Author's note: Trigger warning reminder for violence.
Kara spent the next day resorting to broken-hearted habits and locking herself in her room, but Alex continued to hound her about going to school the following day, so eventually, she responded.
"I can't see her, Alex," Kara said through the locked door. "I can't see her."
"You're never going to feel better if you don't move past this."
Kara knew Alex was right, but that wasn't the point. The point was that she had no desire or intention to give up on Lena, or to release herself from the pain of guilt that overflowed within her. She didn't want to feel better. She just wanted Lena to forgive her. But how could she? How could Lena ever forgive her from keeping something so life-changing from her?
Yes, Kara knew why she'd hidden the truth from Lena, but now she wished she hadn't. Her lie-by-omission had ruined everything. Everything that had made her happy. Everything that had made Lena happy. And Kara couldn't live with that.
After another day had passed, despite her misery, Kara did manage to get herself in the shower and went back to school. Every time she saw Lena in the hallway, she felt the familiar pangs of excruciating pain shooting through her, and she didn't dare to approach. She wasn't going to give up on her, but she definitely wasn't going to push her buttons either. She just kept praying that Lena would say something – anything – to her, or even just send a text message. Anything.
But Lena remained silent and cold and avoided Kara's gaze whenever they were anywhere close to each other, which wasn't often, as Lena was actively trying to duck her.
~!~!~
Eventually, Lena's strategy of avoidance failed. Mostly because Kara had heard the unmistakable sound of gunshots going off in the hallway during her second-period English class.
No way, Kara thought. Not here. Not now. Then, Fuck. Lena.
Disappearing from the classroom before the teacher had a chance to barricade the students in the room behind the heavy wood door, Kara hurried to the nearest utility closet and took only a moment to change into her suit.
One done, Supergirl emerged, bursting into the hallway. Wasting no time, she flew through the hallways using X-ray vision to examine any suspects. She found none on the first floor. At blurring speed, Supergirl ascended the staircase to the second level and ran directly into the assailant. A senior sporting an AR-15 and a pistol on his hip. Without hesitation, completely on practiced instinct, Supergirl used her heat vision to eviscerate the weapons before cuffing and immobilizing the man for the police to bring in, with remarkable speed. Without waiting for the cops to show up, Supergirl sped to the back of the second-floor hallway, all the way to where she knew Lena would be: her AP U.S. history class.
The door, of course, was barricaded shut by then, so Kara used her heat vision to melt the hinges and tear the door down, pushing the desks out of the way with ease. She found Lena in the corner, clutching her chest. The other students looked terrified, but Lena was clearly far beyond that, to the point of a panic attack. Kneeling in front of her, Supergirl reached to take Lena's hands.
Lena, past the point of self-control, screamed, "Don't touch me!" earning stares of shock from her classmates.
"Lena—" Supergirl tried. "Are you—"
"Get away from me!"
Lena's chest was heaving from the effort of breathing through the attack as her heart raced.
Kara had no choice but to leave. Lena was a strong girl. She could take care of herself, at least through a panic attack. Supergirl herself had taught her how. Still, it tore Kara apart to leave the building as she watched police pour inside in droves. All she could think was, Thank God she's not hurt.
~!~!~
"You saved lives today," Alex commented, sitting beside her sister at the table. "I'm proud of you."
Kara shook her head and mumbled, "Supergirl saved lives. I'm just glad no one got hurt. He managed to fire three shots, and none made contact with a body. Just some minor property damage."
"I'm glad too. And I'm glad you didn't get hurt."
When Alex put her arms around Kara's shoulders, the blonde sighed.
"Thanks, Alex."
With that, Kara left the table, dinner forgotten, and retreated to her room.
~!~!~
"So, what are you going to do for the talent show this year?" Alex asked her sister over breakfast the next morning, trying to keep the conversation light-hearted and casual.
"I'm not," Kara said simply, staring down at her bowl of soggy cereal and making a weak effort to ignore Alex.
"What are you talking about? Kara, you always do the talent show."
"Not this year."
"Come on, hun. Please?"
"No, thank you." With that, Kara rose from her seat on the stool at the kitchen island and left the house to catch the bus.
Half-way to the school, Kara realized she'd forgotten her backpack.
"Fuck," she cursed, rubbing her temples. "Of course. Why not? Not even gonna bother to ask 'why me.'"
When she noticed the three students near her staring as she talked to herself, Kara went silent.
Great, Kara thought. Now they think you're a looney.
Overwhelmed by the exhaustion of three nights without sleep, on top of unending emotional turmoil, Kara rested her head on the seat in front of her and drifted off.
"Hey. Danvers," the bus driver barked, tearing Kara from her slumber.
"Shit," Kara cursed, grabbing her bag and stumbling towards the exit. "Sorry."
"Yeah, yeah, kid. Just get off the bus, alright? I got places to be."
Nearly tripping as she took the last step onto the asphalt of the parking lot, Kara walked into the school with her head down.
In her first period class, Kara's phone went off. She almost didn't look, knowing it wouldn't be Lena, but just in case, she glanced down at her lap. It was from Alex.
'You should do the show, Kara. You're talented. Please, do it. It'll make you feel better. Oh… and be safe. I love you.'
Kara paused at this, staring down at the message and considering her sister's words.
"Miss Danvers," the teacher interrupted her thoughts. "If you can't pay attention in class, you can pay attention to a lecture from the principal. Is that clear?"
Kara nodded weakly, shoved the phone into her pocket, and answered, "Yes, ma'am."
Unfortunately for Kara, the rest of the class – chemistry – was a blur. All she could think about was Lena.
~!~!~
A week passed, and Alex continued to hound Kara about the talent show.
"Come on, Kara. Please."
Kara ignored her sister and went upstairs to her room.
Finally, it was the last day to audition and sign up for the talent show, and the conflict inside Kara came to a head.
She stood outside the drama room door at the school, shifting her weight from one foot to the other, agonizing over the decision.
Then, Kara stepped into the room.
The final straw?
Lena might be there.
~!~!~
Of course, Kara passed her audition.
She'd never been nervous to perform before, but the unlikely chance that Lena would be in the audience made her stomach turn – just the way it had when they first kissed. That being the case, Kara had hoped she could be first on stage, just to get it over with. Instead, they put her on last.
'You're the best we've got, Danvers. Gotta go out with a bang," the drama teacher had told her.
Kara was starting to regret auditioning in the first place.
But it was too late. It was her turn to go on.
Gripping the neck of her acoustic guitar tighter than usual, Kara stepped up onto the stage.
The first person she saw in the audience upon sitting down on the stool at center stage was her sister, Alex, giving her a small wave from the front row.
Kara almost felt happy, seeing Alex there to support her, but without Lena…
Sighing and trying not to look as sullen as she felt, Kara positioned the guitar on her lap and her fingers on the correct frets.
Then, just as she was strumming the first chord, Kara saw her.
Lena.
She hiccupped a breath before the words came out, just in time to hit the first beat, staring directly into the brunette's bright eyes as the girl sat a few seats away from Kara's sister. Then, she sang.
'And if all the flowers faded away
And if all the storm clouds decided to stay
Then you would find me
Each hour the same
Cause she is tomorrow
And I am today
Cause if right is leaving
I'd rather be wrong
Cause she is the sunlight
The sun is gone
And if loving her is
Is heartache for me
And if holding her means
That I have to bleed
Then I am the martyr
Love is to blame
Cause she is the healing
And I am the pain
She lives in a daydream
I don't belong
Cause she is the sunlight
The sun is gone'
Kara finished the song, just barely, without stammering, even though her heart was slamming in her chest.
The crowd of high schoolers and their parents erupted into applause, but all Kara could feel was nausea. Lena had heard her. Lena had probably even seen the single tear that steamed down her cheek at the final verse.
But just as Kara stood up to leave the stage, Alex called out, "Do another one, Kara!"
A few other people shouted "Encore!" to the point where Kara felt almost awkward about walking away. Biting her lip, she sat back down on the stool, locking eyes with Lena again.
"Okay," Kara said into the mic. Then, committing to five seconds of bravery, she announced, voice shaking, "This one's for Miss Lena Luthor…" Then, after a pause of hesitation, she added, "The only girl I've ever loved," before strumming the guitar to start the song.
Kara never took her eyes off Lena as she sang:
'Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
It's not warm when she's away
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
And she's always gone too long
Anytime she goes away
Wonder this time where she's gone
Wonder if she's gone to stay
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
And this house just ain't no home
Anytime she goes away
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
Only darkness every day
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
And this house just ain't no home
Anytime she goes away'
As soon as she strummed the last note and the crowd stood to applaud, Kara noticed Lena disappearing into the back of the room. Feeling her heart sink and her stomach churn like butter, Kara gave a half-hearted wave to the audience and left the stage.
In the left wing, she sat down on the steps and started to cry.
This continued until she heard footsteps near her, which caused her to rapidly wipe her eyes and try to look up. She was sure it was Alex coming to congratulate her on a great performance, as always, and the last thing she wanted was for her sister to see her cry.
But it wasn't Alex.
"Lena?" Kara asked in disbelief, wiping her nose on her sleeve.
Hesitating only a moment, Lena nodded and knelt down in front of Kara, taking the girl's hands.
"Kara," Lena said, the tone of her voice clear and strong. "Do you really love me?"
"Yes," Kara breathed, the word tumbling out of her mouth without pause.
"Then why? Why would you keep it from me? Why would you lie?"
"I had to keep you safe, Lena," the hero told her, rubbing the last of the tears from her eyes. "I couldn't risk you getting hurt. I almost lost you once. That can never happen again."
"Why are you crying?"
"Because I miss you, Lena," Kara sighed. "I miss my best friend."
Feeling her heart swell – having wanted to hear nothing but these words for days – Lena sat down beside Kara on the steps.
"I love you, Kara Danvers," Lena vowed, taking the girl's hand in her own. "And I miss my best friend, too."
Kara offered a weak smile, feeling herself tear up again – this time from relief – but Lena reached up and wiped away the two tears that dripped down from her eyes.
"Shh. It's okay, sweetheart. I'm here."
"I'm sorry, Lena. I'm really, really sorry."
Lena nodded and told her, "I accept your apology, and I forgive you. Just… promise me you'll never keep anything from me again, okay?"
"Nothing except surprise presents," Kara promised.
"No surprises! I hate surprises!" Lena protested with a scowl.
Kara just laughed and hugged the girl tightly in her arms, holding her close.
In her ear, Lena whispered, "I love Supergirl, too, you know."
Eyes going wide, Kara pulled away and stared at Lena.
"You do?"
"I love all of you, Kara. And besides… she brought me out of my first panic attack ever. But, like I told you a long time ago… Kara Danvers… you are my hero."
Kara smiled at this, broad and bright, and kissed Lena's lips, the two of them re-sealing their commitment to each other in one symbolic, explosive, sappy, firework moment.
"So, um…" Kara said softly, pulling away with reluctance. "Do you, um… Will you still go to prom with me?"
Wiping a few of her own stray tears from her cheeks, Lena nodded.
"Yes. Just promise you won't go as Supergirl."
Laughing lightly, Kara kissed her cheek and said, "I promise."
~!~!~
Lena helped Kara pick her dress but refused to show Kara her own.
"It's a surprise," she'd told her.
"But you hate surprises," Kara whined.
Lena laughed and countered, "Not giving surprises. Just getting them."
Kara felt her stomach turning slightly, knowing she had her own surprise for Lena.
~!~!~
When it was finally prom night, Kara paced anxiously back and forth in her living room.
"Hey. Relax," Alex urged her. "You'll be okay."
Decidedly not relaxing, Kara continued to pace until there was finally a knock at the door.
"Well?" Alex asked, noticing her sister staring dumbly at the front door without moving. "Are you gonna let her in?"
With a weak nod, Kara swallowed her anxiety – well, most of it – and approached the door, opening it slowly. As soon as she saw Lena, she felt all air leave her lungs, the sight knocking the wind out of her. Lena's tightly-fitting black dress, sparkling in the dim light of the foyer, made Kara's mouth water.
"God, Lena," she breathed. "You look… radiant."
Lena blushed, her pale Irish cheeks turning pink at the compliment as she reached out, took Kara's hand, and kissed the back of it.
"As do you, my lady."
Also blushing, Kara leaned in and kissed Lena deeply, cupping the back of her neck in her hand to hold her still.
"Get a room, guys!" Alex shouted.
But she was sporting a grin, and when Kara saw it, she was relieved to see that Alex had come around, at least somewhat.
"Come on, sweetheart," Lena offered, tugging on Kara's hand. "We're gonna be late."
Kara nodded, still staring, astounded by just how stunningly lovely Lena looked. Quite the surprise indeed.
As soon as they arrived at the dance, Lena began to feel nervous.
"Kara," she whispered, leaning close to the girl's ear. "I really can't dance."
"I'll teach you," Kara told her with a smile. "Just follow my lead."
Without waiting for permission, Kara took Lena's hands and pulled her close, then got in the position to dance to the music, feeling grateful that it had started with a slow song.
After getting at least a little more comfortable with the simple movements, Lena allowed their cheeks to brush, and Kara pressed her hand a little firmer against Lena's lower back. Hips pressed together, they swayed until the second song was over.
Luckily for both of them, Lena loosened up after a few more normally paced songs and was able to laugh brightly when Kara told her jokes and teased her for being too serious.
Then, it came time for them to sit for dinner. Lena ate gracefully, and Kara found herself enthralled by every elegant movement as she lifted her fork to her lips and chewed slowly. She stared longer than normal, but Lena was too focused on not getting food on her dress to actually notice, which Kara was glad for.
Eventually, when everyone was done eating, one of the students got up on stage and announced, "Alright, people. Time to announce prom king and queen!"
To no one's surprise, Kara was crowned Prom Queen.
On the stage to accept the crown, Kara hesitated.
"So…" she said, starting her obligatory acceptance speech. "I know I'm supposed to talk about what an honor this is, but honestly… I'm really just excited to have the mic – and the crown – because… Well…"
Climbing off the stage still holding the mic, Kara approached the table where a beaming Lena was sitting and slowly removed the crown from her own head and carefully placed it on Lena's. Then, to everyone's shock, Kara got down on one knee.
Taking a deep, shaky, terrified breath, Kara announced, "Lena Luthor, you are the true queen. I pale in comparison and blush in your sunlight. And I'm excited to have the mic, because tonight, I wanted to ask you… to be my wife."
Lena's mouth hung open as she stared at Kara, who was holding out a small, black velvet box with a shimmering diamond ring displayed as the box opened.
"Oh, my God," was all she could manage, and she repeated this several times before Kara had to prompt her for an answer.
"Lena Luthor," she said, regaining her confidence. "My sunlight… Will you be my wife?"
Tears pouring over onto her cheeks, Lena covered her mouth and nodded enthusiastically, causing Kara to grin, drop the mic, and hug her tightly, saying, "I love you, Lena."
"I love you too, Kara," Lena sniffled. "Always."
Author's note: This has been quite a journey, hearing from all of you and getting feedback from people. All your kind words and interest have motivated me to move forward with my writing and have inspired me to keep trying... even when I have writer's block. All I can say is thank you all so much.
I'm sorry to say that your next chapter will be short... and the last. It will be an epilogue that I hope you all can enjoy. Thank you again for sticking with me on this ride.
The songs used in this chapter are: "She is the Sunlight" by Trading Yesterday, and "Ain't No Sunshine," originally performed by Bill Withers, as covered acoustically by Kris Allen.