#I will definitely make the Luthor quote/picture post | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

facepalming-since-chernobyl · 5 years ago

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Sumbission

Thanks for replying to my submission. Funny thing, you took so long to do it that I thought you got sick of the topic and deleted it lol. Which is cool. If you’re tired of talking about it, feel free to delete this too.

Since you did reply though, I just want to reply to a few things. I agree with Peggy that I don’t believe the writers hated Mon El for two years. The Kreisberg excuse has no bearing on what happened to him. Look, here’s an example: after the Harvey Weinstein debacle, do you think the writers/producers of his projects took their hate of him out onto his projects? Why would they? It makes no sense.

So why such a difference between s2 Mon El and s3 Mon El? It’s not because they hated him, it’s because they’re shitty writers who got painted into a corner because of the Mon El hate and let it negatively affect what they did with him in s3,hence making a total fucking mess. s2 Mon El wasn’t written like anyone hated him, he was spoiled but also funny, goofy and genuinely loving and along the way he evolved into a wannabe hero who fell in love and Kara fell back in love with him too. What part of that seems like he written from writers who hated him? Not only that, but you can’t blame it on Kreisberg being there either, he was a producer, not the writers, he didn’t write the scripts so you can’t say Kreisberg is why s2 Mon El was written like that. I doubt Kreisberg stood over the writers and pointed a gun to their heads saying to write Mon El in that way or else. The far more logical explanation to me is the writers wrote him that way because they planned to make him a hero and eventual endgame for Kara.

So why s3 Mon El and the total pile of shit with the way he was written then? Because not only did scs make their lives hell with the constant barraging of complaining, nastiness and hate, but they also got hate from Sanvers shippers and the moron “feminists” who screamed bloody murder at Kara getting ANY love interest, saying it made her weak, an anti-feminist, and all that BS. A smart group of writers would’ve just rolled their eyes and kept on with their original plan [to make Mon El a hero and karamel endgame] and muted the bullies or better yet blocked them but these idiots writers literally believed with all the immensely vocal morons screaming over and over that that’s what all the fans wanted. They tried to rehabilitate Mon El to placate the moron/bully trifecta - they fucked it up not because they hated Mon El but because they got painted into a corner and so came out their weak, shitty writing, not realizing instead of making Mon El look better to the bullies, they were actually making him look worse - and all they did was piss off karamel/Mon El fans but I can assure you that wasn’t their intention. They didn’t realize the real hate of Mon El was ship-related and they thought the turgid mess that was s3 would make Mon El acceptable to the bullies, which of course it wasn’t acceptable to anyone. In the end, who knows what happened? Maybe they gave up and decided it wasn’t worth it to deal with the psychos and just wrote him off BADLY. Or maybe Chris had had enough, decided to go. Insert your favorite conspiracy theory here, Area 51 peeps need not apply.

Anyway, one last thing for people who think fans have no say in how a show is run, trust me, they’ve always had a say even back in the days when there was no social media. Some writers listen more to fans than others but these days, everyone monitors the fan reactions on social media with every show. There have been many shows who’ve basically kept characters around they never meant to JUST because they’re so popular with fans. The actor playing the youngest kid from One Day at a Time basically took over all the storylines. Steve Urkel in Family Matters was meant to be a one-time guest star, and he basically became THE star of the show. When the writers realized Will on Alias was getting so much hate, they admitted in an interview they retooled the entire character because of it. I remember the funniest comment of that era coming from an online fan who posted a huge rant about him online and ended it with the line that everyone quoted for a while “And BUY THE BOY A HAIRBRUSH!” (they were complaining about his hair). But I digress. And of course Felicity Smoak was never meant to be Oliver’s love interest either till she developed a fan following, I’m pretty sure Laurel Lance was supposed to be his initial endgame. Point being, I don’t think Mon El was gotten rid of because of nothing but fan hate. But I definitely do think it was a huge factor in how they ended up writing him in s3 and it’s also why they’ve gotten to the point where they’re afraid to even breathe a word of him now. Anytime they do, the hyenas go batshit crazy. And we all know how afraid of the hyenas they are, hence also why SG has become the Luthor hour now.

Thanks again for putting up with another submission from me. :)

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Yeah, sorry. As I said I’m on fence with this topic. One day I think that, the next this blah blah.

I guess I didn’t make myself clear. I don’t think they hated him because of AK, I think they just didn’t like his character as a whole, a frat boy from Daxam, LI for Kara instead of James etc. But the whole AK drama helped them. There was something about that they could not use AK’s ideas after they kicked him out. I have heard Legion was his baby (while Reign was Queller’s) and they had to changed things. And comparing Legion 3B storyline with 3A storyline – it makes absolutely no sense, there are missing parts, ignored things and simply dumb things – I think, personally, there is some germ of truth in it. Also, well AK was a face of Arrowverse and I don’t think he had at that time other projects. And he is not Weinstein (fuck him very much) league.

Well, they couldn’t have written him differently in s2, because they were supervised. Also, writers can’t openly write their characters like they hate them, because it’s not professional. No writer can admit that, it’s like a say sayonara to your career. We can talk about Dark Angel and Supernatural and about writers who hated characters. Small things. Like writing a dialogue about microagression that haters can twist. Also, you want to tell me executive producers just allow the writers to write anything they want? Plus, I need to check how many writers were changed between s 2 and 3 to have some, hmm, clearer picture.

And I think we didn’t understand each other. I don’t think s2 Mon-El was a problem or that he was written like writers didn’t like him. Problem started in s3. After AK left and Queller and Rowner got more power.

In s2 yes, but in s3 he was written as an end game bait. Imo.

The hate probably was the factor, but just one of many. The same goes for my “writers hated him and karamels”. I don’t think it was the only one possibility (did I sound like that earlier? Sorry).

We all know what fucking FANSERVICE is. It basically killed Teen Wolf and sooo many other shows. When writers and producers become fan’s bitches, you know show is going to drown in shit :’)

But you know, there is fanservice when people demand something JUST BECAUSE THEY WANT SOMETHING, and there is change in plan when something simply doesn’t work. There is fine line between fanservice and throwing away not working plan.

(They were hating on poor Will? Thank god I was not in the fandoms back then xD)

Anyway, all we do here is speculating. Basically I agree with you, just with different proportions. And we won’t know the truth. Maybe in 20 years when some of the writers will write autobiography :P

Thanks for the submission :D

#mon el defense squad #anti sg #my fam #submission

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coeurdastronaute · 7 years ago

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Giant: Ch. 17

And if I say hello again let it be for the last time. And if I break my bones again let it be for the last time.

The rhetoric was turned up ridiculously loud. The continued rogue alien attacks grated on the city’s tolerance. Fear prevailed despite the best efforts of the heros. Despite the normal outcry, there were more and more people who sounded an awful lot like the Luthors of old. Jargon slipped in, articles highlighted undercover hate groups. The city and the world were waning.

The law was introduced, the newspapers all weighed in, talking heads jabbered while everyone debated personhood and a portion of the population held their breaths and waited. Everyone, of course, but Lena Luthor.

“I, frankly, find it despicable that anyone would follow in my father and brother’s footsteps with this kind of speech,” she said, matter-of-factly. Calm, cool, collected, she crossed her hands over her lap and nodded as a rebuttal came across her earpiece.

“This isn’t a reversal of my own stance,” she snorted. “I never shared those views. And after the pain that my city felt just a year ago, I do not think it is appropriate to group me with them. I cannot control their actions, but I certainly can’t believe we’ve reached a time in which their words are common. I’m disgusted with the proposed amendment and the new laws in various states. We are a country of immigrants, and we should have open doors for those feeling persecution.”

The cameraman adjusted the lense slightly while the other parts of the production team did their part, reading from tablets, listening on headphones, all from the usual sanctity of a certain CEO’s corner office.

As soon as Kara slipped in, she was overwhelmed with the entirety of the operation. Never before had she seen so many people in Lena’s office, and never before would she have expected to see her girlfriend willingly agreeing to interviews. Even for her to get a sound bite, it took a lot of begging. Sexual begging, sometimes. Often, a nice massage and sweet words. Most of the time though, Kara was afraid to ask because if there was one thing Lena hated more than anything else, it was notoriety.

“I don’t agree, Peter,” Lena continued. Kara watched, amazed once more by the strong, smart woman she got to go home with every night. “How are regulations on innocent citizens legal, or better yet, American?”

While someone answered her rhetorical question, Lena pursed her lips and clenched her jaw. Kara knew what was happening, she’d witnessed it first hand during many a fight. It was time for the Kill. And with the emergence of the Smirk, she knew the interview was finished.

“For as pro-life as you claim to be, it seems a tad hypocritical to want to set up internment camps and regulate humanity in such a way. It seems in our history, that happened, and we were very ashamed of it,” she argued. “My father is wrong. My brother is wrong. When you quote alien attacks on the rise, I hope you also quote the statistics on mass shootings and violent crime, all perpetrated by human men. White, young to middle-aged men, to be specific. The perceived rise coincides with a definitive rise in hate crimes. We aren’t in danger, but these conversations and laws just brew hate which does lead to the lashing out.”

It was pride. Pride filled Kara’s chest as she watched the high school soccer star turned relentless entrepreneur eviscerate a host from across the country. It was pride to feel her girlfriend, in some small way, maybe not publically, but still, very honestly, stick up for her like she once did by inviting her to parties no one would have thought to include her in. The hero was used to standing up to others. She was not used to having someone defend her so heartily.

“It’s easy to make sense when you’re not being a dick,” Lena shrugged, that smile permanently on her lips as she stared at the camera. “No, thank you, Peter.”

“And we’re out,” the producer stood, flicking a few switches.

“Thank goodness,” Lena let out all of the nerve she held in her chest as fuel.

The relief couldn’t be missed when the lights clicked off. Kara was so darn in love with her it was infuriating.

“That was great, Ms. Luthor. Seriously,” someone complimented as they helped her out of the microphone clipped to her collar. “I don’t think they were expecting you to disagree with them.”

“Most don’t,” she smiled politely. “Thank you so much for your help.”

Quietly, Kara leaned against the desk in the back of the hubbub and crossed her arms, smile unable to be hidden even in the slightest. She filed her story early and hadn’t expected to walk into this in Lena’s office, but it was sure a welcomed surprise. She thought maybe lunch or something. Maybe a walk and coffee, as they were both very busy lately, fighting their own battles.

From across the crowd of people, Lena caught Kara’s eye and smiled her smile. Her smile. That smile. The one that was reserved for her. It was the same one she gave Kara when they snuck into the movie to see the double feature. It was the same one that came when Kara slipped into bed in the middle of the night. It was the same one she had at Kara’s company Christmas Party when she gushed about her girlfriend’s stories and couldn’t stop bragging. It was the same smile that came when Lena took Kara to a party in college and held her hand. It never changed; it never waivered.

There was a picture of them that ran for three days, with all kinds of headline about their love, after Lena posted a heartfelt anniversary message. None of them knew anything like what it really felt like to be loved by a wildfire. But still they tried.

That was the shift, the change in their relationship. No longer did they shy away from holding hands, or kissing at events. Instead, they were together, completely, valiantly and in the face of all else.

“Hey, sorry, I thought you were editing today,” Lena finally wove through the crowd that cleaned up their supplies and cords and tapes and machines. “I didn’t get a chance to text you. This kind of popped up.”

“Filed early,” Kara nodded. “I didn’t expect this when I decided we should go have dinner together.”

“You decided, huh?”

Arms slid around her neck and lips kissed her sweetly before pulling away, still not completely comfortable with displays in front of foreign eyes despite her continual attempts to grow accustomed to feeling such things so loudly, for all to see.

“I was going to surprise my cute girlfriend with dinner,” she corrected herself. “To distract us from the state of the world.”

“How long have you been here?”

“Just long enough to hear you annihilate some reporter,” Kara shrugged, hands slipping up Lena’s waist.

“I’m just so angry, Kara, and that felt so… good.”

“I bet,” she agreed. “I wish I could be unbiased for even one inch of newspaper.”

“Well, if no one else is going to say the right thing, I guess I hope the words coming from someone with my last name will sway them,” she frowned, acting indifferent, though she was so invested it was painfully obvious above it all. “Maybe Lionel will see it.”

“I wish you wouldn’t do things just to antagonize him.” Lena ran her hand along Kara’s forearm, soothing the words that came.

“That’s just a bonus.”

“Lee, I’m serious,” Kara fret, looking around at everyone not paying attention to them. She leaned closer, her worry making her concern show. “If you’re analysis is right… he’s very involved, and I don’t want you to be the target.”

“I told you, I’ll be fine.”

“You must have Supergirl on speed dial.”

“You have no idea,” Lena smiled, relieved to not have another fight about putting herself in danger. “Dinner, you said?”

“If you’re done inciting the masses, yes. Dinner.”

“I suppose I can be done until tomorrow.”

“Lee,” Kara pled, much to her girlfriend’s enjoyment.

“You should have ran away with me when you had the chance. Now look at what I have to do just to get a dinner date.”

“Single greatest regret of my life,” the hero sighed. “I’m going to go pester Jess until you’re done in here.”

“Hey, wait,” Lena grabbed at Kara’s hand before she could pull away from the desk completely.

Tugged back, harder than she thought possible, Kara felt herself met with arms slipping around her ribs and a burrowing girlfriend, despite the people left wrapping up and cleaning the production mess. It took a second to acclimate to the feeling, to the hug, to the need for it, but she did, and she did it eagerly.

“You were spectacular up there,” Kara whispered. “I am constantly in awe of you, Lena Luthor.”

“Thanks for stopping to take me to dinner.”

“If you’re going to overthrow the government, you need a full stomach.”

“You’re the best,” Lena mumbled into Kara’s shoulder with a chuckle.

It didn’t help that there were more attacks. That the news carried them on a loop. But Lena went viral, her interview calling a hate-mongerer a dick showing all across the internet and city. It was shown next to her father’s words, versus her brother’s thoughts, but it was there.

Nothing was the same.

Deep in the DEO, Kara sat on a bench and stared at the containment room. The captured alien finally calmed, hands gripping his head from the headache that came from coming down from that drug Alex still couldn’t type.

Arms crossed, the caped-hero thought over everything she could from the past week. Between increased pressure from the government and DEO to monitor her, to growing protests about her existence, to hotly debated morality issues about her imposing her justice, to the alien sitting across from her, locked up in a safe room.

For a moment, she considered if she was next.

She couldn't tell anyone that she was getting tired of it all, that the schedule was wearing on her, that if she could go back, she’d tell that teenager sitting on a water tower to be careful, to run away with a pretty girl with green eyes and never look back. Kara felt a distinct sense of having to keep that secret very deep in her muscles, because to ever admit something like that, to anyone, would mean that she was done being Supergirl.

“You’re quiet,” Alex murmured as she approached, unrecognized to Kara’s deep thoughts. “Lena out of town?”

“A mini vacation with her housecleaner.” Her sister gave her a quizzical look. “It’s… They’re in Dublin visiting family.”

“I didn’t know Lena had any family left.”

“She made her own,” Kara smiled as she stood beside her sister at the cage’s window. “She’s been weird.”

“More letters?”

“Just one. Her father warned her to be careful. Things like that. Every time she gets a letter, she just… I can watch her curl up into herself.”

“She’s tough.”

“Don’t tell her that. It’s a full time job trying to keep her from causing a raucous.”

“We didn’t pick easy women to love,” Alex grinned, nudging her sister. “Probably the world’s most stubborn, actually.”

Kara nodded, believing full-heartedly that her sister was right. There was no way any two women were more stubborn than Maggie and Lena. No possible way, and she’d fight anyone who argued it.

“Did you get the results back?”

“I’m still comparing a few things,” Alex shook her head. “But I think Lena’s right. I think the attacks are linked. I think it is the formula, or close to the one, her brother was working on.”

“And you don’t want to barge into LCorp with a warrant?” her sister scoffed.

“I want to, but I know it wouldn't do any good,” she shrugged. “Lena has anything valuable under lock and key off-site. And she’s helping.”

“She’s different, Alex,” Kara sighed, furrowing at her own thoughts. “Ever since she saw Lex, she just… she believes she can cut ties, and she’s been more happy and more alive than since before her mother died. But this… this thing her father must be doing, injecting this drug into aliens, she can’t escape the guilt.”

“That’s why she’s all over the news, fighting the laws.”

“I’d like to think that’s for me.”

“I’m sure it is,” Alex hurried. “But she’s always been vocal when asked. Now she’s seeking it out.”

“Sometimes it feels like she has a deathwish. Like I’ve always been chasing behind her, waiting to catch her.”

“Could be she’s picked up some unbridled sense of duty and optimism from a hero that throws herself into danger.”

“I’ve been in love with her since I was seventeen, Alex,” Kara shook her head. “And something is going on with her that I can’t help with. But she always finds a way to help me. I don’t know what to do.”

“I’m sure you help.”

She wanted to fight, to argue it over, but her sister was too supportive. Kara took a deep breath and nodded. Deep down she was worried about ending up in this cage, she was worried about Lena seeing her like this, she was worried about that drug, and what it could do to her, and for a moment, she understood what Lena was terrified of finding.

The cat prowled through the quiet penthouse, hunting the toy hidden by the stools in the kitchen. Carefully, four little paws padded near the couch and peaked over the edge at the warm creature sprawled along it. The toy could wait, when that kind of warmth was available for a nap and rub.

“Hey buddy,” Kara cooed as he kneaded her belly and pushed himself into her palm as she scrolled on her phone. “Busy day today, huh? Sleeping in the sun and eating must be exhausting.”

Outside, the evening settled there. The sky hung around that purple state before finding grey, before finding dark. Curled up, the cat stretched its paws and closed its eyes with a tiny purr as long fingers stroked his stomach.

It clearly wasn’t her fault that she fell asleep as well. How could Kara fight against the warmth on her stomach and the calm in the air. Despite her nerves, she was excited and sleepy and she had to find a balance.

Fresh from a pick up soccer game downtown, Lena dropped her gym bag by the door and grinned at the scene in the living room. She got to come home to her best friend and their new life, and no matter what, that was all she could ever want in the world, she remembered, often forgetting it in the light of day.

With a tiny movement, she tugged off her sweatshirt and climbed over the back of the couch, settling between Kara and the cushions, earning a little grunt as she adjusted to the new body.

“Hey,” Lena whispered, kissing her jaw.

“Hi,” Kara smiled, eyes still shut and dreamy. The cat meowed, indignant at the imposition and having to adjust, though he did.

“Hi, Darwin,” the CEO smiled, rubbing his chin.

“We missed you.”

“You look so cute all the time. It’s annoying. I can’t get anything done,” Lena complained, earning a snort and strong arms sliding around her waist.

Lips found her neck and she smiled against Kara’s cheek. The cat was long forgotten, hopping off as hips and legs met and mingled. The smallest moan came as Kara dug her hands into Lena’s hair, tugging for more neck, pushing her hips a little closer.

Languid and lazy as it was, it was warm and their’s and very quiet.

“I’m all sweaty from the game,” Lena complained, pushing away slightly. “Come shower with me?”

“Are you staying home tonight?” Kara countered.

“I have--”

“Stuff to do at work,” she finished.

“Hey, what’s that about?”

She didn’t want to answer, and so the hero just sighed and dug her shoulders deeper into the couch. It was easier this way. How was she, a person who flung herself into danger at the drop of a hat, supposed to complain when Lena was working so hard? It was impossible, and she felt stupid for thinking it.

“Kara,” Lena sang. “Come on. What it is?”

“Nothing. It’s stupid.”

“Come on. Out with it.”

That was the final warning before she got annoyed. Kara knew Lena well enough to seriously debate the fight. But she couldn’t help it.

“You’ve always got more work to do,” Kara shrugged. “I haven’t seen you in weeks.”

“We went to that party last week.”

“I just mean… I can’t explain it. You’ve got interviews and meetings across the globe and research for the DEO. I know I shouldn’t complain, I just… I don’t even know how to… I can’t be mad. I just… God, I miss you.”

Quiet, Lexa heard her. She pushed herself away and sat up on the couch. Something about being close made her oddly uncomfortable in the moment.

“I don’t want to be away…” she mumbled, furrowing slightly. “I didn’t mean for you to feel like I’m too busy for you.”

“No, no no no, it’s definitely not that.”

“I have to find a cure though, Kara. My brother started this, and my father is provoking… he’s using people. He’s attacking and people are getting killed.”

“But you didn’t do it!” she raised her voice, exasperated by the guilt.

“You don’t understand.”

“Understand what?”

“What having a family… what the guilt and the weight and the burden of having a family feels like.”

If words could have felt like a slap, Kara would have been reeling. She stiffened and her jaw clenched at the mere thought of her family. She pulled away after a stunned moment. There were certain things that just happened, that can’t un-happen.

“I have to fix what they did, Kara,” Lena tried, oblivious. “What if it’s you? I couldn’t… I can distance myself as much as I want, but at the end of the day, if I can do something, don’t I have a duty to try?”

It was Kara that couldn’t handle the closeness. She stood and paced, taking a few steps away. She was certain Lena kept defending herself, making perfectly good sense about all of it. But still, Kara couldn’t bring herself to listen.

“I don’t know what it’s like to have a family,” Kara finally said, her head shaking with the grief of the words.

Lena shut her mouth quickly, snapping it and whatever words were ready back inside. Her eyes grew wide as she looked at her girlfriend. There might have been clenched fists and shaking shoulders, now they just drooped and her body relaxed with the sadness of remembering such facts.

“I didn’t mean it like that, Kara.”

“You said it.”

“I meant that you don’t have a family that is evil.”

“Because I don’t have one.”

“I’m not going to fight with you over semantics,” Lena crossed her arms. “If you don’t want me to go to the office, I won’t.”

Just like that, it was a fight. Kara didn’t want it to be, but it was, because she was frustrated and hurt for no reason. Lena didn’t want it to be, but it was, because she was annoyed and defensive. It was never about the office, and it was never about family. It was about the past few weeks, and how neither felt like they could breathe, but instead of admitting it, both would hold it in their lungs and lash out in tiny ways.

“I want you to want to be with me,” Kara shook her head. “I want you to really want that life that we talked about together and not think you have to fix them.”

“I do! I always do, but I can’t let this happen, Kara. I look at the film, at the news, and I see you. What if they do that to you and I’m not ready?”

“You think you wear this burden alone, but I have to deal with it too!”

“What?”

“You had nothing to do with any of it, and yet you have this compulsion to run after those idiots, cleaning up behind them like a good little Luthor.”

“Oh.”

“And I support you. I know who you are, and I knew all along that you were stronger and smarter and better than them, than what you thought of yourself. But to tell me that I don’t have a family--”

“That was taken out of context!”

“You’re so darn brilliant but so frustrating!”

“Me? I’m the obsessive one?” Lena stood, stomping after Kara through the apartment. “You can’t go a day without putting that suit on! You know me? Well, I know you, and I know that I’m waiting around for a future that is never going to happen! You’ll never hang it up, and I’ve accepted it.”

“You don’t know that!”

“I know you. I know your heart!”

“I don’t know what I’m doing anymore.”

“Yeah, well. Me neither.”

Stuck in the kitchen, in the same spots where years ago, they’d reaquainted themselves, where they fell back together, where the clouds cleared and the waters receded and the world was born anew, they stood, very different and very similar. Both seethed for different reasons. Both were hurt, primarily by themselves and the truth.

“You don’t want me to be Supergirl,” Kara finally muttered.

“You don’t want me to be a Luthor.”

Kara nodded and flexed her neck, tight and sore from the pressure she placed upon herself.

“I think I hear sirens. I should go…”

“Kara,” Lena whispered, softening slightly. She took a step forward though stopped. “Please don’t leave in the middle of this.”

“The middle of what? You have work to get back to,” she shrugged.

“We have to figure this out.”

“Can we?”

It was quiet. There were no sirens, but still, Kara moved toward the balcony, afraid to look at the girl who pretended not to be hurt. It was a fight about nothing that spiralled into one they’d put off for weeks. Lena deeply regretted everything that led to the moment.

The second Kara took off, both knew it was perilous at best.

The world was different after the fight. Kara hovered and couldn’t make herself go back in, and so she made a long night of research at the DEO. And in the morning she apologized and said she was busy with work and stuff, and that she’d miss their date.

All the while, Kara twisted all the words around in her head. She had entire conversations with the things she wished she’d said. They all haunted her equally.

It was opportune that something came up in Metropolis, and Kara excused herself, packing a bag when Lena was at work. The DEO team spent three days trailing the first intel of Lionel, hoping to take him down as best they could, though he was just a puff of smoke. There one minute, and gone in an instant.

He didn’t leave empty handed though. In his wake, Lionel Luthor enacted his revenge upon the city, this time with Superman as the wrecking ball. Alex traced the device to something of a cannister that released odor-less gas into an area. Non-fatal and ineffective against human DNA, once those markers were absent, alien DNA absorbed it, and much like a drug, it caused violent outbursts.

They knew those facts, though they’d never seen it used as a weapon so effectively. Kara was elbow deep into the best pho in town, complaining to her sister about her fight, when she caught sight of the news that showed her cousin going insane.

By the end of the night, sixty-four were dead, and Kal was locked up. By the end of the night, Kara was exhausted and well torn up from the battle of not just her cousin, but sixteen other aliens at the same time. She didn’t have to hear the news to know that the hate would be at an all-time high. She didn’t have to see Clark to know that he was not going to wake up the same. No one would.

And so, suit ripped to shreds and barely hanging on, with aches and pains, Kara sat outside of Clark’s cell and held the phone to her ear, anxious to talk to the one person she loved more than all else. When she got voicemail she just sighed and let her head drop further.

“Change,” Alex instructed as she leaned against the holding cell where Superman struggled despite the heavy doses of Kryptonite.

His pupils were needles, his muscles were strained against the chains, his mouth foaming with rage and psychosis. But he was almost over the worst of it, and that was all Alex could hope he knew.

“I’m fine.”

“You’re torn up and starving and exhausted. Go,” the older sister instructed. “I’ll keep an eye on him.”

“I’m fine,” Kara said again, picking up the phone again. “Have you heard from Lena? I can’t get ahold of her.”

“Not since yesterday.”

The phone rang and Kara grew more agitated as she listened to the mechanical sound. She’d just defeated Superman. Surely Lena saw it. Surely she wouldn’t hold a silly fight over them. They were… They were… Kara knew, with all of her being, that they were safe and good. She never lost that.

While Alex checked vitals on the monitor, she heard her sister stand and walk across the hall a few steps before turning on her heel and approaching again. She let out a groan before dialing once more.

“It was a stupid fight,” Kara lamented. “She can’t ignore me forever.”

“Um, Kara,” Alex furrowed and stared at the images on the monitor as she opened the link Winn sent from back home.

“This is ridiculous. I didn’t even mean half of what I said. I was just mad. I’m still mad. Everything just sucks for the past week, and I hate it.”

“Kara…”

“It hurt, yeah, but I just… I was frustrated more. And then this. I know she’s busy. I know it is important.”

“Kara…”

“How does she not pick up after my day?” Kara groaned, clenching her phone too hard in her fist, destroying it instantly.

“Kara!”

“What?”

Instead of answering, Alex just turned the screen to show her sister. At first Kara didn’t understand, and then the words and the pictures and all of it made some sense when her brain tried to form thoughts.

“I have to go.”

It wasn’t a question. Kara moved as best she could despite the whirring in her head and the frenzied impulses that made it impossible to process anything else. Everything kept happening to her and she was powerless against the whims of the world. It was exhausting to exist.

“But Kal--”

“Kara, I’ll stay.”

“Right. It’ll just be quick. I’ll be back. I just have to-- They tried to take her!”

“Hey, wait. Kara. Just breathe. She’s fine.”

“Can you call Maggie--”

“Already on her way,” Alex promised, hurrying behind the sprinting hero in search of an exit in the unfamiliar DEO they found themselves squatting in to help with the emergency.

“I have to…” Kara turned herself around, frantic. “I have to go. I have to see her.”

“I’ll stay with him. Go. Don’t worry.”

“Thank you.”

“Kara, don’t worry. She’s okay,” Alex promised again. “Lena took care of herself, and she’s fine.”

“I should have been there.”

“How?”

“I don’t know. But I should have. What if she would have-- what if they--”

“No. Don’t do that.”

“I’ll call as soon as I can.”

With nothing more than the self-flagellating frown, Kara found the door and took off, her words of promise to return quickly lost in the speed, though she didn’t notice one bit.

The pictures followed her no matter how hard she pushed herself. Lena, all grainy and determined, fighting back against whoever was attacking her, trying to get her into a car. Kara should have been there. Somehow. If they hadn’t been fighting perhaps she wouldn’t have gone to Metropolis. Perhaps her cousin wouldn’t have been there to be exposed. Perhaps she wouldn’t feel like Lionel was still ruining her life.

She wasn’t sure about any answers, but she did realize that if anyone had succeeded in hurting Lena, not much could stop her warpath. The wrath almost frightened herself.

There wasn’t even a hesitation when she touched down on their balcony. Not one part of her could contain the worry and she couldn’t believe that Lena was alright until she saw her. She made it from Metropolis in record time. She felt so exhausted that her body was fighting against itself, which was a far better alternative in her own opinion, than the rage she wanted to enact on someone, anyone.

“Lee?” she called, earning a meow from the cat as he stretched.

Straining her ears, she followed the sound of running water to the bathroom, not even giving Darwin a second or pet or any bit of attention despite the big green eyes that sprinted after her cape.

“Oh, Lena,” Kara finally breathed. She hadn’t realized she’d held it since the moment she saw Clark attacking the city. She hadn’t had a second to think since he flung a car at her, and it was all catching up to her.

In the mirror, Lena smiled, small and relieved, oddly, at the newest arrival. One eye swollen and stitches on her cheek, she was still the best thing to the hero.

“You should see the other guys.”

“I plan on it,” Kara swore, finally taking the steps toward her. “When I see them they will know fear.” Despite her lethargy, Kara felt her muscles shake with the angry kind of fear that made dogs bite.

“I took care of myself.”

“I should have been there.”

“How’s Clark?”

Tentatively, Kara finally touched Lena’s chin tilted her head and furrowed at the sight of the cut on her cheek. Lena was almost accustomed to seeing Kara a little damaged. But something about the sight of blood on Lena’s pale skin, the cut on her flawless cheek, it just felt wrong, felt like what footsteps through fresh snow did.

“I should have been there,” the hero whispered again, swallowing harshly. “I am so sorry, Lee. You have to know-- I’d never let anything happen to you. I’d rather… I’d rather eat Kryptonite than see you hurt. I wish I’d--”

“I’m okay,” Lena smiled, softening with her girlfriend’s words. “I’ve had a bit of self-defense training.”

Hands on the crest on Kara’s chest, Lena pushed closer. She didn’t know how to ask for what she needed, and so her fingertips simply picked at the stitching there, eager only to feel the heartbeat that made Kara real.

“You should have called me… I would have… I could have-- I’m so sorry.”

“Hey, no. Stop. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean what I said. I know things feel weird, I know I didn’t--”

“I haven’t been able to think of anything since I saw that video,” Kara shook her head. “I haven’t felt fear like that… I haven’t been afraid of anything for so long.”

There in the bathroom, Lena felt the hero wobble slightly with the confession and deep breath. Still, there were cuts to her uniform. There were bruises purpling and yellowing her neck and shoulder. Still, there was dirt and mud in her hair. She shook her head and sighed, her hand pressing firmly against her neck, then her jaw, helping to keep the weary hero standing.

“But did you see when I punched that one?” Lena tried to pull Kara out of the hole. “If my father thinks he can scare me, he’ll have to send better guys than that. I think the one peed his pants when I tased him.”

“I’m sorry I left,” Kara mumbled, eyes closing with the gentle way Lena always knew how to soothe her, fingertips massaging her neck, just where her hair was. She fought it as best she could because she had to. “I was mad and frustrated.”

“I’m sorry I said what I did. Maybe I don’t know how to not be a Luthor.”

“I don’t know how much longer I can keep being Supergirl.” With a long exhale, Kara leaned forward, nudging Lena with her forehead. Lena wrapped her arms around her broad shoulders and kissed her neck. “That could have been me. They’re targeting Superman. He’s going to feel so guilty, and I don’t know what to do.”

“We’ll figure it out.”

“I shouldn’t have left. I can’t lose you, Lena. I was so afraid. You have no idea.”

“I might have some idea. I watched you get punched into the stratosphere by your cousin today. I know what it feels like. But you told me you always come home. I’ve never doubted it, and neither should you.”

“I’m supposed to be making you feel better.”

Hands knit into the soft fabric of her own old shirt currently adorning the Luthor. Kara closed her eyes and held on tight. All of the anger dissipated. The fight was pointless and full of annoying frustrations at themselves. Kara watched a video of people attempting to put her girlfriend into a van and she fought them off, but these types of things were almost normal.

“I’m alright,” Lena cooed. “You’re alright. We’re alright. Clark is going to be okay. I’ve already hired extra security. No worse for wear here.”

It wasn’t a front. It wasn’t even a fib. Lena thought she should have been more rattled, but she wasn’t. Something about it felt inevitable, and perhaps she’d always envisioned something happening to her. So quiet the world had been, she was on edge enough, distrusting anything that came so easy.

“I was so scared.”

“Please,” she scoffed. “I date a superhero. A little kidnapping attempt doesn’t even ruffle my feathers.”

“Can we fix this?”

“Oh, Kara, honey,” Lena kissed all that she could, stepping up on her tiptoes to wrap up the giant she loved. “Me and you are perfect. Now, the world? If anyone can fix it, it’s us.”

It was only then that she earned a smile. It wasn’t the loppy one she wanted, but it was a start, and it was real and earned and Lena found herself wiping away the tears Kara didn't know she’d finally cried from the weight of the day finally being too much. Something about being needed, being the one that soothed and took care, that was the real cure Lena needed for her heart at the moment. To be needed and vital to Kara, to be the person who could make her smile when she was so upset, that was magic, plain and simple. Never before had Lena done something so inducing of pride.

“You look like you had a day.”

“If that’s not the pot calling the kettle,” Kara shook her head and grinned, almost back.

“You should see the other guys.”

“I wish I had been there.”

“I’m kind of glad you weren’t,” Lena realized. Kara quirked her head. “Yeah I dinged them up, but you might have killed them,” she chuckled. “Go shower. I’ll make you something to take with you. I bet you’re starved.”

“I want to stay.”

“He’s your family. I’m okay. I know you need to be there for him,” she promised, fretting her worried fingers over the crest.

“You’re my family.”

“I know,” Lena grinned, trying to contain the little bit of surprise and joy she felt at that description. “Go shower. I’ll get food. We’ll take the jet. Together.”

“I love you.”

“I know.”

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