The city sprawled beneath them, stretching toward the horizon in steel and glass. Kara had seen Metropolis before, flown over it, stood in its streets, but never like this. Never with her senses so open, so aware.

She and Kal-El hovered above the skyline, their capes rippling in the breeze. Below, the city roared with life. Kara had always known Metropolis was loud, but now, every sound pressed in at once. The layered voices of a thousand conversations, the rhythmic pounding of footsteps against the pavement, the screech of tires, the low hum of electricity running through neon signs.

It wasn't overwhelming, not exactly. But it was distracting.

She glanced at Kal-El, who floated with practised ease, his gaze sweeping the city like he belonged to it.

"You do not hear all this?" She asked in Kryptonian.

"I do," He said, amused. "I just don't let it bother me."

Kara frowned, turning her attention back to the streets. Somewhere below, a dog barked, sharp and insistent. A man's heartbeat spiked as he argued into a phone. A child sniffled, on the verge of tears. She hadn't noticed these things before on her first visit. Not like this.

Kal-El must have seen the frustration on her face because he nudged her shoulder lightly. "It takes practice," He said. "You'll learn to filter it out."

She exhaled, trying to push past the distractions.

Then, a new sound cut through the noise. A sharp, panicked shouting.

Kal-El's expression shifted in an instant. Without a word, he angled downward and shot toward the streets.

Kara followed.

She hovered in the air, her heart pounding as the scene unfolded below her. She had seen Superman in action before, had watched him put out fires and carry wounded humans to safety, but this was different.

Her eyes locked onto the scene below her. Armed humans kicked open the front door of a building, their boots slamming against the glass with a deafening crash. An alarm blared into the air, cutting through the chaotic noise of the street. They pushed their way outside, shoving people as they moved, their faces masked and their hands gripping weapons of some kind.

Kara couldn't make sense of it all. She didn't know what was happening or why, but she could see the fear in the eyes of the people who were running, the panic rising as they tried to flee. It was clear that whatever was going on, it was endangering innocent lives. And that was all Kara needed to know.

Superman stood tall above the scene, calmly assessing the situation. Several of the armed humans immediately raised their hands in surrender, recognising him as the symbol of everything they couldn't fight.

Not everyone surrendered though. Vehicles filled with large bags of human money sped off in opposite directions, two trucks fleeing the scene in a panic.

Kal-El's voice cut through her panicked thoughts. "Kara, stop the second car. I'll handle the first."

Kara hesitated, her mind racing. She didn't understand what was happening, not completely. She knew these humans had done something wrong. Something bad. That much was clear. But she wasn't a hero. Not really. She had never fought anyone before, not like this. Even with all her power, there was a knot of fear in her chest.

What if I mess up?

The second car shot down the road, tires screeching as it sped away from the scene. She had to stop it. But how? Her voice trembled as she called out in broken English.

"Stop, please!" Kara cried, hovering next to the driver's window. It sounded weak, unsure. "Stop vehicle. Please-"

The human driving the truck didn't even look at her. His partner in the passenger seat leaned out the window and raised the weapon towards Kara, a wild panic in his eyes.

Kara flinched before the shots even reached her. Her instinct was to move, to dodge, but it was a reflex. Something her mind hadn't caught up to yet. The bullets struck her chest, but there was nothing. Nothing at all. She felt no pain, but the movement sent her off course. She veered away from the truck just enough for her to knock a traffic sign over, the pole crashing loudly to the ground, sparks flying.

Her heart dropped. She had made a mistake. People cried out in surprise as a traffic light landed on a parked car. Kara watched in horror as innocent humans ducked for cover out of fear. She had frightened them, and hurt Kal-El's city.

I'm supposed to help, not make things worse.

The realisation hit her hard. Kal-El never uses all his strength. He couldn't. And she shouldn't either. If she did, someone might get hurt.

I need to be careful. I need to be gentle.

Kara took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. She couldn't afford to let her fear control her. Slowly, she flew behind the truck, her hands extending as she carefully gripped the back of it, easing it to a stop. Her focus was complete. The car slowed down under her guidance, tires screeching but not violently, until it came to a full halt.

The humans inside, still in panic, tried to shoot at her again. She flinched, her instincts betraying her, but she held steady. She knew the bullets couldn't hurt her. But they could hurt someone else. Someone who wasn't like her.

She hovered closer to the car, her hands shaking slightly as she reached for the guns. Kara was careful, hesitant. She didn't want to hurt them, she didn't want to hurt anyone. Gently, she pulled the weapons from their hands, one by one, feeling the tremble in her fingers with each motion.

As she hovered uncertainly, watching the violent humans as they stood, disarmed but still defiant. She had taken their guns, but now she was stuck. She didn't know what to do next. She wasn't familiar with Earth's laws or how to handle criminals. She wasn't a fighter and had never been trained for this.

More importantly, she knew she couldn't just punch them.

Kara stood stiffly as Kal-El landed beside her, his presence commanding as ever. Even without raising a hand, without a single act of force, he had already won. The remaining humans, the ones who had tried to escape, froze under his gaze.

"Stay down." He ordered, his voice calm but firm. There was no anger in it, no harshness, only certainty. The humans obeyed without question.

The wail of sirens echoed through the streets, and Kara turned her head, tracking the police vehicles before they even came into view. The officers arrived quickly, stepping out with a mix of caution and relief. Kal-El moved toward them, speaking in their language, explaining the situation in that same measured way. They listened, their respect clear, some even looking grateful that he was here.

Kara, meanwhile, stayed back.

Her hands curled into fists at her sides as she stared at the damage she had caused. The shattered traffic light, the crumpled signpost, the car beneath it. The startled humans still whispering, still watching her with wary eyes.

She had flinched.

The bullets had done nothing to her, yet she had moved as if they could. And in that moment of hesitation, she had made things worse. She had broken things. She had frightened people.

Kal-El turned back to her, his expression softening when he saw her tense posture.

"Are you okay?" He asked in Kryptonian.

Kara swallowed. For a moment, she considered lying, saying she was fine. That was what a warrior would do, wasn't it? What a hero would do?

But the words wouldn't come. Instead, she shook her head. "I- I broke things," She admitted, voice quieter than before. She gestured toward the wreckage, her stomach twisting. "I scared them."

Kal-El followed her gaze, then exhaled. Gently, he placed a hand on her shoulder.

"No one got hurt," He reminded her. "And you stopped the truck without causing more damage. That's what matters."

Kara pressed her lips together. "I flinched," She confessed. "I should not have. But I-" She hesitated, struggling to find the words.

She hadn't been afraid of getting hurt. She had known the bullets wouldn't harm her. But still, her body had reacted. The instinct to dodge, to move. It had been too strong to ignore.

Kal-El nodded. "It's different when it actually happens," He said. "Even knowing you're invulnerable, your instincts don't change overnight. But you'll get used to it."

Would she?

Kara exhaled sharply, forcing herself to focus. She looked back at the wreckage. "The city is so fragile," She murmured. "Everything here is… delicate. Like living in a world made of paper…"

Kal-El gave her a knowing look. "That's why we don't use all our strength," He said. "Not unless we have to."

Kara thought back to the way he had handled the situation. He hadn't rushed in. He hadn't needed to. Just by being there, standing as Superman, he had stopped half the humans from even trying to fight.

She glanced back at him. "Is the city always like this?"

He shook his head. "Not always. Things happen sometimes, but Metropolis is usually peaceful. It's not an everyday thing." A small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Though you do seem to have caught us on a busy day."

Kara huffed, crossing her arms. "Maybe I am just bad luck." It was mostly a joke, and Kara smiled to convey that fact.

Kal-El chuckled, then gestured for her to follow. "Come on. The police have it from here. We should get moving."

Kara hesitated for only a moment, then gave one last glance at the humans still watching them.

Their fear was fading, replaced by something else. Not quite trust, not yet. But gratitude. Maybe she hadn't done everything right. But maybe, she had done enough.

With that thought, she lifted off into the sky, flying alongside Kal-El as they left the streets behind.

-

Before stepping into the bustling world of the Daily Planet, Kara followed Clark into a quiet alley nearby. With a quick glance around, they touched down lightly on the pavement. Clark had already switched into his more human self, his Superman suit hidden beneath the slacks, button-up, and tie that made him Clark Kent.

Kara, meanwhile, adjusted her new outfit, the one she had picked for herself back in Smallville. A white button-up blouse tucked neatly into a soft blue skirt that fell just above her knees, paired with her Kryptonian boots which could pass as human fashion on their own. It was cute, as the woman at the store had called it. Kara didn't like the way the fabric felt, but admitted it still let her move freely. She had even added a white hairband, pushing her golden locks back in a way that kept them out of her face.

Clark gave her a once-over and smiled. "You look nice."

Kara adjusted the sleeves of her blouse, covering the suit hidden behind it. "I feel… different."

Clark chuckled. "You'll get used to it," He paused, putting on a slightly more serious face. "Now remember. We're acting as humans. You remember the cover story?"

"You are Clark Kent," She said, looking up at him with an eye-roll. As she adjusted the cuffs of her blouse, a thought struck her. "Why am I not Kara Kent?"

Clark hesitated, then gave a small smile. "Because the Kent family tree is too easy to search. If someone looked into it, they'd start asking questions we don't want them asking."

Kara frowned. "So why Danvers?"

"A friend helped set up the paperwork," Clark explained, straightening his tie. His tone was light, but there was something in his expression that told her not to push further.

Kara sighed, rolling the name around in her mind. "Kara Danvers…" She huffed. "It sounds weird."

Clark chuckled, handing Kara a second pair of glasses to complete her disguise. "You'll get used to it. Ready?"

Kara exhaled and nodded. "Ready."

-

Stepping into the newsroom, Kara was immediately hit by a wave of sound, the rhythmic clatter of keyboards, the constant ringing of phones, and reporters shouting across desks. The air carried the sharp scent of ink and coffee, a strange but fitting blend of chaos and order. No wonder Clark found comfort here.

He moved through the crowded space with ease, offering nods to familiar faces. His posture shifted, shoulders slightly hunched, movements less assured. It was seamless, this transformation into Clark Kent.

Not an act, but a truth. Kal-El is Clark Kent.

Scanning the cluttered desks and pinboards filled with articles and photographs, Kara took everything in. A red-haired man approached, flashing an easy grin.

"CK! You're back! I thought you'd quit for real this time," He teased, though there was no real bite to it. His eyes flicked to Kara, curiosity lighting up his features.

Clark smiled sheepishly. "Yeah, got back just an hour ago." Then, gesturing to her, he said, "Jimmy, this is my cousin, Kara Danvers."

She offered a polite smile. "It's nice to meet you."

"Jimmy Olsen," The man said, grin widened as he shook her hand. "Welcome to the Planet! So, uh… visiting from out of town?"

A brief hesitation. "Something like that."

Before Jimmy could pry further, a sharp voice cut through the noise.

"Kent!"

An older man with grey hair strode toward them, holding up a crumpled newspaper.

Clark straightened. "Morning, Perry."

"Don't 'morning' me, Kent! You were supposed to email me that city hall report!" Perry White jabbed a finger at him before thrusting the paper into his hands. "If you ever show up on time, I might just drop dead from the shock."

Clark pushed his glasses up. "Well, we wouldn't want that, Chief."

A huff of exasperation, but no argument. Perry's sharp gaze shifted to Kara. "And who's this?"

"Kara Danvers," Clark said smoothly. "My cousin."

"Hmph." Perry gave her a once-over, then nodded. "Welcome to the Planet, kid. Try not to pick up any of Kent's bad habits."

With that, he turned and stormed off, already barking orders at another reporter.

Kara blinked. "He is… intense."

Clark chuckled. "That's just Perry."

Before Kara could respond, another voice joined the conversation, sharp and confident.

"Well, well. Look who finally decided to show up."

Quick, purposeful strides brought a dark-haired woman closer. Sharp eyes, an air of absolute authority. Lois Lane.

Recognition was immediate. They had met before, briefly, when Kara ventured into Metropolis alone. Back then, she hadn't known Lois was Kal-El's wife.

Lois' gaze flicked to her, a small, knowing smile appearing before she looked at Clark. "You're late," She said, holding out a folder. "Your contact at City Hall called, wanted to clarify a quote. Since you weren't answering your phone, they tried me."

Clark sighed, taking the folder. "Thanks, Lois."

Attention fully on Kara now, Lois studied her for a moment before offering a friendly smile. "And you must be Kara."

Kara hesitated for only a second before nodding. "Yes. It's nice to meet you."

Lois' smirk widened slightly. "I have a feeling we've met before."

A fraction of a second's tension passed through Kara, but Lois didn't elaborate. Instead, she gestured toward her office. "Come on. Let's talk somewhere quieter."

With a reassuring look from Clark, Kara followed her through the bustling newsroom. The moment the door closed behind them, the noise dimmed.

Leaning against her desk, Lois folded her arms. "Alright. Now we can talk properly." A warm smile softened her sharp demeanour. "Welcome to the family, Kara."

Before a response could form, she stepped forward and wrapped Kara in a quick but firm hug. The embrace was grounding, familiar in its strength, yet fierce in a way that made it clear Lois had already decided Kara was important to her.

When Lois pulled back, she was smiling. "It's good to finally meet you. Clark's been talking about you non-stop since you got here."

Kara blinked in surprise. "He has?"

"Oh yeah," Lois said, shooting Clark a look. "You have no idea how happy he's been."

Clark pushed his glasses up, clearly uncomfortable with the attention. "I wouldn't say non-stop-"

"He has," Lois interrupted, grinning.

Kara glanced at her cousin, who looked away, rubbing the back of his neck. Warmth spread through her chest. She knew Kal-El cared for her, but hearing that he had spoken about her so much, so happily, made something settle inside her.

Still, something didn't make sense.

Her brow furrowed. "If… if you wanted meet me, why… you say nothing when we talk before? Why you no tell me about marriage?"

For just a second, Lois' expression faltered before she turned a sharp gaze on Clark. "That's a good question." One brow arched. "Clark, why didn't you tell Kara about us?"

A sigh escaped Clark, and he already knew he was in trouble. "I was going to. I just… didn't want to overwhelm her with everything all at once." His eyes softened as he looked at Kara. "You had a lot to adjust to. I didn't want to make it harder."

Lois rolled her eyes but didn't argue. Instead, she turned back to Kara, her expression softening. "I really am sorry about that first meeting. I was in work mode. When I'm chasing a story, I have to ask the questions the public wants answered. I needed to be seen doing my job."

Kara considered this. She had seen what Lois was like as a reporter. Sharp, relentless, focused. She could understand the need to separate personal life from professional work.

Lois sighed, rubbing her temple. "And honestly? Even if I wanted to write something more personal, I couldn't. I can't publish information I learn at home."

Kara frowned slightly. "Why not?"

A smirk appeared on Lois's face. "Because that would make me a terrible wife."

A blink, then a quiet laugh. Fair enough.

Leaning back, Lois continued, "Besides, Clark's been pretty tight-lipped about you." She shot him a pointed look as Kara frowned in confusion at the conflicting statement. "About the stuff that really matters. Oh, he'll tell me about how fast you're picking up English or how you can supposedly create food from thin air-"

Kara shot Clark a disapproving glance. "I explain this already. Cannot make food from nothing."

He shrugged. "She deserves her privacy."

"I get it," Lois nodded, turning back to Kara. "And for what it's worth, I do want to know you, Kara. Not just as Supergirl, but as Clark's cousin."

The warmth in her voice made something settle further inside Kara. "I want to know you too."

Lois grinned. "Good. Because like I said. Welcome to the family."

Hesitation flickered across Kara's face before she finally voiced the other question lingering in her mind. "Still, we met before… you say nothing about being wife of Kal-El."

Lois' smirk softened. "Because I'm married to Clark Kent," She said simply. "Not Superman," Then, she huffed a small chuckle. "Also, it's hard to have that conversation in public, and you already looked so skittish."

That answer required a moment's thought, but eventually, Kara nodded. "I… understand."

Lois raised an eyebrow. "You sure?"

"Yes. It is… secret?"

Lois nodded. "Exactly."

Accepting it easily, Kara smiled. "Is okay. Am happy to meet wife of Kal-El."

Lois chuckled, shaking her head. "Kal-El. It's still so weird hearing someone call him that." She shot Clark a teasing grin. "Sounds way too grand for a guy who forgets to pick up milk."

Clark sighed. "I told you, I got distracted."

"By a kitten in a tree," Lois deadpanned.

Kara, amused, turned her attention back to Lois. "You do not like name?"

"Nah, it's not that," Lois shook her head. "It's just… Clark's Clark to me, you know? But now you've got me curious. If I did start calling him Kal-El, what would my name be?"

Kara tilted her head. "What you mean?"

"Well, I'm married to Kal-El, would I be Lois-El?"

With immediate disapproval, Kara shook her head. "No. You take full name."

Lois blinked. "Wait, full name?"

Kara gave a firm nod. "You would be… Lois Kal-El."

Silence stretched between them as Lois processed that. "Huh."

"Same as me," Kara continued. "I am Kara Zor-El. Is name from father. Only change if marry another man."

Lois made a face. "So I'd just become my husband's full name? No thanks. I'll stick with Lois Lane." She muttered under her breath, "Another patriarchal society. Fantastic."

Clark cleared his throat. "Speaking of names, have you been following the crime reports?"

The teasing glint in Lois' eyes vanished, replaced by sharp focus. "Of course. There's been a noticeable uptick in activity. Robberies, smuggling, even some high-profile weapons deals."

Clark frowned. "Any idea why?"

"It's simple, Smallville." She leaned against her desk, arms crossed. "When Superman's distracted, criminals get bolder."

Kara's brow furrowed. "Distracted?"

A knowing look passed between them before Lois turned back to Kara. "You're kind of a big deal, kid. Clark's been helping you settle in, showing you the ropes. Meanwhile, the city's noticed he hasn't been around as much."

That didn't sit well. Clark folded his arms. "That still doesn't explain why crime is suddenly spiking."

Lois reached for a file on her desk, flipping it open before sliding it toward him. "That's where my investigation comes in. I've been digging, and I'm pretty sure someone's bankrolling this whole mess."

Clark opened the file, scanning the notes and reports. "Who?"

Lois leaned back, a smirk forming. "The trail leads to Gotham."

He exhaled sharply. "That's never good."

"Figured you'd say that," She said, clearly enjoying herself. "So I took the liberty of getting some intel."

His gaze lifted. "You talked to Bruce?"

That smirk widened. "Nope. Got it from someone way more fun."

Clark's expression darkened. "Lois-"

"Relax, Boy Scout. It was just a chat."

Kara glanced between them, confused. "Who?"

Lois casually examined her nails. "Selina."

A groan escaped Clark, even as Kara was left hopelessly confused by the conversation.

With a shrug, Lois replied, "What can I say? We have brunch sometimes."

Kara blinked. "What is brunch?"

Dramatically, Lois sighed. "Oh, honey. We have to fix that."

-

The conversation had flowed easily, despite the occasional hiccups in translation. Lois had shared bits and pieces of her life before meeting Clark, how she started at the Daily Planet, her relentless pursuit of stories, and the moment she first realised Clark Kent was more than just a mild-mannered reporter. Kara listened intently, absorbing every detail, though the language barrier made expressing her thoughts a challenge. Still, Lois was patient, filling in gaps when needed, and Kara found herself enjoying the exchange.

Eventually, Lois checked the time and sighed. "I'd love to stay longer, but I have to go pick up Jon. I'll meet you two back at home for lunch."

Kara blinked, processing the statement. "You go to Smallville?"

Lois paused. "What?"

"Jonathan Kent… he is in Smallville, yes?"

Clark turned away to hide a smile, but Lois immediately saw through him. She slowly turned to face him, arms crossed. "You didn't tell her?"

Pushing his glasses up, he offered an innocent shrug. "I figured I'd wait until she was ready."

Lois let out a frustrated sigh. "Clark."

He held up his hands in defence. "What? I said I didn't want to overwhelm her with everything all at once." His lips twitched in amusement. "And, at this point, I thought it'd be more fun as a surprise."

Kara glanced between them, still completely lost. "Surprise?"

Clark shot her a knowing wink but said nothing.

Lois pinched the bridge of her nose, clearly exasperated. "You're impossible."

Kara frowned, sensing she was missing something important, but before she could question it further, Lois grabbed her bag. "Fine. Have fun at the Planet. I'll see you two at home." She shot Clark one last pointed look before heading out, muttering under her breath about someone enjoying their secrets too much.

Still confused but trusting Clark, Kara let it go, for now. Instead, she turned her attention back to her cousin as he smiled warmly. "Come on, I'll show you around. If you're going to get to know this world, you should see what my life here is really like."

Clark guided Kara through the bustling newsroom, weaving between desks stacked high with papers and ringing phones. The energy of the Daily Planet was unlike anything she had ever experienced, chaotic yet focused, loud yet purposeful. The sheer volume of human voices, all speaking over one another, was overwhelming at first, but Kara quickly realised that beneath the noise was a kind of harmony. Everyone here had a role to play, and despite their differences, they worked together seamlessly.

As they walked, Clark pointed things out. "That's where the editors sit. If you ever hear shouting from over there, it probably means someone's missed a deadline." He gestured toward a group of reporters huddled near a whiteboard filled with notes and headlines. "And that's the investigations team. They dig into bigger stories. Corruption, crime, politics."

Kara nodded, fascinated. On Krypton, information had been carefully curated, streamlined, and delivered through Brainiac's data systems. Reporters had existed, but not like this, not running around, chasing leads, arguing over wording. The Daily Planet felt so much more… alive.

A familiar voice called out, breaking her thoughts.

"Hey, Clark!"

Jimmy Olsen jogged over, camera slung around his neck. He shot Kara a friendly grin. "And Kara, right? We met earlier."

She smiled back. "Yes. Kara."

Jimmy tilted his head. "So, where you from again? I don't think I caught it."

Before she could answer, another reporter chimed in from nearby. "Oh yeah, I was wondering that too! Your accent's hard to place."

Kara hesitated, glancing at Clark. Who also looked to be caught off guard by the question.

She thought for a moment before answering. "Europe?" She guessed, remembering the name of the continent and how some people in Smallville assumed she was from there.

Jimmy chuckled. "Yeah, no kidding. Eastern Europe?"

"Maybe Scandinavian?" Someone else suggested.

A woman at the next desk shook her head. "No way, she doesn't sound Scandinavian. I'd guess somewhere more… Central Europe?"

Kara glanced between them, amused by their speculation but unsure how to respond. Clark stepped in smoothly. "Yeah, it's Central-ish... But uh, she's still working on her English, so some words are tricky."

Jimmy grinned. "Well, you're doing great so far. And hey, if you ever need help, I got a translation app on my phone!"

Kara smiled. The humans were so eager to be helpful, it was a kindness she appreciated.

As the morning went on, she absorbed everything she could. She watched Clark type up an article, eyes scanning the keyboard with impressive speed.

Even the gossip and humour in the office fascinated her, people chatting about weekend plans, office coffee complaints, and someone's cat who had apparently taken over their laptop at home.

It was different from Krypton in so many ways. Louder, messier, less efficient. But as Kara listened to the hum of conversation and watched the easy camaraderie between colleagues, she felt something familiar beneath it all. There was purpose here, a shared drive to seek out truth, to understand the world.

She lingered by Clark's desk, flipping through a newspaper, her fingers tracing the printed words she still couldn't read. The material was crude compared to Kryptonian data transfers via optical hologram links, but the intent was the same.

"Not a lot of people read those anymore," Clark remarked, leaning against his desk. At Kara's questioning look, he explained, "Printed media is… dying, I guess you could say. Most people get their news from their phones now."

Kara frowned, pulling the phone Clark had given her from her pocket. The sleek little device still felt unnatural in her hands. And it was frustrating, every time she tried to use it, something went wrong. Her fingers moved too fast, or she accidentally activated the wrong function.

Clark chuckled at her expression. "You'll get used to it." A phrase that Kara was beginning to hate.

She wasn't so sure. But as Jimmy strolled by, launching into an animated retelling of a recent assignment gone wrong, Kara found herself caught up in the moment, listening as the others laughed along.

-

As they stepped out of the Daily Planet and into the streets of Metropolis, Kara winced. The moment they left the relative quiet of the newsroom, the full force of the city hit her like a tidal wave.

Car horns blared, sirens wailed in the distance, dozens- No, hundreds ,of conversations overlapped all around her. Somewhere, a dog barked. A baby cried. A street musician strummed a guitar.

She squeezed her eyes shut, pressing her fingers against her temples. "Too much," She muttered in Kryptonian.

Clark placed a steadying hand on her shoulder. "I know. It was the same for me at first." His voice was calm, grounding. "Come on, let's get home. I'll show you how to handle it."

Kara nodded stiffly, following him as they took to the skies. The flight helped a little, the wind rushing past her ears dulled some of the overwhelming noise, but as soon as they landed on the balcony of Clark's apartment, the chaos pressed in again.

She hesitated, staring out over the city skyline. "How do you live like this?" she asked. "It never stops."

Clark stepped inside, gesturing for her to follow. "You learn to tune it out," He explained. "It takes time, but eventually, your brain stops treating every sound as important."

Kara crossed her arms, sceptical. "And until then?"

Clark grinned. "Until then, you cheat."

He sat on the couch and patted the space beside him. She hesitated before joining him.

"Close your eyes," He instructed.

She did.

"Now," He continued, "Instead of hearing everything at once, pick just one sound. Focus on it."

Kara furrowed her brow. "Which?"

"Anything. Something close."

She concentrated, struggling against the flood of noise until- There. A steady, rhythmic sound. A heartbeat.

Her eyes snapped open. "Yours."

Clark nodded. "Good. Now, try shifting to something else. The clock in the kitchen. The wind outside."

It was difficult at first, but as she followed his guidance, something clicked. The chaos of sound around her began to feel… manageable. Not gone, but no longer crushing.

Clark smiled at her progress. "See? You'll get there."

She exhaled slowly, the tension in her shoulders easing.

As Kara continued focusing, the layers of sound separated like threads in a tapestry. The hum of the refrigerator. The rustle of leaves outside. The rhythmic tick of the wall clock. And then-

A heartbeat. Steady, familiar.

Lois.

Kara blinked, surprised at how easily she recognised it. She was getting the hang of this. But before she could say anything, something else caught her attention. Another heartbeat.

Softer. Lighter.

Her brow furrowed. There was someone with Lois. Someone smaller.

She sat up, eyes snapping toward the door just as it opened.

Lois stepped inside, holding a young boy's hand.

"Clark, Kara," Lois said with a grin. "We're back."

Kara didn't move. She couldn't. She stared at the boy, heart pounding, mind refusing to process what she was seeing.

A child.

But no- not just a child.

Her breath hitched as she took him in. Dark hair, slightly unruly like he'd been running his fingers through it all morning. Wide, blue eyes that sparkled with energy, so eerily familiar it sent a jolt through her chest.

He looked so much like Kal-El.

Not Kal as he was now, but Kal as she remembered him. As a baby, swaddled in his crib. As a toddler, barely steady on his feet, clutching at her hand.

Jon looked barely a Kryptonian year older than Kal had been when she last saw him. And yet, Kal was a man now. Standing beside her. Smiling.

Clark stood, his usual warmth in his voice. "Kara, this is Jon." He placed a hand on the boy's shoulder, smiling proudly. "My son."

A sharp inhale was all Kara managed.

It didn't make sense. Kryptonians and humans- this wasn't possible. It shouldn't be possible. As similar as they were in shape, they were two different species.

And yet… here he was.

A continuation of the House of El. A living bridge between Krypton and Earth.

She barely registered the way her vision blurred until a tear slipped down her cheek. Then, without thinking, she dropped to her knees in front of the boy and pulled him into a tight hug.

Jon stiffened at first, confused, but didn't resist. "Uhh…" He glanced up at his dad. "Is she okay?"

Clark chuckled. "She's just happy to meet you, buddy."

Kara pulled back slightly, hands still on Jon's shoulders. Her voice was thick with emotion. "You… you are real."

"Surprise…" Clark said quietly, smilling down at the two.

She let out a breathy laugh, her grip on the boy loosening as she swiped at her damp eyes. "I- sorry, I just-" She looked between Clark and Lois, overwhelmed. "I never thought-" But the words refused to come. She shook her head instead, trying to steady herself.

Lois gave her a knowing look but didn't press.

Jon, watching her with wide, curious eyes, gave her a shy smile. "Dad said you didn't know about me yet," He beamed, his voice high and earnest. "It's okay! I knew about you, though! I've been waiting forever to meet you!"

Kara let out a shaky laugh, nodding. "Yeah… it's big surprise." She took a moment to really look at him again, his small face, the dark curls, the bright blue eyes that were so much like Kal's. Her mind supplied the Kryptonian word for second cousin, assuming that's what Jon must be to her.

Then Jon gasped, eyes lighting up. "Wait! If you're Dad's cousin, that makes you my-" He scrunched his nose, thinking hard before looking up at Clark. "What's the word?"

Clark smirked. "Aunt."

Jon's face lit up. "Aunt!" He turned back to her, bouncing on his heels. "I have another aunt? For real?"

The word hit Kara harder than she expected. Aunt. Not just some distant relation. Family. Kal's family. Her family. A warm, shaky feeling spread through her chest as she swallowed past the lump in her throat.

She exhaled, then squared her shoulders, nodding firmly. "Yes," She said, her voice cracking under the tears as she embraced the new title wholeheartedly. "I am your aunt."

Jon's grin stretched impossibly wide. "That's so cool!" He wiggled excitedly, then quickly leaned in to whisper, as if sharing a big secret. "Do you got powers too?"

Kara glanced at Lois, whose raised brow was clear enough.

"She just got here, buddy," Lois said, crossing her arms. "Let her breathe before you start grilling her."

Jon pouted for half a second before brightening again. "Okay! But- Um. Can I sit next to her at lunch?"

Kara let out another soft laugh, overwhelmed but so full of something warm.

Clark draped an arm over her shoulders, squeezing gently. "Come on," He said, guiding them toward the dining table. "Let's eat."

Jon grabbed her hand excitedly as they walked, already chatting about the toys he wanted to show her after lunch.

Still shaken, but no longer lost, Kara followed, glancing down at the little boy who was so impossibly real.

Krypton was gone. But the House of El lived.

And she was part of it.