Flowers and Fortunes

She is sitting in the gardens outside the mansion, and when Lex sits beside her on the bench, she looks up and smiles at him. There is a flower trapped in one of her hands; it is a small sunflower, and with the fingers of her other hand she strokes its petals thoughtfully.

"What are you doing?" he asks her, eying the blossom with interest.

Desiree looks up at him, a small smile playing across her mouth. "He loves me..." she says, and plucks one petal from the bloom.

* * * * * *

Clark stands beside him as he waits for Desiree. It leaves Lex tremendously proud of having such a noble brother; there isn't another person left anywhere on earth that he'd rather have as his best man. He is glad that Clark agreed to the position; the younger boy had been given such short notice and Lex knows he is lucky to have him attend--Lex's own behavior had been unacceptable, especially in the treatment of such a close friend. He should have told Clark about everything earlier, should have told him both about the marriage and of Desiree.

Lex doesn't really worry about it, though. Clark has a habit of being around whenever Lex needs him; it's a trait that hasn't depleted even after Lex's many social fumbles. Lex is beginning to count on Clark's faithfulness; it's one of the few comforts he has in his tumultuous life.

Clark turns to smile at him, and Lex feels a glow of pleasure suffuse his body at the look. Clark only smiles wider then, his grin infusing his face with mischievous happiness.

"Thanks for being here," Lex tells him.

* * * * *

Later, Desiree teases him. She pulls one of the petals from the flower's head and waves it around; her impish nose is wrinkled in a moue of distress. "He loves me not," she singsongs.

Lex disproves the theory by pulling her closer.

* * * * *

He thinks that Clark has given up his pointless accusations, but he is wrong. Lex knows it when Clark comes back a second time; the young face is determined and his approach is sure. Clark is trying to prove his innocence, but Lex remembers how Clark had looked at his wife. Boundless lust, and if there is one thing Lex knows, it is that Desiree is beautiful and any man would want her. Clark is no different from everyone else, at least in that respect.

They both fight, and Lex eventually tells him to get out.

Clark stalks away, anger evident with his every fading footstep.

* * * * *

I know that love is supposed to be blind, Lex remembers saying. He's lying quietly in bed, and he turns to looks at Desiree; she is fast asleep beside him, breathing calmly and steadily. Her nude body lies uncovered and he doesn't bother to hide her; there's too much heat in their bedroom and she is far too beautiful besides. I know that love is supposed to be blind, Lex remembers saying, but she is radiant to his eyes.

After gazing at her for a few desperate seconds, Lex leans in to gather her close, and he smiles when he sees the flower tucked behind her ear. He tries to breath in its scent, but when he leans in, all he inhales is her. She smells like family.

Lex tugs another flower away from the bloom. "He loves me," he promises her.

* * * * *

He tries to talk to Clark, but it's evident that the boy doesn't understand. Clark's too good and too pure; he doesn't understand lust and desperation, he doesn't understand voracious need. Not once has Lex ever seen Clark give into his passions, and Lex's own tryst with Desiree embodies everything that Clark is not.

It's the first time that he feels entirely distant from Clark, Lex realizes as he drives away. He watches his rearview mirror as he maneuvers through the Kents' lot, and he sees Clark begin to fade as he drives farther down the road.

It's the first time since the bridge that he feels entirely on his own.

* * * * *

The flower stands by itself on the windowsill, its wilting visage framed by the last vestiges of sunlight. It's a pathetic sight, most of the blossoms litter the shelf around it, and as Lex watches, the last petal makes its way softly through the air to join its fellows.

The bud of the flower's head is left naked and alone.

Lex watches it for a very long time. "He loves me not..." he eventually concedes.

Back