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“Checkmate?” Zor-El questioned as he let go of his bishop.
Lena nodded. “Yes, good job, Ukr!”
Zor-El beamed with pride. “This is a fun game. We have some similar strategy games on Krypton I think you would enjoy playing. I hope to show them to you someday.”
“I would like that very much. Meanwhile there are other versions of chess here on Earth from different cultures we can learn to play later if you’re interested.” Lena looked at her watch, the signal watch Kara gave her, then at the front door.
“Inah did not go to work today?”
“No, she took today off to talk to Kelly. She has not been adjusting well, especially at night. Kelly is trained to help others with mental trauma.” Lena explained.
“Kelly is Human Inah’s :zhao ? She’ll be known as Human Inahmin.”
Lena chuckled, but immediately went silent when she heard the key being inserted to the lock of the front door. She stood and watched Kara enter the apartment, looking the complete opposite of her ray of sunshine self.
Kara was biting her bottom lip and reached back slightly as if she were going to fidget with her cape, but she wasn’t in her suit. She looked up, Zor-El and Lena only saw a hollowed Kara standing before them. She felt her hands begin to tremble and tears trickling down her cheeks.
“Ukr, may we borrow your power dampeners?” Lena asked while not looking away from Kara. When she felt Zor-El place the power dampeners in her head, she slowly approached the other woman. “Kara, Darling, I’m going to put the power dampeners on you, okay?”
Unable to speak, Kara nodded. Lena quickly placed the power dampeners on the blonde then wrapped her arms around Kara’s shoulders. Kara pulled Lena tightly against her, completely letting go as she buried her face into Lena’s shoulder and wept. Lena held onto Kara with as much strength she could muster, refusing to break the hug unless Kara pulled away first. Eventually Kara’s legs began to give out, she sank to the floor and brought Lena down onto her lap without breaking their hug.
Out of the corner of her eye, Lena saw Zor-El fidget from where he sat. Lena gently tilted her head to him then to Kara, silently telling him he can and should come over to hug his daughter. Zor-El wrapped an arm around both women and placed his forehead on Kara’s open shoulder.
He began saying a prayer in Kryptonese to help calm Kara down. Lena and Zor-El looked at each other coming to an immediate nonverbal agreement that Lena was primarily the best person to take care of Kara.
“Darling, I would like to draw a bath for you. Light up your favorite scented candles and maybe some music. If you want that of course.” Lena whispered into Kara’s ear.
Kara nodded letting go of Lena and wrapped her arms around her father. Zor-El rubbed her back and started humming Kryptonian lullabies. He didn’t dare sing since he knew he couldn’t carry a proper tune like Alura could, but he knew Kara sought comfort in the lullabies even before they sent her away. He wiped away the tears from Kara’s eyes and sadly smiled as a much younger Kara had flashed before his mind’s eye holding onto him, finding some sort of protection in her father’s arms.
Lena had returned, coaxing Kara away from Zor-El and guided her to the bathroom. Zor-El sat back where he was previously sitting to reflect on everything the past week. He still couldn’t believe he had finally escaped the Phantom Zone a week ago with the help of his daughter and her friends. The elder Kryptonian had also been having trouble sleeping, but so far his nightmares were immediately overwhelmed with the desire to make sure Kara was alright. He had gotten better at focusing his hearing on Kara’s heartbeat every time he removed the sound dampeners just to listen. Even though she is an adult, Kara will always be his little girl who he had failed and vowed to never repeat those mistakes again.
“Ukr?” Lena knelt in front of Zor-El and gently pried his hands open to remove the now crumbled chess pieces.
“Oh! I’m sorry… I didn’t know I had those in my hands.”
“It’s okay. You look like you can use a hug.”
“I won’t object to a hug.”
Both brunettes stood and wrapped their arms around the other. Lena tucked her head under Zor-El’s chin as she squeezed his midsection as tight as she could. Zor-El slowly tightened his grip until Lena groaned and immediately loosened just enough to still hold her tightly.
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“ No, Inahmin. Not tonight. ”
“Okay.”
They let go and went back to where they sat prior to Kara coming home. Zor-El looked guilty at the broken white queen and white knight that were placed on the coffee table. He watched Lena as she made several phone calls then moved about the apartment with such purpose and grace, Zor-El chuckled thinking Lena was using magic and parts of the apartment was doing her bidding.
“What?” Lena asked with a smile on her face, having heard Zor-El’s chuckle.
“Just thinking of that film you and Inah had on the other night. The one with the little girl who loves to read and could make inanimate objects move. I thought of you and having that ability with how you moved around here just now.”
Lena smiled at the thought. “Well, if I did have that power, my life could be made a little more efficient. Alas, no magical powers.”
They heard the bathroom door open and watched Kara move to the bedroom wrapped only in a towel. Lena passed the TV remote to Zor-El so he could pick the movie tonight before disappearing behind the paper screen to the bedroom. Even with the sound dampeners, Zor-El could still faintly hear Lena from where he sat. When he realized she was speaking in Kryptonese, he turned his full attention to the TV, scrolling through the movie section of his daughter’s streaming service. By the time he picked the movie, both Kara and Lena had returned to the living room.
Kara trudged towards the couch wrapped in a blanket and plopped herself down dramatically. Lena went to the kitchen to make some tea for herself and Zor-El and hot chocolate for Kara. Zor-El pressed play once the mugs were placed on the coffee table and Lena had settled on the couch with Kara lying on top of her.
As the film played, Zor-El kept stealing glances towards the couch. While Lena was watching the film, she would occasionally look down to Kara and whisper something only Kara could hear. She alternated between running her hand up and down or rubbing circles along the other woman’s back.
“Inahmin?”
“Hmm?”
“What is this word they keep saying? ‘Patzer’, what’s a ‘patzer’?” Zor-El paused the movie so they wouldn’t miss anything.
“It’s an insult. They’re saying their opponent is a little to no skill chess player.” Lena explained.
Zor-El frowned. “That’s not nice. They’re children. Why are the parents so mean?”
“Surely there are parents who acted like that on Krypton?” Lena questioned.
Kara groaned and nuzzled Lena’s neck. “Their insults would never be about the individual. They would insult the individual’s family or guild for producing someone they viewed to be inept.” Kara explained.
“Now that’s rude. That’s no better than how people treated me for being a Luthor or saying you’re nothing more than a Super.” Lena gave Kara a squeeze. “But then again during the Cold War it was a huge deal for countries to beat Kaznia and Russia at all costs, especially America.”
“English is such a confusing language.” Zor-El finally commented, causing Lena and Kara to chuckle.
“If it makes you feel better, Ukr, native English speakers find it confusing too. It doesn’t help that it uses words and phrases from other languages on Earth as well.” Lena answered.
Just as Zor-El was about to press play, a knock was heard at the door. The brunettes looked towards the door then to each other.
“ Want to practice your x-ray vision and see who is at the door? ”
Zor-El nodded and lowered his glasses like he had seen his daughter do throughout the week. “Three males and one female, all carrying food.”
Lena looked down at Kara. “ Darling, dinner is here. I need to get up to pay for our food. ”
“ No. ” Kara protested and held Lena a little tighter. “ I’m comfortable. ”
She playfully rolled her eyes. “ Incorrigible. Ukr, could you sign on my behalf? I’m currently being held hostage. Tip them whatever the price of the food was. ”
While Zor-El went to take care of their food, Lena returned to attempting to convince Kara to let her go. “ Darling, c’mon. I bought your favorite comfort foods, pizza, sticky buns from Noonan’s, donuts…”
“ But I’m comfortable! ” Kara playfully whined.
“And I’m hungry. My, have the roles reversed. Usually you’re the one getting me to eat.” Lena combed her fingers through Kara’s hair. “If you’re not hungry now, you can lie here for as long as you want and join Ukr and I whenever you’re ready. The food will be there.”
Kara nuzzled Lena’s neck and squeezed her one last time before rolling over so Lena could get up. She folded her arms to use as a pillow. The Kryptonian smiled when she felt Lena’s hair tickle her cheek when Lena leaned over the couch’s arm to hover her lips over Kara’s ear.
“I also ordered five extra large containers of potstickers specifically for you.” Lena whispered.
“Ugh!” Kara rolled onto her back to stare up at Lena, whose hair was acting as a curtain for them. “You’re cruel. Your Luthor genes are shining through again.”
Lena giggled as she began to pull away, but was stopped by Kara who grabbed her wrists.
“Hey… you’re my favorite. You know that, right?”
“Yes. And you’re mine.” Lena brushed some of Kara’s hair out of her face. “Join us whenever you’re ready.”
Kara let go and closed her eyes to take a deep breath to recenter herself. She had so badly wanted to kiss Lena just now, but she wasn’t ready to deal with that feeling presently. It’s already been a week since she’s been back and Lena didn’t give the impression that she would be leaving Kara’s apartment any time soon. Kara wasn’t in a rush to kick her out either. She has enjoyed having her here and even hoped Lena would stay after her father eventually goes to Argo City.
As Lena was explaining the different types of pizza she had ordered to Zor-El, Kara reached for her phone. While talking to Kelly had helped professionally with what she has been dealing with, she needed someone she could trust one hundred percent on a personal level. Her person before Lena.
Kara:
I really need my big sister =’( </3 =’(
Sisters Day tomorrow?
I’ve really missed you. Just seeing you on Monday and in passing isn’t enough.
Alex:
I’ll bring breakfast
You know I’ll always be there for you
I’ve really missed you too. Love you <3
Kara:
Love you too <3
With that, Kara placed her phone on the coffee table and made her way to the kitchen island where dinner was laid out. Lena had indeed gotten all of Kara’s favorites that could be bought. Kara stepped up to Lena from behind and wrapped her arms around the smaller woman and held her. She placed her chin on top of Lena’s shoulder as they watched Zor-El try a slice of each of the various pizzas.
She felt Lena squeeze her arm. Lena was her and with her now. She’ll keep whatever is going on between them going as long as she doesn't lose the other woman again. Especially since they just got each other back. Both Kara and Lena laughed at Zor-El’s expression to the Hawaiian pizza.
“What is wrong with humans? Who thought this weird fruit belonged on a pizza?” Zor-El objected.
“Well, Kara eats almost everything so no worries about it going to waste. I’m not a fan of that pizza either.” Lena explained. “Darling, I know I said the potstickers were for you, but would you be okay with giving up one for Ukr to try?”
“Wait, what?” Kara let go of Lena in shock. “How has Ukr not tried potstickers yet? We need to remedy this stat! This is inconceivable!”
/------/
“Lena, up top!” Alex projected as she entered Kara’s apartment.
The younger brunette furrowed as Alex smacked her hand from the high-five. Lena was in the kitchen making coffee for Alex and hot chocolate for Kara while she waited for Zor-El to finish getting ready.
“Okay, Luthor, you’ve been tagged out and I’m tagged in. Now where is our personified golden retriever?” Alex asked.
“Bundled in a blanket burrito under the nest of more blankets on the couch.” Lena pointed. “Watching that horrid Arthurian show.”
Kara lifted her head out from her blanket nest. “You just don’t like it because one of the leading actresses looks like you.”
“Well that doesn’t help considering who she plays on the show. She’s the King’s bastard daughter, who is considered the evil one while her half-brother is rejoiced. I don’t particularly like seeing parts of my life reflected in art.” Lena set the two mugs on the coffee table. “But I know you enjoy it so I won’t trash talk it further.”
“At least through her I’ll know what you sound like with a full Irish accent instead of the occasional slip.” Kara laughed when Lena playfully tossed a blanket over her face. She gave Lena’s hand a squeeze before allowing Lena’s hand to slip out as she retreated from the couch.
“I brought some breakfast for you and Zor-El too, if you haven’t eaten.” Alex held out a box of bagels for Lena.
“Thank you for the thought. Ukr wanted to go to Noonan’s for our breakfast so you and Kara could have more time together. If Kara doesn’t eat it, Ukr and I will.” Lena looked back towards Kara with worry. “Her appetite has been fluctuating. She ate the potstickers last night, but that was it. We still have Hawaiian pizza in the fridge because Ukr dislikes it and I don’t have the metabolism for a large pizza.”
“Tracking. She was like this when she first arrived on Earth, but she’s not alone this time. I’m not that self-absorbed teenager anymore and she’s got a whole chosen family here for her too.” Alex and Lena shared a look of understanding from their conversation earlier in the week. Kara has her two persons.
Zor-El walked out from the bathroom while fidgeting with the hem of his sweater vest. He was wearing an outfit similar to what he wore when he visited Catco, but with jeans instead of slacks.
“Is what I’m wearing too formal? Should I wear something similar to you, Inahmin?”
Lena was dressed down very casually, that would be considered unfit for a Luthor. She was wearing non-designer jeans and Kara’s NCU sweater. The former CEO had also forgo wearing her contact lenses today and was wearing her glasses.
“Well, I’m dressed for comfort and also taking a page out of Kara and Clark’s book.”
Kara poked her head up again like a meerkat when she heard her name. “What did Clark and I do? Oh, Clark is Kal-El, Ukr.”
“While we were in the middle of our… falling out last year… I might have had a lot of time to reflect on how a simple pair of glasses could have fooled me.” Lena looked down to her fidgeting fingers. “It wasn’t just because of a pair of glasses. There was Kara Danvers and then there was Supergirl. Two different personalities. And if we live in a world where aliens live on Earth and a girl can fly, why couldn’t someone, who doesn’t know, believe Kara Danvers and Supergirl were different people?
“The world already has its perception of Lena Luthor. No one would expect me to wear non-designer clothes or outside of a suit, and wear glasses. They wouldn’t expect me to walk around National City or take public transportation.”
“Do you even know how to use public transportation?” Alex jibbed, earning an elbow to the ribs from Lena.
“Anyways, Ukr… are you comfortable in what you’re wearing?” Lena asked.
Zor-El nodded. “I like it as well.”
“Then that’s all that really matters.” Lena walked over and adjusted Zor-El’s tie that was a little off center. “Ready to go?”
“Yes. One second though.” Zor-El walked over to the couch and knelt so he wasn’t standing over Kara. “ Are you sure you’re okay? ”
“ Yes, Ukr. I just need time with my sister. ”
“ Okay. ” Zor-El leaned in and kissed Kara’s forehead. “ Ukiemodh w rrip eh, Inah .”
“ Ukiemodh w rrup eh, Ukr. ”
“Right! Have fun you two! Just not too much fun that it ends up on the news or something.” Alex saw them out of the apartment so Sisters’ Day could start. “I’ll text you if we need anything when you’re on your way back later. See ya!”
“If I didn’t know better I’d say Human Inah couldn't wait to get us out of the apartment.” Zor-El commented while he and Lena were walking to the trolley station to go into downtown National City.
“Alex has been a little on edge this week. She is so used to being Kara’s primary person who would look after her and be there for her, but… that has fallen to me now. So she’s adjusting to it.” Lena explained.
“I think I understand… That’s how I felt with Jor-El for the longest time, he’s my brother and I always wanted to be there for him. Before he met Lara, he always came to me first to share his scientific endeavors or his concerns and then I wasn’t anymore, Lara was the one he went to about all that. I was on edge for the longest time because I felt like I was losing my brother.”
“He found his person.” Lena stated quietly.
Zor-El turned to Lena confused. “I’m starting to think I don’t fully understand the meaning of that phrase… What does it mean to be one’s person?”
“It’s a phrase made popular from a medical drama show. It’s someone who is your… everything and they don’t have to be a romantic partner. They’re the one you go to for the good and the bad because they want you to be the best version of yourself you can be. They’re your biggest supporter and your biggest critic if they firmly believe if they think what you’re doing is the dumbest thing in the universe. But no matter what, they’ll always love you, even when you don’t believe you deserve their love, but they still love you.
“They still love you even when you hurt them. But if you hurt them so much and take their love for granted… you could lose them too. Losing them then causes you to lose yourself in the process. You don’t know how to fully live without them in your life.”
Lena jumped slightly when Zor-El held her hand to comfort her. He reached out to wipe away the tears that were about to roll down her cheeks.
“Inah… she is your person?”
“Yes.” Lena nodded. “She’s my person. And I’ll never take that for granted ever again.”
/------/
After they ate breakfast at Noonan’s, Zor-El had wanted to learn more about Earth instead of just walking around the city his daughter called home. Lena chose to take him to the National City Natural History Museum so he could learn more about the evolution of the planet. They were currently sitting in the gems and minerals exhibit. Lena had a book open while she wanted for Zor-El to let her know when he was ready to move on to the next exhibit, but he currently looked deep in thought and she didn’t want to disturb him.
“I’m scared.” Zor-El finally spoke. He was still looking at the display of geodes.
Lena put down her book immediately to give him her full attention. “Why are you scared? What is making you scared?”
“Earlier you said Inah was your person. Lara was Jor-El’s. I firmly believe Alura is mine. We don’t normally experience these emotions, we don’t normally feel emotions at all. We are to be neutral and pragmatic with all of our choices. It’s said in our teachings to have these feelings for our partners and family is not common. We have the Matrix to pair us with the most compatible person regardless of gender. Not all partners love each other and are married out of duty based on the Matrix. Not all pairs have their children the uh… natural way because they don’t love each other.
“I love Alura. Inah does come from a place of love.” Zor-El blushed, fully aware of what he had just told Lena, but he needed her to know how he was feeling. “Even though we were paired by the Matrix, I love Alura with all my being. Everything you described of Inah being your person is Alura for me. And because she is my person, I’m scared. I’m scared that I failed her. I failed her, Inah, my brother, and his family. I don’t know if I can handle her looking at me and only seeing me for all my failures.”
“I absolutely understand what you’re feeling.” Lena removed her glasses and folded them before placing them on top of her book. “Things haven’t always been easy for Kara and I. When we first met, I was closed off. I was hurt by the person who I thought was my person and would always be there for me in the darkest times. I came to National City to separate myself from my family, that I’m not just another Luthor, but the world wasn’t going to let me forget where I came from. Kara was the only one who saw me for me. She gave me the benefit of the doubt and I opened myself up to her, which I never had with anyone else. But then I found out her heritage from my brother and he only told me to hurt me the deepest way possible.”
She looked up to the ceiling to keep her tears from falling as she recounted her actions. “I was blinded by the pain and anger that I held that against Kara for nearly a year. I took Kara’s fear of losing me and used it against her to hurt her so she could feel the pain I felt. And because of my choices I almost lost her. When I finally let go of my hubris and went back to Kara, I was so terrified. And I’ve had numerous assassination attempts against me and they were nothing compared to walking into the apartment to ask for her forgiveness. I… I don’t know what I would have done if I had lost her. She’s my whole world.”
Both brunettes let out a deep breath to recompose themselves and to hold their tears at bay. Zor-El cleared his throat and stood up. “It’s uh… it’s getting a little warm in here and I think I’m done with the museum today. Can we leave, if that’s okay with you?”
“Of course.” Lena packed her things away and put on her glasses again. Seeing Zor-El zoning out, she reached out and held his hand as they left the museum. She didn’t let go as they walked down the street.
As they walked, Zor-El had noticed people giving them a funny look which only confused him. He didn’t think much of it until he and Lena were waiting for the light to change at the crosswalk. A couple of women near them were whispering to each other. If he was human he wouldn’t have been able to hear them or if he had won the sound dampeners. But Kara was currently using them back at the apartment.
“Girls these days. They should be ashamed of themselves having Sugar Daddies instead of getting a job or being with a man who isn’t old enough to be her father.”
“Tramp.” The other whispered.
“ Ukr, what’s wrong ?” Lena asked, seeing Zor-El upset.
“ What are… ‘Sugar Daddies’?”
Lena’s eyes widened. “ Where did you hear that? ”
Zor-El looked pointedly towards the women near them. “ They said you shouldn’t be with a man old enough to be your father. One called you a… ‘Tramp’.”
He felt Lena grip on his hand tighten as her eyes narrowed and cheeks flushed with anger. She gave his hand one last squeeze before letting go of his hand and approached the two women.
“Mind your own goddamn business!”
The two women were flabbergasted at Lena’s approach. “Excuse you!” One of the women exclaimed. They didn’t have a chance to continue as Lena raised her voice over them.
“Who the hell do you think you are to go around and talk about other people and their family? For your information, he is my father-in-law visiting National City. He’s not from America and if you weren’t ignorant it’s not unusual in other cultures for adult family members to hold hands in public. Take your sorry arse of an excuse and go jump in a lake, you twats!”
Lena turned and grabbed Zor-El’s hand again and began walking across the street when the light turned just as they approached it. Zor-El stayed quiet as Lena kept walking and pulled him along. She stopped walking when they came in front of a sushi bar with a converter belt. Not expecting to come to a stop, Zor-El accidentally bumped into Lena.
“Are you hungry?” She asked.
Before he could answer, his stomach grumbled. “Yes…”
“I can tell.” Lena said through her laughter. “C’mon let’s have you try sushi. If you don’t like it, they serve other foods too.”
Once they were seated at a booth, Lena grabbed an array of plates including one with gyoza. Zor-El was looking at the menu to read what was in the sushi Lena had selected. Lena stared into her mug of green tea, reflecting on what had played out with those two women and what she had called the man in front of her for the first time in English.
“I’m sorry.” Lena apologized.
Zor-El looked up from the menu confused. “What are you sorry for, Inahmin?”
“For the way I acted back there with those women.”
He set the menu down and looked at Lena. “What they said… was rude?”
“Yes. They made terrible assumptions about our relationship. Judging us based on appearance and their own ignorance. In America, it’s not common for people to hold hands who are not in a romantic relationship. But in other cultures outside of America, it’s common.”
“Then you have nothing to be sorry for.” Zor-El grabbed the plate of gyoza. “Isn’t this the thing Inah was upset about? The one I didn’t like last night.”
Lena shook her head, surprised how nonchalant Zor-El was over what had transpired. “Uh, yes and no. Last night you had steamed potstickers, those are fried. I think it was the texture that you didn’t like.”
Zor-El slowly ate one. His eyes lit up and he quickly finished the plate. “Now I understand why Inah likes this so much! It’s delicious!”
The younger brunette giggled and began to eat one of the plates. They ate in silence and continued stacking their various colored plates. Zor-El ate mostly gyoza. While they waited for the check, they were both deep in thought as they sipped their tea.
“Inah has forgiven you and she is so proud of you.” Zor-El broke the silence. “She talked mainly about you and Human Inah. The way she looked at you, was how Alura looked when she was proud of something either Inah or I had accomplished. If that’s not love, I don’t know what it is then.”
Lena let out a deep breath taking in what Zor-El had told her. “If Alura is anything like Kara, she will forgive you.” She looked up so Zor-El could see how sincere she was with her statement. “She probably already has forgiven you even though she doesn’t know you’re alive. And when she sees you for the first time, she’ll be so happy and terrified. Terrified that it’s a cruel dream to give her false hope, but it’s real. She’ll be so happy to know that her love was alive all this time.”
They didn’t speak again when they left the restaurant. Now not caring what people thought, Zor-El continued to hold Lena’s hand as they walked down the street. She was his Inahmin and he already loved her as much as he loved his own daughter. They had only known each other for a week and he was still very proud to call her his Inahmin. He couldn’t think of anyone more suited to be with his daughter.
He stopped abruptly when something in the window of a store they were passing caught his eye. “Inahmin.”
“Hmm?”
Zor-El pointed towards the shirt in the window display. Lena followed and shook her head as she smiled.
“You really want that shirt?”
“Yes, I’ll wear it proudly and only you, Inah, and the Superfriends would understand how true it is. It’s my shirt! I also want to find the one that would be Alura’s too.”
“Alright, let’s get you your shirt and Yeyu’s.”
/------/
“This was not fair. I finally got my perfect partner for a game night, on her birthday no less, and I didn’t get to pair up with her!” Kara pouted on the couch with Alex.
Lena was currently seeing the other Superfriends out the door and there were some more birthday wishes. Kelly was talking to Zor-El as they cleaned.
“C’mon, Kar. It was Ukr’s first game night, it’s only fair he got to pick his partner.” Alex half attempted to be the voice of reason.
“But she’s my partner!” Kara continued to playfully whine.
“I swear sometimes you’re still a child.” Alex mumbled before taking a swig of her beer. “There will be other game nights that you can pair up with Lena. Besides, didn't you just spend the whole day together in Ireland for her birthday?”
“Well yeah…”
“And she let you fly there and back carrying her?”
“Yes…”
“And whose bed is she going to be in tonight?”
“Ours.”
Alex’s eyes widened at that answer. “Wow, okay! That’s new. So it’s not just yours anymore. It’s yours and hers. When did this develop?”
Kara furrowed her brows. “What are you talking about? It’s been ours since I got back. She claimed part ownership of it when you gave her a copy of my key and she has been living here ever since.”
“As if you would ever kick her out.”
“You know I wouldn’t.”
“Yeah, I’m well aware of that. How was Ireland by the way?”
The blonde looked towards Lena as she hugged Nia and Brainy before they parted. “That’s a conversation for Sisters’ Night.”
“Now I’m a little worried. What’s the short version and should I be worried about something?” Alex finished the last of her beer and sat at attention.
“Lena’s mom was well loved in the village where Lena was born and Lena is the spitting image of her mom. The tavern owner is Lena’s honorary aunt and gave Lena that picture of her as a baby and her mom.”
The Danvers sisters looked over to where photos were displayed in the apartment. Along with the new addition of baby Lena and her mom, there was a photo of Zor-El and Lena in the “Super” pose. Lena in her Supergirl shirt, which is now one of many thanks to Alex’s birthday gift to her, and Zor-El proudly wearing a shirt that held the House of El crest, but also had ‘Dad’ boldly offset from the crest. A “Super Dad” shirt.
“Also can you look into a guy for me?” Kara asked.
“Guy? What guy? What did he do to you and Lena? I swear-”
“Calm down, Alex. I’ll send you his name later tonight. He was Lena’s fencing instructor. He seems like a good guy, but something didn’t sit right with me. Like dark magic unsettling. Like what was going on with Sam after we found out she had Reign inside her kind of dark magic.”
“Think he’s another hidden Kryptonian?”
“No. At least I hope not. Lena already knows I’m asking you to look into him. She was also getting a strange vibe from him, but she’s trying to give him the benefit of the doubt because he was a mentor of hers at one point. Oh, and he gave her a sword.”
Alex shrugged. “He was her fencing instructor. Swords sound like his kind of thing.”
“But it wasn’t a fencing sword. It was a sword you immediately picture in your head when you hear the word ‘sword’. And get this…” Kara chuckled at what she was about to tell Alex. “He said it was called ‘Excalibur’, like from ‘The Sword in the Stone’ and ‘Merlin’.”
“And where is this sword? We definitely didn’t see either of you carrying it into the apartment.”
“It’s in the Fortress’s armory. Lena wanted it kept there for safe keeping as per her instructor’s request. ‘Keep it somewhere safe’.”
“Yeah… this guy is sounding more sus the more you keep talking about him.” Alex looked towards Kelly and saw the other woman patiently waiting for her to finish her conversation with her sister. “And now that is my cue to bid you adieu.”
The Danvers sisters stood and tightly embraced one another. “I’ll let you know as soon as I find anything on this guy. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
As Alex went to wish Lena ‘Happy Birthday’ one more time, Kara walked over to her father. Zor-El was fumbling with a small wrapped box in his hand. He was the only one who had yet to give his gift for Lena. He didn’t want her to open his gift in front of everyone because it was personal and he was nervous if Lena would like it. Kara knew what Zor-El’s gift was as she had helped him acquire the materials.
“Hey… she’s going to love it. She’s especially going to love it because you made it with her in mind. ” Kara tried to reassure her father.
“ I’m worried it’s not perfect. ”
“ It doesn’t have to be perfect. It’s from the heart. ” She watched as Lena had shut the door and put the locks in place. “I’m gonna take a shower.” Kara announced.
Zor-El looked at Kara in horror being left alone with Lena and her gift. He tried to plead with her with his eyes which she intentionally ignored.
“Ukr?” Lena questioned.
“I’m sorry.” Zor-El immediately apologized as he turned to the younger brunette. “I’m sorry I didn’t give you your gift with the others. We don’t really celebrate birthdays on Krypton and I was worried my gift wouldn’t be worthy.” With that Zor-El handed the gift to Lena. “Golly! I probably should have just given it to you with the others.”
“Ukr, breath. It’s alright. Gifts aren’t about if it’s worthy or not. It’s the thought that counts and you obviously wanted to give it in private. That’s perfectly okay.” Lena gently opened the gift and her jaw dropped.
“Is that a good expression or a bad one?”
“Good! It’s a good expression.” Lena reassured him. She took out the two chess pieces from the box. It was a queen and a knight.
“I still feel really bad for breaking your chess pieces last month. One day when my skills are better, I will make you a complete chess set. But for now I made you replacements for your white queen and white knight. They are made of Nth metal. Inah and I won’t be able to break it with our yellow induced strength.”
Zor-El gasped when Lena hugged him as tight as she could. He carefully wrapped his arms around Lena to return the hug.
“Your gift is perfect. Thank you, Ukr.” Lena mumbled into his chest.
“I’m glad.” He squeezed her a little tighter before pulling back and placing a kiss on her forehead. “( Breithlá Sona ), Inahmin.”
Lena started crying and pulled Zor-El in for another hug. She did not expect him to wish her ‘Happy Birthday’ in Irish Gaelic. This was by far the best birthday ever, celebrated with her found family.
/------/
Zor-El looked up at the stars from the balcony of the Tower. He was taking in as much as he could of Earth before returning to Argo. Lena and Brainy were finalizing the last minute prep work needed to operate the transmatter portal with the additional safety features they had spent the last couple of months building into it. That was the cause of the delay for Zor-El to return to Argo. But he did enjoy the extra time he got to spend on Earth. He got to know his daughter as the woman she had become, met her friends and family, saw her in action as Supergirl, and so much more. All experiences he will cherish and take back with him to Argo. He was able to learn to feel and not be ashamed of them.
“Hey, the transmatter portal is almost ready.” Lena announced as she stood beside him on the balcony.
“Good… Good… That’s good.”
Lena cocked her head to the side. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m scared again. Soon I will see her again. But I’m also scared how the rest of Argo will view me. Jor-El and I have both failed Krypton.” Zor-El confided.
“Isn’t there an entire Science Guild who has failed Krypton? Does the planet’s destruction fall on only you and Jor-El?” Lena questioned.
“The House of El is one of the most prominent Houses on Krypton. At the time of Krypton’s destruction, Jor-El was the head of the Science Guild and I was his second. We knew it was imminent and we didn’t do as much as we could have to attempt to reverse the effects or do more to save as much as we could. Therefore they would blame the House of El for Krypton’s demise.”
Lena placed her hand on top of his forearm. “For the longest time I thought I didn’t deserve my family’s name, but one day Kara said something that had started to make me view things differently. We were dealing with one of my brother’s minions and she said I ‘didn’t deserve the Luthor name’. And Kara came swooping in as Supergirl and told her she was wrong and that the ‘Luthor name didn’t deserve me’.
“When we first met I told her and Kal that I was trying to make a name for myself outside of my family name. Looking back, she was feeling the same way… and together we grew and learned we are more than our family name. I am more than a Luthor. Kara is more than a Super. You are more than the House of El. Yes, Krypton was destroyed, but look at what you also were able to accomplish. You were able to save Argo and what you could to keep Krypton alive as much as possible. And if they can’t see that well…” Lena shrugged and looked to the sky. “Maybe Argo doesn’t deserve the House of El.”
“I wish I could have your optimism, Inahmin. Remember, Kryptonians are not known for outwardly showing emotions. Majority are purely pragmatic.”
“Well they need to learn and adapt or face the consequences of possibly repeating their mistakes again. It’s because the House of El feels is why you tried saving Kara and Kal when you could. Believe me, I know what it’s like boxing one’s feelings away. I can’t go back to doing that. Could you?”
Zor-El slowly shook his head. “No. I can’t even see Inah revert back to that way of living and I can’t ever see Kal that way. Not after the way I saw him with his family. Feelings are messy and complicated.”
“I think that’s called ‘being human’. Kara and Kal might be Kryptonian by blood, but they’re very much human. I think you’ve been humanized since the moment you got here.”
“Even with all my mistakes?”
“Even with all your mistakes. To err is human. C’mon, let’s get you home to Yeyu.”
Zor-El was hugged by every one of the Superfriends including J’onn. The two men had a mutual respect for each other as they were fathers to daughters and extended their fatherly love to the children of the found family formed with the Superfriends. Alex and Kelly received the longest hugs from Zor-El as he gave them whatever fatherly advice he could give to his adopted daughters.
“Human Inah, you and your parents are honorary members to the House of El for everything you have done. You are family. Human Inahmin, I hope one day we can officially add you to our House as well.”
Kelly blushed and held Alex’s hand. “One day, but for now we’re taking it one day at a time.” Alex kissed her on the cheek.
The elder Kryptonian looked around the room until his eyes landed on Lena. They had yet to exchange their farewells to each other. He opened his arms and waited for Lena to be enveloped in his embrace. He held onto her as if he could protect her from the world. “Oh, Inahmin, (you are truly a marvel. I don’t think there is a word in the universe that can describe how magnificent you are. If I am more than the House of El, than by Rao, you are absolutely more than the House of Luthor. I wish you would come with Inah and I.) ”
Lena tucked her head under his chin and held him tighter. “ (You and Kara need this to reconnect as a family. I’m currently needed here. Next time I’ll visit Argo with her.) ”
They pulled away and Zor-El kissed Lena’s forehead. “ Ukiemodh w rrip eh, Inahmin. Khao-shuh. ”
“ Khao-shuh, Ukr. Ukiemodh w rrup eh. ”
Zor-El turned and walked to where Kara was patiently waiting for him. “Not going to say any parting words to Inahmin?” He teased, causing Kara to blush.
“We did that while you were talking to Alex and Kelly.” Kara quickly stole a glance towards Lena. “Ready to see Yeyu again?”
“As ready as I will be. Time to face my fears.”
And fear he didn’t need to bear. It was as Lena predicted, Alura did not look at him as the failure he felt himself to be. She looked at him as if her world was complete and it was. He knew because his world was complete once more and was waiting for it to grow in due time with their family who lived on Earth. When Lena later visited Argo for the first time, he made sure he was the first to greet her.