So I only got stuck on a dumb conversation for going on a year, that's it.
[][][]
Peyton's mom called within eight minutes.
Peyton hesitated as she stared at her phone, but even if this weren't her true mother, she knew better than to ignore any mother's phone call. It'd only make things so much worse.
So she answered it.
"Peyton! What in the world is going on? You got married!? How could you not tell me? When did this happen? Who was the judge that presided over this? What county? How could you not have your father or me as a witness?"
Peyton rubbed between her eyes as she paced back and forth in front of the fireplace. "Mom, hi. Look, one thing at a time, okay?"
The woman let out an exasperated huff.
"Married?"
"It was a spur of the moment decision," Peyon only half lied. "We didn't want to make a big deal of it."
"Make a big deal- Peyton, darling, you are a Woods and he's a Luthor. This was always going to be a big deal."
"Well, none of it matters now. We lost the marriage certificate in the crash before we could turn it in."
"No!" Her mother barked. "Of course it matters! All it means is that you were meant to have a wedding! Darling, don't you dare throw this all away because of an inconvenience. I know you've been… independent lately, but Lex can take- He's always been there for you. You've been friends since you were children; it makes good sense."
Peyton paused in her pacing and frowned in confusion at her mother's statement. Did she actually notice Peyton had been, well, different? She always assumed the parents here were too wrapped up in work to worry or care, but it seemed the lack of prior personality wasn't completely missed.
"It may not be a great idea," Peyton hedged. She still hadn't had a moment to sit down and even process the fact that she told Lex she'd consider this. "Lionel is upset over it, and with us both being company heirs-"
"Oh, Peyton, darling, don't you worry one moment about Lionel. I don't think he's been happy a day in his life. Now, I'll come out in a couple days, once I arrange a few things here, and we can start going over venues and napkins and how many courses for dinner and- Samuel would you get me a tissue? Married, Samuel! Peyton is getting married!"
"Now, wait." Peyton's voice turned urgent. "I didn't say we were going-"
"You love him, don't you?"
It was a trick question. Peyton paused.
If she said no, then her parents would be baffled and possibly concerned over why she claimed to have married him in the first place. She'd either be seen as a hapless victim pushed along by Lex's malicious whims, or as a gold digger. Which would be worse given she didn't need to be a gold digger.
Peyton glanced up at the office doorway; Lex told her he'd let her make this call in private, but it still felt like he was waiting right outside the doors.
She cared about him. She could admit to that. She wanted the best for him and for him to be happy and unharmed; she enjoyed spending time with him. That was a type of love.
Peyton swallowed and scrunched her eyes closed. Her answer would likely seal her fate, in a way.
"Of course I do."
"Then there's no question, is there? Now, I have so much to do to prepare. Oh, Peyton, I'm so ecstatic, you have no idea; I may burst. I'll see you in a few days, alright, love?"
"Um. Right."
Peyton hung up the phone as she stared blankly at the office doors.
A hurricane was going to strike Smallville, and its name was Merrill.
[][]
She wasn't joking about the "sorry" bouquets. Peyton assigned herself the responsibility of identifying all the kids and chaperones on the field trip and ordering appropriately sized arrangements. Lex, however, made sure he paid for them since it was "his plant" and "a few flower arrangements weren't going to kill him".
And despite not working for LuthorCorp and despite not being part of its PR team, it was Peyton's idea for them to deliver the flowers in person. Given the level of distrust and contempt much of the town had for the Luthor's, it felt like a good step in attempting to endear themselves a little.
Going from house to house made for a long day, and while Peyton wouldn't claim their act fixed all of LuthorCorp PR problems, she could tell a couple of people at least looked at Lex a little differently.
At least one person made a not-so-subtle inquiry about his father's whereabouts. Wisely, neither of them were quite honest about why the head of the company wasn't there.
"I saved the Kent house for last," Peyton said as she crossed off a name on her list. "I figured, since they're more familiar, they may be the best family to end this venture with."
"Right," Lex said, his tone sarcastic. "Because Jonathan Kent is my biggest fan."
"I didn't say he liked you yet," Peyton argued. "But I think Martha is more open and she'll keep her husband polite. Plus Clark likes you, and if he starts chatting at least we don't have to worry about running late."
Lex hummed as he shot her a sly look.
"You really should have taken that PR position."
"With everything going on right now, don't press your luck."
The Kent farm sat alone out on open land. A quaint farmhouse and classic red barn against a backdrop of pastures and fields with a few stray chickens roaming about the front yard. There was even an old windmill.
Lex pulled into the dirt drive and parked near the house. Peyton unbuckled, careful not to jostle the flowers in her lap, and gave Lex an encouraging smile.
"We just have to get through one last demonstration of personal responsibility."
"You really didn't have to come," Lex said mildly.
"Clearly your dad wasn't going to come, and you shouldn't have to do this alone. Honestly, I don't mind. Besides, if we get m-" She stopped and shook her head. "Let's just get in there before they see us loitering outside their house."
Lex hummed and followed her out of the car.
Thanks to the length of the dirt driveway, it was pretty obvious when visitors were pulling up, and Martha Kent met them at the front door as they came up the porch. She wiped her hands off on a dish towel and gave them a sunny smile.
"Lex, Peyton; I didn't know you were coming by."
"Sorry for not calling ahead, Mrs. Kent," Lex said. "But I wanted to personally apologize for the incident at the plant, and the fact that your son was endangered by it."
An odd, fleeting expression flashed across Martha's face before it settled back down into a humble smile. Peyton stepped forward and offered the bouquet.
"Obviously flowers can't make up for what you all went through, but it's a token of our sincerest regret."
Martha accepted the bouquet with a polite intake of breath. Peyton recognized the sound as one her real mother would use when someone gave her a gift and she turned up the display of gratefulness so the person would understand it was truly appreciated.
"Thank you; they're beautiful." Martha looked back to Lex with a parental look. "You had no control over Earl's actions," she said. "And whatever may 've happened at the plant before you came isn't your fault. Did you do this for everyone?"
Lex tipped his head.
"For the families with kids on the field trip, yes."
Martha clicked her tongue and sat the vase of the bouquet against her hip.
"Well, if you've been running all over Smallville today, you're probably parched. Please, come in and get something to drink."
"We don't want to impose," Lex said.
But Martha waved off that idea with a scoff.
"I invited you in. Unless you're in a hurry to leave, you're more than welcome to stay for a bit."
Lex looked at her and Peyton raised one shoulder to show she didn't mind. He shifted back to Martha and smiled.
"Thank you, Mrs. Kent."
The Kent home was a warm place. It was decorated in reds and yellows, with a lived in air that forced the tension from your shoulders. It was as if a sense of love had soaked into the walls and become part of the space. A feature in and of itself.
They passed through a living room with an overstuffed couch and entered the kitchen where a pitcher of tea already sat on the counter.
"I was just about to pour myself a glass when you pulled up. Do you both want one? I can always make a pot of coffee or-"
"Tea is perfect," Lex assured; and Peyton nodded in agreement.
Martha sat the flowers down on the counter before she went to fetch two more glasses. Peyton took the brief pause to admire the homey nature of the room. A slightly worn hand towel was draped over the oven handle. The fridge was covered in magnets and various papers. Back home, her mother would have the twins' after school schedules posted on the fridge along with family photos and at least one take-out menu.
"I hope none of the others gave you any trouble." Martha said as she scooped ice into the glasses and poured in the tea.
Lex let loose a wry, dry, sort of smirk as he accepted his glass.
"I think people are finding they like Peyton more than they dislike me."
Peyton rolled her eyes.
"That's a bit of an exaggeration," she said. "It's more about sincerity and old-fashioned, mid-western hospitality rules. It'd be rude of them to be rude to me first."
"Being genuine goes a long way in a town like this," Martha said with a nod. "I'm sure you surprised more than one family."
The kitchen door opened, drawing everyone's attention away from the conversation, and Peyton swallowed as Jonathan Kent walked in.
"Well, the tractor still isn't- What's going on?" His tone and expression turned sour and suspicious as he caught sight of her and Lex.
Martha narrowed her eyes marginally.
"Lex and Peyton stopped by to apologize for the incident Earl caused at the plant. They even brought us a bouquet. Isn't that thoughtful of them?"
For as little as she knew him, Peyton found Jonathan an incredibly easy person to read. He glanced at the bouquet; it wasn't cheap enough for him to balk at and it wasn't extravagant enough for him to throw a fit over. He worked his jaw as he set his sights back on them.
He still clearly had less than fuzzy feelings for at least Lex, but the justifications for his poor attitude were growing slim. And likely he knew it.
And he didn't like it.
Martha shot him another warning look and Jonathan let out a breath as he propped his hands on his hips.
"That's very… thoughtful of you, Lex."
Peyton wondered if saying so hurt him. Lex gave a small shrug as he fiddled with his glass.
"Well, I can't really take the credit. The flowers were Peyton's idea."
"Lex and I worked together on it."
Jonathan eyed her a moment and after some thought deflated slightly.
"How is Earl doing?"
"My father was able to find a sample of the substance that infected Earl; it looks like some prior employees were experimenting off the books. The doctors are still working on it, but it looks promising as far as they've told me."
Jonathan's eyes shuttered at the mention of Lionel, and Peyton commiserated.
"Well. That's good."
The kitchen door opened again and a boisterous Clark burst into the room.
"Dad, I think I figured out which part needs fixed- Lex? Peyton? What are you guys doing here?"
"We're just checking in to see how you all are doing." Peyton said. "We felt bad that you had to play hero yet again at the plant."
Clark's face flickered into sheepishness and Jonathan went remarkably still at the comment. But Clark shrugged awkwardly and rubbed the back of his head.
"I think 'hero' is a bit much. I only did what anyone else would have."
"Clark, you were the only one that stayed behind; even if you shouldn't have. If you hadn't I wouldn't be here," Lex added.
"Well, I mean, Earl is a friend. I didn't want him to get hurt either."
It was clear Clark was too humble to milk his heroic exploits. He actually seemed like he'd rather talk about anything else; Peyton decided to help him out.
"You know, I've never been on a farm before," she said, humor purposefully in her tone. "Do you really have a green tractor and everything?
"Technically," Martha said with raised brows. "Half the time that old thing is broken down."
Jonathan raised one hand to wave her accusation off.
"Hey now, that thing was my father's, and it's always gotten the job done."
"Only thanks to paperclips and rubber bands," Martha said dryly.
Peyton laughed and Lex smiled in amusement; Martha looked rather proud of herself for garnering a positive reaction, seeing as Jonathan continued to stare at her drolly. Clark chuckled nervously and gestured toward the kitchen side door.
"Well, I think it's a gasket issue," he said.
Jonathan excused himself quickly after Clark's diagnosis, but Clark lingered to chat with them. Martha politely brought up them staying for dinner, but Peyton and Lex declined. It wouldn't do well to push Jonathan too far. Peyton thought today's interaction might have been an improvement.
"So, are you still staying even after what happened at the plant?" Clark prompted.
The question was almost sweet in the hesitant way Clark asked it, as if not totally sure was okay to bring up. The idea that they would turn tail and run after one disastrous day was also amusing.
"I couldn't let my dad win that easily," Lex said, tone sardonic.
"And we owe the people in Smallville more than running at the first bit of trouble," Peyton added.
"You both plan to stay for a while then?" Martha glanced at Peyton and Peyton got the impression the question was hinted more towards her.
Ah, yes. She'd told Martha her and Lex's relationship was complicated. Well, it certainly hadn't gotten any less complicated.
Lex hesitated to answer so Peyton responded first. She donned what she hoped was a natural looking smile.
"As long as Lex is here. Right now I can work anywhere and Smallville is growing on me." She paused; it was more that she was used to small town living over the city rather than actual fondness at this point, but that obviously wasn't something she ought to share.
Martha interpreted her hitched breath differently.
"But you do miss home."
Peyton blinked rapidly a few times.
"Yeah, I do."
Lex shifted as he took a step back from the counter and wouldn't quite look at her; Clark furrowed his brow in thought.
"Maybe you could try bringing some of your stuff to the mansion," he suggested. "Like posters or family pictures. That way you can have something to make you a little less homesick."
"That-" Peyton took a centering breath, "that's actually a great idea Clark. Thank you."
He smiled proudly and Peyton cataloged the thought away for later. If a teenager could look at the mansion and tell she had no influence in it; appeared to just live there but not truly exist, then no one would believe a more developed relationship.
"Your mom is coming to visit soon," Lex reminded her, oh so helpfully. "We could talk to her about getting some of your keepsakes then."
An uncharitable question peered over the surface of her thoughts: did he bring up her mom to play his part or lay some groundwork for a later wedding announcement?
She shook her head and scolded herself for thinking it. Did it even actually matter, if it was true?
"That's right." She said instead. "I'm sure she'd be thrilled to help."
"Mom's keep everything," Martha added with a warm smile. "I know I have boxes of things we've collected since Clark was a baby."
A half smile flickered over Lex's face.
"You think she kept those Christmas paper chains?"
Peyton let out a small surprised laugh, her nose wrinkling briefly.
"You remember those?"
"It was one of the best Christmases of my life."
He didn't sound like he was playing a part now and Peyton was torn between mild embarrassment and a strange sort of flattery. It felt like it didn't say anything great about his childhood that some cookies and paper chains with her made for one of his favorite holiday memories.
"Well," she replied, brushing back some hair, "if she kept paper she may be more of a hoarder than I'd have anticipated."
Martha smiled, looking at them like she saw something between them; it once again reminded Peyton of the decision she'd have to come to soon, and her stomach twisted in anticipation.
Very soon, actually. The end of the day was only growing nearer and she'd need to give Lex her answer either that evening or in the morning so they could prepare for her mom's arrival.
"Half the stuff my mom keeps is paperwork," Clark said with a good natured eye roll. "I wouldn't count anything out."
Martha and Clark both walked them out when they excused themselves. There was an open invitation to visit any time and it felt distinctly genuine instead of an obligatory nicety. Jonathan stepped out from the barn as they got in the car and gave them a parting nod. Peyton blinked in surprise.
"He just said goodbye to us." She said as she gave a little wave.
Lex flicked his fingers up in a similar wave as he backed out of the drive.
"Don't get too excited. Like you said, mid-western manners."
"It's still a step up."
[]
The drive back to the manor was quiet, though Peyton's thoughts were anything but. A certain sense of dreadful resignation started to coat her insides the more she reflected on her options.
She could still just say no. She ought to just say no.
Her parents in this universe probably wouldn't refuse to take her back in if she needed them to. But then she would be alone, with no immediate help from Lex for getting back home.
Though if she stayed and refused, then Lionel could be a real threat. Lex might make comments here and there that she took as exaggeration, but something inside her said he wasn't being hyperbolic about what his dad was capable of. There was a sharp, coldness in Lionel's eyes; worse, a ticking calculation when he looked at her. It felt like he was trying to deconstruct her and figure out what made her tick. Like a programmer staring at a line of code that wasn't functioning in the way they expected.
If she wanted to ever get home, Peyton needed Lex's help and his connections. She might be decent with numbers and proficient enough in business, but she didn't come from the same sort of world. She didn't know how to go about looking for the resources she needed, and she didn't have the established networking and pulls he did. Even if she threw money at every scientist that showed potential to help, she could end up getting herself into more trouble than she was already in.
Back at the manor, Peyton made a beeline for the kitchen with a quick comment to Lex of where she'd be. The lights were on when she walked through the door and there was one of the staff already at the counter working on meal prep.
"Do you mind if I bake?" Peyton asked. " I promise to stay out of your way, I just- baking helps me think."
"Of course, miss. It's no problem." The woman said.
"Thank you."
Peyton set to work grabbing bowls and gathering ingredients. Baking made sense in any universe. There were rules and ratios and knowable outcomes. There had to be a certain amount of baking soda for so much dough or the cookies would thin with poor texture. Egg helped bind the ingredients together, like glue.
She knew what she was doing as she stirred in chocolate chips. She could even add in something extra, like oats. She was in control.
"Dessert before dinner?"
Lex leaned against the kitchen entrance as Peyton pulled out the first baked tray. She glanced over at him as she placed the hot pan on a folded hand towel. He watched her cautiously; given he hadn't followed her to the kitchen immediately, he likely knew she'd wanted some space.
"Not if you wait to eat one. They still need to cool anyway."
"No promises."
Peyton smiled reflexively at that and let out an obligatory huff in amusement; Lex meandered a bit closer.
"How are you feeling?"
The oven mitt twisted in her hands as she wrung it.
"I've been thinking about what we talked about."
He paused his shift closer to her, as if moving might affect whatever track her train of thought was heading down.
"And?"
"And- I think this is all happening very fast. I think it's probably stupid to go forward with this when all we know about each other is either surface level or how we interact under stress, and it's especially stupid to create attachments like this when I'm looking for a way to get back in my own body."
Lex rolled his lips between his teeth and nodded once.
"But?" He prompted. There was a pause.
"But," she amended. "But I believe you when you say your dad could do something nefarious, and he's told me to my face that he doesn't like me around you. I don't know the first thing about how to go around enlisting doctors or scientists, and- And I don't have a clue what a realistic time frame may even be to fix this. If there is a way."
Her confession emboldened him to take another step closer to her, his eyes intense and searching, but she didn't move away.
"I don't know what you would benefit from this, Lex. You shouldn't offer this just to help me."
That only seemed to encourage him further. He stepped up to her side and took one of her hands in his.
"You were there for me at key points in my life, and you gave me childhood memories that weren't harsh lessons from my father or miserable loneliness in school. Maybe you haven't been present full time, but the times you have been, you've shone so brightly it's impossible for anyone to not know what kind of person you are. That's enough for me. The rest can come after."
Peyton swallowed and squeezed his hand lightly. The inside of her mouth suddenly felt like it was full of cotton. She wasn't going to get emotional over that declaration.
"Oh, I knew it." She managed. "I told you that you were a romantic."
Lex grinned.
"And I already pointed out one of us has to be."
He waited attentively again and Peyton had to give him a definite answer. A final 'yes' or 'no'. Marriage was a big decision, it deserved to feel as weighty as it did. A marriage of convenience deserved even more acknowledgement. Matrimony, at least for her, was a serious undertaking. Her parents had made it over twenty years and she wanted that.
Saying yes to Lex in a situation like this felt even more like a sort of seal on her circumstances. But her options were limited. Wheels had already been set into motion.
And, God forgive her, she didn't want to be alone.
"Yes. I'll do it."
His smile was so genuine that it was nearly blinding and Peyton couldn't hold back the nervous laugh that bubbled up in her in reply.
"Okay." He skipped over the part where he asked if she was sure a couple times to give her a chance to back out. "We're in this together. As a team."
"For better or for worse," Peyton quipped.
It felt too awkward to seal this sort of agreement with just a handshake, so Peyton held her free arm out to at least offer a hug. Lex took it.
He was warm and solid in her arms and Peyton found herself clinging to him more tightly as the seconds ticked on.
"I don't actually know anybody." She murmured into his shoulder. He smelled good; she was the one baking cookies but he was the one who smelled good. "Do you think anyone will actually show up?"
"People will come," he said. "Even if it's just for the free food or to see the spectacle."
"What if it's just our parents and us? It'll be like your twelfth birthday all over again."
Lex went unnaturally still in her arms. Enough that Peyton pulled away to look at his face. The rigidness in his mouth and sharpness of his eyes sent a shock of uncertainty through her.
"Lex?"
"Peyton, how do you know that?"