HYPOTHETICAL ROMANCE

Ch. 6 - Rewrite the Stars (The Gala, Part 2)

By athenaverse (il0vesunfl0wers)

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Summary

A speech, a proposition, surprises and dancing in the moonlight.

(Also, a few more reviewers have cameos here. Some reviewers who got cameos last chapter skipped the Notes and didn't realize what's up, so, head's up!)

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Notes

Hiiiiiii! Wow, 16K views now! Thx for reading and leaving kudos and comments! I appreciate all the well wishes and encouragement. My fractured ankle is still recovering, but I can now walk a bit without crutches or orthopedic boot, plus I got a new job, woot! Hence, the delay. I meant to post this during Pride month. Here's 12.4K words of reading to make up for the wait. ;)

Btw, some of the section titles are songs from musicals. And now, on to the rest of the gala...

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~oOo~

They're hopelessly gazing

~ "XO" by Beyonce

Sam looked at Jess, who had a huge smile on her face and seemed content to simply listen to Supergirl and Lena's banter at their table all through dinner. Sam, on the other hand, chose to stay quiet. She and Supergirl didn't know each other well yet. Though friendly, Supergirl seemed like a no-nonsense kind of woman, and Sam couldn't deny that she felt intimidated. The hero was certainly protective of Lena, so Sam opted to stay on her good side in case her teasing was taken the wrong way. Sam didn't want to risk Supergirl leaving a hand-shaped dent on her cheek, or worse, punch a hole through her face. Lena, however, might very well just kill Sam for her patented insolence. Or at least demote her, maybe even fire her. Hopefully it would just be a demotion. Her mortgage will not pay for itself after all.

Sam could tell that Supergirl was on a mission to let people know that Lena Luthor was a goddamn awesome person and not just, as Kara Danvers once said, 'sharp as a rapier and downright pulchritudinous'. It always worried Sam that her friend got so much crap simply because of her last name. Having Supergirl on her arm certainly helped dispel some negativity. It was beautiful to watch their interaction. Sam hadn't seen Lena this happy—happier—since Jack, God rest his soul. He was a good man and they made a great pair. Somehow Lena managed to get two more noble people in her life to shower her with all the love, affection and happiness she deserved. Sam just hoped Lex or Lillian wouldn't ruin things for them.

Why the fuck do they hate Kryptonians so much anyway?

For now, Sam would keep looking out for her friend, and she would do all she could to help carry the load at L-Corp so that Lena could thrive and do the things she was passionate about. Not to mention, keep doing two particular blonde beefcakes till she passed out.

Sam couldn't wait for the gala formalities to end. She and Jess conspired in a little surprise for the dynamic duo. Well, Sam played a small part, but she damn well was going to take some credit anyway. Anything to see her friend keep smiling like a love-struck schoolgirl.

~oOo~

I'll sing to her, bring spring to her

~ "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered" from Pal Joey

Jess, to her surprise, was having a lot more fun than expected. She got to play a little dress up in an 'expensive cosplay event', as Sam called it. She indulged in some exquisite dishes from a Michelin-starred restaurant and drank champagne that probably cost hundreds per bottle. She got to mingle with some big wigs and celebrities and, best of all, she got to witness a Luthor and a Super in love.

It was rare to see Supergirl in a casual setting, if one were to consider galas casual. That is, compared to superhero firefighting and other derring-do. As it were, Jess rarely saw Lena with Supergirl in the same room together. She at least got passing glimpses in Lena's L-Corp office before the CEO started spending more time at Catco. Now, here she was, getting a front row seat. It was all Jess could do not to squeal to see her boss with heart eyes for National City's resident Kryptonian, despite all her attempts to downplay her affection in public. As expected, her boss never did anything half-assed. Even when she finally dove head-first into the oasis of love, she managed to swim back to the surface with two worthy lovers.

"Hi there. Are you Jessica from Miss Luthor's office?"

"Yes, can I help... you?" Jess replied automatically as she turned to face a brunette... with an uncanny resemblance to a certain Kryptonian. Her mouth fell in shock. "Oh, wow, you really do look like..."

"Supergirl? Yeah, I've been getting that a lot." The woman said, smiling bashfully. "I'm Narissa, and I just wanted to thank you for the list you sent my agent."

Jess shook the offered hand, trying to look nonchalant despite the thumping in her chest. The pictures didn't do this woman justice. Her blue eyes didn't stand out as well against dark chocolate hair in those photos, but she could see them clearly now and they were so pretty, just like her smile. Jess shook herself out of her stupor. "Nice to finally meet you in person! It's such an honor."

"Oh." Narissa waved her hand as if brushing a floating feather. "You flatter me."

"You're welcome about the list. I was pleasantly surprised that your agent contacted our office for it."

"What can I say? I'm a Superfan."

"Aren't we all?" Jess beamed. It was such a thrill to meet some of Supergirl's celebrity fans. Though Jess didn't really frequent the Broadway scene, she at least heard about Narissa as a rising star.

"I wanted to do something special, you know?" Narissa gushed. "I mean, how often would I get to sing for Supergirl, right?"

"I think it's a fantastic idea!"

Jess was surprised weeks ago when she got a call from the Broadway singer's agent, who explained that Narissa was hired to perform at the gala, and when the singer found out that Supergirl would be in attendance, she just had to know if there were songs the superhero liked that she could include in her set. Supergirl didn't have her own agent or publicist, so it made sense that the next best people to contact were Kara Danvers and Lena Luthor, both of whom had been spotted occasionally at musical theaters. Since Lena was also attending the gala, Narissa's agent reached out to L-Corp.

Jess had no clue about what songs Supergirl would like either, and since Narissa seemed to lean towards a surprise, Jess had to do some research in secret. Having procured tickets on their behalf, Jess at least knew about some of the musicals Lena had seen with Kara. She felt weird about asking Kara since she wasn't attending the gala, so she recruited Sam as well as Winn to help investigate any favorite songs.

Winn invited Jess to karaoke night not too long ago, and she was blown away by Kara and Winn in particular. Lena certainly looked starry-eyed whenever Kara took the stage. She had to wonder if Supergirl shared a love for musicals. If only Jess would get over her shyness, especially tonight, then she would ask what kind of music Supergirl listened to, among other things, but every time Jess made an attempt to strike a conversation she felt too tongue-tied.

Lena Luthor is one lucky woman.

Perhaps some of that luck would rub off on Jess so she could strike a Super friendship. Meanwhile, what a treat to be involved in helping a fellow Superfan, a Broadway starlet no less, in her serenade. After all, what are fellow Superfans for?

"Well, I certainly can't wait to see you get on stage," Jess told Narissa, barely containing her excitement. "I'm sure they'll love whatever you plan to sing."

~oOo~

I'm burning from the things you said

~ "My Torture" by Esthero

An auction followed dinner, and since L-Corp had already donated so much, Lena decided to skip and take a respite. After a trip to the ladies' room, she passed by the garden for some fresh air, admiring the huge fountain at the center, lit up by color lights. She should have asked Kara to accompany her, knowing her beloved's love for all manner of plants. Lena started heading back to look for her date when a tall, dark and handsome man approached her. His bare muscles bulged beneath the red and white cloth slung across one shoulder. His toga rested mid-thigh, with leather sandals wrapping up to his calves. He had gold bracers on his forearms and a gold laurel wreath atop a mop of brown curls. He looked like he ate Olympic barbells for breakfast, and Lena had no doubt that Sam would have called him a wanna-be Hercules.

"Miss Luthor, I have a proposition I'd like to discuss with you," he announced with a winning smile.

Throughout the evening some tech moguls approached her and Sam on potential partnerships. She suspected that having Kara on her arm had something to do with the influx of interest, not that she minded. Kara had practically been campaigning for Lena, singing praises in her earnest and wholesome way, which people ate up. A Super and a Luthor made quite a formidable—and for some, a surprising—pair, and that created quite a stir.

"What is it?" Lena asked the new arrival.

"I believe you could use a fourth in your little menaj—menuh—" he frowned, struggling to recall the French words on the tip of his tongue. "Your little threesome," he finished proudly. "It would be my great pleasure to join you."

Lena schooled her features and tried not to cringe. That was definitely not what she expected. "Excuse me?"

"I'm handsome, I'm wealthy," he said, pausing to flex his exposed bicep and pectoral muscle. "I have a great body, amazing stamina, and something none of you have."

"Let me guess, a huge yacht?" Lena quipped, this time unable to keep the sarcasm from escaping her lips. She herself didn't own a yacht, but Lex certainly did. He had insisted on getting the largest his money could buy. Men and their toys.

"Oh, so you've heard?" the man's face lit up with pride. "Yes, the CSSandiego. It's the biggest one in the harbor!"

"I see." Lena felt her left eye start to twitch. She hoped she wasn't suddenly developing a facial tic. The audacity of this man to think that he could take on a Super and a Luthor! He looked so pleased with himself, failing to pick up on her jibe. Pressing her lips together, she crossed her arms. "Not interested."

"I doubt it."

"It's a permanent decision."

"You don't mean that," Yacht Guy chuckled, brushing his hand in the air in dismissal, smiling in a way that he probably thought was charming or even roguish, except all he did was leer and it made Lena's insides churn. "We both know you could use more testosterone in your group, if you know what I mean."

"Supergirl has enough for all of us," Lena replied.

"Huh? She's a woman." He frowned. "Don't be ridiculous."

Lena blinked hard once in a mixture of disbelief and disgust. She had a good mind to correct him, to say that all women had testosterone, granted, not as much as men did. She doubted it would have made a difference, so instead she replied, "How would you know? She's a highly gifted Kryptonian after all." Not too far away she heard said Kryptonian guffaw. Lena turned to find her date standing across Sam and Jess at the bar, who both frowned in confusion at the still-laughing Kara, then at each other. Lena turned back to Yacht Man. "You'd best be on your way. Supergirl will be here soon."

"What are you talking about?" Yacht Man glanced around till he found the hero. "She's busy over there. She's not even paying attention."

"Is that so?" She looked him right in the eye with her brow arched and said, "Supergirl, darling, would you be a dear and bring me something to nibble on?"

"Okay, you're just messing with me," Yacht Man chuckled. "You're funny. I like that in a woman."

"Do you honestly believe she isn't listening?"

"She's not even—"

"Here you go," a familiar voice interjected. Lena smiled sweetly as Kara calmly presented a small plate covered with a tablecloth, ensuring that nothing fell out on her way over. Kara peeled off the tablecloth with flourish to reveal an assortment of treats. "I hope you like them. You didn't say what you preferred."

"You, of course." Lena smirked, brushing away golden tendrils from Kara's shoulder, her hand drifting down her arm.

Yacht Man puffed out his chest and offered his hand. "Supergirl, hi, I'm—"

"Darling," Lena interrupted, not bothering to look back at the man, "can we go for a little walk? I need some air."

"But—"

Kara stepped into Yacht Man's space, staring him down despite his being half a head taller. His eyes widened as the hairs on his arms and the back of his neck prickled and goosebumps erupted all along his skin. He gulped at the sheer force of Supergirl's will, her aura seeming to radiate outward, making him step back with a jolt. He felt like a stray bear frozen in the middle of railroad tracks at night as a speeding freight train bore down towards him.

Lena held her breath as Kara advanced slowly, looking like the calm before a storm. Lena didn't know what to expect, much less whether she should feel sorry for the guy. "Darling—"

"Don't worry, I got this," Kara said as she gave him a quick once-over. There were beads of sweat on his temples, and his pulse hammered. Finally, she tilted her head slightly to the side. "You're pretty ripped."

"Uh, thanks, Supergirl. I work out a lot," he babbled, automatically flexing his bicep.

"I can see that," Kara replied, her face impassive. "How much can you bench press?"

Yacht Man relaxed a bit. He declared proudly, "560 pounds."

"Nice."

Yacht Man preened. Of course, Supergirl would appreciate strength. Maybe he still had a chance. "Do you work out?"

"Eh, when I get a chance." Kara shrugged. "I box solid concrete blocks with my bare hands, lift a space shuttle here, a submarine there. You know how it is." Lena held her hand over her lips to stop an unexpected snort. Kara might as well have been talking about doing house chores.

"Oh, wow! Uhhh..." Yacht Man stood there, his smile turning into a frown, not sure how to follow up.

"Can I give you a tip?" Kara asked before he could say anything else. At his nod, she said, "Learn to really listen to women. When a woman says no or she's not interested, you need to respect that, back off and walk away. Got it?"

"But sometimes women say no when they really mean yes."

"Maybe, but many times no really means no," Kara told him, crossing her arms. Her gaze hardened and her voice simmered with the authority of a five-star general. "Miss Luthor said she's not interested. Permanently. That sounded crystal clear, don't you think?"

Yacht Man shivered when the hairs on his arms and the back of his neck started prickling once more. He swallowed hard and nodded like his life depended on it.

"Good talk." Kara nodded in dismissal, tapping her palm twice on his shoulder, which made him stumble. She then turned to Lena and offered her arm, eyes twinkling. "Shall we?" Lena gladly looped their arms. Without further ado, the couple escaped to the far side of the garden and soon fell into hysterics.

"Oh, my God!" Lena gasped between giggles, clutching her stomach.

"That guy had balls!" Kara wiped a tear from the corner of her eye.

"He had half a brain."

When they both calmed down a bit, Lena said, "I'm not sure I should be grateful or miffed that you were eavesdropping."

"I was looking for you," Kara replied sheepishly, "or listening for you in this case. Aren't you glad I did?"

"Yes, as it turned out. I couldn't shake him off."

"I can't blame him for coming on to you, being drop dead gorgeous and all. I do blame him for being an idiot."

Lena giggled. "Thanks for coming to my rescue. For a moment there I wasn't sure what you were going to do, but I have to say, that was kind of... hot. Still, the nerve of that guy!"

"Oh, I don't know." Kara pursed her lips. "Don't you want to see his big yacht?" They erupted in giggles all over again.

"The bi-biggest one." Lena wheezed. "He was so persistent!"

"You didn't seem to mind when I was persistent earlier." Kara flashed a Cheshire grin, still proud of herself for seducing Lena prior to the gala despite all her protests.

"That's because you're pretty."

"Is that all?"

Lena hummed in pleasure when Kara's arm wrapped around her waist and pulled. "You're also... exceedingly talented."

"We make a pair then. Wanna make out?"

"Later," Lena replied, staring intensely at Kara's lips, licking her own. "When we get back to the penthouse."

"Uh-huh." Kara knew better. Sometimes Lena really does mean yes when she says no. "I could fly us there right now."

For a moment, Lena looked like she might give in, the way she kept rubbing Kara's side and staring at Kara's lips. "You still have a speech to give."

Kara sighed. "Why'd you volunteer me for that again?"

"Because major sponsors get a speaking opportunity and Supergirl would make the most impact."

"We could be naked by nowww."

Lena chuckled. "It's not like you haven't been undressing me with your eyes all night."

Kara's eyes had been smoldering whenever she glanced at Lena from across the way. They zapped her like little bolts of lightning every time. Lena's libido happily soaked up the attention, which in turn soaked her panties. Regretfully, they were still in public with too many Superfans armed with smartphones.

"And you haven't?" Kara raised her brow. "I could hardly be blamed. This dress should be illegal. You look absolutely delectable. Mm-mm-mmm." As Kara glanced down, Lena felt heat cascade down her body wherever Kara's gaze strayed, as if her lips were ghosting over Lena's skin. Kara leaned in and whispered in Lena's ear, "I can smell your excitement. You're still wet for me, aren't you?"

Lena sucked in her breath. It was true. Her thong felt squishy, a constant reminder of how easily Kara brought her to consecutive orgasms in her dressing room. Knowing Kara wanted to ravish her some more wasn't helping the state of her already ruined panties.

Kara's eyes twinkled at the lack of a verbal response, though Lena's body did all the talking. She hummed with pleasure at Lena's every quiver and puff of breath. "I can't wait to finish what we started."

"What you started."

"Are you complaining?"

"Far from it." Lena smiled coyly.

"I can't stop thinking about you," Kara murmured. She squeezed Lena's hips, oh so tempted to squeeze her derriere. "I can still taste you on my tongue. Smell you on my fingers every time I sip champagne." She turned Lena around and faced away from the crowd.

"What are you doing?"

"Shhh, pretend we're just staring at the fountain."

Lena did as asked, enjoying the warmth of Kara's arms around her belly. She placed her hands along Kara's forearms, anticipating that she would need something to hold onto soon enough.

Kara told her in low tones, "Right now all I can think about is how much you enjoy the way I lick you. Taste you. The way I suck on your juicy pussy lips and your clit."

"Ohhh, God."

"I get so greedy. I'll never get enough." Kara licked the shell of Lena's ear, which sent a jolt to Lena's nether regions, making her whimper. "I love how you go crazy, smearing your juice all over my face as you clench your fists on my hair. Rao, I just want to bend you over the railing right now, get under your dress and eat you out from behind."

Lena squeezed her eyes shut. "Fuuuck!"

"Mmm, yesss. I love seeing all the ways that signal your pleasure, the flush on your cheeks, your neck, your chest." Kara kissed Lena's cheek and neck. "How your lips part and your breasts heave. Like right now." Lena turned her head to the side and locked eyes with Kara. "The way your eyes turn smoky with passion."

Lena moaned as quietly as she could. She could hardly speak. She felt like jelly in Kara's arms. It was better than phone sex because Kara was right there holding her and talking dirty right in her ear. Lena leaned in for a kiss, but Kara switched over to the other side to whisper some more.

"I didn't think it was possible for you to turn me on even more until we started using the red sun lamps. I feel everything more acutely when there's only you and your pleasure I can focus on. Nothing and no one else in the world, just you. Only the glorious noises you make, how they echo and bounce along the walls." Lena gripped Kara's forearms as Kara tongued her pulse point. She felt clit throbbing with want. "It's incredible. I can really let go and let you have it. Give it to you fast and hard the way you like. And I love how your body undulates as you take me." Lena moaned as her pussy clenched with longing. "I wish I could feel it directly, when you squeeze on the strapon, feel it like how you squeeze my fingers deep inside you." Lena shivered, panting. "It's so breathtaking when you finally fall apart. How your neck and back arch and your whole body latches on to me as you come."

"Karaaa," Lena whimpered.

"And I love the glorious aftermath, the shallow breaths and thundering heartbeats slowing down to normal. I love it when you rub yourself against my body, purring in contentment, knowing that you're satisfied. Until you decide you want more pleasure. Demand it with your words or your body until your throat gets hoarse and you can't take much more."

"Fuuuck!"

"I want you, Lena. I can't wait to fuck you till you can't walk for days. So many more positions we haven't tried." Kara pressed her hips closer with longing. "I want to try them all with you. I want to hear you moan and scream for me. Then beg me for more."

"Jesus Christ!" Lena squeezed her eyes shut. And her legs. "I want to kiss you so badly, but I don't think we'll stop there."

"I can fly us to the roof if you like."

"I like, but we can't," Lena rasped. She swallowed hard. "Your speech is coming up soon."

"We can have a quickie."

"Not at this rate. Be a good Kryptonian and go get us some drinks."

Kara smirked. "Thirsty for more?"

"Off you go!"

Kara slinked away with a low chuckle. Lena debated whether to remove her thong, which felt so saturated she was sure it would make squelching sounds when she walked, so she stayed put. At least her gown was long enough to hide any moisture trickling down her thighs. Kara, ever the selfless giver, had not reached fulfillment earlier just so she could please Lena in a limited amount of time. Lena fanned herself at the memory. She hoped she would survive the rest of the night.

Kara could hear Lena's heartbeat hammering from a distance. She dodged the people who wanted to crowd her into another conversation or a selfie so she could return to Lena in record time. On her way back she could smell the potent scent of arousal, proud of the fact that the orgasms she had coaxed earlier kept Lena moist beneath her dress. It made Lena all the more desirable. Mouthwatering. Scrumptious.

With enhanced olfactory senses, Kara could smell Lena's pheromones perfuming the air. And though humans couldn't smell them with their underdeveloped olfactory system, they were still pulled into Lena's orbit. Kara didn't mind. She felt secure that Lena only wanted her and her alone, and she was confident that no one would be stupid enough to make a play for Lena and risk Supergirl's ire. Except for Yacht Guy anyway. Dumbass.

Kara debated whether to keep Lena squirming, to keep fanning the flames till Lena combusted and lost control. By the time she returned the decision was clear. Lena was giving her that look. The one that said, 'Stop teasing me, but keep going anyway because deep down I like it.'

"Do I even want to know what's going on in that pretty, blonde head of yours?"

"Role play," Kara stated, handing Lena a tall glass. "This place inspires all kinds of scenes."

Lena took a sip, amused that Kara brought her iced water just to egg her on. But the seed was planted and she couldn't resist asking, albeit breathlessly, "Like what?"

Kara indulged in a slow sip of water, letting anticipation build up. "You as a bored patrician who wants a certain gladiator—me, of course—to pleasure you all night long."

"That's Roman, not Greek."

Kara merely shrugged. "Or... you could be a vestal virgin being sacrificed to the goddess of lust."

Lena inhaled sharply. A montage of random images played in her mind. The possibilities and scenarios were endless. Some were dirty. Filthy. Deplorable.

"You okay?" Kara asked, eyes glinting before taking another sip.

"I'll, ehm, keep those in mind."

~oOo~

Sending big waves into motion

~ "Fight Song" by Rachel Platten

Once people were again seated at their tables, the gala director took the podium on stage. "Thank you all for coming tonight to support our fundraiser. Your generous donations will go a long way to save lives and fund services for victims of domestic abuse and violence. I wish we lived in a world where families and individuals—especially children—did not suffer from such atrocities. Your being here means a lot to the people we serve." The crowd gave a perfunctory round of applause. "We'd like to give special thanks to our biggest sponsors: L-Corp, The Antiope Foundation..." As he named other top tier sponsors, Kara squeezed Lena's hand, pride shining in her eyes. "We'd also like to thank Supergirl for coming tonight. We are especially honored that she agreed to say a few words. Please give her a round of applause."

Lena beamed at Kara as she rose to the sound of whistles, cheering and applause, which continued as she made her way to the podium. She had to wave her hands to the crowd to get them to sit and quiet down.

"Wow, thank you for such a warm reception! You really should be applauding the event staff. They've been doing a great job! I just came for the food." Kara winked and flashed a cheeky grin, earning laughs as they applauded and cheered for the staff indeed. If only they knew how much truth was behind that, she thought. She took a deep breath and began her speech.

"Hope, help and compassion—these are the things I stand for and strive for here on Earth. As you know, I fight against oppressors who prey on fears and threaten safety. They are villains who can be seen and heard. Sadly, there are oppressors I don't see. You might not either. These oppressors inflict wounds upon their own families inside their own homes. They hurt spouses they swore to love and cherish, hurt their children, even the elderly, and let them suffer in shame and silence. We find out about their suffering when we see bruises and marks, and sometimes only when it's too late."

Kara surveyed the crowd, seeing nods and murmurs of assent, and she was glad there were more people with empathy than she thought. "But not all domestic violence is physical; there's also emotional, psychological and economic abuse. Some wounds cannot be seen, but they leave lasting scars in the heart and mind and damage the soul. As a society this is something we simply cannot ignore. We cannot allow it to keep happening."

Kara glanced down for a moment to consider the rest of the speech that she had prepared. She wasn't sure how much of it would reach this particular crowd. What did she know about the plights of the wealthy? Could they truly relate to the problems of the less fortunate? Some in the crowd were probably just being polite or might even be checking their phones out of boredom. There was nothing she could do about them, but she did want to send a message to those who were sincere in their support.

She thought about her beloved, a beautiful and privileged billionaire who had also suffered, so much that she closed herself off. Trust was such a delicate commodity, something even Kara had to work for. Surely Lena isn't the only one who hid behind an image of strength, right? Kara made up her mind. She decided to go off script.

"There is something common to us all, regardless of whether you're from Earth or another planet, or which country you hail from. Whatever your race, gender or orientation, whether rich or poor, we all wear wounds and scars." She paused for dramatic effect. "We collect them for years, some as early as childhood. We collect wounds that may come from home, from school or work. Bullies come in different forms and sizes. Sometimes the wounds they inflict are through words or physical violence. Words and bruises can fade, but they leave imprints on a person no matter how hard you try to forget, which can keep hurting you even when no one is listening or watching."

Kara's eyes landed on Lena, who she could see was clasping Sam's hand. Sam's face softened when she gazed at her friend. Lena's eyes shimmered when Kara gazed at her love, knowing that she hit home. She took a deep breath and continued with renewed purpose. "Some of us are fortunate to have friends and loved ones who will listen with compassion and without judgment, who we trust to be vulnerable with. Some of us are fortunate to have access to therapy and counseling. Yet some of us don't turn to any of these even when they are available because we are afraid to confront the things that make us feel vulnerable and afraid, as if touching a livewire. No matter how you try to bury them, you still live with these wounds, live with the pain and trauma." Kara saw nods around her, some with sadness or regret. She pressed on, this time targeting the ones who were more guarded.

"Imagine feeling so helpless, powerless, trapped or paralyzed by fear. Imagine feeling like you're not good enough, like a failure, that somehow it's all your fault even when it's not, when things happen beyond your control. Maybe you end up believing that you deserve your suffering, or worse, that others deserve to suffer too. And by punishing others the cycle of abuse and violence continues."

As Kara Danvers, she had listened to victims at support groups for research. It broke her heart. Sometimes Maggie had called her in so that Supergirl could offer support when victims were too traumatized and afraid to speak to authorities. They felt safer with the superhero and trusted her to allow themselves to be vulnerable. Sometimes Kara, even with all her powers, felt so helpless, and all she could do to help was to listen with compassion, then prayed that it would be enough somehow, at least to help them open up to receive help, and to learn to ask for help, too.

"Imagine if you don't have friends, family or therapists to turn to, or if you do, you're too ashamed to speak of the horrors you've had to endure. Imagine living in fear each day because the people you should be able to trust, who are supposedto care for you and protect you are the ones who inflict wounds on you. And then imagine having to pretend that you're okay, that nothing's wrong and everything is fine when clearly it's not." She clenched her fists as she said, "There are ten million people each year in the U.S. alone who are impacted by domestic violence—children, adults, even elders. As many as one in four women and one in nine men are victims... Ten million victims." Kara paused to let that sink in. "In a perfect world everyone is safe and thriving, but that's not the reality we live in, is it?"

Some of the stonier faces seemed to soften, so she softened her tone for the next part. "I'm glad you're all here tonight. Even if you've never lived through that kind of abuse, it's clear how real and how damaging it is. Your being here means you care enough to give generously and help however you can. Your being here means you can help spread hope, help and compassion to those in dire need, to have access to programs and services that can save lives, that ensure victims of abuse and violence will get the help they need. Keeping these services alive through continuous funding is a huge help. Every little effort counts."

She looked people in the eye as she slowly surveyed the crowd from left to right to drive her message home. "Sometimes just a little compassion can go a really long way to give others hope and the help they need. Doing so makes you heroes. Thank you."

The crowd rose to their feet and cheered, some shaking her hand or high-fiving her on her way back to her seat. The sound was almost deafening, causing warmth to surge like a furnace in her chest. When she reached their table Jess, Sam and Lena all congratulated her with hugs and praises.

Squeezing Kara's hand, Lena whispered, "You really are my hero."

~oOo~

To break out of this shell

~ "I'm Coming Out" by Diana Ross

After the auction, the gala director opened the floor for more networking, mingling as well as dancing. Pairs gathered on the dance floor as a new band with contemporary instruments took the stage.

Lena and Sam got sucked into another discussion about a potential partnership between their companies. It sounded legitimate enough. Meanwhile, to Kara's chagrin, she continued to get sucked into more conversations every few steps. It was nice to receive praises for her speech, but all the attention was finally getting too much to handle. Some of the married women who flocked around her were getting a little too handsy. It was all she could do not to squirm, or even scowl to the point of her eyes glowing. She started to feel as if there were walls made of people closing in on her. Their voices meshed into a cacophony of noises that made her feel like she was spiraling down a vortex.

Kara excused herself and sped past the last throng of people, taking deep, desperate breaths when she slowed to a stop at the edge of the atrium, safe in the shadow of a tall Corinthian column. She felt foolish for her desperate attempt to escape. It was almost like being trapped in an elevator that she had to burst through.

She glanced at the rear of the bar, zooming in to scan the menu. It listed wine and beer supplied by such as Jh728 and FlyingPigPoet. Too bad Aldebaran rum was not offered. If only there was something that would at least make a dent in relaxing her nerves. Champagne might as well be sparkling cider, but she at least appreciated the crisp, refreshing taste and the way the bubbles frothed and fizzed, like micro fireworks bursting. It was just as well. She needed to stay alert anyway in case there was an emergency and she had to fly Lena out of there at a moment's notice.

Seeing that Lena and Sam were still engrossed in conversation, Kara decided to search for a quieter, more private spot. She headed to the garden like a ninja in the shadows and was just about to float away when someone called.

"Your dress is exquisite."

Kara turned to see a beautiful woman grinning at her, whose body was embraced by a bold, golden, shimmering, sleeveless, Grecian dress, which had a swath of sheer lace patterned with comma-shaped curls trailing down one side from her hip to the floor, giving a teasing glimpse of the hourglass body underneath. An open cape billowed over one shoulder. Kara wouldn't be surprised if Aphrodite, Athena, Artemis and Hestia themselves bestowed the gown to the woman who wore it with the grace of a goddess. Like Kara, her body was lean, toned and sun-kissed, and she stood just a few inches taller.

"Diana!" Kara engulfed the newcomer in a bear hug. She relished not having to hold back her strength to do so, then pulled back to regard Diana's outfit. "Look at you, stunning as always."

Kara looked up to the woman from the moment they met, not only for her prowess as a warrior, but also for the warmth, kindness and compassion that glowed and radiated about her, an energy that felt like Kara was being bathed in infinite kindness simply by sharing her space. Kara marveled at how Diana managed to retain humility, optimism and hopefulness throughout five millennia. Despite having witnessed all kinds of human atrocities, Diana still believed in the goodness of people. Kara learned so much from her and had more to learn still.

"Thank you, my friend," Diana replied. "I've been wanting to say hello, but you've been surrounded all evening."

"Rao. It's been driving me nuts!" Kara shook her head in exasperation. "I was just heading up to the roof for a bit. Care to join me?"

"Sure."

Soon they were standing at the top of the building, several stories above. Kara breathed a huge sigh of relief upon seeing all the twinkling lights across the sky that overlooked the cityscape.

"How pretty," Diana murmured, surveying the scene.

"Probably not as pretty as the nightscape in Paris, huh?"

"Beauty can be found everywhere."

"True. When did you get here?"

"Not too long ago." Diana turned to her friend. "I liked your speech."

Kara beamed at her. "Thanks."

"So, you're here to escape?" Diana asked after a beat.

"Yeah. I just needed to get away for a bit." Kara exhaled as if expelling toxic fumes. "I'm not used to being surrounded by so many people like this. I can't even imagine what it's like for actors in those fan conventions."

"I certainly don't envy you," Diana remarked. "Bruce said to tell you: 'Welcome to the club'."

"Of what?"

"Notorious superheroes."

"Whatever!" Kara scoffed. "Unlike Selena, my girlfriend actually has morals."

Diana chuckled. "And quite romantic, too, it seems. Lois mentioned she sent you a room full of flowers." Diana threw a knowing look her way. "And that she even bought Catco for you."

"Lois has a big mouth," Kara grumbled. "Lena was just trying to beat Morgan Edge at his own game."

"Would she still have bought it if you weren't there?"

Kara blushed, eyeing the ground as she toed off a pebble. "Maybe not."

"I saw the two of you mingling earlier. She's quite smitten with you, just as you are with her."

"How could I not? I mean, she's so sweet and kind and smart and beautiful and funny and—" Kara caught herself, feeling like a runaway train. "I've never dated someone who was—is—my best friend first. She really gets me, you know?" Diana smiled. "Lena sees me for me, loved me even before she knew my secret. And though trust doesn't come easily for her, she lets me see a side of her that no one else sees. And... we make each other better."

"I'm really happy for you, my friend." Diana squeezed Kara's forearm. "You deserve to be loved and be happy."

"I am! It feels so good to be cherished, and I love her like crazy." Then Kara sighed. "We... made our relationship public."

"What has that been like?"

"We'd rather keep things private, but with the internet and social media..." Kara waved her hand about. "Our friends keep telling us that just looking at each other gives us away anyway."

"You're in love," Diana said. "Your feelings will shine through on their own."

"I guess. Trying to hide it brought a lot of speculation in the media. By not denying it, at least the questions changed and we have a little more control over the narrative."

"Some people do tend to want to know more if they think you're hiding something."

"Unfortunately, even the bad guys do find out. I know I can't control that, but I still worry about the people closest to me."

"You can all take precautions and prepare for contingencies as best you can, but yes, it's not always in your control." Diana nodded. "I have found that sometimes simply being intimidating is enough for your foes not to mess with you and yours. It's the people who are not afraid to go against you that pose the most risk."

Kara grimaced. "And they're everywhere."

"Right. Sociopaths and psychopaths don't care for the wellbeing of others to achieve their goals. While it's true they can target the people you love, they can also choose to hurt or kill strangers just because they know it's in your nature to want to save them." Diana paused and squeezed Kara's hands. "Just remember that you are not alone and saving people is a shared burden with your allies."

"True." Kara was grateful to have allies, both human and super. "You know, I jumped into this whole superhero business without really thinking things through."

"You seem to be doing okay."

"Not at first! I spent many years here on Earth just wanting to be like Kal, to fight beside him. I basically molded myself into his image. I even became a reporter." She shook her head at herself.

"He was your example. You had to start somewhere."

"Yes. It's just... I lived a sheltered 'human' life for so long—" Kara air quoted "—only to be thrust into Superman's shadow when I finally revealed myself to the world."

"Kal set quite a standard, didn't he? I can see how frustrating it must be to get compared and measured against all that."

"At least people do take me more seriously now, especially after people saw me punch his lights out." Kara smirked.

"I saw that online actually." Diana returned the smirk. "Bruce ribs him for it every chance he gets."

Kara laughed. After a moment she stared into the distance. Diana simply waited in silence, admiring the panorama of lights. Eventually, Kara said, "Sometimes I wish I could be out like you, with no need for alter egos. How do you do it, Diana? How are you able to exist as both Diana Prince and Wonder Woman in public?"

"I'm only Diana Prince on paper thanks to Trevor. All so I could officially receive paychecks back in the day as his assistant." Diana rolled her eyes.

"Oh, brother."

"Trevor thought if I introduced myself as Diana, daughter of Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons, and of Zeus, god of Olympus, I would have been locked up in an asylum."

Kara snorted. "Yeah, when you put it that way, it sounds a little too good to be true, huh?"

"Just like a Kryptonian who can fly and crush buildings with your bare hands?"

"Touché. What was it like when you first came into this world?"

"Oh, gods! Women were terribly oppressed by the rules of men, bound by so many restrictions and made to feel inferior, insignificant and less capable. I was told to mold myself into their standards just to blend in."

"Yikes!"

"I am none of those things so I refuse to tolerate such inequality. As you know I come from a line of fierce warriors, proud of what we stand for and who embrace who we are." Kara nodded in admiration as her friend spoke with conviction. "Amazons believe that strength is fueled by belief. If you believe that you are worth less, then that is what you become. But I will always be true to who I am, and I refuse to be defined by misogynistic ideals."

"So you decided to be open about who you are right from the start?"

Diana nodded. "It was pointless to pretend. I don't advertise, but I also don't deny who I am. They call me Wonder Woman when I wear my battle armor, but that is just a role I play. I am so much more."

"You are, and you're magnificent!"

"So are you, my friend. Your suit of armor is not all that defines you."

"You know, I had this fantasy that by embracing my abilities out in the open, I thought it would be far more liberating, that I would finally feel free to be who I truly am. But... I'm really not. I stepped into another mask that others boxed me into, and I still hide behind a human disguise, which people keep telling me is just silly."

"You mean the glasses and ponytail?" Diana grimaced. "Well, they do have a point."

"Not you, too," Kara huffed. "They do work!"

"If you say so."

"Diana!" Kara glared at her friend, who only stuck her tongue out. "Hmph! Anyway, my point is that sometimes I wish I didn't have to pretend to be a bumbling human, a character I created just to go unnoticed, nor do I want to be just another superhero placed on a silly, unreachable pedestal. I'm just me. I am Kara Zor-El, a Kryptonian refugee who happens to have powers here on Earth. Powers I use for good, to help and protect and all that jazz."

"I understand."

Kara glanced at the gala below, hearing the band playing "I'm Coming Out" by Diana Ross.

I've got to show the world

All that I wanna be

And all my abilities

There's so much more to me.

"You know, I spoke to some LGBTQ teens not too long ago as Supergirl. They told me how they got bullied all the time, even beaten up. Some of them ran away, all because their families and community couldn't accept them. They just wanted to be free, to be embraced for being who they are. They look up to me for being out and proud with Lena." Kara's lips thinned. "But when they said that—being out and proud—I didn't look at it as being a woman who proudly loves a woman out in the open. Instead, it struck me how I'm still in the closet anyway, living two lives behind two personas." Kara turned back to the night sky with a long exhale. "Diana, I lived in fear all my life since I arrived on Earth, because others made me believe it was safer to hide my true identity. I get it, the Danvers were just trying to protect me when I was new here. But I'm not that young and naive little girl anymore."

"What's holding you back?"

"I know my fears won't just go away overnight. I have others to worry about. And I've never been one to quickly adapt to life-altering change."

"So, what are you going to do?"

"Well, tonight, with Lena's encouragement, I stepped out into the world as Kara Zor-El. I'm not exactly sure how to reconcile all the identity stuff. For now, I'm testing out being out in the open as the real me, not as Kara Danvers or Supergirl, though that's who people think they see right now."

"What do you want them to see?"

"That there's more to me than what I do when I wear the cape. That I'm not the awkward reporter at Catco."

"I understand. It can be hard to change public perception, especially since you're famous."

"I know."

"I'm proud of you for having the courage to make that leap and step into the kind of woman you want to be. To be comfortable in your own skin." Diana engulfed her in a hug. "Just remember: not everyone needs to know everything about you. That level of trust is a privilege that must be earned."

Kara squeezed her friend tightly, melting in her embrace. "I know some of my fears are valid, like my loved ones getting hurt because of me, but I don't want to keep living my life fearing the worst. I've done that enough since I landed here."

Diana pulled back, clasping their hands together. "Then I suggest that you learn to fully embrace the fact that you can not control everything that happens."

"Heh. That's what I tell others all the time."

Diana nodded. "Then live by example by embodying your truth. You can only be accountable for your own words and actions. Also, the people you love will make sacrifices for your sake and the greater good, just as you would put yourself on the line for them. They own their choices and actions. It's not easy, but we must also trust others to take care of themselves."

Kara felt her eyes well with tears. It felt so good to be heard and understood by someone who also lived with high-stakes risks. "I'm still learning and it's not always easy."

"I know, but that's how you'll grow. I can't speak for my civilian friends, but the Amazons…" Diana beamed. "If they were here, they would be a force to be reckoned with at least."

"Yup. They're intimidating and badass!" Suddenly Kara's phone dinged. Glancing down, she said, "It's Lena. She's wondering where I am."

"We should probably head back. Before we go, just remember that there's no rush. You're still learning and growing. You'll figure it out in time, decide what's right for you and how to handle whatever comes your way."

"You're so wise. Sometimes I forget you've lived for thousands of years, so you know what you're talking about."

"You make me feel so ancient!" Diana punched the blonde on the arm, and while it wasn't meant to hurt, Kara still felt it.

"Owww, so violent!" Kara whined, rubbing her shoulder.

"You wuss. It wasn't that hard." Diana narrowed her eyes in mock-annoyance. "That's what you get for insulting a lady."

"Sorry, your highness. I didn't mean it like that. You look great for your age!" She laughed as she dodged another blow. In seriousness, Kara said, "Thanks, Diana. I needed to hear all that. Thanks for listening."

"Anytime." Diana grinned and turned towards the gala below. "Come on then. Your lady awaits."

Kara smiled fondly. "I can't wait for you to meet her."

~oOo~

And don't forget who's taking you home

~ "Save the Last Dance for Me" by Michael Bublé

Sam returned to Lena's side, wondering why she was by herself. "Hey, where's your super date?"

"I'm not sure."

"Probably got swallowed up by the masses again, huh? Poor thing can't get a break. She's too popular for her own good."

"I know. I don't know how she does it." Lena shook her head. "But I do know she's been getting antsy." She noticed Sam frowning at something behind her. "What is it?"

"Who's that gorgeous woman chatting up your beefcake?" Sam asked.

Lena turned around and saw Kara strolling arm in arm with a woman in gold. They were laughing. Not that there was anything wrong with that, but so far Kara had been unreceptive to most people's advances. Until now.

Kara looked relaxed and was all smiles. She and the woman paused to pose for a selfie, heads touching as they checked out the photo they took. The woman's hand lingered on Kara's forearm. At some point she even slapped Kara on the shoulder, who actually staggered. Lena frowned. Kara's body was rock solid, her mass incredibly dense despite her slim figure. She moved to humor Lena's attempts at swatting her so that Lena wouldn't hurt herself. So, either this hussy was actually strong or Kara was indulging her. Regardless, it was looking a little too friendly for Lena's taste.

"I don't know who she is," Lena said, striving for nonchalance. "Maybe she's a friend."

"As in 'just friends'?" Sam air quoted with her fingers. "You haven't mentioned any of Supergirl's friends before."

"I haven't really had a chance to meet them. Guess I should start."

~oOo~

"So," Kara said, "of all the galas you're gracing with your lovely presence, you just happened to attend this one, huh, princess?"

Diana laughed at her friend's teasing. She slapped Kara on the arm, which made the Girl of Steel stumble with a huff.

"Hey, will you stop with the abuse? You're making me look bad, getting pushed around by some lowly human."

"Half-human. Deal with it, weakling," Diana scoffed, but her eyes twinkled in mirth. "To answer your question, it's a great cause. When I heard that Supergirl was attending as a guest, I had to come see you since I was in the area. Besides, I was curious about a certain CEO."

Kara's ears perked when she detected a familiar cadence of footsteps. "Speak of the angel." Both heads turned to see Lena strolling over. Kara extended her arm.

"Darling, there you are." Lena casually slotted herself into Kara's side and Kara slid her arm around her waist. Lena turned to observe the stranger up close.

Kara beamed. "Diana, I'd like you to meet the brilliant and ravishing Lena Luthor. Lena, this is my dear friend, Diana Prince."

Diana offered her hand with a grin. "I'm very pleased to finally meet you."

"Lovely to meet you." Lena's brow twitched in surprise to feel a sudden wave of warmth emanating from the beauty before her. She held a regal bearing, accentuated by her Grecian gown, with a charisma reminiscent of actresses from the golden age of Hollywood. She exuded a larger-than-life aura, a similar effect that Kara inspired. Lena tried not to feel intimidated. "Wait, as in Diana Prince of The Antiope Foundation?"

"The very same."

"Oh yeah," Kara chirped. "Diana, you're one of the main sponsors?"

"Just like L-Corp," Diana replied. "Is that your doing, Lena?"

The CEO nodded. "Donating is my superpower."

Kara chuckled. "These folks are lucky to have you both."

Lena just had to ask, "How do you know each other?"

Diana looked to Kara to respond, who felt a little unsure how to answer. "Diana, is it alright with you if I tell my beloved about you?"

Diana's eyes brimmed with affection. "I trust your judgment, my friend."

Kara glanced at Lena. "Diana's a family friend and ally."

Lena's mouth fell open, surprised at the easy acquiescence as well as the open admission. After a brief moment, Kara's words sunk in. Lena's head swiveled between the two. "As in—?"

"Diana teams up with my cousin sometimes. And by the way," Kara told Diana, "you still owe me a sparring session."

"Right. Let's get together while I'm in town."

"We better!"

"Well, I have some more people to greet. Call me." To Lena she said, "It was a pleasure to meet you. I trust you'll take care of this one. She's precious."

Lena smiled at Kara affectionately. "I will, and she is."

When Diana's footsteps faded away, Kara wrapped both arms around Lena, who melted into her embrace. "Hi. Mmmmwah!"

Lena felt her cheeks heat up. She couldn't fathom why she suddenly felt so bashful. "Hi. I, ehm..." She busied herself with rubbing Kara's arms up and down before whispering, "I missed you."

"Aww. I missed you, too." Kara hummed in contentment. She rocked them gently from side to side. "Did you have a good businessy chat?"

"I did. And you?"

Kara nodded. "Diana and I had a nice chat. She joined me for a bit when I escaped to the roof." Lena wanted to probe, but decided not to. Sensing this, Kara added, "I'll tell you all about it later."

"You've been quite busy tonight. How are you holding up?"

Kara sighed in exasperation. "I think I've reached my quota of conversations with socialites. I'm never doing this again, you hear me?"

Lena laughed. "My poor baby. All those evil Superfans."

Kara rolled her eyes. "See? We could have been a lot more fashionably late. It would have kept me from their clutches." She waggled her eyebrows.

Lena gave her a dry stare. "Is that all you can think about?"

"As if that wasn't what you wanted all along." Kara glanced down at Lena's body, licking her lips. "I think you chose this dress to make sure my eyes are glued to all your assets. Admit it."

Lena giggled, thrilled because it was true. She did choose this dress to make sure she had Kara's attention, but the crowd kept distracting her target. "Well, you look dazzling. Everyone's been staring at you all evening."

Kara shrugged. "That's cause they see Supergirl in a fabulous dress. Thank you again."

"You've already thanked me quite a bit earlier."

"Oh no, that's to thank you for wearing your dress. We were cut short as I recall. I haven't even gotten to the part where I thank you for my dress."

"I see." Lena nibbled her lower lip. She brushed off imaginary lint just to have an excuse to touch her lover's collarbone, her eyes tracking her own fingers' movements. She badly wanted to kiss Kara but didn't want to draw more attention. "While you were gone I thought about what you said."

"Which one? I said a lot of things."

"Hmm." Lena gazed into blue eyes. "If you were a gladiator I can chain you up, maybe even have you spread-eagled on the bed." Lena was gratified when Kara's breath hitched. Her lover had planted some seeds that sparked Lena's imagination. She had to admit, Kara's ploy to keep stoking the embers of her libido worked, making a game of peppering the evening with spicy innuendos only Lena would pick up on. She decided some retaliation was in order. "Or, I could get a chaise lounge, lie there in something sheer while you do my bidding. Gladiators are slaves after all. You can feed me grapes while on your knees." She leaned in, close enough so that her lips touched the soft shell of Kara's earlobe. "I think you'd enjoy peeling a grape and—" Lena whispered the rest into Kara's ear, who exhaled sharply through her nose. Lena grinned, kissing that sensitive spot on Kara's neck just below her ear. She leaned back to see her lover's eyes darken.

"Jesus Christ. Lena, you wicked woman!"

Said woman chuckled, the kind that sent sparks of electricity crackling down Kara's spine. It wasn't something Kara normally said, but apparently Lena was rubbing off on her. The way Kara's irises darkened further as she stared at Lena's lips while sucking on her own, Lena knew she had her lover in the palm of her hands. "Just naughty. For now." Satisfied to now have the upper hand, with an extra sway of her hips, Lena sauntered off.

~oOo~

The things that I say just might matter to someone

~ "You Matter to Me" from Waitress

"How much longer do you think we'll stay?" Kara asked. The rest of the evening was for socializing and dancing. Now that they had no more obligations, Kara just wanted to sneak off with the CEO.

"Had enough?" Lena teased.

"Supergirl?"

The couple turned towards the voice. Lena's eyes widened.

"Hello, Narissa." Kara smiled. "Lena, this is the Broadway actress I was telling you about."

"Pleased to meet you, Miss Luthor," Narissa said, cheeks pinking.

"Likewise. Goodness, pardon me for staring. It's just—"

"I know. I, uh, I just wanted to say hello real quick before heading to the stage to tell you that I prepared a musical medley for you both."

Kara's brows raised in delight. "Really?"

"Yes, surprise!" Narissa smiled. "Jessica helped."

"Wow, that's—" Lena felt a twinge of warmth. No one had ever done something like that for her besides Kara. The woman looked so earnest and Lena could tell she was a bit starstruck. "That sounds lovely. Thank you."

"It's my honor. Well, I'd better go."

Jess and Sam appeared just as Narissa left.

"You have Superfans all over the place," Sam announced. "Her agent called Jess to get a list of songs."

"Really?" Kara asked.

"Not me specifically," Jess replied, smiling at the couple, "but yes, I fielded it on your behalf."

"No wonder you kept asking me about musicals. It was so unlike you," Lena told Sam, brow raised high. Sam only winked.

"Winn, too," Kara said under her breath. "At least he was in character." Kara tracked the singer as she stepped up to the middle of the stage. "There she is."

Suddenly the music faded as Narissa grabbed the mic and was introduced to the crowd. As the applause and cheers died down, Narissa said, "Good evening, everyone. I've got a musical medley for a special couple tonight." She beamed when Kara and Lena looked her way. "They're songs from Wicked, Waitress, The Bridges of Madison County and The Greatest Showman." Kara perked up at the musical choices. "Enjoy."

"She said it tells a story about friends who become lovers," Jess said. Sam looked a little too smug for that to be pure coincidence, but Lena let it go.

"Nice!" Kara said. "The least we could do is dance to this."

"That's our queue to leave." Sam elbowed Jess, who giggled. "Have fun!"

"Shall we?" Kara offered her hand to Lena.

"My heels are killing me, though," Lena whined, as much as a Luthor could in public.

"Ah, the price of wearing sexy heels. You can hop on my feet and I'll float us around." Lena pursed her lips, but Kara persisted. "C'mon, I'll do all the work. I'll even throw in a foot rub later. What do you say?"

Lena's brow arched. "Just a foot rub?" Kara smiled slyly. She leaned in and whispered in Lena's ear, making Lena bite her lips. "Oh my."

Kara added, "Besides, we've never danced together at these things. Okay, technically you have danced with KD, but not KZ."

"You drive a hard bargain. Oh, alright."

Without further protest, Kara led her lover to the dance floor. Lena gasped in delight when the band, led by the keyboardist, played Glinda's intro to "For Good" from carefully stepped onto Kara's shoes and slinked her arms around the blonde's neck. Kara grinned as she draped her own arms around Lena's waist. Soon, she floated them gently a few inches above the ground.

I've heard it said

That people come into our lives for a reason

Bringing something we must learn

And we are led to those who help us most to grow

If we let them and we help them in return.

"It's our friendship song," Kara said.

"Oh? Since when? When we were 'just friends'?"

Kara laughed softly. "I think it's great that we started out as friends, don't you?"

Lena leaned back and smiled wryly. "While secretly harboring fantasies of ripping each other's clothes off, you mean?"

"Guilty! But seriously, I love this song," Kara said, swaying them side to side. "And I believe it's your favorite musical so far."

"I suppose so. I'm no Elphaba, but I resonated with her plight."

"She was such a good person, wasn't she?" Kara whispered, gazing deeply into pools of green and blue. "Even when the people didn't see it."

Who can say if I've been changed for the better?

But, because I knew you

I have been changed for good.

Lena felt her heart soar. She couldn't look away, even when the song transitioned to "You Matter to Me" from Waitress. Just the other night at karaoke Kara sang this with Winn. Lena could only look at Kara, who in turn was looking directly at her, occasionally glancing at Winn for line cues.

I could find the whole meaning of life in those sad eyes

They've seen things you never quite say, but I hear

Come out of hiding, I'm right here beside you

And I'll stay there as long as you'll let me.

Lena hummed in pleasure. "You and Winn sang this at karaoke night. You two sounded incredible."

"Thanks. Technically I sang it to you." Kara drew Lena closer and leaned against her temple, closing her eyes as she breathed her in.

Lena's heart wept tears of joy and gratitude. She still couldn't believe the stars sent this extraordinary and wonderful soul into her world. Until Kara, she didn't know what love truly was, that it could be this good and this deep. Society defined love in all kinds of flowery and sometimes unrealistic ways, like in those romantic comedies Kara loved to watch. But this song, from the moment she first heard the lyrics on stage, spoke of the kind of love Lena yearned for: to matter enough to someone despite all odds.

Because you matter to me

Simple and plain and not much to ask from somebody.

From the very start, even when they didn't know each other well yet, somehow Lena mattered enough for Kara to keep coming back, to keep tunneling through the force field Lena held around herself at all times, to keep asking her to coffee or lunch or movie nights till Lena started relenting. And suddenly she had a friend who genuinely wanted to know everything about her—what music and movies and books Lena liked, things she wished for that money can't buy, what she would prefer to do if she didn't have to work, and how she would like to see the world evolve.

It's addictive the minute you let yourself think

The things that I say just might matter to someone

All of this time I've been keeping my mind on the running away

And for the first time, I think I'd consider the stay.

Kara had been different from the start. Andrea and Jack were friends who lived in the plane of elite social circles where pretentiousness and egotism were the norm. Lena refused to participate. She valued honesty and refused anything less. Then Kara barreled into her life. Sincere and so pure in the way she found joy in the littlest things, saw the goodness in people no matter what, and found silver linings in the bleakest situations. She was kindness personified.

Tonight, enter Kara Zor-El in all her glory, who graced the floor with her natural charm that had people easily falling under her spell. There was just something so magical in the air when she was near.

So, it was no surprise that even back then, Kara had become someone who mattered to Lena, someone who waltzed into her life, not for the benefits of Lena's wealth and connections. Kara wished for something Lena found difficult to give. Connection. Attention. Affection. Sharing intimate details, hopes and dreams. Lena found herself wanting the same from and with Kara, and as time went on, without her Lena's days and nights seemed incomplete.

The tempo started to pick up as the medley switched seamlessly to "Before and After You" from Bridges of Madison County. Narissa crooned with such yearning, singing about the wonder of that first kiss with a new lover, when suddenly the world turned brighter, the colors sharper. Lena remembered that moment, remembered the earth-shaking realization that she had fallen in love with someone worth loving, someone whose lightest touch sparked desire so powerful. Magnetic.

You, with a touch, at once erased

The lines and walls around me

How did you know exactly what to do?

Feeling your fingers on my waist, I know my fate has found me

Before and after you.

Lena couldn't believe how well the singer weaved the songs so perfectly, as if she knew just the right lines to serenade them with, a reflection of their journey from friendship to something more, something deeper that wanted to be free of limits. Lena tucked her head on Kara's shoulder and gripped her body tighter, glorying in their love and devotion.

"I wish I could sing this to you," Lena whispered. Her body suddenly tensed, eyes widening at the realization that she had spoken out loud. Lena buried her head in Kara's neck in embarrassment. "I'm not much of a singer, though."

Kara hummed in pleasure. "You can sing it to me anytime."

Lena blushed, thankful that Kara couldn't see her face. She cleared her throat. "She sounds really good. Not as good as you, of course, but she certainly knows what you like, doesn't she?"

"With a little help, it seems."

"Do you know what my favorite part of this evening is?" Kara said nothing for a moment. Lena leaned back to find her lover smirking.

"That they'll be terribly disappointed when I take home the most beautiful woman here to have wild monkey sex with me?"

Lena rolled her eyes as she chuckled. "Well I am quite the catch, you know."

"You are."

"I'm not above making people jealous." Lena grinned smugly.

"Yacht Guy will definitely cry to be left behind."

Lena laughed, turning heads around them. She swatted the imp's shoulder. "What I meant to say is that people got to see a wonderful side to you that I'm blessed to see every day. I know it's unpleasant having to deal with so many people. I can't even imagine how you put up with it, but I'm glad you came."

"Rao." Kara gave an exaggerated sigh. "The things I do for love."

The tempo picked up as the band launched into "Rewrite the Stars" from The Greatest Showman.

You know I want you

It's not a secret I try to hide.

Kara huffed in mirth at the irony. It truly was hard to pretend that they were just friends, and then pretend that they weren't lovers. How did they ever think they could hide? Their friends, even the world, could plainly see it with their own eyes. The push and pull of attraction was like an electric current that constantly pulsed between them. It was pointless to deny getting sucked into the inevitability of surrender. And despite all odds, despite the risks, somehow they were making it work, defining and owning their relationship regardless of what people thought or said.

When everyone tells us what we can be

How can we rewrite the stars

Say that the world can be ours.

Lena stared at Kara's lips, plump, juicy and inviting. Her chest heaved in her desire to lean in and claim them, to stamp Kara's face and neck with lipstick, to run her fingers through fine, golden strands, to lose herself as she always did whenever Kara's lips met hers, as if they would never kiss again. Lena looked up, caressing Kara's nape. "God, I want to kiss you so badly," she whispered.

Kara hummed. "Me, too."

"I want to do other things, too, like..." Lena leaned in and whispered into the blonde's ear.

"Lena Kieran Luthor!" Kara mock-gasped. "What would your mother say?"

"I don't give a damn what Lillian thinks, but my real mother would be happy to know that you make me so happy."

"You say the sweetest things."

Lena smiled with affection. "I have my moments."

All I want is to fly with you

All I want is to fall with you.

"That's a great idea," Kara said. "Why don't we get out of here?"

"What about our things?"

"That's easy." Kara set Lena down gently, super-sped to the coat check and was back before Lena could even blink. Kara's velvet himation was already draped and fastened around her shoulders. She held Lena's Grecian cloak open to help her put it on, and once their belongings were secured, Kara moved into position and lifted Lena in her arms. As they floated away, Sam, Jess and even Narissa waved at them with knowing grins on their faces, the entire crowd staring in awe as they disappeared into the darkness as the song faded away.

Nothing can keep us apart

'Cause you are the one I was meant to find

It's up to you

And it's up to me

No one can say what we get to be

And why don't we rewrite the stars?

Changing the world to be ours.

.

.

End Notes

Sorry-not-sorry for the tease, bwahaha! I promise you som sexy times ahead! ;)

Jeez, that speech and rooftop convo w/Diana were tricky and threw me for a loop! Diana's cameo which was originally just 2 paragraphs! But KZ needed some pro hero guidance, so hey. Also, I couldn't resist the fantasy of Mel B. singing. :)

Btw, I posted some 'deleted scenes' like Kara Zor-El on Edge and other HypRom shorts/side stories (look for me at Archive of Our Own). Although this fic (main narrative) will be wrapping up soon, HypRom world continues.

I've also been working on Saving Kara Zor-El (preview). This drama involves time travel by Supergirl from the future who comes to help Kara in time for Crisis of Infinite Earths. Sadly my old beta lost interest in SG and moved on to other fandoms. I could use a new and insightful beta to help me with continuity and spot plot holes. If interested, ping me on Tumblr.

Thanks for reading, leaving kudos and comments! Mwah!