First Ride, First Look
“It’s like you’re flying! Or as close to flying as you can get without, you know, actually flying.”
Lena is beaming. Utterly beaming. The broccoli on the end of her fork waves chaotically through the air, threatening to make a flight of its own.
“Kara, I’m serious here. This thing is HUGE, probably the tallest roller coaster in the country!”
The broccoli finds its way into her mouth and Lena nods for emphasis, chewing quickly, eager to swallow and go on.
Kara picks at her own food, laughing at Lena’s enthusiasm. It’s hard to not be drawn in by the wide smile and flashing eyes.
“I believe you! I do!” Kara laughs as Lena approves with a mouthful of vegetables.
Kara had always loved theme parks and had insisted that the Danvers take her multiple times a year. Krypton had not had such things: massive devices meant to thrill for pure pleasure. But she found herself on an alien planet with incredible powers that she was encouraged to suppress. Roller coasters were a way to recapture the feeling of flying without exposing herself. And it was very nearly close to the real thing. The wind in her hair. The speed. The rush in her stomach with every sudden drop. She lived for those moments, that is, until she came out as Supergirl. Roller coasters had nothing on real, uninhibited flight.
But Lena, Lena doesn’t know that feeling. And what a feeling it is! This roller coaster is probably the closest she’d ever get. And why deny someone that opportunity? Kara makes up her mind, setting down her fork and pushing aside her container of chow mein.
“We should go. To this…theme park. We should go!” Kara’s eyes dance with the prospect, but she’s surprised that Lena’s reaction is far from excited. The fire that had been there previously is extinguished and she looks down as she swallows her food.
“Oh, Kara. We can’t. I mean, I can’t.” She looks up, lips pulled together in resignation. “I don’t have the time. L-Corp is barely holding itself together, I don’t think it can take any more attacks…”
“Lena, that’s the exact reason we need to go! You need a vacation. And besides, it’s just outside of Midvale, we can stay with Eliza.” Kara takes Lena’s hand from across the table.
Lena hesitates, still unsure as to whether or not it’s a good idea, “I know…It’s just…”
“No excuses! Lena, you just spent the past hour telling me the physics behind this ride, do you really think I’m going to deprive you of actually going on it?” Kara raises her eyebrows, her smile slowly growing into a full-blown grin.
Lena ducks her head, laughter escaping her lips as she nods, “Yes, yes. Fine. Let’s do it.”
++++
“Holy. Shit.” Kara gazes up at the roller coaster, adequately named Colossus. It’s huge. And incredibly threatening, even for her.
Lena is a little shocked at the choice of words, “Danvers, wow. I didn’t take you for a swearer.”
“I-I’m not. Not usually.”
Lena smiles and takes Kara around the shoulders, “Buck up, buttercup. You’re going to love it.”
Kara laughs, returning the embrace, yet still taking in the size and scale of the coaster, “I hope so.”
They’re standing in line, along with hundreds of other visitors, a hot afternoon sun shining down on them. They’d already spent the majority of the day on the countless other rides and attractions. It had been full of screaming and laughter, the pair giggling their way through the theme park. Despite the near-sweltering heat, Lena doesn’t remember ever having been so happy. So content. She sneaks glances at Kara every now and then when she thinks she's not looking. She’s beautiful despite the sweaty conditions and lack of a cool breeze. Lena can hardly believe how lucky she is. Not to be here. It's not really about the ride. To be here with Kara. With someone as kind and loving as Kara Danvers.
Kara catches one of Lena’s stares as they’re waiting in line for Colossus, not looking away but maintaining the eye contact and moving closer. Sheis radiating heat, but still Lena allows herself to be pulled into her side, strong arms wrapping around her torso.
She plants a soft kiss on Lena’s temple, “I’m glad we came.”
“Me too,” Lena looks up at Kara, who is smiling down at her.
“Ok, so-“ Kara shifts her gaze to observe their surroundings, still holding Lena “- I spy, with my little eye, something…green.”
About an hour and about 20 rounds of eye-spy later, Kara and Lena finally make their way into one of the cars. Kara pumps the air in anticipation after pulling the shoulder restraints down over herself. Leaning forward, she sneaks a peek over to Lena, who is gripping the handles so hard, her knuckles are turning white. The train lurches forward, beginning its ascent up the first and most formidable hill.
“Are you ready?!” Lena yells.
“Oh Rao, I hope so!” Kara returns.
“What?!”
“I hope so!”
The wind picks up when they near the top, carrying their words from their mouths. Kara feels Lena’s hand on her thigh as the car slowly rolls over the crest of the hill and she squeezes as it drops, her screams mixing with Kara’s laughter.
One minute and 45 seconds later, the train pulls back into the station. Lena’s hand is still gripping Kara’s leg, who is laughing uncontrollably.
“LENA! What?! I can’t believe…Holy crap…WE HAVE TO GO AGAIN!” Kara pushes the restraint up, “I don’t know why I was ever scared, that was WAY better than flying-“
Kara looks over at Lena, her windswept hair a mess, framing a face full of shock.
“Lena, are you ok?”
“Your…Your glasses…You’re…”
Kara’s hands instantly go up to her eyes, only to find them bare of anything resembling the usual black frames. She hadn’t even noticed them coming off. The wind. The speed of the coaster. The loops…
“You’re her,” Lena stammers out.
Not a windblown and giddy Kara,
but a surprised and breathless Supergirl.