Chapter Text
Then
Oliver Queen wasn’t easily fazed, but the past few days had tested his limits. First, Barry had sped into his life once again, this time to drag him, John, and Thea into a battle against fucking aliens. If that weren’t strange enough, Barry had crossed into another universe and returned with someone who redefined the term "powerhouse."
Kara Danvers.
The name alone sounded ordinary, but the person behind it was anything but. Kara, better known as Supergirl, was invulnerable to bullets, arrows, and near damn everything either of them could throw at her. Standing in her presence was both awe-inspiring and humbling; she could obliterate the entire team without breaking a sweat. Oliver had kept her at arm’s length. After what the Dominators put them through, he had every reason to remain guarded. But then she had saved his life without hesitation, even though he was an asshole.
It was later that evening, amidst the post-victory camaraderie, that Kara caught up to him and Barry. He heard the distinct click of her heels against the floor and the cheer in her voice before she even reached them.
“Hey, guys!” Kara greeted, her grin as radiant as the sun.
“Hey,” Barry replied, smiling wide, mirroring her energy.
“Either of you ever save the world before?” Kara’s eyes sparkled as she glanced between them, her enthusiasm infectious.
Barry nodded. “Mmhmm.”
“Last year,” Oliver added, his tone subdued in contrast.
Kara sighed contentedly, a soft smile lighting up her face. “It doesn’t get old, does it?”
“Nope,” Barry admitted, shaking his head. “Beats screwing up the world.”
Kara frowned playfully and tapped his arm. “Hey, don’t be so hard on yourself.”
Oliver snorted, unable to resist chiming in. “That’s what people usually tell me.”
Kara turned her gaze to him, her expression softening. “And for good reason, I’m sure,” she said warmly before adjusting her glasses. “Back on my Earth, it’s just me and my cousin. Between the two of us, we’re-”
“-stronger than everyone in this room combined,” Barry finished with a knowing smirk.
Kara laughed and gave him a light nudge. “No, that’s not the point. You’ve shown me something incredible here. Powers or no powers, you’re heroes. You're-you're amazing!”
Her sincerity struck a chord in Oliver, though he avoided her gaze, focusing on his champagne instead. Barry beamed at her, their camaraderie palpable.
Oliver cleared his throat. “Um… Kara?”
She turned toward him, tilting her head expectantly.
He exhaled, bracing himself. “I owe you an apology. Keeping you at arm’s length was the wrong call. The truth is, this Earth could probably use a Supergirl.”
Kara blinked in surprise, a slight smile tugging at her lips. “That’s funny,” she said softly, her gaze steady. “Because I was just thinking my Earth could use an Oliver Queen.”
Her words drew a small, genuine smile from him—something rare and fleeting.
She grinned wider. “I know you said you don’t get unnerved, but…” Oliver sighed, and Kara leaned forward slightly, her tone gentle yet firm. “Even if you did, it’s okay. Hardship makes us stronger. That’s why everyone here looks to you as their rock.”
Her words hung in the air, weighty and honest. Oliver nodded, acknowledging the compliment with a quiet sincerity.
Barry grinned suddenly. “Group hug?”
“No,” Oliver replied reflexively.
“Come on!” Kara laughed, extending her arms.
“All right,” Oliver relented, chuckling as he joined Barry and Kara in an unexpected embrace. For someone who claimed to dislike hugs, he found Kara’s warmth oddly comforting—she was, undeniably, something else.
Then Cisco caught her attention. “Kara!” he called with a grin.
She turned, and her eyes widened when she saw the box he was holding. “Cisco! What’s this?”
“Well,” Cisco began with a twinkle in his eye, “I made you something.” He handed her the small box, and Kara eagerly opened it.
Her jaw dropped as she saw the sleek silver device inside. “What is it?” she asked, furrowing her brow in curiosity.
“It’s an interdimensional extrapolator,” Cisco explained, his voice tinged with pride. “It creates small breaches, so you can cross over to our universe anytime you need. Thought you’d like the extra convenience.”
Kara blinked, looking genuinely impressed. “Oh, my God,” Her face lit up. “That’s so cool!”
Cisco grinned. “It also has communication functionality. If you ever need any help, you can always contact us directly.”
“That’s…” Kara trailed off, still in awe, “That’s incredible. Thank you so much.” She hugged him, unable to hide her joy.
Cisco’s grin was wide as he shrugged modestly. “Anything for Supergirl.”
At that moment, Mick wandered by. “Hey, Skirt!” he said, giving her a wink. “Call me.”
Kara stared at him for a moment, her mouth slightly agape, before giving Cisco a confused glance. The sight made Oliver hide his smirk into his glass.
As the party began winding down, most of the team had already said their goodbyes to Kara. Left in the room were Oliver, Barry, Sara, and John—along with Kara, who was about to step through the breach to her Earth.
“You ready to see if Cisco’s gadget works?” Barry asked, his eyes gleaming with amusement.
“Ready,” Kara nodded, her excitement still evident in her voice. She looked back over her shoulder. “And remember, if you guys ever need me, I’m just a call away.”
Oliver nodded in return. “Same here.”
With a final smile, Kara pressed the button on the extrapolator. The breach shimmered to life, glowing brightly before swallowing her whole. She took a deep breath, smiled back one last time, and stepped through.
Once she vanished, the breach snapped shut with a soft, almost imperceptible hum.
Later, as Oliver and Barry sat together, beers in hand, Oliver couldn’t help but smile as he thought about their unexpected interaction with Kara.
“I’m just saying,” Oliver said, taking a swig of his beer. “Next time, I’m gonna get you.”
Barry raised an eyebrow. “I'm just saying, I beat you twice.”
Oliver paused, considering. “The first time was a tie.”
“And the second time?” Barry teased.
Oliver took another drink and then smirked. “There were no witnesses the second time.”
Barry snickered, shaking his head. “Superspeed arrow duels. Our lives are so weird.”
Oliver nodded in agreement. “I told Kara I wanted to reclaim some normal, but now… I’m not so sure.”
“I know what you mean,” Barry replied thoughtfully. “We got a glimpse of what 'normal' could’ve been.”
“It would've been happy.” Oliver's gaze softened, as he recalled his time before becoming a vigilante. Before the Gambit. Before Lian Yu. Life had been simpler, happier, lighter.
Barry’s voice brought him back. “But not full.”
Oliver met his eyes. “No. Nowhere close.”
They clinked their bottles together.
“To life being full,” Oliver added quietly.
Barry nodded in agreement.
As the sound of clinking glass echoed in the quiet room, Oliver couldn’t help but wonder what might bring Kara back to their universe. It seemed more likely that Barry, with his constant travel through dimensions, or even the Legends, would cross paths with her again.
No, Oliver mused, nothing in Star City would ever bring Supergirl here.