Work Text:
Ever since Kara informed Cat of her pen's low ink, Cat kept an eye on the girl. The little incidents kept piling up, and the only explanation Cat could come up with was that Kara was indeed Supergirl, despite Kara denying it on multiple occasions and even going as far as having both of them - Kara and Supergirl - be in the same room just to fool Cat. It worked for about a day before Cat dismissed the stunt in her head, knowing that if there’s someone like Supergirl out there, there’s someone who’s most likely a shape shifter. So the game of pretence became their dynamic, the lies twisted around the truth just so Kara could to a degree keep Cat safe.
With them now being co owners of CatCo, Cat finally got over the hurdle of them being equal. Kara’s path was cleared, yet the girl still didn’t start. Cat was trying to figure out how else to get Kara, as her lighthouse technique seemed to fall through when it came to Kara. She was either the densest when it came to romance, which Cat would honestly agree with considering she never knew just how many people were actually flirting with her.
Cat made a mental note to work with Kara on her self worth and confidence. Her Supergirl persona seemed to suck those dry, leaving Kara Danvers with low self worth. For the nth time that day Cat sighed as she mulled over her whole situation with Kara. Every sigh followed with the entire lobby tensing. No one knew, and no one dared to question what exactly upset Cat Grant. Everyone just clenched their butt cheeks and buried their noses into their work, hoping this wasn't a quiet before the storm.
The elevator door opened and out came Kara Danvers, her bag in her hand while she held a tray of coffee in the other. Despite being a co-CEO now Kara kept bringing Cat her coffee, usually with impeccable timing. At first it was to ease the new assistants job and slowly over weeks of doing it, Kara realized it was one of the few times she did get to see Cat and have a conversation with her, ask her about Carter, share some little detailed about her own life.
She paused as the tense atmosphere hit her chest. She looked around, hoping someone would inform her of what was happening. With no one stepping up, Kara figured no one knew. She shook her head as she made her way towards the clear office door.
"Is Miss Grant sighing again?" It wasn't aimed at anyone, just a general question she often asked when people were acting this skittish. As a few affirmative hums were heard, Kara laughed with a sigh. Some things never change, not for the lack of her trying with Cat.
"OK, OK, I got this guys, relax." She turned and expertly pushed the door open with her elbow, making sure she didn't touch the glass with her skin.
"Cat, good morning.” She made her way over to the desk. Cat snapped her head up, glasses on the bridge of her nose as she bore her gaze at Kara.
"Here is yours, a straight black in this one, and in this one, I thought you might want to try the autumn flavours. It is my favourite, kind of reminds me of home and it makes you feel all cosy." She handed Cat her standard espresso along with the flavoured one.
Cat pursed her lips, her eyes narrow as she looked at the offered drink, then to Kara.
"Kara, do you really think I'm going to drink that?" Cat was trying. She hadn't fallen back onto her venomous bite immediately, nowdays. The decades of snark and snappy remarks were hard to let go, but she was trying and Kara - Kara seemed like she was testing her on every corner, be it with her millennial jokes or pumpkin spiced lattes.
"I know it is not your go to, Miss Grant,” Kara smiled as she saw Cat roll her eyes at the use of her last name, “you said you were open to trying more things, so here is one." Kara watched as Cat's expression remained the same, her solid mask perfectly in place. The only thing that did seem to change was Cat's heartbeat speeding up. " And since you said you’d like to know more about me, here is my favourite drink."
Kara beamed a smile at Cat. Cat knew she couldn’t do anything about her hearts reaction to this, she could only remain as casual as she could on the outside. She reached for her coffee, needing something to distract her from the smile on Kara’s face, that grew just a tad bit wider and pleased.
"All right, Kara. I'll try it, but I'm not making any promises. I know you devour sugar like it's nutritional. Oh, to be young again." Cat took her espresso and sipped on it, pleased at the subtle flavour that hit her tongue. She paused and looked at it before looking at Kara.
"Did they change the beans?"
Kara nodded. "They are trying out a new supplier I think. Not to your liking?"
"Different." Cat thought for a moment, taking another sip. "Not bad different, just different." She nodded before she looked down at the papers in front of her. "What's the great news?"
Kara grinned now. This was going to put Cat in great mood.
"Oh, Supergirl agreed to that interview. When do you want me to set up the date?" Kara already knew Cat's schedule as her access to it has never been revoked, but she wanted to give Cat the option to decide the date, if she wanted to.
"You already know my schedule better than me at times, despite not being my assistant anymore, Kara." Cat gave Kara a pointed look over her glasses. They have talked about this and Kara has stepped back, respecting Cat’s boundary.
“I did check your schedule, I’m sorry, I just wanted to know which dates match. But I haven’t set anything up, which I think you should be proud of me for.”
Once again Cat felt her heart speed up. “Yes, I am proud.” She sipped on her coffee to try and mask her pulse, but the small glint in Kara’s eyes let her know she wasn’t successful in the slightest. She looked at her tablet, pulling up the calendar. “I’m free later today, 6pm. If she can’t make that, I’ll drop the story.”
Kara nodded, typing in her memo. “6pm, got it. Oh, I’ll let her know.” Kara smiled awkwardly. She hated lying to Cat.
"Now anything else or can I get back to reading this 'intriguing' budgeting proposal that Duke left me with.”
Kara laughed. She appreciated Cat giving her an easy out. She looked up her eyes locking with Cat’s and for a moment she felt like there was no one else in the room, the whole world melted away and Kara could only think about how much she wanted to be closer to the woman in front of her.
Cat felt her heart do that stupid thing, she though it wasn't capable of doing anymore. Her lips tugged at the edges and she couldn't help but smile, her cheeks slightly red as she kept the gaze on Kara. Kara Danvers was making her feel like a teenager in love. She shook her head, not ready to fully admit to herself what she was feeling.
Kara cleared her throat, taking her coffee before she stepped back. “I will send you the draft for the new article I'm working on.” Redirection. “I still need a few more sources and confirmations to finish it up, but I do believe I have a very strong expose in the works. If I am being honest, I think it's my best work so far, and I'd love your input.”
Leaning back in her chair, Cat took another sip of her coffee. Kara had to be doing this on purpose, right? There’s no way she didn’t realize. “That's a first. You're usually never this confident.” She leaned forward again, fixing her glasses and giving Kara an amused smile. “I'm looking forward to reading it.”
Kara grinned, her teeth showing as she felt the happiness warm her stomach. She wanted to bad to fist pump the air. She felt giddy. Cat smiling was her favourite thing and her being the reason the woman smiled was like a cherry on top of a delicious cake. Not to mention Cat was looking forward to reading her writing. Kara cleared her throat, her cheeks darkening deep red as embarrassment crept up her spine. She could see Cat was refraining from commenting as her smile stretched just a bit wider while she kept her gaze downcast.
“OK, I’ll, I'll see you later then. 6pm. I mean Supergirl will see you then. Haha, I haven’t slept. Anyway. Have a nice day, Cat.” Kara quickly left the office before she embarrassed herself even further.
Once Kara was out of her office, Cat turned around in her chair to hide from the rest of the lobby as she thought about the whole interaction. Kara brought her coffee, her usual go to, but also brought her her own favourite. She made a note of Kara’s favourite coffee as she reached to the side and took the cup, sipping it. Tilting her head, Cat looked up at the turned off screens in front of her, and let the taste spread. She didn’t understand the ‘reminds me of home’ sentiment, but it did make her feel cosy. Like she was in front of a fire and it was snowing outside.
She let herself sink into the softness of the chair, kicking off her high heels and pulling her feet up on the seat, enjoying the moment as she analysed the whole interaction. The flirting has been on the rise and Cat wondered when Kara was going to finally… She shook her head, stopping her train of thoughts before she got lost in hoping.
Another sip of pumpkin spiced late made her heart ache.
The little visits in the morning made her days brighter. Every time Cat saw Kara it made her smile, her mood improved, then again, everyone seemed to have that kind of reaction to Kara. Her mind drifted and she remembered the first time Kara came with her coffee order when she got promoted. Cat was sure Kara only started it to help out the new assistant, but as the days became weeks and weeks became months, and now, when their footing was finally equal, the little visits became more and more and Cat found herself looking forward to them, looking forward to what Kara was going to bring with her next time. It left her wondering and thanking about what Kara would say, what she’d share, if she'd smile or laugh.
“OK, Cat, get a grip, you're acting ridiculous.” Was she though? Or was it Kara who was making her act this way as she dragged her feet and not seizing the moment as Cat so often, pointedly, advised her. She looked at her pumpkin spiced late and her smile stretched into a mischievous one as she thought of what to do. “Sure, Kara, we’ll see each other at 6.”
Kara knew she slipped up. She got giddy and too comfortable and blurted out whatever came to mind. She sighed as she sat down, melting into her chair. Her cheeks still felt warm as she tried to calm down her racing thoughts. The thin line she’s been balancing on for the past few months has been getting thinner and thinner, and, if she were honest, she’d love to just let herself fall right into Cat’s arms.
Soon.
She checked the time, nodding at herself as she got herself ready to work, stretching her arms up above her head.
“OK, let’s focus on writing a bit more of the expose before I send it over to Cat.” She took a big swig on her coffee as she turned on her laptop. It was going to be a long day.
It was indeed a long day as Kara finally made her way back to CatCo at 6.43pm. Of course there was a Supergirl situation that kept her away longer then she wanted to. She levitated above the CatCo building, hoping Cat wasn’t too disappointed with her. She slowly lowered herself to Cat’s balcony, landing softly. Cat was on her couch, feet tucked up beneath her as she was going over paperwork. Kara just watched her for a moment, how her eyes scanned over the words, how her hair fell around her face and framed it perfectly.
Shaking her head, Kara stepped closer, the light from the office illuminating her. Cat looked up just as Kara was about to knock on the glass. Their eyes locked and Cat smiled. Kara felt her heart melt at the genuine smile cat only reserved for those closest to her. The mask was down, her eyes tired as she looked to the side.
Cat rolled her eyes as she saw what time it was. “Running late are we, Supergirl.” She waved hand, motioning for Kara to enter.
Kara pushed the door open. “I’m sorry I’m late, Miss Grant. There was an emergency and…” Kara lost her train of thought, pointedly sniffing the air. “Is… Is that pumpkin spice late I can smell? with marshmallows?” Her eyes widened as she zoomed next to Cat.
Cat grinned, reaching out and holding up the coffee. “Why yes, Kara, it is your favourite.” She handed it to Kara, her mischievous smile never faltering.
“Oh, thank you, Cat! I love these.” She downed the drink, feeling the warmth radiate from her stomach. “I totally needed that. The day I’ve had was, let’s say long and exhausting.” She sat down next to Cat, melting into the softness of the sofa as she rambled on. “First that whole issue with Kirk happened, and of course it was up to me to sort it, as Mike was no where to be found again. Why do we pay him, if he is never there when you need him? And then I had to go and deal with another rouge alien, that was just confused and couldn’t communicate and accidentally destroyed half of the Plaza before I was able to move him. I’m beat and tired but this,” Kara lifted the empty cup, looking at it like a priced possession, “this magical liquid fills me up with joy and some days, it is honestly the only think keeping me going.”
Cat just watched Kara ramble on all too pleased that, yes she was right, but also that Kara seemed to have needed that and she was able to provide. “So, are we done with the charades and the dancing around the obvious, Kara?”
Kara opened her mouth only to close it again. She looked at Cat from the corner of her eyes. “Any chance I can backtrack that whole conversation?”
Shaking her head, Cat playfully swatted Kara’s shoulder. “Seriously Kara, I don’t know how much more of an opening I have to give you for you to finally step up.”
Kara froze. Did Cat just say that? So the whole flirting was not just her reading too much into every interaction? “S-Step up?” She slowly turned, scared to overstep, to be too much and not enough.
Resting her head against her palm, Cat nodded. “Honestly, I thought you finally becoming equal to me would have you seize the moment, yet here we are, with you still dancing around it. Seize the moment, Kara.”
And as if something finally clicked into place, Kara turned fully, her hands finding Cat’s cheeks, thumbs smoothing over them as she leaned in, slowly closing the gap between them. “You mean this moment? Am I doing it, Cat?”
“Would you just shut up and kiss me, already.”
Kara laughed as she pressed her lips against Cat’s, humming in delight as Cat responded, kissing back. It was short and sweet. A start.
“Hm, I may have found something better than pumpkin spiced late.”