And that was how Lex could love Anatoly. He understood Lex, while being less jaded enough that he didn't see any of himself in the Russian. Or at least the parts that terrified him.

Lex turned into the kiss, so he could look Anatoly in the eyes. "I won't..." his voice broke, the past few days wearing on him and oh was his head hurting, "I won't let him hurt you again. I promise." And that earned him another long drink from the Scotch in his hand. Then he laughed bitterly. "He blamed me you know. The island is my fault."