Chapter Text
The photo was lying in Kara's trembling hand.
Kara had never been in Lena's apartment. Never. At least, not the new one. It wasn't really a surprise when she discovered it had the minimalist style Lena seemed to carry everywhere. Black and white. Grey, sometimes. Blankets, couches, painted in colors Kara found joyless. It was too neat. Too perfect. The furniture must have cost more than Kara's yearly income and even so, Kara wouldn't have accepted money to live here. The only thing the blonde could find interesting were the books, precisely organized in a dark, huge bookcase at the corner of the glass wall. The glass…
Kara knew Lena was rich, though she had never asked about it. But she hadn't quite registered that her friend was a multi-billionaire. One of the things helping her out of ignorance were those kinds of moments. When she was faced with glass allowing a view of the whole of National City. Magnificent. The penthouse was giving her a beautiful view. Still, there were so many things Lena couldn't see. Even from up here.
Kara had then walked around the apartment, wanting to explore her friend's universe. She had found herself in the bathroom, which offered an explanation as to how Lena was always smelling so good. Chanel, L'Oreal, all of the best brands. The hero never thought she would one day find a bottle of shampoo pretty. Well-designed wasn't even the word. There were multiple towels hanging on the wall, though Kara knew there weren't a lot of visitors coming up here. Even paparazzi, who seemed to follow the Luthor everywhere, wouldn't be able to pass the amount of security there was at the entrance of the building. She exhaled, then walked through another door.
This one had been the most surprising. It was a chess room. One table, and two chairs surrounded it. On the counters at the edge of the room, countless chess sets. Different forms. But also trophies. One, 2015. Two, 2000. 2009. 2007. 2008. 2003. 1999. 1998. 2001. Countless medals hanging on the wall. All gold. Kara didn't know if it was because Lena had always won, or if it was the fact she couldn’t accept second place and, by doing so, wasn't acknowledging the other prizes. It was impressive. So many tournaments. So many wins. That felt like Lena.
Almost as much as the books in the bookcase in the main room. Those had been mainly about mathematics, but also quantum physics, astrophysics, chemistry. Engineering. Kara had loved to see that part of Lena.
Her feet took her to another room. The bedroom. It felt intimate. At least, as much as it could be, as this was also another room that felt like a hostel one. No signs that Lena was living there. There weren't any clothes discarded on the floor, not a single sock lost. Only a bed, black blankets and dark wood. Dark walls. That's probably the reason why, when she walked further, she immediately saw it. The only thing normal here felt out of place. A photo, a framed one, carefully lying on a night table close to the bed. Kara took it in her not so steady hands.
This was a picture of Lena and a man. She looked far younger than now. Kara would give her maybe 14. She had the same face but with round cheeks. The blonde found that adorable. She was laughing in the picture, hair falling carelessly against her face. The man was smiling and looking at her with admiration. He had long brown hair, and it seemed that it was his hands enveloping Lena. The photo was cracked and it was a miracle just for that.
She turned it to the other side.
Cherish those moments in the darkest times that will come, and that will remind you you've never been or ever will be forgotten.
Your annoying older brother, Lex.
So that man was Lex. It shocked Kara to her core. Not because of the hair or the softened face but because of his eyes. There was sweetness she had never seen. A care not really well hidden behind those pupils. The photo was screaming happiness and warmth. Even in Kara, that created a bittersweet feeling. She couldn’t imagine what it was stirring inside Lena. Why would she keep it?
The sound of keys cut her thoughts. She put the photo where it was, hoping Lena wasn't crazy enough to notice.
She is definitely crazy enough to notice.
Kara retook the photo and placed it even more carefully as she heard the sound of steps approaching.
- Kara?
Lena's voice had the talent to make her doubt her own name. It was something she liked to hear. Though she never told that to anyone, she was quite sensitive to other people's voices, her superhearing making the sound more precise. And Lena's voice had nothing to envy to the prettiest song.
- I am here.
Then Lena entered the bedroom. She had a genuine smile on her face. She must have found the right groceries.
- Hey. Sorry. I was just…
- No worries, I told you to visit.
The blonde nodded. The dark-haired woman exhaled. She had a faint blush on her cheeks. She must have hurried. That gave her a more human look, which made Kara discover that humans could be this pale. Her dark hair was perfectly in place, but she had it released, which wasn't often. The blonde had seen her about an hour ago, but she was struck again by her friend's appearance. In their first encounters, Kara had been amazed by Lena's charisma and elegance. Those had never left her. The young Luthor seemed to be inhabited with a rare aura that had left the Kryptonian speechless.
Now, she still had it. But it was different. It was an emotional one, an aura that could warm Kara's heart like a blanket in the coldest night. That made Kara smile. Lena's clothes were still the same though. The superhero had never understood the appeal of those clothes. Yes, they were beautiful. But they were so expensive. And not comfy. A sweatshirt was totally superior. But Lena was wearing very formal attire including a shirt, trousers and a coat.
- Are you alright? What are you looking at? Lena asked, brows lifting.
Kara nodded with a hum.
- I was just wondering how you were able to wear that all day.
Lena shook her head in exasperation. She then walked back to the main room, waiting for the blonde to follow. There was something else. A huge bag of groceries. Kara's eyes went wide.
- Why is there so much? Alex just asked you to take care of the dessert.
Lena laughed nervously. She tilted her head towards the bag and rested her back against the counter.
- Well, you know. It's better to bring more than needed rather than less.
Kara shook her head. She approached her friend, who was now blocked against the counter.
- You are more than enough. Are you like… stressing out?
The black-haired girl let out an "mmh", shaking her head meaning to say no, but to Kara it sounded like yes. The Luthor went to the kitchen and cleaned it. So Kara stayed there, looking at her, knowing she couldn’t clean something already cleaned. Lena, feeling that look, looked back and sighed and stopped arranging her kitchen counter.
- It's just… I… you are all so close. I don't really…
- Belong?
Lena nodded. The blonde sighed. She had always feared Lena might feel like that. She could feel it in her hesitation to state an opinion the others wouldn't agree with, in her attitude, always on guard. At least, since last year.
- When I was a kid, Alex and I didn't get along that much. But after we grew out of those conflicts, we were inseparable. She would protect me. She hasn’t stopped ever since.
Lena listened closely, having stopped doing a crisis over her kitchen tools.
- She wouldn't trust anyone with my security. She was so mistrusting. You see, my point is, if she was like this with her sister, then how would she be with her daughter? She's worse, honestly. And she chose you to be her daughter's godmother. That means you belong. That means a lot. She chose you. Not her sister, who is Supergirl. You.
Lena smiled, reassured.
- She didn't choose you because it wasn't only her choice. She couldn’t choose someone too close to her and not to Kelly. She needed someone equidistant from her and Kelly.
Kara eyed her.
- I don't think choosing her wife's brother's ex has something to do with equi… equi whatever. That makes you more on Alex's side.
Lena smiled at James’ mention. A comfortable silence took place. Lena was putting ice creams in the fridge as Kara was looking up the time. 4 p.m. Game night at Alex’s started at 8. They had plenty of time. When she had proposed to Lena to prepare together for tonight, she had wanted to make it an occasion to get closer to the CEO. They were good friends, for sure. But Kara missed her best friend.
She sat on the couch, facing a huge TV. More of a screen. There wasn't anything attached to it, just a screen engraved into the wall.
- If you want to watch anything, I still have Disney+. I am going to make a cake. Don't help me, for humanity's sake, Lena said.
Kara nodded. She acted nonchalant for five to ten minutes, the time it took her to figure out how to turn the thing on. She sadly smiled, remembering how Lena had gotten an account for her about three years ago. So she had never canceled it. She opened the only account dedicated to her. She quickly saw Lena hadn't watched any new movies.
She remembered then how much struggle her friend faced when watching shows or movies. She constantly had the feeling she was losing her time. Kara had always suspected it was because of her family. She had overcome that sensation with the blonde. That made her think about what Lena had done when they drifted apart. Did she eat enough? Did she work too much? Did she take time for herself? Kara feared she already had the answer to all of the above.
She finally chose Frozen, her favorite Disney movie. Time passed and about half the movie later, there was a good smell coming from the kitchen. In less than a second, she was behind Lena. The youngest was looking at a chocolate cake, and it was starting to take form in the oven.
- It looks good.
Lena jumped in fear.
- Kara, you can't just do that, for fuck’s sake! Lena exclaimed.
The blonde laughed loudly. She looked pretty proud of herself.
- You shouldn't be so much on edge. You were the one cooking, not me, so there was no danger.
- It was actually one of the first times I ever cooked.
Kara's eyes grew wide.
- Yeah. I always had delivery or… people doing it for me.
The blonde knew she shouldn't be surprised. Lena was rich. Rich.
- It looks great. Especially for a first time.
Lena nodded.
- We should get dressed. I am almost finished.
Kara tilted her head. She was already dressed. Lena looked up at Kara, raising an eyebrow with a mischievous smile.
- I didn't bring any other clothes.
Lena smiled.
- Well, I could let you borrow some of my clothes, Lena said, with a hint of fear in her pupils.
Kara looked at her friend dubiously. She doubted she would fit in any of the Luthor's clothes.
- I think you underestimate my height and muscles, Kara said proudly.
Lena exhaled with a glint of amusement.
- Well. I have some dresses Sam left the other day.
Kara frowned. Why would she wear a dress? Not that the thought was bad , she would like it. But a dress for game night? That seemed a bit exaggerated. And Lena seemed to have read her thoughts.
- You do remember that we're going to the club after game night? That's why Ruby is babysitting Esme.
Kara's mouth opened. She had forgotten about that. Sam was here for the weekend, and they were celebrating that. The blonde had a lot of things to think about and had completely forgotten.
- Kara, it's okay. I have clothes for you. Or you could fly to your home, but I assume you don't have clothes there either.
The superhero nodded. The youngest left to get her friend’s clothes. She came back with a dress. The concept of wearing an expensive dress was nice. Although Arias wasn’t as rich as Lena, Kara didn’t doubt that her best friend was very generous with the salary she was giving her.
The blonde walked to a guest room that was adjacent to the main room while holding the clothes on her arm. She closed the door, put the dress on the bed and undressed. While putting on the fabric, she felt a strange sense of excitement. She was going out. They were going to have fun. The last months haven't been the kindest. After a minute of struggling, she managed to zip it up and looked at herself in the mirror. She liked it.
It was a short, fitted satin dress in deep navy blue, with thin spaghetti straps and a soft draped cowl neckline. The fabric was smooth and slightly glossy, hugging the body with gentle ruching through the waist and hips, and ending mid-thigh.
She observed her blonde hair, held not so tightly in a ponytail. There were a few strands coming out. She took the lace off and placed her hands into her hair, trying to brush it with her fingers. It fell on her shoulders, cascading slightly. It looked pretty. However, it didn't sit with how she wanted to be seen tonight. She tried to push her hair into a bun but failed miserably.
She heard Lena coming out of her own bedroom, so she decided to ask for help. The hero opened the door and turned to her friend.
The sight that met her cut through her worries about her hair.
Lena was magnificent.
Of course, Kara had always found Lena pretty. And she had always heard very flattering newspapers and beautiful compliments. But this time, it felt like a revelation. Just like a blind person realizing she could see. She had known, but never acknowledged it.
The black-haired girl was wearing a fitted black dress with thin straps that crossed elegantly at the back, the fabric softly ruched along her body to hug her silhouette and fall just above the knee. Kara had never seen so much of Lena's skin before. The contrast between her very pale body and the dark dress made it even more captivating.
Lena was utterly beautiful.
Her skin looked as soft as snow, and as white. Her facial features were just magnificent. Even more so, the harmony of her face was gorgeous. Her straight nose felt so right with her mint blue eyes. Dark lashes were dancing over them. Her lips, pressed together tightly as she usually did when stressed, had their rightful place.
Pretty wasn't the word. Were there even words?
There was a magnetic, alluring aura around the figure before her.
- You look stunning. Kara nodded with a faint blush.
Lena smiled at her before laughing.
- You too. Except maybe for that bun.
Kara gave her a gentle tap.
- Can you help with that?
Lena smiled again and that warmed Kara's heart. She sat on a chair placed in front of the table. Lena came back with a hairbrush. Kara could feel Lena's fingers on her. It gave her a sense of satisfaction. She had always liked people doing whatever with her hair. But this time, it was different. Different enough to bring back old memories.
- Can I ask you something?
- Of course.
Kara breathed in and out.
- I never could do it to myself. But I can try on others. It's… uh… as you're brushing my hair… I was maybe thinking I could do yours. But uh… can I try a Kryptonian hairstyle?
Lena finished tying Kara's hair in a bun before letting Kara stand up and looking at her in the eyes.
- I'll be honored.
Lena took Kara's place and the blonde went behind her. The first thing she noticed was the intoxicating smell of her hair. It had a very good scent. But it felt like it went through her nose and directly to her organs, feeding them. The blonde blinked to ignore the feeling.
She searched through her memories. Memories of her mom. Her cries because having her hair brushed hurt. Her mother's exhales.
She took two strands of dark hair and twisted them into braids gently. She repeated the motion twice before gathering the braids into a high bun. The hero then took the front strands to put them into braids and tied them behind. With the rest of the hair, she gently pushed it in front of her friend’s shoulders.
- It's done.
Lena stood up and faced the hero. She had a shy smile. Kara smiled, her eyes sparkling. The sight made her remember Krypton. However, it wasn't sad. Kara felt happy, relieved. She had been able to share a bit of her culture. If it was on Lena's beautiful hair, that meant it existed. And nothing could change that.
- Thank you, Lena said.
Kara raised her shoulders, trying to act nonchalant as her fingers went to erase a single tear dripping from her left eye.
- Are you okay? Lena asked in a calm, reassuring and smooth voice.
The soothing sound made the blonde look up.
- No. I am fine. Really. It's just… I haven't seen someone with this hairstyle since…
Lena nodded. The blonde didn't need to say more. The dark-haired woman understood. The hurt. The pain. The loneliness. She had never truly asked about Krypton, first because she knew it was a sensitive topic. And second, she didn't feel it was her place, especially as a Luthor.
- If you want a good laugh, think about what Lex would think of it.
The Kryptonian smiled. The bald guy would have lost even invisible hair. He, who always hated aliens, would have definitely lost it seeing his sister with an alien hairstyle.
- Why was your brother so against aliens?
Lena looked at her and Kara immediately regretted that question. There was a shade of sadness so immense in her pupils that Kara could just cry from it.
The youngest exhaled and sat on the couch in front of the TV. It was left of the kitchen and in front of the table and chairs Kara had been sitting on. The blonde followed her after a moment. She leaned into the soft material.
- I don't want to blame… I… Lillian. She was anti-alien. He, I guess, chose her as a model and followed her ideals.
Kara nodded.
- But your father? He couldn't guide him? I mean, he looked like a great man from what you previously told me. He created Luthor Corp, defended you against Lillian…
Lena smiled but shook her head.
- Lionel was an alcoholic. He would get enraged. While he was sober, he was nice. He wasn't most of the time. He wasn't here enough for us to look up to him. Plus, he died when we were young.
- Oh.
Kara knew Lionel Luthor was dead. But she had never asked herself when. She was reminded then that Lena was younger than her. Three years, to be exact. She was 27, but when they met she was 23. Which meant Lionel died prior to that age. She vaguely remembered it being on the news. At a bar Alex had dragged her to. It was Kara's 18th birthday. Lena must have been around 15.
- I am sorry, Kara murmured.
- Don't be.
A few minutes passed before the black-haired woman got up and went to the kitchen to pack the last things needed. Kara noticed a present being put into a bag and she assumed it was for Esme. That girl was spoiled rotten.
She then heard Lena yawning. Kara laughed. It was cute. It wasn't a sound she was used to Lena making. She was rewarded with a middle finger.
Kara walked toward the bookcase near the screen and took one book, feeling like it. She opened it and found herself faced with countless formulas that were hurting her head. She put it back and searched for something better. The hero found a small one called something in French. She sighed. Was there anything readable in Lena's library?
- You speak French? Kara asked.
Lena hummed from the kitchen.
Of course Lena would speak French.
The blonde then found a music notebook. This one looked like the kind Lena didn't want to speak about. It looked full of notes, sad and old. She still opened it. From what she read, Lena could play the violin. And the piano.
Kara was good at music, always had been. She could play with Lena from time to time. She could play the guitar, the piano, among other things. The blonde could also sing.
- We could play music together someday?
Lena looked up from the kitchen with a frown. Once she saw the book, her look fell a bit. She looked defeated.
- No. I… I don't play anymore.
Kara had guessed it was a sensitive topic and wanted to hit herself for asking anyway. Lena liked her doors hidden, and Kara liked to open them. But the blonde wanted it to be comfortable for Lena. Not forced. She would push maybe a little later. For now, she needed to concentrate on coming out of the nightclub alive. It was going to be a long night.
Kara pushed herself onto her legs and walked toward her friend.
- Which nightclub are we going to?
Lena was desperately trying to open a bottle of what Kara guessed was champagne. The blonde took it from her and opened it in an instant.
- Thanks. We're going to a friend's. The best in the city. And no one will bother you with… you.
Kara nodded. It had been rough at the beginning. Everyone knew her identity. They asked questions. Followed her in the streets. But within a few months, it had calmed down. Kara wondered if it was because of the hero statue. They respected her. Of course, there were still minor incidents, but nothing weird or bad. Still, if she could hang out without people constantly worrying about Supergirl, that was nice.
- Are you okay? You look lost, Lena said, handing out a glass.
Kara nodded, drinking the champagne, knowing very well it couldn't do a thing. Why were they even drinking champagne at this hour? It wasn't game night or nightclub time yet. But Kara noticed Lena's fingers fidgeting. She was stressed out.
- How's your magic going?
Lena thought for a bit, finished her glass and set it on the counter.
- Well, it's going. I am not training that much. I am more concentrated on Luthor Corp. Etc.
Kara nodded.
- We should watch something. I'll put an alarm to remind us to go.
Lena agreed with a brush of her shoulders and followed Kara to the couch.
Lena had thought the blonde would choose a Disney movie but was surprised when she saw an actual adult one. Notting Hill. She had, of course, heard of it, but never watched it. Kara turned it on.
At some point, Kara felt a presence on her shoulder. Lena had fallen asleep. Lena was sleeping. On her shoulder.
Kara felt warm. Comfortable.
She reached for a blanket with her hand and put it over her friend. But still, there was something weird. That feeling. She wasn't just warm. There was something else.
She shook her head and tried to forget it.
But it was electrifying.