strawberry-knights

[strawberry-knights]

guys I'm in the trenches (failed a quiz) how am I gonna lift my spirits (writing delusional fanfic)

[strawberry-knights]

OHHHH BOYYYY!!! lex doesn’t even know he doesn’t even KNOW what he has!!!! Oh I’m so giddy. Giggling over here

omg bro doesn't even know, he doesn't even know!! (sh don't tell him!)

[strawberry-knights]

Midsummer Dream

Two: A Favor

Lex Luthor x fem!Reader

Summary: Lex reveals why he brought you to Metropolis.

Masterlist Link

WC: 1.7k

TW/CW: none!

A/N: three posts in three days, i think ive gone off the deep end.......

You woke up to a pounding on your front door. You groaned and ignored it, rolling over. It was probably room service or something dumb like that. You didn’t want to deal with it. 

You were still quite jet lagged from the flight, and frankly didn’t want to bother with anyone right now. 

They would get the hint and go away. 

Then you heard your door open. 

You shot up in bed and scrubbed at your eyes as they attempted to focus. It was light outside, judging by the window. 

You went into full blown panic and started looking around for something to defend yourself with. 

Then a familiar voice called your name. 

“Lex?” You shouted incredulously. You heard footsteps and then…

There he was. 

Of course his maturity did not surprise you. It wasn’t like you hadn’t seen him since… the last time. You had watched him age on the news, shows, and magazines. You just hadn’t seen him in person since, well, since you last spoke.

He was dressed in an expensive suit, though to be honest, you wouldn't know the difference between a regular suit and an expensive one. His shoes were shiny and probably also expensive. It looked like he was concerned, but maybe that was just your delusional brain speaking. His jaw was sharp and angular, harsh lines making up his face. 

But his eyes… they were bluer than you remembered. They had this coldness to them, this hard edge. His eyes were harsher than you remembered, too. Like they were this barrier, an icy wall, keeping everyone at a distance.

He looked good. Very good. 

It took a solid minute for your brain to recalibrate. 

“What… why are you… here?”

Lex cleared his throat and averted his eyes. “You were not answering your phone.” 

“Oh…” You looked over to the bedside table and picked up your cellphone. You tried turning it on and the empty battery symbol flashed. “It's dead.”

“I know.” He cleared his throat again. “I'll let you get around. I'll be waiting in the living room. We should talk.”

“Yeah, okay.”

Lex gave a stiff nod, still not looking your way, and left, closing the bedroom door behind him. 

You let yourself sit for a moment. You weren't going to ask him how he got in - you knew if he wanted to he would get in. That's how Lex was. He always got what he wanted. 

Perhaps your indulgence in him was partially to blame. Or maybe that was just your guilt. 

You pulled yourself out of the huge, lifted bed and recoiled when your feet hit the hardwood. Despite it being summer, the AC had cooled the wood to an unbearable temperature. 

You clenched your jaw and forced yourself to stand up. You padded over to your suitcase and pulled out a pair of biker shorts. You pulled them on and decided to leave on your oversized tee. No point in debating over what to wear to impress him. 

You would never impress Lex. 

Unfortunately, you were not a shallow millionaire trust fund girl who could not comprehend the complexities of Lex. And, also unfortunately, that was most decidedly his type. 

You knew he only kept them around for two reasons. One was for his image. People didn't like ‘bachelor’ billionaires. It made them seem inhuman and cold. Like a fuck boy or a Playboy. Two was most likely to fulfill his innate need for sex. Those girls were not people to him. They were tools. You knew that. 

It didn't make it hurt any less. 

You made your hair as presentable as possible and cleaned your teeth quickly in the attached master bathroom. 

When you walked into the living room, you saw Lex pacing in front of the TV and heard him yelling into his headset. 

“...care, I need those numbers in thirty minutes or you are being replaced with someone who isn't a sniveling, pathetic excuse for a physicist!” 

As he turned around he saw you and lifted a finger. You nodded and made your way to sit at the far end of the couch. 

Penny trotted up to you, not sparing Lex a glance, and hopped up into your lap. 

“Was I not clear? Thirty minutes. Or else.” 

Lex pressed a button on his phone immediately after, presumably ending the call. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, let it out, then opened his eyes and flashed you a forced smile. 

“Sorry about that, I’ll cut right to the chase.”

“Of course,” you smiled. You pet Penny as she curled into a ball in your crossed legs. 

Lex did not hesitate at all before dropping the bombshell on you. He said it as if it was nothing. He said it as if he was telling you what you would be eating that night for dinner. He said it as if it didn’t bother him. 

You think that is what got you the most. That he was making it as clear as he possibly could that this meant nothing. You meant nothing. You were just… a tool. Something he was using to advance himself further. 

When he had first called you, you had this idiotic, stupid, pathetic hope that it meant something. That he really did want you back in his life. That he… wanted you. 

You really were the worst. 

“We will be marrying in November, after a few months of courting. I will propose in late August, as the fall background will be good for pictures and press. Most likely in a restaurant at night. You will have moved here to promote your upcoming book, we reconnected, and we will announce our relationship on Saturday on the Tonight Show, where I already have an interview lined up. I would do it sooner, but I want you to get some, ah, professional PR training.”

He paused and assessed your reaction. His eyes looked you up and down, scanning you for signs of something.

“Alright.” 

What else could you say? You would never say no. Not to Lex. Of course you hadn’t imagined the favor would be an enormous marriage publicity stunt but… to be honest, it really did not change anything. You had known for quite a long time now that you would do anything for Lex. What made this any different?

Lex blinked. He was caught off guard. 

“Alright?” He quoted you. “You… you’re alright with it. Don’t you want to know why?”

“I assume it is because your public image is at an all time low after the… incident three years ago. Your team most likely chose me due to our long history, my very clean public image, and because I would be the most believable for a quick courting.”

A smirk worked its way onto Lex’s face. “I apologize for underestimating you. I am used to being surrounded by idiots, it's quite refreshing to have someone actually use their brain around me.”

You smiled, unable to stop the little flip your stomach did. It was so fucked up how you responded like a desperate puppy to his weird ass compliments. You were so far gone. 

You weren’t sure if he even knew how much you loved him.

“I appreciate it.” 

Lex offered a wry smile. “You will meet with Kyle around 2 pm. He will prepare you for our appearance in three days. Any questions?” He paused, appraising you once more. You felt on fire and frozen under his intense gaze, all at once. His eyes… they just did something to you.

“Centennial Bridge,” you said before you could stop yourself. You knew it was a bad idea, you knew it would only hurt, but you couldn’t help yourself. 

Lex raised an eyebrow at you.

He didn’t remember? It didn’t surprise you, but it still stung. 

“For the proposal. Centennial Park's bridge.”

Lex frowned. “A restaurant is more conventional-”

“No,” you cut him off. “A restaurant is crowded and paparazzi won’t be able to follow and see clearly. The park is more open, more accessible.”

You were right, but that was not the reason you wanted him to propose there. 

In for a penny, in for a pound. 

If you were going to do this, you could at least pretend it was real. 

Lex nodded slowly. “You have a point… alright, Centennial Bridge. I’ll let my assistant know and she will pick a date and time that will work well. Anything else?”

“You do know I have PR training.” You offered him a small smile, to which he rolled his eyes. 

“Yes, I am sure you do,” Lex huffed. “Kyle will be here at 2.”

“I’ll be ready.”

“Try to make yourself more…” his eyes flicked down then back up. “Presentable.”

“I do try not to make a habit of wearing my pajamas all day.”

“Right.” Lex clicked his tongue and pulled out his phone. “Are you still in the same size dress as last time?” The sentence was absent-minded, but packed a punch. 

Last time was prom. Prom, where he took you and everything went wrong until it gloriously went right. Prom, where he took you to Centennial Park. Prom, where you last saw him in the flesh. 

Did he remember?

You shook the thought away. It didn’t matter if he remembered. Nothing would change. 

You remembered he had asked a question and gave him your dress size. He nodded and tapped away on his phone. 

“Alright, I need to be going. Please keep your phone charged in case I or my team needs to contact you, okay?” Lex said this as he walked towards the front door. He said it as if he were scolding a child. 

But you didn’t mind. Any attention was better than nothing. 

“I will.” You didn’t turn around to see him open the door, but you heard it open. 

“And… to give credit where credit is due, I picked you. Not my PR team.” He paused. “Good bye.”

Oh, you were so fucked…

[TAGLIST]: @leo4242564

Taglist open!

[strawberry-knights]

Close Call

Jimmy Olsen x reader

Summary: You’ve been pining after Jimmy for months, but haven’t gotten the courage to ask him out. The imminent threat of death makes you reconsider. 

My Writing Masterlist

WC: 1.8k

TW/CW: kidnapping, held hostage, bomb threat

A/N: i feel like we all deserve to be kissed senseless by jimmy olsen, do you not agree? ((also mostly gn reader, reader is referred to as 'new girl' like twice, but other than that its gn))

You sighed, looking over your computer at Jimmy. He was sitting on the edge of Cat’s desk, talking animatedly with his hands. His smile was dazzling and genuinely the most gorgeous smile you had ever seen. 

He said something and she laughed, reaching over and touching his thigh. 

You frowned and huffed another sigh. 

“Lord have mercy on me, just ask him the fuck out already!” 

You jumped in your seat and whipped around to glare at Lois. 

“Shh!” You hissed. “What if he hears you?”

“I would love it if he heard me, then I would not have to deal with your kicked puppy look.”

You frowned. “I can see your are annoyed but-”

“I'm fed up, is what I am. Grow a pair or get back to work.” Lois glared at you and continued past your desk to refill her mug. 

You got back to work, albeit unhappily. Of course you wanted to ask Jimmy out, but he was so unattainable to you. You were just the new girl. He rarely talked to you, if ever. It was like you did not exist to him. 

Begrudgingly, you started editing your latest piece. It was some fluff piece to fill the pages and make the readers happy. It was filler, but that was a part of the job sometimes. 

During the rest of the work day, you were acutely aware of everywhere Jimmy went. Not like it was different than any other work day, but you wondered if anyone else had caught onto your little crush. 

You noticed when lunch time rolled around and the trio consisting of Lois, Clark, and Jimmy left for lunch. 

It was about ten minutes later when Perry stormed into the main office. 

“I need a reporter at Centennial Park yesterday! Some sorta metahuman is wrecking the place!” Perry looked around. “Where's Kent? Lane? Olsen?” 

“They went to lunch,” you replied. 

Perry threw up his hands. “Then you go, does it look like I care? I need someone on the ground now!”

You jumped up from your seat and started gathering the necessities. Once packed you bolted for the elevators and rode it down, tapping your foot impatiently the entire time. 

Once the elevator doors opened, you jogged the entire way to Centennial Park. You knew you were going the right way because you could see smoke coming up from the trees deep inside the park. 

You bumped into people fleeing as you ran towards the fray. Once you got close enough, you were able to see what was going on. 

Some sort of dragon looking guy, with scales and everything, was blowing fire at Superman. 

You crouched down and started taking pictures. You were so engrossed with the shots that you didn't notice the man sneaking up behind you. 

You felt a sharp blow to the back of your head.

And everything went dark. 

“C’mon, Lois, you know I don't have a shot.” Jimmy sighed. 

The three of them had gone out to lunch, but Clark left a few minutes ago citing a need to finish something he forgot. Jimmy knew he left because Superman needed to take care of a metahuman in Centennial Park, but he was letting Clark believe that he didn’t know about his not so hidden identity. 

Sometimes, Jimmy was just nice like that. 

“Really, Jimmy? Because you don’t have to watch the light die in her eyes every time you avoid talking to her.”

“I don’t avoid her…” Jimmy pouted and huffed. 

They were talking between bites of hotdogs they had gotten at a street side vendor when their favorite sub shop was too busy for their short lunch break. 

“Right, of course. You just weasel out of any conversation she starts with you.” Lois bumped into Jimmy’s shoulder and he shot her a glare. She was giving him a knowing smile. 

But what did Lois know? The new girl was hot, smart, and completely out of Jimmy’s league. There was no way he could land a girl like that. 

“She’s just… too good for me.”

Lois rolled her eyes and took another bite of her hotdog. 

At that moment, Clark came bounding up to them dressed in his civilian clothes, glasses on. 

“Lois,” he said breathlessly, not even sparing a look at Jimmy. “Do you still have the location of the new girl?”

“Yeah, I think so, why?”

“Perry sent her to report on the incident in Centennial Park and she hasn’t come back.”

Jimmy’s heart dropped into his shoes. “What? Where is she?”

“Hold on, I’m looking,” Lois grumbled as she swiped through her phone with one hand, the other still holding a half eaten hotdog. “She’s at the dam.”

Clark nodded and began to turn around, but Jimmy caught his sleeve. 

“I’ll come!” Jimmy announced. 

Clark looked over at Jimmy and his eyes widened. “I mean- we should let Superman handle this but-”

“Cut the crap, Clark, I am coming with you whether you like it or not!”

Clark looked over at Lois incredulously. 

“I told you interviewing yourself so frequently wasn’t a good idea,” she shrugged. 

Clark sighed and looked back to Jimmy. “Fine, we’ll talk strategy on the way. Let’s go.”

Jimmy began running after Clark, but not before he heard Lois say one last thing. 

“Thank fuck I don't have to deal with those two idiots pining anymore.”

You woke up slowly, your head throbbing wildly. It was bright, and the sun was making the headache worse. You tried to lift a hand to press it to your temple, but you found that you couldn’t move it. 

You blinked a few times and your eyes slowly adjusted. 

You were on the SAI dam, facing towards the lake. When you looked down, you saw that you not only were tied up, ropes binding you to a chair, but there was some sort vest on you. 

A vest. 

With a little screen. 

Displaying a timer. 

That was counting down. 

05:46

05:45

05:44

Oh fuck. You suddenly felt incredibly nauseous. All thought processes ground to a complete halt. You didn’t know what to do. What could you do? Were you going to die here?

Tears began to leak from your eyes. You squeezed them shut, willing yourself to stop. You couldn’t cry, no, you couldn’t give the villain the satisfaction. 

But you couldn’t stop. 

You were afraid. And rightfully so. You had just over five minutes to live. 

You couldn’t bear to look down at the timer, but you could hear it beep with each passing second, counting down your time. 

You were so wrapped in your own head that you didn't notice the approach of your saviors. 

“Jesus Christ, Superman, can you disarm it?” 

You opened your eyes and saw that Jimmy was crouched right in front of you, inspecting you. Your eyes met and you saw a swirling mix of emotion in his eyes. 

“Jimmy,” you whispered, your voice still raw and shaky. 

“Oh, man, I'm sorry that took so long, sweetheart,” Jimmy mumbled and began wiping the tears from your face with his tumbs. You leaned into his palm and sagged in relief. You weren't gonna die. Not today, at least. 

Someone cleared their throat. You looked past Jimmy to see Superman, shifting his weight between his two feet awkwardly. 

“Sorry, do your thing.” Jimmy moved to the side, but kept one hand cradling your face. 

Superman stared at the bomb on your chest then let out a pulse of laser from his eyes. There was a loud beep and then… silence. 

“I have to track down the culprit. Are you good from here?” 

“Yeah,” Jimmy said, digging in his pocket. He brandished a pocket knife. “I'll get her to safety. Give that fucker hell.”

Superman gave a small nod and then took off. Jimmy slowly removed his hand from your cheek and began hacking at the ropes binding you. 

He freed your right hand first, then began to work on your left. 

“I like you,” you said suddenly. 

Jimmy shot you a curious glance, but kept sawing through the ropes. “I would hope so, I am saving you.”

You weren't sure if it was the adrenaline still coursing through your veins or if it was the close call with death, but your hand shot out of its own accord. You grabbed a fistful of Jimmy's shirt and yanked him towards you. 

Then you kissed him. He didn't react, so you released him and he backed away slowly, his eyes wide with surprise. You were sure that if you weren't so emotional in that moment that you would be hurt by his lack of reciprocation. But it was the last thing on your mind. All you cared about was him knowing. 

“I like you, idiot.”

Jimmy blinked at you once, twice… 

Then he lunged forward and kissed you. 

It was a desperate kiss, full of teeth and tongue, but it was perfect. His free hand slipped behind your head, pulling you impossibly closer. 

You couldn't tell how long it lasted, but soon you both separated, foreheads pressed together and panting. Your breaths were mingling, breathing in the same hot air. 

He recovered before you, leaning forward and kissing you quickly once more before pulling away. You leaned forward, chasing him, but the restraints halted your movements. 

“You have no idea how long I've wanted to do that…” 

“Can't be much longer than me,” you replied with a dreamy smile. 

Jimmy chuckled and leaned in again, kissing your forehead. “You're gorgeous, and amazing, and perfect, and as much as I want to kiss you some more, I have to get you out of this vest.” 

“Okay,” you nodded. 

“Okay,” Jimmy echoed. He pulled away slowly and began sawing through the ropes with renewed fervor, flashing you a dopey, lovestruck grin every once in a while. You did your best to help, unraveling ropes after he sawed through them. 

Once freed, he pulled the vest up and over your head. He placed it on the floor next to you and all put pulled you up into his arms. You leapt up and wrapped your arms around his neck and the two of you kissed again. 

It made your head dizzy and a warmth spread through your stomach. 

Jimmy began kissing parts of your face between words. “We… really… should… get out… of here…”

“There is a bomb,” you agreed. 

Jimmy sighed melodramatically. “Alright, let's get you home.”

“Okay,” you smiled. You paused, hesitant. “You'll… you'll stay with me, right?”

“Anything for you, sweetheart.”

Jimmy took you back to your place and kept his word - he hasn't left you since. 

[strawberry-knights]

currently editing ch 2 of midsummer dream (Luthor fic) & a Jimmy fic is in the works 🙂‍↔️

requests are open so if u feel a little insane like me, feel free to drop some requests in my ask box!

[strawberry-knights]

The lex fic is already so good im smiling so evilly and excitedly waiting for the next part

tysm!!! i appreciate your support :) it will be out relatively soon bc I'm a tad insane 😔

(btw I am typing so evilly for this next part!! i hope u enjoy ✨ unrequited pining ✨🙂‍↔️)

[strawberry-knights]

Masterlist

Superman (2025)

Lex Luthor

Midsummer Dream

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. 

Jimmy Olsen

Close Call

You’ve been pining after Jimmy for months, but haven’t gotten the courage to ask him out. The imminent threat of death makes you reconsider.

[strawberry-knights]

Midsummer Dream

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.

Masterlist

One: A Call

Two: A Favor

Three: TBD

To be continued...

[strawberry-knights]

Midsummer Dream

One: A Call

Lex Luthor x Reader

Summary: You get a call from an old friend at an inconvenient time.

Masterlist Link

WC: 2.5k

TW/CW: Slight gore, injury, & blood.

A/N: Superman (2025) Lex Luthor has me in a chokehold.

It was quiet at the lake house. 

It was one of those beautifully still days that made you cherish this place even more than you already did. The song of birds, the wind rustling the branches of the tree, the lake refracting the sun's rays across the scenery in brilliant splashes of light - it was perfect. 

Despite being the middle of summer, the trees and lake cooled the temperature enough for it to be good enough weather to work outside. You were sitting in one of your plush deck chairs with your cat, Penny. 

Penny yawned, letting out a low meow as her jaw stretched wide open. Once she was satisfied, she nuzzled her head back into your leg and placed her paws over her eyes once more. She was currently nestled in your criss-crossed legs, below the swing out desk that held your computer. You were typing away on the keys, thoroughly in flow. 

You were working on the fifth installment of your YA series that had gained quite a following since you published your first book. You were far behind the deadline your editor had given you, but you knew he would wait. It was how you lived your life, chaotically and on the brink of disaster. You had blown through many deadlines, but if Jake wanted quality work, he would wait. 

You worked from sunrise to sunset, only moving to readjust in small movements so as to not to disturb Penny. Even when the three mugs of coffee beside you had run out, you still did not leave your chair until the word count was met. 

Penny did not have the same dedication as you, and she left you a few times to either eat or drink, but would eventually find her way back to you. 

Once you had finished and sent the manuscript over to Jake, the sun had mostly set. It was perfect timing, because it was getting just dark enough for you to need to turn on the lights. You closed your laptop and Penny picked up her head. 

“All done, sweetheart!” You announced with a smile, petting her. 

She didn’t waste any time, jumping up and stretching before hopping down from the deck chair. She turned around and gave you an expectant look. 

“Yes, yes, I know.” You stretched your stiff limbs and your joints crackled and popped. You stood up and Penny began vocalizing her excitement for her usual wet food dinner. 

You made your way inside the cabin, closing the back door behind you. You usually left it unlocked, but reports of bears had been popping up nearby, so you slid the deadbolt. 

Penny hopped up onto the kitchen counter and continued her string of meows. You opened the cupboard and took out a can of cat food. You opened a drawer to get the can opener and began opening the can as Penny paced on the counter, stepping over your hands, all the while meowing. You reassured her you were going as fast as you could, even though you really were not. 

Once the can was open, you lifted the lid off. At the same time, Penny bumped into your hand, making the lid slip from your grip. Reflexively, you tightened your grasp to try and catch it. As soon as you did, a sharp pain sliced through your left palm.

“Shit!” You cursed, dropping the lid and cradling your hand. Penny ducked her head into the now open can, happily licking away. Then, your phone, which was in your back pocket, began ringing. 

“Fuck, fuck!” You cursed some more as you saw red droplets splashing onto the tile. You let go of your injured palm and took out your phone. You didn’t even check who was calling, you just answered it and wedged the phone between your ear and shoulder. 

“Jesus, not really a good time, Jake.” You spoke into the phone as you took the can away from Penny. You didn’t want her cutting her tongue on the raw edge of the can. As soon as you took the can away, Penny began yowling. 

“I just cut my hand and might have to go to urgent care,” you mumbled as you examined the depth of the cut. It was fairly deep and was bleeding steadily. “Oh my god, this is bad. Look, I sent you the manuscript, is there an issue with the file?”

There was a beat of silence.

“I’ll send a medic.” The voice was cool, level, and an octave deeper than Jake’s. The voice was a voice you hadn’t heard in years, but still sent a shiver down your spine and flipped your stomach upside down. 

In your surprise, the phone slipped from your ear and clattered to the floor. 

“God fucking-” You sighed and crouched. You struggled to pick up the phone, seeing as both hands were now slick with your own blood. You managed to get a grasp and looked at the caller ID before sighing and putting it on speaker phone. 

“I will be fine, I don’t need help.” You set the phone on the counter next to the sink and turned on the tap. You put your hands under the water, the slit in your palm stinging and burning. “Ow, fucking hell…” You cursed under your breath. 

“The nearest urgent care is a 45 minute drive, which I doubt you will be able to do with your injured hand.” His voice was matter-of-fact, logical and level. He was right, of course, and it infuriated you. 

“It’s not that bad I don’t need you to air drop a strike team for a simple cut.”

“They are already en route. ETA five minutes.”

You sighed and sagged onto the counter, resting your head on your arms. You took deep breaths to steady yourself. You were starting to get lightheaded from the gore and adrenaline. 

He said your name in the form of a question, and the sound of your name in his voice - god it was like music. 

“I’m fine, just really dizzy.”

“Sit down,” he ordered. Your head was starting to get too fuzzy to think straight, so you did as he said and slowly lowered yourself to the floor. “And what is that noise? Did you foster another rabid animal?”

“Her name is Penny,” you slurred your words. Penny propped her front paws on your shoulder and began headbutting you as she yowled. “Rescue.” You closed your eyes and rested your head against the cabinet behind you. 

“Of course.”

The silence stretched for a long moment as you gathered the courage to ask what had been on your mind since you heard his voice. 

“Why are you calling, Lex?”

He hesitated for a moment. “It can wait.”

“I called.”

“...I know.”

“And wrote to you.”

“I am aware.”

“And you didn’t respond.”

He didn’t reply. 

“Why now?”

Lex let out a long sigh that crackled over the speaker. “I need a favor.”

A bitter smile worked its way onto your face. “Of course. Okay.”

“Okay what?”

“I’ll do it.”

Lex sighed again, then said your name in a low voice, sending the shock down your spine once more. “You don’t know what it is.”

“I am aware.” You replied with a small chuckle. 

“So reckless,” Lex muttered. 

“What else is new?”

Lex scoffed, and you could just see him rolling his eyes at you in that annoyed way of his. “Alright, then I’ll send a car and charter a jet. They will help you pack everything you need.”

“Penny comes too.”

Lex huffed in annoyance. “Of course.”

“Wow, you must be really desperate,” you joked, smiling. 

Lex was silent. 

“Lex?”

“The medics will update me on your status. I will see you when you arrive in Metropolis.”

“Lex?” You said it quickly, before he had the chance to end the call. 

“Yes?” There was a thread of annoyance in his voice. 

“Thank you.”

“...Of course. Good bye.”

The phone beeped and the call ended before you had time to respond. 

You refused to allow the strangers Lex sent to help you pack. There was no way you were letting some stranger handle your intimates. They seemed perturbed, but listened to your demands to stay out of your things. 

They also did not specify how long you would be gone, so you packed a large suitcase with as much as you could along with a backpack with all your work things. You packed another bag for Penny and gathered her up in the carrier. 

The car Lex sent was ridiculous. Fancy, expensive, and over the top. It looked like something the President would ride in. But you got in. You let Lex’s men handle everything except Penny’s carrier and your work backpack. The rest you let them handle at their insistence. 

The jet was worse. Nevermind the fact that this was a personally chartered plane and you had never even ridden first class commercially. When they offered you champagne and you had asked for water instead, they had asked you if you wanted still or sparkling. 

But Lex was always like this. As soon as he had the money to do this, he would never hold back. So really, you were not surprised. It was just jarring. 

The flight from Denver to Metropolis was peaceful, but long. Penny was mostly unhappy to be in her carrier, but was too scared and skittish to go outside. 

Penny, short for Penelope, was a long hair calico with heterochromia that you had rescued as a middle aged cat from a local shelter. She was standoffish, didn’t get along with other animals, and had been in the shelter for three years. When you saw her at a farmer’s market booth advertising adoptions two years ago, you knew you needed her. She didn’t have a name and didn’t respond to the name the shelter gave her, so you renamed her. Penelope, after Odyseuss’s wife. 

Now Penny was a clingy, loving, and mild mannered cat who you treasured. In her old age, she mainly slept, but she would still play from time to time. 

You managed to get some sleep during the flight. When you landed, you gathered your things and stepped off the plane expecting Lex to be there. 

But he was not. 

Instead, a woman wearing a pantsuit greeted you by your full name. 

“Hello,” you replied with a tight smile. “Lex isn’t here?”

“Mr. Luthor had a very busy schedule, so I will be escorting you to your living arrangements. I hope this is agreeable.”

Her tone made it very clear that she did not care at all if it was ‘agreeable’ to you. 

“Of course,” you smiled. “Let’s go.”

The two of you got into another armored car and were chauffeured through the streets of Metropolis. The drive was long, but eventually the car pulled up in front of a nice apartment building. 

“This is one of the luxury apartment buildings Mr. Luthor owns, and where you will be staying for the time being,” the woman, who still hadn’t introduced herself, announced as they exited the car. She briskly walked up to the building and the doorman bowed to her and opened the door. She did not even acknowledge the doorman, but you shot him a friendly smile. The burly man smiled back. You caught a glimpse of his name tag. 

“Good afternoon, Frank.”

The doorman beamed. “Good afternoon, Miss.”

You followed the woman through the door as she pointed out the amenities. Chandeliers, indoor heated pool, all inclusive gym, package services. All on the way to the elevators. 

Inside the elevator was another man who offered to take Penny’s carrier, but you told him you were fine. He stepped back into the elevator and pushed the button for the 15th floor. 

Was that his job? To push the button for the residents? He got paid to stand in the elevator and push buttons?

All the while you were pondering this, the woman continued to go on about what put the luxury in these apartments. You tuned her out, but pretended to listen, nodding and ‘ah’-ing when necessary. 

When the elevator doors opened, the woman strode out, confidently leading you down the long hallway. She stopped midway through the hall in front of a door that had the number ‘1505’. 

“It’s keyed to your device.”

You blinked. “There’s no key?”

“There is. On your phone. Tap it.”

“No, like, there is no physical key?”

The woman smiled patronizingly. You could tell her patience was running thin. “No, there isn’t.”

You sighed and pulled out your phone. You held it to the top part of the door handle, where a panel was worked into the door. It had a symbol that you assumed meant wi-fi or scannable or something ridiculous like that engraved into the plastic. 

“You need to unlock your phone,” the woman instructed with a tight, obviously fake smile. 

“Right.” You pulled the phone back from the scanner and placed Penny’s carrier on the floor. You inputted your password and tried again. This time the scanner lit up green and the woman reached past you to open the door. 

You weren't sure how Lex set that up, but you were sure you did not want to know. 

She swung the door open and walked straight into what you assumed was your apartment. The presumptuousness of the action got to you a bit, but you wouldn’t complain. You picked up Penny and closed the door behind you. 

“Your bags are already in your room, which is through that door. This is the living space, over there is the kitchen, and there is an office on the other side.”

You weren’t sure why she was giving you a tour when you could look around yourself. She was starting to get on your nerves but you remained polite. 

“Thank you. When will I see Lex?”

“Mr. Luthor,” she said, as if correcting you on what you called Lex, “will contact you after his meetings today. If you need anything, feel free to contact us. Can I help you with anything else?” She placed a business card on the kitchen counter. 

“Nope, thanks.”

“Alright,” she nodded. She checked her phone as she left, already on call with someone else by the time she closed the door behind her. 

You set Penny’s carrier down and deadbolted the door. You went around the luxurious apartment, systematically locking every window. Once satisfied, you let Penny out of her carrier. 

Penny took a few timid steps, then walked out and began brushing against your legs. 

You walked to the living room and found the remote on the table. You picked it up and turned it on. It was already on a local news channel. 

“... remember, Luthor was the mastermind behind the destruction of Metropolis three years ago. The damage that the Justice Gang only just finished repairs on.”

“And you're telling me he's free now?’

“He's out on parole after his shockingly light sen-”

You turned off the tv. 

Maybe you would just sleep. It was late, and you didn't get much on the plane. 

You walked to the bedroom, Penny trailing close behind. You pulled a nightshirt out of your suitcase and discarded your day clothes into the floor. 

You pulled the covers back on the bed and crawled in. Soon after, Penny jumped up and curled up next to you. 

It took you a minute, but you soon slipped into sleep.

[strawberry-knights]

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[strawberry-knights]

About Me

Berry

25

Graduate Student

Not new to tumblr but this is a new blog

Been writing for almost a decade

Multifandom

[strawberry-knights]

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