Everything Lex had ever wanted; from his father, from Helen, from the Kents, from Clark, he could feel in this very moment. It was almost too good to be true. But with his father not here to sabotage it...Perhaps, for once, he'd be able to keep it. He'd do anything to keep it now that he knew what it felt like.

Lex returned the kiss carefully, his other hand coming down to tangle in the front of Anatoly's shirt, subtly pulling him closer to hide the small shiver that went down his spine. To be wanted like this was as close to heaven as Lex had ever experienced and he wanted to be sure that Anatoly knew he felt the same.

"Anatoly..." He said softly, closing his eyes for a moment. Lex had to tell him. Had to clean his conscious. "About marrying Clark. I only did it because he bribed me with his secrets. The one thing he knew I wouldn't be able to say no to." He paused before adding, soft pain in his voice, "The whole time...I won't deny that a part of me still wanted him. I had loved him for two years. And to have it offered so willingly...I'm still amazed I was able to resist. But last night, I realized that while I might still find him beautiful...he wasn't what I needed anymore. What I truly /wanted/." Another kiss was enough to show Anatoly exactly what it was he wanted now, without a shadow of a doubt.