"What?" Diana shifted her head on Kara's lap looking up at her lazily. Kara's fingers had been gently playing with her hair for the better part of an hour now as they watched a sitcom Kara had claimed was a crime against pop culture that Diana had never seen a single episode of. She was slowly drifting to sleep with the gentle caress and the low hum of the television when those heavenly fingers stopped their ministrations. When she looked up it was to ocean blue eyes that reminded her of Themyscira's beaches in the summer just after a storm. Kara's lips curved upward into an easy smile and Diana was struck by how such a beautiful creature could grace this earth.
She was only just beginning to discover what made Kara's eyes light up like that, or how she could get her eyebrow to crinkle in such a way to where she knew without a doubt that she was at her happiest. She found learning those things was quickly becoming one of her favorite past times and the realization, though an exciting one and welcome change, also made her uneasy and left her feeling untethered and lost.
It was a rare feeling that she hasn't experienced since Steve. Steve, who left this world far too soon and who had taken her heart with him along the way. She never thought she'd find it again and yet every time she found herself in Kara's presence that little organ made its presence known in the same way it did when she first met her pilot a lifetime ago. It was terrifying, and made her want to run, which instinctively only caused her to dig her heels in deeper. Antiope would've called it stubborn she mused to herself with a fondness for her mentor. Yet another person she missed so deeply and who kept creeping into her thoughts lately. Kara seemed to have a knack for unraveling all her previously repressed emotions and upending her belief that she'd never find love again. Cause that's exactly what was happening, she was falling again and she couldn't seem to control the speed nor did she want to.
"Nothing, just enjoying the view." Kara said softly. Diana smiled up at her and reached her hand up to Kara's face pulling her down for a soft kiss. It was an awkward angle and she was growing uncomfortable which she easily amended by floating slightly off the couch. It was sweet and affectionate and Diana felt a warmth bubble up within her chest at the gentleness of it. Kara giggled into the kiss and Diana couldn't help smile back. "You're making this more difficult now." Diana said between kisses not fully leaving Kara's lips untouched. "I can't help it, no one I've dated has ever floated to kiss me before." Kara pulled away only slightly to look at Diana's hazel eyes. "You're the first."
Diana smiled fondly as she looked into Kara's eyes which were only inches away from her own now. This was a game she could play. She licked her lips slowly and observed with satisfaction as Kara's eyes shifted downward and then darkened as she followed the motion. It was alluring how simple it was to grab so completely Kara's attention in such a way and she found herself leaning in, her hot breath just barely ghosting across Kara's own lips and tipped her head back and away just when Kara gravitated closer trying to close the minute distance between them. Diana smirked before teasing Kara again, dipping her head and floating up slightly higher and away from Kara, causing the blonde to lift off the couch in pursuit. To her delight Kara did exactly that and Diana shifted in the air from her horizontal position to a vertical one, grabbing Kara's hips to pull her in closer.
"Are you going to kiss me or not?" Diana whispered in Kara's ear, she felt the blonde shiver slightly. Kara pulled back and gave her a very unamused look causing a wider smile to break across Diana's face.
"You're teasing me."
"You, my dear, are starting to become an addiction. Teasing…" Diana nipped at Kara's bottom lip and broke into a wide satisfied grin when Kara's breath hitched, before wrapping her arms around her, squeezing her waist slightly in a firm hug. "...is all part of the fun."
Kara closed her eyes, her smile causing the corners of her eyelids to crinkle and Diana silently applauded herself for it. "Kiss me?" Kara said, trying and failing to sound authoritative as she looked up at Diana, her own arms dropping lazily over Diana's shoulders. The neediness in her voice caused Diana's arms to tighten possessively around Kara's waist. They were still hovering above the coffee table in Kara's living room slowly twirling in the air and Diana slowly drifted them back down to the hardwood floor. Diana happily obliged as she moved a hand up to Kara's face to hold it there looking into her eyes and enjoying this carefree, brilliant creature that she somehow by Zues' grace had the privilege of dating. Warmth overwhelmed her senses instantly the moment their lips met and she found herself pulling Kara impossibly closer wanting to give more and more and taking what Kara offered in return. When they finally broke they were left panting and suddenly Diana's hands itched to be everywhere at once, wanting to touch and discover and she craved it with a burning intensity. Her hands nearly shook with the need and she settled for fingertips lightly caressing Kara's face and neck and shoulder before finally finding homes at her hips. The look on Kara's face suggested she wasn't alone, her pupils fully dilated her hands seeking their own places to settle upon Diana, taking up residence at the back of her neck with one and her arm with the other.
The night was quickly slipping through their fingers and it was approaching time for her to leave. It was getting harder and harder as these nights became more frequent. She sighed softly, her hands gliding up Kara's back and around to the top of her shoulders as her head fell forward. "How is it possible to miss you when I haven't even left yet?"
Kara chuckled ducking her head to meet Diana's pecking her on the lips. "It's one of my super powers." Diana looked up and smiled widely. "Gosh you're beautiful when you smile." Kara said suddenly. Diana laughed, throwing her head back slightly, still endeared by Kara's use of words like golly and gosh. Kara gave a crooked smile looking very pleased with herself for having caused the spontaneous sound to erupt from Diana's lips. Diana kissed her chastely one last time before peeling herself away from complaining hands. "I have to go, it's getting late." Diana said halfheartedly not really wanting to leave either, but needing to, for both their sakes.
"You don't have to, you know." Kara spoke so softly Diana almost didn't catch it. Kara's fingers trailed down Diana's arm pulling her hand close to her own chest. "Stay?" She asked tentatively, as if the question itself might send Diana running. Diana's pulse beat loudly in her chest and she felt a rush of anxiety suddenly as the same exact words and scene unfolded 76 years ago in a different London apartment by Steve Trevor. Suddenly and much to her dismay a smiling image of Steve was unceremoniously thrusted to the forefront of her subconscious and the all too familiar pang of guilt flooded her blood stream. Twice in one night her thoughts had drifted back to Steve and in this moment her face contorted to one of pain and grief as she tried desperately to hang onto the light Kara had shined onto her fading heart. However the word "stay" lingered and transformed to Steve's voice and Steve's hands and she was transported back to that winter night in 1945. Whatever panic Diana seemed to be coping with must have been written across her face because Kara pulled her into an all encompassing embrace.
"I'm sorry." Diana shook in Kara's arms and her mind fought off the images of Steve trying and failing to recollect her shattered heart. Years of grief and sorrow seemed to overwhelm her instantly and she no longer had the strength to control the flow. "I'm so sorry, I don't know what's happening." She felt herself trembling as tears flowed freely from her face. She wanted to be furious at herself for breaking down so completely in front of Kara. If she dwelled on it long enough she'd find that somewhere deep within herself she felt so at being so suddenly weak as such a seemingly small proposition on Kara's part devastated her. "I –" She didn't know how to explain herself. The whispered 'Steve' in the crux of Kara's neck was all the answer she could give in that moment. Kara for her part seemed to understand without having to ask more as her hands began to draw miniscule circles in an attempt to soothe.
"Oh Diana, I'm here. I'm so sorry." Kara slowly migrated them back to the couch. Pulling Diana into her side and holding her as Diana uncharacteristically shed silent tears into her shoulder. She wanted to protest, to claim she was fine and to stand up straight and put on a smile and carry on like this never happened. She wasn't embarrassed, she would never be anything more than grateful for the time she had with Steve before he was taken from her. It didn't help her pride though, she wasn't one to be emotional. Only a select few had ever seen her tears, her mother, Antiope, Steve and now Kara. It was slightly unsettling how quickly Kara seemed to insert herself into such an intimate list of people. After a few more silent minutes transpired between them Diana pulled away dabbing under her eyes with her middle finger to remove traces of the tears that were finally subsiding.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Kara asked softly.
Diana smiled gratefully at her and cupped her cheek pulling her in for a quick kiss that did absolute wonders in soothing her soul. "Maybe. One day soon, I promise. Just not tonight. I hope that's ok." She smiled reassuringly and kissed Kara again watching with relief as the worry lines in Kara's face slowly dissolved but never quite leaving. "I am very much interested in progressing things with you, Kara, I hope this doesn't make you think otherwise. It's not like I haven't since Steve… quite the contrary…" She eyed Kara knowingly and smirked. Kara smiled in return and thankfully the tension that had filled the space between them dwindled in tandem. "It's just that no one has ever made me feel quite like Steve had, and I'm finding that being with you…" Diana shivers and she sighs heavily, "it's awakening a part of my soul I thought to be dead forever. It's quite disorienting."
Kara pulled her hands to her lap and squeezed them. "I don't scare away easily, Diana. I don't plan on going anywhere and when you are ready to talk, I'll be here." She brought Diana's hands up to her lips and kissed them before releasing them back to their owner.
"Thank you." Diana said softly. Truly grateful to have someone like Kara in her life. "I should probably be going." Kara nodded and rose to her feet, offering Diana a hand to help her to hers as well.
"You're still coming to game night Friday right?" She stepped back, turning her attention to the empty take out boxes, collecting them into the plastic bag they came in to begin the process of straightening up for the night. Diana nodded happily, grateful to Kara for the change of subject, as she turned and grabbed the tossed throw blanket, folding it neatly then laying it across the back of Kara's couch. "Of course, I'm actually looking forward to getting together with Sam and Lena outside of office hours, we haven't really had a chance to relax since this project has gotten underway. It'll be nice to officially meet Alex as well. Though from Sam's comments I guess I should prepare myself for hazing of some kind."
"Not unless she knows what's good for her. I've warned her to keep any sort of shovel talk to a minimum and to leave her tactical gear at home."
Diana laughed. "I think I'm more than capable of handling myself." She defended.
"Oh I'm well aware, but I also know what she's like and she has a tendency to be overprotective."
"I'd expect nothing less from an older sibling." Diana said as she pulled Kara into another embrace, she never got tired of the feeling of her wrapped in her arms. Her finger traced a line down Kara's neck, gently pushing the hair that rested there away before placing a soft kiss on the spot she revealed. "Good night, Dear. Thank you for understanding" She whispered into her neck, before gently sinking her teeth teasingly into that same spot producing a soft inhale and shiver out of the blonde. She couldn't quite make up for earlier, not without fully explaining her past, but it helped tremendously when she pulled away and Kara looked physically pained at the disconnect. At least she wasn't the only one affected by it.
"Of course. I completely understand. We have time." Kara said softly as she caressed Diana's face. The promise made Diana exhale on impulse, the rest of the tension she felt between them diminishing in its wake.
Diana couldn't help herself as she leaned in for another kiss. It felt different this time more sure and filled with meaning that went beyond just the playfulness they once shared. "Bye, I'll see you tomorrow night." She whispered, and Kara nearly whined but the permanent upward curve of her lips told Diana she wasn't as upset as she pretended to be.
She grabbed her things and slipped out of the front door, easing it closed behind her and hummed in contentment. She felt a little lighter on her feet and had to tamp down the urge to do a little hop skip in the middle of her stride down the steps of Kara's apartment building. Her own features relaxed and thrumming with a happiness she hadn't allowed herself to enjoy in far too long.
She made her way outside and pulled her coat on then wrapped her scarf around her neck. The weather was quickly changing and the chill in the air was starting to get more prominent as the nights continued to press forward into winter. A man was sitting down, hunched forward on the side of the apartment building. She noted on instinct his tattered coat and gloves with far too many holes which did very little to keep the cold away from the way his shoulders wracked with shivers. "Are you not going to the shelter tonight?" She found herself asking as she squatted down to meet him eye level.
"They fill up too fast during the winter, I'd much rather it be me though instead of some kid." He said in his deep baritone voice. He smiled kindly up at her and did his best to sit up straighter to look less affected by the brisk wind. "I'll be alright, though if you could spare a few dollars for a coffee I would be appreciative." He held out his hand with a hopeful look.
Diana assessed the man briefly, on closer inspection he was rather large, looking as if he at one point was physically fit but his muscular features were shrunken from neglect and malnourishment.
She drew herself back up to full height slowly, "I don't believe in handing out money." The man frowned minutely, but nodded as he withdrew his hand and began to look down, probably far too used to the rejection. Diana smiled gently and held out her hand. "However, I will never turn down a person in need. How about instead we get that coffee together, maybe even a bit of soup and perhaps we can talk along the way?" She offered kindly.
The man looked up in surprise "Oh…Yes, that- I think I might have a minute or two I can spare."
Diana's face brightened as she held out a hand for him. "Good, there's a place just a couple blocks this way we can walk to."
She watched as he fumbled to get his cold, stiff limbs upright. Diana leaned down and helped him stand, he smelled slightly foul, no doubt from the countless nights spent outside with no shower. His clothing was grimy and bits of dirt and rubble fell from the back of his coat when he stood. Diana was slightly shocked at how tall the man was. He was broad shouldered and dark skinned, he looked beat down and weathered, but she could see a gentleness to his demeanor that had her questioning who this man was and how he came to be perched, homeless on the side of this building. He mumbled a whispered gratitude at the help and his hands absently dusted his pants and rubbed at his beard looking suddenly self conscious as he stood next to her.
"My name is Diana by the way." She offered as she stepped slightly out of the man's personal space. He relaxed minutely and began walking with her.
"Henry." He said in kind. "Well John Henry Irons, but I haven't gone by that name in a long time."
"Henry, when was the last time you had a proper meal?" Diana inquired gently as they began walking toward the all night diner she knew was just down the street. Kara had taken her there on a whim one late evening when she craved an apple pie that this place had been well known for.
"I get something to eat from the shelter when I can." He answered vaguely. "Aside from that there are people who will often hand me what's left of their lunches, or if I'm lucky a gift card or two to a fast food joint of some kind."
Diana put her hands in her pockets as the wind picked up and kept her eyes forward as she listened. "I suppose that can be hard to rely on." She mused.
"It isn't ideal, but I make do." He supplied with a shrug of his shoulders.
They walked the next block in casual silence, neither offering more words to fill the space between them. When they approached the diner, Henry quickened his steps, beating her to the door. When he pulled it open a soft jingle announced their arrival and he took a step to the side, allowing her to enter first. Diana bowed her head and murmured a quiet thank you meant for his ears only. A flash of a smile crossed his face before it returned to a timid thin line and they made their way to a booth tucked away in a back corner. There were only a handful of patrons at the restaurant at so late an hour, but the few present were already assessing the newcomers with judgemental eyes. Diana didn't mind the looks and Henry seemed oblivious as he kept his head held firmly down as he quickly followed along behind her.
Diana sat down at the booth removing her layers of clothing, situating her coat and scarf across her purse to the side of her along the open space of the booth bench. Henry removed his own remnants of a jacket and gloves as a waiter approached them. "What can I get started for you two this evening?" She asked.
"A coffee for myself, black." Diana looked at Henry who seemed apprehensive to order all of a sudden and nodded in encouragement offering him a gentle smile for assurance.
"A coffee as well please, with heavy cream instead of milk, if you have it." He hesitated before also adding, "and can I also get a glass of water?"
"Of course, I'll have it out for you in a few minutes. In the meantime, here's our menu to look over." She handed them both a laminated large piece of cardstock and utensils wrapped in a napkin before retreating behind the counter to get their drinks.
Diana watched Henry as he fidgeted with his hands, not quite sure what exactly to do with them. His eyes kept darting to the side and his knee bobbed up and down frantically below the table. Diana leaned over the table and lightly squeezed the man's hand. "Are you uncomfortable? We can always order food to go?" She suggested hoping to ease whatever anxiety the man so obviously was struggling with. He shook his head violently then stilled his leg doing his very best not to shift in his seat. "No Miss. I'm sorry, I'm just not used to sitting on the inside of an establishment these days."
"How long have you been on the street if you don't mind me asking?" Diana asked as she leaned back allowing the waitress to set the two coffees down.
"A little over a year now." He sighed as he hesitantly looked up at Diana. "You don't have to humor me, I'm very appreciative of the coffee and meal. Please don't feel obligated to talk to me."
Diana looked at him quietly. This man had obviously hit rock bottom and yet there was something about him that seemed to captivate her, and she wanted to know more about him for some strange inexplicable reason. "Well, Henry. I don't have any particular place I need to be at this moment and I enjoy socializing while I have a meal. Would you like to tell me a little bit about yourself? I am very interested. If not, seeing as how we are strangers, we can just sit here silently and eat if that's what you'd prefer."
Henry studied her silently. She couldn't tell what he was looking for in that moment, but it seemed to her he was assessing whether or not she genuinely wanted to know him or was just humoring him for the time being. She entwined her fingers together casually in front of her, her own eyes meeting his in a similar challenge and assessment of character.
"Alright." He said. "Let's talk."