Nocturne


        “How long did you expect to hang on to your childhood toys, son?” Lionel asked with a hint of frustration in his gruff voice. He was idly fingering the cast iron miniature soldiers that he bought for his son during a particularly successful business merger in the early years of Luthorcorps. Lex was ignoring him currently by distracting himself at his grand piano. 

        “I’m sure you’re not here to chastise me about my toys, dad.” Lex spat the last word out with the immature thrill left over from his rebellious years. Lionel had interrupted him in the middle of Chopin but he’d been playing for fun whereas now, with his father sitting cozily in Lex’s chair, his fingers took on a graceful dexterity.

        “You’re right, but I am a lover of subtly…Not like that Chloe Sullivan,” Lionel baited coolly, watching as his son stumbled over the keys, fumbling the notes of the nocturne.

        “Chloe? Isn’t she a little too young for you?” Lex played on, trying to hide his mistake with a jab at his father’s taste in women, and his aged years. 

        “She certainly is too young for you,” Lionel replied with a sly timbre.

        “I have no idea what you mean,” Lex said casually, shrugging his shoulder and reaching the woeful end of the tune. He could tell his father was becoming agitated with this little game. 

        “Coy, are we? Lex, what was Chloe doing here so late last night?” Lionel asked with no hint of the subtly he loved so much though he did keep his voice casual. He’d gotten up from behind Lex’s desk and very slowly made his way over to stand by Lex.

        “I’m sure she was doing her homework or sleeping, whatever it is girls do at 2am,” Lex replied. 

        Lionel slammed his hand down onto the keys, a loud ugly deep sound thundered from the piano just as Lex was finishing up the song. To Lex’s benefit, he did not physically jump but he was startled. He pulled his hands back from the piano and looked up at his father. Lex was taught to never let oneself be in a lower position than his opponent. But his secrets kept him on higher ground and made him feel invincible, even if the secret was rather innocuous. 

        Chloe had gone home early this morning, waking groggy and oddly adorable in a giant tee shirt and tiny shorts. He’d expected skinny legs but she surprised him with very shapely ones dropping down below the hem. 

        She’d said “G’morning,” and dragged her bare feet toward the kitchen and the rich smell of coffee and French toast, the things he’d promised her.

        He didn’t see her again, had distanced himself in his study, repeating the same damn song over and over. It reminded him of her. She was quirky, tinkling and romantic, she was heavy quick melody. 

        Ignoring his father, Lex started the song again, playing without reading the music. Chopin was stuck in his head.

        Chloe was stuck there too. 


Song: Chopin Nocturne Op.9 No.2 in E-flat
Composer: Fédéric Chopin
Pianist: Arthur Rubinstein