Is it Gravity (or are we Falling in Love?)

Chapter 13

They carve a path on the bridge, past the stairwells, past the subway entrances, past the populated streets. Tall, thin apartment buildings with scattered lights run parallel to one another on either side of the sidewalk. Below the residences, small businesses with bright, welcoming signs in baby blues and fuchsias flash to attract customers.

It's captivating, National City's nightlife.

Into the quieter areas, they stumble through dark streets and alleyways with gentle laughter bubbling inside their chests, being foolish and nonsensical as they look at one another.

There is no one in sight, and for the time being, she and Lena are, effectively, alone.

There's a breeze that prettily tousles Lena's hair, black curls falling over black curls. When Lena slows down a little, with a grin on her face, Kara exhales softly and smiles as she stretches her arm towards Lena with her palm open. Lena doesn't hesitate as she tangles her fingers with Kara's.

The concrete and sidewalks glimmer like stars and reflect off passing cars. Small puddles dyed deep green, crisp yellow, and blood-red paint the street, changing with the stoplights. Kara captures these images in her mind, stores them somewhere for her to recall later.

They come across through quieter neighbourhoods and alleyways, running and then not running—filling the air between them with more laughter and foolishness. Kara's heart feels as light as a butterfly wing. She gives Lena's hand a squeeze, leading her to somewhere, a place that is more private and familiar. Where there is no noise from the outside world and where they could be just them, just be—

Making a detour and into another alleyway, it's Lena who stops first, pulling Kara into a hug. Her back hits against the brick wall as she wraps her arms around Kara's shoulders.

"So, maybe I should've said yes to you flying me back instead of running back," Lena says, burying her face in Kara's neck.

She lets out a quiet laugh against Kara's skin. With her hands on Kara's back, slipping underneath Kara's shirt, she seems to be taking as much warmth as she can, like a cat seeking the warmest spot, as she rubs her nose on Kara's collarbone.

Kara finds it infinitely adorable. It's cold—really cold outside, Kara understands.

"We're almost home," Kara whispers, and Lena pulls her face back to look at Kara.

There's a silence.

Lena's eyes widen a bit, as if to take in what Kara just said, lips parting gently.

"This feels familiar," Lena jokes, eyes going left and right. Her cheeks go pink a little.

Running past through streets and alleyways in the middle of the night, acting like silly, carefree teenagers. Kara smiles softly. Nods.

"You know that time when we were at the bar with our friends... and when we were running back to your penthouse," Kara mumbles, and it comes out low and gentle. She draws a long, disjointed breath, before resting her forehead against Lena's. "That was when I really realized it. What you do to me—just how much I adore you, and think about you. I just... I've always loved you, Lena."

Fingers clutch the fabric of Kara's coat tightly. The familiar sound of a heart beating fast reaches Kara's ears, and it makes Kara smile.

Lena's eyes bore right through her, not analysing or judging; they're contradicting, both all-knowingly and all-questioning.

"Home," Lena repeats, quietly.

"Yes. Um." Kara licks her lips and adjusts her glasses. "Your place. We don't have to do anything, it's just, you know, we should probably talk some more? Also, I kind of wanna sleep with you. Not necessarily like that, just like, sleep-sleep—"