Kara's lip trembled after hearing Clark's words. "It's hard to explain, but I'm not worried about myself... I don't want to be scared, I want to be... I want to be the person I was."
Clark's hands squeezed her shoulders. "You are still that person, you're just... scared of what the future holds, and scared for the life you are carrying, not yourself. You are growing and changing." He paused. "It's terrifying, I know."
Kara was silent.
"I know it's different for you," Clark continued. "Your pregnancy, and your body is changing faster than most earth women, but you still look healthy even if you feel weak, it's overwhelming. But Kara.." He met her eyes. "You are not alone, Arthur is there, your friends are there, I am there."
Kara's jaw tightened. "I don't want to be a burden, that's also why I'm staying here."
"You are not a burden." Clark's voice was firm. "You are family."
Kara closed her eyes. Her hands found Clark's, squeezing them.
"Thank you, Kal," she whispered.
Clark smiled. "That's what I'm here for."
He released her hands, stepping back.
"Now," he said, his voice shifting to something lighter, "Do you want to tell me why you're really hiding in the Fortress? Because I know it's not just about the pregnancy and what you just mentioned right now."
Kara's eyes opened, they were wary.
"It's about Arthur," she admitted. "And Raven, and everything else."
Clark raised an eyebrow. "Go on."
Kara walked back to the bench, sitting heavily. Her hand moved to her belly, resting there unconsciously.
"When I'm around them," she said, "I feel... small lately. Raven is so powerful, she's a demon princess, a sorceress, a force of nature. And Arthur..." She shook her head. "Arthur is the Shadow Monarch, his power is so immense, I mean he has the power of death itself... He is fights gods and monsters... And I'm just in position to provide help, I'll be a burden and I understand that..."
Clark sat beside her. "Once again, you are not a burden, you're still Kara Zor-El, the Supergirl who survived Krypton's destruction, the one who came to Earth and chose to protect it with everything she had."
Kara's voice was barely a whisper. "But I can't even protect myself from this, Arthur was right to keep me sheltered, I can't imagine what he would feel if something happens to me, he would never forgive me for it, I'm reckless, I admit that..."
Clark's hand found hers. "You are, but this isn't something to protect yourself from, this is something to embrace. I'm sure Arthur understands that and that's why he hasn't appeared here, he clearly respects your choice of solitude."
Kara was silent.
"Kara..." Clark said gently, "when did you become someone who runs from change?"
The question hung in the air.
Kara's jaw tightened. Her eyes burned with something that might have been shame.
"I don't know," she admitted. "I used to be... I used to face anything. But now..." She gestured at herself. "With so many people around me that I care about I feel like I should be careful."
Clark studied her for a long moment.
"Arthur sent his two strongest Marshals to watch over you like you said," Clark said. "He's trying to protect you and his child without trying to force you to be somewhere, all because he loves you."
Kara's voice cracked. "I know."
"Then stop punishing him for caring, and go be by his side, closer."
Kara looked away. Her hand remained on her belly.
"I'll think about it," she finally said.
Clark smiled. "That's all I ask really."
He stood, stretching.
"Now," he said, "do you want another tub of ice cream? Because I think we have more in the back."
Kara laughed a surprised, genuine sound.
"You know what? Yes. Yes, I do."
Clark walked toward the storage area, his footsteps echoing across the floor.
Kara watched him go.
Clark swiftly returned from the storage area, a fresh tub of ice cream in each hand. He paused when he saw Kara's expression.
"How many did you eat if you don't mind me asking?" he asked.
Kara looked up, her smile was small, but genuine.
"It really is great," she said, "to have a family."
Clark's expression softened. He walked to the bench and sat beside her, handing her one of the tubs.
"That... did not answer my question but..." he said, "I'm glad you said that."
Kara took the tub.
"Thank you, Kal," she said. "For letting me stay here, for not judging me, and for being..." She paused, searching for the right word. "For being you."
Clark's smile widened. "That's what family does, Kara." He gestured vaguely. "We just exist together, through everything."
Kara nodded slowly. Her hand moved to her belly, resting there unconsciously.
"I never thought I would have this," she said quietly. "A family, a home and people who actually care about me." She looked at Clark. "After Krypton, I thought I would be alone forever. That I would just... exist. Survive. But never truly really live."
Clark's hand found her shoulder. "I thought for a long time that I was the only Kryptonian left, and it left a strange void in me even though I never lived in Krypton, I never saw it. But no one truly remains alone forever."
Kara's eyes glistened. "I know. I know that now."
They sat in silence for a moment.
Then Clark's expression shifted, becoming lighter, more playful.
"Although," he said, "if the supply of food runs out, I'm really kicking you out."
Kara stared at him.
Then she laughed.
"Wow," she said, shaking her head. "Just wow. The great Superman, threatening to kick his pregnant cousin out because she ate all his food."
Clark shrugged, his eyes dancing. "I have a reputation to maintain, The Man of Steel can't be seen running out of snacks. It would ruin my image especially with the Justice league, sometimes they come here..."
Kara's laugh turned into a snort. "Your image is already ruined, Kal. You wear your underwear on the outside!"
"It's not underwear! It's..." Clark sputtered. "It's a design choice!"
"A questionable one."
Clark opened his mouth, closed it, then shook his head.
"Alright..." he said with a smile.
.
.
.
.
.
Gotham City - Wayne Tower
The night was cold, and Arthur Blackwynd sat on the edge of Wayne Tower's roof, his legs dangling over the abyss, his glowing violet eyes fixed on the city below.
Gotham sprawled beneath him, he had been sitting there for hours.
A presence emerged from the darkness, materializing at his side with the silence of a ghost.
Bellion.
The Marshal of the Shadow Legion knelt beside his monarch, his form massive and imposing, his wings folded. His voice was respectful and measured.
"My Monarch."
Arthur didn't turn, his eyes remained fixed on the city below.
"The heavenly soldiers I sent through the Dungeons," Bellion continued, "have reported nothing back. That individual did not appear at all." He paused. "They have also managed to help the Hunters clear the Gates, as requested."
Arthur's lips pressed together.
"I know," he said quietly. "And I've already recalled them."
Bellion bowed his head. "It seems I have fouled your mood, my Monarch."
Arthur's jaw tightened. His hands, resting on his knees, curled into fists.
"You have not," he said. "I'm just..."
He paused.
Searching for the right words.
"I'm just tired, Bellion." His voice was soft, almost vulnerable. "This planet and its fate lie in my hands, so many things are binding me here. So many threats are looking toward it. And I'm trying to fight on all fronts while being careful not to destroy it in the process."
Bellion was silent for a long moment.
"We, the Shadow Legion, understand this heavy burden," he said. "And we will not disappoint you, my Monarch."
Arthur's lips curved into a smile.
"I know you won't." He turned to look at Bellion, his violet eyes meeting the Marshal's glowing gaze. "I just hope that I will not disappoint you, either. When the time is right."
Bellion's expression shifted, something that might have been surprise, even gratitude.
"The Dragon Monarch will feel the might of our power," Bellion said. "Sooner or later, he will even beg for his life."
Arthur said nothing.
His eyes returned to the city below.
"Before him," Arthur said quietly, "there are three more living Monarchs in hiding, clearly waiting for him to assist them."
Bellion's posture stiffened.
"I have managed to detect one," Arthur continued. "Baran. He has an army of millions of demons in the Dimensional Gap, one that was empty not long ago. I think it is a trap."
He paused.
"But I do not care."
Bellion's eyes widened.
"We will launch an overwhelming attack," Arthur said, his voice hardening, "and get rid of him, then we will retreat."
Bellion's hand moved to his chest a salute, a gesture of absolute loyalty.
"I will discuss the battle plan with the rest in the World of Eternal Slumber," he said.
Arthur nodded and Bellion rose. His form began to dissolve into shadow, returning to Arthur's own shadow.
/-\
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