Themyscira faded behind her, a jewel of green and gold shrinking against the vast blue of the ocean.
Kara didn't look back. Not because she didn't want to. Rao, she wanted to. But because she knew she would return. Often. This wasn't goodbye, not really.
Still, her mind lingered on the farewells.
The Amazons had sent her off the only way they knew how. With a feast, with celebration, with enough wine to make even the mightiest warriors sway. They had sung, laughed, toasted to her strength and her future.
And in the morning, when Kara had woken without a hangover, they had all groaned in dismay.
"Unfair," One had grumbled, rubbing her temples as Kara stretched, perfectly fine.
"You cannot drink like us and not suffer like us," Another had muttered, as Kara collected her suit.
"Kryptonian," The third woman grumbled, eyeing Kara as she now dressed in her red and blue. "Like I said… Terrifying."
Kara simply responded with a grin.
The women of Themyscira were proud, strong, loyal, and Kara loved them all. She had made friends here, more than she ever expected. Found a whole new family in an unlikely place. She let her newfound friends recover in peace and had taken her leave from them quietly, soaking in the final moment of this beautiful paradise.
But that was a thought for another time.
Today, she flew for America. For Kal-El. For the other family she had made.
She couldn't wait to tell them everything.
Metropolis stretched beneath her, golden in the afternoon light, the skyline dotted with glass towers and the ever-watchful Daily Planet globe.
It was a familiar sight. A fact that both comforted and amazed her. She'd only been in the city a handful of times and yet, the sight was welcome. But something felt off.
Kal-El wasn't here.
Kara hovered for a moment, scanning the city for the red-and-blue blur that usually streaked between buildings, listening for the telltale thunder of his impact as he landed on rooftops. Even a quick check of his apartment and workplace yielded the same result. He wasn't in the city. Nothing.
With a burst of speed, she left the city behind, crossing miles of countryside in seconds. Rolling fields replaced steel and glass, the golden waves of wheat stretching far and wide. Smallville.
She spotted them immediately, Kal-El and his son.
They sat on the roof of the farmhouse, the boy watched as his father gently repaired some tiles, pushing in nails with a careful index finger. Both were dressed in casual clothing, they noticed Kara's approach immediately, their heads tilting up to look at her.
Martha Kent stood on the porch, shading her eyes as she looked up, following the boy's attention. The moment she spotted Kara, she waved, a warm, welcoming gesture.
Kara swooped down, landing lightly, her boots barely rustling the grass. Kal and Jon hovered down from the roof to meet her.
Well, Kal-El hovered down... Jon simply jumped.
"Kara!" Jon shouted, bouncing over, arms thrown out to hug her.
She caught him with a grin, letting him squeeze her around the waist. She embraced her nephew with a laugh.
"Jon, be careful with your knees," Martha called from the porch, earning a smirk from the Kryptonian trio.
"I'm fine, Grandma!" Jon protested. Martha simply waved the boy away.
Kal chuckled, shaking his head before giving Kara a warm, welcoming smile. "Welcome back, Kara," He took a step back, taking in Kara's full appearance before adding. "That's a new look."
Kara's Kryptonian suit had been updated, partially. The original outfit remained, Kara would never part with her science guild attire, however, she wished to also honour the Amazonian culture she had experienced and become a part of.
Armoured braces of golden bronze, embossed with the House of El crest, sat comfortably over the cuffs of her suit. The cuirass engraved with her sigil was still resting in a sack she carried, along with her sword and shield. But the pteruge skirt and belt, dyed red and edged with gold, adorned her waist and matched well with the rest of her suit.
The addition blended into her original attire, creating a unique, new look. Mixing both sides of her new identity.
Kara smirked, setting her sack down with a soft thud. Jon's eyes lit up, immediately trying to peek into it. The sack was filled to bursting with souvenirs from Themyscira.
She fidgeted with her suit. Kara wasn't sure how she would be received, Kryptonians didn't usually accentuate their attire.
"Amazonian influence suits you," Kal said, nodding his approval. Kara was about to reply when Jon let out a yelp of delight.
"Whoa, did you get a sword?" Jon asked as he pulled the blade from the sack.
Both Kal and Kara shot a look of panic at the young boy, Kal-El reacting quickly as scooped the blade from the boy's hands and returned it. Kara laughed, watching Jon pout as the sword disappeared from view.
"I take it you had a good time?" Martha stepped closer, a knowing smile on her face.
Kara's grin widened, excitement bubbling up as she prepared to tell them everything. She barely took a breath before launching into her story.
"Was so good!" She gushed, her hands waving excitedly. "Diana. She train me. Very, very hard. Much fight! Many hit! But I get strong!"
She punched her fist into her palm for emphasis, rocking on her heels as she continued. "Amazons! Much fun! Made many friend! We drink. Eat. Sing! Dance. Fight. Play. They love me! I love them! So many beautiful, strong women, much respect!"
Martha looked almost puzzled, while Kal and Jon exchanged glances. Kara was a little too wrapped up in her own excitement to notice.
"They teach me, how to read," Kara pulled out a book from the sack, a slim volume of ancient poetry. "Learn stories of people. Heroes. Gods! Learn much!"
Kal-El was smiling along to her enthusiastic words, however he looked like he wanted to speak, opening his mouth only for her to steamroll him with more words.
"They learn from me too," Kara continued, practically bouncing. "Always ask question. Everywhere I go. Even in bathhouse..." She blushed before shaking off the thought. "I tell them, my history, about Krypton, they write for me. Our history, in their libraries!"
She threw her arms out, eyes bright with excitement, expecting them to follow along.
Silence.
She blinked. Her grin faltered, just a little.
Kal-El smiled politely and raised a hand to get her attention. "Um, Kara?" He started, trying to hide his grin. "Can you… translate that into English for us, maybe?"
Kara blinked, looking confused. She replayed the conversation in her head and realised, to her embarrassment, that she'd been speaking Amazonian. With a gasp, she slapped a hand over her mouth, blushing furiously.
"Oh!" She squeaked, in English this time. "Sorry! Sorry!"
Martha moved close, taking Kara's hand and reassuring her with a pat, smiling warmly. "Why don't we all get inside. You can tell us all about your trip and your new language skills over dinner. Sound good?"
Kara nodded, picking up her sack and following the elder Kent into the house, her cheeks burning. Jon followed along, peppering Kara with questions about her adventures. Kal-El trailed after them, smiling gently as he shook his head.
-
The dinner table was warm, lively, and filled with the scent of Martha's home cooking. Outside, the sun had dipped low, casting golden light through the kitchen window as the family gathered, passing dishes and listening to Kara. This time, in English.
She retold everything, just as excited, just as animated. From training with Diana to feasting with the Amazons, to the lessons in history, the stories of heroes and gods. Her hands moved as she spoke, gesturing wildly as she described the warriors she'd befriended, the ones who had challenged her, the ones who had stolen her breath with their strength, their beauty.
A chuckle came from Jonathan Kent, who had joined them for dinner. "Sounds like you had yourself an adventure, young lady."
"Yes! Much fun-" Kara paused, frowning. "Very fun?"
Martha smiled gently. "A lot of fun."
"A lot of fun," Kara repeated, nodding. She made a mental note of that.
Across the table, Clark leaned forward, resting his forearms on the wood. "I have to admit, I'm impressed," He said. "You picked up Amazonian that fast?"
Her head tilted. "Not pick up. They teach me."
A short laugh escaped him. "Still, that's impressive. I mean, I know of the language, but I can't speak it."
Kara blinked. "You not learn?"
He gave a lopsided smile. "Well, I know it's an offshoot of Latin and Ancient Greek, but…" He chuckled into his cup, taking a sip before looking back at Kara. "Only women are allowed to learn it."
That made sense. Even the mighty Superman couldn't visit a place like Themyscira.
Puffing her chest out, she grinned. "Yes! I learn much! Uh- I learn a lot?" She turned to Martha her nodded in approval. "Not fluent. But can talk. Say things. Sentences. Even read." She hesitated for a moment before continuing. "But… I still not read English."
Clark frowned, looking guilty for his part in the matter. Kara knew that it wasn't his fault, there were so many things to learn when she first arrived. English lessons were often accompanied by flying and history lessons, no time to learn a whole new alphabet.
"I hear English. Speak English. But not read." A sigh escaped her, her shoulders drooping. "Want to read. See many books. Many. So many books," She gestured over to the Kent's modest shelf, packed with paperbacks and leather-bound novels.
A thoughtful silence settled over the table.
Then, Martha clapped her hands together, a determined look in her eyes. "Well then, that settles it. We'll teach you."
Kara perked up. "Yes?"
"Of course," Jonathan added. "No reason you can't learn. You picked up all that Greek fast enough. English shouldn't be any trouble for you."
"And I'll help when I can," Clark added, smiling at Kara. "You'll have it in no time."
From his seat, Jon practically bounced. "I can help with books! Comics are super easy to read!"
Martha gave Kara's hand a reassuring pat. "And I can help with writing. I think I still have Clark's old workbooks from school somewhere around here. I'm sure we can find some for you to practice with too."
Kara beamed. Family. Home. Support. She couldn't have asked for anything more.
"Yes!" She said brightly. "I learn. I read." A resolute nod followed. "I read good!"
Clark raised a correcting finger, trying not to laugh. "Well."
Kara frowned. "I read well?"
Around her, laughter filled the dining room. Warm and bright. It was good to be home.
-
The days that followed settled into a steady rhythm. As promised, the entire Kent family worked together to teach Kara to read and write.
Martha found a whole box worth of old workbooks and children's books. Simple exercises to help her learn the alphabet. Kara worked on those every morning, sitting at the dining room table, her brow furrowed as she traced letters onto an old notebook, writing out the alphabet, again and again.
The format was remarkably similar to the Amazonian alphabet, making it relatively simple to understand and apply, even if the script itself was different.
The process was slow and laborious, but rewarding. Each day her knowledge grew, and her confidence improved. Her time, however, wasn't purely dedicated to her studies.
Kara spent the odd afternoon floating through Metropolis's skyline, keeping a watchful eye on the streets below. Kal-El invited her along on his patrols, although Kara was suspecting that it was just an excuse for her company. The pair would fly between several populated areas, chatting about everything and nothing, occasionally landing to assist the citizens of the city in trivial, yet fulfilling matters. Like collecting runaway balloons for children.
"It isn't just about stopping crime," Kal-El explained with a smile, helping an elderly man with his car. Lifting it high enough to change a tire. "It's also about helping people. Making their lives easier. And letting them know you're here."
Kara nodded, trying not to look like an awkward statue as the man thanked them. The humans of Metropolis still treated Kryptonians like gods, and it made her a little uneasy. Still, she smiled politely and waved off his thanks.
"You get used to it," Kal-El said, his cape fluttering in the breeze as they took flight.
"You not feel… strange?" Kara asked, glancing at the man as he waved.
"A little," Kal admitted. "It's something I've learned to live with," He admitted. "People are going to see us differently, no matter how much we try to just be… normal. But if it makes them feel safer, if it gives them hope, then I think it's worth it."
The pair did another tour of the city, flying gracefully through the multilayered highways of Metropolis. Kal smirked playfully. "And hey, if nothing else, the hero worship is a great confidence boost."
It was a joke. Kara could hear the slight strain in Kal's laugh at the comment. She glanced down at the streets below, watching as people moved through their daily lives. "I want to help," She said, her voice quieter. "But not be… worshipped."
Kal laughed, ruffling her hair before banking right. "Come on, let's go grab lunch. I know a great little diner."
-
More days passed, and soon Kara quickly advanced past Martha's collection of books and began picking up others. Lessons on the farm were quickly swapped out with lessons in Kal-El's house, sitting around the kitchen table, tracing letters with careful strokes, her tongue sticking out in concentration as she worked on more advance words and phrases.
"Ugh," Jon groaned, slumping over his worksheet beside Kara. "Math is the worst…"
The pair sat side by side, heads bent over their books, pencils tapping against paper. Jon had become her study partner, tackling his own school assignments as she worked through her lessons. Kara quickly peaked over, glancing at his work.
"Not worst," She corrected, pointing at the equation. "Math is easy. Identify pattern. Multiples of four, see. Make twenty-four here, and thirty-six there." She ran her finger along the page, explaining the pattern.
"Well it's easy for you," Jon mumbled. "Math is maths. You probably know a bajillion numbers already. It's not like learning a new language."
Kara chuckled and shook her head. "Actually, learning Earth math and language are same," She said, tapping her pencil against the paper. "On Krypton, we use a twelve number system when counting. Earth only use ten. That mean, when counting, I must learn new numbers. Less numbers than Krypton."
Jon looked at her, puzzled, as Kara wrote out Kryptonian numerals alongside the Earth standard numerals. Pointing out the extra two numbers.
"Math easy, I like it," Kara smiled, chuckling at Jon's confused stare. "But need to convert in head all the time. Very confusing," Jon let out a tired groan, scratching his head at his worksheet. Kara gave his shoulder a sympathetic pat. "Here, we work together. I help math. You help spelling, yes?"
Jon doubled down on his homework, a determined expression crossing his face. Kara took his renewed motivation as motivation for her own lessons.
-
The restaurant hummed with life, the scent of coffee and fresh pastries mingling with the steady murmur of conversation. Across from Lois, Kara stared in mild astonishment as a towering stack of muffins and pastries landed in front of her, practically defying gravity. A questioning glance was sent Lois's way.
"Is… much food normal for brunch?" She asked, poking at the fluffy layers with her fork.
Lois smirked, taking a sip of her coffee. "Depends on who you ask. Some people stick to fruit and toast. Others," She gestured toward the plate, "Go all in."
A thoughtful hum escaped Kara as she stabbed a piece of muffin and took a bite. "Earth loves food. Many meals. Many words for meals."
"You're catching on," Lois said, amusement laced in her voice.
The sweetness of sugar and the warmth of chocolate melted pleasantly on Kara's tongue, making her eyes widen. "Very good. Sweet. Soft. I like."
Lois chuckled. "Glad to hear it. Now, you ready to meet some of my friends?"
Before an answer could come, three women approached the table, sliding into the booth with casual ease. Greetings were exchanged, the energy light and familiar.
"Lois, you should have warned us Clark's cousin was a supermodel," One of them teased, giving Kara an appraising look.
A piece of muffin paused midway to her mouth. "Me?" She asked, brows furrowing.
Lois rolled her eyes. "Ignore them. They're nosy."
"Hey!" The second woman feigned offence before flashing Kara a warm smile. "We're just curious! Lois doesn't bring just anyone to brunch."
A redhead in a sharp blazer leaned forward, curiosity evident in her gaze. "So, Kara, how are you finding America so far?"
The question made her pause. A slight tilt of her head accompanied her puzzled expression. "Find America? It not lost?"
Silence fell for a beat before Lois chuckled, shaking her head. Then laughter erupted from the rest of the table.
"Okay, I like her," The first woman said, grinning. "But seriously, how's it been settling in?"
Relaxing into her seat, Kara considered the question. "Much to learn. Much to see. But good people. Many help. Kind."
A small, approving smirk played on Lois's lips. "Yeah, that sounds about right."
The conversation flowed easily after that, with Kara listening intently as Lois's friends swapped stories about work, city life, and the occasional strange encounters in Metropolis. It was different from the discussions she had with Kal-El or the Kents. Lively, fast-paced, filled with casual teasing and inside jokes.
By the time the plates were cleared and coffee refills had stopped, Kara had gained a new appreciation for brunch. Not just for the food, but for the company.
Lois nudged her playfully as they stepped outside. "So, what do you think? Worth the hype?"
A moment passed before Kara answered. "Food good. Company better."
With a chuckle, Lois slung an arm around her shoulder. "That's the right answer, kid."
-
After her brief experience with brunch, Kara had been eager to experience more Earth customs, so when Jimmy Olsen invited her to lunch one afternoon, she happily accepted. Eating out was still a novelty, and without Kal-El or Lois guiding her, this felt like another step toward blending in.
Seated at a small wooden table, she scanned the menu with fascination. The sheer variety of options made her brows knit together in concentration. Some words she understood. Bread, fruit, eggs. Others were a mystery. Brioche? Hollandaise? Quiche?
Across from her, Jimmy stirred his coffee, watching her expression shift between curiosity and mild confusion. "Oh sorry. I didn't even think about that. Did you need help translating? Here-"
He started to lean over when Kara held up a hand, halting his approach. "I am fine. Just many words. Much food. I do not know them all, yet."
"Anything standing out?" He asked, amused.
She tapped a finger against a dish description. "What is... 'frittata'?"
"It's kind of like an egg pie. No crust."
Kara considered this, remember to ask the most important question before eating anywhere. "Is it vegetarian?"
"Uh, that depends," Jimmy answered. "Do you eat eggs? Cause I know some vegetarians don't."
"I eat eggs," Kara hummed, scanning the menu for more dishes. "Do not eat meat. But animal products are... how you say, grey area?" She looked over the menu once more. "Are eggs here?..." She gestured vaguely, thinking of the word. "Do birds live happy life?"
Jimmy blinked, taken back. "Oh! Um, I think so?" He scratched his head. "The Planet did a story on our eggs last year. I think we interviewed a local farmer. I can look it up and send you the link later if you want."
Kara grinned brightly. "Yes! I thank you. Is very helpful." Her frown deepened as she scanned the menu again. "And... eggs Benedict?"
"That one has ham."
"Ah. No," She shook her head. "No meat."
Jimmy raised an eyebrow. "So... You're vegetarian? That's cool."
"Yes," Kara confirmed simply, not picking up the exaggeratedly casual tone.
"Is that like a, religious thing?" He asked, waving a waiter over for the table.
"No," Kara said, glancing over the menu. "Or? Maybe? My family no eat-" She paused, thinking over her English lessons. "Did not consume, meat. So part of personal culture." She corrected, smiling at herself.
"Fair enough."
The waiter arrived and Jimmy placed their order, Kara asking questions about the menu items. She finally settled on avocado toast with roasted tomatoes and a caramel latte, pleased with her selection.
As they waited for their food, he leaned forward, resting his arms on the table. "So, Clark told me you've been away for a while. Visited Greece? What's that been like?"
Kara hesitated briefly before answering. "Different. Much to learn. Earth is… big. So many people. Many customs. Some similar, some not."
"Yes," Jimmy chuckled awkwardly. "Earth does have a lot of people. And lots of customs?" He frowned at the statement but shook it off. "Though I don't usually see people get this excited about reading a cafe menu."
"Reading menu is exciting!" Kara insisted. "I can read now. And choose food. Small thing, but... important."
Jimmy found himself smiling at her enthusiasm. Kal-El had called this man one of his closest friends, and Kara could see why. He had a gentle nature, and seemed eager to connect.
"I've got to admit, you're doing great," Jimmy said. "I've never really been able to pick up languages that easy. I tried to learn Mandarin a few years back, but I think I can barely get through ordering dim sum.
"Thank you. Is... hard sometimes," She admitted. "But learning is good. Helps me fit in. Be part of Ka- uh, Clark's home. Of America."
Jimmy gave her an encouraging smile just as their food arrived. The pair spent the rest of their meal discussing the Planet, the various departments, and Jimmy's photography. He talked passionately about his work, showing her a small portfolio he had on his phone.
"You take very nice pictures," Kara said, scrolling through his photo album. "My Aunt used to enjoy photo making. Filled house with many images. Had great picture of Jewel Mountains in my bedroom. Gift for name day."
Jimmy tilted his head. "Jewel Mountains?"
Kara froze, realising her mistake. "Uh, is place. In... Europe?"
"I see," He nodded. "So this isn't Clark's mom we're talking about. You have more family over there?"
"Ah, no," Kara said quickly, trying to hide the sadness in her eyes. She really didn't want to go down this route, especially not on her first day of solo blending in.
Luckily, Jimmy took her discomfort and redirected the conversation. "You know, when Clark first introduced you as his cousin, I had trouble trying to figure out the family connection," He smiled softly. "But the way you get excited about the little things. Reading, photos, food. You might as well be Clark's little sister."
Kara beamed from the familial comparison, unaware of the fond look the boy was giving her. To Kara, there were no subtle glances, no playful smirks or hints. As far as she was concerned, She was just happy to be having a normal conversation.
"So," He said casually, "This whole travelling thing you're doing. Have you, uh… met anyone special yet?"
Kara blinked at him mid-bite, then swallowed. "Yes! Many people."
Jimmy chuckled. "No, I mean… like, special special?"
Her brow furrowed in confusion before her expression cleared. "Oh! You mean romance?"
"Yeah," Jimmy said, rubbing the back of his neck.
She considered the question. "Met many interesting people. But... not looking for romance. Want to explore. Experience. I want to learn Earth first."
"Yeah, that tracks." He let out a short sigh, running a hand through his hair.
Kara tilted her head. "Tracks?"
Jimmy grinned, shaking his head. "Nothing, sorry." He gave her a reassuring smile. "To good food and friendship then." He said with a smirk, lifting his coffee cup. Kara followed suit, clinking her latte against it.
"Yes! Good food and friendship!" Kara declared.
-
Kara had been living on the Kent farm for weeks now, nestled in the comfort of Clark's old bedroom. It had been a temporary arrangement at first. Just a place to stay while she figured things out, even if they had no intention of ever kicking her out. But the longer she remained, the more the room shifted from a relic of Clark's childhood into something else entirely.
Sitting cross-legged on the bed, Kara glanced around, taking in the changes. The shelves, once filled with old baseball trophies and high school yearbooks, now held books gifted by Martha, Lois, and even Jon. Everything from classic literature to children's comics. Her neatly folded Themysciran garments sat stacked beside flannel shirts Martha had lent her for cold mornings. The small wooden desk, which still bore faint scratches from Clark's early schoolwork, was now cluttered with her own notebooks, where she painstakingly practised writing in English.
And the floor? A chaotic mix of keepsakes. Trinkets from Themyscira. Intricately carved figurines, a bronze armband, and a beautifully bound book of Amazonian philosophy. Mingled with small gifts from America. A Metropolis postcard from Lois, a dream catcher from a neighbour, and a simple necklace Jon had excitedly picked out for her at a market stall.
It was only as she looked around that she realised just how much she had accumulated.
A quiet chuckle came from the doorway. "You've been busy," Clark said, arms crossed as he leaned against the frame. His tone was light, but his amused glance swept over the growing clutter.
Kara huffed playfully, shoving a pile of books into a more organised stack. "It's not that bad."
Clark raised an eyebrow, stepping inside. "I don't remember my room looking like a museum exhibit."
She tossed a pillow at him. He caught it effortlessly, grinning.
"Okay," She admitted, rubbing the back of her neck. "Maybe I've been… collecting things."
Clark sat on the edge of the bed, watching as she idly ran her fingers over the Amazonian book's gilded cover. His smile softened. "It's good to see you settling in. You're making a life here."
That gave her pause. She had been so focused on experiencing Earth, learning the customs, making connections, building trust, that she hadn't truly considered what that meant long-term.
She could return to Themyscira. She could go back to the Fortress. But neither of those places felt right.
"I want to be here," She admitted, looking up at him. "Like you."
Clark nodded. "Then maybe it's time to start thinking about finding a place of your own?"
Kara blinked. She hadn't even considered that. The farm had been comfortable, safe. A good starting point. But Clark was right. She wasn't just visiting anymore. She was staying. And that meant more than just collecting souvenirs. Her gaze drifted back to the room, to all the things she had gathered.
A home wasn't just a place. It was something you built.
Johnathan's words echoed in her head. The man was wise beyond his years and Kara had come to value his advice. She was glad Kal-El had grown up with the man as his father. She couldn't think of a more fitting substitute for Jor-El, and could imagine both men getting on very well.
Clark watched her work through the thought, a knowing look on his face.
"A home…" Kara's lips curled into a smile. "Yes, I'd like that."
"Of course, you don't have to decide anything yet," Clark said, his voice a soft reassurance. "And Lois and I will help, any way we can-"
"I need money for that," Kara thought aloud, considering the logistics.
Clark chuckled, standing up. "Yeah, that's usually how it works," He picked up one of Kara's carved figures, inspecting it. "But I have a friend who's pretty good with finances. Considering how much money he's already invested into you, I doubt the rent for a small apartment will make a difference."
"Me?" Kara asked, confused.
Clark didn't look up from the figure. "Same friend who helped create your human identity," He explained.
"Thank you..." Kara said, still planning in her head. "But I no wish to be burden. Can get job, yes? Pay for things."
"You could," He admitted, a look of surprise crossing his face. "You should… eventually. Yeah." His confused gaze shifted to another proud smile. "Had anything in mind?"
Kara looked up at her cousin and smiled. Determination settled in her heart. "Yes. Can work Earth Science!"
