Work Text:
It was a cool, autumn Friday morning in the small town of Midvale. Businesses flipped their ‘Closed’ signs to ‘Open’ while people departed their homes to head for either school or work.
Cars began flooding the parking lot of Midvale High School as the students arrived for school. There was an air of excitement among them at the prospects of the coming weekend.
Kara Danvers shivered as she exited from her car. She adjusted her glasses and hefted her backpack before she headed towards the school. She walked inside, making her way towards her locker. The second she started putting in her combination she heard footsteps rush towards her.
“Kara!” Samantha Arias exclaimed. “You’ve got to help me!”
Kara, recovering from having the daylights scared out of her, turned to her friend and asked, “With what?”
Samantha collected her breathing and said, “I need to borrow your notes to study for Mr. Watson’s test.”
Kara rolled her eyes before she placed her backpack into her locker. She grabbed her binder and opened it, flipping through her folders until she found her ‘Physics’ one and withdrew her notes.
“Here,” Kara said.
Samantha threw her head back and clapped. “Oh my God. Kara, you’re my savior.”
Kara shook her head and cocked an eyebrow. “You know, you wouldn’t have to borrow my notes for every class if you actually wrote your own.”
“Why bother?” Samantha asked. “You always give them to me.” She turned and hurried off. “Thanks, Kara!”
“I need those back by fifth hour!” Kara called. She rolled her eyes again as she watched her friend disappear before she closed her locker and made her way towards her first-hour class. She walked into the room, finding a few students lazing around in their seats.
Kara sat down at her desk and opened her binder to collect her homework for the class. As she began organizing, the door opened and Kara looked up, smiling as Lena Luthor walked in.
Kara and Lena had met when they were both eight years old; Lena and her family had moved to town and the little raven-haired girl found herself overwhelmed by people she didn’t know, as well as people who didn’t want to know her. Little Kara took it upon herself to help Lena and quickly became her friend. Within that school year, Lena had become one of Kara’s best friends.
Lena smiled as she sat down next to Kara. “Hey, Kara.”
Kara placed her arm around Lena’s shoulder and brought her friend in for a quick hug. “Hi, Lena.”
“You get through your homework alright?” Lena asked.
Kara nodded. “Yeah, right here.”
Lena looked at Kara’s paper and smirked. “Uh, Kara. You might want to take another look at number seven.”
Kara looked down at her paper. She adjusted her glasses and her eyes widened when she saw she’d accidentally answered number seven with number eight’s answer, and the two below that one as well.
“Shoot!” she exclaimed as she quickly retrieved her pencil and started erasing. “Thanks for pointing that out for me, Lena,” she said as she started rewriting her answers in the right place.
Within moments, their AP History teacher, Mister J'onzz, arrived. “Okay, class. Your assignments from last night. Get ‘em out so I can collect them and we can get started.”
Kara rushed through, finishing the last of her answers just as Mr. J’onzz reached her. She gave it to Lena, who chuckled as she handed the papers to him. He finished collecting and headed to the front of the room to begin his lecture.
As Mr. J’onzz talked, Lena whispered, “Where would you be without me?”
Kara looked up and stilled briefly when she looked into Lena’s eyes. “Oh, I-I’d probably still be a couple years behind.”
Lena laughed and patted Kara’s back. “I wouldn’t allow that to happen. That’s what friends are for.”
Kara gave Lena a small laugh. “Y-Yeah.” She saw Lena look back at Mr. J’onzz and Kara looked away briefly. “Friends.”
...
Kara sighed as she sat in her homeroom. She stared at her phone, looking through a couple of pictures from the past few years. A lot had been on her mind recently, but all of it revolved around one subject: Lena.
Kara had to accept the reality that she was in love with her best friend. How could she not? Lena was the smartest, prettiest, most outgoing girl in school. A lot of people knew her for that, but Kara knew her as more than a pretty face or a smart brain.
Kara knew Lena better. She knew her as a kind, compassionate person. She knew her as someone who when given the chance would always be willing to help. Unfortunately, people only stopped at either her pretty features or her last name and the influence that came with it.
Kara wanted nothing more than to tell Lena everything. However, she was terrified. She was afraid that confessing would end their friendship. This wasn’t a “simple crush”, this was her being in love with her best friend since they started high school (and possibly before). Kara wouldn’t be able to handle rejection from her, and she certainly wouldn’t last without Lena in her life.
Also, she wasn’t even sure if Lena was even into girls.
As she continued to blankly think, Kara looked up as the door opened. Jack Spheer–the self-proclaimed most popular person in the school–poked his head through. He looked to the teacher’s desk and looked to a set of tables where his friends sat.
“Mr. Dox gone?” he asked. When the boys nodded he walked in and sat next to them.
“Hey, so, my parents will be leaving in t-minus forty minutes, and thus, leaving me alone in the house until Monday morning. Party at my place, tonight at about seven o’clock.”
The boys looked at each other in excitement. “Nice,” one of them said.
Jack smirked. “Mhmm. Plenty of drinks, plenty of girls. Hit up your underclassmen friends for rides,” he said. He laughed just as the door opened again and Mr. Dox walked in.
“Spheer, what are you doing in my class?” he asked, his voice deadpan.
Jack laughed a little. “I have this class, Mr. Dox.”
“Not until seventh hour,” Mr. Dox replied. He waved his hand. “Get going.” Jack smiled and got up, throwing his friends in the room a quick wink.
Kara rolled her eyes as Jack walked out. She had heard a lot about his parties, and Kara never had any intention of ever going. She looked back at the most recent picture of her and Lena on her phone before she turned it over and resumed her studying.
...
Hours passed and the school day ended. The students flooded out, making for their cars to head back home. Kara climbed into hers and pulled out of the lot, driving to her house. As she pulled into the driveway, she saw her mother Eliza and father Jeremiah walking out to the car.
Kara stopped and exited her car. “Hey, where you guys heading?”
Eliza smiled. “Your father and I are making a little weekend excursion to Metropolis for the weekend.”
Kara’s eyes widened. Her parents leaving coupled with her sister Alex being gone at college meant she had the whole house to herself.
Smiling, Kara said, “Well, don’t let me keep you two waiting.”
Kara’s parents laughed and Jeremiah said, “I know I don’t have to say this, but please don’t burn the house down.”
Kara hugged her parents and replied, “I won’t.”
Eliza pulled away and said, “We left you some money for food. Stay out of trouble.”
Kara watched as her parents climbed into the car and pulled out. She waved at them as they slowly drove away, and within moments they were out of sight.
“Yes!” Kara cheered to herself. She immediately headed inside, turning the TV on before she opened the fridge and pantry to grab herself some snacks. She sat down, more than ready for her weekend in.
...
Hours passed and Kara lied on the couch, quiet as she watched some old, cheesy sitcom from the 90s. As she adjusted herself, she felt her phone vibrate. She picked it up and saw it was Sam calling her.
“Hello?” Kara asked.
“Kara!” Sam yelled. “What are you doing?!”
Kara held her phone away from her, her ear ringing. She brought it back and said, “Nothing.”
“Whaaat?! Why aren’t you here at Jack’s party?!” Sam asked.
Kara rolled her eyes. “Because I didn’t feel like going out and getting plastered.”
“Why not?!” Sam asked. “We’re seniors Kara! Live a little!”
Kara was about to reply again when Sam continued to interrupt her, begging her to come on up. Finally, she relented and said, “Okay, fine. I’ll come up.”
“Yaaaay!” Sam yelled. “See you soon, Kara!”
Kara sighed as she hung up the phone. She looked at her phone and saw it was only a little after 8.
“Might as well get ready,” she thought.
...
It was nearing 8:30 at Kara’s home. She was up in her room, standing in front of her mirror. She was wearing a long-sleeve, red and black flannel shirt, light blue jeans, and her hair was tied into a ponytail. She adjusted her glasses once more, making sure everything was perfect.
Kara sighed as she looked down at her twiddling hands as she suddenly felt a slight queasy feeling in her stomach. She wasn’t sure what tonight was going to bring, so she had to brace herself. She walked down the stairs, heading through the living room and to the door.
Kara exited the house and headed to her car. She climbed in and started it up, pulling out of the driveway and driving through her neighborhood. She drove into the woods until she reached the winding path that led towards Jack’s house. After twenty minutes of driving, she arrived.
The large lawn was covered with parked cars and they could see people standing around outside. Kara parked the car and she exited. As she approached the front door, she could hear loud music and talking from inside.
Kara stepped through the door and was nearly winded by the volume of the music and talking inside. She looked around, recognizing several of her friends (as well as others) mingling with one another.
Kara wrapped her arms a little around her body as she walked in. She certainly hadn’t been to a party like this before; she wasn’t exactly...comfortable in this setting.
Kara reached the kitchen, where she found alcohol of nearly every conceivable form laden across the counters and table. A large bowl held what appeared to be punch, but Kara knew better.
Suddenly, Kara spotted Sam stumbling in. She locked eyes with Kara and said, “There she is!” She ran up to the blonde and embraced her briefly. “Come on. Let’s get you started.” She immediately grabbed two cups and poured some of the punch for her and Kara. She handed one to the blonde. “Cheers!”
Kara looked down at her drink and said, “S-Sam, I don’t drink.”
Sam waved her hand. “Aw, come on, Kara. Remember, it’s senior year!”
Kara watched as Sam immediately brought her cup to her lips and downed it, causing a few nearby people to cheer. She pulled back when she finished it, leaving Kara wide-eyed in shock.
“Kara!” Sam said loudly. “Your turn!”
Kara looked down at her still full cup. Timidly, she lifted the cup to her lips and took a sip. The drink was overly sweet and Kara was nearly thrown back by the taste of it. She grimaced and almost immediately pulled her lips away.
Cheering again, Sam grabbed Kara’s hand and said, “C-Come on! Follow me!”
“W-Wait, Sam!” Kara exclaimed. She tried to escape her grip but she couldn’t. Kara was dragged to another part of the house, where some of her other classmates were crowded. One of the boys looked into Kara’s cup, laughing as he pulled out a bottle.
“Want some whiskey in your water?!” he asked loudly. She pulled her cup away as he poured some, missing and splashing some on the ground. The boy laughed before lifting the bottle to his lips, taking a large swig from it.
The boy finished drinking before handing it to others, allowing them to drink from it as well. The bottle finally reached Kara again; she tried to refuse it but she looked around nervously at the others before she raised the bottle to her lips. The people around her cheered as she took a long drink from it. She pulled the bottle away, sputtering some more at the taste that overwhelmed her.
Kara felt like she spent hours in that room. She found herself ushered into other rooms, where more drinks were passed around, all of which Kara refused but was pressured into taking drinks from. Eventually, someone busted out their cigarettes and the room was quickly filled with smoke.
Kara coughed as she hurried over to a window and threw it wide open, taking in the cool, fall night air. She eased back into the room, finally having enough of the scene and making her way out. She exited the room, coughing more as she made her way down the hall. She checked her phone, surprised to see it was a little after eleven.
“What were you thinking?” she asked herself. “Coming here was a mistake.” She made her way downstairs, finding the crowd beginning to grow rowdier. Kara decided she had seen enough and made for the front door to leave.
“Karaaaaa!”
Kara jumped before turning to whoever slurred her name. She froze.
Lena stood before Kara wearing a black turtleneck sweater and dark blue skinny jeans that hugged around her body perfectly. Her dark hair was flowing freely behind her and she appeared to have a little makeup on.
“L-Lena?” Kara stammered.
“H-Hey, Kara,” Lena slurred. She approached and embraced the blonde. She pulled away and asked, “W-Where’ve you been? I’ve been looking all over for you.”
“I-I got here hours ago,” Kara replied. She looked at Lena and noticed the goofy grin on her face, as well as her inability to stand on her own. “Lena, are you drunk?” she asked, already knowing the answer.
“Whaaat?” Lena replied. “N-No, officer. I’m fine.” The music in the living room changed and Lena gasped and said, “Ooh, I love this song. Kara, dance with me!”
“Lena!” Kara said loudly as the raven-haired girl dragged her into the living room. Immediately, Lena started dancing with her. “L-Lena,” she stammered as the other girl danced very close to her. “We really should get you home.”
Lena giggled again as she pulled herself closer to Kara. “But I’m having so much fun,” she slurred.
Kara’s eyes widened at both Lena’s proximity to her as well as the perfume she was wearing overwhelming her senses. Lena spun a little and suddenly fell to the ground, laughing as she lied on the floor.
Kara knelt next to Lena before she gently placed her hands on her shoulders. “Come on, Lena. Please, let’s go.”
Lena pouted. “O-Okay, only because you asked so nicely.”
Kara nodded and asked, “Did you drive here?”
“N-No,” Lena replied. “So-and-so gave me a ride.”
Nodding, Kara pulled Lena up and led her to the front door, where she immediately found that her friend could barely walk, so she allowed Lena to lean on her shoulder as she walked to her car. She opened the passenger door and got Lena to sit before she walked around. When she opened her door, her eyes once more became glued to Lena.
“Calm down, Kara,” she thought. “Just get her back home.”
Kara started the car and pulled away. She would make glances at Lena and would quickly have to advert her eyes to keep them on the road.
Lena leaned over and asked, “K-Kara, can we go to your place? My parents’ll kill me if I show up like this.”
Kara nodded. “Okay.” She drove them back to her neighborhood and within minutes they arrived back at her house. She turned off the car and climbed out, walking around to open Lena’s door and help her to the door.
“Where are your folks?” she asked.
“They’re in Metropolis for the weekend,” Kara answered.
“Ooh, lucky you,” Lena slurred.
Kara opened the door and led Lena inside. The raven-haired girl giggled more as she leaned into Kara. She closed the door and walked them to the stairs, where she immediately realized there was no feasible way to get Lena to walk up the stairs.
Deciding to do something...“drastic”, Kara reached her arms around Lena and lifted her.
“Oh, Kara!” Lena said in surprise. “You’re so strong.”
Kara tried to keep her breathing steady as she carried Lena bridal-style up the stairs. She gasped lightly as Lena seemed to snuggle herself closer into Kara’s shoulder.
Finally, Kara entered her room and gently set Lena down. “Here, I’ve still got some of your things you can change into.”
Lena smiled as Kara handed her the clothes. “Thanks, Kara,” she slurred. “You’re such a good friend.”
Kara returned the smile but froze when Lena began to strip right in front of her. She quickly averted her eyes, causing Lena to laugh.
“W-What, Kara?” she asked. “Do you like what you see?”
“Yes!” Kara screamed in her head. “U-Uhh...”
Lena giggled again as she pulled the sweatpants and shirt on, Kara standing by as she lost her footing a little. She finished and climbed onto the bed, giggling as she sat down. Kara climbed on and sat down across from her.
Lena’s head moved from side to side a little before she looked at Kara. “H-Hey, Kara. Can I tell you something?”
Despite her obvious drunken state, Kara could tell Lena was serious. “Of course, Lena. You can tell me anything.” She adjusted herself and asked, “What is it?”
Lena’s head tilted again. “Well, there’s this...girl I like.”
Kara’s eyes widened. Was she hearing things right? Lena had a crush. On a girl.
“I-uh,” Kara said. “I never knew.”
Lena nodded. “Yeah. I...I’ve had a crush on her for the longest time. I just don’t know what to do, and I don’t want to mess this up.” She collected herself and said, “Kara, you always gave me good advice. What should I do?”
Kara fought to keep her feelings in check before replying, “W-Well, do you care for this person?”
“Uh-huh,” Lena replied. “More than anything.”
Kara took another quick breath. “Don’t you dare sabotage this,” she thought. “Her happiness is what’s most important.” She looked to Lena and said, “Well Lena, you shouldn’t sit on it. You don’t want to wait too long and find them...seeing someone else.”
Repeating the advice she had been telling herself, but never acted on it, Kara said, “I think you should tell her how you truly feel. And in the end, if she doesn’t feel the same, then you shouldn’t let that stand in the way of your friendship.”
Lena smiled goofily. “Okay. Thanks so much, Kara. You’re the best.”
Kara nodded. “You’re...you’re welcome,” she said softly. She smiled when she saw Lena’s happy expression and asked, “So...who is it?”
Lena giggled and said, “She’s the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen. But she isn’t just looks; she’s kind, she’s caring. She’s always willing to help anybody, no matter what. She’s the most selfless, thoughtful...did I mention beautiful people I’ve ever met.”
“Dammit,” Kara thought. “She sounds...incredible.” She looked away briefly, only to feel a sharp pain on her leg.
“Ow!” she yelled. She looked and saw Lena had pinched her, her eyebrow cocked. “What was that for?”
“And she’s a little dense,” Lena said.
Kara’s brow furrowed. “What?”
Lena let out an exasperated sigh. “Kara, it’s you.”
Kara’s eyes widened. Her mouth gaped as she stared at Lena, still processing what she had just heard.
“W-What?” Kara asked.
Lena giggled. “Who else would it be?” She crawled closer to Kara and said, “Wh-Who was the first person to sit with me when I first moved here and had no friends? Who looked past my family name to truly get to know me?”
Lena placed her hands on Kara’s shoulders. “Who was my friend to laugh with? Who was my shoulder to cry on? Who stood by me through thick and thin, good and bad?” She stared into Kara’s eyes and slurred, “It was always you, and while it took me a while to realize it, I know now more than anything that I...I love you, Kara Danvers."
Kara felt her heart flutter at Lena’s words. She smiled and said, “Lena, I’ve been in love with you for so long I forgot when it began. You are one of the most important people in my life. I’d be nowhere without you.”
Lena smirked as she eased herself closer to Kara. The blonde’s eyes widened as she reached up and removed her glasses, Kara not caring as they were tossed onto the bedside table. Her breathing quickened when Lena’s hands gently caressed her face as she slowly leaned in, her lips inching closer and closer until...
Kara felt as if fireworks were exploding throughout her body. Lena’s lips were incredibly soft, and while Kara could certainly taste the whiskey on Lena’s lips, she certainly didn’t mind the taste now. Her hands left her sides and immediately wrapped around Lena’s back. She pulled away slowly, leaving a stunned, flushed Kara.
“W-Wow,” Kara whispered.
Lena cocked her eyebrow as she gently pushed Kara to lie on the bed. Kara’s eyes widened briefly as Lena descended.
“W-Wait, Lena,” she said. “This is all so fast. We should-”
Kara’s hurried talk was interrupted by Lena’s light snoring. The raven-haired girl was lying atop her, her head resting upon Kara’s chest. She laughed quietly as she reached her arm down to pull her comforter over her and Lena before she wrapped the other girl in her arms, pulling her closer before falling asleep.
Lena’s eyes slowly opened to bright lights shining through. She opened them with a groan as she slowly fully awoke. She rubbed her eyes and looked around, immediately noticing she was in Kara’s room, and immediately noticing Kara snuggled next to her.
Lena smiled as she looked upon the sleeping blonde. Instantly, everything came back to her; arriving at Jack’s party, having one drink, then that one turning into several, and before she knew it, she could barely stand.
Then, she spotted Kara. Lena was certain the alcohol was what made her spill out her feelings for the blonde. Despite her being outspoken about certain things, her feelings were certainly something she didn’t yell for the world to hear.
And then she kissed her! Lena kissed Kara, and the feeling of her lips finally on hers almost made her pass out...
...it did.
Lena’s thoughts were interrupted when Kara slowly began to awake. She smiled as the blonde stretched her arms overhead and opened her eyes. The two smiled as Kara fully awoke.
“Hey,” Kara said.
“Hey,” Lena repeated.
Kara smiled. “Are you feeling okay?”
Lena nodded. “Yeah.”
“Good,” Kara said. Silence descended on them again and Kara asked, “Do...do you remember last night?”
Lena smiled. “Do I remember telling my best friend that I love her, and have been in love with her for quite some time?”
Kara let out a sigh of almost relief and happiness. “Lena, I’ve wanted to tell you for so long. I was afraid though. I was afraid that if you didn’t feel the same way, that I’d lose you.”
Lena reached up and gently placed her hand on Kara’s cheek. “Kara, you would never lose me.” She smiled and asked, “Who would be there to point out all of the wrong answers on your homework?”
Kara smiled and laughed, causing Lena to do the same briefly before she groaned, her other hand rubbing her head.
“Damn,” she said. “I must’ve had a lot last night.”
Kara giggled again. “I can get you some aspirin.”
Lena felt Kara motion to get out of bed, to which she immediately wrapped her hands around her. “Oh, I think just lying here with me will be more than enough.”
Kara stopped and smiled as she wrapped her arms around Lena and pulled her close, the raven-haired girl resting her head below the blonde’s chin. Kara sighed as she gently kissed her head.
“Like I said last night, my parents are out all weekend,” she said. “Would you like to spend it here with me?”
Lena let out a content sigh. “I’d like nothing more,” she answered as her eyes closed
Kara smiled as Lena relaxed into her embrace. Pulling the comforter over them once more, she closed her eyes as well, happier than she could ever be.
She certainly didn't like that party, but now, Kara was certainly glad she went.