So...this is...super late...
Sorry! Real life kept getting in the way. Hope this chapter makes up for it :-)
Warning: the following chapter contains high amounts of tooth-rotting fluff. Author is not responsible for cavities, sore jaws from smiling too much, or sobbing fits.
Now that that's settled, onward!
Mon-El awoke in a way he hadn't for the past ten years; slowly and contentedly and not at all ready to get up. Especially with the sight that greeted him when he opened his eyes.
Staring into Kara's sparkling blue irises, Mon-El couldn't help the smile that spread across his face, matching her own. The brightness of her cheek would shame those stars.
"Hi," she said softly.
"Hi," he whispered back. He had half expected her to be gone when he woke up. "You stayed."
Kara scooted forward, laying her head over his heart as he wrapped an arm around her back. "I missed waking up with you."
"Me too," Mon-El whispered, almost hesitantly. He was afraid that this was all too good to be true, that he'd wake up in his cold lonely bed on the Legion ship, Kara's warmth a distant memory.
"As much as I'd love to stay here forever," he muttered, "I think your alarm clock has other ideas."
Kara groaned when, sure enough, the device on her bedside table began to beep loudly. "Way to ruin the moment..."
Mon-El laughed as he reluctantly got up, searching for his clothes. "Wouldn't want to be late for the wedding."
"Speaking of which..." Kara said, pulling on her dress, "Do you think Winn would be okay with waiting a few days to go back to the future? I need some time to say goodbye to everyone."
"Yeah, of course. I'll talk to him," Mon-El said as he buttoned up his shirt. It was hard to believe this was really happening. She was really coming with him.
He paused, taking a deep breath. "Kara, are you...sure about this? Leaving everything behind just to come with me to the future?"
Kara stopped getting dressed and walked over, setting her hands firmly on his shoulders. "Absolutely," she said, lips curling into a smile. Her tone turned playful. "I want to help you keep the world spinning."
Mon-El chuckled softly. He remembered saying that when he first decided to be a hero. Kara had inspired him more than she could ever know.
"I love you," he said almost involuntarily. But who cared? After all that had happened, they were together finally and he could say he loved her as much and as randomly as he wanted.
Kara bit her lip in that adorable way, a light blush covering her cheeks. "I love you too," she said shyly. "Always."
***
Kara adjusted her glasses, her gaze sweeping across the crowd. Everyone had huge grins on their faces, ecstatic to be here, and Kara was no different. She had watched her sister struggle with love and being a mom and being herself, and she was so happy to witness Alex getting it all.
Especially when Kara was, too. She glanced at Mon-El standing next to her and he smiled encouragingly. This was one duet they would happily sing.
We belong to the light
We belong to the thunder
We belong to the sound of the words
We've both fallen under
Alex entered and walked down the aisle, clinging to J'onn's arm. He had on his proud papa smile, and Kara didn't think she'd ever seen either of them so happy.
Whatever we deny or embrace
For worse or for better
We belong
We belong, we belong together
Kara and Mon-El turned and smiled at each other with that line, eyes twinkling. A lesson learned the hard way, but one they would never forget.
Close your eyes and try to sleep now
Close your eyes and try to dream
Esme walked down the aisle tossing petals, looking like a little angel with her flowery dress and toothy grin. Alex leaned forward to wave at her daughter as Esme reached her chair and was pulled in for a kiss to the head from Eliza.
Clear your mind and do your best to
Try and wash the pallet clean
The smile on her face was making it hard to sing, but Kara wasn't complaining.
We can't begin to know it
How much we really care
And I hear your voice inside me
I see your face
Everywhere
Kelly entered now, with James at her side. She was wearing a beautiful wedding dress with a flowing skirt, and holding a bouquet of flowers. Kara was pretty sure Alex stopped breathing when she saw her, eyes shiny with tears.
Still you say we belong to the light
We belong to the thunder
Their voices reached a crescendo, rising to the sky as one.
We belong to the sound of the words
We've both fallen under
Whatever we deny or embrace
For worse or for better
Kelly and James reached the altar and James kissed his sister's cheek before heading back to his seat. She and Alex gave each other watery smiles and joined hands.
We belong
We belong, we belong together
Kara could see Lena, Nia, and Brainy seated in the front row, wearing vastly different outfits but with matching expressions of adoration. Taking a deep breath, Kara poured everything she had into the next line.
We belong to the light
We belong to the thunder
We belong to the sound of the words
We've both fallen under
There was a pause in the song, and Kara took the time to draw in a deep breath for the last line as their voices turned soft and sweet.
Close your eyes and try to sleep now
Close your eyes and
Try to dream
The guests clapped as she and Mon-El smiled at each other, joining hands to walk back to their seats. Eliza reached over and pulled Kara into a hug. She didn't speak, but the message was loud and clear. I'm proud of you both.
It was her sister's wedding, and Kara did her best to pay attention. Really, she did. But with Mon-El's hand warm in hers and her head on his shoulder, who could blame her for missing a few words?
***
"Ooh, I've got it! I've got it! 'To our next adventure!'"
J'onn threw his hands up in defeat at Kara's suggestion. "No! It's 'The Adventures of TinTin'!" he acted out each word as he spoke. Everyone laughed.
Kara giggled along with them as she sat down onto the couch, curling into Mon-El's side. He draped an arm over her shoulders.
"In Kara's defense, that was pretty bad."
She had missed all these little things with him—playing Charades, cuddling on the couch. It hardly felt real.
"Well, maybe I just said that because the last six years with all of you have been the greatest adventure I ever could have imagined—and I just can't wait for the next one." She directed those last words at Mon-El, who grinned back at her.
"Well," Alex started, breaking up their little moment, "If you think going all sappy on us is gonna make us go any easier on you, then you've got another thing coming, so."
"She's ruthless!" Kara laughed.
"Uh, and drunk." Mon-El added as the eldest Danvers sister playfully glared at him. He raised his glass. "I think Kara pretty much said it all. To the next adventure!"
They all clinked glasses, echoing the toast.
"And many more to come," Mon-El said softly, so only Kara could hear.
"Many more." She leaned forward and pressed her lips to his, pulling away only at Alex's annoyed remark.
"Can we keep playing, or are you two gonna make out the rest of the night?"
***
The breeze ruffled Kara's hair as they walked over to the waiting Legion ship. Her heart was pounding. Was this really happening? Was she really leaving?
As if he could sense Kara's distress, Mon-El tightened his grip on her hand and sent her a reassuring smile. She relaxed and smiled back. Whatever happened, they would get through it together.
Steeling herself, Kara spun around to face her family and friends. It was time to say goodbye.
Nia was first. She dove into Kara's arms, burying her face in her former mentor's shoulder.
"Thank you," she said when they separated, wiping a stray tear from her cheek. "For everything. I wouldn't be the hero I am today if not for you."
Kara gave a wet chuckle. "No, that's not true. You were always exceptional, Nia. I'm so proud of you." Nia sniffed once more, then stepped back as her boyfriend faced Kara.
Brainy looked at his feet and then back up at Kara, speechless for once.
"I-I cannot express how much it has meant to me to have you as a friend these past few years. You've taught me to have hope, and to feel things with my whole heart. Those are lessons I will never forget."
"I'm really gonna miss you, Brainy," Kara whispered, as she pulled him into a hug. She meant it, too. The Coluan, despite his reluctance at first to show emotion, had become one of her closest friends, someone she could always rely on.
Lena was next, tears building in her green eyes. "I can't believe you're really leaving," she said softly.
Kara took a deep breath. "Yeah, me neither." She regarded her friend. "I know we've had our ups and downs, but I'm really glad you're my friend, Lena Luthor. I'll miss you."
"Me too!" Lena pulled her into a hug. Kara inhaled her friend's scent, trying to stabilize herself. The next goodbyes were going to be hard.
After a hug from Kelly and a fist bump for Esme, Kara found herself in front of J'onn. By this point, her vision was blurry from unshed tears.
"Thank you for everything you've done for me, for all of us," she said, a lump forming in her throat. "Any daughter would be proud to call you her father."
The Martian swiped at his eyes. "I have never met anyone with as bright a soul as you. You make us better, Kara. And I know you'll continue to do so, no matter where you are."
Kara gave him a tight hug, then readied herself for the hardest goodbye of all.
"I'm proud of you," Alex told her. "You know that, right?"
Kara nodded shakily, trying to keep the tears at bay. "I know."
"Having you as my sister has been one of the best parts of my life," Alex said softly, her voice breaking towards the end. "And I wish you all the happiness."
"I love you," was all Kara could say as she fiercely hugged her sister.
"I love you too," Alex whispered.
Kara finally turned back towards the ship, where Mon-El was waiting after saying his own goodbyes.
"Ready?" he asked gently, brushing a tear from her cheek.
Kara smiled through her tears. "Born ready."
***
"You okay?" Kara turned from the window at Mon-El's voice and smiled.
"Yeah. I'm fine. Just...thinking about my family."
Mon-El nodded in understanding. Winn had reassured Kara that they had tech that would allow her to communicate with the 21st century, but it was still going to be hard to be away from everyone.
"I know this is a big change," he said softly. "But I can promise you that whatever happens, I'll be by your side. Always."
"Marry me." The words fell from her lips without a moment's hesitation. Unintentionally, but she didn't regret them for a second.
Mon-El blinked. "W-What?" he stammered.
Kara nodded, a smile growing on her face. "Seriously." She gave a little shrug. "Marry me. We've spent most of our lives apart from each other, and I don't want to be apart from you ever again. So, after all these years, will you marry me, Mon-El?" She was breathless by the end, having not looked away from his eyes once.
Mon-El laughed softly, disbelievingly. "Yes," he gasped, then grasped her waist and lifted her into the air as she gave a startled squeal of laughter. "Yes, yes, yes, it will always be yes!"
He put her down and gently brushed a lock of hair behind her ear. "I love you."
Kara cupped his face, thumb brushing across his beard. "I love you too." She leaned in, lips softly meeting his.
Golden light filled the room, and they turned as one, looking out over the horizon. The future was beautiful, glittering structures reaching to the sky as hovercrafts zoomed by.
Kara glanced back at Mon-El, a playful smile dancing across her face.
"Let's go be heroes."
His answering smile was brighter than the sun.
***
Far, far away, where love shimmers in the air like sunshine, a man with a red pocket-handkerchief and a black suit jacket sighed with reverie, hand over his heart.
"Crazy kids. They should've known they were always meant to be."
Fin
This story definitely had its ups and downs, but this last chapter is my favorite. I hoped you liked it, too :-)
I'm planning on doing a sequel for their wedding, so stay on the lookout for that. Thanks so much for reading! Be sure to vote and leave a comment to let me know what you think. Until next time <3