#the point is my attachment to lena and William that's what

[janetbrown711]

I made next gens for the Angelina 1 Lives Au because I can and none of you can stop me <333333

Seriously tho- I made them mid-way through writing the Yax fic and instantly knew what my next project was gonna have to be.

I know what you're thinking- why in the au? Isn't Angelina 1 already dead? tf is the point of keeping this au going if she's dead?

Because I've spent too much time developing this au and getting attached to the characters of William and Lena to say goodbye and that's also where my Yax fic takes place and I'm not gonna disregard all of the work I did to develop their relationship within the au just to toss them in normal Wakko's Wish cannon. Also- because I'm in charge and this is for my self-indulgence <33333

Yes, I will be writing a fic for them. No, I do not know when it'll be out/when I'll start writing. Probably soon, but I don't know, as I'm still exhausted from the Yax fic.

I'm open to taking any questions you have about them too.

Either way- without further ado, here they are:

Ophelia Warner-Goof

Age: 16

Pronouns: she/her

About her: Ophelia is the eldest of her cousins and is the only child of Yakko and Max, born of a surrogate mother. She was born without a lower half of her left arm, and as such has had a prosthetic throughout her life. She's a lot like Yakko in the sense of liking reading and absorbing as much knowledge about anything she can and having crippling anxiety. She's first in line for the throne and worries constantly about being a good leader for the kingdom. She's close to both of her dads, as they both have a nice support balance for her (though if she had to pick, she'd say Max because he works a lot less). She's also the most level-headed of her cousins, often putting a stop to, or calling out, their shenanigans.

Likes:

Reading

history

being indoors

spending time with her dads

Calling out her cousins on their shenanigans (all in good fun though)

Reading from the "forbidden study" (Angelina I's personal study- but she doesn't know that)

Singing

Women

Dislikes:

being called out for being "too independent"

public speaking

Reading from the "forbidden study" (love-hate) (there's a lot of shit but she can't stop going back even tho she knows it's bad)

Basically, everything she's ever heard about Angelina I

Alyx *redacted*

Age: 15

Pronouns: they/them, he/him, she/her, etc. They're genderfluid so their gender and pronouns change day to day (with they/them being their neutral "go to if you don't know" pronouns).

About them: Alyx is a homeless wild child living on the streets in Warnerstock. Their parents attempted to sell them as a child by abandoning them in the woods, but they managed to slip away before the people could come and take them. Ever since then they've lived in the streets. They aren't related to the Warner's at all. That's where we meet them at the beginning of our story <333

Likes:

Sleeping with a knife under their pillow

Skirts

their jacket (seen in pic) bc it's "very gender"

apples

blue

sword fighting

Dislikes:

their parents

being perceived as weak

asking/receiving help

being called out on their trauma

being sick

Chrys Warner (left)

Age: 14

Pronouns: she/her

About her: Chrys is the eldest of Dot's kids and is the identical twin to Sam. How can that be if they're different genders? Easy, Chrys is trans. Together, her's and Sam's names are short for Chrysanthemum (like the flower) because their father was a gardener and they didn't know they were going to have twins (as they had decided to name the baby Chrys short for Chrysanthemum but then there were two so they just split it). Of their parents, Chrys was closer to her father before he died when she and Sam were 7 of tuberculosis. It was very traumatizing for the whole family, needless to say. She's practically inseparable from Sam, and it's obvious that he's her closest friend. Often they like to hang out and plan out how to mess with Ophelia next (most often by stealing and misplacing one of her arms). She's very talented academically, but she doesn't like focusing on it too much, preferring to sticking to having fun instead.

Likes:

flowers

history

reading fiction/espionage stories

playing piano

thinking about the future

Parties

Dislikes:

being told to "work harder" or being called lazy

winter

lectures from Dot

Sam Warner (right)

Age: 14

Pronouns: he/him

About him: He's the second and technically middle child of Dot's fam, though he denies that because "twins don't count". He's very similar to Chrys when they're together, but when separated, Sam is a lot more introverted and quiet than how Chrys is when she's alone. He often doesn't know what to do with himself with her gone. He's closer to Dot, and is learning the art of dressmaking from her.

Likes:

fashion

scheming with Chrys

flowers

playing harp

Men

Parties

cuddles

Dislikes:

being alone

thinking about the future

reading

being called out for his noodle arms

Peony Warner

Age: 7

Pronouns: she/her

About her: Peony is the youngest of Dot's children and was born mere weeks after her father died. As such, she never had a connection with him, which can cause her to feel a little displaced in the family and her relationship with Dot can be strained because of it. This causes her to be closer to her grandparents and to overcompensate with an overly cheerful, cute, and optimistic personality. She, like her siblings, was named after a flower.

Likes:

pink

coloring

singing

flowers

gardening

fancy dresses

spending time with her grandparents

paintings

Dislikes:

making Dot upset (whether she's actually responsible or not)

having it pointed out that she didn't even know her father

parties (secretly, though. too many people to try and all please- she finds them rather exhausting but won't admit it to many)

being called "annoying"

[narraboths]

I appreciate that you have a sane take on the realities of Supercorp in canon. It hurts my heart a little when other big names in the fandom promote the ship as if it could actually come to fruition. It just seems delusional and like it'll end in heartbreak for younger fans who don't know any better.

i don't like it anymore than the people who will froth at the mouth at reading "SC has a snowball's chance in hell to become canon" do but it is what it is! i've been here since S2 and had my ups and downs and hopes and dreams, and i don't think anything could've as masterfully crashed them as S5 did. like we can talk all day and night abt everything Lena and Kara said to and about each other, and at the end of the day we still have to look at the fact that after S4, this show had both of them in its lap, uncoupled from any sort of romantic attachment to anyone else, and at a major point of their relationship from which any sort of dramatic change, including a romantic one, could've been easily grown, and instead what they decided to do was the near complete destruction of Lena's character, their relationship, and also, William Fucking Dey. that's a lane well and clearly picked.

and i mean – it does have the one in a million chance, always. i just don't want to stake the remnants of my time watching this show & participating in fandom on having heartburn abt it every damn day.

[dtowngurl4488]

SUPERGIRL 6x02 - WHAT THE ACTUAL F$@K?!

I am a Supergirl & Dansen fan and I am beyond PISSED off. So I'm going to rant and vent and whoever has an issue can suck it.

Season after season has gotten progressively worse and worse in the writing department on the show. When I say I absolutely love and adore Supergirl, I mean it and my unwaveringly favorite thing about it are Alex and Kara Danvers and the beautiful bond they have as sisters which for the longest time was the cornerstone and heart of the show. But for several seasons now that's hasn't been to the case at all.

I like many others became instantly enamored with Lena Luthor the moment she appeared on the screen so believe me I get it. What I realized in season 5 which was highlighted in tonight's episode, I have no more capacity for Luthor family problems. Their family drama sucks up so much space that it's overwhelming and drives me crazy. Lex has long since worn out his welcome no matter how well Jon Cryer plays him, Lillian though she serves pretty good one liners typically doesn't offer must to move the story along, and as beautiful and brilliant as Lena may be she's not the hero of the show nor the only smart person and it gets quite tiresome the way she's used as the ultimate problem solver. Ultimately, I just want Kara to be the focal point of her own show again, she's been feeling like a side character for a while now. But that's a rant for another day. Can we just be done with Lex already?!?

Tonight's episode had such great potential to allow the actors to really show off what they could do with angsty emotional content. We all know that Katie, Chyler, David and Azie are more than capable of delivering great performances. And the fact that Alex has seemingly told Kelly about Kara being Supergirl off-screen is beyond disappointing when so much of their relationship has already happened off screen. At this point it's more than clear to me that their relationship is simply for sure and serves no deeper purpose then to check off an item from the representation checklist. I shouldn't have been surprised but I was and it was like a slap in the face. I don't even believe it'll end up in the deleted scenes of the DVD, I genuinely feel like it just wasn't written and was never intended to be anything other than an idea. But only time will tell whether I'm wrong or not.

I definitely could have lived without the random William product placements. I don't even have an actual problem with the character in general, I'm pretty indifferent to him but there was absolutely no reason for him in this episode. I'll admit I do love Andrea and generally enjoy her anytime she's on the screen but once again in this episode there was really not much reason for any of the Catco scenes.

And I'm sure I may be one of a very few people who would even think of this but I can only imagine how long it's gonna take before there's a scene where someone preferably Alex realizes that Eliza needs to know that her child has been trapped in the phantom zone...again. And did anybody catch that they basically confirmed that Argo is still an existence?

I'm rambling and probably not making sense. I'm just angry...and tired. It's just so disappointing to be so attached to a show and it's characters that you watch it religiously all the while knowing that the writing is going to piss you off without fail on a weekly basis. But you watch it anyway because you love it and you want to support some of your favorite actors while they're still a small part of you that hope that somehow the writing will get better and things won't go even further off the rails.

[buddha-in-disguise]

Discourse, Supergirl and fans.

The Supergirl situation with William Dey, is far more than about William Dey per se.

I touched on this when I first posted about David Harewood.

What I have seen, and I am still seeing is while some SuperCorp fans were annoyed about the preview for episode 12, this was also coming from a diverse section of the fandom. That David (and others) have singled out the SuperCorp fandom is both unfair, and unhelpful. But that is a different discussion altogether.

So - I am going to repeat and expand on some of what I wrote at the time to try and explain why I, (and others) have found Supergirl to be really problematic at the moment.

First of all: There is no doubt Supergirl currently has a diverse cast, inc. LGBTQ representation. 

However, all the diversity in the world means absolutely nothing if a program is seemingly only playing lip service to the characters. 

Compare and contrast with Legends of tomorrow. They have 6 women. 2 Muslim superheroes (a TV first). 5 characters are LGBTQ, including Charlie; who is recognised as gender fluid. 4 people of colour. The lead is a woman, who is bisexual, in a canon relationship with a lesbian, and is a superhero. 

They do this without it being made a big deal of, enjoyed by LGBTQ and heterosexual audience alike. But it is a huge deal for many because of that diversity, and just as importantly they haven't overloaded the cast numbers, so they all get good solid storylines through a season. A season that is also shorter than Supergirl. 

Legends are an example of how you can put in a diverse minority cast, without it becoming forced or cumbersome. It isn't without fault sure, but no program is. 

So where is Supergirl going wrong at the moment? 

Let's use William, as the crux of the problems are best shown with his character, but it isn't limited to him. I will put first - this is absolutely *not* a criticism towards Staz Nair, who I respect (& like, as far as one can from limited SM interaction). All too often the accusations are made that if you don't like a character, you hate the actor. That is categorically not true for me, nor others I've seen posting about this. Of course if anyone does hate on the actor, that is not okay.

So, back to William. I get the reason he came along in regards to Russell and so the Andrea connection. That story made sense.  What hasn't made sense - William being used as a journalist, when Nia is right there! Nia has barely had any screen time, and virtually none as a journalist; you know - her actual job. I'm not sure what the minutes on screen ratio has been this season between the two, but it has felt completely slanted towards William as a viewer, at least until now. 

First instead of Kara and Nia investigating Leviathan after William was 'exposed' in the earlier episodes, now Nia is sidelined again, because they want Kara to team up with William to investigate Lex.

Why? Why do they need that journalistic pairing, when Nia - who as a Superhero, is better placed if danger from Lex occurs. But no, they're making it about Kara having to work with William because Lex threatened to kill him. Plus Nia was being mentored by Kara. Is she no longer being mentored by Kara? Are they a team? Even if the mentoring has ended, Nia is still not being utilised as a journalist.

I am utterly baffled as to why they feel this arc makes any sense. Moreso when an already established character gets sidelined. 

I'm also getting tired of seeing anyone who sees these valid opinions about current storyline as being trolls (or the comments all SuperCorp fans are just outright haters. No - SuperCorp fans are a large diverse group, that have incredible artists, fanfic writers, and social media users. Many also multi-ship. To place a blanket statement about a whole fandom as large as SC, is hateful. All fandoms have some who are problematic, but to single out an entire group is not right). 

So back to my thoughts. An episode can have some great aspects to it, but it can also be highly problematic to some fans, & receive valid criticism or valid opinions for it. For example, the latest episode of Batwoman. The Alice/Beth story was great. The acting superb. What I found worrying was the way they made Sophie feel guilty for legitimate reasons why she had led a closeted lifestyle. That lifestyle is valid, for Sophie and many LGBTQ people, and for good reason, including keeping some people safe from harm. I felt it was a clumsy attempt for Alice to get into Sophie's mind; it could've been tackled other ways, so it felt wrong they used her sexuality as a way to achieve that. Being closeted for many literally keeps them alive. So that was one hell of a poor choice in my opinion. Yet others have made perfectly credible counter arguments that it showed the difficulties faced by many LGBTQ people. So, great episode, valid criticism/opinion from both points of view. It also highlights you can have excellent episodes, but they can have legitimate issues.

Nor does differences of opinion, as long as it is respectful, makes those voicing them a bully, no matter how much you disagree. 

At the end of this, if you don’t agree, and your opinion makes you say something that is intentionally hurtful (directly or indirectly to a person or group of people), it's a bad thing. The key word being intentionally. We all make mistakes, and responses that could've been better, & we all need to be aware of that, but if it is an intended attack, don't be surprised if others call you out for your behaviour. 

So now what in regards Supergirl?  

I know ultimately that this show is about Supergirl, but it is also about those around her as family & friends. I understand there are only so many minutes in one episode. What I don't understand is why those precious minutes are going to a character, when they have one perfectly placed to do the same role. Why they have to potentially explore another relationship, when we have one canon relationship, one canon on/off again relationship & one relationship that while isn't canon in terms of romantic, it is a big story in terms of best friends, all seemingly sidelined. Which brings me to the Kara fighting for Lena's soul aspect. Again, I am not seeing a lot of fighting for anything, except more and more fans fighting themselves and cast. 

Then you just need to look at the dislikes that teaser was given on YouTube, and compare them to previous ones. I've attached screenshots to show this.

A serious misjudgment was made by someone on how that teaser would be received, and again I will stress, this dislike hasn't just been from one area of fandom, but multiple areas. For many it wasn't just about William, but the culmination of unease that has built for a few episodes. A prime example of the straw that broke the camel's back. If you are solely focused on one area of fandom for this discourse (as many blame SuperCorp fans), you need to step back and recognise you are not allowing yourself to see the whole picture. To focus solely on one thing, rather than acknowledging the wider audience are saying this, does not make you the better fan. To dismiss it as trolls, is being dismissive of good, regular fans with legitimate questions or concerns. It is insulting to many of us.

I will be honest, I had high hopes for this season. I also knew it was likely going to be pretty confusing at times since it was given as 'our Black mirror season' and 'nothing is as it seems.' I accepted that.

However, all it seems at the moment is a jumbled mess from pre and post Crisis. They just doesn't appear to be any cohesion at all, which is making it really difficult as a viewer. Add in the changes post Crisis and it feels even more of a mess.

Of course, they could bring in more cohesive elements soon, but considering that we know episode 13 is 'It's a wonderful life,' and Alex Danvers in a later episode is wearing a Super suit - I just sense this whole 'nothing is as it seems' side we appear to be getting isn't changing any time soon, & with episodes running out, with so many strings running through at the moment, it feels really discombomulated. If by seasons end, they pull it off and you can look back and see how it's played out as a whole, I will be the first to say well done for that part. 

I do though think right now Supergirl feels chaotic beyond expectation, and no end in sight. I feel there have been too many character additions this season (particularly Andrea & William) that is taking screen time away from Kara, Alex, Nia, Lena, Kelly et al.

It feels like a mess of unnecessary pairings and the crux of the story seems to have been lost in the midst.

That is causing confusion for fans, that is also beginning to become frustration. That frustration is spilling over. Add in the genuine and extremely legitimate concerns over the LGBTQ issues that have arisen (again from far more than just SuperCorp fans), and the frustration has built even more. 

I can only hope the next couple of episodes address some of this and not complicate the mess further. 

Whatever happens, Supergirl is not doing well in terms of a storyline that is gripping for fans, that is now top heavy with regulars, taking screen time from established characters, and a social media blunder that has so far only exacerbated the simmering uncertainty being felt by many.

It might improve, and I sincerely hope it does, but they are edging into the potential for the anger felt by fans to become an all out riot if they don't stop and see where valid criticism is being given. If this season continues on in this vein, then there is going to be huge swathes of fans drifting away. The concerns are legitimate. I wish it could be seen as that.

[bitch-for-a-rainbow]

What made us think that we were wise (and that we’d never compromise)

When Kara suffers a serious injury, she turns to the only person she can for help: Lena Luthor. As she receives medical aid, necessary conversations are had and a few reconsiderations of "facts" are made.

btw this was posted about 30 minutes before 5x05 aired

https://archiveofourown.org/works/21254813/chapters/50607092

CH. 1

     It’s a trap. That was the only thought that came through Kara’s brain as she hurtled toward the ground. It’s a trap. They had been here the whole time. Watching them. Infiltrating the DEO. The arrow, or more accurately the harpoon, had struck her in the chest. The chain dragging her to the ground jerked, pulling at the projectile lodged in her right lung. The shaft was an inch thick, and the head was tipped with kryptonite. It should have been an insignificant amount, really. It was so small that she likely would have to be squeezing it in her palm to cause any true power loss. But it was enough. Enough to cause a normally harmless metal harpoon to pierce through her skin and flesh.

     She hit the ground with an earth-shattering crash— literally. The ground around her erupted and formed a small crater where she lay. She could see the glass doors of the DEO balcony. Kara gasped for air, choking on her own breath, her own blood. She needed to get out of here. Now. A pair of sharp heels appeared over the ridge of the crater. Kara shifted her gaze down to the arrow sticking out of her chest. She reached for it, clumsily, hands slipping on its surface. It would not bend. Nth metal.

     “Did you really think you could get away with it? That you could just steal from us and we wouldn’t find out?” Those files, she thought sluggishly, How could they have found out so soon? She reached for the arrow again. There had to be something. Andrea Rojas stepped closer and knelt before her. “Who did you get to steal them? Your friend William unfortunately slipped on the north bridge before he could tell us and I doubt you could just waltz into our facilities, the cape is a bit flashy. Another reporter at CatCo perhaps? Kara Danvers has always been a bit suspicious.”      “Why—” Kara coughed, spattering the ground with blood, “Why would I tell you?” There, a small defect in the chain that attached to the arrow. They must have slipped when trying to set the metal. It wouldn’t have mattered for a human, or even a martian. But she was neither. Andrea fixed her with a piercing, cold stare.      “Because you are not going to die until you tell me who it is.” Kara laughed, the sound was more like a wet wheezing. Blindly, she began twisting the chain’s deformed edge.      “Then I’m afraid,” she spat, “You have wasted your time.” Just a bit more. Just a bit— SNAP. Andrea staggered backwards and Kara streaked into the sky.

     Kara sped away from the DEO, towards the desert. If she got far enough out and then dropped, the scanner would lose her position. Kara’s vision blurred. How much blood had she lost? A craggy dune appeared in front of her; the old DEO base. She felt dizzy. There wasn’t time. She was running out of time— she dived. Changing course just before she hit the ground, Kara rocketed back toward the city. Alex was out of the question. There was no way to get to J’onn’s without attracting lethal attention. Who was left? Who— A gleaming white pillar of a building. A balcony protruding out of its smooth surface. Of course. Kara twisted her body and flew —or rather crashed— into the stone jut. She coughed again, each time there seemed to be more blood. Sluggishly, Kara pushed herself upright. She barely suppressed a whimper as sharp pain flared through her side.      “Hope, move the meeting with Wayne Industries to Tuesday and— Kara? Fuck. Kara!” The fast pattering of heels sounded across stone. Kara looked up dazedly as Lena pressed her hands to the wound in Kara’s chest.      “Hey Lena, you wouldn’t happen to have a first aid kit would you?”  Lena let out a choked sputtering, kicked off her heels and ran down a hall, returning with a large first aid kit. Lena put Kara’s arm over her shoulder as Kara pushed herself inside, studiously avoiding the white carpet. Kara pulled the suit back into her glasses and sadly picked at the now blood-soaked button-up she had been wearing under it. She had really liked this shirt. Lena eased it off her shoulders, focusing on the arrow protruding between Kara’s 7th and 8th ribs— and cursed.      “Jesus, Kara, you need a doctor. My medical experience is limited to genetics and microscopes. I need to call Alex—”       “NO!” Kara’s hand flashed forward, catching Lena’s arm. “No. You call her, you kill us all.” Lena set the phone down slowly,      “Kara, what the hell is going on.”      “I promise, I will explain everything, but the abbreviated version is Andrea is a lot more shady and connected than I thought.” Lena cursed again and pulled on nitrile gloves.      “I hope you know what you’re doing.” Kara laughed,      “Me too.” Kara huffed and focused down on the arrow. “Okay. What we need to do is push it through and out. There is a kryptonite point on the head. That’s the only reason it broke my skin. The longer we leave it in the worse I will get and once we remove the arrow some of the damage will retain because of the kryptonite. It might even scar.” She pressed at the bloody pole in her side,  “If we try and pull it, the head could break off, or it could cause even more damage than it already has.” Lena nodded. “So, what I need you to do, is get out gauze, and when I pull out this arrow, press down on the wound. I just need you to stem the blood long enough for it to begin to heal, Okay?”      “Okay.” Lena got out gauze and Kara pushed herself further upright, placing her hands on the shaft.      “1… 2…” Kara braced herself. “3.” She pushed the arrow through. It took every ounce of resolve left in her body not to scream. Gritting her teeth and pressing her head against the wall, she pushed as hard as she could. Lena stared in barely concealed horror as Kara forced the projectile out her back. Gasping for breath, Kara reached behind herself and pulled. The shaft came free with a quiet squelching. Lena clamped the gauze around both sides of the injury, and was very proud of managing not to retch. Blood spread across the ground in a slow-moving pool, stopping just shy of the carpet.  Kara smiled,      “It worked.”  Lena let out a breath. “You can stop squeezing the bandages now.”      “Right.” Lena laughed, it was tight and harsh. Kara placed her hands on Lena’s and pulled them away from the injury. Her hands were stiff as Kara pried up each finger, whispering soft assurances. At last, the gauze came away, revealing a 4-cornered slit in her flesh. There was a deep, hole like gash in the center where the shaft had been. But it was already ringed in pink, healing skin. The side gashes bore small forming scar tissue on their ends where they had been longer. It had stopped bleeding heavily.      “I’m going to stitch the wound closed, would you hand me the needle?”      “I can do that Kara, you’re injured you don’t have to—”      “Lena, have you ever sewed an injury closed before?”      “...No.”      “Are you honestly comfortable with stitching me up?” Lena sighed in defeat.      “No.”

     Kara smiled, following Lena’s eyes as she ducked her head in guilt. “I’m incredibly grateful of your help Lena, but I can do this, okay?” Lena hesitated and agreed, though she insisted that she could at least thread the damn thing. Kara only snorted— and immediately regretted it. Lena jerked forwards and put a steadying hand on her shoulder. Kara gave her a reassuring nod and took the needle. She clenched her teeth as she drew the needle through her skin. Lena kept her hand on Kara’s shoulder the whole time— until she started stitching the exit wound herself when it became obvious Kara was struggling with it, despite Kara’s continued objections. After watching Kara stitch the front, Lena was fairly capable of repeating the process on her back, though her stitches were certainly less clean (and a lot more shaky). The process didn’t take long. It was very odd, Lena thought, putting away the needle, seeing a wound so healed and yet… not. It was as though her body was healing from the inside out, rather than where the torn skin was closest to itself. You couldn’t tell how close Kara had come to dying. How many scars did her body hide with its healing? How many times had she almost died with Lena completely unaware? God, how many times had something like this happened with Alex, with James, with Winn. Lena remembered Reign, seeing supergirl fall. She had watched Kara fall. Lena threw her body around Kara, squeezing almost as tightly as she had with the gauze. 

     “You’re going to get your shirt all bloody.” Kara mumbled, “That thing probably costs more than my loft.” Lena only held her tighter,      “I don’t care.” She took a shuddering breath. “I can buy a new shirt, Kara, I can’t replace you.” Lena didn’t have to look at Kara’s face to know she was giving her signature dopey grin.      “I’m glad you still feel that way.”      “What do you mean? You’re my best friend, of course, I care more about you than a shirt.” Kara pulled out of the hug, she seemed almost mournful.      “That’s not what I mean.” Kara bit her lip, casting around for the right words. “After everything that’s happened, I’m glad I’m still important to you.” 

     Kara took a breath and looked Lena in the eye. “I know you’ve been lying to me.” Lena recoiled and Kara continued, “Please don’t try and claim you haven’t. I know you, Lena. I’m not blind. Your movements are all rehearsed, your words calculated. You avoid physical contact and what you do give is stiff. I know your ticks, I know how you lie, and you have been lying a lot. I’d guess the only really truthful thing you’ve said to me recently is that you haven’t been sleeping. Besides, ‘you need Lex’s journals to heal?’ Lena, in the prison last year you described reading them to be like stabbing out your eyes.” 

     Lena turned her head from Kara. She pulled off the nitrile gloves and fiddled with them balled in her hands. Kara sighed, “I’m not going to ask you why you did it, or what the truth was. I took those journals anyway because I wanted us to be fixed, but there is no easy fix. You’re allowed to be angry, Lena. I lied to you for years! Being angry is a part of healing, so please! Just... be angry with me.”     Kara’s eyes were imploring, Lena remembered the simulations she had run. There had been hundreds of them, thousands, and none had included this.

     “I— Kara—” Lena floundered for words, anything to get out of this, and it all came out in a rush, “I am angry. I am so, so angry. I hated you. I might still hate you. Everyone lied and you were supposed to be different! You made me think I could be different! And you lied. Over and over and over again. I don’t know who you are. I don’t know anything about you anymore, Kara— if that’s even your real name… I don’t even know your name. One second you were everything and the next— I just—”      “Kara Zor-El.”       Lena blinked. “What?”      “That’s my name. Kara Zor-El.” Kara pressed her lips together, took a nervous breath and continued.      “I love potstickers and donuts and sticky buns and soft sweatshirts and Disney movies. I was born in Argo City, in the Kandor region of Krypton. I have an adoptive sister, Alex. When we first met we hated each other,”she laughed. It took us years to even stand being in the same room. I speak over 35 languages and I learned calculus when I was five. I have a brilliant, beautiful best friend that I would do anything for and who has saved my life in more ways than one. I am the person I have always been. You just know a little more.” Lena said nothing. She just stared. Finally, she reached forward, as if to touch Kara’s arm, and quickly pulled back. She opened her mouth to speak, but seemingly could not find the words. Kara’s eyes crinkled at the corners and she leaned slightly forward.      “It’s okay. You don’t have to say anything.” Lena searched her eyes for anything: some plot, an ulterior motive— there had to be something. But there wasn’t, just compassion and pain.      “Later—” Lena began, “Later, you and I need to have a long conversation about our relationship, about exactly what happened with Andrea and about—” She broke off, bit her lip and swallowed, “I have this… project, and you—” she sighed, “You are not going to like it.”      Kara smiled, “Whatever it is Lena. I promise, you’re not going to lose me.” Lena attempted to smile back but gave more of a pained grimace,       “I hope so.” Kara stretched out a hand– and quickly snatched it back upon seeing it was covered in semi-dried blood.      “Oh, sorry.”      “I suppose we could both use some cleaning up. You can use my shower while I clean this up.” Kara immediately began objecting,      “No! No! You get cleaned up, I’ll take care of this.”      “Kara, you’re hurt, I am not having you clean.” Kara began to push herself up.      “I’m mostly healed anyway and it’s my blood to clean up.”      “Kara—”      “You’ve done enough for me, Lena. Let me do this for you.”      “Kara, you—” She stopped at the look on Kara’s face. “Fine.” Lena relented, “But the minute you feel any pain, or you bleed or struggle at all you call me. Got it?”      “Yes, Ma’am.” Lena lips pursed,       “I’m serious Kara.”      “So am I. It will be okay, go clean up.” Hesitantly, Lena made her way to her bathroom and Kara slipped off her shoes and gathered cleaning supplies. Sighing, she surveyed the path of destruction she had wrought across Lena’s apartment. Bloody smears and footprints traced their way from the distinctly cracked balcony to the large crimson pool by the fireplace. Kara gathered the bloody linens in a pile near the balcony doors and began to painstakingly scrub the blood from the cement (literally, the bending required was in fact quite painful). She was almost done clearing the last smear on the fireplace when Lena returned, her hair wet and wearing a sweater and soft shorts.      “I can take care of the rest Kara, you go clean up.”      “I’m almost done it’s fine.”      “Kara, I’d prefer we didn’t just dump evidence in a trash can like a novice and I'm the only one who knows where the incinerator is.”      “You have a—” Kara gaped. She shook her head as Lena grinned. “Of course you do. Why not?”      “Come on darling, I can handle some paper towels and a shirt.” Kara opened her mouth to protest, but no words came out. She grumbled as she walked towards the bathroom, still carefully avoiding the white carpet. There were extra bandages outside the shower, and Kara sat her glasses next to them. She undressed her wounds, turned on the water and stepped into the shower still mostly clothed. Kara sighed as already heated water shot from all four walls, hitting her body and flowing pink down the drain. She placed her hands against a wall and leaned into the spray. Slowly, Kara began to peel away her bra and slacks. They were sticking to her skin where blood had congealed. She removed her underwear and just stood under the hot shower for a long while.

     Lena disposed of the pile of contaminated fabric and gauze in the small shoot hidden near the trash in her kitchen. Kara had done a good job cleaning up the blood, all that was left to prove she had ever even been there was a small crack on her balcony and Kara herself, currently standing in her bathroom. Lena was fine. She was fine. What gave Kara the right to feel pity? What gave Kara the right to sit there and tell her to be angry? How dare she sit there and look at her and make her feel so— No. She was fine. She didn’t care. She. Didn’t. Care. 

She cared. Fuck.

     A sharp knock broke Lena from her reverie. Only eight people in the world had this address. Except for one, all would call ahead. That ‘one’ was currently occupying her shower. Even if they knew where she lived, being able to get up to her floor without Lena knowing was another matter entirely. She was cautious as she approached the door, sliding a pistol from its drawer near the oven. She picked up her tablet and silently opened her camera program, which revealed a less than pristine looking Andrea Rojas standing outside her door. Of course she was.      

     She slipped the pistol into her waistband and (keeping a wary hand around it) opened the door.      “Andrea. I didn’t know you had my address.”      “Well, I like to keep tabs on old friends.” Lena snorted,      “Friends? Is that what they’re calling it now?” Andrea gave her a searching look,       “Well, are you going to invite me in?” Lena raised an eyebrow,       “You show up at my apartment, an apartment you are not supposed to know about, without notice, and now you expect an invitation?” Andrea chose to ignore that and swept into the room with the air of royalty.      “I’ll admit I’m surprised you’re actually relaxing for once. I’d assumed you’d have to come up from one of your secret labs.” Lena blew air out her nose in barely contained irritation.      “Andrea I’m rather busy so if you would please—”      “I’m looking for Supergirl.” Well, that was forward.      “Excuse me?” Andrea turned and fixed Lena with a hard glare.      “Supergirl? Flies around the city with a cape and laser eyes? Figure head of the media company I just bought from you?” Lena was forced to use an exorbitant amount of energy to stop herself from rolling her eyes,      “I know who Supergirl is Andrea, my question is why you’re looking for her and why you came here.” Andrea barely seemed to notice the irritation in Lena’s voice, instead, scanning the apartment.      “Look, Supergirl is Catco’s money tree. Half our news articles are about her and I haven’t yet had time to shift our news base. She dies and we’re toast.” Andrea sighed irritably. It was almost believable. “Supposedly, there was a fight involving her and some stragglers from the Children of Liberty trying to make a comeback. My sources say she was injured fairly badly and delirious. I figured she might come here. I know you two are friends.”      “Friends is a strong word.” Lena said dryly. That got Andrea’s attention,      “Ooh, trouble in paradise.”      “You are assuming there was a garden in the first place.”      “Lena, dear, you built her a statue.”      “I hadn’t worked with her yet.”      “Still, if she isn’t here, why do you have a gun in your waistband?” Lena froze. Quickly smoothing out her face, she gave Andrea an incredulous look.      “You come to my apartment at 10 pm, without calling ahead, with no invitation and want to know why I have a gun? You do realize how many people have tried to kill me right?” Andrea tilted her head back slightly, her eyes narrowed.        “Lena! Your shower is incredible! The—” Lena cringed. Kara went stock still. She was wearing one of the short bathrobes Lena had set out in the bathroom. At least she was wearing her glasses. Kara blinked and rubbed her eyes as if to dispel a vision. “There is a person here.” Andrea’s eyebrows were dangerously close to being enveloped by her hair.      “You didn’t mention having… company.” Lena smiled, it was reminiscent of a tiger baring its fangs.       “I did say I was busy.” Kara stepped forward, placing an arm around Lena’s waist. Her face was a similar color to her cape.      “Ms. Rojas, I didn’t know you’d be stopping by.” If her voice had been any higher pitched it would have been inaudible to the human ear. Andrea simply gaped. Finally she cleared her throat and said,      “It wasn’t a planned visit, Ms. Danvers.” Andrea flicked her eyes between the two women. Lena could practically see the cogs turning inside her brain. “Well, I think I’m done here.” Andrea cleared her throat. “If you hear anything Lena, do call.” She began toward the door.      “I— Ms. Rojas!” Kara squirmed and Andrea turned back. “Would you— I mean— I just—”      “Spit it out Danvers.”      “Would you maybe not tell anyone about this?” Somehow Kara managed to turn even redder. “It’s just that nobody knows and I really don’t want to have that conversation, especially if I’m not the one bringing it up and I know it could be a big story but—”      “Ms. Danvers.” Kara snapped her mouth shut. “So long as you two keep away from my cameras, your business is your business.” Andrea actually smiled,      “I’ll admit this does explain, well, a lot. Enjoy your… evening.” Andrea slipped out the door, into the elevator and reached for her earpiece.      “You heard all that. Pack up the team, she’s not here.”

     Kara and Lena remained frozen and silent until Lena’s tablet beeped with the notification that the elevator was descending. Great. Now it worked. As soon as she read the notice, Kara leapt away from Lena as though she had been burned.      “I am so, so sorry. It was the first thing that popped into my head. I just thought that was the best way to convince her she was wrong and if she figured out you were helping me you’d be a target too and I figured you’d prefer this over getting murdered and— Why are you laughing?”      Lena shook as she struggled to draw in breath. She looked up at Kara and simply redoubled in fits of laughter. Kara opened and closed her mouth like a gasping fish. Finally taking pity on Kara, she spoke,      “Kara. I would much prefer Andrea Rojas believe we are having a secret love affair than both of us getting shot.” She grinned, “Plus, that was the funniest thing I have seen in actual years. You made Andrea Rojas sputter like a 5 year old caught with their hand in the cookie jar.” Kara ducked her head and fidgeted with her sleeves.      “You sure?”      “Yes.” Lena took Kara’s cheeks in her hands and lifted her head up to eye level. “I’m glad you’re okay.” She raised an eyebrow, “Besides, for a friend like you there are no boundaries, remember?” Kara seemed to glow as her face split in a toothy smile. “Come on, you shouldn’t be standing this long with your injuries.” Lena carefully took Kara’s arm and sat her on the couch. Kara winced heavily at the angled motion. They sat together then, Kara resting her head on Lena’s shoulder, and after a few minutes Lena recognized the even breaths of sleep. Kara isn’t her friend, Lena reminds herself, Kara Danvers is not her friend. But maybe, a traitorous corner of her mind whispers, maybe she could be.

[cwnerd12]

I swear to god this is the greatest thing I’ve ever written.

Putting it here so I can bask in its glory.

“Rager” David convenes a meeting and tells everyone about Achish’s offer, “I can’t possibly say no to this.” Joel: “It’s a carrot. There’s gotta be a stick he’s hiding somewhere.” David: “Exactly. I’m scared if I don’t agree to it, the people in the borderlands are gonna pay the price.” Abby: “I’ve brought it up before, but we need to consider going to other countries.” David: “Which country, exactly?” Abby: “Moab.” Jack: “Are we really *that* desperate?” David: “We’re pretty fuckin’ desperate.” Jack: “When Moab separated from Jericho, the King of Jericho was happy because for once the trash had taken itself out. Queen Laura is only Queen because she poisoned her husband, and you’ve already been poisoned once!” Michelle: “Okay, Jack, when we met King Norris, he had more fat in his arteries than either of us could eat in a lifetime. I’m pretty sure Laura didn’t have to poison him. Besides, any old man who marries a woman that young is basically asking to get poisoned.” Abby: “In the five years that she’s reigned, Queen Laura has actually donated more of her personal wealth to philanthropy than any other sitting monarch. She’s peacefully settled a lot of disputes between rival militias and actually brokered peace between a few of them. Moab has resources. It has wealth that Gath doesn’t have. Personally, if I had any sort of choice in which country I ended up in, I would have gone to Moab.” Asher: “If we go to Moab, we could get a hotel on the beach.” Jack (muttering): “Uncle William is in Moab. If partnering with Moab means partnering with him I’m fucking leaving.” David: “I’m with Jack, if a partnership with Moab means partnering with CrossGen, I’m not doing it.” Abby: “We can negotiate that.” David (sighing heavily): “Not that it matters, anyway. We’re stuck here in Gath until we can get the Borderlands issue resolved. Is there some way we can… just make Achish want nothing to do with us?” Abby: “What do you mean?” David: “If we could get Achish to no longer trust us, but without being treacherous, like… if we could convince him we’re unreliable, useless, even, and we’ve been incredibly lucky, but we’re not a threat to him.” Asher: “You want him to think we’re a bunch of idiots.” David: “Yes! Look, we’ve met with Achish, talked to him, right? But we haven’t really shown him who we are. What if I can convince Achish that I’m just a dumb piece of meat that people flock to because I’m hot?” Jack: “You are hot, babe.” David: “Thank you, Jack.” Michelle: “If he thinks you’re an idiot, he’ll throw you out and put Jack in charge.” David: “What if we’re all idiots? What if Samuels picked us out to do his bidding because we’re all stupid and easily led, and now that Samuels is dead, we’re floundering in our own idiocy?” Abby: “I can’t act like an idiot. I’m the one who has to negotiate the borderland deal and make sure it doesn’t come with any strings attached.” David: “No! That’s good! One smart person to tell Achish that we’re all stupid!” Abby: “Well what if Achish wants me to work for him, then?” David: “Shit. I dunno. Cross that bridge when we get to it, I guess.” Jack: “Michelle and I can have lunch with Queen Lena. It’ll be easy to get her to hate us, all we have to do is act like Mom.” Joel: “What if he catches on? We can’t all be complete idiots.” David: “But you could be an angry person who uses politics as an excuse to punch people.” Joel: “Yeah, I could.” A big smile spreads over David’s face, “Yeah, we can do this. We just have to be careful, plan everything out. This is gonna work.”

On the way to meet Achish, David runs into Doug, an old army buddy (one of the guys Jack invited to come in from the front on First Night) who has joined the resistance. David is thrilled to see Doug, and he asks where their other friend is. Doug: “Still in Gilboa.” David: “Shit. I can’t talk now, I’ve got a lot of shit to do, but I’m definitely gonna catch up with you later!”

In the negotiations with Achish, David plays a mix of “golly gee whiz” ignorant farm boy and meathead jockbro, all while managing to be charming, while Abby expertly hammers out the details. At one point, Achish sees something on David’s wrist, “Is that a tattoo?” David pushes his cuff up, where “DELIVER US FROM EVIL” is tattooed around his wrist, “Yeah, I was thinking about what you said in the cathedral about you know being a king and how a king protects his people and all, and then, there was that our father shit, and the priest said, ‘deliver us from evil’ and I thought…. man, that would make a sweet tattoo. So I got it." After the deal is made, Achish congratulates David and Abby. David: “Hey, if you think me and Abby are cool, you should see the rest of my guys. They’re really cool.” Abby: “You should see the training program we’ve set up.” David: “Yeah, you can’t meet everybody, though. I mean, some people are still in Gilboa. It sucks you can’t meet Monique, she got me into the resistance.” He pulls something up on his phone, “See?” He shows Achish a photo of Monique dressed as the Holy Virgin Mother, but instead of holding the baby Jesus, she’s holding a giant, veiny cock. David: “She’s amaaaaazing! She made our flag!”

Jack and Michelle have lunch with Queen Lena, the frumpy Queen of Gath who Rose has always been a bitch to. Michelle wears a slutty dress and acts like an airhead Paris Hilton type, while Jack does an imitation of Rose with the cold, malicious perfection that only an angry gay son could do.

Isaiah and David take Achish out to see Isaiah’s bomb making proficiency. He lights off explosives by size and gives them all stupid names and generally acts like a pyromaniac. One bomb goes off unexpectedly, causing Achish to duck, “What the hell was that?!” Isaiah: “Discrete charge that can be dropped anywhere and detonated remotely.” David: “SWEET!” Isaiah makes a big deal about showing off his biggest, baddest creation, but when he presses the button it doesn’t go off. “Shit, lemme try again.” It still doesn’t work. Achish suggests going onto the next thing.

Elsewhere on the training grounds, Shay demonstrates a hand-to-hand combat training situation for the Queens of Gilboa. She appears skilled and competent, and Achish watches with approval. After the lesson is over, a female student approaches and asks Shay a question. Shay blatantly stares at the student’s boobs and flirts with her. The student flirts back.

In a building, Joel tells stories of all the brawls he got into in prison with a disturbing amount of nostalgia, “Shit man, almost makes me want to go back.” The sound of a distant explosion causes Achish to jump again. David: “Sounds like Isaiah got his bomb to work. I hope he wasn’t there when it went off.”

Back at home, Achish and Lena talk about the AFG. Lena: “The prince and princess are just like their mother. Absolutely horrible.” Achish: “Shepherd is up to something. I thought he’d be delighted with the borderlands deal, but this makes me think he doesn’t want it.” Lena: “How could he not want it?” “I don’t know!” There’s a knock at the door, and Abby enters. Achish asks her what David’s up to. “Up to, sir?” “He’s planning something. Something that involves making me think he’s an idiot.” Abby remains convincingly confused, “Have you…. ever really spent time with David, sir?” “Every time I’ve spoken to him, he’s always impressed me.” “Yeah, that’s the problem. People tend to think he’s smart because he looks good, he’s charming, and he knows how to give people what they want.” “If Shepherd is stupid, how did he manage to organize an army?” “That was Reverend Samuels, sir, and Samuels is dead. David Shepherd is a golden retriever. He means well, and people like him, but he’s easily led, and useless on his own. That’s why Samuels picked him. Every success we’ve had since his death has been just unimaginable luck.” “What are you saying?” “We’re lost without Samuels. If you’re thinking of using the AFG for anything, you’ll be lost, too.” Achish sighs heavily and thinks in silence for a moment. Abby, with deep sincerity, “I hope this doesn’t affect the borderlands deal.” Achish: “The paper is signed. I can’t very well go back on it, can I?” A brilliant smile breaks over Abby’s face, “So the deal is safe?” “Yes. The Borderlands are autonomous and will remain so.” “Well, if you don’t mind, sir, I have to go celebrate with my friends.” “Very well.” Abby gets up to leave. Achish: “You’re a very talented negotiator, Miss Hatch.” “Thank you, sir.” “I’d be honored to have you as a diplomat for Gath.” Abby hesitates, “I have to think about that, sir. Good night.” “Good night.”

David and everyone wait around the bar/stage area of the hotel, which is decorated for a party, complete with kegs and a DJ booth. David sits talking privately to Doug, “We need to get out of Gath. I’ve got this crazy idea, I don’t know if it’s gonna work, but I’m hoping it will.” Doug: “If you aren’t going to be in Gath, where are you going to go?” “Abby wants to talk to the Queen of Moab, see if she can help us at all. But beyond that, I dunno. It’s impossible to look too far into the future at this point.” Abby comes hurrying into the hotel. David stands and greets her, “How’d it go?” Abby, breathless: “It fucking worked! Time for step two!”

Cut to a rager the likes of which Gath has ever seen. Asher mans the DJ table while everyone chugs booze. David, who is shirtless, Abby, and Isaiah, who is dressed like an alien general from a video game, nervously look out a window that overlooks the entrance of the palace. David: “It’s not working. Should we make the music louder?” Abby: “Any louder we’ll all go deaf.” Isaiah: “I know what to do. Meet me on the roof.”

On the roof, David shivers and talks to Abby. Abby: “Achish wants me as a diplomat.” David: “Shit. Well, maybe this will work.”“I don’t know. I think I have to do something. ” “If you want to be a diplomat for Gath, I won’t stop you.” “I fucking don’t, that’s the problem! I have to do something that will make Achish never respect me again.” “Don’t ruin your dignity or reputation for me, okay?” “Okay.” Isaiah appears behind them, his arms crammed with fireworks: “I make these in my spare time. I’ve been dying to light these babies of for weeks!” He sets up a roman candle and lights it off. He names the chemical responsible for each color, “Strontium carbonate! Calcium chloride! Sodium chloride!” David: “It’s like chemistry porn!”

Achish, asleep next to Lena in his bed, is awakened by loud booms. Panic-stricken, he runs to his window, and sees fireworks going off over the hotel. “OH FOR FUCK’S SAKE!”

Abby spots movement at the entrance of the palace, “Oh, shit, its working!” Everyone runs downstairs. In the bar area, David runs up to Jack, who is also shirtless, wearing tight pants, and lots of black eyeliner, “Come on!” They go up on stage. David grabs two microphones from the DJ station and hands one to Jack. He grabs a plastic crown and puts it on his head. “Hit it!” At the front of the hotel, Arthur, Sean, and Ethan guard the door. Achish and his security men go up to them. Achish: “What’s going on in there?!” Sean: “Autonomy, man, the people want to celebrate!” “Let me in!” Ethan: “Yeah we can’t really do that…” Achish: “I’m the fucking king in this country, not Shepherd!” Achish pushes the brothers out of the way and wrenches the door open. On stage, David and Jack, arms around each other’s shoulders, scream sing along to “Mr. Brightside.” Michelle, in a plastic tiara, dances on the bar. Achish walks into the hotel, and is immediately accosted by Isaiah in full cosplay glory, “Halt, human scum!” Achish’s security men knock him over and keep going in. They see Shay, who is making out with the female recruit from earlier. She sees them and makes the international sign for cunnilingus. In the bar area, Abby has a sudden moment of inspiration: “I know what I have to do!” She goes over to the nearest person, who happens to be Doug, “I need to borrow your shoulders!” She proceeds to climb up on his back. Across the room, Joel talks to one of his friends, “I’m sorry for doing this, but it’s for the greater good!” Friend: “FUCKING DO IT, MAN!” Joel punches him as hard as he can, knocking him straight into Achish as he goes into the room. Jack and David scream sing the chorus and jump up and down in time with the beat. Before the security guys can get to Joel’s friend, he gets right back up on his feet, and brawls with Joel. Michelle pretends to sniff a suspicious white powder. Abby points Doug toward Achish, “Over there, over there!” Doug staggers over towards Achish. Abby rips her top off, “TITS OUT FOR BORDERLAND AUTONOMY! WHOOOOOOO!” Doug trips and they both topple over. Jack and David’s performance reaches its off-key climax, “I’M MR. BRIGHTSIDE!” Achish goes over to the DJ table and rips all the wires out. The music stops, grinding the party to a halt with it. Achish: “What in god’s name is this?!” David: “Uh, we’re celebrating? Thanks to DJ Hillel for the sweet tunes.” Asher gives a thumbs-up, “Shalom, motherfucker.” Achish: “End this party. Now.” David steps forward, concern and sincerity on his face, “Oh, shit, I didn’t- I’m sorry if I upset you, man, I just… That’s my home. I want to do what’s good for it, and when something good happens, I want to celebrate. Because we really haven’t had a whole lot of reasons to. Autonomy under Gath is going to be so much better than anything under Silas. That’s incredible, man! I have something I can hope for, now!” Achish eyes David warily. David: “This… this won’t hurt anyone, will it?” Achish: “End the party now, and it won’t. And no more fireworks.” Achish turns and leaves. David, “Good night, sir!” The door closes. Abby goes up to David, “He’s seen my tits. He’s never going to look me in the eye again, much less want to work with me.” David: “Okay. Thanks for your noble sacrifice.” Jack laughs, and David has to smile, “I think it worked. Let’s all go to bed. We’ll clean this mess up tomorrow.”

David, Jack, Michelle, and Doug all walk down a hallway. David, to Jack, arm around his shoulder: “Mr. Brightside always makes me want to fuck your brains out.” Michelle, “Can you not say that in front of his sister?!” Jack laughs, “We should be idiots more often.” They go off into their respective rooms, and Doug, alone, goes into his at the end of the hallway. He enters his room, and gets a phone out of his suitcase. He calls a number, and on the other end, the head of the Gilboa spy agency listens in, Silas and Abner beside him. Spy head: “What do you have to report?” Doug: “Shepherd wants to leave Gath.” “Where is he going?” “He didn’t tell me. He was rushed and couldn’t talk, but he still believes I’m his friend. I’m pretty sure he trusts me. I just need to find enough time to really talk to him.” Abner: “Can you get a grasp on the morale of his followers?” “From what I’ve seen, everyone still loves Shepherd, and believes in him. There’s no dissent among the ranks.” Silas: “How are Jack and Michelle?” “I haven’t spoken to them, but from what I’ve seen, I’d say they’re happy to be here.” Silas: “That’s all I wanted to know. I’m going to bed.” Doug: “Good night, sir.”