Chapter 99

The next day is full of preparations for Lena and Kara to leave the next day. It goes by quickly, with everyone busy and rushing around. Before they know it, it's night and time for them to all meet in the gardens for one last get together before they leave.

They meet in the gardens, where in a clearing, there's a campfire with chairs surrounding it. This was Kara's idea, since she loves campfires like this. Once she got over her initial dislike for fire (which is understandable, what with her planet exploding), she ended up really liking it. The sound, the way it moved. It was calming almost. Plus, it reminds her of the times Alex took her to the forest for a night to camp out.

The setting sun has fallen behind the castle, preventing it from casting it's light on the majority of the gardens. The fire casts a warm yellow and orange glow in the shade, the flames going strongly in the absence of wind.

They all sit around the fire, the chairs pulled in close to the fire. In the shade, it's cooler (for humans anyway).

Kara looks around the fire to see her closest friends and family, and knowing that tomorrow she'll be off, leaving them behind... It chokes her up but she swallows down the emotions. With the people here, there's bound to be tears sooner or later so she can hold them back until then. She cuddles against Lena's side and cheers loudly when Lyra arrives, followed by a plethora of DEO agents carrying food.

The gathered group of people laughs at her enthusiasm. She and Lena get up to greet and hug the DEO agents. They both know them all by name by now, something that surprises and delights the agents if they hadn't interacted with them often enough to know that they know their names. The agents that come are all ones that are on duty, so they can't stay, but they give the couple their well wishes. And if they're okay with it, Kara gives them all hugs too.

The DEO agents set the food on the table nearby, all of it covered to keep in the heat or the cold of what's underneath. Then, with one last goodbye to Lena and Kara (who won't see them in the morning, as they plan on leaving early and the agents are working the nightshift), they leave to head back to the DEO.

Lena and Kara retake their seats, Kara practically vibrating with excitement as Lyra looks at the food to make sure it's perfect. Kara glances over at it every minute or sooner, earning amused looks from everyone.

"I think she loves our dinner more than you, Lena." Vasquez jokes.

"I think so too," Lena says. She smirks at her girlfriend when Kara gives her an apologetic half smile. "I know you love me too, darling. I'm just glad that the food will disappear fast."

"Her bottomless pit of a stomach can hold half of that," Alex teases.

They all chuckle, including Kara, because she does keep finding herself looking back at the food. Well, she hasn't eaten for three hours, so it's no wonder she's hungry! Lyra calls them up, and Kara graciously lets the others go first.

"I have to admit, I'm surprised you're last in line instead of first Kara," Vasquez says.

"I did it so that I know how much you all will eat. I'll take the rest," Kara explains. "This is actually what I usually do with stuff set up like this."

Vasquez nods understandingly. "Smart."

They go through the line, all of them grabbing enough to fill their stomachs (Kara taking the rest) and being it back to eat around the fire.

"Wait," Alex says. "Before we begin eating."

Alex holds up a hand and everyone pauses. Kara seems to be the only one confused by this. Kara pouts at her sister and Alex grins.

"It won't be long, Kara. We just want to do something we haven't done since... I don't think we've ever done this, actually. Um. But we wanted to do something for you, since you've done so much for all of us. You've embraced our culture, our language, our planet. Heck, you've even saved most of our lives on more than one occasion. But most importantly of all, you've loved us. So we wanted to do something, however small, to show you we love you too."

Kara opens her mouth to speak. "I know th-"

"I know you know that we love you, but I want us to prove it in our own way. Show you that we respect your culture too. Um, now I know that you've told me that on Krypton, before every meal you would do a prayer for Rao. And I know that when you first arrived, with the language barrier at first and everything else, you didn't tell us about it. And then you felt like we were already doing so much for you so you didn't want to ask for any more, so you ended up never mentioning it until just a couple years ago. So I figured we could do that now, if you don't mind. Is that okay?"

Kara nods, tears already in her eyes as she chokes out her answer. "Yeah."

"And, um. Not enough people here actually know Kryptonese, so I figured we would make do with something else. So apologies if my voice cracks or anything, no disrespect to Rao. They'll be coming in as we go. Or, as I go." Alex rambles and shakes her head. "Okay. Lets do it."

Alex takes a deep breath, the only sound the crackling of the fire, and begins. Kara's breath hitches. She had forgotten how beautiful Alex's singing voice was. Alex hardly ever sings, rarely feeling comfortable enough to do so.

Kara's hand lifts to her mouth and she can't stop the tears anymore when she recognizes the song. Her sister, her amazing Earth sister, is singing her favorite traditional Kryptonian song. Her friends and families voices join in, some shaky, some strong, but beautiful nonetheless. It's exactly what her parents said Rao wanted for his people, a true family that works together to make her her best self, and the happiest she can be.

Whoo! Hopefully that wasn't too all over the place. Wrote that after yet another Spanish test so apologies if it was scattered! Still have yet to plan this story out... And I have a busy weekend, so we'll see when it gets done! And can y'all believe that my Spanish tutor just recommended not one, not two, not three, but FOUR lesbian movies?? All of which I haven't seen? Amazing. Thank you all for reading and for your lovely comments! Stay awesome!