Chapter Text
Scotland. Rolling hills, ancient castles, and rain that seemed to fall endlessly from the sky. Kara Danvers hadn’t expected to find herself here, but after years of study, graduation, and a mountain of student loans, this small vacation with her sister was just what she needed. They had spent the last few days wandering through the streets of Edinburgh, exploring cobblestone alleys, eating haggis, and indulging in local delicacies. The city had a charm to it—one that Kara found grounding after years of living in the fast-paced chaos of National City.
At 26, Kara had recently graduated from a modest law school. Her future as an attorney was still in the works, though the idea of working in some giant, impersonal firm didn’t quite suit her. She’d always been more of a big-picture thinker—interested in doing something that mattered, something that helped people. But for now, a break was exactly what she needed. She'd been working tirelessly to earn her degree, and this vacation, taken at her sister Alex’s suggestion, was a much-needed escape.
Alex Danvers, 30, was everything Kara wasn’t—reserved, pragmatic, and fiercely protective. She was an FBI agent, with a career that demanded both her intellect and her physicality. Alex was used to putting her body on the line, to maintaining control in any situation. But she had never been one to embrace the “touristy” side of vacations. Kara was the dreamer, the fun-loving, goofy younger sister. Alex, on the other hand, preferred quiet moments and intellectual pursuits—unless, of course, it involved one of her many, complicated missions.
After days of indulgence—wine, pastries, and far too many restaurant meals—they’d decided to do something more active.
“Come on, Alex, we’ve been eating our weight in shortbread,” Kara said, teasing her older sister as she flipped through a brochure on fitness classes she had found at the hotel. “It’s time for us to move our butts.”
Alex, ever the reluctant participant, grimaced as she stretched out on the couch. “Kara, I’m on vacation. My butt is fine where it is.”
Kara grinned, sitting cross-legged on the floor. “I get it. But if I don't work out, I get cranky. And when I get cranky, I get... unreasonably sassy.” She wiggled her fingers at Alex, a playful warning.
“Oh, fine,” Alex sighed, rolling her eyes. “Let’s go. But you’re not dragging me to some silly yoga class.”
Kara smiled brightly. “Cycling class. I looked it up. You’ll love it.”
Half an hour later, they found themselves at a local gym. Kara, fit and athletic, was in her element. Having spent years maintaining a rigorous workout regimen, from running to weightlifting, she didn’t need a second invitation to get moving. Alex, on the other hand, was already mentally preparing herself for the ordeal. She wasn’t one to shy away from physical activity, but her idea of a vacation didn’t typically include burning off the calories from the last three days of indulgence.
Inside the gym, the atmosphere was electric. People were already moving in rhythm, sweat glistening on their bodies as they went through their routines. The cycling class was in full swing, and Kara immediately felt a rush of excitement.
In the front of the cycling studio, Lena Luthor was preparing for her own workout. At 35, Lena had built her empire, LCorp, from the ground up. She was the CEO of one of the wealthiest and most influential companies in the world, a genius entrepreneur known for her cutting-edge innovations. But despite her public persona as a cold, calculating businesswoman, Lena had always sought something more in life—something authentic and human. She didn’t have time for unnecessary drama, and she rarely allowed anyone to see the real her. But her best friend Sam Arias, 36, had a knack for pushing Lena outside her comfort zone. Sam, LCorp’s CFO and Lena’s confidante, was down-to-earth, loyal, and relentlessly pragmatic.
Sam, always a little skeptical of Lena’s enthusiasm for fitness, grumbled as she fiddled with her bike. “Honestly, Lena, I think we should’ve gone for a massage instead,” she said, glancing at the cycling equipment. “This whole workout thing? I don’t know if I’m feeling it.”
Lena smirked as she adjusted her water bottle, her sleek black leggings hugging her toned legs. “You need to get in shape, Sam. And you’re just scared of a little competition. Don’t worry, I’ll go easy on you.”
Sam rolled her eyes, but there was a twinkle of humor in her expression. “Sure, Lena. We’ll see about that.”
As Lena looked around the gym, taking in the hustle and bustle of activity, her gaze fell on someone.
Kara.
Kara Danvers stood by the entrance, scanning the room with her athletic build on full display. She was wearing a tight sports bra and running shorts that showed off her long, toned legs and chiseled abs. She looked like she belonged here, in a way that made Lena pause. It wasn’t just her physique—though Kara was undeniably striking—but something in the way she moved, the way she seemed completely unaware of the effect she had on the people around her. She looked a little lost, like someone who wasn’t used to being in the spotlight but was too bright to go unnoticed.
Kara, in turn, was scanning the gym, looking for a towel. She was so focused on finding one that she didn’t notice the eyes on her.
It wasn’t until their gazes locked that Kara froze. There, standing across the room, was a woman whose presence seemed to draw all attention to her. Tall, with dark hair and sharp features, Lena Luthor looked like someone who belonged in a magazine, not in a casual gym. Her piercing eyes—one green, one blue—were sharp but held something that almost felt… warm. Kara found herself momentarily speechless, caught in the mesmerizing effect of Lena’s gaze.
Kara, never one to be caught up in these moments, quickly broke the silence. “Uh, hi! Do you know where the towels are? I’m, like... looking for one?”
Lena blinked, momentarily thrown by Kara’s sunny demeanor before regaining her composure. “Yes, they’re just over there.” She pointed toward a shelf at the back of the room.
Kara flushed slightly, feeling embarrassed by her awkwardness. “Uh, thanks,” she stammered, before adding, “I’m Kara, by the way. Just... uh... new here, I guess?”
Lena smiled, her expression softening. “Lena. Nice to meet you.”
Kara was still a little flustered as she walked toward the towels, but she couldn't help stealing another glance at Lena, who was standing tall with an air of confidence. She didn’t look like the powerful businesswoman everyone made her out to be. She looked like… a person. A real person.
Moments later, Alex entered the gym, scanning the room for her sister. She spotted Kara instantly and made her way over.
“Well, well, if it isn’t the Greek goddess herself,” Alex teased, giving Kara an affectionate eye-roll. “You know, I think I’m going to start charging you for the tips. I’ve learned more about how to ‘look effortlessly amazing’ from you than any magazine ever taught me.”
Kara grinned, but then Alex’s eyes drifted toward Lena, and her teasing smile faltered for a second. She blinked, clearly recognizing who the woman across the room was.
“Wait a second…” Alex’s voice dropped a little, her expression turning from playful to astonished. “You’re telling me that’s... Lena Luthor?”
Kara’s eyes widened. “Lena Luthor?” She blinked, slowly processing the name. “Lena Luthor? As in LCorp?”
Alex nodded, her voice quiet now. “That’s the one. Billionaire, genius, founder of LCorp. The one who’s been all over the news for years.”
Kara’s mouth dropped open as she stared at Lena, suddenly aware of how out of place she had felt in her presence. “I... I didn’t know she’d be here.”
“Yeah,” Alex murmured, “she doesn’t exactly keep a low profile. But, uh... she seems kind of... different than I expected.” Her eyes flickered back toward Lena. “She’s... so normal. Like a regular person.”
Sam, having overheard them, grinned and joined the conversation. “Well, that’s because she is a regular person. Lena’s not all business. She just has an incredible ability to keep her private life private.”
Before Kara could respond, Sam clapped her hands together with a grin. “Okay, enough of the serious talk. Hey, fellow Americans!” she said, catching both Kara and Alex’s attention. “How about we all go out to the club? After this whole ‘fitness’ thing, I think we deserve to unwind.”
Alex didn’t hesitate. “Oh, I’m in. It’s been one hell of a week.”
Lena raised an eyebrow, glancing skeptically at Sam. “A club? I don’t know…”
Sam smirked. “Come on, Lena. You’re allowed to have fun every once in a while, right?”
Lena, ever the composed businesswoman, hesitated. It wasn’t that she didn’t enjoy a good time—she’d just gotten so used to the constant cycle of meetings, reports, and investor presentations that the idea of unwinding in a loud, crowded space didn’t appeal to her. But then, she glanced at Kara once more, still catching herself on how... normal everything seemed. Kara’s easy smile, the way she didn’t try to impress anyone, how effortlessly she was putting herself out there—it was refreshing.
Lena couldn’t help but feel a spark of curiosity. “Alright,” she finally said, her voice soft but firm. “I’ll go, but if this turns into one of those chaotic nights, I’ll make you pay for it, Sam.”
Kara grinned, her heart unexpectedly fluttering. She wasn’t sure if it was the idea of spending more time with Lena or just the novelty of the situation, but she was already excited. “This is going to be fun. I’m in.”
“Great!” Sam clapped her hands. “Let’s get ready, then! I know a place just around the corner. It’ll be perfect.”
As the group made their way out of the gym, the air outside was cool, with the faint smell of rain and fresh grass drifting in the breeze. The streets of Edinburgh were quieter now, with the hustle of the day starting to give way to the calm of the evening.
Kara couldn’t stop glancing at Lena. The LCorp CEO was so different from the polished, intimidating image the media had painted of her. There was a warmth in her eyes, an authenticity Kara hadn’t expected. Lena wasn’t just another wealthy business mogul; she was a woman with her own complexities, a person with as many layers as Kara had herself.
Alex, sensing the shift in her sister’s mood, leaned over with a teasing grin. “You’re not about to swoon over her, are you?”
Kara laughed, the sound light and carefree. “What? No. I mean, she’s... gorgeous but no. It’s just...” She faltered, her mind swirling. “I don’t know. She’s nothing like I imagined.”
“Yeah, I get that,” Alex said, glancing at Lena from the corner of her eye. “But... she’s Lena Luthor, Kara. She doesn’t exactly do small talk.”
“Maybe not,” Kara said with a little shrug. “But she seems like someone I could talk to. She’s real, you know?”
Alex gave her sister a knowing look, but before she could say anything, Sam was already talking about the club they were going to.