No warnings except mention of death. Enjoy! Bit more angsty but the next chapter is v fluffy to make up for it :)
"Has anyone seen Sara? I've been calling but she's not picking up." Ava asked, walking into the galley. She had quickly time-couriered onto the Waverider after being sent straight to Sara's voicemail for the fifth time. It was unlike her girlfriend to disappear and the fact that the Waverider was docked in modern day Star City didn't fail to calm Ava's growing anxiety.
Zari looked up from her magazine with a perplexed expression on her face. "Didn't she tell you?"
"It would've been Laurel's birthday today." Nate quietly replied. Every year since her death, the Legends always returned to modern day Star City for her birthday and the anniversary of her death, no matter what they were doing. Being back in her home, with old friends and family around her, helped ease Sara's pain. Despite this, there was nothing she could do to get rid of it; there would always be a part of her heart, cold and dark, that belonged to Laurel.
A sad sigh left Ava's chest. She was relived that her girlfriend was safe, but her heart ached with the pain and sadness she imagined Sara was feeling. The fact that she'd either forgotten or had never asked what Laurel's birthday was made her feel even worse and, as she gave a quick thanks to the Legends, guilt quickly clouded her mind.
"She'll be in the Arrowcave." Ray called out; the Arrowcave, once his home just as it was Laurel's and Sara's, held too many memories for him to go back on such an awful day. In comparison, a nostalgic comfort surrounded Sara whenever she went back there, reassured amongst the relics of her past life shared with Laurel. And it also helped to be with Oliver and Felicity, who had known and loved Laurel just as she had.
"Sara?" Ava's question echoed through the empty, darkened Arrowcave. It had somehow felt wrong to time-courier straight into the place, Ava not wanting to be disrespectful or interrupt something private, so Ava had walked the thirty minute trip from the Waverider to the Arrowcave. The Director had no clue where it was and so had relied on Ray's (perfect) directions.
But as she cautiously wandered deeper into the cave, Ava was met with an unresponsive silence. Just as she turned to leave, she heard a small sob and recognised it instantly. Searching eyes flashed in the dark as Ava quickly turned around and, as her pace sped up, ran towards the centre of the room. Upon nearing the salmon ladder, her gaze finally fell on Sara.
The blonde was kneeled on the floor, her head tipped down as if in prayer, with her hands pressed against the glass case in front of her. Ava recognised the costume inside immediately - the Black Canary. It was Sara's identity Laurel had taken up after believing her sister had died and was something that forever tied the two sisters together. Unbeknownst to Ava, the rest of the Arrow team had reluncatanty left Sara here whilst they went with Dinah to place flowers on Laurel's grave. Sara always preferred to remember Laurel without the rest of the team, seeing as she had seen Laurel in such a different light other than her crime-fighting alter-ego. Being careful not to startle her, Ava gently placed her hand on Sara's shoulder. Trembles from her sobs ran up Ava's arms and made her heart ache in sympathy.
Sara opened her watery eyes and looked up to meet Ava's soft gaze. "You're here." She whispered between sobs. It was unlike the former assassin to cry, but for Laurel she had cried countless tears and spent so many nights crying herself to sleep. Placing her hand atop Ava's, a small sigh left Sara's parted lips as Ava sat down next to her and wrapped a comforting arm around her waist.
"Of course babe. I'm so sorry I forgot." Ava averted her gaze to the ground, an ashamed flush colouring her cheeks. She felt so guilty for thinking Sara was selfish for ignoring her when she was going through such turmoil.
"You didn't forget. I never told you." Sara replied.
"Why? You know I would've been there for y-"
"Yes, I know. That's why I couldn't tell you. No-one else should have to share this pain." Sara's voice, quieter than a whisper, was full of long-lived agony. It had seemed unfair to offload such pain onto Ava when she was already going through enough. Although it had been a few years since Laurel's death, the pain was almost as fresh and unbearable as it was the day Damien Darhk shot 3 arrows in her sister's chest. Sara was helpless against the sobs that wracked through her body. Without hesitation Ava wrapped Sara in a warm hug, her strong arms helping to comfort her girlfriend in a way little else could.
"I wish you had told me, my love. But I'm glad I know now. You shouldn't be alone with this." Ava murmured into Sara's ear. Their hug became deeper and deeper, Sara automatically tucking her head into the crook between Ava's shoulder and neck. She inhaled through her sobs - swirling pink roses and sweet vanilla, a scent that always soothed her heart.
The two sat for a while, Sara thinking about her sister, and Ava thinking about Sara. The thought of Sara sitting here alone, tears running down her cheeks with no-one there to hold her, broke Ava's heart and she could do nothing against it but hold her girlfriend tight, whispering kind words to try and comfort her.
Just like the slowly calming sea after a hurricane, Sara eventually stopped crying and the pain gradually subsided into a dull, throbbing ache deep in her chest. She sat up, eyes red with salty tears, and placed a hand on Ava's cheek. "Thankyou."
"Always." Ava smiled, placing a soft kiss against Sara's palm. She watched as Sara glanced one more time at the Black Canary, forever emanating Laurel's strength and devotion to Star City and it's inhabitants, before turning back to her girlfriend.
"She would've loved you." Sara smiled. All her sister had ever wanted was for Sara to choose her own fate and to be happy. Finally Sara could say she was happy. She had found a new family and loved being with them on the Waverider - she pictured Laurel's excited face upon hearing about their amazing adventures. Sara had also found her soulmate. Someone who understood her soul and loved her regardless of what she'd done in the past.
"She sounds wonderful, I would've loved to meet her."
Sara gave a sad smile. Suddenly, an idea flashed in her mind. She quickly stood up and grabbed Ava's hand, pulling her up and naturally holding Ava's waist. "Let's get out of here." She smiled upon the happy confusion on her girlfriend's gorgeous face.
"This was one of our favourite places. We always used to come here after school, gossiping about teachers and our school romances." A smile lit up Sara's face as she looked around at the burger joint. It was a retro American diner, serving thick milkshakes and greasy burgers, and hadn't changed for decades. Red shiny booths, black and white floor tiles and friendly waitresses made the diner feel even more genuine. The food was delicious and the air swam with nostalgia - Sara couldn't ask for anything more.
"Sounds amazing - I can picture mini-Sara excited about her newest girlfriend, boyfriend or...victim." Ava teased as she stole a chip from Sara's plate.
"Excuse me!" Sara gasped, mischief once again glimmering in her blue eyes as she playfully nudged Ava's arm. "I'll have you know they were all very willing..." She took a long sip from her strawberry milkshake, her blue eyes swimming with seduction.
"Nothing's changed there then." Ava grinned, placing a quick kiss on Sara's cheek. She couldn't hide her chuckle upon picturing a young Sara Lance, carefree and rebellious, breaking hearts left, right and centre in her old school.
"You have brought light to a day which is usually so dark. And you have made this place wonderful once again; I forgot how much we used to love it here and I cannot wait to come back."
"I'm glad. She helped so many people and deserves to be remembered for the hero she was." Ava replied, intertwining her fingers with Sara's. "Although we never met, I know how many people she helped. Laurel was a hero."
"She definitely was. To Laurel." Sara raised her glass in a toast, a mournful tone to her voice.
"To Laurel." Ava murmured, gently clinking her glass against Sara's before taking a sip of the thick, chocolate milkshake.
The sadness hadn't gone from Sara - she doubted it would ever go. But, as the two women ate their meal and Sara spoke of her many happy memories of Laurel, Ava listening intently and happy to learn more about her girlfriend and her past, it gradually became overshadowed by a great happiness and love for her sister. Sara had so many stories about her, from her heroic acts with Team Arrow to their childhood and growing up.
"She's been gone all day." Ray murmured. Along with Nate he had tried his best to distract himself by enjoying Patrick Swayze films in the parlour; however it was to no avail as both hadn't been able to forget the pain their Captain must've been going through.
"I know, I'm worried too." Nate replied, giving a sad smile to his best friend. "Do you think Ava found her?"
"I hope so. My directions would've got her there but I'm not sure if Sara could've faced going back to the Arrowcave." He fixed his sad gaze on the TV, trying and failing to stop the tears welling up in his eyes. "I know I couldn't. That place is full of pain and past mistakes for me." Nate sighed as he gave Ray a big hug. "It's alright big guy. Tomorrow Sara will be back and we can go on a new adventure." He gave a small chuckle as he felt Ray nod his head, picturing his floppy hair going in every direction.
"There's too much romance on this ship." Mick's gruff growl broke up their hug and they sat back, watching as the ex-con grabbed a beer from the small fridge before sitting down in the worn leather chair Sara had always loved. "What's wrong with Haircut?" He asked Nate.
"He misses Laurel, the same as Sara."
Mick took a long swig of his beer before replying. "It's hard. And it doesn't get much better." It wasn't often that Mick contributed something personal to a conversation but even he could feel the mournful sadness that lingered in the air of the Waverider, radiating from Ray and it's Captain. He too had felt such sorrow - when Snart died, he lost the closest thing he'd ever had to a brother. In the past, some days the pain was so much he could barely do anything but wallow in a drunken stupor. Therefore he understood how Ray, and even more, how Sara, felt.
"I disagree Mick." Sara spoke, standing at the foot of the steps to the parlour with her arm around Ava. She smiled as she gazed upon some of her team. "It does get better. With the right people-" She tightly squeezed Ava against her; she felt so grateful that she had Ava, Ray had Nate, and they both had the rest of the Legends. "-and time, it gets better."
"Sara, how are you? Stupid question I know b-"
"I'm alright thanks Nate. Today I celebrated Laurel instead of mourning her." Sara smiled, full of happiness that, for once, she had remembered her sister in a happy light instead of spending all day crying alone.
"Good for you Cap." Nate replied. Despite being such a sad day, a warm glow emanated from Sara that could only come from Ava's affectionate presence.
"Goodnight boys." As Sara turned to leave, Ava gave the group a smile and a small nod before leaving with her. As the three each shouted out their goodbyes, the two women walked down the twisting corridors towards Sara's sleeping quarters. On their way, Sara popped her head through Zari's door to say goodnight, happy to find both Zari and Charlie in there playing Guitar Hero; she knew her team worried about her and wanted them to all know she was back aboard the Waverider.
After their slow dawdle, happy to make everything last longer whilst in each other's company, Sara and Ava finally arrived at the Captain's quarters.
Walking into her room, Sara turned on the lights and a soft glow spread across the room. Sara felt her exhausted legs beg her to lie down in her soft bed, and a yawn tugged at her lips.
"Aw babe, time for bed."
"Agreed." A tired smile spread across Sara's face and both women slowly tugged off their jumpers and jeans. Sara turned around with her back to Ava and closed her eyes. Without another word, Ava carefully unlatched her necklace; it was the same one the Captain wore everyday, gifted to her by Laurel. Warm hands wrapped Sara in a hug and Ava's soft lips pressed a loving kiss to her neck.
"You were wonderful today." Ava murmured into Sara's ear. Whilst the Director had never experienced a loved one dying or anything near what Sara felt, she could sympathise. After Mallus took over Sara's body and left her for dead, Ava's heart felt colder than ice and she thought she would never feel happiness again. Of course it sounded dramatic but, in that moment, it was exactly how she felt. As a result, the Director understood Sara's pain.
"Thanks to you, Ms Sharpe." Sara smiled as she got into bed, never letting go of Ava's hand.
For the first time in years, Sara fell asleep on Laurel's birthday without crying until she had no tears left to cry. Instead, she fell asleep with the promises of better days and sweet dreams of one blonde, kind-hearted woman who had finally made her heart soft once more.