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If there's one thing that Clark Joseph Kent has believed in since knowing Lex, it is Lex's heart and compassion. Even when Tina Greer shapeshifted into him and stole money from the bank, or when Earl took the man hostage over Lionel's schemes . . . Clark trusted Lex. The trust was almost something he couldn't help, and it haunted the farmboy-turned-reporter that he had such a fundamental trust in another, when Kent often didn't trust himself to hold back or to be strong enough to carry the weight of the gifts bestown to him.
When things seemed skewed negatively against the conqueror-named fellow (which they often were, for the Luthor name carried all of Lionel's sins), or Jonathan Kent said that Lex was the scum of the Earth, Clark knew better than that. And even now, when Clark looks at the tortured expression on his face, he trusts that the man means his words. The heat of Lex's hand burns through his tee shirt, reminds him that someone can be warmer than him, and the Kryptonian almost closes the distance to give him a hug, but fights the urge.
"You're too hard on yourself," he says, "you do enough. Provide enough evidence. How more robust do you want your deeds to be, Lex? Do you want to save a cat from a tree? Run a soup kitchen? Perhaps save a dog named Lassie?"
A slight half-smile uplifts Kent's features.
"The people who care, who need that proof? Well, they can already see it. Sure, we've had our differences and challenges, but you're the same guy I pulled out of that car, the one who generously offered me a car in exchange. You're generous and kind, and you've kept Smallville running."
@autcnomy had become a brother to him, to the only child of Jonathan and Martha Kent, alien from another planet that few knew of. Lex didn't view him or the Kent's as just poor farmers. No, he saw the grit and truth of them. He knew the value of their labor and their heart.
"But a deal is a deal. You watch my back, I'll watch yours. I can still vouch for you, if you want it. But only if you want that."
