Chapter Text
“Why do you want to work here?” The stern man sitting across from Lex demanded.
“I uh… I would be a great addition to the team. With my expansive technical knowledge and programming background I think I could…be a big help…around here…” Lex offered, unsure of himself.
“Right, and what makes you better than any other programmer?” The interviewer challenged. “I’ve had a million students just like you in my office today; why should you, of all people, get this internship?”
Lex froze, His mind scrambled desperately to find an answer. how was he different?
“I… don’t know” Lex responded quietly.
The interviewer sighed, looking extremely unimpressed.
Shit. Lex’s hands began to sweat. He knew he just said something stupid.
A few dreadful moments of silence ticked by. Finally, the interviewer spoke.
“Lex, every year you come in my office for this position, and every year you fail to answer my questions properly.”
“I know… I’m-I’m sorry” Lex looked down at the floor; defeated.
the interviewer leaned forward in his chair, placing his elbows on the desk and resting his chin in his hands. He stared straight at Lex, who tried to look away.
“I have one last question for you.”
Lex nodded; at this point he just wanted to get this interview over with.
“Why do you keep disappointing me, Son?”
…
Lex sat up in bed suddenly, his mind racing.
“Why do you keep disappointing me, son?”
the horrid words clawed at his chest as the nightmare replayed in his head over and over again. though Lex has always had issues with nightmares; it seemed as if they had gotten worse since that letter had arrived. Lex’s eyes darted over to the clock on his bedside table; 6:00 AM.
Usually, Lex would already be out the door at this time; and for a moment he instinctively thought he was late. But then he remembered that he didn’t have a job to be late for.
Lex debated silently on whether or not to go back to sleep. he didn't exactly have anything to do, and he was still pretty tired. he gazed at the clock again and that’s when he noticed, suddenly, the tall man laying beside him.
At first he couldn’t tell if he was hallucinating or not, but on closer inspection he realized that the man was not only real, but he was also Lex’s sworn enemy.
Superman.
What the fuck is he doing here? Lex had been so preoccupied with thoughts about his nightmare and the letter that he completely forgot about last nights events. but the moment Lex spotted Superman, all the memories came flooding back to him. and they made him feel sick.
Lex stared at his nemesis's unconscious body. He had never been so close to him before. For years he could only dream of standing face to face with Superman. But now, here he was.
and Lex had no idea what to do.
He desperately wanted to slice the aliens throat, finish the job, and earn his dad’s respect. but how could he? Just the night before, Superman had showed Lex more kindness than any human ever had. and as much as he absolutely despised that stupid, stupid, hero; he just…couldn’t do it.
For the first time in Lex’s entire life, some one cared about him. and he just couldn’t risk losing that.
So against Lex’s better judgment, against every single thing he had ever known; He laid back down, letting the soft bed consume him as he drifted off to sleep.