An Escape

Creature Comforts

"Lena!" Sam's eyes widened in surprise and delight as she opened her apartment door and saw Lena waiting on the other side of it.

"Hey," the Luthor replied with a shy, soft smile. Her head was ducked slightly, as though she was already trying to apologize for "intruding". Sam only gave the woman a pitying smile. Typical Lena. It didn't matter that this get-together had been Sam's idea, of course Lena would find some way, somehow, to blame herself for it, acting as though her presence was an inconvenience instead of an absolute delight. Sam really had missed seeing Lena for the entire past year, and after hearing about (and then seeing firsthand) how hard it had been on the Luthor, Sam had all but forced Lena to visit, begging her at least once a day to come over to Metropolis, continually reminding her that the Arias home would forever be open to her. Now Lena was finally here. Sam grinned broadly and opened her apartment door even wider, gesturing happily for the Luthor to come in.

Lena's shyness fell away as she stepped through the door and, despite herself, she couldn't stop a smile. There was something so homey and welcoming about Sam's apartment and Lena felt better and safer just by stepping inside. For a second, she forgot all of her troubles, and this apartment really had become her own. The gentle lighting, the coziness of the room, the soft hum of various electrical appliances, the warmth of the room. All of it was so natural and comforting, and all of it was just for her. For just one second, Lena felt like she really was coming home. Nothing else mattered now. She turned around to smile at Sam who was smiling back as she shut the door behind them. God, how Lena had missed this!

"Did you want anything to eat or drink?" Sam asked as she walked over to the fridge, pointing to it once she reached it.

"No, I'm fine," the Luthor shook her head politely in response to Sam's offer.

"Ok," Sam shrugged, then she pulled out a larger pitcher of water. "You sure?" and Lena couldn't stop a soft laugh. Sam had always been very hospitable and friendly. Maybe it was the mother inside of her, or maybe it was just in her gentle and caring nature, but Sam had always been the Mom Friend of Lena's circle. Offering food, drink and other amenities and creature comforts had always been her forte.

"Maybe just a small glass," Lena finally allowed, knowing that Sam would not be content unless Lena drank something. Sam gave her a thankful smile before pulling out two glasses from the cupboard nearby.

While Sam poured the drinks, Lena felt another amused smile tug at her lips, though there was a sort of sadness and fear to this smile. What would Sam have thought if she could've seen Lena just a few hours ago? Back then, Lena had still been at work, busy and alone in her office at L-Corp. But while she had been working away at her computer, she'd been drinking heavily. Without even meaning to, glass after glass of amber liquid had burned its way down her throat. Even after the flavor had come sour and even after the burn had become numbed, Lena kept on drinking, just because it felt like the only thing she knew how to do anymore. It was one of her more sinful creature comforts. There was something familiar about the bottle, and Lena never hesitated to reach for it during a crisis. Today was no exception. What would Sam have thought if she had known what Lena had been doing just a few hours ago?

"Thank you," Lena bowed her head politely as she took her water glass from Sam. Sam smiled back at her before leading her over to the couch. Once they sat down, Sam kicked off her shoes and reclined into the cushions with a sigh. For a moment, then, the two old friends only sat together in silence. Neither of them made any move to start a conversation, and Lena was thankful for it. Although she had come here to talk to Sam, she had also come here to escape, escape her life back home, in National City. To be free to just sit here with Sam in silence was a blessing all of its own. She felt no pressure to speak and that was a relief to her. She'd had to do enough explaining already. It was nice to finally feel safe enough to just be silent. And Sam seemed in no hurry either, sipping on her drink with her eyes half shut as she continued to recline on the couch. Perhaps it was because Lena was with her again, but all of the fretfulness Lena had gotten from Sam over the phone about visiting was gone and all that remained was a very serene and peaceful woman. Lena both envied and admired this.