Archive of Our Own ^beta

“Tell me what's the deal, I've been tryin' to go to bed

I've been up for days, I've been tryna get ahead

Said it all before, and I'll say it once again

I'm better off alone.”

-money machine, 100 gecs

“H-Hey, babe—uh, I mean Lex...Sorry, I know you...told me not to call you that. Uhm, anyway, just...calling you back...again. Wanted to check in on you...See how you were doing. Uh...I hope you're doing well. And uhm...That's it, I guess. Okay, call me back. Later—” 

Next Message

“Lex, it's me. Of course it is, right? Heh! ...Sorry, that was...I hope that wasn't rude. So, uh...Did, did you get a new number? Or...I-I don't want to assume you're ignoring my calls or anything...I know you're a busy man, and...you have lots to do, but...I-I just think that maybe it's okay to take some time away from work to maybe answer your—” 

Next Message

“Lex? It...It's me. Did I...Did I do something wrong? I thought...I thought the night we had together was amazing. A-And I really thought you had a nice time too. W-Was I wrong? I mean...Was it the dinner? Had you been to that particular restaurant in Paris before and just didn't want to tell me? O-Or was it the hotel? I mean, the tub was kinda small, but...I-I didn't think it was that bad...Okay, maybe the rose petals were a bit much—” 

Next Message

“Lex, please pick up. Please? I just...You can answer just to tell me to stop calling. Then I'll know three things- I'll know you're okay, that I'm bothering you, and that you don't want to see me anymore. I'm a big guy, I can take it. I can! I just can't take this...This radio silence. It's driving me absolutely—” 

Next Message

“Lex...please...I'm sorry, okay? Just, please answer...Please...” 

“Is he crying, sir?” Sydney raised an eyebrow.

“Yes!” 

“Lord, help that boy...” Otis shook his head and let out a heavy sigh.

“You really did a number on him.” 

“I sure did.”  Lex smirked around the rim of his mug as he took in a hearty sip.

The high he felt listening to Superman's weak, pathetic voice whimpering from his phone should be harvested and sold to junkies. A warehouse full of money machines couldn't keep all the cash he'd make from it. He'd have to lauder it out to several countries, and even then that wouldn't be enough. A bird nor a plane could touch him right now. 

“I'd do anything to see you again...Anything...” 

“Why won't he just...fly over here?” Syd squinted at Lex's phone, as if the man on the other end would answer his question.

“I told him using his powers would be breaking boundaries.”

“Ooo, that's good. But wait, didn't he say he flew you to Paris?” 

“...There are some exceptions to the rule.” 

Next Message

“Why...Why are you doing this? I've gone through the whole night in my head over and over again, and can't find a single moment in our time together where you nor I weren't enjoying ourselves. Not on the Ferris wheel, or on our walk down the shopping strip. Or in bed...When you looked into my eyes with those glowing sapphires of yours, and you whispered you loved—” 

“Uh, ahem!” Lex coughed and jabbed his finger on his phone until Superman's voice disappeared. “Ignore that one.” 

“How long does this go on for?” Otis asked in his usual droll. 

“There’s...10 more. No, 15.” 

“Oh...Mhm. I don’t mean to be rude, sir, but I only have 10—no, 15 minutes left on my lunch break.” 

Lex glared at his assistant, crossing his arms over his chest and ignoring another one of the alien's tearful messages.

“Am I boring you, Otis? You'd rather stuff your gullet with mediocre food than laugh at Superman's expense with your boss?” 

“...Will answering that cost me my paycheck this week?” 

“Just get out!” Lex pointed to the double doors of his office.

The old man bowed his head and quietly walked out of the room. Once the doors closed behind him, Lex brought his irritated attention to his other employee. 

“Are you eager to join him?” 

Syd pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. “Uhhh...” 

Next Message

“Lex, on behalf of myself, my self worth, and yours, this will be the last message you'll receive from me.” 

“Oh wow. 15 voicemails went by fast.” Syd chuckled weakly.

“I hadn't listened through all of them...” Lex leaned in closer to his phone.

“Our night together was...It meant so much to me. But I can't keep doing this to you, my continuous calling is probably disrupting your work and personal life. But...I also can't keep doing this to myself either, as that's exactly what it's doing to me.

Nonetheless, whether it was for one night or a thousand nights, I will cherish what we shared forever and with all my heart. Thank you for giving us a chance. Even though things didn't turn out the way I'd hoped, I am glad it happened all the same. Whenever you're hearing this, I hope you're having a good day.

I...I love...Uhm, nevermind. Goodbye, Lex.”

Next Message 

“Afternoon Luthor. This is Sergeant Flag Sr., calling in regards to—”

Lex placed his elbows on his desk and crossed his fingers over the each other. He stared out the window in front of him, barely hearing whatever spiel the rest of the voicemails were saying. 

Clear blue skies. No clouds, no birds or planes, nothing in the way. 

“That Superman. He's such an idiot. Right, boss?”  

Lex narrowed his eyes at his bespectacled employee, squeezing his hands together far too tightly.

Syd swallowed and took a few steps back.

“Uh, right. I'll just...see myself out.” 

He practically sprinted out of Lex's office without another word, leaving him alone with his phone. 

He ended the voicemails right in the middle. He'll get one of his assistants to listen to the business ones: jot down the important notes from them, and send them his way. He'll probably need to delete the Superman ones first. He didn’t want everyone in his business. 

He picked up his phone and stared at the screen. Pressing his thumb on his phone app, he smirked at how many times Supershit popped up in his Missed Calls list. He clicked the Delete button and checked each box by his name. All the evidence must go. 

Delete 28 Calls?

Yes | No

He tapped on Yes and watched all the Supershits' vanish. 

All except one. 

It sat right underneath Voicemail. Lex's thumb hovered over them both, his face feeling hotter than before. He rolled his eyes and let out an aggravated huff.

“Such an idiot.” 

He grumbled as he pressed hard on the name.