Well, here it is folks...
It's blissful, the way the winter sun glints over the city. The reflections of the glass windows blinking up at her, floating high in the sky, her hair waving in the wind as the sun warms her skin. She can hear the city move beneath her, the horns of cars, the bustling of people desperate to get from A to B. She can hear Alex and her family, Charlie crying in the distance, as her sister curses about 'too many shitty diapers', and can hear Ruby and Sam giggle while Eliza hums happily. She smiles softly to herself at the city's noise, her body weightless and relaxed.
"Are you planning on supervising the city all day Supergirl, or are you coming down to greet your wife?" A lilting voice interrupts Kara's musings and blue eyes flutter open an amused smile spreading across her face as she looks down to find Lena leaning against the balcony, a relaxed smile as she stands in Kara's oversize NCU jumper and the yoga pants that Kara hates. Kara descends with a concerned expression as she looks over Lena's tired face.
"You should have slept longer," Kara whispers, tucking an errant raven lock behind the CEO's ear. Lena shrugs, handing Kara a steaming cup of coffee.
"You know I don't really sleep well without you," Lena says, turning and pulling Kara in closer, looking out over the cityscape, and smiling when Kara presses a soft kiss to her shoulder.
It has been exactly 364 days since their trip to Ireland. 364 days of being together. Learning about each other, learning fresh new things, while falling deeper in love with old parts they knew. Kara Danvers had become Kara Zor El, no longer just the bubbling happy reporter that had drawn Lena in the first time they met. Now there were many more layers to her. There was the Kara who always saw the best in everyone, and Kara the voice of reason. There was Supergirl, a beacon of hope and selfless service. Supergirl who, for Lena, was also a layer tinged with lies and pain. A layer that Lena had been slow to accept. Especially after waking up naked and still angry and hurt from the betrayal from someone she had secretly for so long felt more for than just being friends. But, thanks in part to this world she had barely known she could now accept all of Kara, and had found true happiness in her marriage. Lena turns back to Kara who looks back at her like Lena was the most wondrous thing in the universe. Kara's smile is warm like the sunlight that glints off her hair, still leaving Lena breathless at the sight of the Kryptonian.
"What?" Lena asks and Kara shakes her head a coy smile playing on her lips.
"Nothing," Kara chuckles. Lena matches her smirk.
"I'm going to get ready, you are in charge of breakfast," Lena instructs, laughing at Kara's pout.
"Well I need to get ready, maybe I should go first?" Kara teases and she's levelled with a look that makes her chuckle.
"No," Lena states with a raised sculpted brow. "We can't all take five minutes to be dressed and looking perfect." Lena smiles, moving to press a kiss to her now blushing wife's cheek, before heading back inside.
Kara grins, listening as Lena moves through the house, padding softly down the upstairs hallway before hearing the shower turn on. She heads to the kitchen to make breakfast waiting for Lena who returns in jeans and a flowy blouse, looking lovely and relaxed. It's become a habit this past year, Kara notes how at ease Lena has become with her. How comfortable Lena is now during their game nights, the easy way she leans against Kara. No longer filled with the need of trying to impress the superfriends but just be in the moment while beating both Winn and Brainy on a regular basis. It makes Kara's chest swell with pride at the thought that she managed to get Lena so relaxed with her friends and family. The CEO jokes and berates Winn and Brainy into bickering in a way that borders on sibling rivalry between the three. Even Eliza has had to ban experiments at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Kara enjoys the times as well when it's just the two of them, late at night after a long day of Cat Grant and various DEO plots Kara is exhausted and there's a cup of hot chocolate on the counter with a note about the various dinners Lena has left for her to consume before bed.
"Did you pick up the toy?" Lena asks and Kara watches entranced, by the purposeful way Lena moves around the room. Lifting the throw from the couch that had been strewn over it from the night before as they watched the rain fall outside, while they were cuddled close inside. Their lips pressed chastely, and soft hands intertwined.
"Kara?" Lena asks, making Kara look up quickly to observant green eyes.
"Huh?" Kara blinks and Lena frowns stepping close and into the Kryptonians arms.
"Are you ok?" Lena asks gently. "You completely spaced out on me."
"Yeah, yeah just thinking," Kara admits slowly as Lena raises a brow in question. "Sorry, what did you ask?"
"I asked if you had gone to the store to pick up Charlie's gift like Alex had asked," Lena repeats and Kara nods quickly.
"Yes, I did, I got a blue one as well," Kara explains gesturing to the wrapped gifts in the corner. "And it plays the song with the flashing lights," Kara grins excitedly, moving on her reminiscing.
Lena nods slowly with a small concerned filled smile watching her carefully. "Are you sure you're ok?" she asks Kara softly.
"I'm great." Kara nods, a smile lighting up her face, taking Lena's soft hand and pulling her from the apartment. "Now come on, you have a soccer game to lose."
Lena Luthor never thought she could have it all. She had once had a loving family but that had been swiftly taken away. She had had a supportive brother but eventually, that had disappeared, too. She had almost cured cancer but that had to be placed on hold for reasons she'd rather not think much about. She had once had a best friend she had almost lost. A relationship she had almost destroyed but it was there and more. As she stands on the back deck of Alex and Sam's home she thinks she has it all.
She looks to see Ruby trying to teach Winn how to do a kick up, and she can't help but laugh at the uncoordinated way that Winn kicks the ball high in the air. The smell of cooking food passes under her nose at the sight of J'onn and Eliza chatting beside the grill. Sam, James and Kara are off to the side, discussing something with open wild hand gestures as blue eyes catch her own. A loving smile passes between them and Lena thinks how lucky she is. All thanks to that night in her home in rural Ireland that brought them together. How one explosive conversation made them realise everything about how this new universe was a saviour and not forsaken, a saviour Lena didn't realise she needed.
There was no Lex or Lillian, there was just Kara. Kara with her caring blue eyes. Kara who had been with her through it all, since she had moved to National City they had been together, fighting off battle after battle even as they were battling each other. She had always cared for Kara and now she had everything that she had ever thought she had wanted. She thought of their admission that rainy afternoon in County Clare and it makes her smile. They had held each other for hours, soft kisses passed between them, their arms wrapped tightly around one another, both afraid that if they had let go, that tender loving moment would be lost.
"If you're going to keep ogling my sister can you not do it in front of my impressionable child?" Lena turns and smiles as Alex steps onto the deck.
"Ruby's busy," Lena smirks and Alex chuckles as she adjusts Charlie in her arms.
"My other impressionable child," Alex teases as Charlies mumbles a protracted Ruby.
Lena smiles at the sight of Charlie gripping Alex's simple gold necklace that her mother is trying to pry from her small hands as Alex asks, "What are you doing hiding up here? Kara hasn't decided on another eating contest again has she?"
Lena laughs but shakes her head, "No, I was just thinking."
"A dangerous thing for a Luthor to say," Alex teases goodnaturedly and it makes Lena realise, she wasn't really ever a Luthor, not really anyway, she doesn't scheme, she doesn't plot, she doesn't want people harmed. She just wants the world to be a better place. A happier place.
"A dangerous thing for a Danvers to say," Kara's voice fills her ears and Lena turns as Kara steps up onto the deck beside them. It makes Lena smile wider.
In the last year, it had been hard; they had fought as all new couples do, over big things like the crazy schedules they worked or over small things like Kara leaving her dirty super suit over the bed. They had redecorated which had ultimately led to more fights, but they had made their home their own and not the ghosts of the versions of themselves they could never be. Their family had adapted slowly, except Eliza who had shrugged it off like it was nothing and was able to accept her memories of Lena would be simply different. However, it had taken a few nervous dinners before Lena could relax completely in the matriarch's company, getting used to the concept of not just being Kara's friend anymore but rather her wife. It had been hard to explain, but eventually, even James had got on board thanks mostly to Lena's simple pond analogy. Now she was more comfortable with her new family, though she still had her reservations that she was slowly battling through. It wasn't perfect but it was hers and it was better than the previous one she came from. She was a Danvers, Lena smiles quietly to herself as Kara teases Alex over Charlie's pink t-shirt.
"I'm trying to create a balance, Kara, not too much blue, not too much pink," Alex says, defending her choice of babywear.
"So you stuck her in a neon pink jumpsuit for her first birthday?" Kara asks, teasing smirk playing on her lips.
"She's worn blue all week!" Alex exclaims and Lena laughs at the distraught look on the older Danvers face.
"I'm sure Charlie isn't going to care what you put her in, Alex," Lena says with a smile as Charlie grips her finger.
"We're trying to think of things gender neutrally," Alex explains, in a tone that sounds like she is also reminding herself, as Lena watches Charlie inspect the silver rings still gracing her finger, her heartwarming at the sight. Kara had offered to take them back, that she understood if it was too soon. But Lena had shrugged and said that she had oddly found them reassuring, they reminded her of the obstacles they had overcome. Lena glances over at Kara who is watching them with a smile. A smile Lena has come to recognise all too well when she interacts with their niece.
"I'm going to go find food," Alex announces, turning from the conversation, "You guys coming?" she asks, looking back and Lena moves, nodding but a soft hand on her arm stops her and she looks back as Kara shakes her head.
"We'll catch up," Kara states and Alex watches them closely for a second before nodding and walking away.
"Are you ok?"
Kara nods. "Yeah I was just thinking about how far we've come," Kara says, bashfully making Lena's gaze soften. "How much we've changed this past year. How different things were then, when we first woke up here."
"It was, and it's just getting better," Lena agrees as she watches Kara closely. The blonde nods with a warm smile as Lena looks out at the scene before them.
"I don't have any regrets you know," Kara says and Lena looks over at her, leaning against Kara's strong frame "There isn't one thing I would change about waking up with you."
"Not even pyjamas?" Lena asks, her tone teasing.
Kara blushes and adjusts her glasses, "Ok, maybe Pyjamas."
Lena chuckles softly, squeezing Kara's arm reassuringly. "I wouldn't have had it any other way either," Lena admits and Kara looks down into loving warmth filled green eyes.
"I'm glad we made it here," Kara whispers.
"Me too," Lena murmurs, grinning and slips her hand into Kara's as blue eyes watch her intently.
"Lena!" They hear Ruby's call for help and watch as Alex has her arms wrapped tightly around her step-daughter who is fighting to be free as Sam tickles the teen. Charlie is laughing happily in Eliza's arms.
"I used to worry Alex would never have this," Kara says suddenly, pulling Lena's attention back to her.
"I used to worry it was the same for Sam," Lena agrees, wrapping her arms around a strong arm and leans into Kara who grins down at her.
"This life really is perfect huh?" Kara smiles warmly.
"It's not perfect, but it's ours, and I love that we are making it together," Lena smiles up at the Kryptonian who matches it with her own.
She's changed Lena realises about herself, changed for the better, where she was controlled and dedicated to her work, in the past year she has relaxed more fully into a role of someone else and made it her own. Cementing the good that this L-corp had already undergone, continuing to move it along for the better. Enjoying the reasonable workday, no longer feeling the pressure to endure a long 20 hour work #day. Now she's away by five, sharing an elevator with Jess sharing gossip and weekly plans with her boyfriend. After battling end of day traffic, she's usually home by six pm at the latest just enough time to cook enough food to serve an army. Lena's mind often remembers Sam's fleeting comment about their grocery bill. She doesn't mind, instead, she is happy that her large fortune can keep her super hero wife well fed even if getting the Kryptonian to eat a salad is like fighting a war. But, still, it makes Lena smile at being deemed the evil genius. Even when Kara comes home, descending carefully onto the balcony at 7pm or later and Lena listens as her wife tells an abridged version about the various battles that she's fought that day, careful to leave the more death defying details out. Later when food is eaten and tales are done, they hold each other close late into the night. In the mornings, Kara is always awake with the sunrise leaving Lena to sleep as late into the morning as the CEO can. But Lena wakes to Kara rushing around making her breakfast and coffee so that the CEO lifts it on her way out of the door early with a small kiss and promises of lunch. It makes her grin when Supergirl drops by for late afternoon kisses between board meetings.
The afternoon passes blissfully, the sounds of soft laughter and easy unhurried conversation fill the air.
Lena feels happier than she has in a long time. The airy feeling in her chest has returned familiar like the days she would go to game nights that often ended in sleepovers with Kara. Kara, who is currently looking at her like she's the most amazing thing in the whole world.
The happy feelings continue late into the day and morph into pleasure well into the night when she's gasping Kara's name against soft pink lips, sparing fleeting kisses against her own as the coiled arousal releases. That's their life now as they know it. Soft tender touches, warm smiles and an ease that neither of them has felt before. The Supergirl of old has returned, stopping for autographs, lifting kittens from trees and helping old ladies across the street.
Kara Danvers, is still Kara Danvers, the warm smiles, happy go lucky woman. But she's different, especially since the change in roles at Catco. Gone is the slightly demure assistant to Cat Grant. In her place is a confident woman.
It happened about a month after they returned from Ireland. Kara had been in the midst of, trying to organize her team to get a photo layout done by the deadline, when Lena arrived for lunch, an old/new tradition since returning from their anniversary. She had been looking around the bullpen when she spotted Kara standing at the other end of the long open office space. Lena's eyes take in the enticing cut of her wife's burgundy slacks and form-fitting navy button down. Kara's golden locks were tied up in a tight bun at the nape of her neck. Lena eyes travelling up, taking in the confident set of Kara's jaw and the strong commanding way Kara stood that got the CEO heart facing. The blonde stood hand on a hip while the other pointed to the layout before her, brows furrowed deeply as she spoke to the print assistant sitting beside her. His face knit with concern as Kara indicates issues with the design and quite frankly Lena's never thought Kara looked so attractive. Seeing the blurred line between Supergirl and Kara Danvers, the strong posture and thinned lips, fierce blue eyes framed by black rimmed glasses. It makes Lena realise how blind she had been to Kara's dual personality. She walks closer, the faint click of her heels pulls Kara to Lena's direction sending a thrill down her spine as blue eyes rake over her in turn.
"Lena," Kara grins all soft and relaxed.
"Are we still good for lunch?" Lena asks and Kara nods.
"Make those changes we talked about, I know you can do better than this,," The blonde states and he quickly nods. They don't get to lunch as Lena pulls Kara into a supply closet before they reach the elevator.
Their year was filled with many of the same instances and Lena doesn't like to think about how many surprise bonus's Jess received because of them. The assistant returned to firmly knocking twice before entering Lena's closed office door. Lena guesses there's only so many times Jess can cope with seeing her boss in compromising positions. It makes Lena laugh at her own mortification at the time. She had sat patiently listening to Kara's worried ramblings for over an hour the first time the assistant left with a smirk and shaking head only for Lena to point out that Kara was in possession of super hearing. It still makes her smile as she recalls the look of mortification of Kara's face.
Lena reclines in her luxury office chair two days later, her legs crossed as she looks out the large picture window at the city below. Lost in old memories from the past year.
A soft nostalgic smile forms as she remembers, the first few weeks of tentative dating. A night that Kara carefully flew her to some of the Kryptonians' favourite spots outside the city. Finally stopping on some secluded private spot as Kara had shown her the stars and pointing to planets Lena couldn't see. But thanks to Kara's fine storytelling could easily be imagined. After, Lena had opened up about her mother's love of Mythology and the link the stars had. Lena had taken Kara ice skating thinking it would be a fun idea only for the super to put her hand through six inches of ice. Thankfully, Lena had managed to stumble through an explanation to the owner glad for her foresight in booking a private reservation. They had laughed about it later on the car ride home.
Gradually, things started to change between them, a weight having lifted through open and honest hard fought communication and were now stronger and more connected than before.
Welcoming former happy activities, and as Lena relaxed and grew excited about Family night. Alex and Sam became as much a fixture in their home as Kara and Lena were. Outside of their time with family both Kara and Lena allowed herself to enjoy the laughs and gentle teases. Especially Sam's endearing smiles, or Alex's rueful eye rolls at the stolen kisses Kara and Lena shared. And slowly, a dawn of realisation falls as she notes the time and date, dreading the playful fallout of her running late for Lena Luthor was never late.
Quickly she gathers her things, she rushes home, a flung out goodnight to Jess who is left laughing at her desk.
"You forgot," Kara says, with a sculpted arched brown and amused smile the moment Lena walks through the door.
"I didn't forget, I was just running late," Lena dismisses dropping her purse and slipping from her heels.
"You forgot," Kara repeats.
"I've been planning this dinner for weeks I didn't forget," Lena stresses but she smiles as Kara shakes her head. A soft kiss is planted on her lips and as she opens her eyes to meet blue, Kara repeats.
"You, Lena Luthor, forgot."
"Trust me, Kara I was not going to forget the family dinner for our anniversary that we have planned for weeks."
"A family dinner that was your idea," The blonde chuckles as she cuts vegetables behind her.
"Only because Alex made a joke about all this being a dream," Lena says with a roll of her eyes as she focuses on preparing the food.
"It's a pretty good dream to be in," Kara admits and Lena smiles over her shoulder at the blonde. "It was a good idea, you wanting to share our day with them."
'Our day' was how Kara often referred to their anniversary now, it was a day of realisation and warmth and Lena grins as she recalls them walking into breakfast with Alex and Sam.
It had been nerve wracking Lena recalls. Her stomach flipping uncomfortably as they walked into Noonans. Kara's hand reassuringly squeezing her own as they head to the table where Sam and Alex sit. There's a pause of welcoming smiles before Alex's eyes dart to their joined hands. Then the red haired woman shouting, "Thank fuck!"
"It took you both long enough," Sam commented with a roll of her eyes.
"You'd think they suffered as much as we did," Lena scoffs and Kara nods with a smirk.
"You two have no idea," Sam smirks.
"You were both insufferable," Alex grumbles.
They prep dinner in silence when a shrill ring pulls Kara from her side dish preparation. Lena doesn't hear the conversation, a silent hope that it isn't a supergirl emergency. It's the silence that makes Lena nervous as she begins setting the table.
"Hey Lena," Kara calls from above her. Don't ask, Lena prays to herself. She was not going to be left alone with Eliza and Alex, not with how easy the two could incite mother daughter drama. That was Kara's fire to manage not Lena's.
"Lena, have you seen my supersuit?" Kara calls.
"It's being laundered at the DEO," Lena calls, gritting her teeth as she hears the flurry of movement.
"I need it," Kara protests.
"Why?" Lena asks trying to control her temper as she sets a wine glass down a little more forcefully than intended.
"Ugh, for a thing," Kara tries weakly.
"What thing, Kara?"
"A DEO thing," Even Kara must know how lame her excuse is.
"No, Kara, you promised no Supergirl emergencies," Lena sighs, pinching the bridge of her nose trying to relieve the very rapidly onset headache.
"It's just a small rogue Fort Rozz Prisoner, I'll be back for the main course," Kara soothes standing now at the top of the stairs.
"No, you are not leaving me alone with Alex and Eliza, Kara you promised," Lena pleads.
"I'll be superfast I promise," Kara says as she runs down the stairs and Lena sighs heavily pointing to the hall.
"There's a spare in the office."
"Thank you," Kara says and two seconds later is about to stride from the door when Lena pointedly clears her throat. Kara frowns walking over and Lena grips the front of the suit pulling her in close.
"Kiss wife first, then save the world," Lena instructs and Kara smirks leaning down and capturing the raven haired woman's lips between her own.
"Main course, I promise," Kara whispers before darting from the apartment.
Kara is back by desert, at which point Alex has almost finished a bottle of wine to herself and Sam is barely keeping the peace and Lena is plotting the Kryptonians murder. It's not their first argument and she knows it probably won't be their last. It makes Lena scowl to herself as she thinks about their first proper fight after their return from Ireland.
It was the day before Thanksgiving, Kara had asked her to go to Midvale. Midvale, a place Lena had never thought she would visit. A place she never thought she would have the opportunity to visit. It had started with packing. Kara telling her of all the Danvers family traditions, and practices that she would have to learn and be a part of. In preparation, Lena had already drunk two fingers of scotch before Kara had stopped talking.
"Lena, have you packed a Christmas jumper?" Kara called from the bedroom and Lena refrained from rolling her eyes.
"No," Lena sighs. "Because I'm not wearing a horrible ghastly jumper, Kara."
"It's a Danvers tradition!" Kara protests and Lena's sure it's the fifth time she's heard the phrase that day.
"Why do I need to wear a jumper on Thanksgiving?" Lena asks herself but Kara hears her.
"Because-"
"It's tradition," Lena mutters into her glass with an eye-roll.
"Why are you being so reluctant about this?" Kara asks, appearing at the top of the stairs.
"Because I don't want to wear the damn jumper," Lena pinches the bridge of her nose trying to relieve her impending headache.
"Well, I got you one," Kara informs her and Lena sighs heavily.
"Kara, please, I don't want to wear the jumper or do the thanks or the cookies," Lena admits defeatedly.
"What? Why?" Kara asks, descending the stairs until she stood in front of Lena. "You've never minded before when we did Thanksgiving here."
"Because I didn't have to look like a stitched up ghost in an ugly sweater."
"But-"
"I get it, it's a Danvers tradition, as well as the cooking the turkey, and the cookies, and the singing with Eliza, and I get it, Kara, I get the love and joy and all the amazing things you do at Thanksgiving and Christmas. And it's great you have those memories Kara but I just, just-"
"You're scared," Kara offers with soft blue eyes.
"I'm not scared," Lena protests.
"Then why are you acting like this?" Kara asks.
"I'm not acting like anything."
"I get it, it's because you're scared." Kara shrugs patiently and it's the soft way in which Kara watches Lena that makes the raven haired woman deflate.
"Alright, fine, I'm scared." Lena sighs. "I didn't have the traditions growing up Kara, I... I went to the country club and sat alone in a corner with Lex. How am I supposed to relax with all these rules?"
"You're not supposed to relax, you're supposed to freak out. But just talk to me," Kara requests and Lena gives a small smile before nodding. "Tell me what's going on inside that brilliant mind of yours?"
Lena did, and it was met with more patience than Lena cared to admit. It's filled with an understanding and the jumper is dropped. Kara had held her hand throughout the whole day with an accompanying bottle of scotch from Sam.
When Kara's the only thing that stops the dinner from going to hell and when they've all left and the final dishes are put away Lena is leaning on the balcony hugging her wine glass as she stares up at the stars with a contented smile. The sliding door catches her ear as Kara steps up close beside her.
"Thank you for tonight," The blonde whispers as her arms snake around her waist.
"Only for you," Lena mutters into her glass and Kara chuckles stepping away.
"Thank you for this entire year and sticking with me," Kara says with an honest smile and Lena returns it.
"I meant everything I said a year ago," Lena shrugs before glancing out at the city. "I wouldn't want to be in any other multiverse without you Kara."
"Neither would I," Kara says before pulling a square box from behind her. "It's why I wanted to give you this," Kara hands her the box and Lena frowns as she sets her wine glass down. They had agreed on no gifts because they didn't want to be corny. Lena opens the box and her jaw drops slightly. "It's customary on Krypton that both parties have a bond bracelet. I realised a few weeks after we woke up here, you didn't have one. I love mine but if this is us then we should both have one, if... If you wanted."
Lena lifts the small silver bracelet, that to the naked eye it looks like a silver bangle etched with a random insignificant design but Lena knew better and upon closer inspection, can see the faint Kryptonian markings.
"It's amazing," Lena whispers as tears form in her eyes.
"Will you wear it?" Kara murmurs tentatively, trying to control her excitement and anticipation.
Lena's face breaks into a wide smile as she nods slipping it over her hand and onto her right wrist. "Thank you, Kara."
"You're my everything now, Lena Luthor." Kara whispers embracing Lena tightly. "I don't want to be anywhere else."
"I don't want to be anywhere else, either. In any multiverse."
The End.
I have so many people to thank but most importantly, thank you to everyone who took the time to read, comment/review, leave kudos/fav/follow. It fueled the fire.
Also, thank you to AyakaSpencer who beta'd this fic from chapter four and put up with my strops, idiot brain and scientific bullshittery... Actually just my Bullshit in general.
My next project will be titled Something Just Like This with the summary:
The transmatter portal was supposed to be broken. It was supposed to be irreparable. Supergirl had done that for a reason. But when Lena Luthor is working late at the L-Corp Lab the last thing she expects is for it to activate. She expects even less for someone to step through, especially when that person is a small blonde haired child looking for her mommy.
I will also be on a podcast talking about the Ripple Effect, the Older Malfoy and my writing in general which you can find here: /ayakaspencer
If you have asks etc feel free to come shout at me on tumblr: blog/helpbutton95
But all that's left for me to say now is thank you for reading and until next time!
B :)