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marinawolf · 2 months

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It's You (Supercorp)

by marinawolf

The poll has spoken! Here it is- the angsty Supercorp fic (with a little bit of action and plot- it's a little long, sorry. I was gonna do two parts but that just complicates things so it's alllll here.)

Lena finds out after Lex decides to play a cruel game. (Filled with angst, betrayal, yearning etc etc. First kiss.)

3k words

The moon hung low in the inky sky, casting a haunting glow on National City. On the rooftop of the L Corp building, Kara lingered in the shadows, a solitary figure with a completely useless glass of champagne clutched in her hands, her eyes fixated on Lena. Oh, how she longed for the oblivion of intoxication. It would make things so much easier.

Kara sighed, taking a pointless sip from her champagne flute, the bubbles tickling her throat. The cool breeze ruffled her hair as she watched Lena. The world was enchanted by Lena Luthor, and Kara was no exception. She was everything - brilliant, brave, kind and beautiful. So so beautiful that Kara sometimes forgot how to breathe around her. Kara's fingers traced the rim of her champagne glass and she tried to tear her eyes away from Lena, a futile attempt to distract herself from the ache in her chest.

But unable to resist, Kara's gaze lingered on Lena's face, tracing the delicate curve of her smile and the sparkle in her eyes. She watched as Lena moved through the crowd, a vision in a black dress that sparkled in the moonlight, as if there were constellations wrapped around her body. The air seemed charged with an energy that only Kara felt, her super senses attuned to every detail. Lena's laughter, her heartbeat, the subtle shifts in her expressions - all of it was amplified for Kara. She could feel the familiar tug at her heart. Lena seemed so close yet so impossibly far away. The desire to confess, to bare her soul to Lena, burned within Kara. But the fear of rejection, of losing the one person who had come to mean everything to her, kept her rooted in silence. The irony wasn't lost on her - Supergirl, capable of facing the most formidable foes, was paralyzed by the mere thought of losing Lena.

A bitter taste lingered on Kara's tongue as she took another sip, futilely attempting to drown her emotions. If only she could find the courage to tell Lena the truth - that she was Supergirl, and that she was hopelessly and desperately in love with her.

Almost as if sensing Kara's gaze on her, Lena's eyes flickered toward hers and the most breathtaking smile formed on her face, causing Kara's heart to stop for a moment. Rao, those eyes. Kryptonite had nothing on those eyes, and when Kara looked into them, she could see her life unfolding in those shades of green.

Lena immediately made her way towards Kara, her arms already outstretched for a hug that felt like home.

"You look gorgeous, Lena", Kara whispered against Lena's neck, and she could swear that she heard Lena's breath catch.

As they parted, Lena's hand found Kara's wrist, "Why are you hiding in the corner? Come with me," Lena urged, gently tugging Kara towards the bustling crowd.

It was the last place she wanted to be but Kara couldn't say no. With a silent nod, she let Lena guide her, knowing that wherever Lena went, she would willingly follow.

"You okay?"

Kara blinked back to the present as Lena's concerned voice cut through the monotonous corporate chatter. She had zoned out as a man they were talking to droned on about his company. For some reason, she was finding it harder to stifle her feelings for Lena tonight and found herself spiralling, her thoughts running wild.

"Hm? Oh, yes, I am. Why?"

"You just seem out of it tonight. Do you want to leave? I'll just say my goodbyes, and we can get out of here," Lena suggested, her concern evident in her eyes.

Kara smiled at Lena, a warmth budding in her chest. Lena would totally leave her own event to take Kara home if Kara asked her to. She was that wonderful of a friend. They would probably end up at Lena's apartment, drinking wine and watching movies until Lena passed out, cuddled into Kara's side, making it so that Kara couldn't leave. And Kara would allow herself the indulgence- she would wrap her arms around Lena and close her eyes, and pretend that this was something else- something more. She allowed herself those moments of fantasy. And when they woke up entangled in each other the next morning, they would laugh it off, blaming it on the wine.

But no. Lena needed to be here. It was her event, after all and Kara needed to get some space anyway, and maybe some proper alien alcohol from her stash at home.

"You can't leave, Lena," she laughed, "but I think I am a bit tired. So I'm gonna go, okay?"

Lena's frowned, her gaze meeting Kara's, something indiscernible flickering within her eyes.

"Kara," Lena began, her voice holding a note of urgency, yet before she could continue, a sudden, deafening bang echoed through the air. Kara's eyes shot upward, shock and awe registering on her face as the night sky seemingly exploded around them.

Fire rained down on the rooftop and instinctively, Kara moved to take action, but before she could, Lena's arms enveloped her protectively, attempting to shield her from the fire and debris. It was a moment where the absurdity almost made Kara want to laugh. She felt momentarily frozen. Yet, she knew she couldn't remain passive. She had to save Lena. She had to save everyone.

A second explosion jolted the rooftop, causing Lena to lose her balance and her grip on Kara to falter. Taking the opportunity, Kara broke away from Lena and ducked into a corner, returning immediately as Supergirl.

Her first instinct was to ensure Lena's safety, and she grabbed her and lifted her off the rooftop, intending to carry her away from the looming danger. However, Lena resisted fiercely, fighting against Kara's hold, her frantic eyes scanning the rooftop.

"No!" Lena screamed, her voice fraught with desperation. "Kara is still there. I need to get Kara."

The plea reverberated through the night, casting a heavy shadow on Kara's heart.

"I'll find Kara. Don't worry," Kara reassured, her voice strained with the weight of deception.

She could see the anguish and worry in Lena's eyes, a reflection of deep concern that extended beyond the immediate danger. The worry was for her, for Kara, and as Kara soared back into the night sky, leaving Lena on the ground, the burden of keeping her identity hidden, of denying the depth of her feelings, felt like it could pull her down.

Kara cleared the rest of the guests off the rooftop swiftly and returned alone, hovering over it, scanning for the source of the explosion. To her surprise, there was none. It was as if the night had imploded onto itself, as if the air itself had ignited. The absence of a visible threat left Kara unsettled- this wasn't meant to cause any harm. A sense of foreboding washed over her as realization struck—this must have been some sort of diversion.

Panic gripped Kara's mind, and a single name echoed through her thoughts. There was only one person who would cause chaos at an L Corp event, and that meant one thing—Lena was in danger.

Racing back to where she left Lena, Kara found no-one there. In the place where Lena should have been waiting for her, a small white card had been placed on the ground.

Kara reached for the card, her hands trembling.

You are cordially invited to the Luthor family reunion.

The air became heavy with the worst kind of fear, and as Kara clenched the card in her trembling hands, a desperate scream threatened to escape her lips. Where did he take Lena?

At the DEO, Kara's anxiety echoed through the room as she paced, the worry etched on her face. Frustration, fear and desperation boiled within her.

"Why can't we find her?" She shouted, her anger bouncing around the room, shocking the agents around her.

She felt a hand on her shoulder, and turned to see Alex, a concerned look on her face,

"Lex is very good at hiding, Kara. We're doing the best we can. We will find her," she reassured, though the words did little to quell Kara's mounting panic.

Kara felt a surge of helplessness, a burning desire to do whatever it took to locate Lena, even if it meant tearing the whole world apart and yet all she could do was uselessly wait around for a lead.

Just as she approached a point of no return, Winn's voice called out,

"I think I have something," he announced, drawing everyone's attention. "I hijacked city cams and ran facial recognition. Traffic cameras picked up Lena's face outside an abandoned warehouse. There's someone with her."

Kara's heart skipped a beat, hope coursing through her veins.

"Where is it?" she demanded, desperation edging her voice.

As Winn relayed the address, Alex grabbed her arm,

"Wait, Kara. Let us prep a team to go with you. It's probably a trap. You can't go in alone."

Kara's resolve hardened, her gaze steely with determination.

"I don't care, Alex. It's Lena."

With those words hanging in the air, she broke free from Alex's grasp and bolted from the DEO, propelled by the determination to rescue the woman she couldn't live without.

Kara reached the warehouse and effortlessly tore through the heavy iron doors. Her determined advance faltered as she took in the scene before her—Lex Luthor, armed and wearing a manic smile, stood with a gun pointed at Lena who, to Kara's relief, looked unharmed. Kara couldn't bare to see the terrified look on Lena's face, but she knew that if she let herself give in to the fear, she would never get them out alive.

"Ah, Supergirl, you made it!" he grinned, reveling in the chaos. "Look, sister, our guest of honor has arrived. Now we can start."

Kara moved towards Lena, but before she could reach her, Lex grabbed Lena and pressed his gun to her head.

"Nuh uh, Supergirl," he tutted, "You don't want your best friend to get hurt, now do you?"

Kara felt a chill creeping over her as she stood paralyzed.

"What do you want?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady despite the panic surging through her, "Me? I'm here—let her go, Lex."

Lex laughed. "Oh, Supergirl. Where's the fun in that? Let you sacrifice yourself and be the hero again? No. No, this time we're going to play a little game."

He retrieved a button from his pocket, and the floor beneath Kara illuminated with the ominous glow of kryptonite.

"Supergirl, no," Lena shouted, trying to step forward, but Lex tightened his grip on her, and pressed the gun harder into her temple.

"One little push of this button will make that lead floor disappear, and one little pull on this trigger can end my dear sister's life. Okay? Do we understand the rules? Good, now that the stakes are set, let's play a little game of truth. No dare, just truth."

"Please, Lex," Kara begged, "Let her go."

"Oh, I will. If you play my game, Supergirl."

Kara closed her eyes, trying to calm her breathing. When she opened it again, she was resolved to do whatever it took to save Lena.

"Fine. Let's play."

"What a good sport," Lex taunted. "The game is simple. You tell the truth—you win. And there's only one question that we need to answer. Lena, who is Supergirl?"

Lena frowned, uncertainty clouding her features. "I don't know."

"Come, sister, you're smarter than that. Think carefully." Lex goaded, a malicious glint in his eyes.

Kara's heart pounded fiercely—this was Lex's plan. He knew. Somehow he knew, and he intended to use that knowledge to shatter the one thing she valued most in the world: her friendship with Lena.

"I. Don't. Know," Lena spoke through gritted teeth, her frustration evident. "Let her go, Lex. Let me go. There's no need for any of this."

"Oh, but there is," he replied, unyielding. "Okay, Supergirl—your turn. Answer truthfully now, or else I'll have to pull this trigger. Does Lena know you? The real you?"

Kara's gaze shifted to Lena, a silent plea in her eyes. She had to answer.

"Yes," she said softly, lifting her eyes to meet Lena's. Confusion etched Lena's face, and Kara's heart ached. Not like this.

Lex's smile widened, savoring the unfolding drama. "Okay, now we're getting somewhere. Lena, your turn again. Tell me, did Supergirl save your best friend today?"

Kara watched as anguish and panic filled Lena's eyes, the unspoken plea evident. "I don't know. Is Kara...? Is she okay?" The desperation in Lena's voice broke Kara's heart.

Before Kara could utter a word, Lex spoke, coercing Lena, "Come on, Lena. I know you're smarter than this."

He turned his gaze to Kara. "Tell her, Supergirl. Tell her about her best friend."

A sob escaped Lena's throat. "Oh god, please. Tell me she's okay. Tell me she's alive," Lena begged, and Kara felt her heart shatter.

"Tell her, Supergirl. The truth about her best friend."

Lex's words hung heavy in the air, and Kara knew exactly what he meant.

She looked into Lena's tear-filled eyes,

"Lena," she said, softly, "Lena, I—"

But before she could continue, she saw recognition dawn in Lena's eyes.

"No," Lena whispered, her voice trembling. "It's you? It has been you this whole time? Oh god, Kara, I thought you had—" Lena choked on a sob.

Kara remained silent, witnessing Lena's heartbreak unfold as the realization settled in.

"I'm sorry, Lena. I wanted to tell you so many times, but—"

"But you didn't," Lena's voice turned hard, the sense of betrayal evident. "Kara." She said her name like an accusation, and Kara wished she could vanish into the earth.

"I confided in you that everyone in my past had betrayed me. About how much it hurt to have someone you love lie to you and betray you, and you—" Lena's voice faltered, "You were playing me all along, Kara."

Kara felt her own tears fall. She had done the one thing she never wanted to do—she had hurt Lena.

"Lena, I was trying to protect you. Your family—"

"What?" Lena interrupted her, "You thought that you couldn't trust me because I'm a Luthor? Despite everything, Kara, you didn't trust me?"

"I would trust you with my life, Lena. I do trust you with my life. I just never wanted you to ever have to choose between me and your family! I didn't want to put you in that position."

Lex put the gun down, and Kara almost sagged in relief. "My work here is done," he smiled in satisfaction.

Then, surprising them both, he handed the kryptonite remote to Lena. "Take it, sister. I, at least, trust you to do the right thing. You'll always just be a Luthor to them."

When Kara saw Lena's fingers wrap around the remote, her heart shattered. Lex walked away, leaving them alone.

"Lena, please."

"What, Supergirl? Don't kill you? Isn't that what you would expect from a Luthor?" she spat.

"Lena, you're angry. I understand, but—"

"Oh god," Lena said, "You actually think I would hurt you?"

"Never," Kara said, "Lena, I'm—"

"You don't get it, do you, Kara? I would have chosen you. Over anyone. Over anything." She let the remote drop to the floor, the sound echoing through the empty warehouse.

"Lena," Kara whispered, her voice tinged with fear of the impending fallout.

The prospect that Lena might come to hate her felt more daunting than facing any physical threat. She would rather have Lena press that button than have to live with Lena hating her. Lena wasn't just a friend; she was the woman Kara loved, and the thought of losing her was unbearable. With everything on the line, Kara had to say it, to lay bare the truth that had been concealed for so long.

"Lena, I'm sorry. I know I should have told you sooner, about who I am, but please, please believe me. I was only trying to protect you. I didn't know how to tell you. You became my friend, and I thought it would be okay, that I could be Kara for you and still keep this hidden—keep you safe from it all. And then you became my best friend, and by then, I was too scared of losing you to tell you. And then—Rao, Lena, I fell in love with you, and it became too difficult to tell you. I was scared, and I didn't know how. I love you, and the thought of losing you—I knew that I wouldn't be able to breathe if I lost you. Lena, you are the single most important thing in the universe to me."

Lena fell to her knees, and Kara rushed to her, desperate to bridge the emotional chasm that had opened between them.

"I love you, Lena. I have loved you for a long time. Please, please forgive me."

"I want to hate you, but I can't," Lena whispered, her voice a fragile blend of hurt and conflict.

Despite it all, Lena pulled Kara into a fierce embrace, clutching onto her desperately. Kara tightened her grip around Lena, feeling Lena's silent tears seep into her shoulder.

Finally, Lena pushed Kara away, standing up, leaving them both to grapple with the emotional turmoil that hung heavy in the air. Kara rose to her feet, and they faced each other, the tension between them casting a daunting shadow.

"What now?" Kara asked, her voice soft, the fear of Lena's response palpable.

Lena met her gaze intensely, and Kara detected a flicker of conflict in Lena's eyes. It was as if the turmoil within Lena was written in the air between them, as if she was wrestling with a decision.

Then, without warning, Lena pulled Kara in, crashing her lips against hers with a desperate urgency. Kara, initially stunned, quickly melted into the kiss, mirroring Lena's desperation. She could taste the saltiness of Lena's tears on her lips, the kiss carrying a weight as if their very lives depended on it, as if Lena held Kara's breath captive. The world around Kara dissolved, leaving only Lena—her lips, her hands. Lena became the singular reality that mattered to Kara, the only thing tethering her to this world.

Finally, they pulled apart, foreheads pressed together, both breathing heavily.

"I'm hurt," Lena whispered, her voice laden with vulnerability. "You hurt me, Kara. But I can't imagine being without you. I love you."

Kara's heart clenched at Lena's words.

And as their lips met again, Kara vowed to spend the rest of her life trying to make it up to Lena. She would never hurt her again.

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mamawasatesttube · 3 months

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a tuppence for your bi4bi Clois thoughts 🪙... I'm luv them so much and I'd love to hear if you have any specific headcanons about them 🥺

YESSSS!!! i DO have some thoughts. i love them,

generally i think lois has her bisexuality figured out by the time she's in her mid-20s. she and cat grant have had some rage-filled makeouts on at least one occasion, but an actual relationship would never in a million years work out between them. they respect each other but do not see eye to eye nearly enough. she never bothered to come out to her father, but just knows it's one more thing about her that he'd hate.

clark, by contrast, does Not have it figured out. he has spent his entire life repressing every single thought, feeling, and ability that set him apart from the classic good all-american boy because he had to fit in. and being superman, exploring his kryptonian heritage, etc., has helped, of course, but he is still. so repressed. he has no idea that he's ever experienced attraction to guys before. he's got some internalized homophobia to work through, about himself. He Has To Be Normal. so as far as he's concerned, there was lana, and then there was lois.

to me, clark's journey toward self-acceptance is very intrinsically tied to his family. there's kara, talking about how sexuality and gender stuff on krypton wasn't like it is on earth, especially in western culture. there's kon, suffering through his own repression and depression and trying to pretend he's fine. there's chris and jon, both too young to fully grasp it all (probably), who make clark incredibly aware of every step he makes in terms of parenting them.

so one day, after kon's finally come out to the family, and kara's muddled through trying to figure out earth labels that she's comfortable with, the two of them decide they wanna go to pride, and ask lois and clark if they want to make it a family affair. lois says hell yeah, and clark says yes of course he's happy to support them! and jon says YAY, GLITTER!! CAN I GET STICKERS? and chris says if you get glitter all over my nintendo ds again i will punt you into the ocean, baby brother or not.

and there's just this innocuous moment while they're out when kon goes "here i got you these!" and hands lois and clark two simple lil heart-shaped bi flag buttons. and lois is like aw thanks squirt! and ruffles kon's hair. clark meanwhile goes oh i think there's been a misunderstanding... ... . . . .. . .. .. . or. has there?

and that night he's just sitting on the edge of the bed holding this tiny like $3 button in his hands having a whole crisis. lois hooks her chin over his shoulder and asks what's wrong? and he's like. lois i'm not. i'm. except maybe i'm not not. but i don't know, i thought i... i never thought i could think about it. clark kent is supposed to be normal. i... i'm already an alien, lois, i thought i was already set apart enough, and if i'm... if i'm this, even when i'm clark, not superman, then... then...

and lois digs her matching little $3 bi flag heart button out of her purse and bumps it against his and says, even if you are queer, you're still not alone. and then clark gives her the patented kent family big soft puppy-dog eyes. that night, he falls asleep in her arms with his head tucked snugly under her chin. it's where he feels safest.

but the next year, he lets kara get him a flag, and lets kon tie it around his shoulders like a cape. and he's here as clark kent, but it's kind of funny when he looks at his shadow. because he might not be superman right now, but the silhouette still looks the same.

#answers #barbitchian #superfam #clois #clark #lois #as a small town queer who had a lot of Feelings with a capital F about attending pride for the first time. well #here we are. have my clark kent thesis

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crow-cards · 1 year

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DBH hug headcanons

includes the main three and a bunch of side characters! did everyone I could think of/wanted to do, tags list everyone :]

if you like these, feel free to send requests!! <3

Connor

very comforting hugs, just tight enough and fully wraps his arms around your back and buries his face in your shoulder or hair, depending on your height difference

will also rest a hand on the back of your head and hold you closer that way

sways with you a little if it lingers long enough

also gives a tight squeeze before pulling away

Markus

comfortably tight hugs, wraps his arms around your upper back and buries his face in your shoulder if he can

otherwise he'll rest his cheek against the top of your head

lingers for a bit and also does a little swaying, pats your shoulder when you pull away

Kara

gentle hugs, but keeps you close. wraps one arm around your upper back and the other rests a hand on your head.

she'll rub your back very comfortingly and will stay for as long as you need, doesn't pull away until you do

will lean her head against yours, maybe pet your hair if you allow it as well

Hank Anderson

tight bear hugs, but not uncomfortably tight, pats you on the back a little too hard though

sways a little bit and gives you a tight squeeze before pulling away, then ruffles your hair or pats you on the shoulder afterwards

he's not very keen on touchy stuff though so don't expect it to be easy to get one, or that he'd be up for it often. if he's less in the mood then he'll just give a quick side hug without much care. might rub your arm a little bit though if he feels bad for being grouchy when you need/want a hug

Gavin Reed

he will never admit it but he fucking loves hugs. it'll be SO hard to get him to hug you, and if you try he'll most likely shove you away

when he comes around, though, he'll absolutely act like he doesn't care and doesn't put much effort into it

but if you hold him for a minute, he'll eventually melt into it, wrapping his arms around your back and leaning into it, burying his face in your shoulder mutters a "shut up" before you even say anything because he knows what you're thinking

if you're a lot closer to him though, he'll happily hug you and will be playful with it, hugs you really tight and squeezes the air outta you before laughing about it, ruffles your hair afterwards or rubs your arm

Nines (RK900)

not familiar with any sort of affection so he's very confused when you hug him, but he'll reciprocate, just in a very... stiff manner

rests his hands against your back but doesn't really lean in or actually hug, it's more like him just copying what he thinks a hug is

once he learns a bit more and successfully gets rid of that stiff, robotic feeling (because he just did research in his head and tried to copy it, but you can't exactly fake the feelings put into a hug), his hugs feel a lot... warmer. comfortable

he leans into it more and hold you closer, but doesn't exactly give very tight hugs. he'll also close his eyes and lean his head against yours/your shoulder

give him a minute and all the tension from his shoulders will fade, and he'll really relax into it, maybe wrapping his arms around you a little tighter

North

not a touchy person at all, probably wouldn't accept a hug in the first place

if you do hug her, it's probably awkward and she'll just hover her arms until you eventually get off her

she's only affectionate at all to those she feels like she's bonded super well with, so if you're very close with her, she'll be more likely to hug you

and in that situation, she gives side hugs and probably gives you a noogie. still not exactly comfortable enough for a full hug

Simon

very gentle hugs, holds you close and nuzzles against you

wraps his arms completely around your upper back and leans in a good bit, gives you a tight squeeze for a moment or a quick rub on your back

simon ily but I have absolutely nothing else, my memory of the side characters gets kinda fuzzy 😔

Luther

very careful hugs, tries his best not to squish you because he knows he's bigger and stronger, but the hugs still feel comfortably tight, very warm

crouches or kneels down if he feels like getting more onto your level, will put a hand on the back of your head and rest his on your shoulder

Alice

gets on her tippy toes even if you're crouched down and wraps her arms around your neck, resting her head against your shoulder

hugs you so tight!! does little excited hops if she's feeling especially happy/energetic

gives you a tight squeeze before pulling away

if she's more calm or tired, she'll just rest against you for a little while and sways with you a bit. makes her a little sleepy too

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noforkingclue · 24 days

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Love to Hate and Hate to Love, Chapter 1 (River Cartwright x OC)

Summary: so far Olivia's time at The Park had been relatively uneventful, despite working for a Service Legend. However, when her boss manages to piss off Lady Di she's forced to cooperate with the Slow Horses. And only one team is only going to get out of this alive.

Author's note: my first of my Slow Horses OC fics (and first OC fic in general...). Title might change though

Slow Horses tag list: @cillmequick

Everything tag list: @greenrevolutionary, @byebyebreezywrites spngingerbread21, @layazul, @lov3vivian, @simonsbluee

Olivia tapped her pen on her desk and she glanced down at the paper in front of her. Her colleagues had seemingly abandoned their work for the meantime in favour of focusing on the message.

“Remind me,” she said, “why are we doing this, oh, how did Fitz describe it again?”

“Dealing with the fuck ups,” grunted Kara, “chuck that over.”

“Why?”

“I want to see if there’s a message in it.”

“Why?”

“You’re still new here Olive. When you’ve been here as long as we have you learn to pick things up.”

“Olive,” Olivia muttered as she folded the paper into an aeroplane, “never going to live that down am I?”

“Nope,” said Laura as she relaxed back in her chair, “you aren’t. Besides, it suits you!”

Olivia threw her a glare but chose not to snap back. She chucked the plane over to Kara who read it in silence. She sighed and put it down heavily.

“Nothing,” she said as she ran a hand through her straight black hair, “that’s disappointing.”

“You were expecting something?” Asked Olivia

“Maybe a little something,” Kara admitted, “then again Fitz is a bit cagey about his Cold War days. Especially when it comes to his old colleagues. You can’t really blame me for being suspicious.”

“And even more when it comes to Jackson Lamb,” said Warren, “heard they almost came to blows more than once.”

“Definitely,” said Laura, “you must’ve heard of Jackson Lamb right Olive. Despite still being a bit green.”

Olivia rolled her eyes and swatted Laura’s hand as she ruffled her hair. She had only been in The Service for six months but it was hard not to have heard of Service legends like Jackson Lamb or the infamous Slow Horses. Even her boss, Max ‘Fitz’ Fitzgerald was a Service legend in his own right and you don’t become one of those without doing some shady shit.

"So why are we involved?" she asked

"Because Lady Di thinks she's being funny and she’s also punishing me."

Olivia, who was the only one with her back to the door, jumped at the sound of Fitz’s voice. Fitz just gave her a bright smile and clapped a hand on her shoulder. For someone so short he was a lot stronger than he looked. He was only five foot five and yet his presence always commanded a room's attention.

“And you are coming with me.” He said

“Why me?” Asked Olivia

“Because Lamb’s bringing someone with him and I want you to distract him.”

“Fitz! I thought you said that honey traps weren’t your style.”

“Nothing like that. I want you to piss off River Cartwright.”

Cartwright, Cartwright, Cartwright.

Another name you couldn’t go five minutes in The Service without hearing. The grandson was just as famous as the grandfather although for completely different reasons. Actually, famous was the wrong word. Infamous was definitely more like it. Olivia bit her lip to avoid ranting to Fitz. He had already had enough of hearing about it in the office.

“Remember what I said?” Said Fitz, “level head.”

“But distract him,” Olivia said through gritted teeth, “I know. Trust me, I know. I have the perfect distraction.”

The only thing keeping Cartwright in The Service (if Slough House could be called that) was his grandfather. That pissed Olivia off. Anyone else would’ve been cast out but no. Precious little River Cartwright still had a job. Fuck, she thought she had left the nepo babies behind at university.

“We’re here.”

Olivia was dragged out of her thoughts as Fitz spoke. She looked up at the pub and wrinkled her nose. It looked like the type of dives she would’ve gone to as a struggling student. Flaking paint, cracked windows and a general air of unkemptness oozed from it.

“It’s a shithole.” She said

“I know but Lamb chose it so it’s not surprising. Ready?”

“Do I have a choice?”

“No.”

Fitz opened the door and gestured for Olivia to go in. Olivia sighed and tried to hold in her grimace as she entered the pub. However, when she walked on the sticky floors she couldn’t help but let out a disgusted noise.

“This your new girl, Fitz? Heard you got a new one. Thought you’d bring someone with a bit more fucking experience.”

“Jackson,” Fitz said grimly, “I’d say good to see you but we’re both too old to bullshit each other. So cut the bullshite and let's just get on with it. I doubt neither of us want to spend too long in each other's company.”

Fitz walked towards the two men in the corner of the pub with you following closely behind. Olivia had to admit, she had been curious about meeting Jackson Lamb (less so River Cartwright) but he wasn’t what she expected. She had been expecting someone like Fitz who was always very well presented and never seen out of a three piece suit. She wasn’t expecting someone who, to put it bluntly, looked like a homeless man and nothing could prepare her for the smell. His companion on the other hand…

“River Cartwright.” He said standing up and offering Olivia his hand

He flashed her a bright smile which he probably thought made him look charming. Fuck, she could just imagine what the others would be saying. Well, at least he had some manners unlike his boss. Oh well, time to ruin it.

“Olivia Moher,” she said taking it, “nice to put a face to the name of the person who crashed Stansted. I saw the video. The Park uses it as training on how not to fuck things up.”

River narrowed his eyes and let go of Olivia’s hand. Lamb let out a snort of amusement.

“Very fucking funny,” he said to Fitz, “I can see why you brought her. Now tell your fucking idiot to piss off.”

Fitz opened his mouth and quickly closed it with a snap. He nodded towards the door and Olivia took a deep breath. Secretly she was glad to get out of the pub.

“As long as you tell your Slow Horse to piss off as well.” He said

“Gladly. Cartwright, fuck off.”

“But-“

“Now!”

Even Olivia flinched at the harsh tone in Lamb’s voice and she was already nearly out of the pub. River practically pushed past her and she grimaced. Well, thís is going to be awkward. Not like she cared that is.

There was a heavy tension in the air. Olivia folded her arms and leant against a wall. She could quite bring herself to care about whether or not she hurt his feelings. Probably not the best idea to piss off someone you're meant to be working with.

“I suppose you think you’re funny.”

Olivia glanced over at River and smirked.

“I’m fucking hilarious.”

“It was a training exercise, you know. And I was set up.”

“And I was only following orders.”

“That’s the oldest excuse in the book.”

“And yours isn’t? I wonder how many agents tried that excuse before being thrown out? At least you had your family name to rely on.”

Olivia gave River a sharp smile and River slowly approached her. She pushed herself off the wall and folded her arms. She looked up and him as he said,

“What’s that meant to mean?”

“Maybe if you spent half a second thinking about it instead of asking questions you’d be able to figure it out for yourself.”

River opened his mouth to snap back but a shoot from inside the pub stopped him. Olivia and River glanced at each other in confusion. The door flung open and a furious Fitz was in the doorway. He glanced between you and snapped,

“What the fuck is this? Sexual tension?”

Both Olivia and River recoiled from each other

“Not fucking likely.” Said Olivia

“Good. Now hurry up. We have to go back to The Park.”

“Already?”

“Yes,” Fitz gave Lamb a disgusted look as he pushed past him, “it’s the only place he can’t get to.”

“I wouldn’t count on that Fitz.” Lamb practically spat the nickname

“Moher, let’s go.”

“Ok. See you around Cuntwright.”

“It’s Cartwright!”

“Yeah but Cuntwright suits you so much better!”

“So,” Kara kicked out and wheeled her chair over to Olivia, “what was the infamous Jackson Lamb and River Cartwright like?”

“Yeah, I’ve never seen Fitz that pissed before,” said Laura, “and I’ve been working with him for three years.”

“I’ve been working for him for ten and I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve seen him like that.” said Warren

“Cunts,” Olivia said, “especially Cartwright.”

Warren put down a mug of tea on Olivia’s desk and offered her a pack of biscuits which she gratefully took.

“Well this certainly bodes well,” Warren said, “you annoyed, Fitz pissed. Looks like they both got under your skin. I thought Fitz wanted you to do that to Cartwright, not the other way round.”

“And I did.”

“And it looks like he did the same to you,” said Kara, “say, is he as handsome as people mention? I never had the pleasure of meeting him before his fuck up.”

“His personality ruins it.” Olivia said through a mouthful of digestive

“So he is handsome,” said Kara teasingly, “careful Olive. You might find yourself compromised.”

Olivia wrinkled her nose and shook her head.

“I think I’d rather quit the Service.”

“Don’t let Lady Di hear you say that,” said Fitz, “she might just take you up on that offer.”

“Why?” Olivia asked

“Because she hates me and wants me to suffer.”

“What did you do?” Asked Laura

Fitz sighed and took off his glasses. He cleaned them on his tie before putting them back on. For the first time since Olivia met him, Fitz looked his age. He looked tired and he leant against her desk, stealing the mug of tea that Warren had made her.

“It’s ancient history,” Fitz said at last, “the past is the past and should remain so. However, when dealing with people like Jackson Lamb, the past never remains buried for long. He has an uncanny knack of digging things up at the worst possible time.”

He took a sip of the tea and winced slightly as it scolded his tongue.

“This was back before the wall fell,” he continued, “you four would be too young to remember it-”

“I vaguely remember something on the news,” said Warren, who had just turned forty, “but I was too young to take in the significance of it.”

“Well,” Fitz gave a one shoulder shrug, “I spent a lot of time behind the wall. Doing… off the record things.”

“Off the record?” asked Olivia

She glanced over at Laura and Kara. Laura mimed cutting her throat and Olivia looked over at Fitz in horror. Fitz just grimaced and said,

“What did you expect when you joined The Service? Everything to be sunshine and rainbows?”

“Have you all killed people?” Olivia asked

“Now is not the time for this conversation,” Fitz said, “We need to focus. And I need a fresh cup of tea. This is too weak.”

Fitz shoved the cup at Warren who sighed but ultimately made him a fresh one. Fitz looked at it and nodded.

“Better. You never leave the tea bag in for long enough.”

“Yes I do! The others agree with me.”

Warren turned to look for backup but suddenly everyone was interested in the floor. Even Olivia looked away, uncomfortable at seeing the hurt look on Warren’s face.

“Back to the matter at hand,” Fitz said grimly, “most of the ‘off the record’ was carried out abroad. People we,” Fitz coughed and gave a bitter smile, “found difficult.”

“And did this just happen abroad?” asked Kara, a hint of cynicism in her voice

“Well,” Fitz ran a hand over his face, “most of the time. All the stuff I did was.”

“Most,” Laura paused, “What do you mean by ‘most’.”

“You killed your own people,” said Olivia, “I thought we didn’t do that.”

Fitz shrugged again. His nonchalance about the whole situation was starting to irritate Olivia.

“We don’t.”

“Then what does Lamb have you on?” asked Olivia

“On me? Nothing.”

“So who does he have dirt on?”

“Well there’s nothing concrete,” said Fitz, “but in this game nothing needs to be. All it takes is a rumour and,”

He clicked his fingers and smiled when his team jumped,

“Gone!”

“And this is what Lamb has?” asked Laura, “something that could potentially be damaging?”

“Ladi Di wants us to check it out,” said Fitz, “yes. If it’s enough to get her spooked,” he let out a soft chuckle, “then it’s worth checking out.”

“So why are we working with the Slow Horses?” asked Laura, “they’re Slow Horses. Can we just go in and demand they hand it over?”

“Because they’re led by Jackson Lamb,” said Fitz, “and he’s someone you have to play London and Moscow Rules at the same time.”

“So what does Second Desk want us to do?” asked Olivia

“Second Desk, fuck me,” Fitz said rolling his eyes, “you don’t have to be so fucking polite in here.”

He walked towards the windows of his team's office. Fitz managed to snag one of the few remaining ones that had a view out onto Regent’s Park. For a moment his team had wondered if he had actually heard Olivia.

“Ladi Di wants us to see if he actually has what she thinks he has and get it back. So unfortunately we’re going to play the long game and go along with his pathetic little game. And in the end,”

Fitz turned around and grinned at them.

“I’m going to destroy him.”

#fanfiction #slow horses #river cartwright #river cartwright x oc

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arty-shadow-morningstar · 1 year

Text

I was Enchanted to Meet You

@maribat-secret-santa

To: @silverwhiteraven

(Ao3)

-----

"KARA!!!!"

Kara turned around at the sound of her name to see a black hair girl racing towards her.

"Mari Net-Ta. Be careful." Kara chided the younger girl who didn't slow down.

Mari rammed into Kara and hugged her. Kara ruffled the shorter girl's hair, chuckling.

Libra Ak-Var, Mari's mother, ran up to Kara.

"Kara, I am sorry. Mari really wanted to see you as soon as possible."

"It's fine. I like Mari too."

Libra turned to her unruly child and scolded her,"Don't run off like that, Mari. You might fall down. By Rao, you nearly gave me a heart attack."

"I am sorry, Mom." Mari said with her head bowed.

"I know. I know. You wanted to play with Kara." Libra chuckled and she greeted Kara's mother.

"Hello, Alura."

"It's nice to see you too, Libra." Alura smiled and turned to their daughters, "Okay, children. Go have fun while we talk."

"Come on, Kara." Mari bounced in excitement as she dragged Kara away.

"Slow down. We don't want another clumsy Mari incident again." Kara said.

"I am not that clumsy." Mari replied indignantly.

"You are."

"Are not."

The two bickered back and forth.

Although, Kara was three years older than the other girl, since they had met as children, the two girls were close like two peas in a pod. They knew each other's deepest secrets and confided in each other. The bond they shared was unbreakable and there were a few jokes by their parents about a union between their families in the far future. As they ran through the fields under the rays of Rao, they had thought that they could be together forever.

------

"Kara, I heard that you have a cousin now." Mari asked while she flipped through her book in Kara's room.

"Yeah, his name is Kal-El. I babysit him sometimes. He's adorable." Kara replied, looking up from her own studies for her graduation trials.

"You can't like him more than me."

Kara laughed, "Mari, you are thirteen and my best friend. Why are you jealous of a baby?"

Mari's cheeks were red as she shot back, "You said that he's adorable. You like adorable things. So I have reasons to be worried about him taking my place as your closest person."

"Don't worry. You are more adorable than he is. Besides, I can't discuss engineering with a baby like I can with you." Kara reassured her friend, unaware of Mari's cheeks turning redder at the compliment.

Mari sat up eagerly, "That's right. Take that, Kal-El."

"He's not even here. Now, can you explain this theory to me?"

Mari took a look at it and sighed, "Kara, I already told you about this many times. Which part do you have trouble with?"

As Kara went on a rant about how difficult the equation is, Mari rested her cheek on her fist, smiling fondly at her best friend/crush.

------

Mari woke up to her mother shaking her awake.

"What? Mother?" Mari yawned, and looked around her dark room. Rao hasn't risen yet.

"Mari. My precious child. I don't have much time to explain but you have to come with me right now."

Mari heard her mother's panic in her voice and immediately was awake.

"Mother, what's wrong?"

"Come along, Mari."

Mari did as she was told and followed her mother to a spaceship where her father was inputting in some commands into it.

"Father. What's going on?"

Her mother grabbed both of her hands and stared at Mari with teary eyes which had Mari panicking. Her mother had never cried in front of her before.

"Mari.." Libra started, "Listen carefully to me. Jor-El, Kara's uncle, believes that Krypton is going to be destroyed. So we are sending you somewhere we believe you will be safe."

"Mother." Mari whimpered, frightened and in shock.

"Don't worry, my child." Libra wiped off some of Mari's tears, "Kara is already on her way there. Along with her cousin, Kal-El. You won't be alone. You have to survive, Mari."

"Mari."

She turned towards her father, Net-Ta who hugged both his wife and child. A man of few words but his love for both of them is clear from his actions. "Mari. Remember what I have taught you." He said and Mari nodded.

Mari cried and hugged her parents one last time.

"Now, get in the ship."

"What about you?" she asked, once she was inside.

"You will be put in stasis mode for the journey and we have put in everything you need to survive." Her father replied as the hatched closed.

Mari realized that her parents never answered her question and she tried to find the latch to get out. "Mother, Father." She cried, her voice muffled by the glass. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she banged on the glass, which were strong enough to withstand the pressure of exiting the atmosphere.

"I am sorry, my daughter." Ne-Ta whispered, typing in a command that put Mari in stasis. Her cries quietened down as she fell asleep and the ship took off.

Libra hugged her husband as they watched the ship become a distant speck in the sky.

------

So we all know the story.

A baby boy is sent out from a distant planet on the verge of destruction on a rocket and crash-landed on Earth, somewhere in Kansas where he was found by a lovely couple. The baby named Kal-El is raised as Clark Kent and goes on to become Superman. Becomes a living god while walking among men as a clumsy reporter.

Cliche trope. But also the best possible outcome. Least trauma.

A second space pod is sent out which contains his cousin. Complications occurred which made her arrive on Earth later than intended. But that is in the far future.

Happens when writers want someone like their main character but Girl. More trauma since she is older and remembers her home planet so utterly devastated to know it is destroyed.

However, this story would focus on the girl that was sent out on the third ship.

Space is filled with mysteries and danger. Despite Krypton's advanced technology, they still had not figured out about wormholes and prediction of their possible appearance. The third ship had the bad luck of being sucked into one and spat back out to the same location.

Just 21 years later. But still arrived earlier than the second ship.

The ship continued on its original course and instead of landing in Kansas like Kal-El. The ship landed somewhere in rural France where a couple was returning to Paris after a vacation in Spain.

Most likely to happen in a fanfic. Also possible to happen in canon or a TV show adaptation. Suspiciously ripped off the original origin story of the main character. Might also involve a crossover character that doesn't really belong here.

If this was a sci-fi horror story, one should never approach the suspicious thing that fell from the sky. Sure, it might be a space satellite. But it could also be the pod of some slimy alien that would suck the life out of you and lay eggs in your corpse. Luckily for the couple, the being inside resembled a human teenage girl who woke up and spoke in a language that doesn't sound like anything from Earth. And they decided to take her home with them.

They taught her how to adapt to the local culture and speak French which she picked up easily but spoke with an accent regarded as quirky by others. After getting in touch with a few shady connections, the couple forged her a new identity as Marinette Dupain-Cheng. Newly adopted by the Dupain-Chengs. A totally normal human orphan girl who they found wandering around and had taken in to raise as their own.

They also did their best to help her get control over her powers when they showed themselves.

It started with her carrying a large number of bags of flour which Tom, a big man, managed to barely carry and she did it without effort. She runs faster than humanly possible at times. Her scrapes heal in a matter of minutes. Mari once accidentally lasered off her eyebrow and nearly destroyed the bathroom. She also floated and was stuck to the ceiling for hours until she figured out how to get down.

It was hard for Mari Net-Ta. People on this planet were raised differently than those on Krypton and she had to adapt to the rules if she wanted to survive. She also no longer had access to the advanced Kryptonian technology which she had taken for granted, except for what her parents had packed for her in her rocket and it had frustrated her to no end that humans hadn't made them yet and lacked certain resources on the planet to make them.

With the yellow sun granting her powers due to her different genetics and learning how to control them, it added more to her stress.

Tom and Sabine were warm and patient people who tried to help as much as they could and Mari felt immense gratitude towards them for their goodwill. However, they don't know that Mari stays up at night often to look up at the sky, with an advanced telescope she had modified since the ones available were lacking, to view Krypton of the past. Light that once bounced off her home planet once upon a time, traveled through space and finally reached Earth years later. She had imprinted the picture of it to her memories and took as many pictures as she could to preserve at least an image of it before light would just reflect what's left of it. She mourned the loss of her home, her family... and her other half.

Mari had done everything she could to find Kara. Clinging onto the words of her parents that Kara had escaped the destruction that had claimed them.

She had sent out signals in Kryptonese, in hopes of an answer. As days went by with no replies, her hope diminished and Mari had to face the possibility that Kara hadn't survived the trip.

Mari locked herself in her room for a week, not eating nor sleeping to cope with that realization.

------

A year went by and Marinette Dupain-Cheng was officially ready to start her first day of school. Moving on living as one of humans among their society.

A very big day indeed.

Which was about to get bigger because;

Somewhere in a secret lair in a specific mansion, there was a man horrendously dressed in purple from head to toe who just released a purple butterfly out into the world.

------

Ladybug paced back and forth, trying to calm her nerves.

A warm hand settled on her shoulder to sooth her and blond hair entered her view. She turned to meet green eyes. Disappointment bloomed in her chest. Not blue. Never blue. She was gone. Mari had to learn and accept that. However, the hole in her heart persisted.

"Milady. What got you all wound up?" Chat Noir gave her a reassuring smile. "If it's about the so-called Justice League, we can just cata- I mean, turn them into dust if they refuse to cooperate."

"No. We aren't doing that. That would cause an international incident which we don't want." Ladybug replied firmly.

"Just one. How about that Batman guy? From what we know, the dude has no powers. I can take him."

Ladybug shook her head, "Please don't."

A year and a half ago, Earth was invaded by aliens. The Miraculous Heroes had taken care of their own city with Hawkmoth taking a temporary ceasefire for the next month. The guy at least has some morals. Not really. Gabe had been busy in the aftermath as one of his factories was destroyed during the invasion. He had no time to indulge in his supervillain hobby.

In the aftermath of the invasion, a new organization made up of heroes called the Justice League was formed. After establishing their headquarters and recruiting more heroes to their cause, they had looked into places that needed their help and Paris had fallen into their radar with the moth problem they had had for the past few years.

They received an invitation to discuss in further details what the JL can do to help. Wonder Woman came in person to give it.

So the Miraculous Heroes found themselves on the rooftop of Hotel de Grand, approaching the set meeting time. The more well-known heroes like Rena Rouge (who was trying her best at a poker face to contain her inner fangirl), Carapace, Vispera, Pegasus and Monkey King were going with Ladybug and Chat Noir as support. The rest were hiding on the nearby rooftops and on standby in case things went sideways and to satisfy Ladybug's paranoia.

When their Miraculous phones showed the meeting time, a light suddenly enveloped the group on the hotel rooftop.

Ladybug found herself and her team in space, a blue glow coming from her adopted planet underneath them. They looked around in awe of the sophisticated technology surrounding them. However, Ladybug frowned slightly as she saw hints of Kryptonian technology and engineering in the structure of JL headquarters her team had been transported to. The teleporter itself screamed of Kryptonian tech.

Her heart pounded in fury of how these Americans managed to get their hands on her people's technology.

"Welcome, heroes, to the Watchtower." Wonder Woman greeted them warmly.

The team teared their eyes away from the awesome view to face the older heroes. All of them looked at them with guarded eyes, wary of the adults.

The Justice League was slightly taken aback by how young most of the Miraculous heroes were. Their magic, not being able to completely hide the fact that they were not adults.

"Holy shit, you guys are just kids." Green Arrow blurted out.

"Which proves how brave they are to take on the task of protecting their home." Wonder Woman added, not wanting to offend the holders.

Batman frowned disapprovingly. '`Who taught you how to fight?" He interrogated them.

"Easy, spooky. They are just children." Green Lantern butted in.

"Excuse you. We are teenagers. Thank you very much, Monsieur Green Light." Chat Noir shot back.

"It's Green Lantern." Hal felt less inclined to be nice towards them.

"And for your information, Monsieur Bat," Chat Noir continued, "We learned it on the job which is pur-ri-ty impressive if I do say so myself. Right, Milady?"

Chat Noir lightly bumped Ladybug on her back. It brought Ladybug who was staring intently at Superman's chest, out of whatever she was thinking of.

"<Sorry, what?>" Ladybug replied in French.

"<LB, back me up here. Batman just got more frowny.>"

Ladybug cleared her throat.

"Apologies, I got a little distracted. I would like to negotiate on what and how much the League can interfere regarding Hawkmoth. After that we will answer any questions you want. Questions pertaining to our identities are out. Obviously. There will be some about the Miraculous that we will not answer for reasons we can't disclose."

Her accent was noticeably thicker than Chat's.

Batman let out a grunt but nodded.

Rena Rouge fake-coughed which made Ladybug sigh and add, "If any of you are willing, Rena would like a few selfies afterward."

To which the fox hero grinned in glee.

Thus began the negotiation process.

------

While Rena went around getting pictures and the other Miraculous heroes loosened up and talked with their older counterparts, Ladybug approached the Man of Steel.

"Ladybug."

"Superman. We need to talk."

Superman remembered her uncomfortable stare at the start of the meeting like she was trying to laser his chest with heat vision.

"Um...any particular reasons why?"

"You tell me, poser. Why do you wear the Symbol of El on your chest?"

Instantly, Superman was on guard. "How do you know?"

"One would think that the 'S' on your chest stands for your name but Kryptonians know it stands for the House of El."

"Who are you?" His eyes turned red as a threat.

"That's what I want to ask." Her eyes, also turning red. "And how the Justice League got their hands on the technology of my people."

"Ladybug?" Chat Noir asked worriedly.

"<Back-up plan now!>"

Batman snapped to attention, "Stop them."

The League immediately went into action as Rena Rouge blew her flute and summoned illusions that were duplicates of all of the members. It was hard to tell who were the real ones as all of the illusions spread out through the Watchtower. The Justice League chased after all of them.

Meanwhile, the real Ladybug and Superman were in a stand-off.

"They are my people too. My father gave me the knowledge and I choose to use it for the betterment of Earth."

"So what? You found this cool new place where you get superpowers and decided that Krypton wasn't worth it any more? Is that why you didn't do anything to stop it from dying?" Mari angrily yelled and threw a punch.

Kal managed to stop the punch but her words confused him. There was something that didn't add up.

As she continued her barrage of punches, she screamed, "You should have helped Jor-El convince the counsel to save us!"

Superman dodged another punch and got out, "Jor-El was my father. How do you know that name?"

Mari faltered in her attacks. "Jor-El only had one son named Kal-El and he would be a child if he was still alive."

"My name is Kal-El, son of Jor-El and Lara Lor-Van. As a baby, I was sent away from my planet on a rocket for my safety."

His heartbeat was steady.

"You..." Mari started, eyes-wide. She looked out the Watchtower's windows, her eyes searching for something in the distance.

The positions of the stars were not where they were supposed to be. Using her lessons, she calculated how long it would take from what she remembered to now.

Then she lowered her head, "So it's true. Somehow I must have arrived at least 20 years into the future."

Mari cried and Kal hugged her as she sobbed into his chest.

------

"Flamebird, just in time." Superman greeted the other Kryptonian as she flew up and punched a meteor. Her suit was red and had yellow lines in the shape of flames going down her sleeves. Her cape had its edges in the shape of flames and turned from red at the shoulders to yellow at the bottom. Like her name, when she flew, it was seeing a phoenix fly. Unlike him, her chest proudly displayed the emblem for the House of Ta which looked similar to the letter 'f' with the curved part looking similar to that of a bird's head and had wings spread out for the line stroke across.

"Sorry. Adrien was rather insistent on not letting me leave." Mari explained, blasting with her heat vision into tiny pieces.

"At least, he won't be mad at you for being late to another date."

Clark can already imagine how Lois would be mad for being late for their reservation. Again.

"What if your super annoying cousin from France paid you a surprise visit and she tagged along with you for your date after many, many successful attempts to get rid of her?"

"It's fine. I can face Lois. Like the big boy that I am."

"Alright." Mari chuckled.

Mari remained silent as she sent another meteor to crash into the trajectory of another and they both exploded into tiny pieces which will burn out in the atmosphere.

Clark noticed that she was distracted.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

"He got hurt again." Mari punched another meteor, a little harder than before.

"Ah." Superman said in understanding.

Adrien's wish to continue heroism, years after both of them had given up their Miraculouses, was a subject of disagreement between the couple. He had seen the vigilantes like Batman and Green Arrow in action, fighting without having superpowers and decided to do the same.

He was rather peeved to find out that the name 'Nightwing' was taken as he wanted them to match. Instead, he decided to keep going by Chat Noir, and teamed up with Max to provide him with gadgets for his vigilantism. However, there are times Adrien gets too far in head and forgets that he didn't have a Miraculous now so Mari had stepped in at times to make sure he didn't get killed. Mari really wanted to support his dreams. She really does. But she doesn't want him to die because of it.

Like during their time as Miraculous holders, he expects her to save the day at the last minute like she did as Ladybug. She had reminded him many times that she doesn't have a reset button anymore and be able to heal his injuries after she saved him from another dangerous terrorist plot or a murder crazy cult.

Lately, he had been insisting for her to change her name back to Ladybug and calling her 'milady' on occasion. The only problem was that Mari wanted to keep her Ladybug and Flamebird identities separate. Going as far as to create a necklace that would change her hair to blond as Flamebird in case someone might make a connection between the two heroes. She didn't want to deal with the inevitable questions of why she didn't use her super powers to take down akumas and Hawkmoth faster. The Miraculous had somehow blocked her powers from working and she really didn't want that information to get out.

In short, their relationship was currently going through a tough patch.

"We have superpowers and yet our love lives are terrible." Mari said, getting rid of the last of the meteors.

"Tell me about it," Superman dusted off his hands, "Love Square." He teased her.

Mari rolled her eyes, "Look who's talking, Triangle."

She sighed as she stared at the world below them.

"You okay, Mari?"

"Just homesick." She answered as she looked in the direction of the galaxy where their home planet once was. "And I miss Kara. You have the same eyes as her. You know. Probably your grandmother's. There are times that you act the same."

Mari sighed again. Her gaze filled with longing and something else. Something more.

"Were you two...together?" He tentatively asked.

To his surprise, Mari blushed and denied it. "What? No. Not the way you think."

"I am okay with it, you know. It's fine if you like her."

"That's not. There's Adrien and-" Mari flustered.

Clark stifles his laughter at her expense.

Eventually, Mari stopped her denial and took a deep breath. She didn't look at him as she slowly admitted.

"You got me. I loved her. I still do. But you know things happen. Planet exploding and all that. I just never got to tell her."

"Oh. I'm sorry." He reached out to her shoulder and patted it.

"I can't do anything about it now. Adrien's nice and all but..." Mari trailed off.

She loves her kitty. After all they had gone through together, it was natural for them to be together. However, Kara and her. They were together for longer. Kara happened first and it was hard to not forget your first.

"But?" Superman prompted her to continue.

"I still miss her." Mari answered. "How could I not? When she was the strongest and brightest person I had ever met? She made everything so much better and I was happy to be with her. My greatest regret was never being able to tell her how I felt. If I could meet her again- "

Mari paused, noticing that something was coming towards them at high velocity. She squinted to make out what it was.

"What is that?"

Just then, a rocket flew past them, headed for Earth.

"Where did that come from?" Mari exclaimed in surprise.

"Whatever it is, we have to stop it." Superman replied seriously before giving her a wink and challenged, "Race ya."

Superman zoomed off.

"Cheater!" She yelled after him and give chase.

He re-entered the Earth's atmosphere and Flamebird did the same, lagging behind a little. The Kryptonians raced to catch up to the rocket where it had landed in Siberia.

When Superman arrived first, the rocket hatch was open and its passenger was currently fighting the soldiers deployed. The bullets seemed to have no effect on her like she had a skin of steel.

"Stop. I don't want to fight you." He said and he stilled when the stranger looked up. She looked like a human female in her late teens with long blonde hair but what drew his attention was the symbol of the House of El on her chest. Same as the one on his chest.

"[Who are you?]" The stranger asked in Kryptonese.

"[I am Kal-El. Son of Jor-El.]" Superman replied in the same language. Mari had been a strict teacher, making sure he got the grammar and pronunciation right until he was talking like a native Krypton. She had been appalled at his clumsy attempts and proceeded to teach him the language, drilling the lessons until he was dreaming of it in his sleep. More than once he found himself reciting a Kryptonian poem in his sleep.

"[No. You can't be! You are an imposter.]" The stranger angrily yelled and attacked him.

But she was stopped by Flamebird who grabbed her wrist.

"Kara." Flamebird whispered, her eyes shining.

Kara whipped her head towards the other female and hissed out, "[Let me go. Who are you?]"

Flamebird blinked in confusion before remembering her necklace. She touched it, returning her hair to its natural dark state. There was a glint of recognition in Kara's eyes.

Mari released her grip on Kara's wrist and pulled her into a hug. "[It's me, Kara. Mari. Mari Ne-Ta. Your best friend. I am so glad that you are still alive.]"

She choked back a sob and she tightly hugged the girl she thought that she was never going to see again.

Kara hesitantly lifted her arms before wrapping them around the other girl. She also cried.

"Mari. Mari. Mari." Kara repeated over and over. Her best friend's voice and embrace grounded her in the new confusing world she had found herself in with abilities she couldn't understand.

In the meanwhile, Superman talked down the Siberian government from launching another attack on Kara, explaining the situation. He waited awkwardly for the two girls to finish.

Kara Zor-El. Mari had often told him a lot of stories about his cousin and sometimes about his aunt and uncle because they were the only family of his which Mari met the most. Stories about his parents were often one-off encounters with not much to talk about. Looking at his cousin, he felt a sense of familiarity. She brought up some vague feelings of happiness which he couldn't remember properly.

Kara laughed after they parted and calmed down from their emotional reunion.

"[It's really you.]" She finally said as she looked over at Mari, "[What are you wearing?]"

After another look, "[And how are you taller than me?]" she asked with a pout.

Mari chuckled,"[Well, it's hard to explain but on my trip to this planet, my ship ran into some complications and I think yours went through something similar which is why we both landed here later than we were supposed to.]"

"[Kara, there is someone I should re-introduce you to.]" Mari pulled her towards Clark and grabbed his hand. "[This is your cousin, Kal-El. Remember the complications I mentioned earlier. Well, Jor-El is the only one of our fathers to successfully send his child to this planet properly and he grew up here. It's been 26 years.]"

Mari quietly said the last part.

"[Krypton?]"

Mari shook her head, "[It's gone. I checked. It's been gone for years now. Nothing but rocks.]"

Kara wiped her tears. "[Mother. Father.]"

Mari hugged her, "[I know. I'm sorry.]"

"Um...Hello." Clark started before switching to Kryptonese and nervously asked, "[Mari says that you are my cousin? Kara Zor-El?]"

Kara hugged him and Clark patted her back, a little bit uncomfortable by her tight hug.

"[You resemble our fathers.]" Kara finally said as she pulled away.

"[I do?]"

"[Oh, right. You were just a baby when you last saw them.]" Kara said and grimaced, "[They were not on great terms with each other.]"

"[We should get going.]" Mari piped up. "[I don't know about you but Siberian weather is a little bit too much to handle even if we are invulnerable to the cold.]"

------

There was a bit of a delay since Kara wasn't able to fly properly yet. In the end, Mari carried her all the way to the Dupain-Cheng house.

Clark had to leave because he had forgotten about the date with Lois and remembered when he took out his phone to see the many missed calls and texts from a very pissed girlfriend.

Mari gave Kara some Earth clothes to change into and then changed out of her Flamebird outfit. She also explained everything that had happened the past few years and what to expect from living on Earth with a yellow sun with a few demonstrations.

Kara sat there on Mari's bed, absorbing what she was told.

"[So that explains it.]" She said as she looked down at her fist, clenching and unclenching it. Remembering how she bent the metal weapons the humans used so easily.

Kara looked around Mari's room and her eyes landed on a painting of herself pinned to the wall, her name written in Kryptonese under it. She went for a closer look.

"[It's me.]" Kara said in awe. The painting was a dead-set replica. It was almost like looking in the mirror and the tiniest accurate details like the mole near her eye and the curve of her lips were there.

"[I thought that you were dead.]" Mari nervously explained and quietly admitted, "[And I didn't want to forget you.]"

Kara hugged her again. She felt flattered? and very happy that Mari wanted to not forget her. There was also something else. A feeling much deeper that Kara can't describe which made her feel warm and fuzzy at the thought that Mari saw her, Kara Zor-El, as someone special to remember. She didn't know what to say and hoped her hug conveyed it.

"[You were the greatest Artist of our generation. You were guaranteed a spot in the Artist Guild if you had finished your trials.]"

Mari blushed at the compliment. "[Thanks, Kara.]"

Then, she grabbed Kara's hand and dragged her towards the trap door.

"[Come on. I am going to introduce you to two very special people. They helped me a lot when I arrived.]"

Kara felt flushed somehow at the contact. She and Mari had touched each other a lot before so why did she feel weird about it now? She was smiling as Mari told her about her adopted parents on this planet.

Her life may have turned upside down but as long as she had Mari by her side, Kara found herself ready to tackle it head on.

------

It had been a tough adjustment for Kara but soon, she settled in her new home quite nicely.

Mari had graduated from lycee. She had decided to move to Jump City for college and work with the Teen Titans. Meanwhile, Kara got herself adopted by the Danvers who are old friends of the Kents and was currently trying out high school as a human teenager.

Mari and Adrien broke up instead of maintaining a long-distance relationship. After a long painful talk, Mari managed to convince Adrien from pursuing hero-ing as a career and they agreed to give each other space before trying to be friends again.

Currently, Adrien was trying for a physics major at Cambridge University where his cousin was also going.

Kara made her debut as Supergirl and was recognized as Superman's cousin who also survived their planet's destruction.

The media was crazy for a while.

When Flamebird started out and identified herself as another Kryptonian survivor, they speculated that Superman and her were dating and there were theories of them being the new Adam and Eve, choosing Earth as the planet to repopulate their species.

The two Kryptonians did an interview with Lois to clear things up where they revealed that Flamebird then was not even of legal age by Earth's standards while Superman was a full-grown man. They clarified that their relationship was that of family and more accurately, siblings. Those dating rumours died down pretty quick afterwards except on a few conspiracy theory sites.

After Supergirl came into the scene...

Well, let's just say people noticed the chemistry between Supergirl and Flamebird when Flamebird was in town. The rumours started when people pointed out that Flamebird showed up in Metropolis more often since Supergirl showed up than she ever did since her first appearance when she usually stuck to her city at the other side of the pond. Social media went wild when someone posted about overhearing that Supergirl and Flamebird were childhood best friends.

SuperFlame is a tag that would be trending every few months. More fuel to the fire was added when the Supers stayed silent about the matter. There were times where the crowds would shout 'KISS! KISS! KISS!' when the two are next to each other after saving the day. In response, Supergirl would deny having that type of relationship with Flamebird while Flamebird herself would kiss Supergirl's cheek, give them a smirk before flying away and leaving behind a red-faced Supergirl. Superman joined in at one point.

There is also a lot of hand-holding and touching. Their faces often turn as red as Flamebird's costume. Metropolis is sick of them dancing around each other but at the same time, invested in their slow burn favourite ship.

------

"Hey, Kara."

Kara looked up from her math homework and smiled. "Mari."

Mari grinned back. "Sorry for being late. The mission was longer than I had anticipated."

Kara shook her head, "It's fine. I ordered ahead for you. One Chocolate milkshake."

She pushed the drink towards Mari.

"Thank you, mon soleil." Mari replied, kissing her cheek and sat down in the opposite seat.

To be honest, Kara was initially annoyed when she found out that Mari was now technically 2 years older than her now. She was no longer the eldest of the trio when she was the first to be born. Her baby cousin was not a baby anymore but a grown man who was getting married in a month. Then, her best friend had grown up, gaining a good few inches on Kara and a fair amount of toned muscles that had Kara's heart racing at times.

Kara was looking respectfully when Mari took off her leather jacket to reveal her buffed arms and placed it on the back of her chair.

She sipped her milkshake a little too fast and got a brain freeze.

"Hey, Kara. Easy." Mari rubbed her shoulder and reprimanded her, "I know the milkshakes here are good but slow down."

"Sorry. I will be more careful."

The two girls chatted about what they had been doing since the last time they met, which was a month ago before Mari went with the Teen Titans for a mission overseas.

During a lull in their chat, Mari suddenly said, "So I heard that you went on a date with Nightwing."

Her words instead of the usual curiosity that comes with gossip were tinged with an edge of nervousness... and was that jealousy?

Kara blinked, thrown off by the unexpected question. She admits that she felt a slight attraction towards the vigilante. He was handsome with his dark hair and had a charming personality. Kara enjoyed his company. She acted on an impulse and asked him out as per Earth's custom.

To be honest, the date was a disaster. They both were awkward with each other and found it hard to find a common subject to talk about. They just didn't have the same chemistry that her cousin and his mentor did.

Kara left that day, apologizing for the failed date and Dick had reassured her that they could still be friends. It was the best outcome for the two of them.

She didn't know why her chest felt heavy when Mari asked about her date with Nightwing. Kara didn't know that Mari had liked him like that.

It made sense if she did. In the myths, Nightwing and Flamebird were lovers. Their superhero identities even match. How in Rao did she not notice before? Of course, Mari was jealous. She went on a date with her crush. She was such a terrible friend.

The ache in her chest became almost unbearable at that realization.

"I am sorry." Kara said, guilt pooling in her stomach.

It was Mari's time to blink in confusion.

"For what?"

"For not telling you." Kara's tongue felt heavy as stone in her mouth. She didn't know why.

"Kara, it's fi-"

"He's a nice person and he treated me really nice. He's a great person." Kara noticed that Mari's frown got deeper. "The date was terrible. We just didn't hit it off really well."

"Really?" Mari sounded brighter. Kara clenched her fists. She felt suffocated. Why did she feel so upset over her best friend liking someone else?

"Yeah."

Kara didn't know why she was feeling this way.

Kara flinched when she felt a cold hand touch her forehead so lost in her thoughts. When did Mari get so close to her?

"I am fine." Kara said as she turned her face away. Then, she hurriedly packed up her things and made up some excuse about needing to go somewhere. She ran out of the cafe, leaving behind a confused Mari, and ran into the nearest alleyway to fly somewhere far far away from girls with blue eyes and black hair.

------

Clark found Kara at the top of Danver's roof. He floated down towards her and sat down next to her.

"So..." Clark asked, "What happened?"

Kara buried her face further into her knees and mumbled something Clark was barely able to catch with his super hearing.

"I am sorry?"

"I said I don't know. We were talking about Nightwing and my date with him." Kara explained frantically, "I figured out that Mari has a some kind of crush on him. And I don't know. I felt terrible. I don't like the idea of them being together and I didn't want to stay, talking about it."

Clark was confused. Dick had told about how bad the date with Kara went and apologized.

"But I thought that you and Dick decided to be friends instead." He pointed out.

"I know. He's a great guy but I don't know why I am angry at him." Kara said frustrated and let out something like a whine.

Clark observed his cousin who was moping in a similar way to a certain someone when they found out that their crush went on a date with Dick. Kara didn't notice the smirk that passed his face.

"Maybe you are just jealous." Clark 'casually' commented.

Kara immediately gave him a dirty look.

"Jealous? Me?" Kara said, offended, "Why would I be jealous of Mari? She's the best. Nightwing would be lucky to have her. They would be a great couple."

Kara suddenly looked sad at that thought and quietly added, "Who wouldn't want to be with her?"

Clark disguised his laugh as a cough and focused. <strike> His bet with Lois, concerning the two girls dancing around their feelings, was on the line here. If he do this right, he might win.</strike>

"What if.." Clark hesitantly said, getting Kara's attention, "You are jealous of Dick instead of Mari."

Oh.

The blood rushed to Kara's cheeks and burned hotly.

"What?" her voice cracked.

"What if it's Mari that you want to be with and that's why you are mad at Dick for being the one to receive her attention?" Clark said, looking carefully at Kara's reaction.

Kara put her hands on her cheeks in an attempt to cool them down. Was she really jealous like Kal said? Jealous that she couldn't be with Mari when Nightwing can?

She always viewed Mari as the one constant in her life she could count on. Even after their planet had exploded and she felt disoriented from her new surroundings, Mari was there to give her a hand. As she learned to adapt to the local culture and her new powers, Mari was there. Clark also helped but she felt a deeper connection with Mari. Maybe because they both had grown up together on Krypton that Mari understood the situation she was going through, having gone through the same thing herself but without any help like she did.

She loves every minute she gets to spend time with the other girl. Especially now that Mari was busier than ever with being on the Teen Titans and college.

Kara gets a warm and fuzzy feeling at those times, knowing that Mari had used what precious free time she had to spend it with her. Even now thinking about Mari has her heart fluttering. By Rao, Kal was right. She, Kara Zor-El, had fallen in love with her best friend.

"You're right." Kara admitted.

"I am?" Clark blinked, wondering if he heard it right.

"Yes. I am jealous of Nightwing. Because I am in love with Mari Net-Ta. The most amazing person in the universe and my best friend." Kara confessed and then groaned. "And she likes someone else."

Clark lets out the laugh he had been desperately holding in for the past fifteen minutes.

"What's so funny?" Kara demanded. "I just poured out my feelings, you know. You shouldn't be laughing."

"I am so sorry." Clark apologized and cleared his throat to prevent further laughter from erupting. "It's just... Mari hates Dick and she loves someone else."

Kara looked dumbfounded. "Sorry? She what?"

Clark explained, "So years ago before you came, the two of them used to go by different names. Mari went by Ladybug and led her own team against a supervillain who was giving them trouble in Paris. Dick was still under Bruce's wing and went by Robin."

"I already knew that. So you mean that Dick was the one to change his name to match hers instead?"

"No. Let me finish. At that time, Mari was planning to use another name after she finished her job as Ladybug. She wanted to be Nightwing."

Kara was shocked and Clark continued his story.

"However, Dick changed his name first. He wanted a new name that wasn't associated with Batman and wanted to be independent from Bruce. He asked me for help and I told him about Flamebird and Nightwing. It was meant to provide some sort of motivation and words of support for his goal but Dick took it to heart and took on the name Nightwing. Mari was rather pissed when she found out. She had everything set up but she wasn't done with the whole Hawkmoth business. She then asked Dick to change his name multiple times. Dick was rather stubborn in his decision. In the end, she decided to go with Flamebird instead."

"So Mari doesn't like Nightwing then?" Kara inquired.

"Yup."

"So who does she like?"

Clark grinned, "Well, I am not going to tell you that that easily."

Kara slapped his back. "You bastard."

"Ask her yourself then." Clark said as he jumped.

Instead of flying away, he looked back and added, "If you want a hint. Mari's type are blondes."

Then he flew back home where Lois was waiting, leaving Kara alone with her thoughts as she stroked her hair.

------

Kara was a coward.

Ever since that day at the cafe, Kara had avoided Mari and ignored all of her messages.

She made up excuses of being busy to Mari's requests to hang out. Every time Mari showed up in Metropolis, Kara would then hightail it out of the city under the pretense of having more superheroing duties to do, like saving a puppy.... all the way in Australia. Mari had caught on to what Kara had been doing and was trying to corner her into talking. At the Watchtower, after stopping another crime in Metropolis, at Kara's high school. Mari would be there and Kara would slip away like an eel upon seeing the other girl.

It was a frustrating situation for everyone watching.

Finally, Clark, a usually patient man, found himself putting his foot down and put an end to this game of avoiding-and-excuses that Kara was dead-set on playing.

Kara would have to face Mari sooner or later and she will not get out of going to his wedding. He promised that he would talk to Mari and persuade her to not interact with Kara during the event. In return, she has to explain to Mari why she had been avoiding her after the wedding was done. Mari had been hurt at her best friend avoiding her without any explanation and was tearing herself apart to fix whatever wrong she could have done to Kara. Clark showed Kara a picture of the Teen Titan's kitchen which was filled with baked goods and used baking pans as a result of Mari's stress baking.

"You see this, Kara. Mari is not in a good shape. The Titan Tower smells like a bakery and the Flashes are even complaining that they are sick of baked goods. Lois is not happy with the amount of cupcakes she had been receiving and worried she might not be able to fit in her dress next week."

Kara winced. The Danvers had also been receiving baskets of pastry goodness on their doorstep every morning for a while now. They now had so much that they had to give some away to neighbours, who love Kara's 'secret admirer'.

Clark put his hand on her shoulder and in a low voice said, "And I know you are afraid of rejection from Mari but if you don't talk to her, you might lose a friend too."

Kara sighed, knowing it was inevitable to meet Mari again and that Clark was right. "Okay, Kal. I agree to your deal. I owe Mari an explanation and I can't avoid her forever."

"Thank you. I love the two of you and I want the both of you there on my special day."

Clark smiled happily and Kara returned it with one of her own.

------

So far, like Clark had promised, Mari didn't try to bug Kara about what had happened. Kara didn't know whether to be relieved or empty. Upon seeing Kara, Mari gave her a bright grin that would put the sun to shame especially with the dress she wore which made her look stunning and sent Kara's heart fluttering. Kara forced herself to turn her head away and out of the corner of her eye, she saw Mari drooped like a wilted flower which made her chest ache uncomfortably.

Just a few hours. Kara repeated it like a mantra.

The wedding went smoothly. It was a family and friends only event for those in the know about Clark being Superman and held at the Kents farm.

Vows and rings were exchanged. Clark and Lois kissed. Then, it was time for the champagne to be brought out to celebrate.

So far, as Clark had promised, Mari didn't try to bug Kara about what had happened. Which Kara didn't know whether to be relieved or empty.

The black-haired girl made sure to stay out of Kara's way. It was awkward when they kept accidentally meeting eyes with each other so Mari would look away in the opposite direction, holding up her end of the deal. But that gesture made Kara's chest sting with hurt.

She asked for this. Kara reminded herself. But it doesn't make it less painful when Mari turns away.

The day went by and soon there was a lull on the dance floor. Clark and Lois were slow-dancing in the air above the dance floor while a few couples joined them, either on the floor or in the sky. The rest of the guests formed groups, chatting among themselves about their latest missions, the last world-ending disaster or just the daily mundane things on the civilian side of the identities while resting their feet from the dance battle they did earlier.

Kara found herself at the edge of the crowd by the buffet table, sipping her (non-alcoholic) drink as she watched everyone. Her eyes were drawn to Mari who was talking to a blonde she never met before in rapid French.

"Hey, Kara. Are you having fun?" A voice brought her out of her thoughts.

Kara looked to see that it was Dick Grayson with his bow tie loose and collar open and jacket missing.

She nodded back in acknowledgement. "Dick."

Then, she continued staring at Mari. "I think so."

Dick followed her gaze. "Oh. I didn't think she would bring him as her plus-one."

Kara looked at him and asked, "You know him?"

"That's Adrien Agreste. Her ex-boyfriend." He answered, pointing at the blonde model.

"Her what?"

Dick gave her a confused look. "You didn't know? He also used to be her superhero partner, Chat Noir, before she became Flambird. He continued to be a vigilante type hero for a while after they both defeated Hawkmoth and had to give up their Miraculouses. I think he stopped before they both broke up and moved away from each other. It was around the time you arrived, I think."

Kara then knew who he was talking about. Mari would often mention her Chaton in the passing with fondness and Kara only knew that he was doing college somewhere in England.

Mari laughed at something Adrien said. It made her heart feel heavy. She recalled what Clark said about Mari’s love for blondes when Adrien ran his hand through his messy, blond locks of hair. Then, Adrien whispered something to Mari in French which Kara didn’t know what it meant but it made Mari blush a bright red.

Suddenly, Kara couldn’t take it anymore. Dick turned back to his conversation partner only to find her gone.

------

Kara sighed as she stared blankly at the lake near the Kents farm. She was sitting on one of the large rocks nearby. In the distance, she heard people celebrating as the happy couple ended the wedding reception with Earth’s traditions.

Sooner or later, she was going to have to face Mari. But Kara didn’t have the courage to face the other girl after what she had witnessed.

Adrien had made Mari laugh and she looked happy to be around him. She didn’t want to get in the way of Mari’s happiness with her own confusing feelings for her own selfishness. She stared up into the sky where the sun was setting but a few stars were out. Should she leave this planet?

Kal was starting his own family with Lois and Mari has something going on with Adrien. They were perfectly happy to start a new life on this planet. Where did that leave Kara? There are days where she feels out of touch with the people around her. Kori was the only one who remotely understood her struggle to live as a human. But Mari was the only other one to know how it feels to lose a planet. Kal had lived here too long to ever remember what it was like to feel Rao’s light on his skin and how the sky looked at night on Krypton with its three moons instead of a very lonely one.

A shadow fell across her which made her groan and curler tighter to avoid the inevitable conversation.

“Kal-El, don’t you have a bride to go kiss, instead of meddling in my love-” Kara looked up to see the last person she wanted to see “-life.”

Her traitorous heart skipped a beat.

“Kara.” Mari smiled gently although her eyes showed hurt at being ignored. “The wedding’s over so I came to find you.”

Kara stayed silent.

“We need to talk.”

Kara bit her lip, tears forming in her eyes. She thought that she had time. Time to organize her thoughts and collect herself.

“Kara? Oh Rao.” Mari panicked and landed in front of her. She wiped the tears away.

“Kara. I don’t know what I did wrong. Just tell me how I can fix it.” Mari’s voice pleaded, sounding desperate.

“No.” Kara blurted out and then tried to fix her mistake at Mari’s downtrodden look. “I mean. It’s not you. It’s me. I- um….”

Kara took a deep breath and calmed herself. Mari patiently waited for her to explain.

Kara continued, her voice more steady but quieter. “I made a mistake and I thought that staying away from you was…. the best solution.” She meekly admitted

Mari let out a sigh of relief. “That’s it? Whatever this mistake is, we can fix it together. Just like old times.”

Mari gave her a grin which made Kara remember the many messes they had made as kids and giggling as they cleaned it all up.

Kara shook her head and looked away from Mari. “I can’t tell you. It will be selfish of me to drag you into my personal business.”

She felt hands grab the sides of her head and turned it back to face their owner.

Bluebell eyes stared into hers, filled with determination.

“Kara Zor-El. You are one of the most important people in the world- No, wait- in the entire universe to me. Whatever problem is making you like this, it is not a burden. I will do everything I have to help you. So don’t think that it is selfish.” Mari took Kara’s hand and held it to her own face. She leaned into it. “Don’t you ever think that it is selfish to burden me with your problems.”

“You…” Kara quietly said, “you are making it very very hard to not like you.”

Mari blinked. Her eyes wide and filled with confusion, hurt and deep sadness.

“I like you.” Kara confessed abruptly because if Mari wanted to be burdened, she could be burdened by Kara’s crush. “I could even go as far as to say I love you. I want to kiss you. I want to hold hands all the time. I want to be around you all the time. I want the whole world. No. I want the whole universe to know that you are mine. This whole time I had been avoiding you so I won’t act on them and damn Kal for forcing my hand. I have been trying to get rid of this crush but all I couldn’t stop thinking about is you. You are in my mind all the time. Even if I don’t see you, you are there. So please say something?”

For the entire speech, Mari was frozen with her mouth open, not saying a word. Then, she broke out into the biggest and goofiest grin and let out a laugh of joy. Mari hugged Kara tightly.

“Kara. Kara. Kara. Kara Zor-El.” She repeated the name like a prayer. Kara didn’t know what came over her friend.

Then, Mari kissed Kara.

It was like the stars exploded in her head. All of the worrying and sadness she had all melted at the touch of Mari’s lips.

Soon, they parted. Kara found herself smiling and Mari doing the same.

“I actually came here for another reason.” Mari grabbed something from behind her and showed it to Kara. It was Lois’s bouquet.

“Oh wow.” Kara said as she took it and breathed in the flowers’ fragrance. “Wasn’t this Lois’s?” she asked.

Mari blushed furiously as she replied, “You should know that I fought a Thanagarian to get it.”

Then, she lowered her voice, “I don’t know if you knew but according to Earth’s superstitions, they say that the one who catches the bride’s bouquet will be the next one to get married.”

“Not that we have to get married.” Mari somehow turned a brighter red than before. “I mean we can get married but not right now even if I want to do it right now. No- I mean I would like to get married to you in the future if you would let me.” She finished lamely.

Kara giggled, “So is that your way of asking me out?”

“Um..yes.” Mari sighed, “I had a plan. You just have to be so pretty that I forget what I planned to say. Can I start over?”

Kara nodded with a shy smile.

Mari cleared her throat. “Ever since we were little kids, I had the biggest crush on you. When I thought I lost you, my life was a dark place and even as I continued to move forward, I have never forgotten you. The day you came crashing back into my life was the happiest day of my life. So Kara Zor-El, would you give me the honor of being your girlfriend?”

“Yes.” Kara replied softly and leaned in to kiss her newly minted girlfriend.

------

EPILOGUE:

It was a rather snowy day in Metropolis and the Christmas spirit was high in the air. The crowds of Metropolis cheered as Flamebird and Supergirl saved the day once again.

They were making to fly away after checking on the victims of Toyman’s latest attack.

“KISS! KISS! KISS!” The crowd shouted at them.

A few of the citizens were throwing mistletoe at the two of them or trying to dangle them above the flying heroes.

Supergirl caught one and held it up between the two of them.

The two heroes exchanged smirks before Flamebird grabbed Supergirl’s waist to pull her closer, tilted her back to place her lips on Supergirl’s. The crowd was silent with shock for a second before they roared with delight and flashes went off to capture the historic moment. The couple pulled apart, giggling at the reactions.

Flamebird grabbed Supergirl’s hand and announced, “Citizens of Metropolis. Have a very happy Holiday and I will be spending mine kissing my girlfriend.”

The people screamed louder as the two Kryptonians flew away hand in hand.

#maribat #karanette #kara x marinette #ml x dc #maribat secret santa 2022

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2-the-moon-and-2-saturn · 2 years

Text

when sunlight wanes

(also on ao3 if u wanna go there :)

There are many benefits to having watched The Wizard of Oz as many times as Kara did growing up, but at the moment she would say that the absolute best thing about it is her consequential ability to run the dialogue and soundtrack in her mind instead of disturbing the peacefulness that comes with being awake at three in the morning – when the noises she has to worry about are so relatively insignificant, it takes almost no effort to hear her own thoughts.

Even so, in the quiet stillness of the night, it’s not long before whispers of ruffling curtains and lazy yawning tickle her ears as half-awake steps emerge from their bedroom, trailing towards the couch. It’s not much of a surprise, either – neither her nor Lena do very well sleeping without one another.

So, when her girlfriend sits down directly behind her – arms snaked around the blonde’s middle as her chin finds its home in the crook of her neck, – there are no words needed. Kara just sinks into the contact, takes in the scent of home, and lets their breathing sync together. Runs her hands across sleep-warm forearms before interlacing fingers with ever-chilly ones, and bringjng a pale hand up to her lips – a kiss on its palm in form of greeting.

She lets herself think of soulmates, of feeling whole, and of all the other things she would believe Lena thinks its bullshit were it not for the way her eyes glow when Kara talks about it, and talks about them, as if the two were synonyms that could be used interchangeably in the most beautiful of poems.

Anyways, she’s rambling now.

The point is: it’s nearly morning, Dorothy and Toto are following the Yellow Brick Road, and Lena and Kara are lost in bliss and the perfect balance between holding and being held. And for a while, that’s all they need.

But she’s not surprised, either, when Lena’s lips meet her shoulder in the gentlest of kisses before her girlfriend settles back into her previous position and exhales softly, arms tightening nearly imperceptibly around the Kryptonian.

“We were getting better at this,” she murmurs eventually; not hesitant or scared to bring it up – not after everything they’ve been through, – but calm. Calm in her concern, calm in her love, calm even in the slight disappointment Kara knows she must feel at not having been reached out to.

“I’m sorry,” the blonde sighs, straightening her spine and thumbing over knuckles that lay under her own. “It was just- it wasn’t that bad, and you’ve had such a tiring week, and-and we have so much to do in the next few days, it just seemed kind of silly-“

“Darling,” Lena pauses the movie, then rearranges her position on the couch until she can find her girlfriend’s eyes without breaking off their embrace. The green of them is piercing in its inquisition. Safe, but almost painful to look at. Like Kara knows it’s determined to break down too many walls on its quest to heal the wounds in her soul. As though healing is possible, but it will bring her so much pain, she finds herself wondering if it’s even worth it. “Do you want me here?”

But the green of those eyes is also the color she loves most, and to be untruthful before such beauty is a crime Kara has vowed never to commit again. So, maybe she can’t bear the weight of Lena’s gaze as she admits vulnerability, but Kara nods in confirmation anyway. Even if she needs to look away in order to do so.

“Then I don’t care,” the youngest Luthor points out, tucking a strand of golden hair behind Kara’s left ear, then cupping her cheek as her thumb draws featherlight patterns on the skin there. “This isn’t a one-way street.” Kara leans into it. “You look after me, I look after you. That’s the deal.”

“I know,” she deflates, eyes downcast. Because those are the rules. Unspoken, but present long before confessions of love and promises of forever, then officially set in place when they both realized just how inexperienced they were at this whole permanence thing.

Still, though.

That doesn’t mean they’re easy to follow.

“I’m trying,” she looks up apologetically.

And Lena… Lena comes impossibly closer, then plants a kiss on her forehead. “I know you are,” she breathes out the soft words, before kissing her again and retreating with an even softer smile, like it doesn’t matter that Kara is invulnerable.

Though of course, after that, Kara isn’t.

Her eyes fill up with tears that are promptly wiped away, two pale hands now cradling the superhero’s face as Kara’s fiddle with the ends of Lena’s sweater.

“It’s so stupid,” her voice makes its way through the knot in her throat, and she wants to scream at the uselessness of it all. Agitation gradually takes over as the anger she’s been quelling finds its way back up to the surface, so the Kryptonian disentangles herself from the very accidentally-breakable human she loves.

It feels wrong. And lonely. And typical.

“It happened, there’s nothing I can do about it,” she gets off the couch and starts pacing almost on default. “Besides, not all of Krypton is gone anyways, so I just don’t see why I can’t move on and stop dreaming about it. They were there, I wasn’t. I don’t get to-“

“Don’t say that,“ Lena’s tone is protective. She never did stand down when anyone was unfair to Kara. “This isn’t a trauma competition. You know that’s not how it works.”

“They’re happy, Lena,” Kara exclaims, big, pleading eyes. “And not like we’re happy. They’re…” she scoffs, “carefree. They felt the ground shake apart as the rest of the world blew to pieces, and it’s like it left no mark whatsoever on them.”

“Maybe,” her girlfriend gathers her hands on top of her knees and leans forward ever so slightly. In the past, especially before, Kara’s been on the receiving end of a gaze similar to this – when Lena will stop at nothing to make herself heard, – but there’s more to it, too. There’s that gentleness that’s reserved only for Kara, that unconditional understanding that never fails to ground her. “Or maybe they have nightmares about it that might never really go away.”

The thing about that gaze, though, is that in moments like this, it’s also very efficient at bringing tears to the Kryptonian’s eyes. Kara turns around, brings the back of her hand up to her face in an attempt to wipe off the flow of emotions that keeps coming.

She hates it.

Two hands settle on her shoulder, thumbs stroking the skin there, but make no move other than that. It’s Lena, Kara reminds herself. She doesn’t have to be strong with Lena. She gets to fall apart.

When the Girl of Steel turns around, crumbling under shimmering green, she leans into it.

One hand snakes around her waist to pull her close, while the other comes up to cradle the back of her head. With her face buried into the crook of Lena’s neck and her hands clinging on to the woman who shelters her heart, she lets it bleed.

You will do extraordinary things, her mother had said. Of course, she never got to tell her that she would have done anything to be mediocre.

I won’t fail Kal-El, or you, and then the shockwave from Krypton’s demise hit her pod, and she broke her promise for the first time.

Sound doesn’t travel in space, which means the crack she heard as her world crumbled to pieces must have come from herself. And as Kara watches it play out from her pod’s rearview mirror for the nth time, she crumbles down as well. Only, this time, Lena is there to catch her.

Lena, who keeps whispering I’m right here, and It’s okay, I’ve got you, and countless other reassurances that prove to Kara that her story may be one of devastating loss, but it has also gifted her with treasures beyond her comprehension.

She doesn’t know how long she spends crumpled up into Lena on the floor of their apartment, its once-silent atmosphere now filled with body-wracking sobs and trembling hands that grab onto her girlfriend’s sweatshirt probably way more tightly than its fabric was made to withstand, as well as paradoxal pleas that Lena get back so she won’t hurt her, which only get those arms to pull her impossibly closer.

And she needs it.

Kara knows she needs moments like this, but it’s dangerous. It’s terrifying, because for all her abilities, the one thing she seems to do best at is losing people. And she doesn’t know what she will do if she loses this.

If she loses Lena.

“You won’t,” the woman’s hands are cradling her face now, desperate green eyes piercing into hers, and that’s when Kara realizes she’s been repeating I can’t lose you, over and over again. “Kara, I need you to listen to me, alright? You won’t lose me. I’m here with you. I’m staying.”

The woman who was once believed to be the Last Daughter of Krypton doesn’t have the heart to tell her there is no way she could possibly control that. The youngest Luthor leans closer, forehead resting against her own as two pairs of eyes let go of desolate tears, together.

“Darling, I will never leave your side,” Lena whispers her reassurance, bittersweet against the knowledge of how flimsily a promise like this holds when faced with the wrong circumstances. Of course they know – how could they not?

They choose to bask in it, anyway.

Because they can, for a little while.

And how absolutely extraordinary is that?

Her emotions settle down a bit after that. They watch the rest of the movie – Kara sitting between Lena’s legs, cuddled into her chest as she lets the sound of her girlfriend’s heartbeat lull her into a serene sort of heartache. When the credits roll, Lena tightens the grip of her left arm which has been wrapped protectively around the blonde’s middle, and pauses the movement of her left hand, which has been languidly stroking Kara’s hair.

She lets out a disgruntled noise at that, but Lena’s thumb brushes against her cheek, so delicate Kara almost thinks she’s imagining it, then soft whispers follow.

“Darling, are you still awake?”

In response, Kara mumbles incoherently and burrows deeper into the safety of her girlfriend’s embrace. A moment after Lena chuckles softly at the blonde’s sleepy indignance, her fingers go back to slowly untangling the mess that Kara’s hair has become.

“Are you aware of how astounding you are?” Lena continues, voice low and musing, almost as if she doesn’t really mind whether Kara is listening or not, wants to say it all the same. “Sometimes I feel like I don’t tell you enough,” she confesses. “It’s no secret that I’m not very good at saying how I feel.” A wet chuckle. If Kara opened her eyes, she’d find her face being inspected by adoring green eyes. It’s okay that she doesn’t, though, because everything about Lena exhales unabashed love right now.

“But you are so, so precious, my love. You are strong, and kind, and you have this beaming grin – oh, I wish you could see it.” Featherlight, her fingers trace Kara’s features as she speaks; the outline of her eyebrow, the dry tear tracks ok her cheek, the outside of her bottom lip. “D’you know, the smile itself isn’t even the best part? It’s your eyes. There’s a glow to them that makes it seem like, for a moment, all of that yellow sun energy that courses through you is shared with the outside world, and everything feels brighter, and whatever one hopes for feels closer to the realm of possibility. It’s… ethereal. I can’t imagine anyone being immune to that. And I’m pretty sure it’s what first roped me in – having had the privilege to experience that.”

By now, Kara’s tear ducts have made an excellent job of welling up the space behind her closed eyelids, but she doesn’t dare move – the way her fist reflexively tightens around the NCU sweatshirt that’s been long claimed by her girlfriend, the only indication that she’s conscious at all.

Lena lets out an adoring breath, the one that seems to be reserved for Kara and Kara alone, then adjusts her arms so the blonde will be cradled even more closely into her middle, if that’s possible.

“Now, you should listen closely, because this is the most important part: you’re like our own piece of the Sun, everyone can see that. But that’s not what made me fall in love with you. You, Kara Zor-El, stole my heart with the contrast you hold between light and darkness. That complexity in your story – the fact that you have such frightening demons, yet you persevere? That gave me strength to believe I could do the same.

“So, I know you feel the need to be strong in face of the world and the people you love – I know it’s one of the ways you try to protect us – but you don’t have to be strong with me. I love your heart in its entirety, and whatever it goes through, I want to be here. If it breaks, I want to help you mend it. If it’s clad in scars, I want to kiss them. And if old wounds reopen in the face of adverse conditions, I want to be here to nurse it back to health. I want to be by your side through it all.”

Kara finally opens her glistening eyes and looks up at her girlfriend, finding that Lena’s aren’t much better off. The Kryptonian moves to tuck a stray lock of raven hair behind the youngest Luthor’s ear, smirks affectionately, and then-

“I thought the heart was ‘merely a blood-pumping muscle, wholly unrelated to emotional matters’,” she quotes the discussion from a few movie nights ago.

Lena laughs, a delicate, yet indignant thing.

“I cannot believe you just destroyed the mood by bringing up a point that I wasn’t even the one to make!”

“You agreed with him, that was enough,” Kara giggles, grinning wide, and she wonders if what Lena described is happening right now.

Maybe it’s their way of dealing with the emotionally charged past few hours that cause the couple to find themselves in a fit of laughter which ends up tightening the knot that’s been lodged in Kara’s throat just enough. When tears roll down her cheeks again, Lena tenderly wipes them, and when glossy green eyes set free tears of their own, Kara is the one to wipe those.

“I love you so much,” is all she’s able to say – the pressure in her temples and exhaustion finally hitting full force, – but given her girlfriend’s tight-lipped smile, hurried nod, and kiss to Kara’s forehead as she tries not to cry any further, it’s enough.

They don’t go back to bed that night, too comfortable in their arrangement to move even an inch. Instead, Kara settles back into the crook of her girlfriend’s neck, Lena’s fingers resume stroking golden hair, and for a few minutes, tears flow freely, quietly.

As the Sun rises behind the living room window, their hearts beat in unison, and their slowing breathing aligns. It’s safe to say neither Catco’s Editor-in-Chief, nor the Foundation’s CEO will be able to work more than a half-day this Tuesday.

Nodding off to tranquility seeping through her bones and peace surrounding her in a warm hug, Kara can’t find it in herself to care.

#supergirl #supergirl cw #lena luthor #supercorp #kara danvers #melissa benoist #katie mcgrath #kmcg #supercorp fanfic #supercorp ao3 #supergirl ao3

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alex-rusell · 4 months

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Our Perfect Family

Ryan trudged up the steps to his house, tears stinging his eyes. He opened the front door and dropped his backpack on the floor with a thud before collapsing onto the living room couch.

"Rough day?" his mom Lena asked, walking into the room. One look at Ryan's defeated posture and quivering lip told her everything she needed to know.

"Oh sweetie," Lena said sympathetically, sitting down next to him. "What happened?"

Ryan looked down, fidgeting with his hands. "Some kids at school were making fun of me for having two moms," he mumbled.

Lena felt a flare of anger at the bullies who had hurt her son, but she pushed it down, knowing Ryan needed comfort more than revenge right now.

"I'm so sorry. Kids can be really mean sometimes," she said, rubbing Ryan's back. At 14 years old, Ryan was a lanky, shy boy who tended to be reserved around new people. Lena knew he must have been really upset to be crying like this.

"They said it wasn't normal and that I didn't have a real family," Ryan choked out, a sob catching in his throat.

"Oh honey, that's just not true," Lena said firmly. "We are a real family, and we all love each other so much."

Just then, the front door burst open and Kara came bounding in, still dressed in her Supergirl outfit with her cape fluttering behind her.

"Hey guys, sorry I'm late, there was a four-alarm..." Kara stopped short when she saw Ryan crying on the couch. In a split second, she had changed into jeans and a t-shirt and was by his side.

"Ryan, what's wrong?" she asked, blue eyes wide with concern. Lena quickly explained what had happened at school.

"Some stupid kids said we weren't a real family because Ryan has two moms," Lena finished, shaking her head angrily.

Kara's face clouded over. "That's ridiculous," she declared, putting her arm around Ryan's shoulders. "Of course we're a real family. There are all different kinds of families, with all different types of parents, and they're all real."

Ryan looked up at his blonde-haired Mom, sniffling. "Why do I have to be different though? Why can't I just have a normal family like everyone else?"

Kara and Lena exchanged a knowing look. They'd always known this day would come, when Ryan realized that his family structure made him stand out from the other kids.

"Oh Ryan," Kara said gently. "I know it's hard being different. But our family isn't normal - it's special. We have twice as much love as a family with just one mom and dad."

Ryan considered this for a moment. "Yeah, I guess that's true," he admitted.

"You know, when I first landed on Earth, I felt different too," Kara said. "I had these amazing powers that no one else had. And I came from a whole other planet."

Ryan nodded. He always loved hearing stories about his Mom's origins on Krypton.

"At first I hated feeling different and just wanted to fit in," Kara continued. "But eventually I realized my differences are what make me who I am. And over time, I found people who appreciated me for exactly who I am."

She squeezed Ryan's shoulder and smiled at Lena, who was listening intently.

"Some people may see our family as different, but it's our differences that make us special," Kara told him. "Never forget how much your Mama and I love you."

"Your Mom's right," Lena added. "We may not be a typical family, but we're perfect just the way we are. Don't ever let anyone make you feel like we're not real."

Ryan looked back and forth between his two moms, finally managing a small smile. "Yeah, okay," he said.

Kara ruffled his hair affectionately while Lena leaned over to kiss his forehead. No matter what anyone said, this was his family, and he wouldn't trade them for anything.

Over the next few weeks, Ryan tried not to let the bullies' comments about his family get to him. But one day, the taunts went too far.

Ryan was walking down the hallway at school when three bigger boys cornered him.

"Hey, it's the kid with two moms!" one said with a sneer. The others laughed.

Ryan's heart sank. "Just leave me alone," he muttered, trying to push past them.

But the boys blocked his path. "Aww, what's wrong? Missing your mommies?" another taunted.

Ryan felt his face grow hot. "Stop it. That's not funny."

"I bet you don't even have a dad because your moms are too busy kissing each other," the third bully said, making kissing noises.

The whole hallway was laughing now. Tears pricked Ryan's eyes. That was it. He couldn't take it anymore. He shoved the lead bully, hard.

"Shut up!" Ryan yelled.

The bully staggered backwards, then regained his footing and shoved Ryan back, slamming him against the lockers. "Don't touch me, freak!" he spat.

A crowd was gathering now. "Freak, freak!" the bullies taunted as Ryan struggled to get free, tears running down his cheeks. He had never felt so powerless and ashamed.

Just then, a familiar figure pushed through the crowd. "Let him go, now!" Kara ordered, eyes blazing behind her glasses. The boys immediately backed off.

Kara rushed to Ryan's side. "Are you okay sweetie?" she asked gently. Ryan nodded shakily.

Kara turned to face the bullies, who were now looking nervous. "If I ever see or hear about you bothering my son again, you will answer directly to me. And trust me when I say that's not something you want."

The boys muttered apologies and quickly dispersed. Kara crouched down and hugged Ryan as the crowd dissipated around them.

"I'm so sorry I didn't get here faster," she said. "But I'm proud of you for standing up for yourself."

Ryan sighed. "Can we just go home now, Mom?"

"Of course," Kara said, standing and putting an arm around his shoulder. As they walked out of school, Ryan finally allowed himself to feel safe again.

Later that night, after Lena and Kara had been filled in on the day's events, the family curled up on the couch together.

"I'm so glad I have superpowers so I can protect you from bullies, even if I can't be there every minute," Kara said, kissing the top of Ryan's head.

"And I'll always be just a phone call away if you need me to come handle things," Lena added.

"I know," Ryan said. "I really am lucky to have both of you."

"And we're lucky to have you," Lena said.

"Group hug!" Kara declared, pulling her wife and son in tightly. Ryan laughed as he was smushed between his enthusiastic moms.

No matter what anyone said, this right here was his family. They might be different, but they were definitely real.

The day of Ryan's first high school dance came quicker than anyone expected. He had been nervous for weeks about not only attending his first dance, but asking anyone to go with him.

"What if no one wants to go with the boy with two moms?" he fretted to his parents.

"Are you kidding? You're the most charming boy in school!" Kara declared. "Those girls will be lining up to go with you."

Ryan looked skeptical. "Maybe I'll just skip it."

"Oh no, you have to go to your first high school dance!" Lena insisted. "It's a rite of passage. Now go make a sign and ask that girl you've been telling us about so much, what's her name - Sarah?"

"Mom!" Ryan blushed furiously. He did have a crush on a girl named Sarah, but he wasn't sure he was ready to ask her to the dance.

But with his moms' encouragement, Ryan finally worked up the nerve to make Sarah a colorful sign decorated with hearts and flowers asking her to the homecoming dance. When he saw her that day in the hallway, his heart pounded wildly.

When Sarah saw the sign, she broke into a huge smile. "Yes, I'd love to go with you!" she said. Ryan was so relieved.

At home, Kara and Lena were thrilled. "You did it!" Kara cheered, lifting him up in a hug.

"We are so proud of you," Lena beamed.

The night of the dance, Kara helped Ryan get ready, fussing over his hair, while Lena took about a hundred pictures of him and Sarah posing in their formalwear.

"You look so handsome," Lena gushed, snapping away.

"Moommm," Ryan groaned in protest even as he smiled for the camera.

"Alright, alright," Lena laughed. "Go have fun!"

Ryan felt a little self-conscious when he first walked into the dance holding Sarah's hand. He was sure everyone was staring and whispering about the boy with two moms.

But once he and Sarah hit the dance floor, he forgot all about everyone else. They danced song after song, laughing together as they tried out goofy dance moves. For the first time, Ryan felt just like a normal kid.

"Want to get some air?" Sarah asked after a while. Ryan nodded and followed her out to the garden area behind the school. They sat together on a stone bench, looking up at the stars.

"I'm really glad you asked me here tonight," Sarah said, giving him a shy smile. "I've actually had a crush on you for a while."

Ryan was stunned. "You have? But...isn't it weird that I have two moms?"

Sarah laughed. "Why would that be weird? I think it's great. You can tell your moms really love you."

Ryan smiled to himself. For the first time, he was starting to think that maybe his family wasn't so different after all.

At the end of the night, Kara and Lena were waiting excitedly at home to hear all about the dance.

"Did you have fun? Tell us everything!" Kara said eagerly.

As Ryan recounted the night, he realized just how much he really did have to be grateful for. Having two moms made him the luckiest guy in school.

Ryan walked up on stage to receive his high school diploma, glancing out into the audience. There in the front row were his moms, waving excitedly. Lena was dabbing at her eyes with a tissue already. Beside them sat Aunt Alex and Aunt Kelly. His whole family had turned out to support him on this big day.

After the ceremony, Ryan fought his way through the crowd towards his family. As soon as she saw him, Kara engulfed him in a trademark super-hug.

"Congratulations sweetie! I'm so proud of you," she gushed.

"We both are," Lena added, hugging Ryan tightly after Kara finally let go.

"Way to go, kiddo," Alex grinned, ruffling his hair.

Later at his graduation party, Ryan looked around the room in wonder. He really was lucky to have so many amazing people in his life.

But it was the two women smiling proudly in the corner that meant the most to him. When he was younger, he hadn't fully appreciated his moms and the love they gave him unconditionally. Now, about to head off to college, he understood just how much they had done for him over the years. They had encouraged him to be himself, stood up for him against bullies, wiped away tears when he was sad. Through it all, they had been the perfect parents.

Ryan walked over and wrapped an arm around each of them. "Thanks, Mom and Mama. You're the best moms a guy could ask for."

Kara and Lena hugged their son tightly. "We're so lucky to have you," Lena said, choking up again.

"Love you, kiddo," Kara added. "No matter what the future brings, never forget how much your family loves you."

Ryan knew the road ahead would have its challenges. But he was ready, thanks to the perfect family who raised him.

#supercorp x reader #lena luthor #kara x lena #kara danvers #imagine #cw supergirl #supercorp kid

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mrowmrowmrow9 · 1 year

Text

The last scene is giving me trouble. Here, have a sneak peek

Lost Souls, ch. 2

This is not where Kara expected the portal to take her. She was hoping for a DEO-esque headquarters, or maybe a nice big empty field with no one around to witness her arrival.

But of course the stupid thing transports her to what seems to be none other than Mon-El’s apartment.

He starts when she appears suddenly in his living room, inhaling sharply. There’s a beat where all they do is stare wide-eyed at each other before Mon-El shakes himself out of it and jumps up from the couch, tossing a book aside.

“Kara,” he breathes. “What are you doing here?”

Kara lets her gaze roam over him for a moment. Casual jeans, a t-shirt and a warm flannel. Slightly ruffled hair. Beard as neat as ever. He looks…like him. Solid. Real. And suddenly she’s very aware of the fact that she just portaled into Mon-El’s home without so much as an explanation or a prior warning.

“I’m sorry,” she blurts out. “I didn’t mean to—I mean, I did, but I didn’t know this would go right to your apartment and—”

“Hey, hey,” Mon-El interrupts, taking a step closer. “It’s alright, just…What’s going on? Are you okay?” he questions softly and Kara wants to laugh. Or maybe cry.

Speaking of which. There’s a painful lump in her throat, a burning just behind her eyes. No. No no no no no. Fuck no.

Kara ducks her head, pressing the heels of her hands into her eyes as she tries to keep the tears at bay. This is not happening. She’s not standing in her ex-boyfriend’s house, moments away from bursting into tears. For the love of Rao. No.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have come here,” she mumbles from behind her hands and stiffens when she feels him loosely grasping her upper arms, his thumbs running soothingly over the fabric of her suit.

“Kara.”

She sniffs and lowers her hands, blinking away tears.

“I gave you that ring for a reason, you know,” Mon-El tells her gently, ducking his head to meet her gaze. “It’s okay to ask for help.”

She nods, wiping her nose with her sleeve as his hands drop. She needs to get away from his concerned gaze. “Can, can I use your shower?”

#lost souls #supergirl #karamel #karamel fic #my writing

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mxonigirimiya · 2 years

Text

The Dilf Next Door

Character: Koushi Sugawara

f!reader

Genre: Fluff

wc: 1.8k

tags: none!

Beta readers @tetsukentona & @anxi-aashi lomls

for @cirigiri’s dilf collab. You can find the other pieces here

Straight out of college you were ready to take on the world. Job offers came in, and one caught your eye. A school called Shiratorizawa offered you a good deal more than the others, as well as a relocation stipend, and other solid benefits-it would have been stupid for you to pass up. You had job experience, teaching kids at your middle school alongside one of the more tenured faculty, which worked out in your favor.

Your parents were worried, but you assured them that you would be fine. It was near the start of the school year so of course you had lesson planning to do, but you didn’t have to worry about actually teaching anyone just yet. And the weekend you moved, you were deeply thankful for your abundance of time, as you were dealing with things getting lost in the move, or items getting damaged, or even being sent to the wrong address. It took you a week to get most of your stuff set up and ready, the house now in a livable state.

That weekend, a knock sounded at your door, and you opened it to see a silver haired man smiling at you. His brown eyes twinkled in excitement. You looked to see a young girl with a silver ponytail holding up a little plant by the man’s side.

"We just saw you move in and wanted to say hi! We're the Sugawaras. I'm Koushi and this is Aiko, my daughter." The girl smiled as she waved at you. You couldn’t help but smile back at Aiko.

“Hi Koushi and Aiko, my name is Y/L/N, but you can call me Y/N.” Koushi smiled at your greeting.

“We saw you moving in, and Aiko really wanted to meet the next door neighbor, so we decided to give you a little housewarming gift.” As Koushi spoke, you looked at the plant Aiko held and saw it was a succulent. “We were going to make cookies but we didn’t know if you were allergic to anything, so we got you a succulent instead. Aiko loves them so she’d figured she’d share one with you.” He looked down at his daughter and smiled. “Isn’t that right baby?” Aiko mumbled a soft “stop it dad” nodded before she spoke.

"They're so pretty! And easy to have. Dad says if I take good care of them we can get a cat." Koushi chuckled.

"And you're already doing so well. “ Koushi said as he ruffled her hair and she rolled her eyes but a small smile was on her face. “I still have the succulent he gave me for graduating,” she stated, puffing up her chest. “I know, it’s been a little over a year now,” Koushi said, only filling up her pride more. As she handed you the succulent, you couldn’t help but eye the little black bird drawings (or at least what you thought to be birds) scrawled around the pot. Koushi noticed, and spoke up, saying, "She’s had that pot for years. She decorated it when she was 8.” Aiko chimed in with “I decorated a bunch of pots then, and I still use them. But they all have crows on them because they were the mascot for my dad’s high school.” Koushi added to his and Aiko’s explanation, stating, “I went to high school at Karasuno. I was the vice captain of the volleyball team my senior year." Your eyes widened.

"Karasuno, isn't that where Hinata Shoyo went to school?" Koushi was surprised by your statement.

"Yeah! He was in his first year while I was in my 3rd." Your eyes were alight with excitement as he responded..

"I love the Jackals! I grew up around the stadium, but I would catch games here and there. My family actually has season passes!" Koushi was happy with the development that you both had a love for volleyball. Him knowing Hinata was practically the icing on the cake.

"That's amazing! Maybe the three of us could go catch a game together." The blush on his cheeks was missed by you, but was easily caught by Aiko who giggled.

"You can meet Uncle Shoyo!" Aiko smiledly, clearly excited about their uncle.

"Uncle Shoyo?"

"Hinata and I are still good friends. A bunch of us from Karasuno regularly get together for drinks or dinner. When Hinata is back in town, he joins us." Aiko turns to her father with puppy eyes.

"Dad, can she come with us to the next dinner?"

"I don't know. It's up to her." Koushi and Aiko looked at you with hopeful eyes, the power of both of their puppy eyes becoming overwhelming.

"Yes, I'll come. I have to see if it fits in my schedule of course, but I'll go." They both cheered at your response.

"Awesome. Can I get your number so I can keep you updated?" Koushi asked, and you smiled.

"Of course," you responded. You and Koushi exchanged numbers and soon made his way back home with Aiko. Well, looks like you have nice neighbors, luck was on your side.

For the next month you had to keep turning Koushi's invitations down, since you were neck deep in preparation for the school year. There were so many requirements and it drove you nuts. Shiratorizawa was very strict with how they wanted certain things to be done. It was all so overwhelming, but you finally had everything done by the weekend before the school year started.

Walking into the middle school felt strange:you were so excited for this new chapter in your life yet also so terrified. What if the kids hate you? What if the administration hates you? What if you get fired? Anxiety plagued your mind, and as you arrived at your homeroom, you took a deep breath before walking in. The sound of chatter almost immediately piped down as soon as you walked in. The students stared at you intensely.

"Hello, I am Y/L/N, and I'm your homeroom teacher for the year. I look forward to working with you all." The students were more than happy to individually welcome you and your heart swelled.

The day went well, until you were cleaning your room for the night when you heard a small knock on your door.

"Come in!" The moment you gave the order, Aiko walked in and welcomed you herself.

"My best friend is in your class! She says You're a really good teacher.'"

"I try." Aiko giggles at your words.

"Are you going to be here for a while," she asked.

"Yeah, I have some work I need to finish." She nods at your answer.

"I'll bring Dad here when he comes to pick me up from my club. He told me he wanted to see you again." You felt a warmth fill your cheeks at her words. Your small interactions with him were one of the highlights of your day, whether it's you both leaving for work at the same time or coming back home. When you bumped into him at the grocery store, he would join you in your errand. The conversations between you two were great, and you found yourself happily accepting his invitations to his house when you two get back.

As Aiko left you to finish, you couldn’t help but feel excited to see him again. That excitement caused your time spent finishing your work to speed by, leaving you nothing left to do but wait for Koushi and Aiko to drop by. You only had to wait a couple minutes for a knock to sound at your door. You called for them to come in, and stood to greet Koushi and Aiko as you heard the door start to slide open. The moment it was fully opened, Aiko proudly told Koushi, "Told you she was a teacher here!" You and Koushi laughed, saying, "You sure did," before turning his attention to you.

"So, how long have you been teaching here," he asked. You responded with "today's my first day." Koushi beamed at you. "Well, if you need any help, come talk to me. I've been a teacher for a while, so I can give advice on whatever you need," he offered, and you took a second to notice his sweater over his dress shirt and his slacks.

"Where do you teach," you asked and smirked at your question before responding with a simple, "Take a guess."

"Karasuno? That's your Alma mater, right," you asked, and he nodded. "I used to teach elementary schoolers but then Karasuno reached out to me and I couldn't resist. I'm actually one of the advisors for the volleyball team," he explained.

"Oh, so now you're working with some of your old teachers, right?" Koushi nodded again and smiled. "It's so weird! They all immediately recognized me. Especially my old coach and club advisor. They invited me to join them in advising and coaching the team. A couple of them were starstruck since they recognized me from videos of Hinata's games from his first year to motivate the kids," he said, clearly reminiscing.

"I'd love to see you play," Koushi blushed at your words and Aiko spoke up, saying "You should advise the girl's volleyball team!! Our advisor is retiring soon, and we want to find a new one before she leaves." She gave you puppy that she's fully aware that you're weak to. "Fine. I'll get the paperwork I need. Don't think I'll take it easy on you though," you said and Aiko hissed out a “yes” before answering with a "wouldn't have it any other way." Koushi asked Aiko to wait outside and she gave him a knowing smile before going out and closing the door, although you can see her through the crack she purposely left.

"Is everything okay Koushi," you asked, and a light flush came to his face. "Um, Y/N, I wanted to ask you to dinner Saturday night." He rubbed the back of his neck and you were confused as to how embarrassed he was in asking you to join him and Aiko for dinner. You join them every other week.

"Your place or mine," you asked, and Koushi blushed even harder. "At a restaurant. I can make reservations," he spoke, a slight stutter in his words. Is he asking you out on a date? "Will Aiko join us," you asked, trying to figure out his intentions, and Koushi shook his head no. Oh. He was asking you out on a date. "I would love to. Let me know when and where." You spoke confidently but internally freaking out. Koushi Sugawara was in fact asking you out. Thank goodness the feeling was mutual, you thought. "Okay," he stated, smiling brightly, "I'll keep you updated." "It's a date," you said smiling. He parroted your words as a confirmation, more to himself than you. "It's a date."

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cmon-butch · 1 year

Text

19 TALK

TW: drugging mention.

Kara finds her pet on the floor. Somehow, in less than ten minutes, she’s managed to roll off her bed and tamper with her feeding tube tape. Kara groans, frustrated that she let Addi’s depression progress this far. If only they could go back.

“Love?” Kara calls. The pet only stirs. A sense of despair crosses Kara’s mind. Her plaything is dying. And Addi isn’t doing anything to help herself.

Kara gathers up the dove, holding her frail body in shaking arms. How small she has gotten. “Darling, you’re not doing well.”

“S-stop. Please,” Addi whispers.

Her worried owner sets her back on the ruffled bed. Smoothing down the tape on the poor dear’s face, she looks her over. Covered in scars, Addison is skin and bones. She shakes from lack of warmth. Kara can barely look at her and not wince.

“I’m scared you won’t make it much longer,” she whispers. “Talk to me, dove.”

Addison grumbles, cracking her eyes and sighing hard. “I-,” she starts. “I’m hurting.”

“How do you hurt, deary?” There’s desperation in Kara’s voice.

“I need h-help.”

The owner pushes the pets hair out of her face. “How can I help?”

“H-hold m-me.”

Kara gathers the pet up in her arms. The sudden change of mood is in her favor. Her pet needs her. She feels the sobs of the creature against her chest. How beautiful the sound is. How softly she cries.

“How can I make you better?”

The dove sniffles, pushing into Kara’s body. “I w-want to go up.”

“Upstairs?”

“U-upstairs.”

“You need more freedom. You feel trapped, pet.”

Addi nods, sobbing a bit more before resting her head in Kara’s open hand. She’s been cooped up in here for weeks now.

“I’ll get you some anti-depressants and a few more sedative then we’ll go upstairs, okay?”

“N-no s-s-,” she stutters over her protest. Addi hates the medicine. She hates it. She can’t think when she’s on it.

“I’m not arguing, pet.” Kara’s voice has hardened. She might seem nice now but she can get mean in a snap.

“O-o-okay,” the pet breathes.

“Okay. I’ll go prepare your meds.”

0 notes

vox-ex · 6 months

Text

heist

supercorptober 2023

I′ve waited 'til the moment's right To look into those starry eyes And say the words That I′m thinking all the time - The Hunts, I Do

or Kara's plans to propose almost go awry, because of course they don't.

----

"Aunt Kara"

Esme whispered, tugging gently on her sleeve, her eyes round with worry.

"Yeah Bug"'

"Why are we breaking into Aunt Lena's office?" Momma says that's something robbers do."

Kara pinched the bridge of her nose, the two of them stopped just outside of Lena's office.

"Of course she does." She kneeled down in front of Esme. "Listen..."

Kara bit her lip, contemplating how to answer. They were just getting something back that wasn't even supposed to be in there. Something that belonged to her anyway. Something that no one but her currently knew even existed. But how could she explain all that to a six-year-old?

"Well, we're, uh, we're just entering, no breaking? So it's fine."

But Esme was clearly not entirely convinced.

"So why do we have to be all sneaky then? She rocked back and forth on her feet. "Is it because that lady at the desk doesn't like you?"

"Wh-what, who, Jess, no Jess, Jess likes me. I bought her a cactus." Kara insisted

"Gerald?" Esme eyes widened with curiosity. "She said you almost killed Gerald once."

Kara chuckled nervously.

"That was like more than a year ago, and, if anything, Gerald almost killed me!."

She looked over her shoulder to make sure no one was close enough to hear them.

She lowered her voice again just in case.

"Jess is just suspicious and very very protective."

But Esme had moved already on.

"Is it because we're on a secret mission then?"

"That"— she grinned, ruffling Esme's hair — "is exactly why."

Kara stood up and reached for Esme's hand, leading her into Lena's office.

"I left something super secret in Aunt Lena's coat, and we need to get it back."

Kara's eyes darted nervously around the office.

Her gaze falling on a coat draped over the back of a nearby chair just as Esme's hand slipped from hers, going straight for it without hesitation.

"I see it!"

So much for being sneaky.

"Great job, Bug

But Kara couldn't help but smile at her niece's enthusiasm.

Kara joined her on the other side of the room where Lena's coat, well technically her coat, was lying. She reached out tentatively, her fingers brushing against the soft material before slipping into the pocket, her breath catching when she found the ring box seemingly untouched.

She glanced at Esme, who grinned back at her, and slipped the box into her own pocket just as the door behind them opened.

She turned, heart pounding in her chest.

"Jess thinks you're in here planning a heist of some sort," Lena's voice filled the room, her smirking figure appearing in the doorway.

Esme immediately ran to her, arms wrapping around Lena's legs and head resting against her stomach.

"Hi, my love," Lena greeted warmly, her eyes flicking over to Kara with a raised eyebrow.

Esme smiled up at her.

"Don't worry, we're just entering, but not breaking."

"Well, that's reassuring; never can be quite sure about that second part with your Aunt."

"Hey!" Kara protested, feeling the heat rise in her cheeks. "I don't think I'm the only one to blame for at least several of the things broken in this office."

She watched as Lena's cheeks flushed pink too.

"Uh-huh. Well, to what do I owe your entering?"

Kara nudged Esme gently, and she proudly grinned at Lena.

"We came to take you to lunch!"

"You did, did you?" Lena asked, amusement dancing in her eyes as she looked between them. "Hmm, well, I suppose I could do with some lunch."

As they prepared to leave, Kara noticed Lena picking up her coat, her heart fluttering when she paused with it in her hands.

"Well, that's silly."

"What is?"

Lena turned the coat back and forth.

"I must have grabbed your coat instead of mine this morning. Sorry about that. I was in such a hurry that I didn't even realize or apparently even bother to hang it up when I came in."

"It's okay." Kara shrugged her shoulder, gripping the box in her pocket again as if to make sure it was still her.

With the other, she reached out for Lena's hand, thumb subtly ghosting over her ring finger as she threaded their finger together.

"I didn't even realize either."

----

read and follow along on Ao3 too

#supergirl #supercorp #supercorptober #supercorptober2023 #sg prompts #the lore of Gerald the cactus continues #Kara makes plans and they just don't go as planned #Kara using Esme as a distraction #Jess being suspicious and protective #even after all these years #Kara would also get her a bracelet #but listen ring boxes just fit better in pockets

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kassies-take · 3 years

Text

Red Reunions Pt.1

Summary: After losing their daughter, Supercorp reunite with her in a surprising way.

A/n: My headcanon for the Supercorp family.

Lauren’s/OC powers: Super strength, Super hearing, super leap, x-ray vision, super healing but not invulnerable.

Warning: Kidnapping, Fights & Blood SPOILERS TO BLACK WIDOW

Yelena Belova x Reader, Supercorp x Reader

Part 1 || Part 2

Word Count: 3555

Middle of nowhere Ohio was one of the safe houses the Luthor-Danvers have. Lex just escaped maximum-security prison, again. Now the family of five were laying low.

With the recent attacks on the family and Kara’s solar flare, The Girl of Steel and Woman of Today were having a chat about hanging up the cape.

At the age of six. Lauren had the energy of a puppy, a mini Kara who looked like Lena. The same brunette hair, the emerald green eyes, and the same underestimation people held for her.

Lena had gone to a nearby park for fresh air, Lauren made quick friends with her neighbor. Yelena was on the swings and Lauren shortly joined her laughing and pointing at the forest stars.

They fell into a routine. They would race one another, be upside down together, sing American Pie loudly, and, most importantly, annoy Natasha, Lucas, and Liam.

With both families being on edge, one from Lex and the other as Russian spies, there were hardly any sleepovers. With much convincing from Lauren and Yelena, the two were able to have their sleepover and a few more after.

Yelena and Lauren were in the living room of the Russian home, coloring, and drawing. Legs swinging in the air and their stomachs on the cold floor, trying to escape the summer heat.

“Time to eat girls,” Melina held out her hands for the two six-year-olds. Yelena and Lauren raced to Melina holding her hands.

Lauren found the Russian matriarch comforting. She had the same brunette curls like her mother, the same interest in science, the same cold persona when working but a warm and cuddly persona at home. Considering the young blond has been her best friend, Melina was almost like her 3rd mom.

“I want Mac and Cheese.” Yelena swung her hand, conjoined with her mother’s.

“I want Potstickers,” Lauren smiled.

“Is that so, well I want caviar and champagne.” Melina smiles and ruffled both the kids’ heads. “Yelena grab the napkins, Lauren you take this.”

Lauren grabbed the bowl of golden corn presented in front of her.

“Thank you, sweetie.” The two girls walked into the dining room. “Come on, dinner, big girl!” Melina called out for Natasha.

Lauren sat across from Yelena and next to Natasha as they ate. Alexei immediately looked out the window and guided Melina out of the dining room.

“Girls, you remember when I told you that one day we would have that big adventure? Today is the day!” Alexei announced as he sat.

“Yay!” Yelena cheered.

Yelena has told the young Luthor-Danvers about the big adventure. She would ramble and explain it with big gestures. It honestly made the young brunette excited and hoped for a big adventure of her own.

“Guess what Lauren, your moms said you can join us.” Alexei smiled.

With excitement taking over the young girl, she missed the expression of guilt that flashed on Melina’s face and the expression of disbelief on Natasha’s. Oh, how Lauren’s expectations failed her.

The young Luthor-Danvers didn’t see anything wrong until the plane took flight and was shot at. Unfortunately, she has been trained to hide when bullets came flying. Lauren pulled Yelena below the windows as Natasha helped fly the plane.

Fear in that moment became tangible. A living force that crept over the girls like a hungry beast. Immobilized, held captive by the situation they were in. Lauren’s heart pounded in her ears, she tried to scream but all she could do was whimper.

Lauren and Yelena clutched onto each other for the whole flight. At some point, night bled into morning and the dark ocean blended into crystal clear waters.

The young Luthor-Danvers normally loved the feeling of the sun kissing her fair skin, today, however, it scorched her. Her eyes squinted at the unaccustomed raw light. Her bare feet scratched upon the sandy and rocky pavement.

The runway was filled with tens of people but no one paid her any attention. Worry now her sister, uncertainty, her friend. Endless wonder upon endless wondering. The rabbit hole of hardship, humiliation, and hurt swallowing her until piercing yells from Natasha provided a rope to climb out.

Lauren dashed to a lone soldier nearby. Her arms pushed into a cross in front of her, her whole weight transferred to the soldier’s knee, breaking it. She pulled the gun out of his holster before pointing it around.

She ignored the constant pains of screaming behind her and spotted Natasha and Yelena being carried off into a truck. “Where are you taking them?” Lauren cried.

“I got this.” A bald man said to another man beside Alexei, who held Yelena’s doll with an unexplainable expression.

The bald man approached Lauren.

“You must be Lauren.” He smiled a creepy smile. “What better way to harm Lena and her flying mutant than taking something precious from them.” A sharp prick commanded the young girl into a slumber.

~~~~~

A blinding light reached the poor girl’s eyes. It took the young Luthor-Danvers a short time to adjust to the screeches and screams of the other girls being aggressively pulled out of the back of the truck.

They were being separated like farm animals. The strong kept to be bred and taught. The weak marinated in their excrement. Eaten alive, killed by one another, forgotten.

Lauren watched as some of the girls were lined up against the wall. More at their feet, dead. Blood and mold painted the walls. Everything rotten. Lauren’s eyes watered as she threatened to vomit, only to contain it in her stomach.

Deep breaths suffocating with the smell of rotten meat.

“Keep it moving!” A guard threatened Lauren forward with his gun.

The girls were stripped, cleaned, marked with implanted trackers before being given a scratchy uniform.

“Julia!” One of the older girls sprinted towards a younger one with open arms.

Immediately they were pulled apart, forced into a glass cage with knives.

Neither could leave until one killed the other.

When neither of the girls made a move the glass cage filled with a yellow gas. From there, with that example, and many more after was when the girls learned their first rule:

I will not develop bonds or rely on others.

The girls were handcuffed to the bed every night and released every morning. Brought into dark rooms, indoctrinated, and brainwashed through films. Forced to watch and learn by heart.

Killing an art. Conniving the truth. Spying a friend.

Those were the truth in a game of survival.

Yelena and Lauren found each other quite often, in the same dormitory quarters and training sessions. They did everything together at a distance.

Very quickly more girls doubled over in pain, wincing and crying. Intolerable. Expendable. Just things. Their end would be met by the hands of each other or from a gun.

From there, the girls learned the second rule:

I will not show weakness.

8 years later, the Red Room had caught suspicion of Lauren’s and Yelena’s closeness. They sent the brunette into hand-to-hand combat with an older girl. A death sentence.

Lauren was beaten down quickly punch after punch, kick after kick until held in a chokehold.

Lauren looked at Yelena in the front row, her hands closing and opening. Lauren looked at the instructor, as did the older girl, the brunette knew what was about to happen and she was content.

“You can’t die,” Yelena muttered. “Please, I need you.”

A new wave of strength and courage flowed through the brunette. She pulled the older girl over her head. A loud snap followed by gasps. The older girl... dead.

She was in disbelief.

She was underestimated.

Lauren stared at an unrecognizable creature staring back at her. Her hands were on autopilot, mended and treated the cuts and bruises littered on her skin. She found Yelena beside her, all the sink facets ran loudly.

“What are you..” Lauren hissed shortly after as Yelena poured rubbing alcohol on one of the deeper cuts.

“Shut up,” Yelena growled.

“Yelena.” Lauren groaned as Yelena’s nails dug into the tender skin around the said cut. “Ow!” Lauren harshly whispered.

“That’s what you get.”

“I didn’t do anything,” Lauren pulled her arm away from Yelena’s grip.

“You let that Widow hurt you.”

“That wasn’t my fault!”

“No. You let her hurt you... You let her hurt me! I can’t lose you.” Yelena buries herself into Lauren’s arms.

“Why do you think I was in that ring? We got caught. We can’t have bonds. I might have been able to stop that Widow but what if I can’t. What if the next time it’s you? What if Dreykov makes us fight each other?”

“I don’t care.”

The two stayed in each other’s embrace for another few seconds. Yelena leaving you to lick your own wounds, pausing for another glance before making her exit.

That night Lauren tossed and turned. Crickets screeched and car horns roared. It was a constant ringing of chalkboard scratches.

Lauren closed her eyes. She nestled into her cuffed hand. Her breath becoming shorter and shorter, turning into pants. Lauren slaps her other hand to her face, growling. Red blinding her.

“Lauren.” Yelena whispers. “Hey, hey. You’re okay.” Metal scratches as Yelena tries to reach for Lauren.

Lauren’s hands rushed to her ears. Her face contorting in discomfort. “It hurts,” She gasps out, shriveling into her pillow. “It hurts like nothing before.”

“Just breathe. Breathe.” Yelena reaches out her hand, Lauren takes it and holds it. “Tell me about where you’d go when you’re free?”

Lauren responds with labored breathing, “I don’t care as long as I am free.”

“I’d want a dog.”

When the pain subsides, the brunette opens her eyes. Skeletons make out Yelena and the other girls in the room, as well as the guards outside. Lauren breathes once more as her eye slowly adjust to the room.

“A dog would be nice.” Lauren blinks.

~~~~~

Lauren didn’t get an ounce of sleep. Her pillow was stained with painful tears, her hand outstretched in Yelena’s. Her touch, calming.

The door scratched open, Lauren squeezed Yelena’s hand, waking her.

In an orderly fashion, released from their handcuffs. Up from their bed. Brush their teeth. Use the toilet. Change into their widow suits. Braid their hairs. Onto the mess hall. Slide their trays. Scoop food. Sit and eat quickly.

Days blend easily, every day the same day. Training upon endless training.

“Your injuries... they’ve completely healed. Scarred but healed.” Yelena commented as she sat beside Lauren who frowned.

Lauren opened her mouth to answer when she spotted an instructor walking through the aisles. She shrugs in response, discreetly tapping Yelena’s boots with her own.

The Widows stood with their arms behind them, awaiting orders. The day normally started with some sort of physical training: group missions, sparring, and weapons training. Once finished the girls split into special skills: vehicles operation, languages, and technology.

“Group missions.” Madame B held a file in her hand.

Group missions simulated with real people mimicked a real mission. Each group went separately, working on special skills when waiting. After several group missions, the widows would be ranked.

Every Widow’s goal was to be ranked high, higher rank means more missions and more lenient conditions such as individual rooms and better food.

“Team leader: Yelena. Team members: Lerato, Ingrid, Nanna, and Lauren.”

Whispers flooded the room, this group of ladies was later known for being the best of the best. The other widows didn’t stand a chance.

After the rest of the groups were called Madame B explained the mission.

“Major General Kononova is being held for integration. They will kill her once they get what they want. We have the plans but the building is too heavily fortified for a frontal assault. Your mission: Infiltrate, Locate Major General, Escort her out to the endpoint.”

Yelena and Lauren, perfect partners, covering each other’s blind spots. Until Yelena became a blind spot of her own.

~~~~~

“Yelena. Status report.” Lauren reached up to her coms. “Team leader.”

The coms response was static. She had vanished. Lauren found their target dead on the floor, the package nowhere to be seen, and Yelena’s tracker on the ground.

“Team leader has gone rogue,” Lauren spoke in her earpiece before she punched a literal hole in the wall.

With running steps, the brunette leaped onto the building roof above her. Her eyes squinted and scanned through the crowds searching for the blond. She listened for the familiar pulsating heart. The usual beat was music to her ears, a sense of grounding.

Now it was a deafening silence. Somewhere, unconsciously, glad that Yelena was free and angry at the abandonment.

Back at the Red Room, Lauren marched into Dreykov’s office.

“No sign of Yelena. Do you want me to go after her, sir?” Lauren asked with her arms behind her back.

“That would not be necessary I have other forces taking care of it.” Dreykov tossed a file on his desk and spun on his chair. “This woman, she knows of the Red Room. Searching for it. Dispose of her.”

Lauren nodded and grabbed the file, she missed the smirk on Dreykov’s face.

It was heavy. Pages upon pages of inventions, and the heroes that protected the woman.

L-Corp. The Lena Luthor Foundation.

National City. California. Assess and Terminate.

~~~~~

In the months Lauren has been in National City, her target has been attacked three times. Each time, left untouchable.

Lauren knew her target’s routine, where she called home, her noisy friends, whose turn it was to host a pathetic game night, what she ordered on her lunch break to Noonans, her wife, and her sons.

It was no surprise why the attacks left her untouchable, she was protected. Protected by big ones and the small ones. Two with ‘S’ on their chests, two green ones, one with a golden shield, one with any weapon imaginable, and one with blue energy constructs.

For a city with as many heroes to have their little club of Avengers the neighbors were so easy to convince. Stupid and always trying to make friends.

The widow retreated to the safety of her apartment. Her hand tapping her thigh, ready to write down the new findings that would give her the high ground.

Lauren stopped at her door. “I know you know I’m out here.” She pulled the gun in front of her, closing the door behind her with her foot.

A rhinoceros of a man stood mirroring Lauren’s actions. “Put the gun down.” He growls.

“You first.” Lauren threw the gun at the man’s head.

The two broke out in a fistfight. Tables, cabinets, and windows breaking from the sheer force of bodies being thrown into them.

The man was playing to stall, the widow, she was playing to kill.

They had wrapped a curtain around the other’s necks, choking each other. Lauren saw it in the man’s eyes, clouded with fear.

“Truce! Truce!” He released the grip of the curtain around the brunette. Lauren released shortly punching him in the nose and held him in a chokehold until his movement ceased.

Three staccato claps came behind her.

“Brava, that was impressive.” A bald man said leaning against the door frame.

Lauren recognized the voice. She rolled onto her knees.

“One of yours?” Lauren pointed with the bottle of Vodka before pouring herself a shot. “He’s not useful.”

“I love what you’ve done with the place,” he finds himself a gray sofa chair and crosses his legs. “Your mission is to get rid of my sister, my men will provide a way around her little heroes.” He held out an earpiece expecting Lauren to take it.

“If your men are anything like him, they are of no use to me and Dreykov’s target,” Lauren mutters and downs another Vodka shot.

“I suggest shooting her in the public eye.”

“Ha! That’s a shit plan. Let’s say I shoot her, one of the big ones would come to avenge her.”

“No. No, they won’t. Not if the blond sees you,” Lex makes a circle around his face. “My men will cover you.”

Summer wasn’t Lauren’s favorite season, not when she lived with winters in Russia since she could remember. The cloudless sky was perfect for this sunny day. The light blue sky was brilliant against the calming waves. It was picture-perfect.

Only picture perfect. Pictures only captured mere seconds. If someone were to have a camera this would’ve been the perfect picture to take, one before disaster struck anyway.

Lena and Kara held each other’s hands, swinging them with smiles on their faces. Click. Boom! Boom! Boom!

Kara looks down at Lena, panicked, and looks around.

“Lena...” Kara begins, confused. She’s been out of touch with her powers but she should’ve been on alert.

“You need to get the sniper.” Lena breathes. “My transmatter portal watch.” Lena lifted her watch, broken. “Send Alex or Kelly.’

Kara hesitantly nods, before looking around. The street quickly filled with stampedes going in any and every direction. She caught a quick glimpse of brunette hair on the rooftops.

Kara took off in a chase. Zig-zagged through alleys trying to find a less populated area. Her feet took off several inches in the air. She gained speed until she was flying high in the sky.

She was quickly shot down with a ray gun from one of Lex’s men. The blond rolled into a superhero landing quickly using heat vision.

With Lex’s help, the suit absorbed the heat vision. Lauren looked back at the blond and returned the heat vision through a beam in her chest.

The assassin was gone when Kara recovered from the shock and watched as the brunette ran onto the overpass.

The widow spotted the car with her target, with Sentinel and Guardian. She raced to the car from behind, jumping onto it. The widow grabbed her target and threw her towards oncoming traffic.

Kara jumped into the air to catch her beloved. She was met with deep coughs. “Liam brought mom to the tower, I drew the short end.” Lucas groaned, the image inducer falling off. “Whoever that is, she’s strong.”

“Are you hurt?” Kara made a quick scan of her son. “I’m out, broken arm, leg, and ribs.” Kara cradled her son careful to not touch his injuries.

“Help Aunt Alex and Aunt Kelly.”

At Kara’s 2 o’clock she saw a gray matte painted Hummer rear end and push the car her sister and sister-in-law were in. The widow quickly pulled out the steering wheel. Alex conjugated a ballistic shield jumping out of the car with Kelly as the Hummer rear-ended the car once again causing it to flip.

“Are you guys okay?” Kara sped over.

Before she was answered a flaming hot missile flew towards them. The blond shoved her sister away before flying back into a building below.

Lex’s men spit out deadly seeds to the two heroes. Seeds that took the nutrients from innocent human beings and drove them into the ground. The screams and multiple tiny explosions amplified like wildfire.

With a given rocket launcher, the widow dared to make the brunette with the golden shield a widow herself. Not a product of the Red Room but a product of losing her spouse. Two explosions followed the redhead before she swung to the streets below her.

Alex spotted the widow’s shadow, constructing two pistols to shoot at her before more bullets came raining down.

“Get out of the way! Get out of the way!” The red head’s soles pounded on the concrete floors in time with her increasing heartbeat.

One of the life-draining seeds lodged its way into Sentinels' shoulder. She made quick cover with a green buggy.

The widow was to fire when a blur of blue and red flew towards her.

The brunette caught the Girl of Steel’s hand before giving a forceful front kick to create distance.

Kara didn’t have time to register the widow’s strength. Bullets flew and pinched her skin. They were matched blow for blow. From the speed to the strength.

A foot came up from the pavement and kicked Kara in the face. The Girl of Steel was swept under her feet and meet the blue skies. Feeling concrete cave below her.

A fist clouded the clear skies before she rolled away. Kara began to wince at the pain that came after every block. A point of a knife was pushed into her shoulder.

A loud cry erupted from the blond. She lifted the Widow and threw her over her head. The widow rolled into a fighting stance, the mask on her face gone.

A green blade clawing at Kara’s insides as she pulled the knife out of her shoulder. A couple of pants were given.

Kara locked eyes with her attacker. An explosion of energy within could do nothing but witness this shocking moment. Her mouth hung open, arms limp by her side.

“Renny?”

“Who the hell is Renny?” Kara’s eyes watered.

Feet made contact with Lauren’s back, but that didn’t matter to her as she held a loaded gun at Lucas.

A rocket made its way to the widow. Smoke created a curtain of escape.

“Supergirl are you okay?” Alex and Lucas limped towards Kara.

To the Girl of Steel, it was silent.

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