AU | Speakeasy establishments came into distinction in the United States during the period known as Prohibition, which was from 1920 to 1933.
This fic takes place during that time frame.
Heavy lashes lowered over deep cobalt, as the blonde took in the scene around her, the heavily dimmed room and deep timbre of quiet sound floating throughout the speakeasy.
She rarely went to these places but when she did, usually she went with Alex - it's not like she was dry. She enjoyed getting dolled up and having a drink or two but she didn't enjoy the sneaking part of it - chances of running into the Bull more likely in a prohibited establishment.
Something flickered in the corner of her eye, light glinting off of a shining surface. Turning her head, she light flickered against the glass once again. But it was the woman holding the crystal that captured her attention like nothing else.
She was intoxicated by the pale-skinned Dame, blood diamonds swirling in the crystalline glass clutched in her hands, dark locks pinned back in a carefully structured up do. Kara watched her quietly, nursing the foot juice to her chest as the Jane continued to give him the icy-mitt, the he-man proceeded as though undeterred.
Finally, finally, she looked up and over the man's shoulder. The verdant green of her eyes sparkling when their eyes met, the beginning of a wicked smile tugging on carmine lips. She wasn't sure if it was an invitation or not but it sure felt like one, the brunette's eyebrow raised as the man spoke again, vying for the attention of the woman in front of him. Kara couldn't make out what she had said, lips moving intoxicatingly but he walked away in a huff, straightening his tie and making a bee-line for The John.
Looking back at the swirling amber in her glass and finishing the remaining drops, Kara hadn't heard the quiet and confident steps of the slightly older woman until she was leaning against the table beside her.
"You don't seem zozzled." The voice alluring, she felt as though she could get ebrious from the hypnotising humm of her words.
A waiter placed a fresh glass on the maple hardwood table, covering the watery ring of condensation that her previous glass had set.
Kara laughed, picking up the fresh glass, "It's- uh," She paused, her mouth running dry from the intense-like gaze, she cleared her throat. "-probably the watered down substance I've been drinking at this Juice Joint."
The wry smile tugging at the other woman's lips now spread into a wide grin, she offered her hand in the space between them.
"Lena."
Her skin was soft. Kara gently caressed Lena's palm with her own, fingers lingering longer than she meant to, only realizing when she squeezed gently.
Her heart stuttered in her chest - momentarily forgetting what they were talking about. When Lena continued to wait patiently the blonde stuttered out an ungraceful response.
"I-…Kara. My name is Kara."
The brunette tucked a loose strand behind her ear, a soft smile resting on her lips.
"So level with me, Kara."
She nodded, already agreeing to whatever the woman was suggesting. Saxe blue chased emerald green as Lena took a step forward, attempting to erase any and all elements of personal space between them.
"Are you a young female Oliver Twist?
She laughed, warmth blooming inside her chest,
"When I'm burning with a blue flame," She held up the drink that she'd been nursing, "Which doesn't seem to be happening tonight." she took a sip.
"So why do you come to these…" She waited for Kara to lean in slightly, Lena brushed a blonde curl behind the woman's ear, "speakeasies," she whispered the word, "if not to drink or to dance?"
The darker haired woman moved back slightly, her hand gently squeezing Kara's shoulder before returning to clasp the crystal glass in both hands.
Kara paused, digesting the woman's words and trying to think of a sincere reply.
"I...don't know." She told her, honestly.
Lena nodded her brow creasing in understanding, after a minute or two passed she motioned for Kara to follow her.
She led them through the dimly lit speakeasy, patrons - from Quiff's - to Whisper Sister's- to Old Boy's - to Joe Brooks', many acknowledging Lena with a tilt of their hat or a nod of their head. Kara followed, completely enraptured by the attention Lena's presence affected their surroundings.
They stopped in front of a large wooden mahogany door.
"Good Evening, Miss Luthor. Right through here."
The man looked at Kara over Lena's shoulder. Eyes briefly landing on her before returning to the woman he'd spoken to, as though waiting for approval.
Lena tipped her head slightly, heavy lashes lowering, a glare forming on her angelic features for a moment as she waited for him to open the door. He recoiled immediately, nodding four times and knocking: tap, double tap, and then pushing the door open for them.
It was a private party. This mysterious dark haired Dame had brought her to some kind of secret underground swaray. Something more discreet and exclusive than the speakeasy they'd been attending.
They talked for what felt like hours, danced until her feet ached, laughed until they lost their breath. She'd never connected with someone so quickly, so purely. Water replaced drinks, smiles with lingering brushes of fingers, the air in her lungs turned to plumerias.
Lena led Kara back outside, coats wrapped around them snugly against the harsh weather threatening to tear through the fabric adorning their limbs.
A Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost thrummed loudly up to the curb, the lights announcing it's arrival before the driver stepped down and out of the car, he was very pale and had thick black brows and a scowl that seemed frozen in place.
"Miss Luthor, your jitney awaits."
She quirked her brow at Kara, "My father is a man of luxury."
For a brief moment something flickered across Lena's face, something slightly darker, but then it was gone as though it had never happened, a quiet smile taking residence.
Kara hesitated, what am I doing? This isn't the type of person I am...following strangers to their cars without knowing what reckless endeavours might occur.
A warm touch to her wrist brought the honey blonde out of her thoughts.
"Kara...is everything alright?"
She nodded, brow creasing as she tried to sort her thoughts out.
Lena pressed a palm to her cheek, turning her away from the car to look into viridescent eyes. Finding no trace of hostility or anger, instead, worry and reassurance in the lighter hues.
"Are you sure?" She prompted.
The worry inside Kara's chest evaporated, expelling through her lips in a breath. She couldn't place her finger on it but something about Lena had drawn her in. With her in such close proximity she suddenly had the urge to whisper, cash or check? Which hadn't crossed her mind to say to a woman before.
The heavy door shut behind them, a young woman locked the door from the inside before turning back to Lena who continued to walk down the spacious hallway, heels clicking on hardwood floors.
"For a moment there I thought you were razzing me when you said that you lived on a hill." Kara spoke, attempting to disguise the awe in her voice.
"Don't get me wrong," She continued, looking around at the portraits that lined the living room. "I'm not a piker or anything I- I'm good with Jack. The house I live in is nice-"
Lena took off her velvet cloche hat, resting it on the coat rack before turning back to Kara with a twitch of her lips, loose curls framing her face and shoulders.
"You're quite a live wire." She said dryly, holding her arms out to take Kara's coat.
The blonde blushed, hair falling into her eyes as she shrugged her way out of the heavy feathered coat. Now that her coat was removed; the cream chiffon dress sparkling in the warm glow surrounding the room, the dress fell well below her knees and gold beaded necklaces were resting in between her cleavage.
"Do you mind if I freshen up?" Kara asked.
"Chase yourself, go." Lena smiled, waving her away. "Take the stairs to the second floor. Third door on the right."
Feeling a slight draft come in, Kara rubbed her arms as she made her way to find The John.
Lena had made herself at home promptly requesting a drink from a young man standing near the entryway whilst she waited for Kara's timely return. Moving past the dark haired man who held his arms out to take her coat, she continued past him and put her coat up. When he returned moments later she was resting in an arm chair by the fire, dark hair shimmering against the growing flames. He placed a glass on the table beside her chair which she immediately clasped in between her hands, eyes not moving from the the sparks the fireplace currently had on display when she heard someone-else enter the room. The young man quietly excused himself and exited towards the kitchen.
Kara entered quietly, not wanting to disturb the serene moment Lena was basking herself in. She took a few steps closer, watching a drop of sweat make it's way from the dark roots and gliding down to meet her jaw.
She was just a Jane. She didn't know what had come over her but all of a sudden the blonde wanted to take her to the talkies and neck for hours on end. But, it wasn't just that. There was something intoxicating about her. The way she made her feel like she was fried to the hat even though she hadn't had more than two glasses all night.
"Are you going to stand there all night or do you have to see a man about a dog?"
Kara laughed, biting down on her bottom lip when she felt a flush spread across her cheeks.
"No- no. I'm sorry I just-" She stopped speaking when Lena stood up, the black silk of her gown pulling down a few inches as she moved, exposing the creamy expanse of her shoulders and muscles of her back.
She was walking over to her and she felt herself freeze, eyes resting on her lips now, her own lashes heavy, every second felt a beat longer than it should be. She could feel time expanding and stretching, lasting in the moment, this very moment.
Lena pressed a thumb underneath Kara's lower lip and swiped at the smear of lipstick staining her chin.
She didn't know if it was the heat of the breath against her lips, the intoxicating proximity or that this bird was so very different to anybody she'd come into contact with. It was illicit. She no longer felt like a Barb but rather a Quiff and she wasn't sure if the thrill that ran up her spine was a good or bad thing.
Cherry lips met at the same moment thunder crackled above, she felt dirty, she was usually much more milquetoast, the gasp that fell from Lena's lips lit a fire inside her rib cage that spread to her fingertips. Her tongue darted inside Lena's mouth, gliding across the roof of her mouth and battling for dominance. Kara's fingers got lost in heavy locks, pulling her closer to her, to fill the gap between their thrumming bodies.
She pulled away, pushing Lena back gently breathing heavily.
"Oh- horsefeathers!" she cursed, brow furrowing, fingers touching smeared lips.
The brunette's hair was a mess, hair beginning to frizz and knot from desperate fingers with an unrelenting passion.
"I'm sorry- are you carrying a torch for someone?" Lena worried her swollen lip between her teeth.
Kara couldn't believe what she had just done. How incredibly reckless and insensitive she was to Lena's feelings. Did she go around kissing Doll's? Or was this something new for her too? She closed her eyes, taking in a deep shuddering breath as she tried to think of the next step.
A door nearby opened and slammed closed with a loud clang.
"Lena?! I have a beef to settle with you." An angry voice rang out, heavy footsteps getting closer and closer.