"Hey, your girl is on the news," Alex called out to her sister, who was in the other room.
Kara came running at an embarrassing speed to see what Alex was talking about.
On the television screen, Kara saw her girlfriend leaning in closely and laughing with a man who Kara recognized as the co-star of her current film project. It looked intimate, and it didn't help that the headline read: TV SENSATION LENA LUTHOR GETS COMFY WITH COSTAR BRADLEY JAMES.
Watching the two interact socially on the screen made Kara's stomach turn. An on-screen kiss was one thing. In fact, it was part of the job. But this? Watching this guy's hand on her upper thigh, leaning in and laughing while whispering in her ear? That… was disgusting. Then, her stomach dropped further when she saw the man slowly kiss Lena's cheek, his lips lingering near her face.
The man's next move prompted Alex to say, "Whoa… Kar… I'm…" as the paparazzi's footage caught him kissing Lena again, this time directly on the lips.
Kara didn't speak or respond to her sister, her state of shock and horror forcing her into a silent rage. Instead, she simply turned away, tears in her eyes, and ran up the stairs to her room.
She cried for a while before she texted her girlfriend, knowing that if she texted immediately, she a.) wouldn't have been able to see the screen of her phone through her tears, and b.) would have been way too angry and hurt to use any form of effective, appropriate communication.
When she finally did text Lena, she was still crying, but was at least able to see her phone screen between wiping her eyes every few seconds while the tears fell.
You know my family watches the news, right?
Lena, who had been filming most of the day, texted back immediately.
Kara… If you're talking about Bradley… It's not what it looks like.
Of course, the blonde's rage returned at this, and she was instantly pissed, nearly snapping her phone by squeezing it in an unreasonably vice-like grip.
Don't you dare feed me that line. I don't want to hear those fucking bullshit, cop-out words. Ever. Why didn't you tell me you were with him?
Lena, horrified herself by the implications and sudden consequences of the headline, replied:
It was a stunt, Kara. A necessary STUNT, facilitated by my mother for publicity and promotion of the show. I didn't tell you, because I thought you trusted me enough that the intent would be obvious and you wouldn't act like a jealous fucking child.
Feeling her chest tighten to an excessively uncomfortable degree, Kara typed:
Your stunt fucking hurts. And I'm not a 'jealous fucking child.' I just thought I was in a monogamous, committed relationship with someone who wouldn't want me to be a secret.
Lena's heart clenched at the words as she responded:
I'm sorry, Kara. I honestly didn't think that it would hurt you. I really thought you would've understood why it happened. Why it HAD to happen. And you ARE in a monogamous, committed relationship with me.
Angrily typing back, the blonde answered:
'Monogamous' doesn't mean having a guy's mouth on you on public television.
Slapping herself in the face out of pure frustration, Lena replied:
It was a publicity stunt, Kara. Nothing more. I am completely faithful to you. I swear to you right now that I would never try to hurt you and that I only have eyes for you.
Torn by her desire to believe Lena's words and her own mistrust of Lena's motives, Kara messaged back:
Kissing someone else is cheating. End of story. You might be okay with faking feelings for someone outside a show for media attention, but I'm not okay with it. By the way… Noticed you weren't wearing the bracelet. That was an entire paycheck, just so you know.
"Fuck," Lena cursed, slamming her phone down on the bed.
Yes, she'd taken it off on purpose, but she definitely hadn't thought through the potential consequences or how much this would hurt Kara if she knew. The kiss had been fake. Completely staged. It really had been a publicity stunt for media attention. But Kara's feelings? Those were real, and they were hurting because of Lena. Instead of replying - her hands were shaking to severely to type anything intelligible - she shut herself in the bathroom and reached for the only coping skills she knew: pills and razor blades.
~!~!~
In the morning, having suddenly realized that she'd passed out without responding to her girlfriend's text, Lena woke with a gasp and grabbed her phone. It was late. In fact, she'd slept in past when she was supposed to be on set!
"Fuck, fuck, fuck!" Lena shouted, scrambling around the room to grab the appropriate articles of clothing as she typed feverishly on the phone.
I'm so sorry, Kara. I honestly passed out. I wasn't ignoring you. And you're right. What I did was a shitty ploy for attention, and I realize that it hurt you, and I am so sorry. I do need you to know, though… My mom put me up to it.
Kara didn't get the message until lunchtime, as she was in class the first half of the day. When she finally did read it, she felt frustration rise up within her again.
I don't care if your mom or your agent or God put you up to it, Lena. You're an adult. You could've said no. I get that you and I can't go public, but you don't HAVE to fake a relationship with someone else. That's a choice you're making to further your career.
By the time Lena got Kara's reply, she was in a vehicle on the way to the set to continue filming the show she was currently working on, so she was in a brief position to message back before appearing in front of the camera.
You're right. It was ultimately my choice. And I can see now that it was a stupid fucking decision. I'll end the arrangement, okay? I am sorry. Please, forgive me, and allow me to make it up to you?
Hesitating before her reply, Kara typed back:
How?
Lena couldn't help but smile at Kara's potential openness to making up.
Anything you want. Why don't you let me fly you to Saint-Tropez with me this weekend? There's a concert there and the night scene is great. You'd have fun.
Eyes wide, Kara found herself not knowing exactly how to receive the invitation. She'd only been out of the country once, for a joint business trip that her parents were on, which was the only reason she even had a passport.
I don't think that's really my scene… I wouldn't fit in with the rich kids. You should go enjoy yourself though. And I do appreciate the invite.
Kara almost frowned at this, finding herself oddly tempted to accept the invitation and to go explore what it might feel like to have a more extravagant experience than peanut butter and jelly for lunch every day. Lena texted back before she could say anything else, though.
Come with me. I want you to see it there. It's beautiful.
The blonde smiled at this.
You're beautiful. And…
Okay.
I'll go.
But on one condition…
Looking at her phone, intrigued by Kara's words, Lena answered:
Anything.
Kara grinned.
I wanna see you in that lingerie outfit you wore for that TV show that aired last year on the CW.
Staring at her phone's screen in disbelief, Lena thought back on all their moments together, including all the times they'd kissed. In all of these moments, Lena had felt a magnetic pull to Kara, packed with an intensity she couldn't understand. But she'd never felt that returned by Kara. Her aura always exuded an element of calmness and contentment, not lustful passion. Of course, for Lena, it wasn't just lust. It was a deep, electric feeling of love. Still, as much as she wanted more, she respected her partner's unspoken boundaries and her desire to 'take things slow,' so she didn't push. In fact, she hadn't made a move past kissing since they'd been together. But now… having Kara ask for lingerie… that was making Lena question everything.
Are you serious?
Kara laughed out loud reading Lena's message.
Duh! You're stunning. And besides… I can make a relatively well-founded guess that it'll look even better in person, rather than on a screen.
Heart sinking as her own self-loathing resurfaced, Lena thought of how much she hated her body, which anyone else would have considered to be perfect.
Don't be so sure. Cameras can make anything look good.
Frowning at her partner's reply and feeling sad that Lena was evidently far off from being able to appreciate her own beauty, both inside and out.
Lena… You're stunning. I am so attracted to you. Physically, emotionally, and intellectually. Everything about you makes my heart race. So, seeing you in lingerie? Yeah, I'm into that.
Unable to stifle her smile, warmed by Kara's words, Lena wrote back:
I love you, Kara. Thank you for saying that. And… are you sure you want to go there? I mean… We don't have to do anything you don't want to do. I don't want to pressure or rush you into anything. I want you to feel safe and comfortable.
Heart aching with longing and appreciation for her partner, Kara found herself swooning.
I love you too. And I do feel safe and comfortable with you. Which is why, being so insanely attracted to you, I love the idea of seeing you like that. But if you don't feel comfortable, that's okay too.
Lena's reply was instant as her palms began to sweat with anticipation and indescribable desire.
I do feel comfortable. I just wanted to make sure you did too before I agreed to anything. I will totally do that for you, if that's what you want…
Kara blushed as soon as she received the reply, picturing Lena wearing lingerie in her mind's eye.
I'd love it. And it doesn't have to go further. I'm not asking for that. I just want to be able to appreciate… all of you… You know?
Smiling at this, Lena answered:
Fair enough. I'll let you appreciate anything you want, cutie ;)
Blush intensifying at these words, the blonde felt herself shiver.
Come get me ASAP.
Grinning, the brunette typed her response.
As soon as we're done filming tonight. I'll probably be out late, but if you want to sneak in and crash at my place tonight…?
Biting her lip, the younger girl pointed out:
What about your mom?
Laughing, the star replied:
Who cares? Spend the night.
Kara hesitated before typing back.
Okay. Deal.
Lena's grin broadened.
Yay! See you tonight! I'll text you as soon as I'm headed over!
Overwhelmed with affection and an undeniable rush of excitement, Kara sent one last message.
I can't wait. Good luck today, gorgeous girl. I know you'll do great.