I Can Not Pretend
Lena was nervous. Of course she’d met Alex more than once but that was different. Now she was going to be dating Kara. and Lena got the feeling that Alex was very much the protective older sister type. So, of course, when the other woman walked into Kara’s apartment just as they were about to leave, she couldn’t stop the nerves from forcing her to stand a little straighter.
“Lena.” Alex said with a nod as a greeting before turning to her sister. “Alright, Kara, You said we needed to talk.”
“Right.” Kara leaned against her kitchen island as Alex sat on the stool across from her and Lena tried her hardest to simply fade into the background. “I told Lena... Also... I um... we... are going on a date.”
this is it, Lena thought as she watched Alex straighten and turn towards her, this is how I die. Kara’s overprotective sister is going to murder me before I’ve even had the chance to take Kara on a date.
“So.” Alex said slowly looking Lena up and down. “You think you’re good enough for my baby sister?”
“Alex!” Kara started but Alex held her hand up to stop the blonde.
Lena stood up tall and matched Alex’s expression despite her nerves. “Not really.” Lena admitted surprising herself. “Kara is...” Lena bit her lip considering her words carefully. “She’s beautiful, light, and wonderful. She’s a literal hero. And I’m broken and my family is cold calculated and dangerous. I’m definitely not what she needs in her life.” She looks at Kara who is blushing and looks like she’s aching to contradict what Lena is saying. “But she chose me. And I’d be a fool not to choose her back. Especially when I feel so much for her. And I will do everything that I can to be good enough for her.”
Alex seemed satisfied with Lena’s answer and nodded once. “Well... suppose I have some paperwork for you to fill out then. Welcome to the family.”
“Oh.” Lena said a little surprised. “I thought...” The family? I've definitely never had a family like this before.
“Kara can take care of herself.” Alex shrugged. “I don’t need to threaten you, because if you hurt her she is perfectly capable of handling that however she sees fit. And I am... Learning to trust you. Because Kara trusts you. and you saved my life once. and the entire Alien population of National City. If I seem wary it’s mostly because your mother has hurt my sister before. You’re not a safe choice. But it’s not mine to make.”
“So!?” Kara said suddenly. “Lunch?”
“I’m a little surprised there wasn’t food here already actually.” Alex said with a smile.
“We were headed out when you showed up.” Kara admitted. “I kinda forgot how soon you said you’d be coming over.”
“You forgot about me?”
“No, I forgot you were coming so soon. Lena and I were talking about.... stuff. And I lost track of time and Lena has to go buy a bunch of new things since ya know her apartment and her office were both blown up.”
Alex raised her eyebrow at ‘stuff’ but decided she probably would prefer not to know. “Why don’t we just got out for lunch then?”
“That sounds like a great idea.” Lena said with a shy smile. “I know a really great burger place if you were interested. My treat.”
Alex shrugged. “Burgers sound good to me”
Lena looked at Kara and smiled, she melted a little when Kara smiled back so brightly and exclaimed. “I love a good burger” Lena laughed when Kara’s stomach grumbled as if agreeing.
Despite her brave front, Lena was scared. And while she wasn’t certain what exactly her mother was trying to accomplish by blowing her office and her apartment to bits, she was certain that her mother wanted her alive. She also knew that telling Kara that would merely lead to more worry and more insistence that they hide out and wait until Lillian was found. I refuse to let that woman ruin this for me as well. She’s ruined to much for me already.
Lena sighed a little as she lead the way out of Kara’s apartment. “It’s not far from here actually so I figured we could walk.”
“I didn’t know there was a burger place around here?” Kara said as she slipped her hand into Lena’s.
Lena felt her cheeks warm at the obvious display of affection.
“It’s a fairly small place that only opened a few months ago.... Honestly I only know about it because the man that owns it used to work for me.”
“How does one go from working for a Huge Tech company like L-corp to owning a burger place?” Alex asked.
“He had a private investor help with start up costs, after they tasted one of said burgers during a company picnic.”
“Mhmm?” Alex raised an eyebrow curiously.
“Lena!?” Kara’s eyes widened.
“What’s the point of having so much money if I don’t use it to help people? The man has a gift. Wait until you try one of his burgers. you’ll see.” Lena looked at Alex, then at Kara. "I promise you it was well worth the investment."