I had not reread "Mercy" since the first time she posted it until I was doing these recs. (I feel like I have to reread all the stories I rec, to make sure they're as good as I remember--and I couldn't quite remember the Lionel characterization from the story).

And when I say I hadn't reread, that is something, because Koi is my *favorite* SV author. But that story traumatized me so much! I find it much easier to read now, actually, because if anything "Mercy" Lex is more vulnerable than canon Lex. Fucked-up, yes, but still vulnerable. If that story were written today, I'd have a harder time believing the ending (which I am trying not to spoil for people reading the comments who haven't read the story). What's the command for whiting out your comments?