An Archive of Our Own, a project of the
Organization for Transformative Works
Hello everyone. This is my first post here, and the first thing I've written in a long time. It's also my first attempt at writing Supercorp or a Soulmates AU. I hope you like it.
"What the hell was that?"
"Oh." Lena breathes out in disbelief. A sharp sting followed immediately by soothing warmth curls along the words on Lena's wrist. Green eyes seek out otherworldly blue.
Kara's hands shake as she peels back her sleeve. Lena has to physically restrain herself from tracing the words on the Kryptonian's wrist. Kara's eyes dart off to the side a second before Superman's boots thump solidly on the ground.
"The pilot needs a hospital. Can you take him? I'll stay with her."
"Are you sure?" Kara raises her eyebrows in disbelief. He has the decency to look guilty.
"Right. I've got him. I'll be -" Superman's eyes dart from Kara's exposed arm to Lena's and back.
"Go, Kal-El. I'm fine." Lena watches his jaw clench with her heart in her throat. He nods to Supergirl, and takes off with the pilot secured in his arms. Faster than she can blink, Supergirl is on the other side of helicopter, wrenching the door open. She can't help the gasp that slips past her lips. She is torn between following her fight or flight response, triggered by being in the company of an alien who is powerful enough to do anything she wants, and the thought that this is her soulmate.
"It's okay." Supergirl's voice is soothing, lowering her heart rate immediately. Lena had imagined what her soulmate's voice would sound like so many times. Reading the words to herself in a dark corner of the Luthor Mansion had gotten Lena through days that she was sure would be the end of her.
"Thank you." She blurts out, cheeks coloring slightly at her own lack of coherence. "Thank you, for saving me."
"Oh, of course I uh - " Lena surpresses a smirk. At least it's mutual. Supergirl laughs at herself a little. It's endearing in it's innocence, and it dampens the fear twisting in her stomach just a little.
"Is it okay if I help you down?" The request for consent and respect for her autonomy from someone who can just move her however she wants has Lena swooning way more than she is proud of. On her nod, Supergirl's strong hands find her hips. She moves so slowly, It's as if she can read Lena's thoughts and is treating her like a scared rabbit who is ready to run. It's an apt description. Lena's eyes drift closed on a surge of adrenaline. She is lifted as though she weighs nothing. She's suddenly surrounded by Supergirl's scent and warmth. It's like breathing in sunlight. Lena's hands grip the Kryptonian's shoulders on instinct. Her body heat radiates through her suit, warming Lena's trembling hands. She's placed ever so gently on the ground, but neither of them moves away. Their eyes meet again and Lena feels it all the way down to her toes.
"Would you come with me to my office, so we can talk?"
"I'm pretty sure I'd go anywhere with you." Lena blinks up at her in surprise. She's amused to find that Supergirl looks just as shocked at her own words as Lena is to hear them. A delighted smile finds it's way to Lena's face without her permission.
"Right this way Supergirl."
"Ms. Luthor! Are you okay? We heard -"
Jess, Lena's Personal Assistant, jumps up from her desk at the sight of her. She stops speaking abruptly when she sees Supergirl trailing awkwardly behind her.
"I'm okay Jess. Thank you. There's just something I need to speak with Supergirl about."
"Okay?" Lena stops in front of Jess' desk, resting her hand on the flustered woman's shoulder.
"Everything is okay. I'll explain more later." Lena lets Kara into her office ahead of her, turning to close the door behind them. She takes a deep breath before turning to face her soulmate.
"Are you alright?" Lena knows her face is expressionless. She prides herself on her Luthor composure. She says nothing, raising an eyebrow in question. "Your heart is racing." Supergirl rushes to explain.
"You can hear my heart beating?"
"I wish I could hear yours." Lena approaches Supergirl slowly. She feels a bit like a antelope in a cage with a tiger. Supergirl hasn't given her any reason to fear her, but Lena can't help it. She blames Lex and her Mother for all of their rambling hate speeches regarding aliens. Kara seems to sense Lena's fear of her. She stays still, keeping eye contact as Lena gets closer. Kara tilts her head to the side, welcoming Lena's fingers against the pulse in her neck.
"Your heart's racing too." There's a sense of wonder in the statement. A disbelief that this Goddess brought to Earth is affected in any way by her.
"Soulmates were sacred on Krypton."
There it is. The words are out in the open. There is no putting them back in the bottle.
"We called them Rao's Intended instead of Soulmates. I've had these words on my wrist for as long as I can I remember. It was much rarer on Krypton than here. Anyone with a mark was strongly discouraged from attempting a relationship with anyone else."
"So you've never...dated anyone?" Lena's cheeks flush at the realization that she almost asked Supergirl if she is a virgin. Supergirl clears her throat awkwardly, but she shakes her head no at the question despite her discomfort.
"No, I've never...dated anyone."
"Wow. Does it bother you that I have?"
"Of course not. It's hardly discouraged here. It would be unrealistic to hold you to a standard that you didn't even know existed." Lena nods in awknowledment. There is a moment of silence and Lena scrambles to fill it.
"Is your Cousin always that protective of you?" The, 'or is it because he didn't want to leave you alone with a Luthor?' goes unsaid.
"I uh - honestly I'm pretty sure he still sees me as the scared little girl he pulled out of an escape pod."
"Oh." Picturing the powerful being in front of her as a scared little girl is difficult. "How old were you?" Supergirl looks past her, through the wall of windows, and into the sky. Lena immediately retracts her question. "I'm so sorry. I didn't think about the implications of that question I just -"
"It's okay. I was twelve." Lena doesn't let the shock show on her face. She can't even imagine being twelve years old and being sent off to another planet after losing everyone and everything she has ever known. This woman has lost so much, her culture, her family, her friends. It's unfathomable.
"I'm sorry. I can't even begin to imagine what you went through."
"Not many people can, but I'm alive and I have a good life here. I was adopted by a good family. I went to College, and I have a good job. It's everything my Parents could have wished for me. I strive everyday to make them proud, to make their sacrifices mean something."
"You're incredible." Wait. "You have a day job?" Supergirl chuckles at that.
"I even pay taxes." Lena laughs with her. It feels almost normal.
"I'm sorry. I've been kind of interrogating you, haven't I?" Supergirl shrugs one shoulder noncomitally. "You can ask me something if you want." Lena hopes she won't regret the offer.
"Are you afraid of me?" That's not what she was expecting, and Lena finds herself defensive at the possible implications.
"I'm not my brother." Supergirl seems taken aback by her vehemence.
"I know." The silence is awkward now, and Lena knows it's her turn to open up. She takes a deep breath, gesturing vaguely at the couch behind the Kryptonian. Lena forces herself to relax. The blonde perches on the edge of the couch, hands nervously clenching her knees.
She's nothing to be afraid of.
"I am wary of someone with as much power as you have, yes." Supergirl opens her mouth to speak, but Lena gestures for her to wait. "Unlearning prejudices from your childhood is difficult, but I am trying. I can't say that I was expecting this, but I take this mark very seriously too." Lena closes her eyes briefly. "I was adopted by the Luthor's when I was four. I tried so hard to fit in with them. I wanted them to be proud of me, but I never seemed to measure up." She risks a glance in Supergirl's direction. The warmth and understanding in her gaze almost brings tears to her eyes. "I read these words to myself everytime one of their cutting remarks was too much. I read them everytime I felt alone. I wondered what your voice would sound like, and if I would feel as safe when you said them as I did when I read them out loud."
"And did you?" Lena glances up, brows furrowed in confusion. Supergirl hastens to elaborate. "Did you feel safe when I said them?"
"Yes." The immediate answer brings a smile as bright as the sun to Supergirl's face.
"You can call me Lena, Supergirl. I think a touch of familiarity is required in this case." Supergirl chuckles at that, laughing bashfully, eyes on floor.
She has a day job and a family.
That thought has Lena's heart rate picking up again. The Kryptonian tilts her head in question, looking so much like a confused puppy, that Lena wonders how she could ever think to fear her.
"Supergirl, I don't want you to tell me your name. Not until I've earned your trust." A confused crinkle mars the blonde's pretty face. She opens her mouth, but Lena holds up her hand in a request for patience. Lena gestures between them vaguely. "This isn't going to be easy. Our families aside, I'm not an easy person to be with." Lena looks off to the side, suddenly unable to meet Supergirl's cerulean eyes. "I want you to be sure about us before you make yourself that vulnerable with me.
"Okay." Lena looks up in surprise. She had expected to have to argue her point.
"If that is something you need, I can respect that." Lena's heart sores. The universe saw fit to pair her with this perfect woman, and Lena has never been one to squander an opportunity.
"Thank you." She reaches for Supergirl's hand. Kara meets her halfway, palms pressing together. Their marks touch and Lena's stomach swoops with a rush that she is certain could only be matched by something like skydiving. The wonder she feels is reflected on Supergirl's face. They shift as one to lace their fingers. A comfortable silence falls over them.
"My Cousin is waiting for me outside." Kara hates the thought of leaving. It almost physically hurts.
"Oh." Lena sounds as disappointed as she feels. Reality is slowly creeping back in. She suddenly remembers how they got here. An assassination attempt somehow just slipped her mind in the presence of a Goddess from another world. Almost as if she can read her thoughts, Supergirl reaches out to take her hand again, brushing her thumb ever so gently over the soft skin of Lena's wrist. Lena closes her eyes briefly and when she opens them, she is met by fiercely determined blue eyes.
"Lena, I promise you, I will find out who is trying to hurt you. I will keep you safe. We think that this is actually the second attempt on your life." Lena can practically feel the color drain from her face.
"The Venture explosion wasn't an accident?" Lena takes a few deep breaths. "Who wants me dead this badly?"
"I don't know, but we will find out. A friend of mine will be coming to ask you some questions about the Venture explosion. She's with CatCo If you trust her, she can help you."
"Not exactly, but she will be accompanying one."
"Thank you Supergirl." Supergirl's sweet smile will definitely be something Lena remembers for a long time. She wants to see it again. "Do you think we could exchange numbers?" The words are out of Lena's mouth before she can think about it. "I'm sorry you probably don't -"
"Really?" Supergirl nods, still smiling. Lena hands over her phone. Kara types in her number pausing as she starts to type "Supergirl." She hits the backspace button, deciding on an alternative, she hands the phone back to Lena. She scrunches her face in confusion.
"I thought you might like something to call me other than Supergirl and you're not ready to know my name so..."
"Does it mean something?"
"Yes, but I can't tell you."
"Yes, thank you...Z." Lena says it like she is testing out the name. She seems to decide that it fits. With a shy smile and nod, Kara backs away toward the balcony. Her eyes stay on Lena for a moment before, with a gust of wind, she's gone.
"Well, this is going to be complicated." Lena mumbles to herself.
