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There was something about National City at Halloween. The usually bright and cheery streets of the city all became eerie and spectral under the lights of the Jack-o'-lanterns. Everything ordinary felt like magic. The sounds of excited children scurrying around the streets in their best costumes filled the air and for one night, everything felt alright with the world. This year was extra special because Lena was hosting her first Halloween party and all of the super friends were invited. Normally, they would all go round to Kara's apartment for Halloween but Lena said she wanted to handle things this year.
Kara had just found out and was already excitedly going through different Halloween game ideas in her head. "Kara, are you even listening to me?" Lena's questions pulled Kara out of her thoughts and brought her back to reality. Lena had come over to Kara's apartment to tell her the big news.
"Yeah, of course I am," Kara replied, annoyed at herself for zoning out Lena. Usually Kara's problem was losing focus because of Lena. "You're having a Halloween party and everyone's invited."
Lena rolled her eyes but her smile made it clear she wasn't upset. "You missed the part where I suggested we dress up in matching outfits."
"I'm gonna need to know what we're talking about here," Kara stated firmly "because I refuse to dress up as a 'sexy nurse' or a 'sexy' anything for that matter."
Lena couldn't help herself when she answered "Since when do you have to dress up to look sexy?"
Kara had to use all of her inner strength to not turn bright red at this.
"Thanks Lena, you look good too." Something about the way Lena sighed suggested she was hoping for more than the platonic response she received.
"That's just what a girl wants to hear." Kara didn't understand the sarcastic response from Lena but before she could think about it any more Lena had already started talking again.
"So basically, I'm thinking, me and you dressed as Han Solo and Princess Leia. I'll even let you dress as Han Solo because I know you're a huge Star Wars nerd."
"I am not!" Kara couldn't help but emphasise the word "not" which made Lena smile. "She's not just a princess you know, she goes by General Organa now."
"I told you you were a nerd," Lena said while smirking.
Kara lightly tapped Lena on the shoulder. Her heart started racing at this. Something about Lena meant that every time they touched Kara got butterflies in her stomach. Some part of Kara knew what this meant while another part pushed these thoughts aside every time they came up.
Kara adjusted her glasses slightly before telling Lena the bad news. "Look, you know I'd love to dress up with you but I just remembered I already have an outfit planned."
Lena's face fell when she heard this and she seemed to be taking it harder than Kara would have expected.
"Okay, that's fine. I just really wanted you to be my Han Solo."
"If you need a Han Solo there's plenty of other people out there to replace me." When Kara said this Lena still looked dejected.
"You're impossible to replace," Lena said while still looking much less enthusiastic than she had a few minutes ago.
This felt more serious than Kara had thought it would so she tried to lighten the mood. "At least you'll see me in a surprise outfit tomorrow". And for once there won't be a cape involved."
Lena laughed a little at this but something still felt wrong. "Lucky me," she said while Kara saw her do her best false smile. "I'm actually not finished planning so I'm gonna go." Lena started to get up and put on her coat. Kara stood up quickly not expecting the sudden departure.
"Lena, I can help you plan. You know my super speed comes in really handy when you're planning a party."
"Thanks for the offer, but this is something I want to do alone." The way Lena said alone stuck in her throat a little. Kara tried to stop her at the door to convince her to stay a little longer.
"Well my offer is still on the table. I'm always available."
"Not always," Lena whispered knowing full well that Kara's super hearing would pick up every word. Before Kara had a chance to respond Lena was already out the door and out of sight.
Something about the way they left things felt off. It was probably just a misunderstanding that Kara could clear up tomorrow night. Thinking like this gave Kara some sense of peace of mind as she thought of Lena.
The next night Kara nervously stood outside the door of Lena's apartment wondering what she would come into. Surely any of the confusion from yesterday would be cleared up by now. While one part of Kara's thoughts were still thinking about her and Lena's last interaction, another part was excited to show off her outfit. She had dressed in full cowgirl gear which consisted of a checked shirt she had tucked into a pair of blue jeans, a black leather waistcoat, a ridiculously large brown cowgirl hat and matching brown boots that she was starting to wish she had worn in sooner. Granted she already owned the shirt and jeans but she was still proud of the boots, waistcoat and hat she had bought to complete the look.
She knocked on the door only to be greeted by Brainy dressed in a grey jumpsuit with what looked like a vacuum cleaner strapped to his back. His name tag read "Spengler".
"Ah, Kara, you're here. And you've come as Dolly Parton. Me and Nia actually used 9 to 5 during one of our missions. Wake up in the morning, get myself some breakfast," Brainy then continued to incorrectly sing the words until Kara had to cut him off.
"I'm not Dolly Parton!" Brainy seemed surprised by this. "I'm Calamity Jane." The bewildered look on Brainy's face made it perfectly clear he had no idea who she was talking about. "You know! Like the musical with Doris Day." Still Brainy's face didn't register any recognition. "Oh, come on." "How do you not know what I'm talking about?"
"Even if I don't know what accident prone cowgirl you've come as I love the outfit either way." Brainy seemed to be attempting to save face at this stage.
"Well I love yours too, even if you are dressed as a janitor." The outrage in Brainy's eyes made it perfectly clear that Kara hadn't understood his outfit choice either.
"I'm Dr. Egon Spengler!". Now it was Kara's turn to look confused. "From Ghostbusters!"
"So that's not a vacuum cleaner on your back?" Kara asked.
"It's a proton pack used for capturing ghosts." The way Brainy answered showed how serious he was about his costume.
"I've never been crazy about Ghostbusters myself.".As Kara said this she knew she was stepping on thin ice.
"Have you been talking to Lena?" Brainy asked intensely. "This is just like when I tried to tell her how it's literally the perfect movie."
Before Kara had a chance to respond she was saved by Nia's voice from behind the door.
"Brainy, stop interrogating Kara and let her in."
As soon as Kara stepped in the door Nia's eyes lit up and she shouted "I knew you and Lena were doing a couple's costume!"
"Couples costume?".The surprise in Kara's voice made Nia realise she had made a mistake somewhere.
"Actually, just forget I said anything." Nia's lightning fast response made it painfully clear she was attempting to backtrack on what she had just said. "I love your costume! Britney Spears during her cowgirl phase right?".
"I'm Calamity Jane!" Kara shouted back not realising she was raising her voice until it was too late. "You know what, it doesn't matter. As long as I understand the costume. That's what's important. Speaking of which, I see you're a Ghostbuster too." Nia was wearing the exact same jumpsuit as Brainy but her name tag read "Holtzman".
"Yep, Brainy insisted on us going as Ghostbusters." Nia sounded less than enthusiastic when she said this.
"Well at least you're Holtzman!" Kara said smiling. "She was too good in that film!"
Brainy couldn't stop himself from cutting in here "I'm sorry, you're telling me you've never seen the original Ghostbusters but you watched the remake?"
"Of course," Kara answered. "A bunch of hilarious and badass women fighting ghosts? Just shut up and take my money."
"Except Nia being Holtzman makes no sense if I'm Spengler." Brainy said while clutching his proton pack. "They're from completely different movies."
"I told you if you were gonna make us go as Ghostbusters I was at least gonna be Kate McKinnon's character," Nia replied. "Besides, what doesn't make sense is dressing like a janitor with a vacuum cleaner on your back."
"Aha! I thought Brainy was a Janitor too," Kara said through laughter.
"Clearly neither of you understand classic cinema." Brainy sounded even more defensive when he said this.
"I see we're still having the janitor debate." Brainy was interrupted by Alex. Alex was dressed up in an old style 30's suit with a stetson hat while Kelly was wearing a 30's style dress. Alex had a replica automatic rifle in her hands while Kelly was holding a replica sawed-off shotgun.
"Alex! You're here," Kara said excitedly. "And you've come as Al Capone? Which makes Kelly…"
"No! We're Bonnie and Clyde obviously!" As soon as Alex said this Kara remembered how much Alex loved that movie.
"Of course you are! How could I forget, you made us watch that movie so much when we were kids." Kara said, remembering Alex's obsession with the film.
"Yeah because it's amazing!" Alex's passionate response showed how much the film meant to her.
"You do know how that movie ends right?" Kelly looked surprised when Kara said this.
"How does it end?" Kelly asked.
"You know what, let's not talk about that now," Alex answered, trying to change topics. "How about we just focus on the fact that it's a love story where two people take on the world."
"So you're saying you'd go up against the world for me?" As Kelly asked this she pulled Alex closer towards her. The guns in their hands made the physical motion a little awkward but that didn't stop Kelly.
"I'd go up against a million worlds for you Kelly, you're everything to me." As soon as Alex said this Kelly looked like she was ready to cry.
"Aww babe, come here and kiss me already," Kelly said before she and Alex kissed passionately.
"Okay, so you guys obviously have your hands full," Kara said while scanning the room for Lena.
"Oh, Kara wait," Alex had to pull herself away from Kelly for a moment. "We haven't even talked about your outfit."
"Finally, someone who knows who I'm dressed as," Kara said looking at Alex expectantly.
"I wanna say... Brokeback Mountain?" Alex could tell by Kara's reaction that she had missed the mark.
"No! I'm Calamity Jane!" Kara stamped her foot on the ground when she said this. "I thought you would know that. We saw it when we were kids."
"Oh god, now I remember." Alex put her head in her hands a little when she said this. "If I made you watch Bonnie and Clyde too much when we were kids you more than made it up with that movie."
"Only because it's awesome." Kara had to stop herself from getting over excited when said this.
"You know what wasn't awesome was how you used to sing 'Just Blew In From The Windy City' non stop." The look on Alex's face as she said this made it perfectly clear that she had heard the song more than she wanted to. "I wanted to throw something at you honestly."
"What do you mean you wanted to? I remember you threw your pillow at me multiple times," Kara said laughing.
"Well in my defense, it was a pillow against the girl of steel so I knew you'd be okay." As Alex said this Kelly, Brainy and Nia all looked on in confusion.
"That makes it okay then," Kara said sarcastically. "I still can't believe you thought I was doing Brokeback Mountain. The cowboys in that are gay."
"Why do you think I said it?" Alex asked.
"Um, I'm not... What are you? I don't even…" Kara's face was a mix of embarrassment and confusion and she was finding it increasingly difficult to speak.
"Okay look, maybe you should go talk to Lena." Alex could see Kara looking around the room as she said this.
"About that, can I talk to you about Lena for a minute." Kara could feel everyone else's eyes on her as she said this. "In private."
"Of course," Alex said, pulling her away from the group.
"So, I think I upset Lena yesterday but I don't know why," Kara said after she and Alex had reached a safe space away from the rest of the group. "She asked me to be her Han Solo and I said I already had an outfit planned. After that she just totally shut down."
"Oh Kara," Alex was shaking her head as she said this. "Lena wasn't just asking you to be her Han Solo. She was asking you to be hers."
"What?" Kara's eyebrows went up as she asked this. "How was I supposed to know that?"
"Okay Kara, think about it for a minute." Alex said while putting down her toy gun to show Kara how serious she was. "Han Solo and Princess Leia are a couple right? They get together in the movies. I know you know that because you're a nerd for those movies anyway."
"Does everyone think I'm a nerd?" Kara interrupted.
"Yes they do. Now let me finish please." Alex's tone made it clear she still had more to say. "Lena asked you to be part of a couples costume with her. Not only did she ask but she even picked a movie that no one here cares about more than you. Have you ever even heard Lena talking about Star Wars?"
"Well no." Kara answered as the pieces slowly fell into place. "I did make her watch them with me before though. I don't think she really got them."
"So Lena, who doesn't even like those movies, wanted to dress as a character from the movies just to make you happy. She knew how much it would mean to you."
"But Lena and I are friends, why would we even wear a couple's costume?" Alex looked like she was ready to reach for her gun when Kara asked this question.
"Kara, I've seen the way you and Lena act around each other. That's not how friends behave." Kara was slowly realising that Alex was right as she heard this. "That poor woman has been flirting with you for years but you never made a move. I think you saying no to her costume idea was the last straw."
"But I didn't know what she meant," Kara said defensively.
"So you want to be with her?" Alex asked.
"I don't know, I never really thought about it too much. I've always felt something more for Lena but I've never had the courage to face it. Now all I've done is hurt Lena's feelings." Kara looked like she was on the verge of tears as she said this.
"Just talk to her," Alex encouraged. "Tell her what you told me."
"Do you think she'll even want to talk to me after I hurt her feelings like this?".Alex could hear the desperation in Kara's voice when she asked this.
"Kara, you know how much she cares about you," Alex said reassuringly. "Of course she'll want to talk to you."
"Okay then, here goes." Kara started to move around the apartment as she said this. "Where is Lena by the way?"
"I think she's hiding in the kitchen," Alex motioned towards the kitchen as she said this. "She's been quiet all night. None of us knew why. I guess we do now."
"Wow, now I feel even more guilty," Kara said while starting to make her move to the kitchen. "I'm gonna try and fix this okay. Wish me luck."
"Good luck Kara. You're gonna need it." Alex had said the last part under her breath but Kara had still heard it.
When Kara stepped into the kitchen she saw Lena standing against her kitchen counter with a glass of red wine in her hand. She was dressed in full cowgirl gear too. Except her waistcoat was brown while her hat and boots were black. Suddenly, Kara understood why Nia thought they had decided on a couple's costume.
"Howdy partner," Kara tipped her cowgirl hat to Lena as she said this hoping it would ease the tension a little. "I see you've gone as a cowgirl too."
"Well it's not like I was gonna go as Princess Leia when I don't even have a Han Solo." Lena put her glass down as she said this. "Oh sorry, General Organa I mean."
"Glad you remembered," Kara said, smiling a little. "Aren't you gonna ask who I am?"
"I know exactly who you are. Obviously you're Calamity Jane." Kara's eyes lit up when Lena said this.
"You're the only one who realised!" Kara couldn't contain her excitement when she said this. "How did you know?"
"It was one of my mother's favourite movies." Lena said while looking down at her glass. "I remember her singing 'Just Blew In From The Windy City' when I was young. I must have watched the movie a million times just to feel closer to her."
"I never knew." Kara started moving towards Lena when she said this. "It's one of my favourite movies too! I should have known you'd recognise my outfit. You know me so well."
"Not as well as I thought," Lena replied.
"Look Lena, about that whole costume idea, I didn't know what you meant. When you said you wanted me to be your Han Solo, I thought you meant as a friend," Kara said while trying to look Lena in the eyes.
"Kara, I've wanted to be more than just your friend for so long. Everytime I try to take a step forward you take two steps back. It's okay though, I understand. You don't feel the same way I do." Lena sounded like she was near tears when she said this.
"Can I just explain myself please?" Kara brought herself closer to Lena again. "I've been feeling something more for you for a long time too. I've just been afraid to face it. I know there's something more than friendship between us but I don't know how to deal with it. I've never even been with a woman before. Sure I've had boyfriends and been in relationships with guys but I've never even kissed a girl before. I've wanted to kiss you Lena. When you rescued me from the phantom zone I came this close."
"But you stopped," Lena said in a disappointed tone. "I wanted you to kiss me".
"I guess I just haven't experienced something like this before so I tried to ignore it." Kara explained. "I'm so sorry I hurt you Lena, that's the last thing I wanted to do."
"I know you didn't want to hurt me but you still did." Lena's voice cracked a little when she said this.
"I'm so sorry Lena, how can I make it up to you?" Kara asked.
"Well for starters, I'd like that kiss we've been talking about." Lena looked at Kara's lips as she said this.
"Okay, that I can do. I don't know why I'm so nervous. It's just I've never actually got this far with you. Not that I don't want to. It's just... I'm sorry I'm rambling. I talk a lot when I'm nervous and-Lena cut Kara off by kissing her with everything she had. Their cowgirl hats awkwardly hit each other on the way but Lena wasn't gonna let that get in their way. Before Kara could do anything Lena took her and Kara's hats off and threw them across the room.
"Sorry, they were really ruining the moment." Kara looked stunned when Lena said this. "Is everything okay Kara? Was the kiss not good? Do you want me to stop?"
"No!" Kara shouted. "I mean, no, the kiss.was perfect. Please don't stop."
Lena laughed a little at Kara's enthusiasm. "I must be doing something right," she said while pushing Kara's hair back a little with her hands.
Kara started to turn bright red at this. "How are you embarrassed right now? We just talked about kissing each other."
"It's not my fault!" Kara cried out. "Every time I'm with you you make me flustered."
"So you're saying I get you hot and bothered?" Lena asked while pushing Kara against the kitchen counter slightly.
"Um, maybe we should slow down. All of our friends are just outside the door." Kara had to resist the urge to let Lena take her right there and then.
"Don't worry I'll be quiet," Lena whispered. "I can't say the same for you though."
"Okay, I'm gonna check on your guests." Kara said while attempting to regain her composure.
"I nearly had you there didn't I?" Lena asked.
"I mean, just because I don't want it to happen now," Kara answered "The night is still young."
"Promises, promises," Lena said, licking her lips a little.
"This is the best Halloween I've ever had." Kara smiled as she said this.
"Well not to brag, but if it wasn't for Irish people, you wouldn't have Halloween at all." Kara seemed confused by Lena's comment. "If it wasn't for the ancient celtic festival of Samhain created by the Irish around a thousand years ago, we wouldn't be celebrating Halloween right now. Halloween wasn't even celebrated in America until the Irish brought it over. So, you're welcome."
"Are you really claiming responsibility for what your ancestors did?" Kara asked.
"Of course I am," Lena answered. "As the only Irish person in the superfriends, I have to take my chances whenever I can."
"Fair point," Kara nodded. "Then Happy Samhain Lena."
"Oíche Shamhna Shona Daoibh." Lena's Irish accent sounded especially strong when she said this.
"I don't think I caught that." Kara's brow was starting to furrow as she tried to figure it out.
"It means Happy Halloween in Irish," Lena answered.
"Oíche Shamhna Shona Daoibh. Was that okay?" Kara asked.
"It was perfect," Lena answered. "Maybe next year we can celebrate Halloween in Ireland and you'll get to say it properly."
"Just me and you?" Kara's excitement was clear here.
"Of course, I want to share my culture with you. You're my whole world so I want you to get to know all of me." Lena held Kara's hand as she said this.
"You're gonna make me cry," Kara said, holding Lena's hand even tighter.
"Don't worry darling, I'll be here to dry your tears from now on." Lena looked right into Kara's eyes when she said this. "I'm not going anywhere."
"Me neither," Kara replied. "I just want to be by your side. That's all I've ever really wanted."
"Actually, I just remembered, we should probably check on everyone else right?" Lena motioned to the door.
"Oh my god!" Kara's eyebrows shot up. "I completely forgot about them! Do you think they know what we're talking about in here?"
"I think they've known there's something between us for a while now," Lena responded. "Maybe it's time we go out there and tell them we've made it official."
"We might need to explain our costume first." Kara put her hat back on and handed Lena hers. "Nia thought we were doing a couple's costume. And Alex thought it was Brokeback Mountain."
"Well I was hoping to break you in later and see how long I could ride." Lena said through laughter.
"Lena! This is not helping me focus!" Kara couldn't believe Lena could still make her blush like that.
"We could say we're dressed as Wayhaught," Lena adjusted her cowgirl hat a little. "Lesbian's in the Wild West. I think that suits us pretty well."
"I don't want to burst our sapphic bubble but I really don't think they dress like this." Kara tapped her foot a little. "But I guess it's close enough."
"Exactly!" Lena replied enthusiastically. "I did have a few ideas involving you, me and rope for later too."
"Okay, you have got to stop teasing me like that." Kara felt like the luckiest woman alive.
"Patience partner," Lena tipped her hat a little while doing an unconvincing attempt at a southern accent.
"That's a terrible cowgirl accent." Kara couldn't help but laugh though. "Now how about we go out there and tell our friends what's going on."
"Whatever you say sheriff Danvers." Lena's cowgirl accent seemed to be getting worse as time went on. Kara was more focused on telling everyone the big news though.
Kara would always remember that night as a night of firsts. The first time Lena held her own Halloween party. The first time Lena had kissed her. The first time Kara had finally acknowledged what she had already known for so long. This made Halloween even more special for Kara. On the one night a year when spirits roam free and wander the earth in search of loved ones, two lost spirits had found each other.