Author's Note: TW: Substance use
"Cut, cut, cut!" the director had shouted. "Jesus, guys. We got it. You can relax."
Kara's face turned red, and Lena's breath, which she'd been holding throughout the on-screen kiss, finally exhaled.
"One and done?" Lena asked, forcing a smirk as she regained her confidence and composure.
"Mhmm. Definitely. You two are… well. I'm not gonna be the next 'me too' guy, so… I'll just say, 'Nice work, ladies.'"
"I appreciate that," the celebrity chuckled.
Lena's co-star was tugged off the set by her partner, and as soon as they got in the car, the sunshade still covering the windshield, Lena grabbed Kara's face and kissed her hard. Of course, the blonde instantly lost her breath, just as Lena had while filming.
"You were perfect," Lena mumbled between fevered kisses. "So perfect." Another several kisses and she added, "The most perfect woman I've ever met." A few more and then, "My sunshine. My gem. My star."
Kara melted at this, continuing to blush and feeling as though her cheeks had been hot for the entire day.
"You're so beautiful," the brunette whispered, dropping her lips to Kara's neck and making her yelp from the surprise burst of pleasure.
"Lena," the girl protested. "We're—"
"In public?"
"Y-Yeah…"
"I know," Lena giggled, biting down on Kara's pulse point, earning a soft moan.
"We can't—" Kara tried. "What if we—"
"Doesn't it thrill you? To think we might get caught?"
"No," Kara groaned. "I'm not a fan of anyone seeing me this compromised. I'm sorry. I'm just…" The girl sighed before adding, "I'm not into the public thing. I'm sorry."
"Hey," Lena said, brow furrowing. "It's okay. It's okay. Hey… Kara. Don't cry, honey. I'm not upset! I was just messing around, and if you don't wanna do that, it's totally okay."
"I…"
"No. It's okay. I love you, Kar. Anything you're not comfortable with doesn't happen. Period. I love you."
Sniffling, Kara nodded and hugged her girlfriend tightly, saying, "Thank you."
"You don't have to thank me for respecting your boundaries, baby."
Lena didn't let go until Kara pulled away, not knowing exactly how long her partner would need the hug for.
"You ready to head home?"
"Yeah. I'm exhausted."
"Me too," Lena confessed. "That scene was pretty heated."
This earned yet another blush and a broad smile from Kara, who kissed Lena's cheek as she buckled their seatbelts.
~!~!~
Ratings for the latest episode were released a few weeks later when the episode aired, and rightfully, they were through the roof.
"This is amazing," Lena told her supporting actress, once they'd met with the director and producer. "You're gonna be a 'co-star' regular in no time."
"You really think so?" Kara whispered shyly.
"I know so," the star affirmed with a warm smile, kissing the girl's cheek. "So proud of you. You're a natural, and just as expected, everyone loves you."
"I'm just surprised they liked the LGBTQ element. I was sure it would tank, just because of stigma."
"The gays always come through," Lena laughed.
"Apparently so," Kara chuckled. "And I'm glad. I dunno what I would've done if I bombed your show."
"You wouldn't have. It would've been the cranky old white men who run this society."
"True," the blonde returned. "Anyway, I'm glad it went well."
"Me too, but again, not surprised at all."
Kara smiled and hugged her partner.
"So, anyway… Let's go celebrate!"
"Celebrate how?"
"Head to my place and invite our closest friends to bask in our success."
"I don't have friends…"
Lena just smirked.
~!~!~
As soon as the two walked through the door of Lena's mansion, Lillian Luthor was waiting for them in the foyer with arms crossed.
"And where do you think you're going?" Lillian snapped, as Lena tried to tug Kara past her.
"Listen. She's not going anywhere, and you can't control who I spend time with! So—"
"Where do you think you're going without congratulations?"
Eyes wide, Lena stopped in her tracks and stared at her mother in disbelief.
"How did you—"
"I may have verbally squeezed - or blackmailed - the information about your ratings from your agent."
The smirk on Lillian's lips was devious and a little unsettling, but Lena was undoubtedly glad to hear the change of heart in her mother's voice.
"So…"
"So, I'm impressed. By both of you."
"Really?!"
"Especially you, Kara," Lillian announced, turning her attention to the blonde. "It would seem they've taken quite a shine to you."
"I… Um… Thank you, Mrs. Luthor. I—" Kara stammered.
"Lillian. Please," the woman said with a smile. "Anyway, I assume you're planning a celebrating?" she asked, turning back to her daughter.
Lena nodded slowly.
"Good. Publicity."
"What?" Lena asked, confused.
"We'll be inviting a few… key individuals…"
"Wait a minute. I—"
"If you want to use this house as a bachelorette pad, that's fine by me. But as you know, you're in the spotlight always. So we might as well make the most of this."
With a sigh and a shrug, Lena conceded, "Alright," and tugged Kara up the stairs to her room to change.
By the time Lena was done changing both of their outfits at least four times, Kara was sporting a lovely, baby pink Oxford shirt with tan slacks, looking as sharp as ever.
"Perfect," Lena said with a grin, holding Kara at arm's length to get a good look at her. "Absolutely perfect. Now… This."
Then, Lena went over to the jewelry box on her dresser and pulled out a necklace with a ruby heart-shaped pendant, gently fastening it around Kara's neck.
"Wait, I—" Kara started to protest, but Lena put a finer to her lips.
"My father gave this to me when I turned thirteen. I want you to have it."
"Lena, I can't—"
"You can, and you will," the celebrity asserted sharply.
"Lena."
"Hush. I want you to have it."
"Fine, but just for tonight. I'm not letting you—"
"No… I…" Lena started, suddenly sounding soft but serious. "I want you to keep this. I want you to wear it and remember how much you mean to me."
"Lena… Thank you… But—"
"No buts. Just accept the gift and know how much I love you."
Kara nodded slowly, mumbling, "Okay."
~!~!~
Needless to say, the 'closest friends' invite list turned into a massive event, complete with people Lena barely knew and most certainly didn't care about (that her mother invited).
Kara's anxiety grew exponentially as she stepped into the fray of individuals who were dancing to the booming, bass-heavy music pumping through the DJs speakers.
"Lena, I—" Kara tried to protest, but realized that she was pretty much stuck there.
"It's okay," Lena assured her, grabbing a glass of champagne and taking a long swig. "I'm right here, honey, and you're gonna be fine."
Biting her lip as she watched Lena down the alcohol, Kara found herself feeling even more uncomfortable than before. This was hardly her scene, but Lena was right; they needed to celebrate. So, here she was… out of comfort zone for her partner, in an attempt to make her happy.
As the night went on and Lena continued to down champagne, shots, and even a glass of wine, Kara remained quiet. Plenty of people came up to her to congratulate her on her success, which of course made her excessively anxious, but all she could think about was watching Lena sway and start to slur her words.
Eventually, Lena began to cling to her, laughing hard at people's stupid jokes as they stood together, while Kara recognized the jokes as terrible attempts to gain Lena's attention and laughed at none of them.
By the time Lena whispered, "Dance with me," in Kara's ear, the blonde was too uncomfortable to acquiesce to the request.
Instead, she shook her head slowly and mumbled, "No, thank you."
Frowning and sporting her best exaggerated pouty face, Lena whined, "Why?"
"Because, I don't dance, and you're drunk."
"I'm not drunk," Lena insisted. "I just want you."
Kara's eyes widened at this, and Lena quickly moved in, cupping her face in her hands and trying to kiss her. Instantly, the blonde gently held Lena away and looked around to see who had noticed. Pretty much no one, thankfully. Then, she turned her attention back to Lena, who was leaning in for a kiss again.
"Lena, stop!" Kara pleaded. "Everyone is going to see, and then—"
"I don't care," the brunette told her, moving in a third time.
On this advance, Kara held the girl away with a firmer grip.
"Knock it off."
"No," Lena slurred. "I want you."
"Enough!" the blonde shouted over the music, making one of two heads turn towards them. "You're fucking wasted right now, and I'm not going to let you make a move on me in front of all these people when you're shitfaced."
"I'm not—"
"I'm leaving," Lena's partner sighed. "Get your shit together, and call me when you're sober."
"Fine!" Lena barked. "Fucking go then. Leave like everyone else."
Tears in her eyes as she looked at her lover sadly, Kara shook her head in disappointment and turned to leave.