The brisk November air nipped at your face as you sat slumped against the side of a towering building, your book resting precariously on your lap. You had spent most of the day enjoying the unusual stillness of the city. Thanksgiving was like a cheat code for solitude in Metropolis. No crowds, no noise—just you, the occasional bird, and the distant hum of traffic.
At some point, though, the stillness lulled you to sleep.
A soft voice stirred you, followed by the sensation of someone gently shaking your shoulder. Blinking awake, you were met with the sharp green gaze of a woman standing over you. Her black hair framed her face , but there was something distinctly elegant—and faintly intimidating.
She looked down at you, a mix of concern and hesitation in her expression. Beautiful, you thought absently, still groggy. *Too beautiful. Did I die?*
Stretching with a groan, you winced at the stiffness in your back. “Did you say something earlier?” you asked, your voice still raspy from sleep.
“I did,” she replied. Her eyes scanned your face, then flicked to the rest of you with a discerning intensity that made you feel as if you were being judged. “I was just wondering if you were doing okay. It’s cold out, and… well, I thought you might need some help. I could take you to a shelter if you’d like.”
You blinked at her. “A shelter?”
Her gaze darted to your hat on the ground, where a few crumpled bills and scattered coins had apparently collected. Then her eyes trailed back to your dirt-dusted clothes, her lips tightening slightly.
Lena Luthor wasn’t one to jump to conclusions without reason. But here you were, dressed down in a way that suggested a lack of care—or resources—and sound asleep on a cold concrete wall with spare change in your cap. *She doesn’t look that bad off…maybe she recently ended up this way.*
She folded her arms, hesitating. “Yes. It’s Thanksgiving. Shelters often serve warm meals today.”
It took you a second to process her words. Then you glanced at your hat and the money, then at yourself, realizing with growing amusement how this must have looked. Dusting off your jacket, you chuckled—a warm, unbothered sound that drew her gaze.
“You think I’m homeless.” you said with a smirk.
Lena’s eyes widened slightly. “What? No—I mean, yes—but…” Her cheeks flushed a faint pink, and she cleared her throat, visibly scrambling to regain her composure. “I just assumed because—well, the money, and you were asleep here, and—”
“Relax,” you said, waving a hand to cut her off, your grin widening. “If I saw myself like this, I’d probably think the same thing. Wind must’ve kicked up some dirt while I was out.”
Her brows furrowed, embarrassment clear in her face. “I didn’t mean to offend you. I just—”
You held up a hand. “Seriously, don’t worry about it. I’m not offended. It’s kind of sweet, actually. You were concerned enough to stop. Most people would’ve just kept walking.”
That seemed to ease her discomfort, though a hint of redness still lingered on her cheeks.
“Lena Luthor,” she said, extending a hand, her voice still carrying an edge of awkward apology.
You took her hand and shook it firmly, your grin turning mischievous telling her your name and your job. “Professional napper, and definite owner of an apartment.”
Her lips twitched, a reluctant smile forming. “Oh really?”
“I’ve got all the essentials. A bed, a kitchen, and a Netflix and Disney subscription. The pinnacle of modern luxury.”
That earned you a soft laugh. Her shoulders relaxed a little more. “what else could anyone need?”
Smiling, you leaned lazily against the cold stone of the building, your eyes sparkling with amusement. “Right?” you said, laughing lightly. “But now… I have a very interesting question.”
Lena arched a perfectly shaped brow, the corner of her lips tugging upward. “And hopefully I’ll have an interesting answer.”
You chuckled at that. Quick on her feet. I like her already. “It’s Thanksgiving, but you’re out here. Why? You seem like someone very successful. Shouldn’t you be at a glamorous family dinner or something?”
Lena chuckled softly, tucking a stray strand of black hair behind her ear. “Well, yes, I’m successful, but that doesn’t mean I have plans.”
You tilted your head, mock-serious. “No plans? Let me guess—your boyfriend ditched you for his friends? Or—wait, don’t tell me—your future in-laws can’t stand you.”
She smirked, folding her arms as she studied you. “Do I look like the kind of person whose in-laws would hate them?”
“Oh, absolutely,” you said without missing a beat, grinning as her smirk widened. “A powerful, rich, and beautiful woman like you? They definitely hate you. Your mother-in-law can’t stand that you don’t baby her son.”
Lena tilted her head, her expression now fully amused. “And my father-in-law?”
“Hates that you make more money than your partner. And then there’s the sibling—probably a sister—jealous of your looks, obviously.”
That earned you a genuine laugh, warm and melodic. She shook her head, clearly entertained. “You’ve got them down to a T,” she teased.
“Really?”
“No!” she said, laughing harder this time. “First of all, I would never date a man I’d have to treat like a child. And second, I’m not dating anyone.”
Your grin widened at the casual admission. No boyfriend, huh? Interesting. “Well, I’m glad you’ve dodged the man-child bullet,” you said lightly. “You deserve so much better than that.”
Lena’s laughter softened, and she gave a small shrug. “I’d like to think so. But, interestingly enough, I’ve had that experience before… more than once, actually.”
“Well, there’s your problem,” you said, leaning forward slightly, your voice brimming with playful confidence.
Her brow lifted again. “Oh? And what’s the problem?”
“You’ve been dating the wrong people. Obviously, you haven’t gone out with someone as amazing as me.”
Lena snorted at that, the uncharacteristic sound slipping out before she could catch herself. She quickly covered her mouth with her hand . “Really? You’re telling me I should’ve been looking for someone who naps outside and collects loose change in their hat?”
“Exactly,” you said, undeterred, flashing her a charming grin. “I’m the total package. Apartment? Check. Netflix subscription? Check. And don’t forget Disney+. I’m practically a catch.”
Her laughter bubbled up again, her cheeks flushing slightly as she shook her head in disbelief. “Wherever would I find someone so accomplished?”
“Apparently?” you said with a shrug. “Right outside your own building.”
“And on the ground,” she added, her lips twitching as she fought to keep a straight face.
“Exactly. But hey, look on the bright side.”
“And what’s the bright side?”
“You’ve already seen me at my worst—dirty, disheveled, half-asleep on the pavement.” You leaned closer, lowering your voice conspiratorially. “I can only get better from here.”
Lena’s laughter broke free again, her head tilting back slightly as the sound echoed in the quiet street. As her laughter subsided, she gave you a once-over, her lips quirking upward in a wry smile. “You’ve got confidence, I’ll give you that.”
“I prefer to think of it as an abundance of self-awareness,” you shot back smoothly, watching as her amusement lingered, her green eyes glinting with intrigue.
This one’s trouble, she thought. The entertaining kind of trouble.
Lena laughed at your comment. There was something about your optimistic, devil-may-care attitude that was oddly refreshing. He’s definitely not boring, I’ll give him that. “You have a point there,” she said, shaking her head with an amused smile.
Grinning, you straightened up and brushed the last bit of dirt from your coat. “Now, how about I clean up a bit, and we hit a bar to spend Thanksgiving together?”
She arched an eyebrow, her lips quirking upward. “Thanksgiving? At a bar? Isn’t that a little… sad and pathetic?”
“It’s only sad and pathetic if you go alone,” you quipped, flashing her a wink. “We’d be going together. Big difference.”
Lena chuckled, folding her arms as she leaned in slightly, her green eyes sparkling with intrigue. “So, let me get this straight—we’ll go and be sad and pathetic together?”
“Now you’re getting it.” You smirked, letting your voice drop to a playful lilt. “Think of it as the start of a fun little tradition—Thanksgiving bar-hopping. Could even call it a date.”
She blinked at you, startled for a moment before a laugh bubbled out. “A tradition? A date?”
“That’s right,” you said with an easy shrug, your grin growing wider.
Lena tilted her head, her expression shifting to one of mock seriousness. “And what makes you think I’d want to spend the rest of this evening with you, much less future Thanksgivings?”
“For one…” You gestured between the two of you, your tone smug. “You’re still here, talking to me.”
A faint blush crept into her cheeks, though she quickly masked it with an arched brow. “That doesn’t mean anything.”
“Oh, it means plenty,” you countered with a knowing grin. “It means you find me interesting enough to stick around. And this is just us casually chatting. Imagine how you’ll feel once I really start turning on the charm.”
Her lips twitched, but she fought back the full smile threatening to form. “Is that so?”
“Absolutely,” you said confidently, leaning in just enough to meet her gaze. “Once I start flirting for real, you’ll want to see me every day. Guaranteed.”
Lena couldn’t help but smirk at your audacity. You were incorrigible—and far too sure of yourself. But there’s something about that confidence… something intriguing. “You’re talking a big game,” she said, her tone light and teasing. “But can you back it up? For all I know, you’re just a big bluffer.”
“Of course I can back it up,” you replied, your grin turning mischievous. “How about we make it interesting? A little wager.”
She raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued despite herself. A wager? This should be good. “A wager, huh What kind?”
“We’ll go have a drink,” you said, your grin widening as you leaned slightly toward her, “and I bet that by the time I finish my second shot with you, you’ll be completely in love with me.”
Lena paused mid-step, turning her head to look at you with a raised eyebrow and a soft laugh. “In love with you?” she repeated, her voice laced with equal parts skepticism and amusement.
“That’s right.” You shrugged as if the outcome were inevitable. “Two drinks. That’s all it’ll take.”
She studied you for a moment, her green eyes narrowing slightly in playful suspicion. Bold doesn’t even begin to describe him. Either she’s delusional or incredibly cocky…probably both. “Alright,” she said finally, a smirk tugging at her lips. “And what if you lose?”
“If I lose,” you began, dramatically placing a hand over your heart, “you get to decide. You can banish me from your life forever—never see me again—or…” You paused, tilting your head as if deep in thought. “Well, honestly, I can’t think of anything else. Let’s just go with that.”
Lena chuckled, shaking her head at your theatrics. “You’re terrible at negotiating, you know that?”
“It’s part of my charm” you shot back with a wink.
Her laughter bubbled up again, and she nodded. “Very well. I’ll accept your wager.”
You grinned, slipping off your jacket in a sweeping motion and holding out your arm with exaggerated flair. “Excellent. Shall we?”
Lena hesitated for only a second before slipping her hand into the crook of your arm. The warmth of her touch was a pleasant surprise, and you couldn’t resist glancing down at her with a smile as the two of you began walking.
After a few steps, you broke the silence with a chuckle. “Have I mentioned that I don’t drink?”
Her head snapped up toward you, her expression one of genuine surprise. “Really?” She couldn’t help but think you had tricked her into something and if that meant you were a liar…
“Oh, yeah,” you said, your tone utterly deadpan. “I’m going cold turkey.”
“Since when?” she asked, her brow furrowing slightly.
You grinned wickedly. “Since about the time you agreed to the wager.”
She stared at you for a beat before bursting into laughter, playfully swatting your shoulder. “You’re impossible,” she said, shaking her head, though the amusement in her voice was unmistakable. She couldn’t help but feel a little relived that you were just a jokester.
“You’re right,” you replied, your grin never faltering. “Impossible to resist.”
Lena rolled her eyes, though the smile playing on her lips betrayed her amusement. “I can already tell you’re going to be a handful,” she said, her tone half-exasperated, half-entertained.
“Two handfuls if you’re lucky,” you quipped, glancing down at her with a cheeky grin.
She let out a soft snort, her fingers tightening just slightly around your arm as she walked with you. She’s ridiculous, but… oddly charming.
Lena wasn’t sure where the rest of the night would lead but one thing was for certain, you were nothing like anyone she had met before.