Kara woke up the next morning with Diana nestled snug against her back, she grinned happily at the subtle warmth that radiated from her and wrapped her hand around Diana's which was draped over her side. A soft ray of light hit the bed where the curtain was pulled away and Kara could hear the gentle sounds of the city gearing up for the morning. She listened instinctively for any sound that would otherwise break the spell of this quiet winter morning and hummed happily when it seemed like Supergirl would get a minor reprieve for the time being.
Today would be a good day. She grabbed her phone impulsively to check the time and saw no new messages and did her best not to be too disappointed. Lena would reach out when she was ready, at least she hoped so. The events of the day before decided to play back in her memory. Andrea's soft expression pointed towards Lena. Lena's hand placed tenderly on Andrea's upper arm. The kiss that implied a budding relationship between them. All of it really inconsequential and truly none of her business. However Lena and her were friends. Really good friends. Friends tell each other these things right? At least that's the opinion she held. The sudden silence from Lena was a mystery to her, and she had to actively quell her fears on the matter.
She had at least come to terms with her minor freak out in the CatCo utility closet. After deliberating on it for the better part of the night she came to the conclusion that she was just completely and utterly taken by surprise, and that was the only reason she had reacted the way she had. Plus she was overly sensitive due to the lack of communication on Lena's part, which she was sure there was a plausible explanation for. So after giving it significant thought she was feeling marginally better. Especially since she had high hopes for Lena and her talking at some point today. I mean the cat's out of the bag now right? The whole reason for Lena's absence had to be because of this thing she was starting with Andrea. So yes, the sun was shining, the air was crisp and the day was good.
She stretched out her limbs and groaned as she shook off the last bits of sleepiness and turned around and curled into Diana, kissing her neck and jaw as she wrapped her arms around olive skin, pulling it in closer to her. She kept up with the light kisses, finding different places to land her lips on, chin, nose, lips, cheeks, until a weak protest started to bubble out of Diana's throat. "You are much too high spirited this morning."
"How is it possible for your already sexy voice to sound ten times more sexy in the waking hours of the morning?" Kara asked as she ignored Diana's small complaint. She lowered her own voice several exaggerated octaves down. "Do I sound just as sexy in the morning too?"
Diana squinted her eyes open barely at this, and chuckled a low throaty laugh that spoke to how unawake she truly was as she untangled her hand free from the sheets and lightly bonked Kara on the forehead. "It's a unique quality that you, my dear one, do not have the capacity for." The low tember of her voice vibrated deep in her chest and Kara scrunched her face into an affronted pout.
"Ok I can live with that. I don't have a sexy morning voice… but I make up for it by being cuddly and adorable?"
Diana smiled a radiant smile full of affection, her eyes opening a tad bit more as sleep started to fall away into a tired wakefulness. "Make up for it? As if to say you have to meet some unspoken standard?" In one swift motion she rolled on top of Kara and kissed her soundly leaving no room for argument. "You make up for nothing." She trailed a hand down Kara's face. Diana's eyes searched Kara's and the sincerity in her voice made Kara's breath hitch in her throat. "You lack in nothing." Diana's fingers stilled on the side of her temple, her palm flattening over her cheek and Kara could see a shift in something in the way that Diana gazed at her. The sound of Diana's steady heartbeat steadily rose in its rhythm and Kara felt her own race along with it as the moment became quiet and serious. "Kara, I–"
Dzzzt Dzzzt Dzzzt
Dzzzt Dzzzt Dzzzt.
Kara's heart stopped along with whatever confession Diana was about to voice. For a moment they stared at each other locked in a world between worlds before Diana shifted off her as Kara twisted in the opposite direction grabbing her phone. "Its–" Kara felt her voice crack and cleared her throat as she blinked away the dizzy feeling to focus on her phone. "It's Alex." She looked at Diana apologetically and Diana nodded quickly, her own face flushed as she raked her hand through her hair. "Right of course you should take it, I'm going to freshen up." She rose off the bed, now wide awake, and hurried into the bathroom. Kara watched her retreat unsure of whether or not she was annoyed or relieved that Alex had unintentionally interrupted. The thought had her swirling in confusion as her breathing shortened. Was Diana about to…? She was snapped back to reality when her phone buzzed again in her hand. She answered it quickly, pushing the rising panic aside to focus on her sister trying her best to sound light and unaffected. "H-Hey Alex, what's up?"
"So you know how I helped you with your date with Diana?"
"I remember it differently."
"I helped!"
Kara squinted her eyes. "Mmmmm. More like Lena helped, while you complained." She smiled, knowing she was pushing her sister's buttons now.
"Remember all those times I saved your life from raging power hungry aliens?"
"Yes."
"Good cause if you question me again I might not be so altruistic."
"Ok, I'm listening."
"I have a similar dilemma where I may need some wardrobe advice."
"Sam, asked you out?"
"Technically we've gone on about three dates so far, but they were all at her house with a very oblivious teenager. This will be the first one on one date, and I really want it to go well."
"Look at you, Miss 'Love is dumb and I'll never date again', you've certainly changed your tune."
"I never said that, and Sam is…different. She's — well let's put it this way; anyone who can wrangle a teenager, manage a Luthor, nearly take down a kryptonian…"
"Hey! That was one time!" Kara interrupted.
"...and still have time to date me, an ex DEO slash costume wearing, alien fighting, totally cool and amazing…"
"You think very highly of yourself don't you?" Kara chimed in again.
"...AMAZING, karate chopping bad ass, deserves the absolute best and I fully intend to be that which is why a leather jacket and black jeans won't do."
"Of course I'll help Alex, I have to work, but I'll swing by after."
"Thanks dweeb."
"You got it hard ass."
Alex gasped exaggeratedly. "Language!"
"Gotta go, byeeee!" Kara snickered to herself. "Worth it." She tossed her phone down on the bed then sighed happily before focusing on getting ready for the day.
The newsroom was relatively quiet today, which allowed Kara to catch up on some of her articles, fact checking, cross referencing her sources and doing general research. She was lost in an article in the middle of her research when Nia rolled up in her desk chair, her legs swinging in an arch before her hands caught the edge of her desk stopping just short of colliding into Kara's side. "Whatcha doin?"
"Reading." Kara said distractedly. Taking notes on a particular part of the article and scratching out notes she had written down earlier.
"Cool." Nia twisted in her chair back and forth beside her, the inner workings creaking and groaning with each slow push and pull of Nia's hand. With her other she twiddled a pencil between her fingers clacking the top of Kara's desk with both ends rhythmically. She sat silently, aside from the pencil drumming, as she observed her silently, until Kara couldn't ignore her any longer and adjusted in her seat to turn her attention to her friend.
"Is there something you need?" Kara asked.
"No."
"Ok. Then I'll just–" Kara stuck her thumb out in the direction of her computer monitor. "Get back to my research then."
"Sure. Sure." Nia nodded and lifted the pencil up to her mouth biting the end of it.
Kara watched her warily, grateful at least for the click clacking to stop, before turning slowly back to her computer. "Alright then."
Kara started scrolling back through the article, but her attention kept getting drawn to Nia. Who was now shaking her leg and clacking the end of the pencil between her teeth which for some reason was even more distracting than when she was doing it incessantly on the desk.
"What's up Nia?" Kara asked, now completely distracted.
"Nothing, just bored."
"Well, could you be bored somewhere else? I'm trying to get this done and I have to meet Alex after work, so I'm kinda on a time crunch here."
"Oh? You're meeting Alex? For what?"
"She's got a date and needs help with picking out an outfit."
"Oooh! Alex is dating again? Good for her, who is the lucky gal? Can I come too? God I'm in desperate need of a girls night out, you have no idea."
"Well I don't see why –"
"Are we having fun here ladies?" Andrea asked, stepping up from behind them.
Nia smiled and pointed her pencil to Kara. "Her sister has a hot date and we are taking her out later for a makeover."
Andrea raised an eyebrow at Kara. "Well, it must be nice to sit and enjoy a little chat with your gal pal. I'm sure you've finished your articles then?"
Kara reached up to fix her glasses feeling sufficiently chastised. "Well, no I was actually doing some research –"
"While you were talking about what color dress Alex would look best in?" Andrea interrupted as she crossed her arms.
Kara's face flushed embarrassed, "Well yes I was doing research, right before..."
"Kara, this isn't the Midvale Gazette. This is CatCo magazine and I am not paying you or Nia to discuss whether or not your sister would look better in a suit or dress." Andrea interrupted again and Kara felt her face flush again, but this time she was forcing a different emotion into submission.
Kara frowned as she looked up at Andrea slightly surprised by her attitude. "I'm sorry Andrea, it won't happen again."
"Yeah, ditto." Nia muttered by her side.
"See to it that it doesn't." Andrea replied cooly. "Get back to work you two." She twisted in her spot and made her way across the floor back towards her office.
"Jeez." Nia said as they both watched her retreat behind her office door. "That was a little scary."
Kara nodded along as she herself sat staring in confusion. "Yeah, what was that about?"
"Don't know, don't care. I'll see you later tonight though?" Nia asked as she started shuffling her feet backwards, rolling herself back towards her own desk.
"Yeah." Kara smiled shortly before her eyes darted back to Andrea's office. She didn't want to get reprimanded twice so she turned back around towards her desk and began reading through her research once more.
As the morning passed into the afternoon Kara had two of her three articles written and was working on the final details of her third, happy with the progress she had made in the span of a few hours. She grabbed a french fry from her take out she had delivered and leaned back in her chair stretching out her back as looked up at the ceiling for a second. Her phone buzzed lightly at her desk and she glanced at it, seeing it was Diana she quickly checked the message.
"I won't be able to see you tonight, I have to work late. I think I'll just head home after since its just down the block."
Kara typed a short reply and set her back phone down. The morning's events rushed back to her and Diana's almost confession. She cares for her immensely and really and truly loves where their relationship is at currently. Yet something obtrusive sat heavily in her gut at the notion of things progressing further. She doesn't want things to change. Which was what had her so lost. Didn't she want a future with Diana? She had been so wrapped up in the present that she never really considered what any of it could mean down the road. Those three words would change everything and saying them to Diana would promise so much of herself in return. It promised the future and after another half hour of mentally replaying everything she still couldn't understand why she felt at odds with herself, warring against a phantom of a feeling she couldn't place. She was so lost in her own head she didn't realize until it was too late that Andrea was standing over her.
"Help me understand something Kara." Andrea said indignantly.
Kara sat up at her desk and pulled her upper lip into her mouth, before quickly nodding as she did her best to plaster a blank unaffected expression.
"This is the second time today I have caught you with your head up your ass, rather than doing your work." "Andrea I submitted two of the three articles earlier this–"
"So you are admitting that you haven't finished and your deadline was 5 minutes ago."
Kara hung her head down knowing she had let her mind wander and Andrea was right. She wasn't on her game today, kept getting easily distracted, she was better than this. "I'm sorry, you're right, but I am just finishing my third now. I'll submit it right away."
"I'm warning you Kara, this behavior is completely unacceptable and I won't tolerate it." Andrea glared at her warningly and Kara nodded her head. Kara's head turned toward the elevator doors before her brain truly registered why. Then she heard the familiar drum of a heartbeat and her face heated up with embarrassment. Great. She thought. Just in time for Lena to see Andrea scolding me like a child.
Andrea snapped her fingers in front of Kara's face. "Oh, I'm sorry, are we through?" Kara sat up straighter on instinct and watched as the doors of the elevator opened and a familiar smile greeted her. Andrea turned her attention to where Kara was looking and straightened. "Hey you." Andrea walked over to Lena and leaned in to kiss her. Lena smiled and at the last instant turned so Andrea's lips landed on her cheek instead of her lips. All while Kara watched for the second time as Andrea went from scolding boss to sweet and soft girlfriend and her stomach twisted in a knot at the abrupt and sudden change.
Andrea locked her arms into Lena's and intertwined their fingers. "I wasn't expecting to see you."
Lena looked at her confused. "You called me asking me to meet you here."
"Yes, but I wasn't expecting you to come until later."
"You said four. It's four." Lena pointed out.
"Is it four already?" Andrea looked at her watch and shook her head. "Sorry it's been a busy day, lost track of the time."
Kara stood from her desk and walked over to the couple, happy to see Lena again. "Hey." She waved timidly before stuffing her hands into her pockets shyly. She fought back the urge to wince, but it was bordering on desperate how badly she craved to be in Lena's presence after such a long hiatus.
"Hi Kara." Lena said a soft smile lifting her cheeks as their eyes met, before Lena quickly averted them, which sent Kara's heart plummeting to her stomach. Lena looked at Andrea raising her eyebrows high in a silent cue asking if they were ready to leave.
"We should be going now. Kara, don't you have an article to finish?" Andrea asked as she gave her a snide and biting look as she took a step back, which caused Lena to falter back as well due to the locked arm embrace.
Kara furrowed her brow. "Yes, I'll have it for you before I leave to meet Alex."
Andrea took another step towards the elevators taking Lena along with her. Lena waved at Kara. "I should go."
"Oh, yeah, sure. It was good to see you." Kara said feeling a weight fall in place over her chest, it seemed too much like she was being brushed off again which didn't help with these blip encounters with Lena. She did her best not to look too disappointed that they again barely said two words to each other and waved a short goodbye.
Kara struggled to complete her final article, now thoroughly distracted by thoughts that were swirling around her mind regarding both Diana and Lena. She was relieved when she finally knocked on Alex's door. At least she could keep herself from spiraling by helping her sister. This would be good. A chance to reset. The day had been a long one and filled with a lot of emotions and she could use a little levity. Watching Alex grumble and complain while trying on outfits would be the perfect cure to her otherwise awful day.
She barely knocked when Alex's door swung wide open and Nia stood at the entrance pulling a sucker out of her mouth. "You're here. Thank God. Alex was about to kill me."
Kara smiled, feeling better already. She walked inside and took off her coat and shoes. "How many dresses have you made her try on?"
"Too fucking many." Alex said as she came out of her bedroom in a very short, very tight, cocktail dress. "Nia, unless the goal here is for me to pass out from oxygen deprivation, I'm not wearing this."
"But you look hot in it." Nia said happily as she turned away from Kara and made her way over to Alex walking in a slow circle around her.
"I won't be able to sit down without my bare ass touching the chair."
"Sam will love it." Nia argued.
"I look like a hooker."
Nia looked at Kara and thrusted her sucker in Alex's direction. "Tell her I'm right."
Alex glared back at Kara, her fists clenched together tightly at her side. "If you don't fix this right now I will have to cancel my date with Sam because I will be attending Nia's funeral instead."
"Straight to death threats? Nia, I think you may have pushed your luck as far as it can go." Nia popped the sucker back into her mouth and shrugged her eyes dancing mischievously. "I told you I was bored." Alex tried to lunge for Nia but stopped short and pulled her dress back down before she exposed herself. Kara looked back at her sister and held up her hands, which held two garment bags. "I brought you something."
"Give it to me, if it doesn't have sequence and reaches my knees it'll be an improvement." Alex said as she grabbed the garment bags from Kara and made her way back to her room with the other two falling in line behind her. Alex retreated to her bathroom and Nia plopped down on Alex's bed. "So what was with Andrea today?"
"Beats me. Though we weren't technically in the right either." Kara said as she leaned against the wall.
"Yeah, sure, but she was a total bitch to you. She barely even gave me a glance."
"She got onto us both Nia."
"I don't know, it seemed like she was actively trying to find reasons to be annoyed with you." Nia mused.
Kara sighed and leaned her head back against the wall. It was the last thing she really cared about right now in the list of things she currently had on her mind. "I don't see why, I haven't really done anything to make her target me directly. She's the type to tell me if that were the case. She's proved that several times over today alone. I'm sure she was just having a bad day. We all have them."
"You're too nice Kara. I can't believe you apologized to her after how she laid into you."
Kara turned to Nia. "I seem to recall you apologized as well."
"Barely." Nia argued back.
"Still counts." Kara sighed. "Look, Lena sees something in her. That's enough for me to give her the benefit of the doubt. Plus she's always been…"
"Bitchy?"
"All I'm saying is if Lena likes her enough to date her then I'll be fair and friendly with her. Look at how supportive Lena is with me and Diana. Lena deserves the same." Kara said. "And if Andrea makes her happy…"
"Kara! You can't be serious!" Kara looked at Nia blankly. "Oh my God, you have no clue do you?"
"What are you–"
"Ok! I think this is the one! Kara, you are a lifesaver!" Alex exclaimed as she marched into her bedroom. She was wearing a tapered dark blue suit with black lapels. A black silk blouse draped in a low hanging arch that hid her breasts modestly but not without giving a little bit of a show. The pants were ankle cut and she was wearing black pumps to finish the look off.
"Alex, wow. You look great." Kara said happily.
"Yeah? Good cause Sam is just…" Alex put her hands out in front as she tried to think of a word to describe her.
"We get it, please don't explain." Kara said. Nia and Alex began bantering back and forth between themselves, debating on whether or not Alex should accessorize or not. She pulled her phone out and pulled up her previous messages. There was a long string of texts she had sent Lena for the past couple weeks. All with barely a response back and now juxtaposing that with her small interactions with her she was starting to feel like she had during that awful year apart. She sent a quick Can we talk soon, miss seeing you around. Before shoving the phone back in her pocket and pretending like her heart wasn't being shoved along with it.
Later that night alone in her apartment she kept finding herself staring at her phone. Lena still hadn't responded back and she was slowly beginning to allow the notion that perhaps Lena didn't want to talk to her sink in. She just couldn't understand why.
She knew she was avoiding Kara. She just didn't feel ready to face her yet. The small encounter earlier today was awkward and left her feeling raw. The way Kara's face dropped when she left Catco with Andrea made her feel spineless, and cowardly and in some respects it was, but she wasn't accustomed to feeling so off center. The text later that day only made her yearn to reach out more, but this was supposed to be a good thing she was doing. She was creating space and moving on, trying to bury these feelings that she was suffocating from. However, all it seemed to do was cause her more misery. This was worse than their year apart. At least during that time she could focus on her anger and resentment, neither of which she held any longer. It was becoming unbearable and she was having a hard time remembering why having space was a good thing. She missed her friend terribly.
Andrea was pleasant enough at least, a wonderful distraction and she was sweet to her. These last couple weeks had been enjoyable, if not a little on the uncomfortable side. She could've done without the immediate display of affection so early on. In front of Kara no less. However, it wasn't much of a surprise, Andrea had always flirted heavily with her, and for the most part had an infatuation with her since their college years and until recently she never had given it any attention.
Diving into a relationship wasn't really her goal here. However, it was new and in that regard exciting. When Andrea came in for their meeting smiling sweetly, blushing whenever Lena gave her any attention lasting longer than a minute and then gave her a friendly hug goodbye, she had impulsively stopped her at the door and asked her to dinner. They had been distant friends long enough that she was confident that they had chemistry, and Andrea was more than moderately attractive.
To her surprise though they had a nice dinner, and the next day Andrea had sent her a beautiful single white daffodil with a hand written note saying "To new beginnings, I very much enjoyed our time together last night." So she texted her thanks which led to lunch later that day, dinner that night and after three similar dates she let the baser side take control.
In truth she had never really noticed Andrea in a romantic way, and seeing this soft side of her typical bristling personality was intriguing and she couldn't help but be flattered by the attention she was receiving. It was nice to be on the receiving end of someone's infatuation for once.
She tapped her phone and checked the time. 11:57PM. Andrea had left over two hours ago and finding that her thoughts drifted back to Kara she had pulled out her phone with every intention of calling her back. Yet here she was two hours later and no better off. She sighed and finished off her drink before sliding off the stool and made her way to her bedroom to start the process of turning in for the night. Maybe after a good night's sleep and the light of day she could call Kara and apologize for canceling plans and for all intents and purposes avoiding her.
Her phone buzzed gently in her hand and she looked down and froze. Her hand trembled as she took in the name on the screen. Kara. It buzzed again silently questioning her if she'd answer or not.
She could ignore it. Put off the inevitable conversation a little longer. She had gone too long without a reasonable explanation for ghosting Kara the way she had and the infuriating hero wasn't the type to let things like that slide without addressing them. She was surprised Kara had lasted this long without calling her out on her atrocious behavior. Maybe that was a sign in itself, she probably barely realized she was gone, too busy with Diana and her sister and other friends to really notice much of a difference. She should just let it ring.
Her finger swiped to answer before she had a chance to question it. She held her breath as she held the device up and before she could say something herself the gentle melody that was Kara's voice sounded in her ear.
"Hi."
"Hey."
"I'm sorry. I know it's late."
The timid almost self conscious sound coming from the other end of the line had her free hand covering her stomach as the instinctive need to comfort was tamped down urgently. She took a breath and leaned her shoulder against the wall. God how did she go so long without hearing her voice. Not that she didn't hear it earlier, but one on one like this, there was a different melody to it, like it was meant for Lena's ears only. She knew that was a ridiculous notion though. So why did it feel like something slotted back into place the moment she heard it? She sucked in a slow methodical breath and did her best to sound like no time had really past between them. "Kara, it's me. Late isn't technically until after two. What's going on?"
"Nothing. You haven't been around lately. It's been weeks since we've really talked. Just us. I miss you." Kara said sadly.
Lena leaned more of her weight into the wall and sighed heavily. "I know, I'm sorry. I've been— busy."
"Yeah, you said as much before…With work… Andrea?" Kara asked gingerly like she was walking on ice.
"Well yes, amongst other things."
"Why didn't you tell me about her?" The hurt and confusion in Kara's voice made Lena's stomach roll over with guilt.
"I—"
"Did you think I'd be upset? Is that why you haven't been around? Cause I'm not, you know. I mean I'm surprised. Sure. But– It's not me is it? Did I do something?" The worry was palpable in her voice and Lena couldn't take it.
"No. No, of course not." Lena says hesitantly.
"Why do I get the feeling you're not being completely honest with me?" Kara sounded resigned, like she isn't willing to fight for the truth behind the lie and that breaks Lena's heart in an acute way.
"You're right." Lena admits softly. She places her fingers to her temple as she tries her best to ride out this conversation without causing more damage.
"Why?"
"Because I can't risk the truth, Kara. Please just understand that it's better if you don't know."
There was a long silence and Lena knew Kara was clenching her jaw, keeping herself from lashing out against Lena in that moment to beg in frustration to tell her the truth. Lena subconsciously curled her fingers around her phone tighter as she waited.
"Ok." The sound was barely audible and Lena almost missed it entirely.
"Really?" She was both surprised and relieved at the simple answer. "You aren't going to pry?"
"What right do I have to your secrets Lena?" Her voice was quiet, soft with understanding. "If you don't think I should know what's bothering you. No matter how that makes me feel, you have a right to not tell me." All that did was set Lena's insides on fire with guilt.
"If I thought it'd do any good I would tell you in a heartbeat. For now, it's something I have to deal with on my own." She whispered, a tear falling defiantly down her cheek. Here she was keeping secrets, after a fallout caused by them and Kara wasn't even batting an eye to it. She wanted to rip her heart out of her chest and feed it to the wolves, but she no longer owned it and Kara was much too careful with it. "I am sorry Kara." Her voice breaking.
"Me too."
"You don't have anything to apologize for."
"That's where you're wrong." A bitter sigh resounds in Lena's ear and Lena's wracking her brain to find where any fault lies with Kara. "It's late, I should let you go."
"Wait." Lena couldn't end it like this. "Please, just… don't go yet. I have missed you, and if it weren't for – this thing, I would've called." She swallowed thickly as she willed herself to speak honestly. "It wasn't…I didn't mean to shut you out. Not intentionally." Lena breathed out a shaky breath.
"Then why did you?" Kara's voice shook with pain and Lena found herself closing her eyes to keep the tears at bay but the lump in her throat still grew despite her attempts to swallow it back down.
"If I told you it would ruin everything."
"After everything we've been through? How is that possible Lena? Just help me understand…" Kara said tenderly. "Please." She whispered.
"I can't. I'm sorry."
"Can I ask you something?" Kara whispered sadly. Lena heard her sniffle and her lip quivered in response achingly at being the cause of her discomfort.
"Of course."
"Are we… are we ok? You aren't going to… I'll still see you?" Kara said with desperate hope and Lena had to muffle the sob that threatened to break loose. She never intended to cause Kara to fear losing her for good, or make her think she was abandoning her a second time. In that moment she vowed to be better, this wasn't the answer any longer and she refused to be a source of pain in Kara's life.
"Oh Kara. Yes, I promise we are ok. I'm not going anywhere." Lena let out a shaky breath. "I'm so sorry I haven't been around. It won't be like that again I promise."
"Ok." Kara said softly. Lena heard her suck in a short breath. "Ok." She said with just a tinge of confidence.
"Ok." Lena repeated, grateful to hear Kara sounded less distraught after having her fears put to rest.
"I am happy for you." Kara added quickly. "For you and Andrea. I'm sorry for not saying so initially."
Lena smiled, her shoulders dropping as her body relaxed. "Thank you, Kara. That means a lot. It's new and different and she's not at all what I expected. I think she could be good for me."
"Just promise me one thing?"
"Anything."
"I get the last potsticker?" Kara said and Lena could practically hear the beginning of a smile breaking across Kara's face.
Lena felt more tears fall as she laughed in surprise. She wiped at her eyes as she felt her smile grow as the tension in her stomach unfurled. "That's your big ask? Potstickers?"
Kara chuckled lightly "I'm simple to please."
Lena took the lifeline for what it was. Finally allowing her feet to move from her spot in the middle of her hallway and pad her way to her room. She sat on the stool in front of her bed and let out a relieved sigh. "Well before I can agree to your terms I need ground rules. Like is this a rule even when you aren't present? If I were to eat potstickers on my own, would I still have to save the last one?"
"Oh, excellent question. As tempting as it is to say yes, I'll concede with; only when I'm also in the room." Lena held her phone tightly to her ear as if it could somehow bring Kara closer to her, she looked down at her lap as she smiled. It hit her suddenly that no matter what, they'd always have this. Their friendship was something that came naturally to them both, it was effortless and easy and no matter how bad things seemed to get they always found refuge with each other. They would be fine. They had a way with each other that always seemed to put the other at ease. Her love for Kara grew exponentially in that moment and her heart both repaired itself and broke all at the same time.
"What if the second to last potsticker was eaten right when you left the room? Like for a restroom break or something… You technically wouldn't be in the room then and therefore the last potsticker would be up for grabs again correct?"
"I see your arguing skills aren't restricted to the LCorp boardroom…" Lena smiled at the light jab and Kara sighed as she contemplated. "Alright fine, but only if the dumpling in question wasn't mine to begin with."
Lena smirked and leaned back into the foot of her bed crossing her legs. "So in theory, if on game nights we ordered potstickers, which is really the only time we ever order them in a group like setting, as long as I order them in bulk to share amongst the group and not on an individual basis, I've essentially found my loophole?"
"You're a mean one Miss Luthor."
"Oh no, darling. I just know how to get my way."
Kara laughed and Lena imagined she was lightly shaking her head. "You certainly seem to have a knack for that, don't you?"
Lena dropped her head into her other hand not currently holding her phone and let out a long protracted breath. "I'm finding it's a talent that I am overly confident in. There are definitely things beyond my grasp." Lena said wistfully.
"Tell me what those things are and I'll make it my mission to give them to you."
Lena smiled sadly and closed her eyes. "Maybe one day."
"I'll be waiting then." Kara said softly and Lena felt her heart tremble with yearning.
"Lena?"
Lena lifted her head tiredly and licked her lips as she rubbed the palm of her hand across her thigh. "Yeah?"
"You know I love you right?"
Lena pursed her lips together biting the inside of her cheek as a new knot formed and water filled her eyes as she fought back the river of tears that threatened to flow. "Yeah." She whispered. "Yeah, I do. I love you too Kara." Several tears fell against her will and she found her voice was on the verge of shattering. "I– uh, I have to go now, ok?"
"Yeah, ok. Ok, Good night."