#novanna

But Danna didn’t want to marry anyone, especially not a man. Especially not someone that treated her as a prize to be won. Her parents, insisting that she begin her search for a partner, allowed her to set up a contest. Anyone who beat her in a foot race across the beautiful green hills would be allowed her hand in marriage. It was the only means of choosing a partner that Danna would accept, despite her parent’s best efforts. They were holding on to the hope that someone, anyone , would miraculously beat her in the race and that they’d marry and have heirs to carry on the family legacy.

But Danna knew that was useless. No one could beat her, certainly not a man. She would make sure of it. Her parents, while not openly against her sexuality, were still hoping for an heir and a future king. They allowed women to participate in the race, but none caught her eye. They still saw her as a prize, a trophy to be won. She beat them all, watching as each hopeful face crossed the finish line, sweaty and gasping for breath, only to see their faces fall as they saw her before them, her coiled hair windswept and dark skin glistening in the sunlight.

After every race her parents would ask her if she was sure, if she didn’t want to talk to any of them in private, just to get to know them.

She always said no.

Nova scowled as Ace paced in circles, muttering on about his plan. Take back the castle. Kill the monarchs. Take over while everything was in disarray. His plotting was always like this. Full of holes, too dependent on everything going perfectly.

“Nova, you’ll have to infiltrate the castle. They know the rest of us too well, but you are still unknown. You are our only chance in succeeding.”

Nova rolled her eyes. “I highly doubt that, Uncle. There are two sides to a coin, and never only one way to do something. Besides, how do you expect me to infiltrate the castle? I doubt they’re hiring, and it’s unlikely that I’ll get close to the monarchs as a humble maid.”

Honey emerged from the doorway, a paper fluttering in her hand. She brandished it at Nova, a grin slowly spreading across her face. “The race, little nightmare. The Princess will hardly be able to resist you. Spend time together, learn the inner workings of the castle, perhaps make her fall in love with you, then betray and kill her.” She laughed, shoving the paper at Nova when she was met with a hesitant and somewhat disgusted frown. Nova took the paper, noticing the gold monarch butterflies embossed around the edges. The Princess was famous for her love of the orange and black butterflies, and was often seen sporting a gown or accessory inspired by them. She carefully folded the paper, tucking it into her pocket. “I highly doubt that she’ll just let me win, Honey. We need a backup plan.” She looked past Honey, towards a glittering gold speck.

The stars.

She stood up, walking across the room and scooping up a few of the gleaming gold spheres. Her father had made them, and although she’d never discovered their purpose, she would often pick them up, rolling them around in her hands. They emitted a pleasant sound as they ran into each other on her palm, a strangely melodic ring. She let go of most of them, letting them clatter back into the bowl they resided in, pocketing the three that remained in her grasp.

Honey smiled. “Good plan, Nightmare. Our perfect Princess won’t be able to resist such shiny objects.”

The day of the race arrived sooner than Nova anticipated. Dressed in her finest tunic, Nova made her way through the city streets towards the fields at the back of the palace, where throngs of people were already gathered, either to race for the hand of the Princess, or to watch the defeat of the participants. Honey was on her heels, disguised to the best of her ability to avoid any attention from the guards. Nova swept her hair back in a short ponytail, and stepped hesitantly towards the starting line. Honey pushed her gently, and Nova stumbled a little bit as she took her place at the line. Honey pulled some strands out of Nova’s ponytail, curling them slightly around her fingers and letting them fall down to frame Nova’s face. Nova squirmed away, letting out an exasperated sigh.

“It’s fine, Honey. It’ll just get messed up in the race.”

“Hush, Night- Nova.” She quickly corrected herself. “The Princess is watching.”

Honey jerked her head to the left, and Nova followed the gesture.

Princess Danna was beautiful. She sported a stunning white tunic and gold sandals, her hair tied back with ribbons and monarch clips. Nova felt her cheeks heat up, and quickly shook herself. She was there for revenge. She was there to win. It didn’t matter how the Princess’ graceful fingers brushed her hair from her eyes, or how her dark skin glowed under the bright midday sun. She looked away, determined to not be distracted by the Princess, but she was always drawn back to her. Danna looked around surveying all the different contestants, and met Nova’s gaze. She wanted to look away, but Nova felt herself being drawn in by Danna’s eyes. The Princess smiled a little and offered her a small wave, eyes twinkling. Nova tore her gaze away, turning away and focusing on the rolling hills before her.

Danna had awoken early that morning, spending the early hours of dawn out in the fields, practicing for the competition. Not that she needed practice. It was said that she was so swift on her feet, it was as if she had wings.

People started to arrive an hour before, spectators and competitors alike. Many gawked at her, others smirking or sauntering up to flirt their way into her good graces. She turned away from all of them, reminding every single one that her heart was only won from the race. Which was a lie. Her heart was not the prize won at this race. The true trophy was the title of Princess. Or prince, as her parents hoped. But she refused. She knew that no one would beat her, but she absolutely refused to be married to a man.

Danna distanced herself from the crowd, gathering a couple of guards to ensure her privacy. She watched the contestants, rolling her eyes at their smug smiles. They all thought they had a chance.

Something caught her eye. A short girl in a pretty tunic was pushed towards the starting line by an elaborately dressed older woman. The girl pushed her away, muttering to herself as she stalked to her place among the other racers. Danna watched her for some time, waiting for the girl to look towards her.

She finally looked up, and Danna’s breath hitched. Her hair framed her face beautifully, falling in perfect black waves. There was something indescribable on her face, like she didn’t want to be there. But that was silly. Everyone wanted to be there. Why compete for the hand of someone you didn’t want? Danna was intrigued. She smiled at the girl, offering her a small wave. A flash of surprise flickered over the girl’s face, but she didn’t smile back. She looked away, surveying the fields before them.

The warning bell rang out, signaling that there were 3 minutes until the race started. Danna shook out her limbs, preparing for her next win. She made her way down to the other contestants, eyeing the black-haired girl from before. Her face was determined, a hand reaching up to tuck a stray piece of hair behind her ear.

“Hey!” Danna frowned. “Rude.”

Nova rolled her eyes again. “You were asking for it. And you know I’m joking. You are the interesting one, I just like to stand next to you and look pretty.”

“And you excel at that,” Danna replied, leaning in to kiss Nova’s cheek. “But I’d say you’re pretty interesting yourself, with your uncle being Ace Anarchy, and being the former supervillain Nightmare.”

“You think so?” Nova asked, her tone part sarcastic.

Danna grinned, and pushed herself off the railing, and threw an arm over Nova’s shoulder. “I know so. Believe me, all my other partners have never saved the world from a sadistic asshole pretending to be a god.”

“Yeah, I am pretty great aren’t I?”

Danna grinned, and leaned in to kiss Nova’s chapped lips. “The greatest,” she murmured.

Nova glanced over at the criminal behind them. Just a simple robber, nothing special. There was only a need for two Renegades to deal with him. It had only taken a few minutes for them to find, and subdue the criminal. Now, he was sitting, bound in handcuffs, and propped against the railing of the roof, a strange smile on his face.

“How long till clean up gets here?” Nova asked, her face twisting. “Something feels off about that guy, and I can’t wait for him to be out of our hands.”

Danna followed her gaze, and wrinkled her nose. “At least an hour. We’re out at the ass end of Gatlon, and there was a problem that required immediate attention. You’re right though, he’s scaring the fuck out of me.”

“And he’s not even a bird!” Nova widened her eyes in mock amazement.

Danna scowled, and lightly punched Nova’s arms. “Shut up.”

Nova smirked and raised an eyebrow. “Make me.”

“Is that a challenge?” Danna asked, already pushing Nova’s choppy hair out of her face, and cupping her head in her hands.

Nova laughed softly. “What do you think?” She lifted her brown eyes to Danna’s and inhaled her warm scent. Danna smelled like flowers, and sun, and all the best things in Nova’s life.

“Are you smelling me?” Danna asked, amused.

Nova’s face flushed bright red. “Maybe,” she half mumbled. “You smell good.”

Danna laughed, her voice sending warmth through Nova’s body. “You smell good too, Star.”

Nova froze, her smile curving into a frown. “Do you hear that?” A faint beeping noise, barely hearable, but still there.

Danna cocked her head. “Hear what?”

Nova drew away from Danna and walked towards the noise. It was coming from the robber, his lips still in a twisted grin.

There wasn’t any happiness, or playfulness left on her face. “Star, what do you hear?”

Nova didn’t respond. Instead, she knelt next to the robber, and carefully peeled back his jacket.

A ring of explosives around his waist, and a timer blinking down. There were only seven seconds left, each red pixel sending a bolt of fear into Nova.

The robber laughed, low and sinister. “You lose, bitch.”

“Nova get back!” Danna screamed, stumbling away, her feet clumsy with fear. “Get away from him!”

Nova couldn’t get far enough. The timer blinked out, the red 00:00 mocking Nova. The explosives erupted in fiery red heat, the blast throwing Nova around. She landed hard against the railing, the metal sending sharp pain into her back. A large piece of debris smashed against her shoulder, sending pain lancing through her arm.

“Nova!” Danna screamed, her voice sounding far away.

Then the railing was tearing away, and Nova was falling. Her body was falling through the air, ready to shatter against the hard concrete far below.

Her body came to a wrenching halt. Danna was leaning over the edge, eyes full of terror and tears. Her hand was wrapped around Nova’s, the only thing keeping her from falling to the merciless ground.

Nova could feel the wind blowing against her clothes, a reminder of how high she was.

“Hold on Nova,” Danna gasped, her face screwed with pain.

Nova nodded, too terrified to speak.

“Can you pull yourself up?” Danna asked.

“I… I don’t think so,” Nova said. “I think my other arm is broken, and there’s nothing for me to hold onto. I’m stuck.” She could feel both their hands start to get sweaty, both from the exertion and fear.

Danna nodded, her movements frantic and forced. “You’re going to be okay,” she said. “We just need to wait for the others to get here.”

Nova shook her head. “That’s over an hour Danna. I can’t hold on that long.”

Danna’s hold on Nova’s hand tightened. “Well you have to. I’m not letting you die tonight.” There were tears spilling out of Danna’s eyes, cutting tracks through the dust left from the explosion. Dimly, Nova was aware of how filthy she was too. Her entire body was gray,and her hair was full of dust.

“What are we doing tonight?” Nova asked, trying to think of anything but the air below her. Trying to think of anything but the fact that she could be moments away from death.

Danna half laughed, half sobbed. “You’re hanging off the edge of a 200 foot building, and you want to ask about your date?”

Nova tried to shrug with her broken shoulder, but instead gasped at the rush of pain. “I’m trying to think of something pleasant to look forward to.”

“Well I can’t tell you,” Danna said, her voice breaking. “It’s a surprise. If you want to find out, you just have to hang on for a little bit longer.”

Nova laughed, but it was sobered by the impossible reality.

“Danna…” She said softly.

Danna shook her head. “No. You have to hold on for long enough, you understand? I’m not letting go, so you can’t either.”

“They won’t be here for at least an hour. One arm is broken, the others in pain, we’re both tired. It’s impossible.”

“No, you can do it. I can do this. Nova, you aren’t fucking falling, understand?” Danna’s voice was strong, but her eyes betrayed her doubt.

“Crystal,” Nova replied, trying to blink away tears. “But if-”

“No ‘if’s’.”

Nova tried to smile, and nodded. “Alright. I’m surviving, then we’re going to go on our date, and you’ll surprise me with some wonderful evening.”

“Exactly. You see, pretty simple.”

Simple enough in words. But still Nova’s arm ached, and her fingers grew sweatier, and all she wanted to do was let go.

But if Danna wasn’t giving up, then neither was Nova.

“Can you reach your wristband and call for help,” Nova asked.

“It was broken by a rock in the explosion.”

“Fuck,” Nova muttered. “Is there anything we can do?”

Danna shook her head.

Nova cursed again. “My hand really hurts,” she murmured.

“Mine too.”

“I don’t know if I can’t hold on for an hour Danna.” Nova met Danna’s eyes. “I want to hold on for as long as possible, but can we please be realistic?”

“No,” Danna said, her voice breaking into a million pieces. “I know how impossible this is, but I can’t fucking let you go Nova. I can’t watch you fall. I can’t.” Her body shook with barely contained sobs. “I fucking love you. I’m holding on until the Renegades get here, and even then I’m not letting go. There’s only one ending to this, and it's me and you walking out of this together.”

Nova was sobbing too, the force of her grief making her body move on the wall. “Danna, please. You have to be realistic.”

“I can’t think of it Nova. Because if you fall, then it will be my fault. I let you die. I would be the one who let your hand slip away. I can’t live with that.”

Nova nodded, heart thudding in her ears. “Then I just have to hold on a little longer.”

“Why did this happen? Why did he have to have a bomb, why did it have to be us?” Danna asked.

“I don’t know.” Nova could feel her skin starting to rip open from Danna nails grasping her wrist so tight. “There’s nothing that we could have done.”

Maybe it was true, maybe it wasn’t. But, at that point, it didn’t matter. All that mattered was the arm holding Nova tight, keeping her safe from the world.

Nova was finally starting to think that they may be able to wait long enough for her to be saved.

Of course, that was when it came tumbling down. The piece of roof Danna lay on, weakened by the explosion finally had enough. It started to rip out of the wall, carrying Danna with it.

With a scream, the girl managed to wrap an arm around the metal railing, just as the stone fell down, shattering against the concrete so far below.

“Danna, are you okay?” Nova asked, horror coating her throat. Her breath was coming out in short gasps.

Danna nodded. “Good enough. I’m not too hurt. But the railing is starting to rip out. I don’t know if it will hold.” She was crying. Her body was shuddering, maybe for the first time considering what could happen.

Nova wasn’t though. She knew what had to happen. SHe knew what she needed to do. Fuck, she didn’t want to though.

All Nova wanted was to go home hand in hand with Danna, back home to their small apartment and friends. She wanted to have their date, then have a few more. But they weren’t going to be able to hold on forever, and Nova wasn’t going to bring Danna with her.

“Let go of my hand Danna,” she said quietly, her voice barely a whisper.

But still Danna heard her.

“What? Are you crazy? No way!”

“I can’t hold on much longer, and that railing isn’t going to hold the both of us forever. I’m not going to make it, you know that.” Nova was perfectly calm now. If Danna was in danger, then Nova was ready to die for her. She’d do anything for Danna.

“It will hold,” Danna insisted. “Nova, you can’t let go. You can’t make me live without you. You can’t.”

“I love you,” Nova screamed. “I love you so fucking much, so don’t you dare risk yourself for me.”

Now she was crying. Big fat tears rolling down her cheek, and falling down to the ground like rain.

“Hold on,” Danna pleaded.

Nova looked at Danna, tears clouding her vision. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered, and she let go.

Such a simple feat. So easy, just a single thought.

But it was the hardest thing Nova had ever done, letting go of Danna. Letting go of the life she had wanted. The life she had fought for. Letting go of her everything.

Danna still held on to Nova, but it wasn’t enough. With each breath, Nova slipped a little farther.

“Nova!” Danna screamed. “Please, just wait. We can do this. Please, I can’t live without you.”

“I love you so much,” Nova said softly, trying to convey all the unspoken words. “But there’s no good ending for us. I won’t last another hour.”

The metal railing groaned, and both girls fell a little farther.

“I don’t think we’re going to have our date tonight,” Nova said quietly.

Danna shook her head. “We will! We’ll have one every night! I swear, just hold on a little longer!”

“Danna, promise me something,” Nova said. “Promise you won’t mourn forever. Promise you’ll try and find someone new. Please.”

“Nova!”

She smiled sadly, and met Danna's eyes. “It’s okay, Danna. Let go of my hand.”

“No, I can’t,” Danna sobbed. “You can’t.”

Nova closed her eyes, and kicked off the wall, breaking the contact between her wrist, and Danna’s hand.

As if the lepidopterans had entered her stomach, Nova felt a fluttering sensation at the nickname. She leaned back into her girlfriend’s stable form, who, despite having just woken up, seemed as spry as ever. Nova turned her head and Danna pecked her nose sweetly.

A faint smell of smoke wafted over to them, and Danna’s hand moved to the pan. Covering Nova’s with her own, Danna moved the pan off the hot circle as Nova turned off the heat with her free hand. 

The table had not yet arrived at the apartment, so while Danna prepared their plates, Nova ran to grab two couch pillows for them to sit on. Nova and Danna had just moved into the apartment yesterday, but the gang was going to help them move the rest of their furniture and decorations in today. After the “Supernova,” she hadn’t been able to stand her own space at the Renegades Headquarters. Not having anywhere else to turn, Danna begrudgingly offered up her extra bedroom. The tentative peace soon evolved into much more. Nova had been sleeping there for a little over a year, when they finally decided to get an apartment of their own.

Nova brought the cushions over, bumping into Danna as she walked in. The other girl caught herself on the counter, and Nova quickly set the pillows down before she could cause more damage. They were unused to this space, and the clockwork of Danna’s kitchen was forgotten. 

But one look at Danna, energized and ready for everything, all of Nova’s worries faded away.

Compared to everything they’d been through together, learning how to work together in a foreign kitchen was minuscule. 

Danna sat beside Nova, who linked her hands through Danna’s. Once upon a time, this would’ve been a big moment for them. Now, it felt as natural as breathing.

“It’s funny,” Nova started through a mouthful of eggs. ”On my first day at the trials, I never would have expected that one day I’d be sitting on couch cushions with you, weapons down, no guard, just us and our own apartment.”

Danna nodded. “It’s difficult to remember back when we could barely speak two civil words to each other… Though if I’m being honest, that might’ve partially been the fault of me not knowing how to deal with a crush.”

Nova laughed. She knew that hate was the last thing on her mind when she thought of Danna. Everything wrong that had happened between them had only served to bring them closer together, rather than split them apart. After the war, she and Adrian had so much bad blood between them, it was hard enough to work through it all to be friends, much less lovers. However with Danna… she understood. After the war, Nova went to Danna and apologized about everything, and, to Nova’s surprise, Danna did the same. She said she noticed how the anarchists treated Nova, and helped her realize that Nova wasn’t responsible for so many of the things she blamed herself for. 

After all, Nova was only a child.

They went to therapy together, healing side by side. Nova was shocked to hear that when Danna was in the jar, a majority of her blame and anger had been directed at the anarchists - not really Nova.

“What’s on your mind?” Danna noticed Nova’s pensive expression. 

“Just thinking about us.”

“How relatable, that happens to be my favorite thing to think about.”