Chapter Text
Dinner was a lively affair, with Sam cracking jokes at Lena’s expense and Ruby taking breaks from her meal to show Kara the newest tricks that she had taught her dog, Simon. The hosts, in turn, gawked at Kara’s seemingly endless appetite. She had even cleared through the portions that Sam assumed were going to become leftovers for tomorrow.
Kara was learning more about Lena and her life in bits and pieces through Sam’s stories from their past. She found out that Lena had spent most of her life in boarding school in Ireland, a de facto ban from her family during the school year when her mother didn’t feel like dealing with her. And apparently, Lena was something of a genius (not that Kara had any reason to believe otherwise), having skipped multiple grades and graduating in Sam’s year despite the fact that she is 4 years Lena’s senior. After boarding school, their paths diverged but they had kept in touch. It was warmth that Kara hadn’t felt since Midvale.
Thoughts of Alex and Eliza rushed in and Kara immediately felt a pang of worry. Oh, what she wouldn’t give for a hug from Alex right now. But even with the Alex-sized whole in her life, her current situation was half-bad with Sam, Ruby, and Lena. It was finally a break, an exhale of a breath that she hadn’t known she was holding for so long.
Hours passed by like minutes, and it was soon time for Ruby to head to bed. While easygoing, Sam could definitely be the disciplinarian when needed. When it was time for cleaning up, Kara insisted that she do the dishes, claiming, “Oh no, please let me, God knows I made way more of a mess than any of you guys.” There was some back and forth, but eventually Sam relented and retired to the couch along with Lena, glasses of wine in hand.
“She’s a good one,” Sam remarks.
Lena stole a glance over at Kara’s way and sheepishly stared at her feet.
“Yeah, she is. I just worry.”
“Worry about?”
Lena held the glass of wine with both hands and sat up.
“About…about if she even feels that way.”
In response, Sam let out a scoff and added a slight eye-roll for good measure.
“Oh come on. Have you even noticed the way that girl looks at you? She literally looks at you like you hung the stars in the sky.”
“Maybe. She might not feel the same after she finds out any more about my family.”
“I honestly don’t think she could have a bad bone in her body. But, if she judges you for that and can’t see the difference between the sins of your family and who you are as an individual, then fuck her.” She took another sip while her friends nodded slowly in acknowledgement. “Or I guess you could fuck her and then tell her to fuck off.”
“Sam!”
Lena indignantly slapped Sam’s arm, causing her to lose her balance a bit.
“Hey! You’re gonna make me spill my wine, you ass!” She laughed.
“You deserve it.”
“Ha, don’t I always.”
After that, the conversation changed to more light chatter, which Kara joined post-dishes. Some updates about Ruby’s classes, Sam’s new work as a CFO for an up and coming biotech company based in France.
They decided to retire for the night when the wine bottle is sufficiently well-dented, and Sam bid them good night with a reminder of where the guest bedroom is and that “the walls are surprisingly thick”. Neither woman had a response for that one.
When the pair was settled in the shared bed, they fell silent for a moment before Kara broke it with a:
“Thank you for bringing us here. I really really enjoyed it.”
Lena turned to face Kara who was staring at her earnestly.
“Of course. I’m just glad that it worked out.”
With that, they began to drift off to sleep, and if they were aware that their feet were touching underneath the covers, neither of them acknowledged it.
In a moment of rarity, Lena’s sleep was devoid of any dreams. No Lillian, no Lex, no expectations or lectures. Just rest that was deserved. She rolled over to her side and found a cool surface where Kara was supposed to be. She relished in the sensation before stirring awake at the realization that the bed was empty. Her left hand patted around the mattress, blindly searching for any signs of the girl but with no luck. She rose, rubbing her eyes, and left the bed.
The soft bristles of her feet making their way across the floor were the only thing she could hear. At the end of the hallway, she noticed the door to Ruby’s room left slightly ajar and peered in. There she saw Kara, a few feet away from Ruby’s bed—staring, motionless. Lena tiptoed into the room, opening the door as quietly as she can.
“Lena,” Kara said softly. “What are you doing up?”
“I could ask the same about you,” she whispered back in kind.
Lena stepped towards Kara, close enough to touch but not daring to. They stood there, Lena watching Kara as Kara watched Ruby. It must have been several beats of time.
“I remember a kid,” Kara began. “She must have been about her age. I…I don’t remember everything but I know that I was there to hurt her.” Her knuckles turned white as she clenched her fists, willing herself to settle. She left half-moons in her palms as her nails dug into them. Painful, but grounding.
“I don’t want to be that person anymore, Lena.”
It was then that Lena decided to give her a slow hug form behind, wrapping her arms around Kara. She made sure to go slowly in case she felt some flinches or any hints of pulling away. When Lena’s arms closed around Kara’s waist, she heard a small exhale of breath.
“You’re not that person, Kara. No matter who you’ve been in the past, you’re still here. With me. In the present.” Shoulders gave way and relaxed. Hands pulled arms tighter around her waist.
“Come on,” Lena said. “Let’s go back to bed.”
She was met with a wordless nod, and the pair left silently as to not disturb Ruby’s sleep. The door to their room closed, and Kara took that moment to finally look Lena in the eyes. How easy it would be to lose control—to throw all of those Luthor sensibilities away. To drink so eagerly from the depths of the woman in front of her. To be lost with no regard for her own safety and whereabouts. From some courageous bit from deep within herself, Lena steeled herself and returned the gaze.
She barely registered a hand reaching out, lifting her chin ever so slightly. A magnetic pull drew her closer and closer until their lips met. She melted into the sensation, and Kara was impossibly soft in ways she could not even articulate. The kiss was gentle and slow, and they savored each moment, each breath, until they pulled apart.
“Thank you,” Kara finally said.
“I think I should be thanking you,” Lena replied.
“Thank you for being here. Being with me.”
“There wouldn’t be anywhere I would rather be, darling. I’m right here with you.”