𝕷𝖊𝖓𝖆 ⋆

I have met very few people who can take me in chess.

But you're welcome to try.

"Think nothing of it. Send your friend's measurements to Clementine. And a photo of his coloring so she knows what will compliment him."

-- has ruined our lives enough with his influence."

"I am not entirely ignorant of it. Though I suppose you're correct.

You seem to deem this important, and you helped Clem. So I will do this for you. If there is further involvement in the future with Lex though, I'm going to ask that you keep myself and Clementine out of it. As you saw, he --

"This is a party thrown by a fashion designer. She'll need my money. But I can delegate the task to her. She's picked outfits for parties for me before, so she knows what does doing. She'll also have the necessary contacts."

Lena was quiet for a long moment, then she said: "Alright. What did you need from me? The invitations send aliases?"

"That actually doesn't explain anything," Lena said shortly. "That could mean just about anything. This isn't a small favor you're asking, and that woman runs LexCorp. If you want my help, then tell me what you're really doing."

Lena rose an eyebrow. "... I don't suppose you have a good reason for this request, do you?"

Lena saw that Ivette was calling. She stepped out of the room where her co-workers were gathered, then answered the phone.

"Hello?" Her voice was neutral, as it usually was.

|| Lena's gay short hair era has begun!

New look.

Stepping out of LexCorp and into the fresh air, Lena paused, taking a moment just to take a deep breath. She felt... lighter. Lighter than she had in a long time... possibly lighter than she had felt in her entire life.

And she actually smiled.

Lena opened the door and slipped out into the hallway without even slowing down. She started walking down the hallway towards the elevator, and her security fell into step behind her, handing her, her purse.

"This is your one and final warning. If you violate my terms, I will make one final move, and that'll be it for you. Do yourself a favor, Lex. Don't throw away the thing that you love most, or it'll abandon you forever, just like me."

She turned on her heel and walked towards the double doors.

-- you take it. If you end up breaking any of these terms, I still won't be engaging with you. I'll just release the final piece. Either way? I'm washing my hands of you."

-- empire... I have it. In fact, I've had it for many months now. The only reason I haven't released it is because I'm not interested in you anymore... However, don't think that means I won't use it. I'm being generous in offering you a chance to keep everything you truly love... I would recommend--

Lena could tell he was throwing curveball after curveball at her hoping she would take an interest. Whether or not he was lying about any of that, engaging would be playing, so she resisted.

"I have everything I need to 'win'," she told him simply. "To destroy your reputation... Your --

-- The rest of us, however, you will leave alone. That includes Clem. I don't want you speaking to or targeting my friends either. In exchange, I will give you the same courtesy. I will not interfere with your business, I will not talk about you to the press, and I will not ever see you again."

-- will not speak to me henceforth. You will not speak about me to the press—or to anyone, for that matter. You will not make any moves against my family, or speak to them either. I give you exception for Clark and Lois however, since they will undoubtedly want to bother you again at some point. --

"I know enough."

She slid her phone back into her pocket, still looking as composed as ever. "And this was a long time coming anyway.

As I was saying, I'm done playing with you. I don't love you anymore, Lex. In fact, I don't really care if you live or die. My terms are these: you --

-- the computer screen and it glimpsed Gerald Hartwin grinning wide at the camera. It was a photo that would be nondescript enough for most people to not know the significance... 𝘔𝘰𝘴𝘵 people.

Lena looked at it for barely a few seconds, then she looked back at Lex. "I'm not interested in your cheap tricks."

She took her phone and opened it to a photo, then strode towards his desk and held it up so he could see. It was the photo she took in the Hartwin lab, with just the corner of --

-- slow and her turns graceful.

Lena knew there were more things she should bring up having to do with the press, but she thought she should let Clementine enjoy herself first.

She adjusted Clem's hands so that one was holding one of Lena's, and the other was on the small of her back. She started leading, her movements --

Lena's expression remained neutral. "I just told you... I'm done."

Lena kissed her back softly before pulling back to look at her once again.

"... You know... if someone were to see us, the press would be all over you... Is that something you're ready for?"

"The one we've been playing since you nearly killed my brother. You were the one who started it. Don't tell me you're getting forgetful in your old age."

Her mind flashed back to the faceless rotting versions of her all flocking to Lena when they heard her voice. She suppressed a shudder.

"So don't stop then."

"I could always buy you a carriage, if you really want one," Lena said softly, her voice tinged with affection.

"Did you really think I didn't feel the same about you?... What did you think I meant when I told you I was in love with you?"

-- being able to record her conversations.

Lena didn't bother sitting, since he apparently didn't want her too close. She could stand back.

"I came to tell you that I'm done playing our game."