Of Cats and D.O.G.s
Location: The Luthor Castle and D.O.G. House
luthoralexander: *8:30 am. In his study, Lex picks up the phone and dials the number to his and Adena's suite*
kokofthewalk: *curled up in a chair reading in her robe, looks up in surprise to hear the phone ringing. She hops up and answers it.* "Uh, hello. Luthor... Castle?"
luthoralexander: *wide grin* "It's me, darling. Do you think you could come down here to the study? I need your help with something."
kokofthewalk: "Um, okay. Gimme a sec." *She hangs up and goes to get dressed.*
luthoralexander: *he fixes up her present one more time and stalks over to his desk, willing the little white ball of fur not to move, and leaning on the glass surface casually*
kokofthewalk: *hurries down to the office, dressed nicely, but casually, and fixed her hair just as the stylist had suggested*
luthoralexander: *smiles as he sees her* "There you are. I can't seem to make her stay in the basket, princess..." *he waves a hand towards the white Angora kitty in a basket on the floor, a purple bow tied around her neck*
kokofthewalk: *jaw drops as she the little white kitten, mewing plaintively as it struggles to get out of the basket again* "Oh my god!" *she rushes over it and laughs*
luthoralexander: *Lex approaches her from behind, looking over her shoulder* "I think she wants to be picked up."
kokofthewalk: *carefully takes the kitten in her arms and cuddles her to her chest* "Oh, baby... don't be so upset."
luthoralexander: *he touches her arms, steps up against her and kisses her cheek* "Do you like her?"
kokofthewalk: "I love her, you sweet sweet man!" *rubs the kitten's soft fur against her cheek*
luthoralexander: *he chuckles and hugs her waist. He isn't even going to protest about being called 'sweet' because Adena sees the world in her own special way anyway* "I had a few things she'll need brought in but you can go and choose whatever you want when we get to Metropolis later today. She does need a name, though."
kokofthewalk: "Oh, and you know how good I am at naming..." *looks back and gives him a kiss*
luthoralexander: "Yes, you are." *pats her butt once* "You should get her a carrying bag so she can go everywhere with you."
kokofthewalk: *Laughs out loud* "Like a Hilton girl?"
luthoralexander: *makes a face* "Oh. Scratch that idea."
kokofthewalk: "Thank you, Alex. Oh, you're so sweet!" *she says again. the kitten is purring like a motorboat.*
luthoralexander: *he scratches the kitten's head and kisses Adena's neck again* "You're welcome. Looking forward to going back home?"
kokofthewalk: "A little." *she admits. she went out one afternoon with her video camera to check out the locals... Lex was right about how little they noticed. Although being a castle was cool, there wasn't much to DO in Smallville, altogether. As long as she had Lex, though, she could keep herself fairly entertained."
kokofthewalk: "I uh... had something I wanted to ask you about..."
luthoralexander: "Ask me anything." *he spun her around so they would be facing each other*
kokofthewalk: *the kitten starts wiggling, and she lets it crawl up on her shoulder* "Fiancée? ...Did I miss the memo?"
luthoralexander: "Oh." *he glances down* "Right. I apologize for that, I just didn't want Clark to take you less than serious. He used to see me with a different girl every week when we were young. I hope I didn't upset you."
kokofthewalk: "Yeah?" *she rubs his shoulder* "Okay then."
luthoralexander: "Although..." *he looks around for a moment* "What's the timeline on that? For people to become engaged?"
kokofthewalk: *Adena rolls her eyes and strolls in the other direction with a smirk. She had suspected that had been behind the little 'slip'.* "Hm. I dunno."
kokofthewalk: *The kitten mews at him from her shoulder*
luthoralexander: *he watches the kitten, worried that she might fall off Adena's shoulder* "Your papers should be waiting in Metropolis," *he tells her, heading back to his desk*
kokofthewalk: *scoops the kitten off her shoulder and puts her in Lex's hands* "That should be pretty nice. Do you have any idea how much of a pain in the ass it is for most people to get their papers changed? Even after they've gone through like a million surgeries and years of therapy?"
luthoralexander: "No idea whatsoever." *he looks at the kitten in confusion but his hands go around it protectively as he sits and opens his laptop* "But I can imagine." *looks up at her* "Maybe we could do something about that. Or provide them with a place to feel accepted, at least."
kokofthewalk: "Um... well it's a pretty big pain in the ass." *She goes over to sit in a chair near his desk. The kitten settles in on his lap.* "It would be nice to do SOMETHING. There aren't a lot of places in Metropolis that are really safe for girls like me, if you don't pass really well. Unless you want to live in Suicide Slums or Gay City."
luthoralexander: "That's not an option." *he picks up a phone and orders his assistant Amanda to look into available buildings in the better parts of Metropolis* "We'll find something. Maybe starting a foundation would be a good idea." *sits back* "How about you, darling? Is there anything you need?"
kokofthewalk: *She kicks off her shoes and curls her feet up into the chair. She doesn't actually like to wear shoes around the house, but with cold castle floors, socks are a necessity.* "I'm perfect, babe." *She reaches over and squeezes his hand.*
luthoralexander: "Well, I could have told you THAT," *he says with a wink, picking up the phone when it rings. After a brief exchange, he hangs up again* "There's a building between Union Station and the Metropolis Hospital that's available. It's the one with that glass dome. It'll need some work and a full staff, but that's doable. Maybe your D.O.G. friends would like to take part in something like that, too?"
kokofthewalk: "Oh, yeah. I'm sure they would. I can call Patty, and maybe Leah, and see if they're interested. If nothing else, the Women's Centre on campus would like to have information on hand about it." *She covers her mouth with her hands, thinking.* "Could it be more than just... I mean could we expand it for the city's abuse and sexual assault victims, and maybe some mental issues too?" *tries to think how that would work together*
luthoralexander: "Anything that's important to you." *he thinks about it* "A Wellness Center. What are we going to do with Adam?"
kokofthewalk: *She's getting used to how quickly his brain moves from one topic to another, so she isn't too jarred by the sudden question. It must be dizzying to be inside his brain.* "I um... I don't know." *frowns a little, contemplating the conversations she's going to have with her old friends who know Adena, to keep them quiet... and having to go visit her family to let them know what's going on... all in all, she'd like to just kill Adam off, but that probably wouldn't be a very good idea*
luthoralexander: "He could get a job somewhere else. Of course, there's a number of people who would know about it...there's another option," *he says, meeting her eyes*
kokofthewalk: "Which would be?"
luthoralexander: *he pets the kitten on his lap and watches Adena* "We could tell the truth."
kokofthewalk: *She looks at him nervously.* "Tell who?"
luthoralexander: "Everyone. The press is going to know about you sooner or later, we could just tell them the truth about Adam and Adena. Unless YOU prefer to start from scratch."
kokofthewalk: "Alex, I can't do that. I just can't. Everyone will look at me like I'm a freak.*
luthoralexander: *he gives her a warm smile and touches her chin* "I won't. There ARE other transgendered women out there, darling, models, even some politicians, who have come out. But you're right, being with me is going to be enough pressure. Forget I mentioned it."
kokofthewalk: *She wishes she was strong enough to be one of those women who do that. She sighs softly.*
luthoralexander: "Hey." *strokes her chin with his thumb* "I'm just giving you options here, you don't have to do anything you don't want to. Just think about what you DO want and let me know, ok?"
kokofthewalk: "Yeah, I will." *She nods, trying to put the thought out of her mind.*
kokofthewalk: *The kitten picks that moment to knead Lex crotch. Not soft enough, dammit!*
luthoralexander: "Whoa." *he picks her up, holds her at eyelevel and shakes his head* "No, baby. That's mommy's toy when she decides she wants to play with it." *he gives Adena a playfully naughty look*
kokofthewalk: *She laughs slightly* "Oh, dear. What are we going to do with her? She picked your pants and almost wounded you in a very important place."
luthoralexander: *he chuckles and brings the kitten to his shoulder* "We'll teach her. I don't want to have her declawed, do you?"
kokofthewalk: *Kitty perches on his shoulder regally. Adena smiles.* "Oh no. Declawing would hurt her. We can get baby some softpaws to put on her claws."
luthoralexander: "Sounds perfect." *he glances at the kitten* "After my two girls have breakfast, we can head back to Metropolis."
kokofthewalk: *Adena nods.* "How old is she?"
luthoralexander: "Six weeks, her papers are here." *hands her a folder*
kokofthewalk: *She looks over the folder for her kitty.*
luthoralexander: *He orders Adena's breakfast to be brought to the study and answers a couple of emails*
kokofthewalk: *She pulls the bow off the kitten and plays with her with it*
kokofthewalk: *The kitten bats at the bow. GRRR she is a fierce jungle tiger!*
luthoralexander: *Lex watches Adena playing with the kitten, who gives little jumps on the floor and is blissfully oblivious of how complicated humans' lives are. a servant brings in Adena's breakfast and Lex goes back to work*
The following day, in front of the D.O.G. House…
luthoralexander: *Lex gets out of the black Diablo, goes around to the passenger seat and opens the door for Adena. He's wearing dark jeans and a light blue sweater for their visit to Adena's sorority*
kokofthewalk: *Adena slips out of the seat and comes to his side, a little eager to see what Lex thinks of the girls.*
kokofthewalk: *Patty is at the side of the house, lifting up the tail end of a car with one hand* "Do you see the problem, Suzie? Go ahead and fix it. I got this.”
luthoralexander: *the house is large and well-kept from the outside. Lex touches the small of Adena's back as they walk towards it*
kokofthewalk: *Adena appreciates his support and goes straight up to the door with him and opens it.* "Welcome to the D.O.G. house."
luthoralexander: *He looks around; nice furniture and clean rooms. Taking Adena's hand, he steps inside* "So here's where you lived for a while, hm?"
kokofthewalk: "Yeah, exclusively, while Dave, Doof, and I were trying to get back into the frat, then off and on, afterward, I'd sleep over here in our old room. Some of the girls were a little weirded out at first." *She looks around to see who's home.* "But unlike Dave, I didn't try to get with any of them or watch them in the shower, so... it kinda became a haven for me. They mostly call me Adena now, even when dressed as Adam. I'm gonna have to get back to the guys at K.O.K. and talk to them about what we're going to do about me living off campus now."
kokofthewalk: *A few puppies point them outside to find Patty.*
luthoralexander: *Lex goes with Adena, wanting to see everything and meet everyone. It feels like meeting her family and he wants to make a good impression*
kokofthewalk: *She sees Patty lifting the car, and Suzy coming out from under it. They're both wearing overalls and pigtails. She smiles and points to Patty.* "There, that's Patty. Hey, Pattiecakes!"
luthoralexander: *his eyes go wide for just a second. Patty is an amazon of a woman and yet the pigtails seem to fit her. He wonders if she'd consider working in his security team, but then remembers he's not there to recruit anyone*
kokofthewalk: *The woman waves and sets down the car easily.* "Hey! Adena!"
kokofthewalk: "Hey, baby. This is Alex." *She says. Patty comes up to them, wiping her hands on her overalls and offers to shake Lex's hand*
luthoralexander: *he takes her large hand and shakes it* "It's nice to meet you, Patty. I've heard a lot about you."
kokofthewalk: *Her hand engulfs his, but her touch is gentle.* "Yeah, same here. I hope you're half the guy Adena describes you as 'cause she deserves a good guy." *She turns and grins at Adena and mouths 'he's cute!'*
luthoralexander: "She does," *he agrees, touching Adena's cheek gently* "I hope I deserve her."
kokofthewalk: "Let me go get cleaned up, and I'll get back to you. Hey, why don't you go show him your old room?" *Patty suggests. She pokes Suzie.* "This is Suzie. She's antisocial."
kokofthewalk: *Suzie rolls her eyes and sticks her tongue out sideways at Pattie. Then she offers Lex her hand.* "It's not you. It's the whole human race. Be good to our girl." *She warns, pointing to him.*
luthoralexander: *he shakes her hand, too* "I'll do my best. Car trouble?" *looks over at the car, in wonder that Patty could lift it with one hand without being a Kryptonian*
kokofthewalk: "Not anymore." *Suzie said simply.* "I fixed it."
kokofthewalk: "Suzie can fix pretty much anything." *Adena tells him with a smile. Her girls are so talented.*
luthoralexander: "That's great." *he turns to Adena, his hand going to her back* "I get to see your room? I wasn't sure men were allowed upstairs."
kokofthewalk: "Well, anything mechanical." *Suzie breezes and leaves them. Patty waves and heads inside to get cleaned up.*
kokofthewalk: "Well, not unescorted, no." *Adena tugs him and leads him back inside*
luthoralexander: *he grins and follows after her*
kokofthewalk: *Bounds up the stairs and heads into their old dorm* "Ta da!"
luthoralexander: *he pulls her to him, kissing her before even looking around*
kokofthewalk: "Hee!" *She wraps her arms around him and gives him a squeeze.*
luthoralexander: *he lifts her a few inches off the ground* "Your room is lovely," *he says, keeping his eyes on hers*
kokofthewalk: "Um... what color are the walls?" *She askes, almost laughing*
luthoralexander: "The deepest blue," *he replies, grinning like a fool. He's clearly speaking of her eyes as he steps forward until her back hits a wall*
kokofthewalk: *She giggles." "Uh... nope. Might want to get your blues checked."
luthoralexander: "Alright." *he takes a deep breath without looking away* "The walls are peach, there are three white beds, three desks and two closet doors. A white chest of drawers, three windows, and I'd kill to make out with you here right now."
kokofthewalk: *She kisses him immediately*
luthoralexander: *he presses her against the wall, one hand going under her blouse and roaming over her abdomen*
kokofthewalk: *She reaches around him, giving his ass a good squeeze*
luthoralexander: *he lets out a groan and lets his lips travel down her neck as he starts to lower himself to the floor, on his knees*
kokofthewalk: *She massages her fingertips over his soft scalp* "Patty's gonna come back soon."
luthoralexander: "I should make this quick, then," *looks up at her as he lifts her skirt, drags down her panties and sucks her cock into his mouth*
kokofthewalk: *She gasps and clutches his head. She wishes she could reach the lock on the door... oh well* "Oh, Alex, you're better than a Tri Pi!"
luthoralexander: *he can imagine what and who a 'Tri-Pi' is. Swirls his tongue around the head of her cock before sucking it, three times hard and then three times loose, and repeating the teasing over and over. He reaches into his own pants and begins to stroke himself*
kokofthewalk: *She pants hard, her hand still on his head, and tries not to moan, alerting the girls to what's going on in there*
luthoralexander: *He takes her deeper, massages her balls and jerks himself harder. He's learned he loves to watch her come, and usually brings himself off in the shower with that memory in his mind*
kokofthewalk: *She comes hard, making a soft squeak as she chokes back her moan*
luthoralexander: *He swallows greedily, her taste and choked sounds bringing him over the edge, making him spill in his jeans*
kokofthewalk: *She sighs happily and slides down to the floor with Lex* "SO good." *She kisses his head several times.*
luthoralexander: *he lets his forehead rest on her shoulder for a moment, before giving her lips a kiss* "I need to wash up, darling. Where can I do that?"
kokofthewalk: "Um... the bathroom is down the hall on the left." *She points.*
luthoralexander: *he nods, helps her get up and turns to go* "I won't be long."
kokofthewalk: *She gives him another kiss before he leaves, then takes a moment to tuck everything back into place*
kokofthewalk: *Patty comes in, changed and showered and sits by Adena on the bed.* "He'll be back in a minute," *Adena tells her.* "He's so cute. When you said he was bald, I figured a comb over. He treating you alright?" *Patty leans over and gives her a hug. Adena squeezes her arms.* "He's, god, he's like a prince that came down and wants to cuddles me close and keep me safe always."
luthoralexander: *Lex finds the right door and locks himself in the bathroom, taking off his pants and soiled underwear. He decides to just toss it into a trashcan, and washes himself up before putting his pants back on. He isn't sure if Adena will ever want to have sex with him; she has not even tried really touching him yet and maybe she never will, but he can be patient. Either way, he's in love with her and he wants to make her happy. There's nothing more beautiful to him than Adena when she smiles, when she laughs*
kokofthewalk: "Well, if he does anything to you or you get in trouble..."
kokofthewalk: "Patty, I'm fine. He'd die if he ever hurt me, I know that." *She smiles softly. Patty shrugs.* "But if you ever need anything? You'll call me? You haven't known him that long."
kokofthewalk: "I love him like crazy. But I'll try to keep a clear head. Promise."
luthoralexander: *He makes it back to the bedroom and raises his hand to knock but Adena's words stop hi. He can't resist and listen in*
kokofthewalk: "Oh, okay then." *Now that she's given the obligatory 'concerned friend' bit, she squeals* "Oh Adena, he's so CUTE." *hugs her again* "I was really worried about you. Dave's a mess, but you were always... I knew stuff was going on with you, and you were too pinned up inside to say anything. I'm glad he got you to open up."
kokofthewalk: "It's been a long time since I've felt safe. I really don't know what would have happened to me if he hadn't shown up."
luthoralexander: *Lex suddenly feels like he's trespassing so he knocks on the door and opens it a little* "May I come in?"
kokofthewalk: "Come in, babe." *Adena smiles and gets up to hug him*
luthoralexander: *he kisses her temple* "Do you girls need some time to catch up? Oh, did you tell Patty about the Center?"
kokofthewalk: "Heh. No, I forgot." *She half turns to face Patty.* "Alex is working on starting up a Wellness Center for you know, mental illness, counseling, victims of abuse and sexual assault, um... support meetings for people with gender identity issues etc etc. You think any of the girls would be interested in helping there? We're going to need both volunteers and staff."
kokofthewalk: "Oh, that would be awesome! We can get a lot of girls involved in that. Oh, and at the Women's Centre, too. We're all revved up from the Project Safe Campus drives." *Patty says excitedly* "Oh... wait are you...?" *She looks at Lex with confusion* "Were you the push behind that?"
luthoralexander: "No. Adena was. I just knew the right people to call, but it's all because of her, for her." *Lex smiles proudly at Adena and pulls her to his chest before turning to Patty.
kokofthewalk: *Adena rolls her eyes* "Yes, he was the one hounding the mayor and the dean to get something done."
kokofthewalk: *Patty feels like she's missed something, but it wasn't as though she didn't suspect that something bad had happened to her friend.* "Well, you're going to be pretty popular around the sororities here. We've been trying to get things changed for a long time."
luthoralexander: "I don't need the publicity, Patty, not until Adena and I decide what we're going to do. For now, I'm just glad that women are a little safer around here. Nobody should live in fear." *he rubs his hand gently up and down Adena's arm*
kokofthewalk: *Patty shrugs* "I don't usually have to be afraid. But I worry about my friends. I'm like a one woman Take Back the Night posse."
kokofthewalk: *Adena laughs*
luthoralexander: *Lex chuckles* "I'm glad you and my princess are friends. If I ever have to absent myself because of work, I'd like to know she has someone to keep her safe in the meantime." *there is Hope, naturally, who's been permanently assigned to Adena, but Lex means every word*
kokofthewalk: "Yeah. She's no slouch on her own, though. Have you ever seen her play football? She's a buttkicker."
luthoralexander: "I have not." *he turns to Adena with one eyebrow arched up* "I'd love to, though."
kokofthewalk: "You can watch sometime when I'm practicing with the girls." *She smiles, looking forward to letting him see that side of her. She loves him to pieces, but part of her can't stand being treated as though she's fragile*
luthoralexander: "It's a date."
kokofthewalk: "I have that vid of the PowderPuff football game for the KOKtail cruise." *Patty offers.*
kokofthewalk: "There are copies of that everywhere!" *Adena complains.*
"Ryan wants everyone to know who the hottest girl on campus is." *Patty grins*
"That bitch is CRAZY." *Adena laughs.*
luthoralexander: "Who's Ryan?"
kokofthewalk: "She's one of the co-presidents of O.M.O., the co-ed gay frat. She's got a crush on me or something from watching that tape." *Adena shakes her head, still in amazement* "She was at Fly on the Wall that day I was playing."
luthoralexander: "Oh? Should I be worried?" *Lex is only partially joking*
kokofthewalk: "Ryan loves all the girls. She's just keeping an eye out, 'cause she caught Jimmy stalking her." *Patty says*
kokofthewalk: "She's harmless, Alex. Don't worry about Ryan."
luthoralexander: *Lex's expression slowly closes off, hardens* "Did she now? Catch Jimmy stalking you? And how did she do that, unless SHE was stalking you herself?" *he asks Patty, but keeps her eyes on Adena*
kokofthewalk: "She was just hanging around the D.O.G. house hoping to meet me in person. Trying to find someone and hanging around where they can SEE you, isn't exactly stalking." *She replies firmly* "I've never caught her trailing me or stealing my underwear or anything creepy, and she's never threatened me. She just talked to me a couple of times."
luthoralexander: *nods fast, his tongue rolling over a molar in the back of his mouth* "M-hm." *he carefully takes Adena's arms and makes her face him. "You need to get something in that brilliant mind of yours, darling. Just because YOU don't think you're attractive, or DAVE called you ugly once, that doesn't mean that the rest of us agree. You're beautiful, sexy, intelligent, funny, and anybody would be lucky to have you on their arm. I have no idea why you chose ME, but you need to stop underestimating yourself. You're so desirable who could help but want to be around you?"
kokofthewalk: "DAVE called YOU ugly? Did he see what a heifer he was when he crossdressed? Don't start with the fat ass thing, Adena. I'm a giant. Everything I have, including my ass, is automatically bigger than yours."
luthoralexander: "Dave is an asshole," *Lex tells Patty*
kokofthewalk: "Yeah, I'm starting to think so." *Patty shakes her head*
kokofthewalk: "You guys are too much." *She wrests out of Lex's grip* "And you're overprotective. Trust me a little to know when someone's threatening me, okay? I'm not going to crumble or break because someone shows an interest in me!" *She huffs.* "No idea why I chose YOU. How about? You listen? You're a genius, and you're sweet and handsome and oh my god, you want to save the world. You're an AMAZING man. Idiot."
kokofthewalk: *Patty covers her mouth with her hands*
luthoralexander: *Lex looks down and slips his hands into his front pockets* "You're right, I AM overprotecting you. I apologize." *he gives Patty a forced smile* "It was a pleasure to meet you, Patty, you're always welcome to come and visit us." *he then smiles at Adena* "I'll let you spend some time with your friends, darling; I'll be in the car. Take your time." *he spins on his heels and walks out*
kokofthewalk: *Adena stands there for a moment, completely bewildered.* "What just happened?"
kokofthewalk: "You had a fight. Now he's going to go sulk. Because he's a boy."
kokofthewalk: *Adena frowns and steps towards the door, then hesitates* "Do I go after him or let him sulk?"
luthoralexander: *Lex went downstairs, walked out of the house and plopped into his car, slamming the door. He started the engine and turned up the radio, LOUD. Maybe he could go on a long business trip to rethink his actions, to give Adena some time for herself*
kokofthewalk: *Patty shrugs and gets up to give her a hug.* "I'll come visit you. Call me and tell me when everything is okay. 'Cause it will be."
kokofthewalk: *Adena leaves the room and runs down the stairs... she trips and twists her ankle* "Fucking stairs."
kokofthewalk: *She rips off her shoes and hobbles irritably out to the car*
luthoralexander: *Lex sees her and jumps out to help her* "What happened, are you hurt?"
kokofthewalk: "Yes." *She waves him off.* "No! I'm not. I twisted my fucking ankle. Are you mad at me?"
luthoralexander: *he takes a step back and keeps his hands ready to support her, but refrains from touching her* "No. I thought YOU were angry at ME. Let me open the door for you."
kokofthewalk: "Fine." *She leans on the car and waits for him.* "You'd think by now I would have learned to WALK." *She rolls her eyes at Lex.* "I'm not mad at you. I'm just frustrated."
luthoralexander: *he nods and opens the car door for her* "I'm overdoing it, I'm sorry."
kokofthewalk: *Adena hops, looking down, and eases herself into the car.* "Well, you ARE. It's you, but it's me too. I'm not used to people trying to take care of me. I'm used to being strong and able to do everything for myself, and it drives me crazy that I need you so much, and you keep seeing me as so vulnerable that you have to go after anyone who dares look my way. I don't want to be some pathetic pussy that can't do anything for herself and I don't want to be 'kept'. I don't know if that means I'm not... really a girl or I'm being one WRONG, but it's how I am."
luthoralexander: *Lex runs a hand across his mouth and squats facing her* "I don't think you're weak or a pussy, but I do think you're at a vulnerable time in your life. You've lost important friends and you're reinventing yourself, you're changing your entire GENDER. That takes strength and determination, but it might be easier to do if you have someone to help you. Maybe I'm not that someone, but I'd like to be." *he touches her hand* "You're worried about being a girl wrong but I don't think you should be. You should be YOU, and if that means you want to come back here to live or...whatever it means, then that's what you should do." *his heart breaks to even say it, but he smiles* "I just want you to be happy. When you don't tell me what YOU want, I tend to make my own decisions, and they're obviously the wrong ones. I'm sorry."
kokofthewalk: "I don't want to leave. I love you so much, Alex, please, you have to listen to me." *Her eyes get shiny, but no tears fall. She says softly and stares at her lap.* "You keep trying to impress me with your cars and castles and shiny trips to other countries, but you don't have to do ANY of that. And while it's nice to have a car for the first time in my life and not feel like the poor trash of the frat and while Esther is ADORABLE, all I really need is you. You could give me all the precious things in the world, and you know what? I never had any of those things growing up. I could live without them. But what's really keeping me going isn't any of that crap. God, I hated myself so much before I met you... I was SO close to giving up..."
luthoralexander: *he brings himself up onto a corner of her seat and hugs her tightly* "I'm right here." *kisses her hair* "I love you and I'm sorry if I'm making things worse; I just feel like I have to fix everything." *he pulls back and cups her face with both hands* "Tell me what to do and I'll do it, ok? I don't want you to leave either, I've never felt this happy in my life. I want you to feel the same. Don't..." *strokes her cheek* "Don't give up."
kokofthewalk: *She wraps her arms around him quite tightly. For all the slightness of her frame, she's very strong.* "I don't exactly know how to say what I'm feeling sometimes. Most of the time, Alex, I'm so happy with you... just sometimes you ignore what I say and I stop feeling like a person, which really sucks because I just started to feel like one again! Don't feel like you have to fix everything. I've told you, that's too much on you, but please don't dismiss me." *She sniffs and squeezes even tighter.* "I'm sorry I called you an idiot. But you ARE brilliant and beautiful, y'know."
luthoralexander: "I wasn't dismissing you, why would you think that?" *he closes his eyes and buries his face in her hair* "I mean, I WON'T. I'll leave if you want me to but otherwise, I'll be here. Baby." *pets her hair* "So are you."
kokofthewalk: "Earlier, when I told you that Ryan wasn't a threat. And when we argued for for fifteen minutes over that damn car. There have been other times. Okay, I know I don't have the greatest self-esteem, but I can feel when someone is skeeving on me, babe." *She kisses his neck.* "I understand you don't mean to."
luthoralexander: *he shakes his head* "I care about you. Adam or Adena, I've been there, I've almost let go myself." *he pulls back, unshed tears in his eyes* "I don't know any other way to be, but if you're willing to teach me, maybe I can learn. Tell me when to stop and I promise I'll try. You're so important to me, and..." *he looks down, frowning when it occurs to him* "My father never listened to my mother. She didn't want to have Julian, and she didn't want him to raise me the way that he did." *he covers his mouth with one hand, meeting her eyes again* "Oh, God, what's wrong with me? I haven't been listening at all, have I? To you?"
kokofthewalk: "Oh, baby." *She takes his face in her hands and presses her forehead to his so that they are both closely eye to eye*
luthoralexander: *he feels the anger rising, his old companion. He hurt Adena when all he was trying to do was protect her from harm, but Lionel was right, he WAS the harm. He wants to pull away, to put as much distance between them as possible, but he stops himself at the last moment* "Tell me," *he mutters a little breathlessly, his lips a thin line* "Tell me what to do."
kokofthewalk: "Stay." *She kisses his nose.* "Try to listen." *Kisses one eyelid.* "Forgive yourself for making a mistake." *Kisses the other.* "Don't give up." *Looks into his eyes again.* "Love me?"
luthoralexander: *he almost smiles* "Yes. I do."
kokofthewalk: *She brushes her fingers over his temple* "Do you forgive yourself?"
luthoralexander: *he opens his mouth to reply, but doesn't* "I sent Hope to follow you; she goes everywhere you go. She doesn't tell me what you do, she's only there to keep you safe. She's watching right now, as is Mercy. Mercy is MY shadow." *he takes a deep breath, expecting a slap he surely deserves*
kokofthewalk: *Adena frowns because she's not sure how he expects her to react.* "Okay. Okay, Alex." *She continues to stroke his skin.*
luthoralexander: *he leans back, blinking in confusion* "Okay what? 'Okay Hope can detail me' or 'okay but cut it out, you freak'?" *he lets out a forced chuckle*
kokofthewalk: *She chuckles herself.* "Um... sure. She can detail me. It sounds like a smart idea. I wish you had told me, though."
luthoralexander: "I...okay." *he takes a deep breath* "So you're...staying?"
kokofthewalk: *She can tell he's baffled, but doesn't know what to say.* "Not going anywhere. But honey." *She lifts his chin slightly* "I need you to forgive yourself. Can you do that?"
luthoralexander: *he exhales in frustration* "I don't know." *he finally gives her an honest smile* "Yes."
kokofthewalk: "Yay!" *She smiles widely and kisses him*
luthoralexander: *Lex laughs because she is smiling again, and he kisses her back, hoping he won't mess up again*
kokofthewalk: "I love you so much."
luthoralexander: "I love you, too." *he runs his fingers through her hair* "Do you want to go home?"
kokofthewalk: *She nods eagerly* "Yes, I do."
luthoralexander: "You got it." *he gives her one more kiss, does NOT try and buckle her up, and goes around the car into the driver's seat* "I was going to suggest the theater tonight, but that would have been me showing off my private box, so...I think there's football on TV." *he eyes her as he starts the engine*
kokofthewalk: *She laughs so hard she starts to double over.*
luthoralexander: *he drives off, grinning* "It's true! At least I'm being honest, right?"
kokofthewalk: "You ARE being honest." *She buckles her seatbelt and smiles at him, falling ever harder. Dear lord the boy has a sense of humor.* "My Nana always said that if you don't fight in a relationship, your first will be your last." *She rubs his back.* "Theater or football. You choose. You can even show off if you want to."
luthoralexander: "I think I would have loved your nana. We should probably stay in and order a couple of pizzas." *glances at her as he takes the overpass that leads to the towers* "We had our first fight, I want to be able to hold you close to me tonight, if that's okay."
kokofthewalk: "Would have nothing. The old bat's still alive." *She looks at him adoringly. He probably would have preferred the theater to football.* "That's perfectly okay. I'd love to be close to you tonight."
luthoralexander: "She is? Well, if you ever want to introduce us, I'm sure I'll have a great time." *he touches her knee*
kokofthewalk: *She puts her hand over Lex's* "You wouldn't happen to be Jewish would you?"
luthoralexander: "As a matter of fact, I am. Non-practicing because my father was an Atheist, but my mother was Jewish. I learned a little from her, but nothing that stuck."
kokofthewalk: *Adena beams* "Oh, wow. I was gonna say Nana probably wouldn't approve if you weren't Jewish. Not that she'd approve of..." *Gestures to the skirt*
luthoralexander: *nods slowly* "Are you gonna tell her? Your family?"
kokofthewalk: "I dunno, Alex. Nana's pretty conservative. She might disown me. And my mom..." *She sighs heavily* "I don't know what state she'd be in if I went home. I don't know if she'd be able to listen. Or if she'd recognize me."
luthoralexander: "Is she ill?" *he drives the Diablo into the parking lot of the East tower*
kokofthewalk: *She rubs her forehead and looks out the window.* "In the head."
luthoralexander: "Schizophrenia?" *he shuts off the car and turns to her*
kokofthewalk: "No, not really. Or I don't think so." *She pauses for a long time.* "I don't remember much from when I was young, but after my dad disappeared when I was eight, she started drinking... and she tried to kill herself. They institutionalized her for a while and said she was bipolar, and Nana took me in. After she got out... they tried having her live on her own for a while, get a job, to see if she could get it together and take me back, but... she refuses to stay on her medication. She kept losing her job so she couldn't take me back in, and she ran around like crazy to bars and stuff. Eventually, Nana put her in the apartment above the garage, just so she could make sure that she ate real food and had someone to clean up after her. Take care of her.”
*She sniffles* "I wish I could remember what she was like before."
luthoralexander: *he squeezes her hand* "I'm sorry. I can somewhat relate. After my brother was born and...well, my mother killed him, she was never the same again. She was very sad all the time and even though I tried all that I could, she never really smiled again. If there's anything I can do to help, let me know."
kokofthewalk: *She meets his eye and gives him a watery smile* "I will, babe. Thanks for listening."
luthoralexander: *He wants to pick her up and make it all better again, but he kisses her hand and steps out of the car to open her door. He vows not to stick his nose in her family's business unless she asks it of him*
kokofthewalk: *She gets out of the car and follows him quietly to the elevator*
luthoralexander: *8:30 am. In his study, Lex picks up the phone and dials the number to his and Adena's suite*
kokofthewalk: *curled up in a chair reading in her robe, looks up in surprise to hear the phone ringing. She hops up and answers it.* "Uh, hello. Luthor... Castle?"
luthoralexander: *wide grin* "It's me, darling. Do you think you could come down here to the study? I need your help with something."
kokofthewalk: "Um, okay. Gimme a sec." *She hangs up and goes to get dressed.*
luthoralexander: *he fixes up her present one more time and stalks over to his desk, willing the little white ball of fur not to move, and leaning on the glass surface casually*
kokofthewalk: *hurries down to the office, dressed nicely, but casually, and fixed her hair just as the stylist had suggested*
luthoralexander: *smiles as he sees her* "There you are. I can't seem to make her stay in the basket, princess..." *he waves a hand towards the white Angora kitty in a basket on the floor, a purple bow tied around her neck*
kokofthewalk: *jaw drops as she the little white kitten, mewing plaintively as it struggles to get out of the basket again* "Oh my god!" *she rushes over it and laughs*
luthoralexander: *Lex approaches her from behind, looking over her shoulder* "I think she wants to be picked up."
kokofthewalk: *carefully takes the kitten in her arms and cuddles her to her chest* "Oh, baby... don't be so upset."
luthoralexander: *he touches her arms, steps up against her and kisses her cheek* "Do you like her?"
kokofthewalk: "I love her, you sweet sweet man!" *rubs the kitten's soft fur against her cheek*
luthoralexander: *he chuckles and hugs her waist. He isn't even going to protest about being called 'sweet' because Adena sees the world in her own special way anyway* "I had a few things she'll need brought in but you can go and choose whatever you want when we get to Metropolis later today. She does need a name, though."
kokofthewalk: "Oh, and you know how good I am at naming..." *looks back and gives him a kiss*
luthoralexander: "Yes, you are." *pats her butt once* "You should get her a carrying bag so she can go everywhere with you."
kokofthewalk: *Laughs out loud* "Like a Hilton girl?"
luthoralexander: *makes a face* "Oh. Scratch that idea."
kokofthewalk: "Thank you, Alex. Oh, you're so sweet!" *she says again. the kitten is purring like a motorboat.*
luthoralexander: *he scratches the kitten's head and kisses Adena's neck again* "You're welcome. Looking forward to going back home?"
kokofthewalk: "A little." *she admits. she went out one afternoon with her video camera to check out the locals... Lex was right about how little they noticed. Although being a castle was cool, there wasn't much to DO in Smallville, altogether. As long as she had Lex, though, she could keep herself fairly entertained."
kokofthewalk: "I uh... had something I wanted to ask you about..."
luthoralexander: "Ask me anything." *he spun her around so they would be facing each other*
kokofthewalk: *the kitten starts wiggling, and she lets it crawl up on her shoulder* "Fiancée? ...Did I miss the memo?"
luthoralexander: "Oh." *he glances down* "Right. I apologize for that, I just didn't want Clark to take you less than serious. He used to see me with a different girl every week when we were young. I hope I didn't upset you."
kokofthewalk: "Yeah?" *she rubs his shoulder* "Okay then."
luthoralexander: "Although..." *he looks around for a moment* "What's the timeline on that? For people to become engaged?"
kokofthewalk: *Adena rolls her eyes and strolls in the other direction with a smirk. She had suspected that had been behind the little 'slip'.* "Hm. I dunno."
kokofthewalk: *The kitten mews at him from her shoulder*
luthoralexander: *he watches the kitten, worried that she might fall off Adena's shoulder* "Your papers should be waiting in Metropolis," *he tells her, heading back to his desk*
kokofthewalk: *scoops the kitten off her shoulder and puts her in Lex's hands* "That should be pretty nice. Do you have any idea how much of a pain in the ass it is for most people to get their papers changed? Even after they've gone through like a million surgeries and years of therapy?"
luthoralexander: "No idea whatsoever." *he looks at the kitten in confusion but his hands go around it protectively as he sits and opens his laptop* "But I can imagine." *looks up at her* "Maybe we could do something about that. Or provide them with a place to feel accepted, at least."
kokofthewalk: "Um... well it's a pretty big pain in the ass." *She goes over to sit in a chair near his desk. The kitten settles in on his lap.* "It would be nice to do SOMETHING. There aren't a lot of places in Metropolis that are really safe for girls like me, if you don't pass really well. Unless you want to live in Suicide Slums or Gay City."
luthoralexander: "That's not an option." *he picks up a phone and orders his assistant Amanda to look into available buildings in the better parts of Metropolis* "We'll find something. Maybe starting a foundation would be a good idea." *sits back* "How about you, darling? Is there anything you need?"
kokofthewalk: *She kicks off her shoes and curls her feet up into the chair. She doesn't actually like to wear shoes around the house, but with cold castle floors, socks are a necessity.* "I'm perfect, babe." *She reaches over and squeezes his hand.*
luthoralexander: "Well, I could have told you THAT," *he says with a wink, picking up the phone when it rings. After a brief exchange, he hangs up again* "There's a building between Union Station and the Metropolis Hospital that's available. It's the one with that glass dome. It'll need some work and a full staff, but that's doable. Maybe your D.O.G. friends would like to take part in something like that, too?"
kokofthewalk: "Oh, yeah. I'm sure they would. I can call Patty, and maybe Leah, and see if they're interested. If nothing else, the Women's Centre on campus would like to have information on hand about it." *She covers her mouth with her hands, thinking.* "Could it be more than just... I mean could we expand it for the city's abuse and sexual assault victims, and maybe some mental issues too?" *tries to think how that would work together*
luthoralexander: "Anything that's important to you." *he thinks about it* "A Wellness Center. What are we going to do with Adam?"
kokofthewalk: *She's getting used to how quickly his brain moves from one topic to another, so she isn't too jarred by the sudden question. It must be dizzying to be inside his brain.* "I um... I don't know." *frowns a little, contemplating the conversations she's going to have with her old friends who know Adena, to keep them quiet... and having to go visit her family to let them know what's going on... all in all, she'd like to just kill Adam off, but that probably wouldn't be a very good idea*
luthoralexander: "He could get a job somewhere else. Of course, there's a number of people who would know about it...there's another option," *he says, meeting her eyes*
kokofthewalk: "Which would be?"
luthoralexander: *he pets the kitten on his lap and watches Adena* "We could tell the truth."
kokofthewalk: *She looks at him nervously.* "Tell who?"
luthoralexander: "Everyone. The press is going to know about you sooner or later, we could just tell them the truth about Adam and Adena. Unless YOU prefer to start from scratch."
kokofthewalk: "Alex, I can't do that. I just can't. Everyone will look at me like I'm a freak.*
luthoralexander: *he gives her a warm smile and touches her chin* "I won't. There ARE other transgendered women out there, darling, models, even some politicians, who have come out. But you're right, being with me is going to be enough pressure. Forget I mentioned it."
kokofthewalk: *She wishes she was strong enough to be one of those women who do that. She sighs softly.*
luthoralexander: "Hey." *strokes her chin with his thumb* "I'm just giving you options here, you don't have to do anything you don't want to. Just think about what you DO want and let me know, ok?"
kokofthewalk: "Yeah, I will." *She nods, trying to put the thought out of her mind.*
kokofthewalk: *The kitten picks that moment to knead Lex crotch. Not soft enough, dammit!*
luthoralexander: "Whoa." *he picks her up, holds her at eyelevel and shakes his head* "No, baby. That's mommy's toy when she decides she wants to play with it." *he gives Adena a playfully naughty look*
kokofthewalk: *She laughs slightly* "Oh, dear. What are we going to do with her? She picked your pants and almost wounded you in a very important place."
luthoralexander: *he chuckles and brings the kitten to his shoulder* "We'll teach her. I don't want to have her declawed, do you?"
kokofthewalk: *Kitty perches on his shoulder regally. Adena smiles.* "Oh no. Declawing would hurt her. We can get baby some softpaws to put on her claws."
luthoralexander: "Sounds perfect." *he glances at the kitten* "After my two girls have breakfast, we can head back to Metropolis."
kokofthewalk: *Adena nods.* "How old is she?"
luthoralexander: "Six weeks, her papers are here." *hands her a folder*
kokofthewalk: *She looks over the folder for her kitty.*
luthoralexander: *He orders Adena's breakfast to be brought to the study and answers a couple of emails*
kokofthewalk: *She pulls the bow off the kitten and plays with her with it*
kokofthewalk: *The kitten bats at the bow. GRRR she is a fierce jungle tiger!*
luthoralexander: *Lex watches Adena playing with the kitten, who gives little jumps on the floor and is blissfully oblivious of how complicated humans' lives are. a servant brings in Adena's breakfast and Lex goes back to work*
The following day, in front of the D.O.G. House…
luthoralexander: *Lex gets out of the black Diablo, goes around to the passenger seat and opens the door for Adena. He's wearing dark jeans and a light blue sweater for their visit to Adena's sorority*
kokofthewalk: *Adena slips out of the seat and comes to his side, a little eager to see what Lex thinks of the girls.*
kokofthewalk: *Patty is at the side of the house, lifting up the tail end of a car with one hand* "Do you see the problem, Suzie? Go ahead and fix it. I got this.”
luthoralexander: *the house is large and well-kept from the outside. Lex touches the small of Adena's back as they walk towards it*
kokofthewalk: *Adena appreciates his support and goes straight up to the door with him and opens it.* "Welcome to the D.O.G. house."
luthoralexander: *He looks around; nice furniture and clean rooms. Taking Adena's hand, he steps inside* "So here's where you lived for a while, hm?"
kokofthewalk: "Yeah, exclusively, while Dave, Doof, and I were trying to get back into the frat, then off and on, afterward, I'd sleep over here in our old room. Some of the girls were a little weirded out at first." *She looks around to see who's home.* "But unlike Dave, I didn't try to get with any of them or watch them in the shower, so... it kinda became a haven for me. They mostly call me Adena now, even when dressed as Adam. I'm gonna have to get back to the guys at K.O.K. and talk to them about what we're going to do about me living off campus now."
kokofthewalk: *A few puppies point them outside to find Patty.*
luthoralexander: *Lex goes with Adena, wanting to see everything and meet everyone. It feels like meeting her family and he wants to make a good impression*
kokofthewalk: *She sees Patty lifting the car, and Suzy coming out from under it. They're both wearing overalls and pigtails. She smiles and points to Patty.* "There, that's Patty. Hey, Pattiecakes!"
luthoralexander: *his eyes go wide for just a second. Patty is an amazon of a woman and yet the pigtails seem to fit her. He wonders if she'd consider working in his security team, but then remembers he's not there to recruit anyone*
kokofthewalk: *The woman waves and sets down the car easily.* "Hey! Adena!"
kokofthewalk: "Hey, baby. This is Alex." *She says. Patty comes up to them, wiping her hands on her overalls and offers to shake Lex's hand*
luthoralexander: *he takes her large hand and shakes it* "It's nice to meet you, Patty. I've heard a lot about you."
kokofthewalk: *Her hand engulfs his, but her touch is gentle.* "Yeah, same here. I hope you're half the guy Adena describes you as 'cause she deserves a good guy." *She turns and grins at Adena and mouths 'he's cute!'*
luthoralexander: "She does," *he agrees, touching Adena's cheek gently* "I hope I deserve her."
kokofthewalk: "Let me go get cleaned up, and I'll get back to you. Hey, why don't you go show him your old room?" *Patty suggests. She pokes Suzie.* "This is Suzie. She's antisocial."
kokofthewalk: *Suzie rolls her eyes and sticks her tongue out sideways at Pattie. Then she offers Lex her hand.* "It's not you. It's the whole human race. Be good to our girl." *She warns, pointing to him.*
luthoralexander: *he shakes her hand, too* "I'll do my best. Car trouble?" *looks over at the car, in wonder that Patty could lift it with one hand without being a Kryptonian*
kokofthewalk: "Not anymore." *Suzie said simply.* "I fixed it."
kokofthewalk: "Suzie can fix pretty much anything." *Adena tells him with a smile. Her girls are so talented.*
luthoralexander: "That's great." *he turns to Adena, his hand going to her back* "I get to see your room? I wasn't sure men were allowed upstairs."
kokofthewalk: "Well, anything mechanical." *Suzie breezes and leaves them. Patty waves and heads inside to get cleaned up.*
kokofthewalk: "Well, not unescorted, no." *Adena tugs him and leads him back inside*
luthoralexander: *he grins and follows after her*
kokofthewalk: *Bounds up the stairs and heads into their old dorm* "Ta da!"
luthoralexander: *he pulls her to him, kissing her before even looking around*
kokofthewalk: "Hee!" *She wraps her arms around him and gives him a squeeze.*
luthoralexander: *he lifts her a few inches off the ground* "Your room is lovely," *he says, keeping his eyes on hers*
kokofthewalk: "Um... what color are the walls?" *She askes, almost laughing*
luthoralexander: "The deepest blue," *he replies, grinning like a fool. He's clearly speaking of her eyes as he steps forward until her back hits a wall*
kokofthewalk: *She giggles." "Uh... nope. Might want to get your blues checked."
luthoralexander: "Alright." *he takes a deep breath without looking away* "The walls are peach, there are three white beds, three desks and two closet doors. A white chest of drawers, three windows, and I'd kill to make out with you here right now."
kokofthewalk: *She kisses him immediately*
luthoralexander: *he presses her against the wall, one hand going under her blouse and roaming over her abdomen*
kokofthewalk: *She reaches around him, giving his ass a good squeeze*
luthoralexander: *he lets out a groan and lets his lips travel down her neck as he starts to lower himself to the floor, on his knees*
kokofthewalk: *She massages her fingertips over his soft scalp* "Patty's gonna come back soon."
luthoralexander: "I should make this quick, then," *looks up at her as he lifts her skirt, drags down her panties and sucks her cock into his mouth*
kokofthewalk: *She gasps and clutches his head. She wishes she could reach the lock on the door... oh well* "Oh, Alex, you're better than a Tri Pi!"
luthoralexander: *he can imagine what and who a 'Tri-Pi' is. Swirls his tongue around the head of her cock before sucking it, three times hard and then three times loose, and repeating the teasing over and over. He reaches into his own pants and begins to stroke himself*
kokofthewalk: *She pants hard, her hand still on his head, and tries not to moan, alerting the girls to what's going on in there*
luthoralexander: *He takes her deeper, massages her balls and jerks himself harder. He's learned he loves to watch her come, and usually brings himself off in the shower with that memory in his mind*
kokofthewalk: *She comes hard, making a soft squeak as she chokes back her moan*
luthoralexander: *He swallows greedily, her taste and choked sounds bringing him over the edge, making him spill in his jeans*
kokofthewalk: *She sighs happily and slides down to the floor with Lex* "SO good." *She kisses his head several times.*
luthoralexander: *he lets his forehead rest on her shoulder for a moment, before giving her lips a kiss* "I need to wash up, darling. Where can I do that?"
kokofthewalk: "Um... the bathroom is down the hall on the left." *She points.*
luthoralexander: *he nods, helps her get up and turns to go* "I won't be long."
kokofthewalk: *She gives him another kiss before he leaves, then takes a moment to tuck everything back into place*
kokofthewalk: *Patty comes in, changed and showered and sits by Adena on the bed.* "He'll be back in a minute," *Adena tells her.* "He's so cute. When you said he was bald, I figured a comb over. He treating you alright?" *Patty leans over and gives her a hug. Adena squeezes her arms.* "He's, god, he's like a prince that came down and wants to cuddles me close and keep me safe always."
luthoralexander: *Lex finds the right door and locks himself in the bathroom, taking off his pants and soiled underwear. He decides to just toss it into a trashcan, and washes himself up before putting his pants back on. He isn't sure if Adena will ever want to have sex with him; she has not even tried really touching him yet and maybe she never will, but he can be patient. Either way, he's in love with her and he wants to make her happy. There's nothing more beautiful to him than Adena when she smiles, when she laughs*
kokofthewalk: "Well, if he does anything to you or you get in trouble..."
kokofthewalk: "Patty, I'm fine. He'd die if he ever hurt me, I know that." *She smiles softly. Patty shrugs.* "But if you ever need anything? You'll call me? You haven't known him that long."
kokofthewalk: "I love him like crazy. But I'll try to keep a clear head. Promise."
luthoralexander: *He makes it back to the bedroom and raises his hand to knock but Adena's words stop hi. He can't resist and listen in*
kokofthewalk: "Oh, okay then." *Now that she's given the obligatory 'concerned friend' bit, she squeals* "Oh Adena, he's so CUTE." *hugs her again* "I was really worried about you. Dave's a mess, but you were always... I knew stuff was going on with you, and you were too pinned up inside to say anything. I'm glad he got you to open up."
kokofthewalk: "It's been a long time since I've felt safe. I really don't know what would have happened to me if he hadn't shown up."
luthoralexander: *Lex suddenly feels like he's trespassing so he knocks on the door and opens it a little* "May I come in?"
kokofthewalk: "Come in, babe." *Adena smiles and gets up to hug him*
luthoralexander: *he kisses her temple* "Do you girls need some time to catch up? Oh, did you tell Patty about the Center?"
kokofthewalk: "Heh. No, I forgot." *She half turns to face Patty.* "Alex is working on starting up a Wellness Center for you know, mental illness, counseling, victims of abuse and sexual assault, um... support meetings for people with gender identity issues etc etc. You think any of the girls would be interested in helping there? We're going to need both volunteers and staff."
kokofthewalk: "Oh, that would be awesome! We can get a lot of girls involved in that. Oh, and at the Women's Centre, too. We're all revved up from the Project Safe Campus drives." *Patty says excitedly* "Oh... wait are you...?" *She looks at Lex with confusion* "Were you the push behind that?"
luthoralexander: "No. Adena was. I just knew the right people to call, but it's all because of her, for her." *Lex smiles proudly at Adena and pulls her to his chest before turning to Patty.
kokofthewalk: *Adena rolls her eyes* "Yes, he was the one hounding the mayor and the dean to get something done."
kokofthewalk: *Patty feels like she's missed something, but it wasn't as though she didn't suspect that something bad had happened to her friend.* "Well, you're going to be pretty popular around the sororities here. We've been trying to get things changed for a long time."
luthoralexander: "I don't need the publicity, Patty, not until Adena and I decide what we're going to do. For now, I'm just glad that women are a little safer around here. Nobody should live in fear." *he rubs his hand gently up and down Adena's arm*
kokofthewalk: *Patty shrugs* "I don't usually have to be afraid. But I worry about my friends. I'm like a one woman Take Back the Night posse."
kokofthewalk: *Adena laughs*
luthoralexander: *Lex chuckles* "I'm glad you and my princess are friends. If I ever have to absent myself because of work, I'd like to know she has someone to keep her safe in the meantime." *there is Hope, naturally, who's been permanently assigned to Adena, but Lex means every word*
kokofthewalk: "Yeah. She's no slouch on her own, though. Have you ever seen her play football? She's a buttkicker."
luthoralexander: "I have not." *he turns to Adena with one eyebrow arched up* "I'd love to, though."
kokofthewalk: "You can watch sometime when I'm practicing with the girls." *She smiles, looking forward to letting him see that side of her. She loves him to pieces, but part of her can't stand being treated as though she's fragile*
luthoralexander: "It's a date."
kokofthewalk: "I have that vid of the PowderPuff football game for the KOKtail cruise." *Patty offers.*
kokofthewalk: "There are copies of that everywhere!" *Adena complains.*
"Ryan wants everyone to know who the hottest girl on campus is." *Patty grins*
"That bitch is CRAZY." *Adena laughs.*
luthoralexander: "Who's Ryan?"
kokofthewalk: "She's one of the co-presidents of O.M.O., the co-ed gay frat. She's got a crush on me or something from watching that tape." *Adena shakes her head, still in amazement* "She was at Fly on the Wall that day I was playing."
luthoralexander: "Oh? Should I be worried?" *Lex is only partially joking*
kokofthewalk: "Ryan loves all the girls. She's just keeping an eye out, 'cause she caught Jimmy stalking her." *Patty says*
kokofthewalk: "She's harmless, Alex. Don't worry about Ryan."
luthoralexander: *Lex's expression slowly closes off, hardens* "Did she now? Catch Jimmy stalking you? And how did she do that, unless SHE was stalking you herself?" *he asks Patty, but keeps her eyes on Adena*
kokofthewalk: "She was just hanging around the D.O.G. house hoping to meet me in person. Trying to find someone and hanging around where they can SEE you, isn't exactly stalking." *She replies firmly* "I've never caught her trailing me or stealing my underwear or anything creepy, and she's never threatened me. She just talked to me a couple of times."
luthoralexander: *nods fast, his tongue rolling over a molar in the back of his mouth* "M-hm." *he carefully takes Adena's arms and makes her face him. "You need to get something in that brilliant mind of yours, darling. Just because YOU don't think you're attractive, or DAVE called you ugly once, that doesn't mean that the rest of us agree. You're beautiful, sexy, intelligent, funny, and anybody would be lucky to have you on their arm. I have no idea why you chose ME, but you need to stop underestimating yourself. You're so desirable who could help but want to be around you?"
kokofthewalk: "DAVE called YOU ugly? Did he see what a heifer he was when he crossdressed? Don't start with the fat ass thing, Adena. I'm a giant. Everything I have, including my ass, is automatically bigger than yours."
luthoralexander: "Dave is an asshole," *Lex tells Patty*
kokofthewalk: "Yeah, I'm starting to think so." *Patty shakes her head*
kokofthewalk: "You guys are too much." *She wrests out of Lex's grip* "And you're overprotective. Trust me a little to know when someone's threatening me, okay? I'm not going to crumble or break because someone shows an interest in me!" *She huffs.* "No idea why I chose YOU. How about? You listen? You're a genius, and you're sweet and handsome and oh my god, you want to save the world. You're an AMAZING man. Idiot."
kokofthewalk: *Patty covers her mouth with her hands*
luthoralexander: *Lex looks down and slips his hands into his front pockets* "You're right, I AM overprotecting you. I apologize." *he gives Patty a forced smile* "It was a pleasure to meet you, Patty, you're always welcome to come and visit us." *he then smiles at Adena* "I'll let you spend some time with your friends, darling; I'll be in the car. Take your time." *he spins on his heels and walks out*
kokofthewalk: *Adena stands there for a moment, completely bewildered.* "What just happened?"
kokofthewalk: "You had a fight. Now he's going to go sulk. Because he's a boy."
kokofthewalk: *Adena frowns and steps towards the door, then hesitates* "Do I go after him or let him sulk?"
luthoralexander: *Lex went downstairs, walked out of the house and plopped into his car, slamming the door. He started the engine and turned up the radio, LOUD. Maybe he could go on a long business trip to rethink his actions, to give Adena some time for herself*
kokofthewalk: *Patty shrugs and gets up to give her a hug.* "I'll come visit you. Call me and tell me when everything is okay. 'Cause it will be."
kokofthewalk: *Adena leaves the room and runs down the stairs... she trips and twists her ankle* "Fucking stairs."
kokofthewalk: *She rips off her shoes and hobbles irritably out to the car*
luthoralexander: *Lex sees her and jumps out to help her* "What happened, are you hurt?"
kokofthewalk: "Yes." *She waves him off.* "No! I'm not. I twisted my fucking ankle. Are you mad at me?"
luthoralexander: *he takes a step back and keeps his hands ready to support her, but refrains from touching her* "No. I thought YOU were angry at ME. Let me open the door for you."
kokofthewalk: "Fine." *She leans on the car and waits for him.* "You'd think by now I would have learned to WALK." *She rolls her eyes at Lex.* "I'm not mad at you. I'm just frustrated."
luthoralexander: *he nods and opens the car door for her* "I'm overdoing it, I'm sorry."
kokofthewalk: *Adena hops, looking down, and eases herself into the car.* "Well, you ARE. It's you, but it's me too. I'm not used to people trying to take care of me. I'm used to being strong and able to do everything for myself, and it drives me crazy that I need you so much, and you keep seeing me as so vulnerable that you have to go after anyone who dares look my way. I don't want to be some pathetic pussy that can't do anything for herself and I don't want to be 'kept'. I don't know if that means I'm not... really a girl or I'm being one WRONG, but it's how I am."
luthoralexander: *Lex runs a hand across his mouth and squats facing her* "I don't think you're weak or a pussy, but I do think you're at a vulnerable time in your life. You've lost important friends and you're reinventing yourself, you're changing your entire GENDER. That takes strength and determination, but it might be easier to do if you have someone to help you. Maybe I'm not that someone, but I'd like to be." *he touches her hand* "You're worried about being a girl wrong but I don't think you should be. You should be YOU, and if that means you want to come back here to live or...whatever it means, then that's what you should do." *his heart breaks to even say it, but he smiles* "I just want you to be happy. When you don't tell me what YOU want, I tend to make my own decisions, and they're obviously the wrong ones. I'm sorry."
kokofthewalk: "I don't want to leave. I love you so much, Alex, please, you have to listen to me." *Her eyes get shiny, but no tears fall. She says softly and stares at her lap.* "You keep trying to impress me with your cars and castles and shiny trips to other countries, but you don't have to do ANY of that. And while it's nice to have a car for the first time in my life and not feel like the poor trash of the frat and while Esther is ADORABLE, all I really need is you. You could give me all the precious things in the world, and you know what? I never had any of those things growing up. I could live without them. But what's really keeping me going isn't any of that crap. God, I hated myself so much before I met you... I was SO close to giving up..."
luthoralexander: *he brings himself up onto a corner of her seat and hugs her tightly* "I'm right here." *kisses her hair* "I love you and I'm sorry if I'm making things worse; I just feel like I have to fix everything." *he pulls back and cups her face with both hands* "Tell me what to do and I'll do it, ok? I don't want you to leave either, I've never felt this happy in my life. I want you to feel the same. Don't..." *strokes her cheek* "Don't give up."
kokofthewalk: *She wraps her arms around him quite tightly. For all the slightness of her frame, she's very strong.* "I don't exactly know how to say what I'm feeling sometimes. Most of the time, Alex, I'm so happy with you... just sometimes you ignore what I say and I stop feeling like a person, which really sucks because I just started to feel like one again! Don't feel like you have to fix everything. I've told you, that's too much on you, but please don't dismiss me." *She sniffs and squeezes even tighter.* "I'm sorry I called you an idiot. But you ARE brilliant and beautiful, y'know."
luthoralexander: "I wasn't dismissing you, why would you think that?" *he closes his eyes and buries his face in her hair* "I mean, I WON'T. I'll leave if you want me to but otherwise, I'll be here. Baby." *pets her hair* "So are you."
kokofthewalk: "Earlier, when I told you that Ryan wasn't a threat. And when we argued for for fifteen minutes over that damn car. There have been other times. Okay, I know I don't have the greatest self-esteem, but I can feel when someone is skeeving on me, babe." *She kisses his neck.* "I understand you don't mean to."
luthoralexander: *he shakes his head* "I care about you. Adam or Adena, I've been there, I've almost let go myself." *he pulls back, unshed tears in his eyes* "I don't know any other way to be, but if you're willing to teach me, maybe I can learn. Tell me when to stop and I promise I'll try. You're so important to me, and..." *he looks down, frowning when it occurs to him* "My father never listened to my mother. She didn't want to have Julian, and she didn't want him to raise me the way that he did." *he covers his mouth with one hand, meeting her eyes again* "Oh, God, what's wrong with me? I haven't been listening at all, have I? To you?"
kokofthewalk: "Oh, baby." *She takes his face in her hands and presses her forehead to his so that they are both closely eye to eye*
luthoralexander: *he feels the anger rising, his old companion. He hurt Adena when all he was trying to do was protect her from harm, but Lionel was right, he WAS the harm. He wants to pull away, to put as much distance between them as possible, but he stops himself at the last moment* "Tell me," *he mutters a little breathlessly, his lips a thin line* "Tell me what to do."
kokofthewalk: "Stay." *She kisses his nose.* "Try to listen." *Kisses one eyelid.* "Forgive yourself for making a mistake." *Kisses the other.* "Don't give up." *Looks into his eyes again.* "Love me?"
luthoralexander: *he almost smiles* "Yes. I do."
kokofthewalk: *She brushes her fingers over his temple* "Do you forgive yourself?"
luthoralexander: *he opens his mouth to reply, but doesn't* "I sent Hope to follow you; she goes everywhere you go. She doesn't tell me what you do, she's only there to keep you safe. She's watching right now, as is Mercy. Mercy is MY shadow." *he takes a deep breath, expecting a slap he surely deserves*
kokofthewalk: *Adena frowns because she's not sure how he expects her to react.* "Okay. Okay, Alex." *She continues to stroke his skin.*
luthoralexander: *he leans back, blinking in confusion* "Okay what? 'Okay Hope can detail me' or 'okay but cut it out, you freak'?" *he lets out a forced chuckle*
kokofthewalk: *She chuckles herself.* "Um... sure. She can detail me. It sounds like a smart idea. I wish you had told me, though."
luthoralexander: "I...okay." *he takes a deep breath* "So you're...staying?"
kokofthewalk: *She can tell he's baffled, but doesn't know what to say.* "Not going anywhere. But honey." *She lifts his chin slightly* "I need you to forgive yourself. Can you do that?"
luthoralexander: *he exhales in frustration* "I don't know." *he finally gives her an honest smile* "Yes."
kokofthewalk: "Yay!" *She smiles widely and kisses him*
luthoralexander: *Lex laughs because she is smiling again, and he kisses her back, hoping he won't mess up again*
kokofthewalk: "I love you so much."
luthoralexander: "I love you, too." *he runs his fingers through her hair* "Do you want to go home?"
kokofthewalk: *She nods eagerly* "Yes, I do."
luthoralexander: "You got it." *he gives her one more kiss, does NOT try and buckle her up, and goes around the car into the driver's seat* "I was going to suggest the theater tonight, but that would have been me showing off my private box, so...I think there's football on TV." *he eyes her as he starts the engine*
kokofthewalk: *She laughs so hard she starts to double over.*
luthoralexander: *he drives off, grinning* "It's true! At least I'm being honest, right?"
kokofthewalk: "You ARE being honest." *She buckles her seatbelt and smiles at him, falling ever harder. Dear lord the boy has a sense of humor.* "My Nana always said that if you don't fight in a relationship, your first will be your last." *She rubs his back.* "Theater or football. You choose. You can even show off if you want to."
luthoralexander: "I think I would have loved your nana. We should probably stay in and order a couple of pizzas." *glances at her as he takes the overpass that leads to the towers* "We had our first fight, I want to be able to hold you close to me tonight, if that's okay."
kokofthewalk: "Would have nothing. The old bat's still alive." *She looks at him adoringly. He probably would have preferred the theater to football.* "That's perfectly okay. I'd love to be close to you tonight."
luthoralexander: "She is? Well, if you ever want to introduce us, I'm sure I'll have a great time." *he touches her knee*
kokofthewalk: *She puts her hand over Lex's* "You wouldn't happen to be Jewish would you?"
luthoralexander: "As a matter of fact, I am. Non-practicing because my father was an Atheist, but my mother was Jewish. I learned a little from her, but nothing that stuck."
kokofthewalk: *Adena beams* "Oh, wow. I was gonna say Nana probably wouldn't approve if you weren't Jewish. Not that she'd approve of..." *Gestures to the skirt*
luthoralexander: *nods slowly* "Are you gonna tell her? Your family?"
kokofthewalk: "I dunno, Alex. Nana's pretty conservative. She might disown me. And my mom..." *She sighs heavily* "I don't know what state she'd be in if I went home. I don't know if she'd be able to listen. Or if she'd recognize me."
luthoralexander: "Is she ill?" *he drives the Diablo into the parking lot of the East tower*
kokofthewalk: *She rubs her forehead and looks out the window.* "In the head."
luthoralexander: "Schizophrenia?" *he shuts off the car and turns to her*
kokofthewalk: "No, not really. Or I don't think so." *She pauses for a long time.* "I don't remember much from when I was young, but after my dad disappeared when I was eight, she started drinking... and she tried to kill herself. They institutionalized her for a while and said she was bipolar, and Nana took me in. After she got out... they tried having her live on her own for a while, get a job, to see if she could get it together and take me back, but... she refuses to stay on her medication. She kept losing her job so she couldn't take me back in, and she ran around like crazy to bars and stuff. Eventually, Nana put her in the apartment above the garage, just so she could make sure that she ate real food and had someone to clean up after her. Take care of her.”
*She sniffles* "I wish I could remember what she was like before."
luthoralexander: *he squeezes her hand* "I'm sorry. I can somewhat relate. After my brother was born and...well, my mother killed him, she was never the same again. She was very sad all the time and even though I tried all that I could, she never really smiled again. If there's anything I can do to help, let me know."
kokofthewalk: *She meets his eye and gives him a watery smile* "I will, babe. Thanks for listening."
luthoralexander: *He wants to pick her up and make it all better again, but he kisses her hand and steps out of the car to open her door. He vows not to stick his nose in her family's business unless she asks it of him*
kokofthewalk: *She gets out of the car and follows him quietly to the elevator*