"You okay?" Lena asked, concern in her voice, as soon as Kara's seatbelt was fastened and the car doors were shut.
But Kara barely heard her. In fact, she was simply staring straight ahead at the cement wall they were parked in front of.
"Kara?" the brunette pressed, gently placing her hand on top of her partner's, making the girl jump in her seat.
"Yeah. Sorry. What?" Kara finally replied, briefly glancing over at Lena before her attention was dragged away again, leading her to stare off into space.
"I asked if you were okay…"
"Yeah. Fine. Why?"
Kara didn't turn her head to look at Lena when she answered.
"Kara."
Fading out into a trance, the blonde didn't answer.
"Kara Danvers!" Lena finally cried, exasperated.
"Huh? Sorry. I was just—"
"She really got to you, didn't she?" the star asked sadly, worrying her lip between her teeth.
Shrugging, the younger girl turned her head sideways to look out of the passenger's side window.
"Kara. Look at me."
"Lena, stop," Kara huffed. "I don't want to talk about it."
There was a long moment of silence before Lena finally said, "The look on her face when she realized that you're engaged and who you're engaged to was hilarious. Not to mention when I called her Nella."
The earned a smirk from Kara, who was thinking back on the moment. Lena smiled in return, relaxing somewhat as she watched her partner's mood start to shift.
"Yeah, that was pretty funny," the blonde agreed, finally looking over at the star beside her. "Thanks for doing that."
When Lena squeezed her hand, Kara's smile broadened.
"I'll always back you up, babe. You're just lucky I didn't rip her to shreds. Honestly, that was better, though. She was horrified."
"Good thing she doesn't watch television or the news," Kara laughed. "The surprise and shock was phenomenal."
"Indeed it was, my dear." After sharing a warm glance, Lena asked, "You ready to go back to work?"
Kara nodded, and her partner kissed her cheek before pulling out of the parking lot and heading back to the studio to drop the blonde off.
When they arrived at the younger's girls set, Lena watched at the expression on Kara's face fell.
"You gonna be okay?" she asked gently, stroking her thumb over the back of her partner's hand.
Kara nodded, but Lena could clearly see the girl's chest heaving.
"Honey, what's wrong?"
"Anxious," Kara choked out, eyes going wide as she felt her lungs constrict, blocking the flow of air as panic gripped her.
"Hey. Kara. Breathe," Lena gently urged her. "It's gonna be okay."
To Kara's horror, the panic didn't stop or subside when she tried to slow her breathing. In fact, the panic attack that was threatening to ruin her entire day was becoming so intense that she felt she might be dying.
"Can't," Kara whimpered, pushing herself back in the seat, her face contorting from discomfort.
"Kara," Lena whispered. "Listen to me. I need you to try to slow down, okay? I want you to breathe with me. Listen to my breathing and try to follow."
The blonde let out a whine, clearly shaken by the intensity of her own anxiety, which had caught her quite by surprise, but Lena simply held her hand and allowed herself to breathe slowly, making sure the Kara could hear every breath. When the younger girl found herself unable to follow the pace of her partner's breathing, Lena took her hand and pressed it against her own chest so that Kara could feel the rise and fall. This was the trick that worked, and finally, the blonde's breathing slowed.
Eventually, she calmed enough to fall into Lena's arms and hug her tightly. Kissing her temple, Lena smoothed her hair and started to hum softly. This calmed Kara further, until finally, she was able to speak.
"I have no idea what just happened."
"You had a panic attack," Lena told her, frowning. "But you're okay now. You're okay."
"I think… I think I got scared."
"What do you think you got scared of, honey?"
"I didn't want to leave you."
"I can call the director and—"
"No! No way. You're not going to blow the whole shoot for me!" Kara cried, looking upset.
"Kara. It's really okay. If you need—"
"No. I'm okay now. You helped me calm down. I just need to distract myself with work. It's just hard to get out of the car, you know? It's hard to leave you when I feel so… vulnerable…"
Feeling a pang of discomfort hit her gut, Lena turned quickly and opened the car door, rounding the vehicle until she was on the other side. As she moved to open Kara's door to help her out, hoping this was make it easier, she couldn't help but feel a little jealous. She knew Kara hated Nia and wanted nothing to do with her… but if this girl had made such a huge impact on her life… Maybe—
"Hop out, monkey," Lena said softly, voice cracking only slightly. "I'll walk you in."
"Are you s—"
Lena nodded, took the girl's hand, and gently pulled her out of the car. Together, they walked hand-in-hand to Kara's set before kissing goodbye.
"Call me if you need me. I'll come running, okay?"
"No, it's okay. I'll be fine, Lee. It's—"
"Call me if you need me," Lena emphasized, stressing the first two words.
Kara huffed and answered, "Yeah, yeah. Okay," before smirking and kissing the girl's cheek. "Love you."
"Love you too. Go show 'em who owns that set."
"You too," Kara replied with a smile.
~!~!~
That night, after a long day of shooting, Lena came home to find Kara on the couch, waiting up for her.
"Hey! You finished early?" the brunette asked, unable to hide her excitement.
She'd figured her partner either would've been home late or asleep, but there she was, wearing a smile and holding—
"Oh, Gosh! Kara, those are beautiful!" Lena exclaimed, seeing the bouquet of flowers in the blonde's hands.
Rising from her seat, Kara handed the flowers to her partner and kissed her cheek, saying, "Love you, baby. Just wanted to do something nice for you."
Lena hugged her tightly, burying her face in her neck and whispering, "Thank you, honey."
After the long embrace was over, the two sat down on the couch beside each other, with Kara's arm wrapped around Lena's shoulders.
Feeling the sudden, warm sensation of tingling spreading through her body at her partner's touch, Lena whispered, "I love when you hold me like this."
Smiling, Kara leaned in and kissed Lena's lips. When she moved to pull away, though, she found the brunette's hand snaking around the back of her neck and holding her still. The kiss deepened, to Kara's surprise, but the blonde didn't fail to return it. Eventually, even the younger girl felt the heat spreading through her. Just as she was about to end the moment and suggest they get to bed, Lena bit her lip, making an involuntary whimper escape her.
"I need you," Lena whispered, making her partner shiver.
"Lena, we should—"
"Kara."
"It's late, and—"
"Now."
Raising an eyebrow at the star's demand, Kara's stomach flipped. Without hesitating further, she rose from the couch, pulled Lena to her feet, swept her into her arms, and carried her bridal-style into the bedroom. Their bodies connected and became one in moments as the two moved together, their shared pleasure tightening the bond between them.
When the two finally finished their lovemaking and pulled apart, Kara rolled onto her back beside her partner and folded her hands behind her head as she stared up at the ceiling.
"Hey," she said abruptly, turning her head to look at Lena, who was very nearly asleep. "What ever happened to that album you were working on?"
"What?" the star gaped, staring blankly. "What do you mean?"
"I mean—"
"Kara, it's late. Let's—"
"Are you going to finish it?"
"Why?"
"Just curious. I'd like to hear it. When you told me you write your own songs, my heart fluttered a little bit. I just like to swoon over you, and I love the sound of your voice."
With a heavy sigh, Lena replied, "My mom wanted me to make that album. Not me."
"Yeah, but… don't you enjoy writing music?"
"Well… Yeah, but… other things have been more important lately."
"You said you've almost wrapped up the film, right?"
"Yes, but—"
"Maybe a break would be good. But don't do it for your mom. Do it for—"
"I'm not some stupid teeny-bopper Disney star anymore. I'm done writing ridiculous, fluffy songs."
"No, you're not," Kara agreed. "But you are a very talented artist. Write your own music your way, and make it what you want it to be. Do it for you."
"I'd do it for you…" Lena said softly, gazing into her lover's bright blue eyes.
"Oh?"
"Under one condition."
"Alright, fine. We can get a puppy. But—"
"No, Kara," the brunette huffed. "For the last time, we're not getting a goddam puppy."
Whining, Kara replied, "Fine, whatever. What's the condition then?"
A devious smirk spreading over her lips, Lena answered, "You get featured on the album."
"What, like a note of acknowledgement about my undying love and support?"
"No, idiot. You're gonna sing."
"Sorry… What?"
"On two tracks. And you have to write at least one of them with me."
"Um… No."
"Oh, come on! Please? I'll make the whole album. I'll put it out by the end of the year. I promise. Just sing with me."
Kara vigorously shook her head and protested, "No way."
"Why not?!"
"Because… no."
"Give me one good reason."
"Because… raisins."
"Raisins?"
"Raisins."
"Kara."
"No."
"Kara, listen to me. It would be awesome! Your voice is—"
"No."
"Kara Luthor!" Lena snapped. "Goddammit, woman! You're gonna sing with me or you're not getting laid for the next month!"
"That is so unfair!" Kara screeched in protest. Then, eyes going wide at the realization of how her partner had just addressed her, she blurted, "Wait, what did you just say?"
Lena's mouth hung open.
"I, um…"
"Lena..."
"Oops…"
After a long pause, Kara asked gently, "You want me to take your last name?"
Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Lena answered, "I've been thinking about it a lot. I guess that's why it just kinda… fell out…"
Kara blushed.
"Sorry," the brunette mumbled, looking away.
"No… Lena… I like it…"
Her own cheeks burning, Lena looked over at her and asked, "You do?"
When Kara nodded and leaned in to kiss her, the celebrity felt a shiver run down her spine.
Looking into Kara's eyes, Lena whispered, "Mrs. Luthor… I like that…" Kara nodded again, so Lena added, "I like that a lot."
"Then, I'll take your last name," the blonde told her with a smile, stroking the girl's cheek.
"Only if you feature on my album."
"LENA!"
Laughing, the brunette playfully shoved Kara away and asserted, "Those are the conditions."
"God fucking dammit," Kara growled. "Fine. Two songs. That's it. But I want backing vocals and nothing else. And I'm not writing the damn song with you."
"Yes, you are," Lena told her with a grin. "And you're gonna love it."
Rolling her eyes, Kara slapped a pillow over Lena's face and grumbled as she rolled away and pretended to fall asleep.