Chapter Summary: Is not actually a prompt, is an idea that came from the comment from SolemnSaturn on AO3: "I like the idea of a party and Kara and Oliver meeting for the first time there and I like the chemistry that these two have." – Arrow and SG season 2, but it doesn't follow canon events from shows – same Earth.
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67. The Gala
Kara has been struggling with many things in her life since she became Supergirl. The pressure, the responsibility, could she have a normal life and be the super hero? Should she focus only on Supergirl? Try to balance things with her Kara Danvers life? It was all such a mess inside her head. She wished she could have only one opportunity of being off radar, where no one knew her, where she could just press pause and try something new in her life for once. She loved helping people, but she also felt the need to just breathe, slow down even if it was for a short time.
She worked at CatCo as a reporter by day and the rest of her time, she was being Supergirl, helping the DEO save the world. DEO was finally out of the shadows, it was now recognized as a government facility that dealt with the extraordinary, something that no one else could do. The reporter thing was brand new to her. Cat Grant, her former boss, helped her see she was wasting her time and potential, so she decided to take the leap. And it was amazing, she knew it. Even if her new boss was a pain in the ass sometimes, she loved what she did. It was the time of the day where she could feel like a normal person.
She was lost in her thoughts, inside her apartment, when she got a call and rushed to answer her phone. As soon as she hung up, she took a deep breath, smiling, because a great opportunity presented itself to her and she would definitely grab it. She heard a knock on the door and went to answer it, still smiling to herself.
- Hi you… What's the smile for? Did something happen? – Alex asked as she went inside, closing the door behind her and finding her sister's behavior really weird.
- I was just feeling the need to take some time to take deep breaths and think about my life… And I'll actually have the chance to press pause… At least for the weekend. Cat Grant just called me.
- And… what's the big news?
- She asked me to represent her in a gala in Star City. CatCo was invited and she's still the owner, but she'll have to travel across the country so she can't make it.
- That's nice… But… Star City isn't that city that's worse than Gotham?
- No city can be darker than Gotham. And if anything happens, I'll be prepared… as Supergirl…
- Didn't you want to press pause?
- I can't press pause on being Supergirl when I need to. But… I'm at a new job, with a new boss and I'm having doubts about my life, where should I go, what should I do, if I could have a normal life, balancing it with being Supergirl, what does it mean for me to be her and Kara at the same time… Is… Complicated. I think taking the weekend off to just enjoy a gala, take a deep breath it will help me have some clarity.
- It makes sense…. And I think it will do some good for you. Just please, call me when you get there, and be careful. – Alex smiled as she hugged her sister.
- I always am, you know it – Kara smiled back – The only thing is that this gala is a masquerade… I'm not used to it, I don't even wear mask as Supergirl…
- I think you should by the way… the glasses don't help, you know? – Alex teased.
Kara rolled her eyes and stared at her sister, crossing her arms. She knew not everyone understood it, but Kal once told her, it wasn't actually about the glasses.
- You know is way more than that…
- I'm usually confused about what difference glasses can make to be honest.
- As Supergirl, I know what I can do; I know what I'm supposed to do. The heat vision, the super strength, the super hearing… All of it. I know what I'm doing, I am in total control, I can hear and see it all. As Kara Danvers, I'm someone that is just figuring things out, I can't control anything at work, or with friends, or even with family. Everything is unpredictable, and I need to adjust, make decisions and go with the flow. I also am someone with bad eyesight, at least in other people's perception of me. – Kara laughed, thinking about it. – Kal told me something similar when he explained it to me and it totally makes sense. What we are usually is our disguise, the hero is what we truly are, we just need to try and find balance between the two of them.
- Wow… I'm impressed. You put things in a different perspective, Kara – Alex said as she hugged Kara once more – I'm proud of you. And I'll help you with the mask thing.
- Thank you, because I'm bad at it – Kara said, making Alex laugh.
- Hey, you know what I was thinking? Imagine if you see their crazy vigilante in action? That city is crazy, it can happen…
- I don't know what I feel about vigilantes… But… If they need my help, they will have it. You know I can't ignore when someone needs help, I can't turn away, no matter what.
- I know. That's why you're so much better than I am.
Alex spent a few hours helping Kara with everything she needed for the gala and her trip and then took off to help J'onn at the DEO. Kara confirmed the hotel reservations Cat made for her and the tickets for the gala.
The next day, she took the train and went to Star City. Cat wanted her to take a cab, but she insisted it would be really expensive, and she was just fine going by train. She got to her hotel later that day and left her things on her room. She decided to take a bath and enjoy some peace and quiet while she could.
Night came in quickly, and she turned the TV on. She saw a mess happening downtown and heard the TV host saying the Hood was there, but it looked like things were looking bad for him.
- I've just got here… - She murmured to herself and took her glasses off, and left her clothes behind, flying fast as Supergirl.
It was more than a mess, she thought. There was smoke everywhere, cops were speeding their way there, the Hood guy was literally trapped in the rooftop, she knew he would be caught at any moment and something told her the guy that was knocked down at his foot with a gun in his hand was about to do something really bad. She didn't think twice and flew towards the Hood, grabbing him by his collar just when the police was about to get to him. She heard him grunt in surprise and just nodded at him, focused on getting somewhere safe.
She landed a few blocks away, in an empty roof of an abandoned place. Once she let him go, the Hood rolled on the ground and got up, staring pissed at her.
- What have you done? I had it under control! I was about to question that guy!
- First of all, you're welcome! – She crossed her arms, not liking the rudeness of that guy at all. – Second, no you didn't! They were about to reach you, I helped you. Third, that guy was in no condition of being interrogated, he was totally out.
- Who are you?
- Someone that just helped you! You should at least be polite about it!
She was about to turn away and fly when he reached for her arm.
- I'm sorry. Who are you?
Kara stared at him, not believing he was sorry at all but just went with it.
- See? It didn't hurt, did it?
- Who are you? – He insisted
- I'm Supergirl! You must be the crazy vigilante of Star City…
- The Hood! And I'm not crazy; I do what it needs to be done… And… wait a minute. You're related to the guy that flies around with his underwear over his pants in Metropolis? I've heard about it somewhere…
- Superman, yes, he's my cousin. And there's nothing wrong with his suit. At least he doesn't hide his face!
- I hide it to protect the people I love.
- Oh, so you have feelings? – Kara wasn't recognizing herself but she was truly pissed at that guy's attitude. – We've heard about you too, the guy who beats the crap out of people and tortures them. I wonder why people think you're crazy…
- Are you always this snarky, blondie?
- Actually no, but there's always a first time to everything, right?
Gunshots were heard from the distance and Kara looked alarmed to the guy in the hood. He just nodded with his head and she grabbed him again, flying towards the noise. A young lady was about to be shot when Kara rushed in front of her, the bullets bumping into her chest and falling down. Kara was furious; she grabbed the guy's gun and twisted it like it was made of jelly. Oliver stared at the scene, surprised at what he saw. He ran towards the shooter and punched him hard on the jaw, making him fall. Another guy was across the street and shot Oliver. Kara told the lady to run and rushed once more, shielding Oliver from the bullets. She used her freeze breath and blew it towards the guy, making him drop his gun. Oliver took advantage of the fact that the guy was taken by surprise, to knock him down as well.
Kara and Oliver had their backs to each other, looking around to see if there weren't any other surprises. Once they were sure they were clear, they turned to face each other.
- Well… Thank you – Oliver said as he reached his hand to her.
- You're welcome. A friend in need is a friend indeed – Kara said as she shook his hands, using a bit more of strength than she usually did. – It was a good team up… We make a good team, hoodie!
- I already have a team, but thanks.
- Oh back to the grumpiness, are we?
Oliver just stared serious at Kara that was for sure teasing him. He couldn't deny it was indeed a good team up, but she had her own city to take care of and he didn't need anyone else, he had Diggle, Roy and Felicity backing them up in the bunker.
- What are you doing so far away from your city, anyways?
- I… I like to fly around sometimes, visit other places, and see if someone needs an extra hand…
- Ok… Well, it was kind of nice to meet you, but I have to go…
- So do I… nice to meet you too – Kara turned around and flew away back to her hotel. She couldn't be late to the gala, Cat would definitely kill her.
Cat told her that a car would pick her up at her hotel and she was ready and waiting for it. She looked one last time at the mirror and smiled, hoping nothing else happened so she could do what she wanted to do: to have some clarity and peace of mind. She thought about meeting the vigilante and how rude he was at first. How can someone be that mad that someone else helped them and rescued them? Maybe he was used to do things in a certain way, but he would clearly be caught and something told her she should stop it from happening. She grabbed her purse and left, to wait for the car outside.
It didn't take long for her to get to the place that was actually a beautiful mansion. The person hosting this gala should be really important, she thought as she looked around and saw people greeting someone that it sounded like the mayor of the city and people from famous families.
She greeted some people she had no idea who they were and went inside. She had her hair in a bun, with a few lose hair falling around her face, e beautiful black lacy mask that had a unique design that gave her an exotic look. She had a long black maxi dress that let her back bare and it had beautiful silver rhinestones in the front of it.
It was a beautiful room, with a huge piano on the corner, beautiful golden decoration around the place, a dark red carpet and she could see a bar on her right. She went there for a glass of water, she suddenly felt really thirsty.
She turned around after sipping the last drop of water and noticed she was being watched. She looked around and found it. A tall guy, with dark blonde hair, wearing a dark blue suit and a simple black mask stared at her while a shorter woman with blonde hair and a white mask talked to him. She had a red dress on and black high heels, even so, she couldn't reach his height. Kara noticed the woman looked like she was really interested in the guy but he wasn't paying her too much attention. She saw him excusing himself and walking in her direction. She pretended she didn't see him and turned the other way, walking around the place, admiring its decoration. The guy looked handsome and had an intimidating look in his eyes, she had no idea if it was because of the mask or because of him, but she found herself curious all out of sudden. But even so, she couldn't just keep staring back, so she started admiring the paintings that hang on that side of the wall.
- I'm sure they're not as beautiful as you are… - She heard a voice behind her and turned around just to see the man she was curious about, smiling at her.
- I'm sure you say that to every lady you lay your eyes on… - She said, smiling back and starting to walk away, feeling like she could use some air and that place was way too crowded.
- Not actually. – He said – I'm just being honest.
- I believe you… for now – She looked around and saw a spot where there was not that crowded. She stared at him and reached for his hand – Care to dance?
- I don't dance…
- You don't look like it…
She noticed his posture changing as she stared deeply into his eyes and insisted.
- C'mon, you can totally do it.
He looked back at her for a few seconds and gave in. She held his hand and brought him with her to the clear space in the room. A nice not so slow song played in the background and he held her by the waist and they moved and stared into each other's eyes. Her hands went to his shoulders.
- See? Is not that bad!
- You're right, is not… - He said – Do we know each other?
- I don't think so…
- Is funny, I have this feeling… Never mind – He took a strand of hair from her face and put it behind her ear – What brings you here tonight?
- I'm here representing my boss… She couldn't come tonight.
- I'm suddenly glad she couldn't, otherwise I could never meet you.
Another song played, this time around a slower one. She brought herself as closer as she could to him as they danced, forgetting there was a bunch of people around them. They kept staring at each other, listening to the music. His face was a bit closer to hers, their nose almost touching. She could hear his heartbeat, literally and feel his scent surrounding her, like he could hypnotize her.
The song stopped and Kara blinked twice, looking like she was waking up from a strange dream. She blushed and smiled, taking a few steps back.
- I… I need some air…
- I think I know a place… - He said almost in a whisper to her.
They walked outside to the huge backyard. That was also a beautiful place, she thought as she looked around. She looked at the sky and let her entire body relax. It was some serious tension she felt back inside and she was sure it had nothing to do with the fact that hours earlier she was helping an arrogant vigilante.
She turned to face him with curiosity filling her eyes.
- Who are you?
- I'm the one hosting this gala.
She looked surprised at him. She was not expecting this, at all. The one who invited CatCo to this ball was the same guy that couldn't stop staring at her since the moment she got to the gala, and the guy she had a moment with while dancing a few seconds ago.
- I was going to ask if the owner wouldn't mind us here, at his garden, but I guess not…
- Not at all. – He smiled. – I'm sorry I didn't introduce myself earlier… I'm Oliver Queen.
- Nice to meet you, Oliver.
- So you told me your boss sent you here, but didn't say who your boss is or your name…
She thought about it while staring in silence at him. She didn't feel like introducing herself just now. She meant what she said to Alex earlier, she wanted this weekend to be different. She wanted to take a break just for a second, where she knew no one and no one knew her, where she could think and decide about her life and where she was going with it. She always felt like lying to any guy she ever met, because of who she was, so maybe tonight, she wouldn't have to, because he wouldn't have to know anything deep about her. It was a masquerade after all and as much as she didn't like wearing masks, she would enjoy it while she could.
- If you play your cards right, maybe you can earn this information…
This wasn't her at all, and she had no idea what came over her to say that to him, but at the moment, she couldn't care less. She noticed he was surprised by what she said and in seconds, saw herself in his arms, being gently held by him. She felt his hands going up her bare back and felt chills while his lips covered hers, in a slower dance than the one they had inside.
The moment it happened, she could feel sparks exploding around them. They were outside, in the middle of his garden, but she still felt like inside of a really warm room. He slowly guided her backwards while they kissed, until she felt her back touching a tree. Her hands went to his neck, bringing him even closer to her. She was lost in the moment, but deep down was aware that she needed to be careful, or she could hurt him. And she couldn't just tell him she was an alien that was a super hero and had super strength and could literally break him in thousand pieces. No, she couldn't. She didn't want to worry, but she had to, just a bit.
Their foreheads touched as they slowly opened their eyes, still in each other's embrace. Oliver caressed her cheeks while Kara tried to regain her control, taking deep breaths.
- I saw you coming in earlier… You got me curious
- I noticed… - She smiled – I was a bit intrigued myself… I still am…
- So that makes two of us.
His lips approached the base of her neck as her head bent a bit backwards.
- I've wanted to kiss you the moment I saw you.
- Here we are… - She whispered as she felt his soft kisses on her neck, cheeks, going back to her lips.
She was even more intrigued with the fact that something about him woke up a wild side of hers she had no idea existed. Maybe it was his lips, or the way he held her strongly by the waist, or the way his body pressured against hers and that made his heart beat so fast, it felt like it would jump his chest and go straight to hers. Maybe it was all of it. His hands going up and down her back were giving her even more chills and she couldn't stop herself. Her hands went straight to his chest, feeling his muscles through his shirt.
Oliver's phone started ringing and he tried to ignore it, but it kept ringing and he decided it was best if he answered.
- I'm sorry…
- Is ok, it might be important… - She smiled, totally flushed
As soon as Oliver hung up, he told Kara his sister was looking for him. Someone was apparently drunk and fell over a table, cutting themselves. Kara followed Oliver back inside and went to help him take care of the bruises on the guy's hand.
- If something like this doesn't happen, is not a Queen's party! – He said as Kara put the bandage on the guy's hand while Oliver cleaned the glass around them – Thank you… for this.
- You're welcome! – She smiled - A friend in need is a friend…
- Indeed!
Kara heard Oliver and looked at him, noticing he was looking weird at her.
- It was a good team up.
She heard those words and then it finally hit her. She stared in shock at Oliver. There was only one way it would make sense for him to tell her that, because she told him the same only a few hours ago.
Kara heard yelling far away and knew something serious was happening. She excused herself and walked away, vanishing among the crowd at the party.
Oliver kept staring at the ground in shock. He heard someone calling him and snapped out of his torpor.
- What happened, Diggle? – He asked
- We need to go… now – He gave him a knowing look and Oliver looked for his sister, asking her to cover for him at the party.
Kara flew from inside a building that has exploded, carrying people out and going back inside to make sure there was no one else there.
She saw the Hood riding his bike, carrying someone with him. He turned to a fireman and dropped the guy at his foot.
- I found the piece of shit that did this. He tried to run away. His bike is down there, it might need some repair.
Oliver nodded at Kara and turned around with his bike, but Kara flew towards him, stopping his bike from moving.
- We need to talk! – She said
- Couldn't agree more. But not here. C'mon.
- What… - She stared at him, understanding what he meant – Oh no, I can fly; I won't ride a bike with you…
- I flew with you before, against my will, c'mon.
Kara gave up arguing and sat behind him, holding him strongly. He found it funny she was worried about going on the bike with him when she could literally fly.
They went inside an old building that had a bunch of equipment. Kara felt curious and impressed at the same time, that tech there could match what they had at the DEO.
- I figured since we… got to know each other better, we can talk safely here… Welcome to my bunker! – Oliver said as he took off his hood and mask.
- Cool, this is where your team operates?
- Basically… So… You're the mysterious woman I was kissing in my yard? Can you at least now tell me our name?
- Kara… - She said – And you're Oliver Queen, CEO of Queen Industries that came back from …well… the dead?
- Why?
- What? Why I didn't tell you I was Supergirl? I guess is a bit obvious…
- Not that… Why didn't you tell me before? Your name? I'm just curious.
- Because I wanted just for a while forget about everything and see how it was like to live for a few minutes, knowing no one knew me, and that it was ok for me to see what it was like for other people… When you lost everything and live under constant pressure, not knowing what to do with your life and if you're even supposed, allowed to have a normal life, you feel stuff like that and just want to be away from everyone's eyes…
- Oh… - Oliver stared at her in a different way. He couldn't stop the feeling that she was letting something really heavy come out.
- I'm sorry… You barely know me, and you have nothing to do with it. Is not fair…
- Is ok… I get it.
Kara sat in a chair after Oliver pointed it to her, sitting right next to her.
- You've said you lost everything… Me too. I mean, I lost many people I loved; I lost the person I was in the island… I spent my entire life with people around me, waiting for a big mistake of mine so they could trash me out there… When I'm the Hood, I feel… is like I was free, because no one knows who I am, besides my team. So I understand wanting that.
- Yes… For me Supergirl is who I am, Kara is the disguise, and sometimes I'm tired of hiding from people I know. I confess it was refreshing to just go into a place, not worrying about excuses and all of that.
- I should have recognized the snarkiness…
- I'm sorry about that by the way… I feel like I judged you as the vigilante…
- Is ok, I judged you as Supergirl. – He laughed.
- I guess we're off to a fresh start then…
Kara got up, walking around the bunker. Oliver followed right behind,
- Not that much… I already know how your kiss…
Kara stopped and turned around, being centimeters away from him.
- And I know your heartbeat… Literally – Kara blushed, teasing, making Oliver look curious at her. – Oh… I have super hearing, so…
- Well, that's new… and interesting… Can you hear it now?
Kara focused and heard the same beat as she heard before. She nodded with her head.
She planned to be away for the weekend, in a place no one knew her, to go to a gala, have some fun and then come back home feeling renewed and lighter. She had no idea Alex's predictions would come true and beyond, because she just didn't met the vigilante, she hooked up with him in his yard, and now she was getting to see his base of operations. She should have been used to a crazy life by now.
They stood there, staring at each other, Kara hearing his heartbeat going nuts, him looking at her as if his eyes were on fire, she was kind of feeling the same thing but controlling herself because she could actually shoot fire from her eyes and he probably didn't know it.
They probably moved at the same time, crashing each other's lips. Kara used her supers peed and brought him with her to the corner of the bunker, making his back hit the wall. She felt him once again kissing her neck and grabbed his coat, taking it off and throwing it away. She ripped his shirt open, buttons flying everywhere.
- I'm sorry – She smiled between their kiss, and Oliver in a single motion, grabbed her by the waist and lifted her, sitting her on the table.
- I' not – He said, kissing her while his hands went to her back and he slowly undressed her.
The weekend passed by so fast, Kara couldn't believe it was already time to go home. She was in her hotel room, getting ready to leave, with Oliver spread underneath the sheets on the bed.
- Stay at the mansion the next time you come to town…
- And what makes you think I'll come back? – Kara teased him as she turned around and sat beside him – I'll need a really good reason.
- I can give you plenty… - He said as he kissed her one last time.
- I'll think about it…
A few hours later, Kara was back at her apartment, and she couldn't stop thinking about everything that happened that weekend. It was surreal for sure, but it made her realize that she would be forever Supergirl, there's something she would never ignore or stop, but… She realized she could also have a normal life, at least as normal as it could be, given the circumstances. She also felt like she learned something new. Yes, she judged Oliver at first, but then, she could see that behind that rude mask, there was someone sweet that has suffered just as much as she did in life. It was impressive how much alike they were, even being so different.
Alex stopped by later for their fun night, and Kara was already on her 10th piece of pizza. She was really hungry. Alex looked at her and noticed something was different.
- So… How was the gala? Your weekend at Star City?
- It was good… and interesting.
Kara finished her pizza and smiled innocently at her sister.
At least for now, some things she would keep to herself, until at least they could figure things out. But she was coming back, for sure.
Oliver just didn't know it yet.
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Spoiler Alert:Prompt by WritersBlock039: There's another prompt! In two universes, can any hero resist Kara Danvers's puppy dog eyes? Answer: no. The times no hero can withstand Kara's puppy dog eyes and the times they come together to defend their super puppy from being hurt - physically, mentally, or emotionally. Can be romantic - either way, Oliver, Barry, and Sara are the most protective and their teams are right behind them. / And another one (could be Elseworlds or Emerald Steel): what if Kara called Earth-1 for help in the Season 3 finale? Oliver, Barry, Sara, and members of their teams come to help. Preferably Kariver eventually happening, other pairings up to you.