren’t him. Maybe you did deserve better than fawning over a man that would never, could never, love you.
But in the end, it wasn’t really your choice who you were in love with.
And you knew you wouldn't be happy with anyone but Lex.
“Is your intention to wash off your skin?”
A cool voice startled you and you nearly jumped out of your skin. You turned to find Lex, arms crossed, regarding you. You couldn't tell how he was feeling from looking at his face. He was guarded.
You realized he had asked a question. He was referring to how you were nervously wringing your hands under the water faucet – you still were.
You quickly shook off your hands and started drying them.
“This is the ladies room,” you stated. You were trying desperately to act nonchalant and regain your composure.
“What is wrong with you?”
The question startled you. You met his gaze, but he didn't look particularly concerned. If anything, he looked annoyed.
“Nothing.”
Lex’s eyes narrowed and he took a step forward, crowding your space. “We both know something is wrong, so please stop wasting my time.”
You took a step backwards, your back hitting the counter behind you, ending your retreat.
“I had to use the-”
Lex barked your name, cutting you off. Your mouth closed as he stepped forward again and bracketed you against the counter with his hands. He leaned down and searched your face.
“I- I'm fine, Lex.”
Lex rolled his eyes. “If it bothers you that much to be around me, you shouldn't have agreed to this.”
You blinked. What?
“That's not it,” you said firmly.
“Really? Because every time I'm close to you, you recoil. Look at you right now, you can't stand being near me.” There was something dark in Lex's eyes.
“That's not it!” You repeated.
“Then what?”
Your eyes dropped from embarrassment over what you were about to admit. But you couldn't let Lex think you couldn't stand being near him.
“I just can't think clearly when you're so close…”
Lex scoffed. “Right,” he said dryly. He grabbed your chin roughly and tilted it up to meet his eyes. Your eyes snapped shut in response, cheeks flaring with heat.
He let out what sounded like a chuckle. “Are you serious? You're fucking with me. You have to be. You can't be serious.”
His disbelief only made you more embarrassed. You pressed your lips together in a hard line. You always imagined the day where you finally confessed your love for him. Preferably, he would confess his first. Then you would reciprocate and the two of your would kiss and-
It didn’t matter what you imagined. Because now you were here, in a fucking bathroom, and he was laughing at you.
“You really like me, don’t you?” He laughed cruelly. “You do, don’t you?”
You didn’t respond. How could you respond? What would you say? Your face burned under his laughter.
“Wow, and I just thought you were a good actor. All that blushing and hiding you were doing at the show, that was real?”
Lex waited for you to respond, but you bit your lip, eyes still sealed. He clicked his tongue and finally, finally moved away. You released the breath you had been holding and sagged into the counter. You dropped your head to stare at your feet.
“Aw, don’t look so disappointed, darling. Did you really think anything would change?”
You looked up, steeling yourself against his cold, blue eyes. “No. I knew going in that this was all fake. That my feelings wouldn’t change anything.”
Lex arched a brow. “And you’re fine never getting anything more?”
“Of course. I never expected anything more.”
Lex scoffed again. “Always the martyr, aren’t you darling?” Lex shook his head. “It doesn’t matter. I need you for the moment.”
Lex looked past you into the mirror and straightened his suit. You brushed yourself off and straightened up as well.
Once done, Lex held out his hand to guide you to the door. Stepping forward, his hand settled low on your back.
The two of you walked out of the bathroom and back to the box seats. Lex’s hand settled high on your thigh again, but you couldn’t focus. On anything. Lex’s words were replaying in your head over and over and over and-
I need you… for now.
For now.
For now?
You didn’t want to - no, really you couldn’t think about what that meant. For now? Could that mean…
You shook off the thought. You were spiraling. You just needed to enjoy the time you had with him for now.