DAY TWO
Rao damn it all. Fangs wasn't kidding when she said we were running all day.
From what little sun she could see beneath the high and thick canopy of the forest that surrounded them, Kara could tell the sun was about directly above them, which meant they had been running for almost six hours now. As if it was bad enough that the dogs seemed to be running faster, Kara was sure there were things hidden in the darkness of the forest that were watching them.
Since they woke up, there had been hooting and rustling and whispers—distant, old, and in multitudes that seem like annoying buzzing—just out of sight but everywhere around them. She tried to use her X-ray vision but all she found were blobs that looked like they were made of static and trees.
As soon as they entered the forest, it grew louder, even more menacing, and it hadn't stopped. Fangs specifically said they were harmless for the most part, but she emphasized that they really shouldn't pay any attention to these noises. They had a lot of ground to cover and it was going to be a long day. But Kara was exhausted. She could feel the strain on her muscles setting in, and without the yellow sun, it was just getting worse.
She looked at Lena who was riding proudly on top of Datu, one of the twin puppies.
Lena was glancing at her every now and again, a mix of worry and something else that Kara could not place. She didn't have time to process this though as something pulsed inside of her, sending a dizzying wave throughout her body. The world was suddenly pulled beneath her feet as her knees gave way. The next thing she knew, she was hovering inches from the ground.
"Careful there, Sunshine. Lena Luthor would actually attempt to murder me if anything happens to you." Fangs' easy smile was on her as she carried Kara by the belt while running. "Rest now. You've done impressively well despite the lack of sun. Let me have the honor of carrying you the rest of the way."
Fangs easily maneuvered her so that the last thing she remembered before passing out was looking up at Lena, the broken pieces of sunlight shining down on her, making her almost ethereal. She could not have possibly fallen deeper in love with her at that moment.
When she woke up, she immediately knew something was wrong.
She was lying on the ground next to Fangs who had the most dangerous grin she had ever seen from the girl. Her markings rising and stopping between her elbow and shoulder. The two puppies were standing behind them, growling and baring their sharp and jagged teeth. Scarlet, Lena and Alex were nowhere to be seen. They were out of the forest and in what looked like rocky, craggy, flat lands. Huge pieces of stones were jutting out from the earth, like bare bones. It was dusty and dry somehow.
The sun was almost setting
"Oh good, you're awake. It's time to test your powers, Sunshine." Fangs said, her face unreadable.
"Where's Lena and Alex?" Kara asked, standing up and feeling like she slept for a thousand years.
"Hordes of lesser demons are barreling towards us and your first question is about my wife and yours. That's admirable." Fangs answered, pointing to a distant rumbling mass of something, quickly coming towards them.
"Fangs. Explain. Now." Kara demanded, her muscles tensing.
"Long story short, a stray branch grazed Lena Luthor. It wasn't so bad and I healed it almost immediately, but the scent of blood, no matter how fleeting it was, drove the inhabitants of the forest into a frenzy…and now they want more." Fangs shrugged.
"Arent you their High Lord? Can't you make them go away?" Kara asked as the demon horde drew closer, panic and worry thick in her voice.
"We have some time to spare. Don't you want to test out your full strength?" Again, there was that unreadable expression on her face. It was almost as if Fangs was grieving.
"Look, I'm like the most hopeful and optimistic person you will ever meet, but you can't use your powers right now and it's a 'four versus the hoard' situation. So, excuse me if I'm a little bit worried." Kara said warily.
"I don't mind that you think so little of me or the twins…but try not to think so little of yourself." Fangs answered, her voice dead.
When the hordes descended on them, Fangs was gone in a blur. In her wake were demons of all weird shapes and sizes strewn about. The two puppies moved past Kara and just barreled through, sending demon parts out in all directions. It was basically a blood bath for three as the sky suddenly turned into a misty sort of red.
But Kara didn't have time to dwell too much about it. They were coming for her now. Kara was surprised to find that, despite the cloak, she was able to move around easily.
This wasn't her first rodeo, but this was the first time she would be outnumbered by this much. They seemed slow and clumsy to her, their movements erratic and primal but didn't pose much threat. She found that she could dodge them easily and most get knocked out after a single punch. They were galaxies away compared to Fangs who she had been sparring with daily. When she punched them, she tried not sending them towards where Fangs and the two puppies were. It may be a different realm, but Kara Zor-El does not kill.
After about an hour of dodging, weaving, punching, and kicking, receiving barely any herself, the din had quieted down. The last of the demons had run away and back into the forest, chased by the twins. This was just as well because Kara was feeling the effects of the added gravity on her body.
"And you were worried…" Fangs said behind her, looking around. She was covered in so much blood, for a second Kara thought she was wounded. Her eyes were the brightest red Kara had ever seen them, and she looked like she was going to pounce on the next thing that bleeds. "Although I do wish you had killed them all."
"No. No killing." Kara answered, out of breath. Her muscles were sore, her black cloak looked gray from all the dust, and she just wanted to go back to sleep.
"Again, admirable, but that's not going to work here. Remember this is a world that is starved of human flesh. If word gets out that they had smelled human blood from someone other than me, we will have a big problem." Fangs answered without a hint of hesitation.
"But they are your people. Don't you want to give them a chance?"
"I did. These are the ones who refused to eat anything but human flesh. Their hunger has turned to madness, but they won't die. They haunt these forests, waiting to take their vengeance on me. Besides, in their weakened and starved state, they are the most vulnerable. I let them stay here where they would be relatively safer from the rest of the realm. Killing them now would be an act of mercy."
Kara couldn't move. She knew what Fangs was saying made sense, but her rule about not killing anyone is so entrenched in her, even if she did have the energy to go around and kill them, she still wouldn't be able to. But now that she's looking at them, she understood. They were too far gone. There was nothing but hunger in their eyes, and pain.
"The twins will take you to Lena Luthor and Alex Danvers. I'll catch up with you." Fangs' voice was suddenly pained. Kara had no heart to argue anymore.
She hadn't even noticed that the twins were back, their moonlight-colored coats streaked with red, both snouts and fangs still dripping with blood. Datu lied down and waited patiently as Kara scrambled to climb his back. Her arms and legs were so sore, she couldn't believe it had just been about an hour.
As soon as she was settled, the twins set off.
The sun was warm on her face and she could feel herself being renewed. A few seconds later, Kara Zor-El would fall asleep for the second time that day.
She opened her eyes to the sound of something whining. The sun was almost gone but the two puppies were still going. They had stopped sometime in the middle of their journey to wash off their fur and snout and, in Kara's case, her dusty face and hands (there really was nothing she could do about the cloak since she couldn't take them off). And when they all judged themselves to be as clean as they can be, it was Lakan's turn to carry Kara…and the third time Kara fell asleep.
When she saw the looming obsidian form of Scarlet in the distance, she knew why the twins had woken her up. Behind Scarlet was a rocky mountain, without a hint of any other color than gray, black and white. She wasn't sure how she didn't notice the mountain earlier, but it stood before them now, imposing and majestic. The top was covered in dark clouds…and it was eerily quiet now.
Not waiting for Lakan to bend down, Kara jumped off and barely had time to catch Lena who was running to meet her.
"Thank god you're okay." Lena murmured as her face settled into the crook of Kara's neck.
Kara was about to say something in response when she saw Alex streak past her with impressive speed.
The next thing Kara heard was the sharp snap of skin hitting skin.
Kara and Lena both turned around to find a stunned expression on Fangs, an impossibly red mark on her face. Alex was holding her own wrist and visibly shaking.
"How dare you put my little sister in that kind of danger?!" Alex was livid.
"Alex—" Kara tried to reason but was cut off.
"Shut it, Kara. You do not get to defend her." Alex said without turning to Kara. Fangs was quiet, the stunned expression on her face was gone now, only to be replaced by something Kara had never seen on the demon's face before: regret.
"I called to you, begged you not to take Kara with you. I saw how many they were. You did not need Kara there. You could have taken them on by yourself. I have spent my entire adult life taking care of her, watching helplessly as she sacrifice her body for the sake of humanity, and you risk all that just so what? You can show off to her? I thought you knew better than to endanger all that I love—" Alex was about to say more when Fangs spoke in the gentlest voice Kara had ever heard.
"You are right, Alex Danvers. I apologize. I will never again needlessly risk the life of Kara Danvers."
Without waiting for Alex's response, Fangs walked towards Kara and Lena and bowed ever so slightly. "I'm sorry, Sunshine. I'm sorry too, Lena Luthor. It will never happen again."
Perhaps sensing that Lena was about to say something, Fangs shook her head, walked away and was gone in a blur.
Kara felt Lena push her off and stomp angrily towards Alex. She knew what was going to happen but really didn't know what to do, much less wanted to be in the middle of another fight between the two most stubborn and proud people she knew.
To be honest, Kara would prefer fighting the horde again than stand in the middle of the two women she loved the most.
"That was uncalled for, Alex." Lena's voice was measured but angry.
"No. She did not have the right to risk Kara's life like that. I would have thought that being Kara's girlfriend, you would at least feel the same way." Alex spat back, equally measured and just as angry.
"Was I worried? Yes. But I know Taja. She would never risk any of our lives without counting the cost. And clearly, she was right. Kara is here, safe and sound."
"Unfortunately, we can't all be as cold and calculating as you both are."
Kara really wanted to intervene, but she knew she couldn't. And even if she did, she would just be shot down.
Lena's voice had gone down and Kara knew it was well and truly impossible to step in now. "True. I am cold and calculating. But at least I am not blind."
"Blind? What are you reaching for, Luthor?"
"Did you even think for a second that perhaps this is the first time, in a very long time, that she has a friend who could fight alongside her in her own realm? Granted, Kara doesn't measure up to her strength, but at least she could fight those things. Did you even consider that maybe she just needed a break from the stress of keeping three very vulnerable off-worlders safe here? And for one who claims to care about her, who flourishes in the near unlimited love and affection Taja has for you, you sure didn't even care about the fact that she looked like she just buried her family all over again when she arrived after Kara."
Alex missed her beat. There was doubt there, and Kara could see it, but Lena wasn't done.
Unbeknownst to Kara and Lena, Lena was about to twist deeper the knife that had been stabbing Alex's heart for quite some time now.
"Do you even love her?"
Scarlet, in the middle of all the fighting, had somehow erected a huge black tent behind them. She had also spread out on a makeshift table some of the food they had packed. Alex had stormed off towards the tent and Lena was mad for a fraction of a second longer before her gaze turned to Kara.
"I…I may have gone too far. I should apologize." Lena said quietly, all the anger in her voice gone now.
"Maybe let Alex simmer down first. It will just be worse if we push her now." Kara suggested, rubbing the small of Lena's back in assurance.
Lena nodded. "Look, I understand why she was worried. But that slap was undeserved…and Taja's my best friend too. I couldn't just stand there and do nothing."
"I understand. And you're actually right. I wasn't in any danger. There were so many of them but they seemed slow and a punch could throw them off and knock them out. But Alex is still my sister, she can't help but worry." Kara said, gently.
Lena was silent for a while. They stood there, on the same spot while Kara waited for Lena. In the years that she had known Lena, Kara knew that a quiet Lena meant a thinking Lena, and it was never quite productive, or at all safe, to disturb her. So she settled for memorizing Lena's face again. Burning more and more of Lena's features to her memory.
"Did something happen? Because Taja looked just so devastated when she arrived." Lena asked when she finally broke her silence.
Kara hesitated. "Th—Those were the demons that refused to assimilate when Taja became High Lord and banned the slaughter of humans, I think. Over time they were driven mad with hunger. According to Fangs, she lets them live in her forest, where no one else will touch them. And, well, I refused to kill them…you know me. So she had to. And she might have buried all of them too. I felt her use her powers when the puppies and I were washing up. I wonder where she's gone now."
"I'm a little bit worried because I have never seen her that…devastated." Lena admitted, wringing her hands.
"Do you want us to go and look for her?" Kara suggested. She felt rested enough to go walking some more. And any time she could spend alone with Lena was always just worth it.
Lena was about to say something when Scarlet appeared behind them, silent as a shadow, despite her size.
"Master Luthor, young Master Danvers, it is time for you both to eat and rest. Do not worry about the Master. There is nothing here at present that can harm her, save herself and Master Danvers."
Dinner was awkward and quiet.
At least during the times when Eliza and Alex would fight, there was small talk around the table. But Lena and Alex were different. They were both quiet and adamantly refused to engage Kara in her attempts at conversation. Eventually, Kara gave up and ate silently. The only time Alex said anything to them was before she walked out of the tent.
The tent, as with Fang's house, was completely devoid of personality. It had the bed rolls and a stack of heated stones in the middle which warmed the entire tent. The tent was black as night inside and out and the rocky and dusty floor was covered in what looked like tatami mats laid side by side.
"I'm sleeping outside. Don't follow me." was all she said before walking out. Kara looked at Lena who shared her concern.
"You know I won't let her sleep outside, right?" Kara turned to Lena who was preparing for bed.
Lena only smiled and nodded before gesturing her to go outside. Kara swooped in and kissed Lena deeply, almost regretting the fact that they had to stop.
"I'll be back for more of that." Kara said huskily, biting Lena's lower lip before sighing and walking towards the entrance of the empty tent.
She found Alex resting on Lakan's side, his massive shaggy tail serving as a sort of blanket. To be honest, and if it wasn't for the dark and brooding look that Alex had, she looked so comfortable, Kara wanted to try and see if Datu will let her and Lena do the same.
There was a small bonfire beside them, casting shadows on Alex's face.
"Want to tell me what that was all about?" Kara said, gently.
Alex huffed but patted the space beside her.
Needing no further prompt, she scooted beside her sister and was right, Lakan's fur was softer and much better than the already soft bed rolls they had inside the tent.
Kara waited. There was no point in prodding Alex further. Just like Lena, if Alex wanted to talk, she would talk. So Kara settled on watching the night sky and was treated to a beautiful view of a billion twinkling stars of varied colors. There was no moon though.
When Alex finally spoke, her voice was gentle, almost a whisper.
"Every time you go out to do your missions, it's like a piece of my heart is out there, just wandering around in the world, and it's on its own and I can't protect it. I can't protect you. And no matter what—I mean, there's always gonna be danger. But I can't always be there for you…and this is…this is not—" Alex was gasping, trying to find her words, but perhaps knew that in her heart, no words could ever describe the love and the overwhelming instinct to protect her sister…so Kara held Alex as she cried.
After she had calmed down for a bit, she continued. "And for Taja to be so reckless of the people of that I love…I can never forgive that, Kara."
"You're right. There's always going to be danger. And especially in this realm where we are basically meals for majority of its inhabitants. But believe me, I was never in any danger, Alex. And what Fangs did—I think I understand why she brought me with her." Kara explained as evenly as she could, hoping that Alex would listen. When Alex didn't reply, Kara continued.
"You were right to say she could have taken them on. The twins could have taken all of us far away from Fangs before she needed to use her power and it would have been the end of it. Instead, she chose to have me there, flanked by two massive puppies. It was overkill. I bet if you were there, they would have been easy pickings for you. Most of them were weaker than humans, anyway. But…these were her subjects. You saw how she was last night. She cares for them more than she lets on. And she had to kill them to save us. It was not the most pleasant thing to do and she needed a friend."
Alex sighed.
"I can't believe I'm going to say this…but I think Lena was right. Do not tell her I said that."
Kara smiled. "You know, she's almost always right. Her opinion on things are radical and annoyingly logical, but somehow, she's just right. I think she balances out my impulse with her logic. So what is she right about this time?"
"That I was unfair to Taja." Hesitantly, she added, "—and that I may not feel for Taja the same way she feels for me."
Slowly, carefully, Kara turned to Alex.
"You feel nothing for her at all?" Kara asked quietly.
"Don't get me wrong, Kar. Taja is beautiful and kind and gentle. It is nearly impossible not to be attracted to her—"
"—I'm not attracted to her—"
"That's because you are Lena-sexual." Alex deadpanned.
"That's true." Kara nodded.
"Meanwhile, I'm here undeniably attracted to her. I like being around her. I like her company. I literally spent the last few months just wanting her in my orbit all the time. I get sad when she's not at home, waiting for me; worried when she doesn't come immediately when I call her…but do I love her?"
"…I'm confused, Alex. What does 'love' mean to you? Because what you said sounds like you're in love."
"Then why do I not worry for her like I do for you? I mean, yes when she was gone without a word, I worried for her. But now, every time she comes back here, she tells me in advance and I'm not worried. I miss her, yes—sure. But for some reason, I know she will always come back. And she's always so willing to lay her life down, to sacrifice her own comforts, just to be with me…when I don't even know if I can do the same for her."
Alex stood up and began pacing.
"She hasn't even asked me to love her back. When she introduced herself to me, months ago, all she asked was to be given a chance to show me how much she loves me, to show me that she is worthy…a chance, Kara. That's all she asked. One chance."
Kara weighed her words. She wasn't really the best at this. Alex always had the right words…but now Alex looked so lost.
"Maybe because she's not asking you to love her the way she loves you. Kind of like how she doesn't expect me to be as powerful as her."
"And what if I can never love her?"
"Knowing her…she will accept even your companionship at the bare minimum and consider that pure joy. But Alex…this does not mean you have to do the same for her. You have an entire lifetime to figure out how to love her best as Alex Danvers. Besides, I don't see her complaining." Kara could have added all those nights she caught Fangs hanging out on top of nearby apartment buildings, watching Alex sleep from a distance. She could have added that every time Fangs would join her on a mission, the only reason why she would not kill was that she didn't want to disappoint Alex.
Honestly, it really was a pressure to match that kind of commitment and adoration, not to say anything of love, that Fangs had for her sister. But she was immortal and so has had thousands of years to grow her love for Alex.
Meanwhile, Alex had to reset and go back to zero all the time.
"And if I tell her this, do you think she will understand?" Alex had stopped pacing and was now glumly staring at the bonfire.
"Are you worried she won't like you anymore when you tell her you can't love her the way she loves you?"
"…yes?" Alex groaned, burying her face in her hands.
Kara laughed. She didn't mean to, but she laughed anyways.
"Listen, I'm sure she's just out there sulking around, but she's coming back. And when she does, you apologize and you tell her what's been troubling you. Then you both can figure it out from there…Besides, I'm pretty sure, over all your reincarnations, you've done worse and she still loves you."
Alex's head snapped up, and Kara could almost swear she saw something change in Alex's eyes.
"I have done worse." Alex said, quietly. Kara listened intently as Alex told her the same story Fangs told her on their date.
Kara was speechless for a second. "Wow that was dark. Remind me never to get on her bad side."
Alex shook her head. "She's too fond of you, you know that right? She looks at you the same way she looks at Lena. Like she would destroy the world for you, if you asked."
"I don't know about that, Alex. Have you seen the way she beats me up every day? Even now, when I could just ride with you guys, she forces me to run. I've spent most of my time here sleeping or running or fighting." Kara complained as she walked towards Alex, sitting beside her near the bonfire.
"You only say that because you don't see the concern on her face when she heals you every time you pass out. I told you, you haven't used the sun lamps in a very long time. That's mostly because since she started training you, you haven't faced an enemy you couldn't quite easily beat up, and when you do pass out from training, she heals you herself. And every time she does, she gets this worried look on her face, only to be replaced by relief when you start murmuring about needing to go see Lena."
"…speaking of Lena, how are you two, really?" Alex continued when Kara didn't say anything.
"We're good. It's a little bit hard to squeeze a time together since we're both so busy. So, I fully abuse the fact that I could fly to her whenever. I'm also thinking of moving to a bigger place and asking her to move in with me." Kara answered hesitantly.
"That's wonderful, Kar! But…doesn't she have like this big house at the edge of the city?"
"Yeah, but she spends most of her days in my apartment anyways, almost like she doesn't even want to spend time in her home. I think it's actually because my place is closer to both our offices. But I wouldn't say no to moving in with her there, if she asked. I could just fly her in and out, easy."
Alex laughed, much to Kara's confusion.
"Look at us Danvers sisters, so whipped." Alex said, smiling. "But I'm glad you have her. You're both good for each other, you know? The yin to her yang or something like that."
Kara smiled back and rested her head on Alex's shoulder. "And I'm glad you have a literal god for a wife-slash-girlfriend. I know I don't have to worry about you, but knowing she's there when I can't just makes me feel better."
They talked together for a little bit longer until Alex yawned and said she was going back to the tent.
Kara decided to join her and just as they were walking back to the tent, the clouds covering the top of the mountain before them cleared and Kara's jaw dropped.
When Fangs detailed their plans, she wasn't exaggerating when she said that the mountain had nothing but sharp rocks. Even from the foot of the mountain, Kara could see gray pointed stones jutting out. There didn't even seem to be a path to the top.
How the hell am I supposed to climb that?
A/N: Sorry for the delay but I would love to know what you think. Any ideas? Please let me know.
Also, hi Jennifer. I see you and I appreciate you so much 3
