Where there's truth, there will be lies?

[capable_of]

Getting away from the studio had been easier then Lex had thought. Of course, Trumper throwing a temper tantrum and distracting all the reporters helped immensely. And Anatoly had been just as ready to get out of their as Lex had been.

Though, the closer their cab got back to the hotel, the more anxious Anatoly got and by the time they arrived, Lex had a hand in the Russian's curls and was saying soft Russian sayings in his ear to get him to focus and calm down. Lex, on the other hand, was just more keyed up, back in his element, in a game he'd been trained from birth to play.

Once back at the hotel, Lex had to practically drag Anatoly up to his room, once he got the number out of him. There they stood by the closed door, the only barrier now between them and Florence Vassey. Ideally, Lex didn't want the coming conversation with Anatoly's former lover either, but it had to be done. After glancing around to be sure the hallway was empty, Lex pulled Anatoly close to him by the hand he'd placed at the small of the Russian's back in it's usual comfort place so that their foreheads touched. "Just remember. We owe this to her. Better she finds out from us then De Courcey or Trumper. And I'll be with you, the entire time, I swear Tolya." He placed a soft kiss on Anatoly's lips then released him to open the hotel room door.

Comments

[capable-of.livejournal.com]

Kingmaker was the reply on the tip of Lex's tongue but he knew better then to say it out loud in this situation. Though he had every intention of making sure Anatoly came out on top this time.

As Florence rounded on Anatoly, Lex took a step in front of him. "Florence," He said her name pointedly, to get her to stop. "We appreciate your help. And any information about the situation you can provide would be most helpful."

He paused, stealing himself before finding the words to say, "I am sorry. For what this is putting you through." It was an apology, completely out of character for Lex, but he meant it. She was an amazing woman, from what Anatoly had told him and from the little he'd seen. She didn't deserve this...but Lex wasn't going to give up Anatoly for the world. So a sincere apology was all he could give her.

[hungarianheart.livejournal.com]

The unexpected apology threw her off her guard and she stared at Lex, rather taken aback. What it was worth, she didn't know. He didn't seem the kind to make apologies lightly, but he was certainly the type to make them if it would turn the situation to his advantage.

"I would think you would know more about the political situation than I do, Mr. Luthor," she said coldly. "Anatoly knows what he needs to do to win the game. It seems clear to me that I can offer nothing else."

Without waiting for a response, she left the room, closing the door behind her with a loud bang.

[chesspolitik]

Anatoly buried his face in his hands as she left, unwilling to see how hurt she must be. It was painfully clear from her tone; what use would watching her leave be? He had more than enough guilt to go around. As hard-hearted and cold as it might be, he had to put all thoughts and emotion aside for the sake of the game. Afterward, and only then, he could manage the situation.

[capable-of.livejournal.com]

Lex stood straight and tall, not backing down an inch physically until the door had clicked shut behind her. While he regretted Florence's hurt feelings, as long she wasn't going to work against them, this turn of events wasn't bad. He would have preferred to have her as more of ally so Anatoly could concentrate fully on the game instead of funneling Lex the information he needed, but he could work with this.

Finally, Lex moved to kneel in front of Anatoly again. He...honestly didn't know what to do. The people he loved tended to try to kill him instead of just walking out so he was unfamiliar with this situation. So he just put his hands on Anatoly's knees, offering any comfort he could.

[chesspolitik]

Anatoly took Lex's hands, squeezing them tightly. That he was here at all was a miracle in Anatoly's eyes and that very fact was more reassuring than words could ever express. Together, they could get through this match and everything after. They had to; there was no other way.

"I'm sorry," Anatoly murmured after a few moments. "This - it all could have gone better."

[capable-of.livejournal.com]

"Don't apologize." Lex said softly, squeezing back and lifting up so he could kiss Anatoly's forehead. "It will all be fine. You'll see."

Lex would make sure of it.