Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The day started pretty normal for Kell-El. He went to the dining hall before going to check in with Sapphire. This time though he was stopped.

Bouncing Boy, Duo Damsel, Lightning Lad and Timber Wolf were talking about their most recent ‘addition’ and how adorable it was to all of them to see Kell-El have someone to talk to so often. He tries to leave as the obvious comments about him began harder and louder. Till finally. “Come Kel. You spend the most time with her. You have to know something about her,” Duo Damsel started.

“Yeah. All we know is that it really easy to talk to you with her around,” Lightning Lad chimed in.  Duo Damsel kicked his leg. “Not that it was hard to start with,” he corrected.

“We just wondered what she’s like? What does she do?” Bouncing Boy chimed in.

“We all just figured you’d know more about her since you hang out with her more than we do,” Timber Wolf encouraged, walking over to Kell-El. “She’s gone a while without actually talking much to anyone.”

“We’ve been going over how to defeat Imperiex,” Kell-El finally answered.

Most of them sighed as Duo Damsel’s hand went to her head. Timber Wolf just smirked. “Do you talk about anything else?”

“Does she like, anything?!” Lightning Lad almost shouted as he waved his arms.

The room fell silent.

“She likes to eat.”

A loud moan escaped almost everyone.

“A lot of people like to eat,” Timber Wolf began to say when a warning siren came up. The team was needed for a mission.

The day started a little abnormally for Sapphire. Kell-El had taken to being outside her room in time for his training exercises, usually eager to get the talking over and head to the training hall. This time, he only passed by for a quick comment after the call for the team to come to the bridge. This translated to one thing- time off!

Everyone left, and the ship was quiet! This was the best time for a walk around, sightseeing, learning the layout, but most importantly getting snacks. The most delicious snacks because no one is around to judge or slow down the fun!

As she reached the tub in the back of the freezer, a loud thud happened. Her shoulders, her hand, and her hand dropped. A moan escaped. “They’re back.” She closed the freezer door and followed the noise.

She found Kell-El with the others watching Lightning Lad try to interrogate two people. Turned out the mission went quickly; they made two arrests, but the rest got away. Hence why they had begun interrogations.

She watched them all work for a while. Lightning Lad was clearly not the best at intimidation. Brainy seem to be trying to crack into something they had on them with Duo Damsel and Bouncing Boy’s help. Kell-El and Timber Wolf were just watching. “Is this really that important?” she wondered aloud.

“Enough that the United Federation of Planets is calling for this gang to be brought in,” Brainiac said without hesitation.   

“I would be interested to see how you question people,” Kell-El started.

“That is if you want to help,” Bouncing Boy jumped in. “I know Cos gave you specific instruction on what to do. But we really could use the help,” he explained walking up to her.

“Plus he’s not getting anywhere,” Timber Wolf motioned to Lightning Lad.

Sapphire sighed as she rubbed her neck. Her fingers dancing on the white metal cord around her neck. “All right,” she said as she closed her eyes. “Do you have anything on them?” She asked. Bouncing Boy handed her a data pad.

“This should be fun,” Timber Wolf said as she began to walk past him and Kell-El.

She put the data pad down and tap the door button, “No it won’t.” Kell-El her eyes begin to change tint.  

“Who are you?!” one of them snaps as she enters the room.

“Just some dog that jumps when told,” she looks through the file. “Just like you it seems,” she begins. She comes up next to Lightning Lad, “Bouncy needs you.” His eyebrow went up but he left the room as she sat down. She began flipping through the things he left on the table.

“What the big boy couldn’t handle it so now some ‘dog’ is gonna try?” one of them tried antagonizing her.

“He’s hardly the biggest boy on the ship, but dogs are typically better at cleaning up bottom feeders like you two. Otherwise, your small butts wouldn’t have been caught,” Sapphire began. She glanced up to see the two men flinch. She got up from her chair. “You must have been so insignificant that the group did not even think you were worth shutting up when you fell behind,” she began taunting. One of them moved to say something. “But I bet you were just a smidge more. Because he called you back to help him. That’s why you both got caught. He could have let you escape, but now you are both here. The group is going to love having two messes to clean up. Does he always hold you back like this?” She asked as she leaned next to one of them, curling around his chair so both could see her eyes.

“I never!” was the last thing before the argument began. The two began screaming at each other; blaming each other for everything. Sapphire guided their talking about the last job, the one before that, the times at their headquarters, and even an old argument about a girl they failed.

All the while, the Legion was watching, taking notes on everything they said, and preparing for the arrest. Kell-El, on the other hand, was noticing that her eyes were glowing and small blue flames were coming off her hair.

Finally, she leaves the room as the two are yelling at each other so loudly their cuffs sound quiet.

“That was amazing!” Bouncing Boy greeted her as she turned around. The rest started with cheers and amazed tones. And the question- “How did you do that?”

“They should calm down soon,” she said, motioning to the cell.

“I’ll make sure they are taken care of,” Brainiac said before returning to typing.

“No, seriously how did you do that? I was working them and getting nothing,” Lightning Lad led another push for answers. She tried to bring something else up but it only pounded the question more. “What don’t you want to tell us?” he finally asked with bitterness replacing his curiosity.

Everyone was staring as she glanced at the group. She sighed, “I was able to do that because I’m an empath.”

Everyone else glanced at each other. “I thought you were a telekinetic, not an empath,” Duo Damsel said.

“I’m both. A psionic with a strong range based on empathic readings I get,” she tried explaining. Going into full detail about how her power worked was the last thing she wanted to do for a ‘short’ assignment.  “I can also stir it up. When people get emotional, they have a habit of losing objectivity and common sense.”

“Stir it up? You mean you can control people’s emotions too?” Lightning Lad jumped on.

“It’s probably not that bad. I mean she hasn’t done that before, right?” Duo Damsel tried to encourage but her own doubts were beginning to show.

“I have not. But yes I can,” Sapphire acknowledged. “I could have just walked in and demanded that they confessed,” she began.

“And because you didn’t we’re just supposed to trust that you haven’t done that one to us yet?” Lightning Lad snapped.

“That would be creepy,” slipped out of Bouncing Boy.

That was the last straw. Everyone began shouting. Bouncing Boy reacting as Dou Damsel and Lightning Lad said things. Brainiac accusing Lightning Lad of holding a grudge against all white-haired physics because of his history Dream Girl. Also, that she was never required to tell them anything.

Sapphire was actually not surprised or disappointed in the screaming fit before as her shoulders had dropped and she held her own wrist. She glanced around the group after Timber Wolf tried to break them up. She locked eyes with Kell-El.

He turned away.  

“Then just never touch me! And make sure I have my gauntlets. You’ll all be fine for the reminder of my time. Which I’m sure Cosmic Boy is fine with shortening,” she reminded them all before flying down the hallway.

Timber Wolf “Nice job.” Bitter tone.

“She should have told us.” Lightning Lad complains. Timber Wolf starts arguing with him.

Bouncy pulls Kell-El out of the room while Duo Damsel tried to claim them down. Brainiac went to look after the prisoners.

The pair began to move down the hallway. “I want to apologize to her for calling her powers creepy,” Bouncy began explaining. “But I think we should both go check on her. Which way do you think she went?”

Kell-El points down a hallway but wonders, “Why?”

Bouncy Boy stopped, “She’s upset. You couldn’t tell she was upset? It would be mean not to check on her. I thought she was your friend Kel.”

“She’s my teacher. We aren’t friends.”

Bouncy just looks him up and down. “Sure, you’re not,” Bouncy dragged out. “You just really like going to class.”

“She’s really good at it.”

“Sure,” Bouncy surrendered. He began going down the hallway.

Kell-El watched him move for a moment. “And she doesn’t call me mean,” he mutters under his breath before he follows.

The three meet up with her while she is looking out the window.

Bouncy starts, “Hey, Sap.”

“Sap?” Sapphire wondered.

Bouncy rubbed the back of his head. “Sorry. Your name doesn’t have a good nickname option.”

“Very true.”

“Look we wanted to apologize for all that. You shouldn’t-“ Bouncy started but Sapphire put her hand up.

“That is kind of you to say. And appropriate to show Kell but I believe we should deal with that first,” Sapphire explaining pointing out the window.

The two turned. “What is?” Bouncy wondered.

Kell-El focused on it. “I don’t think someone was happy with our arrest.”

“Probably not. Their energy is the same as the people in questioning,” Sapphire added as her eyes had a soft glow.

“I’ll go tell the others. You two head out,” Bouncy began. Sapphire motioned. “I know you don’t work for us but please help. This will be a lot better than last time,” he added.

“Since you asked nicely,” she teased with a smirk. Bouncy left as quickly as he could.

“Let’s go,” Kell-El stated as he motioned the same way.

Sapphire motioned to the window in front of them. “Shortest route then?” Blue flame emerged from her hand and ran both around the window edge and the hallway. She opened the window as though it was a door before floating out. Kell-el followed. She closed the window as a blue flame edged around it. “Remember to close the doors when you leave Kel. I heard you weren’t always big on that.” She flew off first.

“I couldn’t do that. “

Those two had no trouble jumping into a fight. The rest of the crew got to the bridge in enough to see a flash of light. Duo spots something falling planet side.

“Brainy, what’s happening?!” Lightning Lad shouted as the group came on to the bridge.

A blinding light silenced everyone as they shielded their faces.

“What was that?!” Bouncy wondered.

“Not sure. Seems to be some sort of explosion,” Brainy stated.

“We can tell that,” Timber Wolf responded.

“Where are Kell and Sapphire? Are they ok? Duo Damsel wondered.

“Found them,” Brainy said as the monitor zoomed in on two trails falling out the debris field.

“They’re falling towards that planet,” Duo Damsel could not hide the concern in her voice.

Brainy was typing as fast as he could but all the computer was able to do was see them both hit the atmosphere and one move closer to the other. After that-  “I.. I can’t find them.”

Chapter Text

Tonight started anything but normal.

Kell-El sat up first. He released a groan, “Huh?” His body…ached. “What the?” he questioned as he looked at his hands. Questions began boiling over when he noticed Sapphire still on the ground. “Sapphire!”

He jumped up to go over, only to be slammed into the ground. “Ah!” he grunted as he lifted himself back onto his feet. Strain began to pull at his arms and back, “What the?”

As the thought finished, a bolt of blue flame rammed whatever it was off him. He glanced over to Sapphire, still on the ground, her eyes had changed tint as little flames came from the mark on her forehead. “Let’s go!” she shouted before pushing off the ground into flight.

Kell-El took off after her.

The two met in the air. “What happened?” Sapphire asked.

“We got knocked planet side. That’s what happened,” Kell-El complained. He shook his head as he bobbed in the sky.

“What’s wrong?” Sapphire asked.

Kell-El noticed she initially reached for him but put her hand down. “Something wrong with my powers,” he began. He noticed Sapphire began looking at the sky and the ground. “Whatever they hit us with must have messed with me,” he continued.

“We need to land,” Sapphire started. She flew to the ground. Kell-El did not resist the urge and naturally followed.

“I’ve been hit pretty hard before. But that thing didn’t even break my shield. How did it take away my powers?” Kell-El wondered.

“I don’t think it did.”

“Then what? You powers did it?” he sniped. She glared. “Don’t give me that look. You didn’t even tell me the extent of your powers,” he chastised.

“You expect different treatment than the rest of the Legion?”

“I’m not part of! We’re,” Kell-El wanted to shout and continue screaming, but words failed him as he felt tight in his chest. “Never mind! Your skin glowed weird when I grabbed you to shield the fall, and then I felt weird,” he finally explained.

Sapphire sighed and turned away, “That’s because my empathy absorbs multiple ways. One is any emotion and emotional history of an item on contact to fuel my telekinetic for protection.”

Kell-El crossed his arms, “Did it absorb my powers too? Because they have been getting weaker since we crashed. Also.” He paused for a moment. “Thanks for the landing bubble. That was a lot easier than straight impact,” came out in a softer tone.

Sapphire turned back to him, “You’re welcome, and no. My powers don’t do that. They act more like water collection. Just skimming the top levels off. So I got your anger and annoyance.” She took a step closer as she rubbed her hands, “Though the first time contacting anything, I always absorb more. But it is only the emotional history of the item. I have to try for actual powers. Even if I did though, I wouldn’t get all of yours or really weaken you that much. But I have another idea.”

He stepped closer, “What’s that?”

“Do you have any idea how long we were out?”

“No. Why?”

“Look around. This planet is dark,” she began to explain.

Kell-El shrugged, “So what?”

“Do you know how your powers work? Without the sunlight, you’re just going to continue losing your powers till you are practically human,” she explained.

Kell-El’s eyes widen at the news. He began inspecting his hands, trying to feel anything he could to gauge his strength. His eyes were adjusted to the dark already with the only light being from Sapphire’s flame. He closed his eyes and began to listen. Several things made noise around him; trees, plants, something pushed probably slithered, several things hitting surfaces like crawling insects, and one other rhythm; the only thing he recognized on the planet, Sapphire’s heartbeat.

He took a deep breath, “So what now?”

“Do you still have the Legion ring?”

“Yeah,” he acknowledged as she took it out of his belt.

“You should wear it for now. Try to use it to fly instead of your powers. It sucks but we can use my powers a bit more till I recharge. After that we should be able to get back into space and find either a star or the Legion,” Sapphire explained before she began walking.

“Your powers have to recharge?” Kell-El wondered, following right behind.

“Most powers have to recharge,” she tried to rebut.

He leaned close to her shoulder, “But you haven’t. I’ve seen you go for a week without having to do anything different.”

“It was never any of your business. I’m just your teacher. That is all that matters.”

“You are my teacher,” he agreed. They walked side by side. “But you are normally a mouthy, sarcastic, tease that wouldn’t let me get away with half the comments I’ve made since we woke up,” Kell-El said as he moved a brush out of the way. It revealed weird insect-like creatures doing something he did not understand together, thrashing in some liquid. “What is that?”

“Gross!” Sapphire shouted as she pulled back.

“No duh.”

Dozens of glowing eyes looked up at them.

A spark of blue flame was all Kell-El could see before the landscape changed.

“I hate dark planets! They usually encourage so many things like that!” Sapphire screamed as she panted. She pulled her arms up tight. Kell-El had seen this reaction once before, a bug fell on her.

The two begin walking again.

Most of the time it was quiet. Other times Kell-El tried to question her about her powers, usually after noticing little flames coming off. But she would only ask him about how his own powers were doing. He got annoyed again and stopped asking.

The quiet walking finally broke Kell-El's patience. “What is bothering you?” he slammed his arm in front of her onto a tree.

She stood up straight, “What the?!” 

“I’m going to keep getting closer to you and annoy you as much as you’ve been annoying me till you tell me what is wrong!” he tried not to snap.

Her eyebrow came up, “What?”

“You’re pouting and it is really annoying,” he blurted out.

Sapphire just blinked.

It took several moments that were driving Kell-El up the wall internally, but she finally broke out laughing. His head tilted. She motioned for him to back up. Which he did as they began walking again. “This is an adorably blunt way to do things Kell. Nice job noticing contact is an issue. But a threatening embrace is new,” Sapphire chuckled.

He crossed his arms as he backed away a bit, “Whatever! Just answer my question.”

“It was the way you looked back on the ship. When I finally said what my power was. I wasn’t ready for that look,” she slowly stated.

“But everyone.. The others actually said things, though,” Kell-El tried to put his thoughts together.

“I know. And to be honest, I was expecting it so I probably took it harder than I should have.”

“No kidding.”

“Because everyone looks at me that way when they find out. When they start calling me a monster starts long before the words make it out of their mouth. It doesn’t take long for it to change. And I can see it all. Guess it was unreasonable of me to think that Superman would be different,” she explained, cresting a hill.  

Kell-El shifted for a moment, “I did worry.” Sapphire stopped when he admitted it. Her eyes closed as she began moving again. “For a moment. The stupid thought that you could do to me what you did to that guy. But then I also figured if you wanted to be finished ‘teaching’ me how to interact with others, you could have just ‘made’ me social. You haven’t. So, he got over it.”

She stared at him. Laughter erupted from her causing Kell-El to step away. She wiped her cheeks. “Thank you, Kell-El. Your eyes have such beautiful colors.”

“Huh? What? You like green and black or something?”

Sapphire stood up, “That’s what colors they are? Huh? I’ve wondered.”

“What?

“I can’t see normally. Everyone just looks like the color they mostly feel,” Sapphire explained.

“Your powers are annoying.”

“You don’t know the half of it,” she said, beginning to stretch. “But most of the time I compare it to water. It is always there. Sometimes it is shallow but most of the time it feels like I’m drowning. So, when I use my telekinetic, it burns up the water. That’s why it looks like fire.”

“That’s stupid. Why didn’t you use air to push water? Or just control the water?”

“I was a kid when I made it up! You try explaining to a baby how fire and water work.”

“Wait. You had your powers since you were a baby?”

“Of course. Isn’t that how long you’ve had yours?”

“Of course.”

“And yet you didn’t realize you're a solar-powered flower?”

Kell-El stopped walking and just glared at Sapphire for a moment. She stared back and smirked. “You are feeling better.”

“I am. Thank you.”

He walked up next to her, “Sure. But how do the emotions or whatever affect you?”

“It’s scarring. I absorb emotions and make energy. Meaning all emotions have to pass through me. Since I can’t turn off the adsorption, I get to know everything about how people feel about- well anything,” she explained as they started walking again.

“That is way more annoying than being a flower.”

“At least people like flowers.”

“We’re not going into your life-long story, are we?” Kell-El complained as his eyebrow went up.

“Why would I share that? Besides, it seems this is what I get for dinner,” Sapphire rebutted as she stepped forward. Several insect-like monsters and beasts came out of hiding and began to growl. “You don’t need to eat yet, right?”

Kell-El crossed his arms and stood at the top of the hill, “No. I’m good.”

“All right,” Sapphire acknowledged before turning back to the group.

Most of them stood in the circle, unsure when to move but growled and hissed. One of her gauntlets seemed to fall off, making a loud thud. Her fire hair rolled down her back after it. Kell-El shifted as he felt something different in the air. A large centipede came out of the cave and roared at her. She twitched her fingers.

Its head fell at her feet. The other creatures backed away. Fire erupted, causing them to step back further. But everything there caught sight of the centipede's body being flung into the woods. Everything else went for the easy meal.

Kell-El took a step down but stopped when he noticed Sapphire began moving. She pulled her top up enough to reveal her abdomen as she knelt. Now, fire in the shape of tentacles formed from her stomach as though it was burning away the creature’s head, but Kell-El felt no heat. He came up next to her to watch and make sure there was no heat.

“This is how I devour things. Absorbing every bit quickly to heal my body quickly. I don’t get to taste any of it, and I won’t be hungry again for a while,” Sapphire explained as her body naturally finished.

“You're eating?” Kell-El wondered.

“Not the part that brings me happiness,” Sapphire whispered as she put her top back down. Her eyes glowed as she looked around again. “We should be fine here while I sleep off the meal. But I’ll use my equipment to make a shield just in case. After I wake up, we should be able to leave,” she explained while they walked into the cave.

They sat down on opposite walls. Her gauntlets went to one side of them and her boots to the other to make a box around both of them. “Your outfit could always do this?”

“Safety feature; among other things. But no life story, remember?” she teased as she sat down.

His eyebrow went up, “None of yours. How much of mine did you read when I grabbed you on the initial fall?”

Her eyes shot open. She closed them again and sighed, “Good call. I did see your history because it read off your uniform. But not exactly how it happened. Just how it made you feel about it all.” She glanced at him and rubbed her head. “No wonder there was a lot of anger there.”

“What do you mean, no wonder?"

“Well, if things were going your way in the war you have gone to the Legion for help? Or even be willing to put up with lessons like mine till you get your next shot at Imperiex?”

Thoughts began going through his mind. Trying to put the pieces she taught him together. Figure out the next move on the board. Then a thought did come to mind.

“Wait. I didn’t ask for some what-if scenario practice,” he almost growled as he realized. He went and sat next to her. “I just figured we could sit closer to make a smaller shield since you already read me. Or would it be tasted?” he teased as he pulled her next to him.

Her body got a wash of energy. The fire erupted from her hair, pulling the shield tighter and returning to her quickly. “Read. Read is good,” she managed before drifting asleep.

This evening started out anew.

 “About time. Get enough beauty sleep?” Kell-El taunted as Sapphire stretched.

“As much as you can with a hard pillow,” she smirked.

Kell-El smirked as he watched her walk out of the cave. Her gauntlets and boots came to her naturally with touches of blue flame.

“Hum. This planet really loves its cloud layer,” Sapphire observed as she adjusted her gauntlet.

“Not a speck of light the entire time,” Kell-El offered as he came close to her. He glanced down at her. “Is that going to be a problem?”

“Not at all,” she smiled. “Ready to go?” She floated in the air.

He had to focus for a moment to use the Legion ring instead of his natural ability. “Lead the way.”

The pair took off.

Sapphire was leading this time. Her blue fire came off similarly to the way Clark or Starboy’s cape seems to flow. It came down to Kell-El. He watched as it looked as though it was washing over him, but when it came close to him, it felt as though he was wrapped in something. His eyes drifted closed as he felt warm.

The pressure and motion countered as things slowed down. He opened his eyes as the warmth went away. They were in space. He glanced around to see the planet beneath him and Sapphire on his side.  Her body was outlined in pale blue as fire still came off the end of her hair.

She smirked, “One space lift complete. And look. Despite all the gloom and dark, there was a star nearby.” She led the way over. It did not take them long to get close. “Do you know how close is good enough?” she wondered.

“I’m fine here. This shouldn’t take long,” Kell-El guessed. Sapphire nodded before she began to play with the star. Her toes seemed to play like she was trying to skate on it, and her hands caught the small flares like fish jumping out of the water. Kell-El snorted. “Hey. I’m done,” he shouted.

“How are you doing?” she asked, coming back to him.

“Better. I never even noticed before.”

“Benefits of having lived on a yellow sun planet. And coworkers used to a Superman,” Sapphire commented. “Speaking of, shall we get back to them?”

“How are we going to find them?”

“You act like this hunting dog can’t track,” she boasted. Her eyes changed tones before she flew off. He followed behind her. “But even if you didn’t have me, you still have that ring,” she pointed out.

“Right,” Kell-El took the legion ring off his finger and put it back in his belt. With his powers back to full strength, he did not need the boost.

They find the cruiser not far off.

Sapphire could tell the emotions were overflowing and Kell-El could hear everyone shouting before they got inside. Everyone came to meet them in the landing area. Shouts about politics stopping them from searching, transferring prisoners, and even yelling at Cosmic Boy to let them go back were at the start.

Bouncing Boy finally got a few moments with Sapphire to apologize. Several others followed suit. Lightning Lad and Timber Wolf though, had their own question for Kell-El after spending some time away with the girl. Things took long enough that Sapphire slipped away, saying she was going to bed after washing all the smells off. Duo Damsel and Bouncing Boy didn’t blame her for that one bit. The talk continued for everyone else.  

What felt like forever in the noise got to be enough for Kell-El. He got a tub of something out of the fridge and said he was leaving for the night. He sees Duo Damsel on his way out the door. “The question you asked before. She really does just like to eat,” he repeated before leaving.

Duo Damsel shrugged, “Ok. I guess that’s it.”

He knocks on a door. Sapphire answered, wrapped in a towel and patting her hair dry with another. He hands her the tub, “Here. Get some rest and sleep in.”

“Thanks,” Sapphire said as she blinked at the tub of food in her hands now.

“Then I want to spare.”

“What?!”

“You’ve been taking it easy training me, haven’t you?” he questioned as he put one arm on her door frame.  

“What do you-“ Sapphire chuckles as she noticed his eye color change. “Careful what you ask for.”

“I want to see what you can actually do,” his voice strained the last two words. He wasn’t hiding any displeasure at her secret-keeping habit. But just to drive the point home, he leaned close, “So stop holding back on me.” He pushed off the door and walked down the hallway.

Sapphire smirked, “Good night Kell-El.”

He had trouble resisting the small grin, “Go to sleep.”