I was absolutely disgusted with Clark in this chapter… He seriously didn’t see ANYTHING that was wrong with his behaviour, and thought himself magnanimous for not making Lex grovel and apologise for the miserable, pitiful cry for help in the shape of a drunk-call. What an unbelievable ass!!!
And I was quite angry at Lex as well, for putting up with behaviour like this from someone in a committed relationship with him. Although I can understand how someone as needy, loyal, passionate and emotionally insecure as Lex would allow himself to be trapped in a relationship… even when he wasn’t given the kind of care and respect more partners deserve in an equal relationship. Hmmm, I can imagine it was these same qualities that kept Chloe tied to Clark, even when he was a clearly unsatisfying partner (physically as well as emotionally)
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Then he remembered what they’d been talking about. “Chloe? What about her?” Sure, she’d been in a shirt that clearly wasn’t hers. But, Lex and Chloe? Never.
“Honey, I know that you’d never cheat on me.” He drank some coffee and remarked, “Especially with her” before going back to his eggs.
Lex's jaw clenched, not only at the nonchalant tone, but also at the very dismissive way Clark spoke about Chloe. It was like he didn't think she was anyone worth noticing.
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“You like bombshells, remember?” He went through the visuals of the women that Lex had been with that he’d seen. Chloe didn’t compare. “I mean, yes, she’s cute and all, but hardly up to your standards.”
Besides, he’d been with her too. And there were unspoken rules about that. He looked up at Lex. He didn’t look happy at all. A joke would have to help.
“Plus, after me, you’d be no comparison, right?” He grinned over at Lex. “A girl always remembers her first.”
Oh My GOD! I was angry enough with the way Clark was dismissing Lex and whatever miseries the poor man was going through. But the way he dismissed Chloe? It made it LIVID with absolute, raging fury! At this moment, I really, REALLY wanted to grab Clark out from the screen and give him a pummelling… with a Kryptonite wrecking ball.
Who the HELL does he think he is to be judging Chloe worth, value and beauty?! How DARE he!?!? It’s even worse knowing that this is Chloe’s ex-boyfriend talking about her in such a dismissive, contemptuous manner, because it’s OBVIOUS that he doesn’t have any respect for her, and probably never did.
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It was obvious that Clark didn't think anyone could resist him, or move on once he'd decided to leave them behind.
It made me feel a ‘little’ better to know that Lex also felt a fraction of the indignation that I felt about Chloe being referred to in such a dismissive, contemptuous manner. It’s good to know that Chloe is actually appreciated by the more intelligent member of this partnership… the one with actual sense and good taste!
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Clark had thought a lot about it. When he could, his gifts made many demands on him. And he’d come to a conclusion. There was no need to fight about what Lex had said. Clark knew that he was probably sorry about it.
“Of course I care. But don’t worry,” he turned back to look at his boyfriend. “I know that you’d been drinking. You don’t have to apologize, babe.”
Babe? Where does Clark get off calling Lex Luthor a ‘babe’?! I know it can be a harmless term of affection, but I ALSO know that it can sometimes be used as a petty, demeaning term for a partner. Somehow, I got the sense it was the latter rather than the former with Clark… even if he was only doing it subconsciously. Especially since Clark seems like a completely selfish, self-obsessed, self-absorbed, oblivious, inconsiderate asshole in the way he handles all his relationships.
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Lex really wondered if Clark had even once, just for a moment, even a fleeting one, at least at one single point in this year long relationship, ever considered that he wasn't in the right. That he'd screwed up and badly, and that he needed to change himself to make things better.
heh, don’t count on it, Lex. But I liked the way Lex summed up so MANY things that was wrong in this relationship in this section. I think he’s driving himself towards an epiphany… FINALLY!
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Clark glared at Lex’s retreating back, glad that he had control over his heat vision. He took a few steps and grabbed onto his arm. “I thought you wanted to talk about this. Don’t blame me for your drinking. We both know that it started long before you and I did.”
I was really glad that Lex had pointed out that CLARK was the cause of, not only the drunk-phone call, but also Lex’s tendency to drink himself into a miserably stupor. I think this might be the first time Lex has actually confronted Clark about how unhappy and unsatisfied he is. But then I was enraged with Clark turning the situation in his favour so, in HIS view, he came out pure and virtuous, while Lex seemed like the drunken boyfriend who bothered his beloved with random calls in the middle of the working night. WHY doesn’t Clark just LISTEN?!?!
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Instead, Clark was momentarily stunned when Lex’s fist connected with his jaw. It didn’t hurt, but it surprised him, and he took a few steps back.
Lex was seething. “Don't fucking touch me.” He enunciated every word slowly and precisely.
Squeee! Lex hit him! Finally! Lex gave him what for! Granted, it didn’t hurt Clark even the tiniest bit like he deserved, but it was the point that mattered.
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Then, he slid over to Lex’s side and put a hand on his hip. He wasn’t usually into the dirty talk but it might help. Anything to get over this fight. “I want your cock in my mouth.” His hand went further down, its destination now obvious to both of them.
Lex's hand clamped down around Clark's wrist, squeezing as hard as he could without hurting his own fingers in the process. “Do you honestly think that a blowjob is going to fix what's wrong between us?”
He didn't turn around, consciously kept his back to Clark as a barrier between them. Thankfully, he'd stopped sleeping naked quite a while ago or Clark might have misunderstood it as an invitation to be fucked. “Clark, you haven't been home in two weeks. I have no idea when you're going to leave again, or for how long this time. You can't honestly think that's normal.”
It was at this point where my anger at Clark simply disappeared… NOT because I was turned into sentimental mush or anything… I was just so… sad… at both of them. Clark doesn’t ‘mean’ to be a bad boyfriend, but he truly doesn’t know any better, which is just tragic, because it means that not only will his partners suffer, but even Clark himself will probably never be able to enjoy a good, stable, secure relationship unless he understand what’s he doing wrong.
I think Lex has been sending Clark the wrong message all this time, being so lenient and compromising, that Clark has no idea what a stupid, bad boyfriend he’s actually being. It’s partially Lex’s (and before that, Chloe’s) fault for letting Clark develop these bad habits in the first place.
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It seemed like he couldn't get through. Whenever he tried to discuss it, Clark found one reason or another to put the discussion off. This was just one in a long line of attempts to get through to him. “It's not about winning.” Lex was not ready to give up yet. “It's about realizing that something doesn't work and trying to do something about it.”
He turned around and looked down at Clark, trying to see the boy he'd fallen in love with. It was hard to manage when he looked at the firm lines and displeased set of jaw. The stubble on his face made him seem older than he really was. “Sex is not the solution to this problem. And if you ever listened to me you would know that.”
I think it’s great that Lex is trying to tell Clark that the relationship is NOT working the way it is right now. Lex is actually being very mature and reasonable over here. And I KNOW that, of only Clark was paying attention, there could have been a chance to salvage this relationship. I can see that Lex genuinely loves Clark, and Lex is NOT the kind of person to quit on any kind of a relationship (friendship or love) unless there was outright betrayal from the friend or lover in question. So if ONLY Clark listens just now… he and Lex could still manage to salvage this whole thing…
Unfortunately, I think most of what Lex has said just now has either been ignored, or gone straight over Clark’s dimbulb head.
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Maybe he could get him to understand. If he just showed Clark how little he was actually there, maybe he would see what went wrong and learn to set priorities. “I'm not asking you to give up being who you are.” Even though I've given up pretty much everything to be with you, went unsaid.
heh, yet another example of the accommodating and overly-compromising precedent that Lex set that eventually led Clark into a habit of being a horrible, negligent boyfriend. Both Lex and Chloe were willing to compromise and give up everything to make Clark happy, which led him to believe he was worth any sacrifice as long as he paid a token amount of affection in return. All three of them were idiots!
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He thought about what Lex had said. “But, maybe, I could talk to the others about…” He didn’t know what he’d say, though. Yes, I agree that the world is going to hell in a hand basket but my boyfriend is lonely and says I don’t touch him anymore. Clark didn’t think that would go over too well.
“I haven’t been home much,” he admitted. “After this summit, I promise you that I will stay here until we hash it out.”
Lex looked into Clark's eyes and it was all there, clear as day. He wouldn't talk to the others about cutting him some slack. It wasn't even 'the others' who were the reason that Clark went out and saved everyone from everything all the time. It was all Clark's own decision. He wanted it this way. Needed to be the all encompassing hero who saved the world single handedly.
Hmmm, Lex raised some good points over here about how Clark ‘could’ tone back the super-heroing a little bit. After all, there are plenty of other people and institutions created to also ‘save people’. SO Clark ‘could’ take some time out from patrolling for petty criminal activities in the areas that are already covered by other life-saving forces. Personally, I think another good solution would have been for Clark to have cut down on his hours at the Daily Planet.
Lex was basically asking Clark to re-prioritize a little bit… To spend a little more time on his personal life and boyfriend. He was asking Clark to ALSO bend his schedule a little bit after Lex has rearranged his whole life for Clark’s benefit.
But Clark was simply not willing to consider doing that. Perhaps he didn’t realize the perilous danger he was in of losing Lex, but I also think it’s likely that he wouldn’t have compromised even IF Lex had given him an ultimatum.
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In that moment, Lex knew. He reached out a hand and placed it on Clark's cheek. There was no reason to talk about this anymore. Not when it wouldn't change anything. A sad smile flicked at the corners of his mouth, but it was gone in an instant.
He tried to think of something to say. Something poignant and meaningful that would let Clark know that Lex got it now. That he understood what Clark would probably never realize.
Lex leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to Clark's mouth. To him it tasted like ashes.
“Goodnight, Clark.”
oh GOOD! Finally Lex has realized that Clark is not willing to change, and he has finally acknowledged that he is NOT going to be happy being taken for granted. He’s finally realized that he’s reached his limits, and that he’s not going to allow himself to be stretched any further. EXCELLENT!
It was rather sad seeing Lex wishing Clark goodbye, and I really wish he had made it clear to Clark on what was going on in his mind. It doesn’t seem right that Clark shouldn’t know. But then again, perhaps it’s fitting that Clark should be as oblivious to THIS as he is to everything else about Lex…
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Chloe knew that things were bad. If Lex didn’t even say hello and pretend to be ok, well, it didn’t bode well. Neither did the fact that Clark had been on TV this morning.
That meant that he’d already been long gone this morning. Leaving Lex alone, again.
It’s a good thing Lex has Chloe to help him through this trying time in his life. Even if it was HIS idea to break up with Clark, I imagine Lex is going to need a lot of comfort and support after that.
Heh, and Chloe is a school teacher? Wasn’t THAT a complete shock? But it seems like she’s happy in her life.
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“So I told him flat out that he is the reason I drink in the first place, insulted him and tried to leave the room.”
Chloe whistled. That was the most confrontational Lex had ever been with Clark. She was so proud of him.
‘This’ was the most confrontation Lex has ever given Clark? No wonder Clark turned into such an ass in the face of all this accommodating doormat-like behaviour. I was also please, just like Chloe, about Lex finally taking a step which has obviously been a long time coming.
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Chloe was a pusher. She knew it. Would push people to do something, to talk to her, to face their fears. But she wouldn’t push Lex anymore. His body language could be read loud and clear. What he needed now was some stories about her kids.
awww, Chloe really IS a good friend to Lex. Only a good, close friend would be sensitive to their companion’s moods like this, and be able to adapt their behaviour accordingly. Lex is really lucky that Chloe chose to ‘pity’ him rather than resent him when Clark switched his dubiously devoted attentions from her to Lex, LOL!
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Lex chuckled at the stories, getting the vivid image of how things transpired in his mind. He could see Chloe's irritated expression as she chased after a tiny green frog and the 'trying not to laugh' face as she thanked Jeffery for offering organ parts to said frog.
“Admit it, you love your job.”
No one would have thought it as a future career for Chloe Sullivan, snooper by nature, but she'd decided to go into education and had found the job of her life in being an elementary school teacher. Lex had been perhaps the most surprised about that turn of events, but he'd also been the one to understand quickest. Some things just felt right, no matter how weird they seemed to everyone else around you.
LOL! I enjoyed all those silly stories of one of Chloe’s ‘normal’ days of work. It’s fantastic to see that she takes joy and delight in her job. Even if it IS a surprising and unexpected career path she’s chosen for herself, it suits her.
Heh, and it’s also pleasant to see Lex also enjoying her job through her stories about her workday. :D It just goes to show how WELL they’re going to get along together once they realize that they are perfect for each other.
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“What? Does it look bad? Oh my god, is there glue in it?”
Chloe looked around for the nearest reflective surface. They’d had arts and crafts and sometimes some of it stayed on her for a few hours. “It’s glitter, isn’t it?”
God, where was a mirror when you needed one?
When Lex started chuckling, she knew she’d been had. “You’re an ass,” she said, while throwing her napkin at his chest.
Lex caught the napkin and smirked at her. “And the finest one within the city limits if certain rumors are to be believed.”
There really was some glitter in her hair, but for Lex that didn't count as 'something wrong' anymore. Not since he'd seen her with glue, transparent paper in four different colors and some not further identifiable gooey pink substance in her hair. Glitter was relatively low on the 'mess scale'.
ROTFL! Oh you silly, SILLY little boy, Lex! LOL! I don’t think Lex has had a chance to tease and play with Clark in this light-hearted manner in a long time, but it’s good to see that all the spirit hasn’t been deadened in him from lack of use… Thank heavens Chloe stuck around to ‘save Lex’ before he died inside from neglect.
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And he couldn't remember that Chloe and he had ever swapped spit. At least not in the way the expression would lead one to think. Or imagine. Or paint in bright colors across his retinas complete with a rewind to two nights ago at the club when he'd watched her and Ian.
heee :D Now THAT was an excellent visual to put in Lex’s head… something to start leading him down the path of seriously considering Chloe in the relations of lover as well as friend, LOL!
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Upstanding citizens was maybe taking it a bit far, but in general, he had to agree with her. Things could have turned out much worse. Especially where he was concerned. After all the shit he'd been through, he sometimes wondered how he'd escaped going completely insane.
With a smirk, Lex picked up his own cup and clinked it against hers. “To us.”
ROTFLMAO! I wonder if Lex realized that he answered his own question over here about how he escaped from going completely dead and/or insane from his horrible, trying relationship with Clark… It was all due to Chloe of course. It was Chloe’s care, concern and diligent attention that kept Lex from either withering away, or going bonkers. It would be NICE to see Lex finally acknowledge how Chloe has ‘saved him’ from Clark, LOL! it would be even nicer if Lex told Clark that, ROTFL!
This was a fun chapter, filled with lots of interesting insights and hateful details about the Clex relationship. I can’t imagine that Clark is enjoying this kind of a relationship any more than Lex is… how ‘could’ he enjoy being a part of such a passion-devoid partnership? But at least Clark is not as actively unhappy and miserable as Lex because Clark is oblivious and just doesn’t know any better about how things ‘could’ or ‘should’ be.
I honestly hope that Clark does learn better and become a man capable of enjoying a loving and equal partnership with another person. Of course I want Lex to break up with him and run into Chloe arms first, but it would be nice to know that Clark could also have a chance of realizing the error of his ways and forming a satisfactory, fulfilling relationship of his own… someday.