I just now watched "Promise" and because it was a horribly depressing episode if taken at face-value (everyone except Lionel was just pathetic!) I went online find something less depressing. I watched the ep with your interpretation in mind - the only thing that didn't work was when Lex offered LuthorCorp to Lionel, unless you take that as a gamble where Lex was reasonably sure that Lionel wouldn't immediately take the offer - and knowing Lionel he most likely wouldn't. He likes to have leverage far too much.

Of course darkfic doesn't help against show-caused bad mood, but I still prefer this version because it makes *sense* and convinces - on the show Lex has neither seemed happy nor in love this whole season and least of all in this ep.

A sacrifice, unknowing, unaware; but a sacrifice as courageous and noble as any soldier fighting for her people, her nation, her world.
Fantastic. Lex's views and morals in this are so warped that he's scary, even while being tragic. I don't often find Lex scary.