Chapter Text
True Colours
Earth-38 (Arrowverse)
The journalist had a mouthful of cupcake number seven when her ears picked up something. “Smmrry,” she mumbled. “Doochy cawwls”. Taking a swallow, she got to her feet and removed her glasses.
The CEO on the opposite sofa sighed. Another lunchbreak interrupted. “Be ca… wait, what is that?”
Kara Zor-El — AKA Kara Danvers — paused upon ripping open her shirt. “What’s wha… “ Looking down, she realised the reason for the exclamation. “Ah, right. That.”
Cat Grant was pointing at her former assistant’s chest with wide eyes… though not for the usual reason. “You changed your logo?”
Kara finished getting fully into her costume. “No time, Cat,” she said hurriedly, striding out the office to the familiar balcony.
“But… !”
“I’ll explain later!” Supergirl bolted into the air and before the other woman could fathom it, was off into the distance…
The Kryptonian returned not even five minutes later, but for both it seemed an eternity. Though again, not for the usual reason. They hated being apart for any length of time, but for Cat there was a new element of intrigue. At least she did not give into her natural tendencies and instead asked about Kara’s welfare first once the heroine landed back on the balcony. “You’re alright, I trust?”
Kara nodded. “Only a robbery. Though I hate that I even have to refer to a robbery as ‘only’.” She made a move to change back into her civilian clothes that Cat thoughtfully hid out of sight of those beyond her glass office, but was stopped by a hand on her bicep.
“OK, good.” Cat let out a breath she did not realise she held. “Then maybe you can explain your apparel alteration.”
At that, Kara rolled her eyes before turning back to her fiancee. “Yes, I’ve changed the background colour of my crest.”
“Looks like the red is a little lighter, too.” Cat raised a brow. “And you didn’t think to tell me?”
“I did, actually,” Kara huffed, nodding to the cityscape. “But duty kind of got in the way, y’know?”
The older woman opened her mouth for a trademark retort, but thought better of it. Sighing again, Cat’s shoulders slumped. “I’m sorry. Can’t help it — it’s the fashion guru in me.”
Now Kara felt bad for her bluntness: she always knew Cat was not the materialistic bitch she appeared to others, but also knew any chance for a CatCo exclusive was hard to ignore. She went closer to her former boss and gave a tender kiss. “I did mean to show you, honest.”
Taking the chance, Cat pulled the heroine snug and returned the affection. “Yeah?” Was that said with a tinge of guilt?
“Of course. You think I wanted just any outlet to be the first to declare, ‘Supergirl Has New Logo, Read It Here First’?” Truth be told, being with Cat never changed Kara’s outlook on fashion: she still found it befuddling. On Krypton, as long as the family crest was visible, colours were unimportant. Thus under normal circumstances altering them was no big deal… except being with Cat was anything but a small deal, and Kara knew that. “I wanted to show you when, I dunno, when the time was right or something. I didn’t want to do it at work… ”
“You have wanted to do it at work,” came the quick interruption. “Especially at the office Christmas party.”
“Cat!” Kara’s jaw dropped. Blushing deeply, she took a visible gulp. “I didn’t mean that! I… “ At the media mogul’s smug expression, the Girl of Steel pouted.
Cat’s smirk turned into a genuine smile. “I’m sorry, darling. Just teasing.” With that she looked down and traced her fiancee’s \S/ with a finger. “CatCo will get to reveal why the change, though, right? It can’t be for any reason to do with fashion, of course, but I hope it’s not something terribly patriarchal like you just wanting to better match your cousin.” Indeed, the “negative space” of the symbol was no longer midnight blue like the heroine’s shirt, but now the same gold as her belt, making it almost identical to Superman’s.
Chuckling, Kara shook her head. “That’s just a coincidence. But no, you probably still won’t be able to. It’s personal.”
Frowning slightly, Cat tilted her head. “Well, in that case I definitely need to know.”
“Cat… “
“I said ‘know’, Kara. Not ‘reveal’.” Cat was now completely serious. “If it’s personal then I assume it pertains to something regarding myself, Krypton or the Danvers’. In which case, I’d never reveal that in an article.” She gave a quick yet loving peck to Supergirl’s lips. “But as the woman who’ll marry you in ten days, I still need — or at least would prefer — to know.”
Kara took a glance into the office. “I really should be getting back to work. I have to call Lena to discuss the… “
“I didn’t promote you and move you to a different department just so you could avoid me, Kiera,” Cat mock-scolded, though there was a hint of… something in her tone. “L-Corp can wait. Come on, out with it. Chop chop.”
Smiling lovingly, the heroine shook her head. “I really can’t say no to you, can I? Fine… but it’s no big deal, honest. In fact, you’re gonna think it’s really cheesy.”
“I’d be disappointed if it wasn’t,” the CEO grinned as she lightly stroked the back of her fiancee’s neck.
Accepting her fate, Kara sighed once more. “It’s because of you, I suppose.” At Cat’s confused face, she elaborated. “You’ve made my life full again. You and Carter.”
“What are you saying?”
Kara’s tone was now wistful. “I’ve never really thought about it in-depth, but I think having an empty background on my crest was a way of showing what I’d… lost.” Her expression noticeably darkened, but only for a moment. “You know how guilty I felt — and still feel — about letting everyone down by not being there for Kal growing up.”
Cat went to interrupt, but Kara ploughed through. “And yes, I know that you and everyone in my life, including Kal himself, insists I shouldn’t feel that way. I know I shouldn’t. But part of me always will.” As if to balance her emotions, she gave a quick kiss to her lover. “Add to that the loss of my homeworld, my family, my… “ Another pause.
“Kara… “ Cat breathed.
“I’m fine,” the heroine said, composing herself. “And don’t get me wrong, I love my Human family and will be forever grateful to them. Alex, Eliza and Jeremiah gave me a home and safety when I needed it. They’re in my heart just as much as Zor, Alura and Astra. But I think the empty background kind of spoke to… the emptiness, I guess, of my life.”
“How very Freudian,” quipped Cat, thought she instantly regretted it.
Kara, however, giggled again. “That comment proves that I’m speaking the truth.” Once more Cat looked puzzled. With that, Kara tenderly reached behind her neck and took one of the CEO’s hands in hers, the one adorned with the engagement ring that was literally not from this world. “Because you have finally filled that emptiness, Cat. The love we have has made me complete in a way I haven’t felt since I came to Earth. More complete than I thought I ever could be, actually. So I wanted to bring the light into my symbol… because you are my symbol of light.”
Cat stared at her with unshed tears. In response, Kara captured her soulmate’s lips with hers in another kiss, this one far deeper…
It was a well-known fact Cat Grant often called Kara “Danvers” Zor-El her sunshine, but vice versa was just as true.
Lunchtime Surprise
Earth-167 (Smallville)
Lois Lane rang the doorbell a second time with confusion. What was keeping her? The occupant knew she was coming.
Lois was standing outside the door to Cat Grant’s apartment in slight annoyance. She did not have that much time to spare: there was so much on her plate right now. Moving home did not just happen. It was lucky she was able to take a couple hours off this afternoon. Even Clark could not make it, as he had so much to do sorting out their Planet situation.
Those who hang their stock too much on cliches would suggest another reason for Lois’ agitation. But anyone who knew her knew being pregnant — even with twins — made no difference. Always a go-getter and never one for bullshitters, she was agitated at the best of times. Even so, that was just something else to think about, something else to handle and sort out. The biggest thing, even!
Finally, Lois heard hurried footsteps from within the apartment before the door clumsily unlocked and opened, revealing a clearly-harried Cat in the finishing touches of wrapping a dressing gown around herself. Lois was dumbstruck at the attire. “Oh, Lois, hi,” her former rival spluttered. “Um… “
Lois glared at her. “Cat, it’s two in the afternoon. Have you just gotten out of bed?”
Cat’s eyes darted around. “Er… “
“Did you forget we were scheduled to have lunch?” The mother-to-be saw Cat’s demeanour: clearly she was in abit of a state. “Is everything OK?” she asked, concerned.
“Everything’s fine!” yelped Cat. “I’m so sorry, Lois. I just… lost track of time. I’ll be ready in a few. Just got to get ch… I mean… “ Cat Grant being apologetic to Lois Lane was a sign of how far they had come in the past decade-plus. They were never BFF or anything, but the days of pen-stabbings were long gone. They now genuinely got on and considered eachother friends.
Which is why Lois was deeply confused by the current situation. Cat knew she was very busy at the moment: moving out of Metropolis to live in Smallville at the Kent farm, arranging how they would continue working remotely for the paper; and obviously the two little terrors mere months away.
There was another big life change, of course — one Cat had no idea about. The one specifically pertaining to Clark…
Seeing Cat’s embarrassment, hearing the usually-high-pitched voice stutter and be at a loss for words, added with her state of limited dress and the time of day, made something click in Lois’ head. “Have… you got someone over?” She was almost proud. The days of Cat being a sexless prude were clearly in the past, too.
Cat looked like a deer in the headlights. “I… “
“She has,” came a voice from deeper in the apartment. “Hello, Lois.”
Lois’ jaw dropped as the person came into view behind Cat. “Kara? What’re you doing here?”
The young woman in question strode upto them and stood by Cat’s side. She was even less-casually dressed than the apartment’s owner: a creased croptop and boxer shorts. And like Cat, also with bare feet and decidedly messy hair. Lois did not need to be a Pulitzer Prize winner to deduce what was going on.
“Here in this apartment or here in this… time zone?” Kara Zor-El asked with more than a hint of snark. “I heard about Clark so I came to see how he is.”
“Wait, you know Lois and Clark?” interjected Cat, confoundment clearly on her face.
“More to the point, how do you two know eachother?” Lois countered. She tried not to dwell on the way they clearly knew eachother.
“I went to your place of work to find you,” explained Kara, “but instead I met this lovely lady.” She put a hand on Cat’s shoulder as the woman herself ducked her head in shyness. Again, Cat being shy was something Lois thought she would never see.
Still, her head was running a million miles an hour trying to comprehend the situation. Kara Zor-El, the cousin of Lois’ fiancee, was supposed to be in the 31st century. What was she doing here, now? Her vague use of “time zone” indicated Cat had no idea of Kara’s alienness.
“As you can see, Catherine won’t be able to join you this afternoon,” continued Kara. “But we should definitely get together soon. I do need to talk to Clark, if he’s not too busy, of course. I know he’s recently changed his… priorities. Tomorrow, yes? I’ll be around your workplace. Take care, Lois.” Before either Human could do or say anything else, Kara casually closed the apartment door, leaving Lois standing there flabbergasted.
Inside, Cat was slack jawed at her visitor. “What the hell was that about??”
Kara sighed. “Sorry you had to see that. Anyway, howabout we go back to bed?”
Cat frowned deeply. “Lois is my friend. How do you know her and Clark? Why’d you treat her like that?”
“Clark’s my cousin,” came the casual reply.
“What? Since when??”
Kara chuckled. “Since birth, perhaps?” She had to remember not to specify whose birth: due to various complications, her younger relative was biologically older than her.
Cat appeared in thought. “Wait… did you only sleep with me because you were looking for them?” Her face turned to one of pained rage. “How dare you? Get out!!”
Now Kara felt bad. “No, no, you have it all wrong. I didn’t even know you knew them!”
“You met me at the place we work,” spat Cat. “Of course I know them!”
“Actually, we met on the street opposite the building. I had no idea you worked there.”
Cat thought a moment. “Oh yeah… “
“And I never mentioned Clark or Lois by name,” continued the Kryptonian. “Only that I was looking for someone.”
“And I never mentioned that I knew them…” Cat cautiously looked at her. “You have a good memory.”
“Runs in the family,” smiled Kara. Then she pondered maybe that would not be the case going forward, considering what Kal-El had done…
Cat looked at her meekly. “Sorry for yelling.”
“Hey, I’m sorry for making you think I used you.” That was true: Kara’s explanation was genuine. Not once in their time together did she say who she was looking for, or Cat say who she was or was not friends with. “And I guess I should apologise for interrupting your day. Though if I’m honest, I hope your afternoon turned out better than you planned.”
“Well… “ Cat walked away from the door and the two women closed the gap between them. “Lois and I aren’t exactly enemies anymore, but you were better company than she could ever be.”
Putting a finger inside the front of Cat’s dressing gown, Kara gently tugged her closer until they were snug. “Were?”
“Are,” clarified Cat. “Definitely are, present tense.” With that, the two kissed, caste at first, before deepening the contact until they were pawing all over eachother.
When they finally separated their lips, because Cat needed to imminently breathe — while being unaware Kara did not — Kara grinned. “Now shall we go back to bed?”
Cat’s voice was heavy with desire. “Abso-fuckin’-lutely.”
Kara’s talk with Kal-El could wait. Just like him, she had other priorities right now.
"Bring Your Cousin to Work" Day
Earth-??? (Superman ‘25)
“Remember — be nice.”
“I promised, didn’t I?” Kara grumbled as they entered the lift. She again fiddled with her face. “Why do I have to wear these stupid glasses, anyway?”
The man beside her, also in glasses, checked his watch absentmindedly. “Because if you ever go public, you’ll want to keep your identity secret.”
“I don’t have another identity to keep secret,” said Kara. “As far as this world is concerned, I don’t even exist. And after what happened to you, I don’t know if going public is really worth it.” She looked up at his big bushy ‘do. “Could be worse, though. At least you didn’t insist I have a fake-ass hairstyle.”
“Why did I agree to let you visit my work?” came the exasperated sigh.
“Because you won’t let me offworld anymore, and if I have to stay on my own with the robots for any longer I’ll tell my dog to play ball with their heads.” She tutted as the lift dinged at their destination. “You really need to stop bossing me about, Kal. I’m technically older than you.”
“Clark,” he almost hissed. “I told you, my name is Clark outside the Fortress.”
Kara shrugged. “Whatever.” With that, they arrived at the bullpen where the Daily Planet bustled about as always. The two Kryptonians made their way to the desk of Clark Kent, goofy reporter, and Kara could not help but notice the change in her cousin’s demeanour. It started as soon as he put on the business suit and picked up his briefcase: big cheesy grin, saying “Hi” over-enthusiastically to everyone they passed, regardless of if they were noticed or not. His act of social clumsiness bore more than a passing resemblance to her actual clumsiness when she had a few too many at an alien pub.
Finally reaching his desk, Clark and Kara were met by a young man and woman, who moved from their own workspots to greet them. “Kara, let me introduce you — this is Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen. Guys, this is my cousin, Kara.”
Lois’ eyes almost popped. “Cousin?” She shot daggers at Clark with a what the hell? expression and it clicked for Kara.
“Ah Lois, that’s right! The life… “ — Kara caught herself — “… girlfriend. Kalllllark’s told me so much about you.”
“Well, that was thoughtful of him,” said Lois through narrowed eyes. “Of course… he’s told us all about you as well.” Another accusatory look to Clark, but she smiled at Kara herself. “It’s great to finally meet you.”
“Hi, I’m Jimmy,” as a hand was held out infront of Kara.
“Yes, my cousin said,” Kara said, almost dismissively. Jimmy himself seemed confused as they shook hands… almost like he expected more of a response to him. So did Lois, to be honest, given his luck with the ladies.
Instead, Jimmy cleared his throat. “So, er, tell us about yourself.”
Kara blinked. “I thought you said Clark told you all about me.” Now it was her turn to shoot a look at her cousin who, for his part, seemed like he realised this was a big mistake. However, she thought better than embarrass him further and instead returned to his friends. “I’ve been out of town for awhile, seeing the sights. I could tell you some places to really get waste… “ She stopped when someone approached them.
Kara’s breath nearly caught — which she did not think could happen on this planet — and her jaw hung open as the arrival entered their little huddle, a woman carrying a stack of paperwork. “Morning, Clark,” the newcomer said breezily, whose own glasses could not hide her stunning face, complimented by platinum hair and amazing figure. Kara’s eyes drifted to her frankly incredible chest, which was almost spilling out of her one-piece woollen dress. “Lois, could you double-check these sources for… oh hello.” She finally noticed Kara. “And who’s this?”
“Cat, this is my cousin Kara,” explained Clark as the two blondes shook hands. “Kara, this Cat Grant."
“Very pleased to meet you,” Cat smiled.
“Holy shit, you’re hot,” Kara blurted.
Clark actually choked. Meanwhile Lois, Jimmy and especially Cat glared at her. There was a moment of agonising awkwardness before Lois took initiative. “Um, Cat, maybe we could look over those sources… over here… away from here.” Before anyone could say anything else, Lois grabbed Cat by the arm and walked her to a nearby desk. Surprised herself, Cat took one last look at Kara as she was dragged away. Meanwhile, Jimmy was distracted by a phone call; no mystery who was on the other end, judging by his exasperated sigh.
The two alone, Clark shook his head at Kara. “What is wrong with you?”
But instead of answering, Kara kept staring at the woman Lois was inspecting paperwork with. “Please tell me she’s single and likes girls.”
“God, you’re unbelievable,” Clark groaned.
“Rao, so is she,” Kara responded, her eyes fixated on Cat and her tone almost… reverent.
“I wish my lungs were being filled up with goop again.” Clark rubbed his brow and placed his briefcase on his desk. “I’m seriously reconsidering introducing you to my boss.”
“Oh, I’m sure Perry won’t mind,” said the returning Lois, with Cat in tow. If Clark did not know better, he would almost think Cat looked… flustered. “But before that,” Lois continued, “Kara, why don’t I show you around the place?”
“That, er, won’t be necessary, Lois. I’m sure… “
“Don’t be silly, Clark,” his girlfriend interrupted, making the same movement to Kara’s arm as she did Cat’s. Leading the girl away with her, she gave a smile Clark was not fooled by in the slightest. “It’ll give me time get to know your cousin even more.” Krypto was not the only one who needed a doghouse.
As Lois dragged her off, Kara looked back to Cat, who was still sorting her stack of paper with her back to them. Making sure only Clark could see, Kara gave an appreciative eye over the woman’s entire body and mouthed Fuuuck! before she and Lois were gone.
Finally slumping down in his chair, he groaned again. “Cat, I am so sorry!”
Looking at him, she chuckled. “Oh, don’t worry about it, Clark — I get it all the time.” She turned to see Lois and Kara’s heads close together, and Clark did not need superhearing to know the former was already giving the latter an interrogation. “How old is she?” Cat asked.
“She’s 21, but that’s no excuse. She should know better than to speak about people like that, let alone to their face.”
“Clark, it’s fine,” insisted Cat. Adjusting her glasses, she continued eying Kara, a coy smile forming. “21, you say? Good to know.”
“Yeah, she… “ Clark stopped and frowned at her. “Wait, what?”