Trust
Rating: T
Pairing: SuperCorp
A/N: I'm never exactly sure where in the timeline my stories fit, but this one is sometime when there is no annoying Mon-El f*ing everything up.
This is a quick one-shot. Unless everyone really loves it and wants more. Then maybe more ::Shrugs::
UPDATE: I've reloaded the chapter to fix some inconsistencies and grammar. Nothing major though.
Kara's powers were nearly depleted. She could feel the energy waning with every second she blasted the rogue Alderan with her heat vision. She had pursued him for days, always arriving just after he'd terrorized the citizens, robbing banks, museums, and charity functions. They had finally squared off, after over a week of near misses, in the sky high above National City.
Her perseverance finally paid off, and he fell to the Earth, unconscious. Kara trusted the DEO agents waiting below would coral him, and she had bigger problems to worry about. Her own powers were on the brink of failure, and she wasn't sure she could make it home before she gave in to it. She looked around desperately, realizing where she was. Only a few blocks from the destination she had in mind. With the last of her ability, she controlled a fall and landed with a thump on the penthouse apartment balcony of Luthor Tower.
Her fall caught Lena's attention where she was sitting on the couch, enjoying a cup of tea. She set down her drink quickly, throwing a robe over her pajamas. She cursed her decision to relax in less than desirable attire. She didn't exactly want National City's hero seeing her in her old ripped MIT sweatshirt and a pair of boxers. She'd have to hope the robe was adequate coverage.
When she stepped on to the balcony, she realized her wardrobe was immaterial. Supergirl was swaying on her feet, and Lena only just made it in time to cradle her and slow her fall.
"Supergirl," Lena asked quickly. "What's wrong?" She sank to her knees, arm across the hero's back to hold her upright.
"Sorry," Kara said tiredly. "Lost my powers... Couldn't fly anymore." Her head lolled back, and rested against Lena's shoulder.
"It's ok, I've got you," Lena comforted her.
"I just... wanted to be with a friend, instead of a cold recovery room at the DEO," Kara admitted. "I shouldn't have just assumed..."
"You are welcome at my house anytime, you know that." Lena chastised her, then bit her tongue. Supergirl didn't seem to notice her word choice in her tired state.
"Thank you, Ms. Luthor," she responded.
"Lena. Call me Lena. Let's get you inside and more comfortable." She helped the hero to her feet, letting her lean heavily on her, and slowly they made their way to the couch. Kara collapsed gratefully on the plush furniture. In her current human-like state, it was far more preferable than the cold concrete.
"Can I get you something?
"No, I'm fine now. I just need some rest."
"Do you want me to call your sister? Alex is probably wondering where you are," Lena reminded her.
"Oh yeah," Kara said absentmindedly. "She worries."
Lena just smirked at her and waited. Kara's eyes suddenly widened and she looked at Lena in alarm. Her mouth fell open and Lena couldn't help but chuckle under her breath.
"You... you know," Kara whispered, aghast.
"Kara, glasses and a ponytail aren't exactly the best disguises." Lena laughed. "I've known exactly who you were since the first time you walked into my office with Superman. Excuse me, 'Clark Kent'." Kara covered her face with her hands in horror. Lena gave her a smirk, and pulled her hands down.
"Not to mention all your slip-ups. Flew on a bus?" Lena reminded her with a smile. "I would love to know how you circumvented my alien detection device. I thought I'd have you there."
"I... shorted it out with my heat vision," Kara admitted. "You aren't mad?" she asked hesitantly.
"I was, at first, but I understand why you couldn't trust me with this. I'm still a Luthor."
"No, you aren't just a Luthor to me. I've known I can trust you for a long time now, I just worried that if I told you, you would be angry and not want to be my friend. You haven't always been Supergirl's biggest fan. I don't think I'm strong enough to not have you in my life."
"Maybe it's true I haven't always been 'Team Supergirl', but I've always been 'Team Kara'." Lena smiled at her, brushing her hair back over her ear.
"That's part of why I didn't tell you. I don't get to be just Kara with very many people. It's nice to be liked for the human me, and not just because I save the city or have powers."
"You have never been 'just anything' to me," Lena furrowed her brow. "You are my best friend, and I love you no matter what secrets you may have."
Kara's eyes filled with tears at Lena's heartfelt words. She was moved, and perhaps a little ashamed. Only one more secret she was keeping from Lena at this point, but she couldn't bring herself to reveal it, lest she ruin the best thing she'd ever had. No, she had to be content with what she had from Lena Luthor already. Friendship and understanding.
"C'mon, you look like you are about to pass out," Lena said, rising. She held a hand out and Kara took it, letting Lena help her up. She led her to the master suite, guiding her over to the spacious bed.
"Take my room, and I'll take the one down the hall. If you need anything, just yell."
"You are giving me your room?" Kara asked her, surprised. Lena nodded.
"Yes, its the most comfortable, and the spare bedrooms don't get sun in the mornings. Let me just..." Lena trailed off, going to a panel by the full window and adjusting something.
"What was that?" Kara asked, interested.
"Just a privacy tint. The paparazzi like to make passes around in their news helicopters. I would hate for you to end up on the cover of one of those rags. They're always fishing for a story, and a hot blonde woman in my bed would definitely qualify as front page gossip," Lena shook her head. "That's how I lost my last girlfriend. I had this installed after that fiasco. It won't detract from the morning light though, so you'll soak in plenty." She crossed the room to a set of drawers and pulled out some clothes for Kara.
"I-I didn't know you had a girlfriend," Kara said shakily. She was still dazed by the 'hot' comment Lena had just made offhandedly.
"You must be the only reporter in National City who didn't then," Lena teased. "And as Snapper's official 'Lena Luthor' expert, I must say I'm disappointed you didn't do your research." She tossed a pair of leggings and a baggy shirt to Kara, who hadn't moved or relaxed her shocked expression.
"Oh, I've freaked you out," Lena stepped back, holding up her hands. "I forget that not everyone is fine with the whole bisexual thing. I'm sorry." Lena bit her lip and looked down.
"No!" Kara said loudly. "I'm not freaked, I promise. I just hadn't realized, that's all. It's not the norm for humans. But I didn't grow up here, so I don't have all the hang ups on gender in relationships that's so common on Earth."
"It's different on Krypton?" Lena asked, tilting her head. Kara nodded.
"Yes, gender didn't play much of a role when we were matched. Matches were made based on personality traits, interests, intellect. Or sometimes just for political reasons. I would probably have been matched with the son or daughter of another royal house. I was too young for the Match when I left Krypton, so I guess I'll never know."
Lena looked at her sadly. "Kryptonians don't marry for love? That sounds... empty, I guess."
"It was expected that you would grow to love one another with time. That you should cultivate your relationship. It's very different than your beliefs, yes, but not all human cultures marry for love," Kara reminded her.
"True. I didn't mean any disrespect. It's a great system that matches you irregardless of gender. That would be a revolutionary idea here."
Kara just smiled and gave her a nod.
"Tell me more about Krypton?" Lena asked her. "If it's not too hard," she amended softly. She walked over to the bed and sat next to Kara, leaning against the headboard.
"Of course. You would have loved it there. The technology, the culture. I could see you fitting right in with the greatest minds Krypton had to offer," Kara said excitedly.
"You think too highly of me," Lena said, embarrassed.
"No, not at all. It's just the truth. You're like, the best person I've met."
"I doubt that's true. I've made mistakes, and I'm sure I'll make a lot more of them," Lena grumbled. "If I was on Krypton, I'd probably never get matched."
"Pfft. No way... if anything they would have a hard time finding someone worthy of you! Why are you so hard on yourself? Why can't you see yourself like I see you? Someone so selfless, caring, hard-working. You are an amazing friend. Just think about everything you've done. You worked to stop your mother and Cadmus. You are a good person, Lena Luthor. And anyone would be lucky to have you. On any planet." Kara finished her passionate speech by turning to Lena and drawing her in close for a hug. Lena hugged her back instantly, pressing her face into Kara's neck and blinking back tears. Kara just didn't know how close she was to Lena's heart's desire.
"Lena, what's wrong?" Kara asked, feeling her sobbing breaths. "I didn't mean to upset you."
"It's... it's nothing. Not important." Lena shook her head.
"Yes, it is if it's making you cry. Tell me what's wrong." Kara demanding, pulling away slightly and wiping her thumb over Lena's wet cheek.
"It's just that I can't have the only person I really want, and hearing you say that... You are just too sweet, Kara."
"Who is it, Lena?" Kara asked, heart sinking at the thought of who Lena's affections might be for. It wouldn't stop her from trying to make the woman happy though. She would play matchmaker for whoever Lena liked, and be Lena's best friend if that is what she needed. "Is it James? Because I'm sure-"
"Olsen? Oh god no," Lena nearly gagged at the thought. "I can barely stand to have a conversation with him. I certainly don't want to date him."
"Who then? I meant it when I said anyone would be lucky to have you. And I can't imagine that whoever you are into wouldn't want you."
Lena hesitated for only a moment, before she bravely spoke her mind. "It's you, Kara."
"You like... me?" Kara asked, bewildered. It was too much for her to process.
"It's ok, Kara, I swear I won't do anything to jeopardize our friendship, that's too important to me. Just please, pretend I didn't tell you that and-"
She was cut off when her words finally registered with Kara, and the blonde lunged across the space between them to kiss Lena soundly. When Lena recovered from her initial shock, her arms went around Kara's waist, keeping them connected until Kara pulled away, trying to catch her breath.
"And here I've been thinking that there was no way you could ever like me," Kara giggled when she'd finally recovered enough to speak. Lena just looked at her, starry eyed, like she couldn't believe what was happening.
"You kissed me," Lena whispered faintly. Kara nodded seriously, intertwining their fingers.
"I kissed you. And if it's ok, I'd like to do it again," she smiled.
"Yeah," Lena nodded back. "That sounds good." This time, Kara leaned in more slowly, giving Lena a chance to react and close the remaining distance herself. She lost herself in the feeling of Lena's soft lips, and she let the other woman take the lead. She was not disappointed when Lena's tongue danced along her lower lip, and she deepened the kiss for moment before she thought better of it. She broke away reluctantly, smiling slightly at Lena's pout of disapproval.
"I would like to keep doing this," Kara whispered. "But not in this stained, sweaty suit. Give me a couple minutes to shower and change?"
"Of course," Lena said quickly, leaning back. "I'm sorry. I got a little carried away. I'm being a terrible host." She started to stand, but Kara stopped her.
"Don't go," Kara argued. "I was just as guilty. I'll be quick, I promise. And then we'll talk. Please stay?" Lena nodded at once, willing to do just about anything for her. Kara smiled in response, and kissed her cheek before she made her way to Lena's master bath.
Kara stepping away gave Lena a chance to take stock of the unexpected events. The last thing she expected out of a quiet night at home was the hot blonde of her dreams kissing her in her bed, but some events take us by surprise. And this was the best surprise she could have gotten, she thought to herself. For the life of her, she couldn't figure out why Kara Danvers would want her, but she wasn't going to question it too closely.. She was just going to be happy and live in the moment, and see where it led.
She looked down at her outfit and closed the robe more tightly. Of all things to be worried about in this moment, her wardrobe hardly seemed to make the list, but Kara had never seen her in something quite this ratty. She wondered briefly if Kara would notice if she changed into something a bit sexier, but just then, the woman in question stepped out of the bathroom in Lena's clothes, drying her hair with a towel. Lena's towel. She might never wash it again, she thought idly.
Kara seemed suddenly more nervous, and she avoided eye contact with Lena as she slid back on to her side of the bed. Lena found it somewhat endearing that the girl could kiss her so brazenly one moment, then act incredibly shy the next. But Lena didn't want to push her, or scare her off, so she waited patiently next to Kara, looking at her averted face.
"I..uh... I'm sorry if I was a little forward... or aggressive," Kara stuttered out. Lena reached out and rubbed her thumb along the back of Kara's hand.
"Actually, I thought that was incredibly sexy. A big turn on." Kara looked up at those unexpected words, finally letting their eyes meet. She found only sincerity in Lena's. "I like a woman who knows when to take charge."
Kara's blush was bright against her pale cheeks, and she found herself unable to form a reply. Lena continued on, much to her embarrassment.
"Of course, I hope you are also the type of woman who's comfortable letting someone else take the lead every now and then. Sometimes I struggle with giving up control." Kara couldn't stop herself from thinking about exactly what Lena might have up her sleeve. She found the idea invigorating. Her eyes betrayed her excitement and Lena noticed it instantly. Kara grinned at her in amusement. "There's my girl," Lena whispered, intertwining their fingers. Kara finally found her voice.
"That sounds... nice," she settled for. "But maybe we could start with dinner? Or something like that?"
"Why Kara Danvers, are you asking me out on a date?" Lena asked, delighted.
The blonde bit her lip and nodded. "Yes, I am. Lena, will you go out with me?"
"Nothing would make me happier," she admitted. "Except..."
"Except what?" Kara asked.
"Except for you to kiss me again."
And Kara complied instantly. She couldn't imagine not giving Lena exactly what she wanted. Especially when it was what they both wanted in that moment.
For Lena, it was enough. It was everything she could have asked for and dreamed of.