"Lex's idealism cost him, this world cost him and he in turn cost the lives of innocents." Clark was intent on the focus being kept on the Luthors. His emotions towards Lex were a withering bane of turmoil. "His egotism, intelligence and stubbornness were the failings that brought him to lunacy and murder."
Lena stiffened ashamedly under the accusations, but Kara kept their hands linked. "I'm telling you that Lena is nothing like him, not in that way!"
"I'm hearing words from a fool in love!" Clark shot back, his conviction stemmed from his own disappointments. There were numerous incidents of his blind faith being rewarded only with Lex's betrayal. "You can't trust a Luthor!"
Neither she nor Kara had ever said they loved one another. They weren't yet at that intimacy level or perhaps it was the fact they hadn't ever had the time to properly discuss their relationship.
"Then trust me!" Kara held a hand over her chest, hand gripped into the fabric of her blouse. "Trust in my decision to believe in Lena."
Clark's gaze held heavy consideration before he placed a palm flat against his own dress shirt. "I can't stand for it."
A gust of wind howled through the yard below and even rushed by them on the balcony. Clark's slicked down hair flurried freely for a moment before he shoved a hand through it. For a moment he looked remarkably familiar. The image slipped as he canted his face and his eyes became obscured. The reflection in the lens of his glasses made him appear ominous.
Lena shivered and Kara immediately placed her warm palms over the goosebumps forming. "You don't even know her and you won't give her a chance?"
"Kara, please underst-"
"No," Kara's voice was low, but firm, "not this time, I tried to understand when I was just a kid and I still have to try every day to come to terms with how you handled everything. You were my only relative in this world and you chose the easier path for yourself!" Kara took a breath, dismayed at her confrontational stance, she had wanted to bring this up with Clark as adults, to sit down and talk this through with him.
The last thing she wanted was some dramatic confrontation, but she couldn't stand it. She couldn't stand Clark's brand of righteousness being forced into her life. It was only ever done when it was convenient for him to do so. She held reluctant acceptance of his past deeds, but she wouldn't keep her frustrations at bay during their current disagreement, "you abandoned me."
Lena held Kara from behind who leaned gratefully back into the embrace.
"Kara, I never meant to…" Clark was visibly hurt. "You were my age, could you possibly imagine-"
"Yes." Kara stared unblinkingly at Clark, her conviction sincere and ironclad. "I promised to protect you and to never let you think you were alone, I would've kept my promise and been a family to you."
"We are family." Clark said dismally, profoundly troubled by Kara's accusations.
"Your way isn't always the right way, nothing is absolute." Kara gritted out, she was tired.
"You may…" Clark took off his glasses and rubbed at his eyes. "You may not think I care about you now, but if you continue I'll have no choice but to report your improper interactions to the university's board."
Lena was shocked Clark would go that far, a scandal like theirs could scar both of their promising academic careers. Kara's more so, since she always had the option to reclaim her position as L-Corp's CEO.
"If a slap on the wrist now can prevent more destruction onward I'll do it, I'll take on your hatred and do the right thing by informing the university." Clark's jaw was tight as he finished his sentence.
Kara had an air of obstinate acceptance and was about to say her mind when Diana joined them.
"You'll do no such thing." Diana's words held finality.