Hello everyone! Happy Thanksgiving to my fellow Americans, if you enjoy it! I uploaded today on purpose because it seemed like a mischievous thing to do, and I'm about that life. Whether this is a terrible distraction or a needed one, I hope you enjoy. :)
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The kiss was the worst mistake she'd made since implying she and Lex were married. It haunted her. Her silent admission scorched her and it was impossible to look at him the same way.
It wasn't just Lex and they weren't just getting married.
It wasn't "just" but it had to be.
She wanted to scream. She should not havekissed him. But the wedding was upon them and she'd have to do it again.
The worst part was she wanted to. A little.
Lex didn't make any attempts to "practice" again following their one… interaction. He maintained his gentlemanly composure, but she did notice he would sit closer to her on the couch than he did before. He would casually touch her on the back or shoulder more often even if he didn't need to. Now the mild contact shot butterflies through her stomach and up into her throat.
It was horribly humiliating. Stupid.
She cared about Lex. Not like other people. Differently.
And against all reason. Against her better judgment and in contradiction to all her goals.
And she didn't even have time to run.
It was The Day.
Peyton felt nauseated from the moment she woke up and it wasn't going away even after she knocked back a cup of coffee and nibbled at a piece of toast. A woman dotted concealer on her face and another finished off her nails; classic French tip, pure white like her dress.
Her mother delicately dabbed at her own eyes with a tissue as she got her hair done; her watery gaze stayed on Peyton as if she never thought she'd get to see the day. The look only amplified Peyton's nerves.
It was here. It was real and it was happening.
She hadn't seen Lex after they parted ways from the manor, and she wondered if he was just as nervous. Was he second guessing his decision to go along with this? Surely if he ever would, now would be the time. Or was his state of mind more calm? Certain?
"You look so beautiful already, darling," her mother said. "I'm so happy for you I could cry."
"There's no crying after makeup," the makeup artist instructed sternly.
Peyton gave her mom a small smile in return due, in part, to the fact that someone was still applying creams and powders to her face.
Annalise came up beside her and handed her a tall glass, a mimosa by the looks of it. Peyton delicately accepted it, careful not to bump her nails, but she did take it. She waited for the makeup artist to pause and took a healthy sip before looking back at her friend.
"Thanks, Anna," she said. "I needed this."
"Pace yourself," Annalise said. "I'm not having you stumble down the aisle."
Peyton rolled her eyes.
"One isn't going to knock me over."
"Tell that to your younger self, you always got weird after just one. And I'm not getting in trouble for being the one responsible when you start babbling at the altar."
Peyton huffed in dismissal and adjusted the angle of her head at the makeup artist's prompting. After the woman was finally done, she and the hairstylist switched places; Peyton sat up straighter and uncrossed her legs as the new woman let down her hair.
"We're still feeling a low bun, right?" The woman checked. There were so many people, Peyton couldn't quite remember her name. She thought it was something with a "CH" sound.
"Yes," Peyton replied. "No last minute changes."
Hair lady grinned in the mirror's reflection.
"Good to hear."
She brushed out Peyton's hair and applied some products to keep it smooth, then set about sectioning it off. Peyton zoned out for the process until the woman let out a breathy sound of surprise and tapped the crown of her head.
"Oh, you were a wild thing, weren't you?"
Peyton cut her eyes up and looked through the mirror to see the woman smirk at something on her scalp.
"Huh?"
The woman moved some more hair around as if she were looking at something and both her brows rose. She tapped the same spot on Peyton's head again and then swooped her finger down as if she were tracing something. Almost an "S" shape.
"This? You'd have had to shave your head-"
She stopped at Peyton's look of confusion, and then her gaze darted over to Merrill. Immediately, she went back to styling Peyton's hair.
"Ooh," she cooed quietly. "Does mom not know? Don't worry, your secret is safe with me. Though I don't know why she'd be upset when it's only visible if someone is really looking for it this close."
Peyton had no idea what the woman was talking about, but she didn't vocalize her questions. What in the world? Now she had the urge to stand up and hunch in front of the mirror while she dug through her hair to see just what the woman was referring to. Clearly whatever it was, the woman didn't find it alarming as much as she did scandalous.
Mom doesn't know… shave your head….
What did she think it was? Something like a tattoo? But Peyton couldn't ask because then she'd look insane.
Triage. She needed to prioritize her anxieties for at least today.
She clenched her hands into fists and then released the tension with a breath. It wasn't fair. It wasn't fair that she was constantly caught on the other foot and off balance and desperately wishing for normality.
It wasn't fair that she had kissed Lex and liked it, and still wanted to get back to her other family. To her mom and dad, to Orion and Jacen.
Things would be easier if it were all someone's fault. If she had someone to blame and be angry at. If she could just shake someone until they fixed it.
But that wasn't life. That wasn't how these things worked. And she was getting married in a few short hours.
Peyton forgot about her scalp mystery as she was helped into her brilliant white gown and buttoned in. It felt like her heart was doing cartwheels and her legs felt weak. She envied regular brides. Brides who didn't trip their way into getting married and have a slew of baggage contradicting their choices. Brides that only got to be giddy in their confidence over their decision. Brides who didn't feel sick with nerves.
Annalise winked at her as she held both overly large bouquets; she grinned and flashed her canines as she snapped her teeth.
"Lookin' good, mama," she said. "Lex is going to keel over at the sight of you."
"He better not after everything I've been through," Peyton replied blandly.
A photographer snapped some shots of them in the room and then the room cleared out of everyone besides her and her mom.
A strange sort of split emotion sliced through her. Like a double-edged sword. It felt like her mother should be here and she was happy to have her mom here. She was sad, and yet excited. Forlorn and fond. It twisted inside her, and she shoved it down as her mom took her hand and squeezed.
Her mom had to work a moment at controlling her emotions before she spoke, and the act made Peyton's own eyes feel hot.
"I feel like there's too much to say," her mom confessed. "I know that we haven't always been as close as we could be, and I know you often.… just went along with whatever I said, likely to keep me happy." She reached up to gently cup Peyton's face, her fingertips a ghost of a presence.
"I would never claim I was a perfect mother," she said, and Peyton swallowed thickly. "But you must know I have always loved you, Peyton. Even though at times I wasn't sure how to do it right. And I hope, with how this last month has gone, we'll be able to stay connected even after the wedding."
Peyton felt choked up in a way she couldn't explain. She missed her mother. Some part of her wanted her mom to be like her mother in the other world. To live up to the memories she had of her. But, if nothing else, at least right now, she had a chance to foster something new. Something that could become familiar.
"Of course we can," Peyton said. "I would really like that. There have been so many changes recently….It'll be like a fresh start."
Her mom gave her a watery smile, and cupped Peyton's face with both hands, fingers barely touching so as not to smudge her makeup.
"Yes," she said. "A fresh start."
All too soon, Peyton found herself standing in the church foyer, waiting behind the closed doors to the sanctuary with her father. Her arm looped over his elbow and though he face was dry, his expression was overly stern. She saw his mustache twitch a few times as if he were pressing his lips together.
"Don't get too excited at the idea of getting rid of me," she said to try and ease the emotion in the room. And partially to distract herself. "Mom wants to see each other more often now. So this may have backfired."
Her father harrumphed and straightened his suit jacket with his free hand in a nervous fashion.
"You're our child," he said. His voice was carefully even. "All we have ever wanted is to get to see you more often."
The music changed and Peyton gripped his arm tighter. He cleared his throat and patted her hand as he sniffed.
"Last chance," he teased. She shook her head.
She was already committed. She'd already given her word. And if there was one thing she would hold onto from the memories of her other family, it was that Woods kept their word. They supported each other. Peyton wanted that, so she'd give it first.
The doors opened and her mind went blank as she held her breath. Everyone in the church stood as she and her father walked down the aisle. Lex waited at the end with the minister; his white suit made him pop against the solid gray walls of the room.
He smiled at her, soft and sincere, and Peyton's heart flipped.
She barely registered her dad helping her up onto the stage and then walking away; a nervous current ran through her body and stretched to her fingertips. Everyone in the sanctuary watched and she was keenly aware of it.
Behind her, Annalise adjusted her train to be as aesthetically pleasing as possible, and Lex's best man, Duncan, an old friend from their boarding school, watched mildly. He looked just as thrilled to be in front of a crowd as she was.
She needed to focus.
The minister began to speak and Peyton kept her eyes on Lex. He noticed her chest expand in a deep breath, and he gave her a reassuring half smile and a wink with the eye away from the crowd. She smiled in return and tried to force her anxieties away.
It was too late now anyway. No going back.
Thankfully, they didn't write their own vows. The minister guided them through the usual covenants: for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health. 'Til death do they part.
Did traversing universes count? Would she still be married to Lex if she ever made it back? Would she, like him, feel committed despite being a world away?
Would he ruin her like that?
Lex kept eye contact the entire time he recited his vows. His hand was hot against hers as he held it and slid the cool metal band onto her left finger. He said the vows to her. Said them in a way that didn't feel like mere repetition, but actual promises. There was no humor on his face, no teasing or levity despite the fact that this was all for the sake of convenience. Peyton felt the weight of his promise under her ribs. And wasn't that a horrible, glorious thing?
When it was her turn, she tried to give her words the same sort of weight. To let him know she did take this just as seriously as she'd professed as she placed a plain gold band on his finger. She thought of all he'd done for her in the years they'd known each other. No, months. Months that maybe felt like years.
He'd done a horrible thing, yes, with the sleeping pills. Locking her in this world so he could keep her close. But she wanted to believe that, as an adult, he was truly sorry for it. And he'd done other, less selfish things.
He kept her from being taken advantage of by whoever came across her, even though that meant keeping around an unsettling imitation of herself. Something broken and underdeveloped. He helped keep her alive, she was sure, even with no promise of when or if she might return. Even now, she knew he'd give her his own money and resources for her research if she asked. Perhaps he'd argue or try to guilt her or wheedle, but she could get him to do it.
No. Peyton wasn't entirely foolish. There was a side to Lex that no doubt was the product of his father's upbringing, but there was also a side that wanted to be good. To be great at being good. And if no one else was going to foster growth in that, then she would.
For as long as she was around.
That was the promise of marriage, wasn't it? The sacrifice of selfishness for the betterment of someone you cared about?
She promised him that.
The minister closed his book and raised his eyes. A camera flashed, the room held its breath.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife," said the minister. "You may kiss the bride!"
Her stomach swooped as Lex stepped toward her. He held her by the waist and Peyton, purely for show, simply for photographic aesthetic, threw her arms over his shoulders. Their lips met to another camera flash. Peyton's entire body buzzed yet again, but the cheers and applause from the audience kept her grounded. They broke apart too soon, and Peyton hated herself for thinking it was too soon at all. Lex lifted their joined hands together as they faced the crowd and the applause swelled. She laughed as a foolish, giddy excitement bubbled up within her. She should not be excited.
They were married. They were married, they were married, they were married.
It was real and it happened and it was valid in the eyes of both the law and God per the minister. There were no loopholes. Which likely meant she wouldn't be able to find one for her conscience either.
But that was a problem for her future self. She couldn't think about it now.
She and Lex slid into the limo taking them to the reception location which, given Smallville's size and venue options, was just Luthor Manor. The grounds were decorated with tents and tables, lights and flowers. And the guests would likely take the opportunity to snoop around a bit of the house given the opportunity.
Peyton let out one more breathy, disbelieving laugh as the limo pulled away, and then a silence pressed. What did one say after that? "We did it?"
Lex leaned back against his seat and sighed as he loosened his tie marginally. The red rosebud boutonniere against the white of his suit made it look like his heart was bleeding. He turned his head to look at her and smiled again, a certain hesitancy to his expression that she wasn't used to seeing.
"I think they all bought it," he said.
Peyton, strangely, felt a tinge of annoyance. Like he'd broken some illusion. But that was supposed to be her job.
"The wedding or the kiss?" She asked boldly. "Because both actually happened."
"I think they bought that you meant it," he clarified, just as boldly.
Peyton scrunched her face at him in a petulant sort of look, but couldn't even force out the taunt that he was pretty convincing himself. The words were too thick on her tongue and threatened to choke her. It felt too callous to joke about it, somehow.
"How many times do I have to say, we're either married or we're not," she said, breaking eye contact. "Now we are." She drummed her fingers against her thigh and ran her tongue over the backs of her teeth. "I did mean it," she murmured. "As much as I can. I won't make you look bad or betray you. And I know I'm trying to get back, but I do care about you, Lex. I'm on your side. I hope you're on mine too."
When she dared look back at him, she couldn't read him. His poker face was perfect and it irked her that he could mask himself so effortlessly while she struggled to keep herself together. Peyton raised her hand, palm up, for him to accept; the ring band glinted in the light from the window.
"We can work on being friends right now. That way we learn how to fully trust each other."
Lex took her offered hand and threaded their fingers, his expression still carefully guarded as he observed the way their hands fit together.
"I do trust you," he said. Peyton pressed her lips together in a sad smile.
"I think you want to. But that's good. We can start there with each other."
[]
Katherine worked magic on the manor grounds. Behind the house, large white tents marked the designated reception area. Lights twinkled visible even in the day as they peeked out of greenery strung about the space. Blood red roses spilled over gold centerpieces and filled the air with a heady fragrance. Their cake stood tall in one corner of the space. It too was traditionally white but decorated with some thin gold ribbon around the bottom of the tiers and roses and Baby's Breath on top.
Their guests cheered as they took their seats at the head table between Annalise and Duncan. Peyton played the part of a new bride. She waved her bouquet and grinned at everyone. Her gaze traveled to a table to the right side of the room and her grin grew wider as she spotted the Kents. She'd placed their name cards nearby so she could see them if they actually came. Surprisingly Jonathan joined them, even if he looked uncomfortable and ready to leave already. Peyton waved at Martha and Clark and they grinned as they waved back. Chloe and Lana and Nell were at the table too, but they looked far more entertained to be at a lavish wedding.
On the other side of the room were their families. Peyton tried to keep them away from the Smallville locals on purpose, but there was only so much distance to be had. Her mom and dad sat at the same table with Lionel. Lionel looked like he'd sucked a lemon but was trying to convince everyone he hadn't.
Peyton was surprised he hadn't done anything to sabotage the wedding, but he appeared to be sticking to his guns of "allowing Lex to ruin his own life". Likely, he really did see Lex's relationship with her as a mere act of rebellion. At least, perhaps, until he heard her start speaking like a human for the first time. That probably garnered some suspicion from him.
He watched her with shrewd, calculating eyes even when he knew she could see him. His lack of shame was a little irritating. It made her want to be petty again. But she smothered that impulse because she was already in this situation thanks to that reaction the first time.
Peyton would never have gotten a reception as lux as this in the other world. Her parents there weren't poor, but they didn't have funds to waste on unnecessary lavishness. It would have still been a good wedding, if she ever would have had one, but it would have been sweet. Simple. Filled with the touches of DIY crafted decorations and basic catering options.
Here they dined on buttered steak or charred chicken with farm fresh vegetables roasted until they were perfectly crisp around the edges. The best the local farms had to offer. There was wine from the Luthor's own cellars and champagne that fizzed brightly for toasts.
It was enough to almost sweep Peyton off her feet and forget why it was happening. For a lie. For protection.
The call for toasts and speeches yanked her back down into reality as Annalise took the microphone to speak. Peyton stared with wide eyes as Annalise gave her a mocking wink and introduced herself to the crowd.
What would she say? What could she say?
"Good evening everyone," she crooned. "I'm Annalise, best friend of the bride, and I have known this lady here for forever. Long enough that we have to stay friends legally because we both know too much."
The crowd rippled in obligatory laughter and Annalise preened under the response.
"We actually met at boarding school when we were eight. Apparently, her previous dorm-mate begged to trade rooms because Peyton was so mean to her for something the girl said against Lex. And if that isn't the cutest thing ever, shut up right now. I, of course, would never complain, because I got a friend to drag around with me for the rest of our schooling. And people, for some reason, like to act like I was the bad influence, but who are you really going to believe? Her, the super mean dorm-mate, or me?"
She gestured between herself and Peyton as the crowd laughed again. Peyton glared in jest as the situation called for. Annalise grinned.
"Okay, I promised I wouldn't tell any scandalous stories, and Peyton didn't have an embarrassing diary to read from, but I do have one moment that lives in my head from school."
Peyton cast a concerned look to Lex who watched Annalise with curious attention. Annalise paused a second to check on Peyton, so Peyton groaned and hid her face in her hands. It was the right thing to do. Annalise carried on with delight.
"Peyton has always been a very literal person. Sarcasm and figures of speech just flew over her head as a kid. So, one time she told me her head hurt and there was actually a cold going around school. Like a good friend, I gave her a bottle of congestion medicine and told her to drink some. This. Girl. She started to drink it from the bottle. I had to pull it out of her hands! When I tell you she was off for the rest of the day! Totally zoned out and forgetful, possibly even skipped class. Don't worry Mr. and Mrs. Woods! That was not something that happened on the regular! I was young enough that I didn't put two-and-two together until later, but oh man. I did not mess around with that stuff afterwards."
The crowd roared and when they calmed, Annalise wrapped up her speech saying nice things. Sweet things. Wrong things about how Peyton and Lex had always been destined for each other and how they belonged together. Peyton found herself stuck on the story.
She remembered it.
That sounded like the first time she got trapped. When she first told Lex about her situation after her moment of panic. But she swore she drank the cold medicine in the other world. On purpose, as an experiment to help her sleep normally.
She exchanged glances with Lex and he caught her unease. He was smart enough to realize the connection. He placed his hand over hers in an act of reassurance and this time- this time Peyton didn't turn it away or resent the persistent contact. She flipped her hand over and laced their fingers together.
There were a few other toasts, all much more sincere than they deserved, and there was cake. There was dancing.
She and Lex danced first to a sweet little song that Peyton barely registered beyond the sound of a piano. The dance was a stress and a reprieve all at once. A reprieve because for three minutes they could ignore the crowd and it was just them.
But it was also just them.
Lex kept his hands around her waist and Peyton hid her face in his shoulder to try and shut out the stares for just a moment. His cologne smelled nice; he felt nice. She hated that she didn't hate it. The sharp notes and warm undertones of this smell would forever be burned into her mind as being associated with him. The rising notes of a piano would be this one quiet moment.
It wasn't fair.
He was making it alright and that wasn't fair.
"How are you holding up?" He murmured in her ear.
Peyton shifted and raised her head as she moved her arms to rest over his shoulders again. She smiled lethargically.
"My feet are going to kill me tomorrow. You're so lucky men don't wear heels anymore."
Lex glanced down as if to check her feet.
"Should I sweep you off the dance floor?"
"Try to pick me up in front of everyone and I will end you."
He chuckled and the music began to fade out.
"You say that like I couldn't. Do I come across as so posh?"
"I think you just enjoy trying to rile me up."
He pulled her closer even as the music stopped and grinned at her look of alarm. His voice remained low, so the conversation stayed between the two of them.
"I don't try to do anything. I succeed."
Lex purposefully grabbed her hand and spun her in one last twirl. The room whooped and cheered even as Peyton's face flushed. The spin caught her off guard enough that she yelped and nearly stumbled, if not for Lex keeping her steady. He grinned as she poked at his chest and chastised him, much to the amusement of everyone watching.
Peyton danced with her dad to another sweet song that didn't require much more than swaying in terms of movement. He sniffled a couple times and as he, much more openly, initiated lazy twirls with her, Peyton could hear her mom demand the photographer take more photos. They quickly ran through the standard moves for people who don't dance, so Peyton resorted to wrapping her arms around him and just holding onto him as they swayed.
It would make good pictures.
Lex's mom was gone, so Merrill stepped up and danced with him instead. It was cute, if a bit sad. But her mom knew a few more dance steps than the rest of them and showed off some footwork to the crowd when the song briefly picked up its tempo. Peyton found herself clapping with the rest of the crowd and goading her dad over his lack of flair during their dance.
Lex walked off the dance floor flushed and smiling, Peyton mimed a thoughtful expression and crossed her arms as he approached.
"You get points for trying something different and taking risks," she said. "But I'm afraid it's still not enough to get you on Dancing with the Stars."
His hand fell to her waist and rested there without thought as he grinned.
"What is that?"
"Nothing that probably exists yet," she confessed. "But give it time. It's reality TV, you'll probably hate it."
Lex's impish expression suddenly shuttered and Peyton twisted to look behind her only to be met with Lionel. He smiled pleasantly at them. As pleasantly as a wolf could smile.
"Mind if I have a dance with my new daughter-in-law?" He inquired.
Lex's grip on her tightened as he assessed the situation. There wasn't much to be done without making a scene. Peyton placed her hands over Lex's and he released her as she gave Lionel a tight-lipped smile and allowed him to take her hand. Lex watched warily as they moved onto the dance floor amongst the now forming group of dancers.
She and Lionel kept polite distance in something slightly less formal than a waltz position. He took the lead as he moved them around the dance floor, and Peyton did her best to follow without stepping on his feet. Purely for her own dignity, not his.
"I suppose I should congratulate you," Lionel said.
"Don't feel pressured," Peyton lobbied back.
Lionel chuckled dryly at her barb, but there was no mirth. His eyes swept the crowd briefly as he kept up a genial expression.
"I must admit you are a bit of an enigma, Peyton. I believe this is the longest amount of time you've ever… exerted yourself."
"Ah," muttered Peyton. "At least you don't feel pressured."
Lionel turned them around abruptly to dance the other way and Peyton grit her teeth as she kept up.
"It makes me wonder just who you actually are," he continued as if he didn't hear her comment. "But I must caution you, whatever your intentions, any act against my son's best interest is an act against me."
Heat flashed through her limbs.
"Your son is now my husband," she snapped. "And I protect my family. I would caution you that our definitions of 'best interest' are probably different."
Lionel's eyes flashed in insult and interest. He watched her face and Peyton tried to remain as stoic as possible.
"Tread carefully, dear." He warned, voice low. She didn't like the way he studied her. "You don't even know, do you?" Lionel pressed. "You're oblivious to your change in disposition."
Peyton's grip tightened involuntarily.
"I know who I am," she said defensively.
The song ended and they separated immediately, still on the dance floor. Lionel gave her a minute bow in show and called out to her as she began to walk away.
"And Peyton."
She looked over her shoulder and Lionel smirked, but it was sharp. Like wolves teeth.
"Congratulations."
[]
Peyton was able to catch the Kents before they left the wedding. She dragged Lex along with her since he seemed more attached to her hip as the night wore on. Martha beamed at her and hugged her without prompting when Peyton got close.
"Congratulations," she said with warmth. "I'm so happy for the both of you. And you look beautiful."
"Thank you!" Peyton smiled shyly as she released Martha and addressed the three Kents. "And I wanted to thank all of you for coming. It means a lot to me, to both of us."
Clark smiled and gave Lex a clap on the back; Lex grinned genuinely.
"Congratulations," Clark echoed his mother. "The food was really good. And Marlene went all out on the cake."
Peyton grinned.
"Of course a teen boy would be most impressed by the food."
Clark laughed and rubbed at the back of his head.
"Yeah, well."
"The food was one of the highlights," Lex agreed with a conspiratorial grin.
Jonathan shuffled awkwardly as it came to be his turn and Peyton was gearing up to let him off the hook when Jonathan looked up with a begrudgingly appreciative look in his eyes; he nodded at Lex.
"That was a kind thing you did for the town," he said, "by involving the local shops."
The Kents' own vegetables had been on their plates for dinner. Likely Jonathan wouldn't mention that, it sounded too much like charity from her and Lex, which it wasn't, but Jonathan was a man of pride. Still, the comment was more generous than she expected.
Maybe he really was warming up to them. Lex glowed under the praise.
"It was better dining than most places I've been to in Metropolis," Lex said. "Everyone in Smallville has been more than generous."
Peyton's mother called from across the room and it gave the Kents a clean break. Clark gave Peyton a sweet, awkward little side hug as he moved to follow his parents.
"I'm happy for you guys," he said with a wave. "See you later!"
Peyton briefly watched them leave and smiled as she swung her and Lex's clasped hands.
"I think he's warming up to us."
Lex chuffed dryly but fought back a smile.
"If that's what you call tolerance."
[]
By the time they slipped away from the wedding for the night, Peyton was grateful that the reception was in their backyard. Her heels hung from her hands as they slid through the back door into the dim hall. Peyton breathed a sigh of relief in the quiet.
"We didn't even really do anything and I'm exhausted."
Lex's hand was still warm on her back, sitting against her spine like it had for a large portion of the night.
"Socializing on this scale will take it out of anyone," he said.
"Well," Peyton looked up at him with a tired smile, "we made it. And it all went pretty smoothly."
Lex stared down at her a moment then removed his hand from her back.
"Almost perfect," he agreed. When Peyton's expression prompted an explanation, Lex wet his bottom lip and put on an unaffected look. "I'm sure my father said something upsetting."
She tried to wave off the worry, but she was exhausted and her arm was heavy, so it turned into more of a flop.
"It was nothing," she said. "And like you said, he can't really do anything about this now, can he?"
"No," he allowed as they walked up the stairs.
The hall split from there and their rooms were on opposite ends. Both of them loitered at the top of the stairs; Peyton chewed at her bottom lip. Lex pressed his lips together and smiled with a nod.
"I guess this is goodnight-" he said at the same time as Peyton said,
"Do you want to hang out?"
He blinked in surprise and Peyton awkwardly gestured with her heels.
"I mean, do you want to just hang out for a little bit," she repeated. "To unwind? But I know we're both tired, sorry-"
"No," Lex stopped her rambling. "No, that sounds perfect."
Peyton sighed and her shoulders relaxed.
"Cool, I'm just going to change first." Lex's face flashed with a couple different expressions but he rolled his lips through his teeth and didn't comment. Peyton's expression turned droll. "You would have almost gotten points for not saying 'into something more comfortable?', except I just heard it loud and clear."
Lex grinned widely.
"You kind of walked right into that, to be fair."
She pointed a stern finger at him and headed toward her room.
Peyton had a pair of sweats and a shirt calling her name, if she could only get out of her dress. There were buttons all the way down her back and she was so tired. Not to mention that all the undergarments under the dress made it hard to twist around. It was too snug to just slip her arms from and shimmy out of.
After a few minutes, she admitted defeat and aggressively opened her bedroom door. Lex was already changed and leaned against the banister waiting for her; he lifted his head, brow rising when he noted she hadn't changed. Peyton huffed in irritation.
"I can't get this stupid thing unbuttoned."
Lex pushed himself off the banister and made his way over. He looked far too amused.
"Isn't this a bit cliche?" He asked with a grin. "If you wanted me to-"
"I am actually stuck," Peyton interrupted. "If you don't help me I'm going to resort to ruining the dress."
Lex lifted his hands in acquiescence and Peyton turned slowly so her back faced him. He stopped close behind her and his fingers brushing against her skin made her shiver. Lex started work on the first button and Peyton tried to calculate the minimum number she could have him undo before she could escape on her own.
He was still fumbling with the buttons around her mid back and Peyton cut her eyes to the side in an attempt to see him.
"Are you messing around?"
Lex scowled.
"These things are so small."
"They're buttons, Lex."
"And you asked for help; you're no better than I am here."
She could feel as a few finally gave way and Lex grumbled under his breath. Peyton tried to twist and look further and Lex exclaimed in dismay. He pushed her back to face forward.
"Stop that! Now I lost it."
"Honestly, the women didn't have this much trouble buttoning me up."
"Well buttoning is different from unbuttoning, isn't it? Your wiggling around isn't helping."
There was a firmer tug, and Peyton let out an admonishing noise.
"Did you rip the button off? If you ruin this dress-"
"I didn't rip it off; do you want my help or not? My go-, you're bossy."
"Oh, I hardly think you're one to complain about being bossy."
He struggled to unbutton another three and Peyton devolved into an overtired fit of giggles. The noise was infectious and Lex shortly joined in. He protested as her laughter dragged her to the floor, but he followed her there too.
Peyton wheezed. It wasn't that funny, but she couldn't help it.
"We're heirs to two mega corporations," she said between laughter. "We both have degrees, and we can't figure out some buttons."
"I think they're meant to be ripped off," Lex muttered under his breath.
Peyton chose to ignore that.
"I probably have five hundred pins in my hair, if you think one would help-"
"There," Lex said. "You should be able to get out."
Peyton held the front of her dress as a precaution as she managed to get to her feet. Her eyes were still wet from laughter. Lex looked frazzled as he backed away from her doorway and it only made her laugh again.
"I'm going to get you a trophy for this," she teased. "Lex Luthor: Figured Out Buttons."
"I can always button them back up," he drawled. "You did say that was easier."
She let out a bark of a laugh and closed her door. Relief flooded her again as she finally stepped out of the dress and peeled off the constricting shape-wear. The hair would take too long to undo, so she left it.
Peyton snagged a blanket off her bed and opened the door in sweats this time, and Lex visibly processed something as their eyes met again.
She propped the balled up blanket against her hip and smiled.
"What do you say to hot chocolate and Twenty Questions?"