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Everyone had warned her that she was making a grave mistake dating Lena Luthor. Her colleagues from Catco shot her discreet and not discreet judgmental looks. Winn tried to act like he was happy for her but his doubt was showing. James straight up went into a rant about her being a Luthor and about Luthors in general.
“Luthors are good at deceiving people. Even if Lena is a good person right now, we don't know when she will stop being a good person. Look at her family, Kara. Especially Lex. For the longest time, Clark has believed Lex was a good man. Someone who could be saved. Someone who was his best friend. And look how that ended.”
“I am not dating Lex. I am dating Lena, who is very much different from her brother,” Kara had snapped. Even Alex and Eliza were not fully supportive, their tones laced with concern and lack of faith when they spoke about her relationship. But Kara wisely did not listen. She had felt a connection from Lena since day one. Two women trying to make a name for themselves, trying to be their own individuals. Lena had proven again and again that she was a good person. And if others couldn't see that, that was on them.
Bitch. Ungrateful daughter. Villain. A vile human being.
Those were some of the words used a lot by the media and the people. But all Kara could think was “adorable softie” as she watched Lena cook dinner for them. Kara with her quite questionable culinary skills was jokingly banned from the kitchen but she was perfectly content with working on her article from kitchen island and occasionally gazing at her girlfriend. A gray oversized hoodie (which was Kara’s) replaced the normally worn professional suits. The hoodie was big enough to cover up the shorts she was wearing.
“I will admit that this is only my second time making risotto so don't be too harsh with the comments, alright?” Lena joked. Her back was facing the blonde or else she would have seen Kara’s expression, fully filled with love.
“Oh! The garlic bread is ready!” She hastily put on the gloves and got the tray out of the oven. The savory aroma filled the air and Lena looked at the result with a satisfied look. “These will be delicious, I bet.” She finally turned around and saw Kara looking at her with so much love that it made her a little flustered.
“What is it?” she asked.
Kara placed her chin on her propped arm. “Nothing. Just that, this is amazing. You are amazing.”
Lena smiled and crossed to the island. “Just for that, you get to have a garlic bread in advance.” She held out the smoking hot tray and Kara happily grabbed one. She took a generous bite, the heat not bothering her tongue.
“How is it?” Lena asked in anticipation.
Kara closed her eyes from the flavor. “Mm, it's so good.”
Relief washed over Lena.
“Anything you make is delicious,” Kara added.
Transferring the pieces of bread to a bowl, Lena chuckled. “You compliment me too much, darling. I only started cooking more with you so I know my skills are still rusty.”
“You deserve it.” Kara finished the last of her bread. “And well if those are rusty cooking skills then mine are crying in a corner.”
Lena laughed.
Kara went back to her article, very pleased whenever she made Lena laugh.
“Oh. I forgot to bring the red wine.”
“No worries.” Kara had already stood up. “I will go get one real quick. I will be back on time to set up the table,” she said with a wink.
She opted to change into her Supersuit to freely use her super speed. She was already purchasing a bottle of red wine in less than a minute. She was about to fly back home when she heard a rough voice demanding to hand over all the jewelry and money. Supergirl changed her route and rushed into the store in mere seconds. The masked man flinched upon seeing the arrival of the Super.
He raised his gun at her. “Stand back!” he shouted, albeit shakily.
“Really, dude?” Supergirl asked tiredly. “Do you not know me?”
Supergirl heard him curse from under the ski mask. The man quickly turned and pointed the gun to the middle aged woman behind the jewelry cases. “I will shoot her!” The middle aged woman frantically lifted trembling arms in surrender. Supergirl decided it was time to stop his terror on the woman already. She sped to him and took him to the police station before he even registered what happened.
“All yours, officers. He was trying to rob a jewelry store,” Supergirl informed. The nearest officer nodded, after getting over the startled state at the sudden arrival, already taking out his handcuffs. Now that the hero work was done Supergirl flew to the store again to check up on the woman.
“Are you okay, ma’am?”
“I am now. Thank you so much,” the middle aged lady sobbed. “Thank you.”
“I am just doing my job, ma’am.” Supergirl smiled warmly.
“But please let me repay you.”
Supergirl shook her head. “Ma’am, it's really-
“Please. You saved my life. Choose something for a gift from this store. I insist.”
Supergirl was about to decline again but the middle aged woman was already taking out some samples. “Perhaps this locket? Or this ruby ring?”
Supergirl shook her head again but then her eyes caught some silver necklaces, each chain having a silver letter. An idea came to her. “Actually, can I get this for a friend? And umm, can it be customized a little? I want a small change for it.” She pointed to the item she wanted. The woman beamed with enthusiasm. “Of course, of course! I can change it for you right now. And who’s the friend? I will write the name in beautiful calligraphy on the dedication card!”
“Oh, umm, Kara Danvers,” Supergirl answered.
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The whoosh from the living room informed Lena that her lover had returned. “Kara, great, just in time to set up the table.” She spun around and saw Kara already back in a coral sweatshirt paired with black pants. But a silver item that wasn't there before caught Lena's eyes.
“New necklace?”
Kara nodded, taking a few more steps and Lena’s mouth parted a little with no sound coming out when she realized what was hanging from the silver chain. “Are those?”
She forgot about taking out the plates and strode to Kara.
“Yes, they are,” the blonde confirmed with a smile.
Lena, still surprised, looked at the necklace like it was a rare diamond. “But the double L means…”
Kara smiled again. “Yes, Lena Luthor. My love.”
Lena gently placed her fingertips under the silver initials. “But why did you get both? Why the name Luthor too?”
Kara grasped Lena’s held out hand and pressed a kiss towards it. “Because you are Lena Luthor. The woman I love. I don't see the evil Luthor name when it comes to you. I just see you, Lena. The Luthor who is brave, thoughtful and brilliant. The Luthor who uses her resources and intelligence to help others. I am always going to wear your initials proudly.”
Tears started pooling Lena's eyes. “Kara…” she started to say but her voice broke so she just hugged her and Kara immediately hugged her back.
The simple gesture Kara did was anything but simple. For her to wear the other L initial despite the infamous history attached to that surname, Lena couldn't even put into words how touched she felt about this. How much love she felt. That Kara Zor-El chose to wear Lena Luthor’s initials. That she had seen her as someone different from her family since day one.
They hugged for nearly a minute. Lena sniffled and rubbed away her tears when they parted. “I will only be taking it off when I am Supergirl. I don’t want it getting damaged and we can’t let the public figure out that Kara Danvers and Supergirl are the same person.”
Lena chuckled softly. “Yeah.” She wiped away the last of the teardrops. Kara gently ran her thumbs across the tear stained cheeks.
“Let's set up the table now,” Kara muttered.
Lena nodded, tip toeing slightly to leave a kiss on Kara’s forehead.
Years later, they would look back at that night and would agree that was when they knew for certain they wanted to be permanently in each other's lives as best friends, lovers and wives.