Hello all!

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Kara keeps her eyes trained on the clock. The house is empty but she always waits a half hour before taking her leave. It's a precaution, to make sure no one comes back. They don't know that she's venturing off on her own.

She's afraid they'll discourage her about spending time with someone who doesn't know about her origins.

They won't care if she tells them Lena never asks her any questions. They won't listen if she tells them Lena doesn't think she's odd. They'll think Lena's lessons about Earth culture irrelevant and focus only on the fact that they believe they've been wronged by the alien they've so graciously taken in. It isn't like they get nothing out of her presence.

She's spent enough time in her father's lab to know that she's being experimented on. These tests they run to hone her abilities is akin to the trials her father puts his inventions to before showcasing the ready made product to the council.

Maybe it's easier for them to handle her this way. Maybe it's their way of coping for her intrusion.

It's not like she can blame them for being so standoffish. Her cousin did just leave her on their doorstep and expected them to agree because he's supposed to be some type of hero of the people. Then again, her existence did surprise him. He'd thought he was the last Kryptonian.

She supposes she can sympathize with his shock. It's not every day one sees the cousin whose waste garments she changed stand in front of her as a full grown adult.

Everyone is adjusting to the situation, to her, but she knows they won't cut her any slack just because of this. She knows because she watches them. She's witnessed them berate Alex for doing something they disapprove of one too many times and most off, without meaning to because the super hearing is still something she's trying to get a hang of, she's heard them talk about her in their bedroom.

They're too worried about her lack of control, of her slipping up and exposing her alien heritage to the world.

It's probably because they don't trust her and that's due to the fact that they don't know who she is. They know what she is, where she's from. They know of her culture, of how Krypton's been blown to pieces. But her character remains a mystery to the Danvers. They simply don't understand her.

She's always made her own judgments with careful guidance from her parents of course. It's a bit jarring, being surrounded by adults who look upon her with skepticism.

Back on Krypton, her parents always trusted her to do the right thing. They advised and suggested, refraining from dictating her actions. Her parents often began with a perhaps you should instead of the Danver's absolutely do not. Except of course when they sent her to Earth, that had been a mandate. But they sent her to a new planet to care for her infant cousin not only because they wanted her to have a chance. Her parents sent her because they believed she'd adjust. They knew of her skills, of how bright, and of how capable she is.

The only person who believes in her now is Lena.

Lena who greets her with a warm smile and offers her trays of pots stickers which she makes herself. Lena, who never asks questions but only offers answers to Kara's queries. Lena, who helps her learn about this new world without wanting anything in return.

Lena makes her feel like she belongs.

The clock strikes at the half hour mark and Kara smiles. She locks the doors before speeding out of the house, heading straight for Lena.

When she reaches Lena's beach, she slows her pace before coming to a complete stop. She straightens her wind blown hair, dusts the sand coating her legs, before walking toward the beach house, practically skipping as she steps inside.

With careful steps she climbs the stairs and is greeted by the view of Lena in her room with a book in hand as she lounges on her bed.

Her brows are slightly furrowed as she reads, mind too preoccupied with absorbing new knowledge that she doesn't notice Kara leaning by her doorway observing her fondly. She continues to linger, waiting patiently for Lena to finish her page.

Kara doesn't have to wait long because Lena can feel her staring, like always. She closes her book immediately, bestowing Kara all her focus, and looks up with her lips turned upward with that inviting smile that's only reserved for her bright baby blue eyed blonde.

"Always on time." Lena sets her book on her nightstand before rising from the bed.

"Of course!" she blushes at her eagerness. "I would hate to make you wait." Kara discloses as her friend approaches. "And you know I wish to spend as much time with you as possible." because the hours never seem like enough lies on the tip of her tongue as those emerald gems continue to look upon her with such fondness and understanding.

Lena responds to her kind and sincere sentiments with gentle caresses. Sometimes with a soft squeeze of on her shoulder, or a brush against her cheek, or her personal favorite: by taking her hand and linking their fingers together.

She stands before Kara and brings her hand up. Her fingers graze luscious blonde locks as she tucks them behind Kara's ear.

"I know exactly how you feel." she whispers softly and Kara knows she isn't patronizing because both dread the days where the blonde has to stay with the Danvers. It's why Kara always spend the first few minutes of those Mondays in Lena's warm embrace. It's why Lena spends most of the weekend searching so she always welcomes Kara with a new activity or gadget for her to try. "Well, let's get started then." she walks pass the shorter girl, grabbing her hand as she pulls her toward the walk in closet.

The blonde sports a dopey smile on her face as they cross through the threshold of the massive closet.

Kara's mastered bike riding so they're going to cross off another thing on their list. Lena turns toward a section of her closet where there's an array of new bathing suits hanging. She gestures for Kara to pick something.

"Thank you, Lena." she doesn't believe how lucky she is.

There must be over a dozen suits sprawled out on the free section of the closet and Kara knows better than to object to the amount. Lena's always so generous and very pointedly argues against any refusal of the gifts she bestows upon Kara.

"Take your pick, wear it under your clothes." Lena smiles as Kara eyes flicker between the suits.

Kara makes a decision and heads off to the bathroom, leaving her kind and gracious hostess to return to her bedroom. Before she can even reach her bed, Kara returns with speed that makes Lena chuckle. She can feel the giddiness radiating off the smaller girl in spades as she bounces off the balls of her feet.

Lena grabs all the necessities: towels from her bathroom, which she packs in her trusty backpack, as well as a change of clothes for them both.

Of course they also pick up the picnic basket from the kitchen before Kara looks at her questioningly because the pool isn't far from the kitchen and now Lena seems to be leading them toward the library.

"Are we not swimming today?" Kara's head tilts toward her left a little as she looks at Lena questioningly because they've passed the pool.

"We are." Lena assures. "I just don't think the first time you swim should be in some rectangular hole someone dug up." Kara always deserves the best. "Besides, it'll give me time to cross of the other thing on my list."

"We are swimming in the ocean?" Kara practically glows upon the revelation.

She's walked along the shore, felt the water brush against her toes, but she's never been submerged fully under the current.

Lena says nothing but Kara continues to follow as she leads further inside the library. They stop when they reach one a bookshelf located on the corer of the room. She places a hand on one of the books and pulls.

Kara gasps when the bookcase sinks into the wall. Lena pushes the shelf, revealing that it is in fact a trapdoor.

The dark haired girl grabs a lamp, looks over her shoulder, and throws her blonde companion a winning smile before disappearing into passage. Kara, more curious to see what Lena has in store for her than anything, follows.

She reaches out and clasps her hand with Lena's as the taller girl continues to lead the way through the dark hall.

The light from the lamp is dimmer than usual. Lena knows it has little to do with trying to conserve battery and more to do with the fact that Kara's pressed against her arm, their hands entwined like woven thread. Lena of course doesn't know that Kara can see perfectly in the dark. She does know that the blonde isn't afraid because her hand is far too steady and warm. Kara merely wants to be close.

They reach the end of the passage and green meets blue as the dark haired girl places her hand against the wall.

"You didn't ask any questions." Lena observes, thankful Kara offered no hesitations, as she pushes the door open. She doesn't know many people who would cross a dark passage into the unknown without question. "Thank you for trusting me."

"Always." Kara says, eyes soft and earnest.

"I'm sorry about all the secrecy but I thought a little mystery would add a little something to our adventure."

"It was certainly fun!" Kara responds with a bright smile. "I do not think I have been through a secret doorway before!" she steps out into the sunlight, mouth agape in awe as she takes in her surroundings. "Rao…" she murmurs.

Kara looks around. The passage led them to a cove. Her eyes drift across the cavern. Beautiful rocks reflect the light from the blue waves that are crashing against sandy beach and the rocks of the bay, the horizon at the opening of the cavern and Lena by her side. It's all so beautiful.

Especially with Lena here by her side.

"I found the passage this weekend." Lena informs. "There's a staircase on the other end of it that leads to the master bedroom." she supposes the previous owners of the house enjoyed their secret rendezvous. "There's another passage that leads directly to the forest." when Kara isn't there she has a lot of free time on her hands and there's only so many books she can read. "Now," she begins to shed her clothes, chuckling when Kara turns. "Let's see your suit."

Kara does as she is asked as they both make piles of their clothes. She watches as Lena steps into the water before mimicking her movements, stopping only when the water's around her waist.

Lena begins her lesson about breathing, kicking, wading, and most important of all: floating.

She has a hand on Kara's back and another at the back of her neck. The waves from the open ocean aren't strong so the girl is steady. Bright blue eyes have long stopped gazing upon the new environment. Instead they are focused on the raven-haired girl helping keep her upright to keep her from sinking.

"You continue to astound me, surrounding me with beauty, and most importantly with your kindness." Kara whispers as to not disturb the peace around them.

"I'm only like this with you." she reminds, not because she wants Kara to be grateful but because she wishes Kara will understand how special she is for Lena. Thankfully, Kara is beginning to comprehend her profound effect on the dark haired girl. "Only you." she murmurs as she keeps her hands on Kara.

"Promise?" she's too relaxed, too comforted by the waves against her skin and feel of Lena's hands on her, that she only realizes the absurdity of her request. "I am sorry!" she squeals as she sits up, standing with her against the ocean floor. "I… You do not have to say anything! Please just forget I said anything!" she begins to ramble and she's pretty sure her cheeks are ablaze with her mortification. It's too much to ask for and she doesn't blame Lena if she finds her presumptuous. "I was just, it was so relaxing and I think I spoke before I thought of what I was asking…" hands cup her cheeks, causing her to pause her ranting.

Lena says nothing, eyes sparkling with something Kara can't discern. There's mirth, amusement, but there's also something beyond fondness that's always there when those emerald pools gaze into her own.

The dark haired girl presses their foreheads together and Kara smiles. She hears the ocean waves crashing against the shore on the far end of the beach, the fish swimming in the ocean a mile away from where they are. She feels the ghost of Lena's touch against her impenetrable skin but what she finds the most calming is her heart beating in perfect sync with Lena.

"I never really appreciated these kinds of things before." Lena confesses and Kara's thankful for the change of topic. "I've never really been the outdoorsy type."

"But it seems natural to you!" Kara's eyes shimmer with honesty. "You look like you belong out there in the woods, especially here in this cove." because Lena looks spectacular as she stands in the culmination of Mother Nature's glory.

"I'd rather attribute it to company rather than setting." she feels like she can belong anywhere, as long as Kara's there.

"You give me far too much credit."

"You don't give yourself enough." she's far too modest to realize how priceless she is. "I guess I'll just have to serve as a constant reminder." Lena flicks Kara's nose before floating away.

Kara's a quick learner so Lena isn't surprised that she's gotten the hang of dog paddling, laughing as Lena circles her like a shark about to attack its prey. She grabs her from behind and Kara squeals, sinking into her hold. They look out into the horizon as the sunlight in the cavern begins to dim.

"Lena?" Kara calls and Lena listens. "I know you hate it when I thank you," she begins and the dark haired girl swallows her protests because it's clear from her dulcet tone that Kara has something she wishes to say. "But I just want, need, you to know that I appreciate all you have done for me." she bows her head. Although Lena can't see her face she knows that there's a pink hue coating those cheeks. "And I more than look forward to all you will do, all we will continue to do, in our future." now Kara has a future to look toward to, one that isn't bleak and empty because Lena will be there. "I mean," Kara realizes the severity of her words and fears her friend will feel them a burden. "If it is what you want." because she does so want a future, their future, but Lena has to want it, her, as well.

Lena closes her eyes, allowing every single part of her to commit this moment to memory because the girl in her arms is basically vowing her always.

She feels Kara pulling away and knows the girls mistaken her silence for refusal. Lena grasps, grabs before the smaller girl can get away. The blonde stops, but doesn't dare look her way. She stands with back still turned toward Lena who wishes to rectify her error.

"Kara," she wraps her arms around Kara's waist, pulls her close, resting her chin on the girl's shoulder as she presses her front to the smaller girl's back. "I've told you before that you have me," there's desperation in her usually calm and calculated tone but she doesn't care because all she wants is for Kara to know and understand how important she is for Lena. "I thought the always had been implied but I guess I should make myself clear." there's no way Lena is ever letting her go.

"Always?" Kara repeats, smiling as Lena tightens her hold.

"I wouldn't lie to you." she wants Kara to know she isn't doing this to spare her feelings.

"I know." Lena's been nothing but honest.

"I promise Kara." it's quite a vow to make at fourteen but Lena's never been ordinary. "To be here for you always." she whispers against Kara's ear. "Only you."

She knows about chemistry and psychology but it's more than just the perfect combination of elation and feeling like she isn't so alone anymore. It's not about the attention Kara gives. She knows her affection for Kara grows deeper than that of a lonely girl craving understanding. It isn't about her wanting someone to see who she is beyond the Luthor adoption.

Because it's about Kara who's lost her family, all she's known. It's all about Kara, understanding, and caring for Kara.

Something that comes as natural as the beating of her heart. It's something she does without thought. So she knows she's only voicing a fact that every cell in her body will uphold.

The blonde but she responds by interlocking their fingers, tying them together as the waves crash against them.

For Kara and only for Kara.

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Forgive me for all the feeling sharing. I swear I don't plan it! It just happens...

What do you all think so far?