Lena moped in her room for the rest of the day, even after her mother verbally released her of her punishment. She refused to go to the studio to record, despite her mother's pleas. Instead, as soon as the woman stopped harassing her, she laid on the floor of her bedroom, took a few more pills, and passed back out for another six hours, ignoring meals.

When she woke, she checked her phone, but Kara hadn't messaged her. Seeing this, she instantly felt the pang of guilt, knowing she'd fucked up and that Kara was hurt, rather than angry. (Had she been angry, she probably would have spammed her phone with expletives.) This broke Lena's spirit, and she instantly made a call to a resource that she hoped could potentially help her repair the damage she'd caused.

~!~!~

When the ocean of flowers was delivered to the house, Kara wasn't there. Her mother accepted the delivery, kindly and respectfully deciding not to read the card. By the time Kara got home, it was late.

The flowers - red and white roses - filled the kitchen, living room, and dining room, to an excessive degree, and as soon as she saw them, Kara's eyes went wide with shock.

"What the hell?" she asked her mother, who was sitting on the couch, waiting up for her.

Without answering, Eliza handed her daughter the card that had accompanied the delivery.

"You two got in a fight, didn't you?" the woman asked gently.

Kara was too distracted by the card to answer her, and as she tore the envelope open, her heart raced.

Kara Astra Danvers,

Red roses are cliche,

But try as I may

I can't get you out of my head

Heavy it weighs on my heart

I long for the day

You hold me and say,

'I love you, and dread

Any moment that we are apart'

I die when I try

To forget you, but I

Know that you always have led

Me all the way back to the start

You help me to fly

You're all of my sky

You're always the thread

That binds me

Please, keep me and never depart

Lovingly yours,

Lena Kieran Luthor

Kara's jaw nearly touched the squeaky floor boards beneath her as she read through the poem, stunned and amazed by the words.

"Kara?" her mother interrupted her thoughts.

"Hmm?"

"There's more on the back," Eliza pointed out.

She couldn't read it, but she could see the writing, so she made sure that her daughter noticed.

Kara flipped the card over and read that as well.

My dearest love,

I don't know how to say this any other way than, ''I fucked up. I'm sorry.' Hanging up on you was completely inappropriate and the wrong thing to do. I am so, so sorry that I behaved that way. I was triggered and felt judged. That's no excuse to treat you that way. I should have just told you how I was feeling. But I acted like a child and said terrible things. Please, just know that I didn't mean to be so aggressive, and that I am really, truly sorry.

I'll understand if you don't want to speak to me again, but I do deeply hope you can forgive me and give me another chance.

The truth is, Kara, I'm a fucking wreck. If I'm going to be honest, which I am, I would tell you that I self-harm consistently (not sometimes), use Oxys on the regular, and drink way too much to numb and mask the pain. The truth is, I can't stop. The truth is, I don't know if I want to. But I know that I can't. I honestly believe that anyone else would be better for you - except your cheating, bitchass cunt of an ex - and that I don't deserve you at all. If you leave me… If you're done with me completely… I respect hat. Will it break my heart? Absolutely. But I want what's best for you and what makes you happy.

Tragically, I don't think that's me.

I wish it was me, Kara… and I hope we can keep trying… because I will never give up on working to better myself for you. I want this to work. I'll do anything to make things up to you. Just… know that I've decided to be open and honest with you and that I'm never going to bail on you.

I love you, Kar. Please… Please, try to give me another chance. I promise I'll do anything to keep you.

Forever yours,

Lena Kieran Luthor

P.S. My heart beats only for you. I hope you enjoy the flowers, even though the choice was cliche. They symbolize love and romance, and I wanted to emphasize my devotion to you. I love you. Please, call me.

But Kara knew she couldn't call. In fact, she sunk to her knees and sobbed on the floor of the living room. Eliza, seeing this, quickly took on her nurturing, motherly role and knelt by her side, hugging her close to her chest.

"It's okay, baby. I've got you. It's gonna be alright."

"I don't know what to do," Kara wailed. "I'm scared."

"It's okay to be scared. But don't let that get in the way of your love for her."

"Really?" the blonde sniffled, looking up at her mother.

"I know she's not perfect, Kara… but no one is. Relationships take work, trust, growth, and compromise. It won't happen overnight. And I know she loves you."

"But—"

"Just think about it. Ultimately, I will, of course, support you in whatever you decide. I love you, sweetheart. You're gonna be okay, no matter what. And I'll be right here by your side."

Nodding, Kara whispered, "Thanks, Mom," and hugged the woman tightly.

~!~!~

Kara was too emotionally drained that night to speak with Lena, so she crashed in her bed and fell asleep almost instantly.

In the morning, she took about a half hour upon waking to decide how to proceed.

"Hey," the blonde said into her phone's receiver, after finally resigning herself to calling her girlfriend as requested.

"H-Hi," Lena stammered, anxious to hear Kara's voice.

"I got the flowers…"

"I'm… I'm glad."

Lena seemed to have lost her voice, her confidence, and her exuberant tone.

"Thank you," Kara added softly. "They're lovely. But you really didn't have to go all out like that. A single rose would have been just as meaningful."

"Really?"

"Of course. Lena, I'm not materialistic. I'm not looking for stuff. I just want you."

"You still want me?" Lena questioned, obviously nervous.

"Yes…"

"You don't sound so sure," the brunette pointed out sadly, rubbing a few stray tears from her eyes.

"I am sure. I'm just… scared, honestly."

"What are you scared of?"

"That you'll leave. That you'll get bored of me because I'm supposedly 'Straightedge.'"

"Oh, Kara… I never meant it like that! I just… meant…"

"How did you mean it then?"

"I meant that you have different opinions on things than I do, and I wasn't saying that's wrong. I was saying you're in no place to judge me just because that's how you choose to live your life, you know? That's all."

"I didn't mean to sound like I was judging you. I'm honestly not. I'm concerned for your health and wellbeing, because I love and care about you, but there's zero judgment on my part. I don't care that you've done that stuff before. I just care that you do it now…"

"Listen, it's just alcohol and Oxys, and—"

"Hey, I don't want to argue about what substances are okay for you to use. Ultimately, it's your choice. I'm really worried about you. But I just want to make up, alright? So, let's not fight."

"Sorry," Lena mumbled, feeling embarrassed.

"I finally got your late birthday present in," Kara told her gently.

"Kara, you really didn't have to—"

"I wanted to. Do you have time to come see me for a few minutes so I can give it to you?"

"I'll make time. Always."

"Thanks, Lena. If you just wanna stay for a few minutes to pick up the… well… I mean… that's okay. I just want to see you. Even if it's only for a short while."

"I'll bail on recording today and we can go to the beach. How's that?"

"Really?!" the blonde asked excitedly, bouncing on her heels as she gripped the phone tightly.

"Yeah, of course. I'd do anything for you, kid. You're my girl."

"I'm not a kid!"

"But you're definitely my girl," Lena commented with a broad smile that softened her tone.

"Yes, I am."

"Good. Go get ready! And don't forget a bathing suit."

"Deal!"

"See you soon, babe."

"Hey… Wait… Lena."

"Yeah?"

"That poem?"

"Garbage, I know. But—"

"It was lovely."

"It was lame."

"It was lovely."

There was a long pause between them before Lena said, "Thanks. I'm glad you liked it at least. I tried to make it sweet, like you."

"I'm not sweet," Kara laughed. "I'm—"

"Sweeter than Tennessee whiskey."

"Is that sweet?"

Lena laughed at this and told her, "Don't worry about it, princess. I'll see you soon."

They ended the call, both smiling and looking forward to the day that was to come.