lois lane has spent enough time in luthor’s orbit to know who really pulls the strings when the curtains close. people think lex towers alone, that his empire rises solely on his genius and iron will, but lois has eyes. she’s seen mercy graves step into a room and silence it without saying a word. she’s seen the flick of her wrist send half a dozen men scattering. lex may sign the checks, but mercy makes sure there’s blood on them. [ and lois has always had a bad habit of running toward the fire. ] she’s waiting by the elevators of luthorcorp when mercy finds her. the bullpen clamor is far behind, replaced by the sterile hum of corporate floors, all marble, glass, and too much polish. lois stands out like a bruise against it, pen and notebook at the ready, chin lifted in defiance. ❝ funny thing, ❞ she says before mercy even has the chance to dismiss her. voice low, steady, threading amusement with steel. ❝ i never seem to catch lex without you close behind. loyal shadow, guard dog, bodyguard, take your pick. doesn’t really matter what word i use, because you wear it better than anyone i’ve seen. ❞ her gaze cuts, sharp enough to slice through the space between them. ❝ but here’s the part i can’t quite figure out, mercy. are you just protecting him, or are you protecting the empire you’ve built out of his name? ❞ [ lois doesn’t expect an answer, not a clean one, anyway. mercy graves doesn’t deal in confessions. but that’s the point. lois isn’t here for easy answers. she’s here to watch the flicker in mercy’s eyes when the right question lands. ] she tucks the pen behind her ear, smile sharp, daring. ❝ either way, i’d love to hear it in your own words. off the record, of course. ❞ | @scidefy for mercy graves.