He didn’t know why he had to venture out on this night of all nights, but he felt like he had too. He needed to feel alive. Before he realized where he was heading, he found himself at the Talon.

The Talon.

He smiled as he recalled the day they reopened the doors. The Talon had been brought back to life in Martha Kent’s capable hands, it flourished and brought in more money then he had expected.

She smiled as she served him a cup of coffee. He nodded and took a tentative sip. She still looked him in the eyes and regarded him as something more then just a Luthor.

“I didn’t expect you,” Martha smiled as she reached over and touched his hand, briefly as only a mother could. “Not tonight.”

“Can’t see me in a costume?” He replied dryly as he glanced around the room. The twinkling colored lights and candles illuminated the small coffeehouse, it set off a fall theme, fitting for all hallows’ eve. Voices buzzed around them and students were dressed in festive and extravagant costumes.

“You never take it off,” she stated softly and he snapped his gaze back to her. “You hide behind a mask, Lex.”

He opened his mouth to dismiss her observation, but found he couldn’t lie to her. In the past few months, she had been the mother he’s always wanted, always needed. “It’s what they expect to see,” he finally admitted, confirming her keen observation, wishing that she had been wrong.

She frowned. “I just hope that one day, you will take it off.” She whispered, squeezing his hand and leaving him to help another costumer.

He shook his head and took a sip of his coffee, letting the bitter coffee coat his tongue. He closed his eyes as he wished for the same thing.

Once.

Once, he let his mask fall. Once, he fell in love. Once, it was worth it.

He blinked, his mind drifting back to the present as he heard a familiar voice ring out over the soft buzz of the crowd.

“H. C.!” Chloe called out and he ached to turn around, to catch a glimpse of the one she greeted.

He stiffened and held his breath as he heard her voice. “Chlo!” She laughed and his heart skipped a beat.

He hated that she could still make him feel. He hated that she was the one to personally give him the mask he now wears.

Hudson.

He took a deep breath and turned around slowly. He caught a flash of white in the corner of his eyes and his heart stopped as his gaze fell upon her.

His Angel.

He gasped and drew in a quick breath, his eyes drinking in the sight before him. There she stood before him, dressed as the angel she once was. He wanted to scream and shout to the heavens for betraying him. He wanted to tear the feathery wings off her back and torch them. He wanted to pull off her golden halo and tarnish it as she done to his heart.

He managed to restrain his anger, his resentment. She was nothing close to an angel- an angel doesn’t torment the heart and lie.

She was not his angel anymore.

His body tensed as he watched with dismay as Louis crossed over to them, a factor he never considered, a new face to take his love even further away.

His love.

He cursed at himself, for considering that she was still his. He took a long sip of his coffee and then tossed the rest of the bitter coffee in the trash. He moved quickly and ducked out through the back door, not wanting to talk to her.

A flutter of feathers passed before his eyes as he stepped up to his car. He clutched his keys tighter into his palms as he glanced up at the pristine angel before him.

“You can’t just ignore me,” she protested as she crossed her arms over her chest and glared up at him.

He smiled in response and leaned closer to her, “Such a treat.” He whispered as she sucked in a quick breath. “Where’s the trick?”

“Lex,” she sighed, uncrossing her arms and playing with the long, white hem of her sleeves. “It’s not like that.”

“Indeed,” he replied dryly as he dropped his gaze and noticed the gold locket with Angel inscribed around it. “So you did care.” He found himself saying as his fingers traced the outline of the locket.

“I do,” She whispered and his eyes flashed up to meet hers.

“I do?” He repeated sharply, questioning her statement. “You have a funny way of showing it.”

“Lex,” she managed to reply, before he placed his finger to her lips, shushing her.

“Why did you come out here?” He questioned as he glanced back at the Talon. “When your presence inside will be missed.”

“Ugh!” She groaned, pushing his hand away. “I came out here- I wanted to-”

“Unfortunately, you don’t know what you want.” He growled, losing his patience.

“I miss you.” She whispered and he felt his heart ache.

“It’s too late,” he replied, shaking his head and reaching to the car handle.

“I love you,” she replied quickly grabbing for his hands and for a second he thought maybe there was a chance that maybe the past few months would disappear like those seven weeks.

“It’s not enough,” he sighed and pulled his hand away from hers.

“Lex.” She protested. “Please.”

“No Hudson,” He began, gazing at her with sad eyes. “You can’t give me what I need- what I want.” She grabbed onto his suit jacket, and he tried to pull away from her.

“I’m ready,” she whispered. “I can be your angel again.”

He gazed at her longingly, wanting to believe her words- her sincerity.

“Did I hit you, that day on the bridge?” He questioned and his heart broke as she sniffed and pulled her hand away.

“I. Lex. No.” She replied softly, unable to formulate her cruel words, her lies.

“Happy Halloween Hudson.” He remarked dryly as he turned away, not wanting her to see the tears that threatened to fall.</

The End.