Work Text:
"A solar flare is an intense burst of radiation coming from the release of magnetic energy associated with sunspots. Flares are our solar system's largest explosive events. They are seen as bright areas on the sun and they can last from minutes to hours."
~~
At least, that is what Lena Luthor knew solar flares to be. She was never much interested in linguistics, in literature or poetry. She could appreciate a good metaphor, a good read, but her attention on the subject was never beyond simple enjoyment. Lena Luthor was through and through a scientist, a firm believer in what she could observe, in the tangible, in what could be proven. Not on the imaginative, nor the emotional lens of events... or of people. Thus, it took her off-guard, when the first thought that came to her head when seeing a certain reporter enter her lab (after she had shut her eyes and took a deep breath - her way of a mental factory reset) was: "this woman just caused a solar flare".
It wasn't like she wasn't expecting company. No, this reporter was here as per Lena's request. Well. She didn't ask for her specifically, any reporter would have sufficed. Lena was about to launch a new technology that would assist in detecting cancer cells. A little nano-bot, that could be safely inserted in one's body to detect at-risk cells, and remove them through artificial apoptosis. The issue was, Lena wasn't sure the public would trust this technology. As it is, fear-mongering over "AI taking over the world" is already a major set-back in her scientific endeavors that includes any form of robotics. Being a biochemical engineer, Lena had learned, was not just the research and invention of her products. It also included social aspects, going to public talks, doing interviews, gaining traction and trust from the public. Well. Not necessarily the last part. But just as Elon Musk has become a household name, Lena can't deny that being of the same status would make her proud of herself. At least that is what Lena Luthor has convinced herself. Behind the towering walls of emotions and memories lay a parent of favoritism, lay a childhood where she was never enough, never amounted to her brother, never made her own mother proud.
So. Lena had contacted a few prominent media companies. She believed that with such a story that a potential cure to cancer has been found, these companies would jump at the opportunity to break it first. However, only 2 had reached back out that they would send someone for an interview. Lena can imagine the face of her mother, taunting her, laughing at her, belittling her. "Just as we all thought. We all knew no one would take an interest in your work. If only you were like your brother, you would have been successful after your first product launch. But no, pathetic little girl. You will never amount to him. To anyone." It had become background noise to Lena. She knew in the back of her mind that it was her conscience making her mothers voice degrade her as such. And she knew it wasn't normal. Wasn't healthy. But letting others help her, that would just prove her mother right. She wasn't weak. She isn't weak. She's a Luthor.
There was some truth to those words spoken through her mind. Lena had cut contact with her family the day she turned 16 and became financially independent. With a few thousand saved throughout the years, Lena learned to fend for herself. She took out student loans, rented a tiny loft near campus, and worked in her free time as a lab assistant and TA. She made it through undergraduate and graduate school with only her mind and resolve, earning herself scholarships and the favor of her professors when she needed an extra day as she had to work, but at that point, her family had seemingly erased her from their name. She had no back-up. No one to turn to. She had no idea where to start. Where to live up to her potential. No one taught her what to do now. But Lena would never let it show. She never did let it show, and certainly won't let her insecurities and doubts shine through now.
Through her graduate advisor, she was able to harness a list of contacts. Potential partners, grants, places to fall back on if individual research leaves her broke. Lena is a smooth talker, and very convincing. At least, that is what she told herself when she received a grant for cancer research under a project for detecting and diagnosing early. Perhaps it was part convincing that she was worth the money, or perhaps it was her excellent transcript, her intelligence and confidence. Her consistently showing results. In fact, this grant followed from her graduate thesis, on pre-determined cellular apoptosis through a highly specific RNA decoder. In other words... Lena had quite literally invented a new protein that could prevent unregulated cell replication. After practical tests on mice, it was determined too unpredictable and unsafe for humans from its potential to mutate, and cause effects no one would be able to predict. But the idea was there. And was highly appreciated by some rich folk who believed Lena could make them a hefty sum of money from breaking through the healthcare industry. Probably.
Lena still wasn't sure who gave her this grant money. But hey. Money is money. And it will be the breakthrough Lena needs to make a name for herself. Lena Luthor. CEO of... Hmm. What would her company be named? A devious thought crossed her mind. Luthor Corporation. Mmmm. She liked that. It would be so petty, but the look on her mothers face when she sees the large building, glass and all, with the giant logo "LUTHOR", a mockery of her mothers words. But... her mother could manipulate the situation. Take credit for herself. Find a way to steal Lena's hard-earned fame. No, Lena would not name it Luthor Corp. She would change the name... to L-corp. Make the name a force for good. After all, Lena is a woman just trying to make a name for herself outside of her family. Is that too hard to believe?
To many, it may be. The Luthors aren't exactly a typical family name. Originally just another wealthy family, little 5 year old Lena distinctly remembers her mother speaking of how they deserve to be respected, deserve power, for they are fundamentally better than those around them. And her prodigy son, Lex, would take their name to the heavens. Her mother, Lillian, noticed how Lex was naturally gifted in school, thus pushing him through quickly to be able to start some sort of business. At least, that is what Lena remembers. She wasn't told much. She was mostly forgotten, and if not forgotten, then put down until she wish she were. And thus, Lex Luthor had started Luthor Enterprises at the age of 19, fresh out of graduate school.
Lena can't help but wonder every now and then, what Lillian had done to rush the process. Lex was smart, but was no Einstein. Lena saw his test grades, perfect 100s, but the one time she was able to steal one of the tests to see if she could be just as smart as Lex, Lena's answered differed. Not too much, though. But if Lena were completely right, Lex should have received an 84. But that can't be possible. The 100 was written clearly on the top of the paper. At first Lena truly believed she was stupid. That her mother was right. She couldn't amount to Lex, no matter how much self-studying, reading, observing, and experimenting she did. But 12 year old Lena walked herself to National City University, and knocked on the door of the professor whose name and class number was on the test, and asked that very professor to grade her version of the paper. The professor laughed and mumbled "another prodigy child?". Silence followed, then furrowed eyebrows from the middle-aged man, Professor Maxwell Lord the paper said, whose eyes raked over the test, over and over, slowly taking his glasses off, and proclaiming: "well I'll be damned. You got it all correct." Then a pause. "Where did a little girl like you learn graduate-level organic chemistry?". It seemed the professor didn't know who she was, the sister of the so-called "child prodigy"... sure, he was way ahead of his time, receiving an average grade in a graduate-level class as a 17 year old. But he was not a perfect prodigy.
That would become evident 7 years later. It really was well-hidden. The Luthors knew if it had gotten out that Lex had used human test subjects behind standards backs, leading to the deaths of nearly 50 people, they would be finished. Lex's experiments were spread out, he was... careful to not let anyone find a pattern. He had a specific list of people he would get for his tests. Orphans, widowers, those without family or friends. With the Luthor name money, Lex was capable of full background checks on his subjects. It only took one misstep for everything to come crashing down. One of his 'test subjects' had reached out to her estranged father, the day before the experiments, to let him know she wanted to reconnect. It was such humanity and courage that Lex Luthor overlooked. When the daughter had not responded back to his message, then calls, then further messages, he reported her missing, and was later found through security footage as last seen entering Luthor Enterprises.
Lex Luthor, a man obsessed with curing humanity of its plights, the media had said, turned out to be Lex Luthor, a man willing to do anything to make a name for himself. When the story was uncovered, it took another year until Lex was finally sentenced to life in prison. The public could not believe Lex Luthor, the man who had put on the market a drug that restored movement to people with paralysis, was actually an evil serial killer. And the Luthors, well. They pushed the narrative of written consent by the people who Lex tested on. That was until audio evidence surfaced of Lex exclaiming:
"The last test subject was a wrily one. I couldn't convince her to sign the consent form, had to use her fingerprint when she passed. Test results show we have improved movement by 80%. If only there was another way to test the stimulant without having to give these people artificial strokes. We are trying to cure something here, and imagine, if we have a way to cure paralysis, we would be famous. No, not just famous, I would be a god!"
It then later surfaced that if one of the paralysis patients survived, they were used again to experiment, as they, in a confession to the court by Lex "already consented to testing the drug". The Luthor name was ruined. Of course, Lena did not put too much weight on it. She wasn't their family. She didn't exist to the public as being Lena Luthor, sister of Lex Luthor, serial killer. She was mostly unknown. Which wasn't a bad thing, of course. When Lena had those 2am 'what do I really want in life' thoughts, the truth would always play itself in her mind. She didn't care for fame. She wanted to help the world. Not for recognition, but because she can. Because the faces of relieved family members seeing their child regain the light in their eyes when told they are cancer-free, that scene, that humanity, is what Lena wanted to dedicate her life to cultivating, for as many people as she can. Nonetheless, she is still a Luthor. She cannot just put herself and her product out into the world. Not after what Lex had done. She needed the public to trust her. And so here she is. In a small office space in her lab, hosting two reporters, to hopefully report the truth and do her justice beyond prejudices associated with her name.
~~
Lena never had time for relationships, or friendships. At least, that is what she forced herself to believe. Indeed, when she wasn't doing school work, she was either working for money, or doing independent research. Friendships, especially relationships, would be a distraction. But Lena would recall the days at university, seeing others in her classes, in the dining halls, in the courtyards bumping shoulders, smiling, gossiping. Seeing the sparkle in their eyes, their body language almost mocking her. The way their bodies were fluid, relaxed, in opposition to her static, 'perfect' posture. What were those feelings she had, perhaps envy, a sprinkle of anger. No. Something new. An overwhelming confusion that accompanied this feeling. This desire. To have that sparkle in her eyes, too. To have someone look at her, genuinely look at her, and know when she needs space, or needs to be... looked at. To be acknowledged.
Lena recalls the anguish she felt on certain nights, that is what the self-help books had called it. Anguish. If her mother saw her like this, she would never hear the end of it. An emotional Luthor seeking outside help. Unheard of. After one night in which she felt as though she were looking down at herself, (dissociation if it were to be labeled - self help books really are informative), Lena decided to try. To try to feel. To find a friend. Or, a partner? Lena had no idea what she was doing. She rarely spoke to anyone, unless there was group work, or the situation called for it. She didn't know how to start a 'normal' conversation. So she researched. Watched countless romcoms, watched how the actors spoke and acted around each other. With a solid collection of data on how to interact with others to find friendship or love, Lena was ready to try. If only to stop that ache in her chest. The ache caused by emptiness. Loneliness.
From her research, Lena Luthor knew that she was supposed to find men attractive, and attempt to befriend women around her age. She needed to be approachable, and find common interests, and dress to impress for whoever this man was supposed to be. Lena wasn't sure who to choose to be her friend or boyfriend. Why didn't the movies explain this part? How was the protagonist able to just look at a man and feel these emotions of attraction and lust? Lena dug deep into her mind, never finding any semblance in her memory of that feeling. To be fair, Lena would think. She doesn't feel much of anything at all. Perhaps it was the fact that those she was supposed to be loved by didn't do a very good job. Lena didn't know what love was. What care felt like. She only knew she wanted to.
And so, she decided to just choose a man. The guy that sits in front of her in Biomechanics class. That day, she wore a flowery dress and applied a layer of makeup and lipstick. She had never worn lipstick before, let alone makeup. And the dress, well. She would always wear comfortable clothing. Or in other words, she never spent money on clothing for the sake of aesthetic. Money is scarce when you are paying for college and rent at the same time. But this is how the movies say you get a man to notice you. Lena saw a few heads turn, then return back to whatever they were looking at before, when she entered the room. She made her way to her typical seat, and leaned forward, letting the low-cut dress show more of her chest than she would ever consider appropriate, though still covered. The movies had scenes like this a lot, as well. She did a mental fist bump with herself. She was on track. Lena tapped the guy's shoulder. He turned around, with a confused look, before that look turned into a smirk.
"Hey, what's up?" Is what he said. Lena ran the phrase through her mind, the array of responses displaying behind her eyes. "I just wanted to introduce myself, and ask if you wanted to get together after class." Good. Direct, while answering his question, so as to not seem like she was ignoring what he was saying to only get what she wants.
He stared at her... chest, for a moment, then replied with: "Oh, uh. What's your name again?". She noticed him glancing at a few people around him, who was also glancing at him, and sharing strange looks. Lena didn't falter, despite the mental smack she gave herself. She was still too forward, didn't even introduce herself. She would tack this onto her data on acquiring a partner.
"Lena. Lena Luthor. What's your name?" It was then that she heard the giggling of a girl sitting next to him, then saw the guy rolling his eyes and smacking her arm.
"Hi, Lena. The name's Jack. I- ". The same girl bumped her shoulder with him. He laughed. "- am busy after class. Go show your cleavage to some other guy. Not sure what you're trying to do, but uh, if you need homework help or anything, just go to office hours."
Lena remembered her face growing hot. The feeling of discomfort coming from embarrassment, and from the rejection. She knew it wouldn't be easy to make friends, or find a partner. But these feelings, she hates them. She hates how that girl is laughing at her. How he assumes she is not even interested in him at all. She hates how the dress makes her look, she hates how she feels like a failure. Despite her hours of research, she utterly failed. This isn't an experiment she can just retry without an emotional tax. She vowed to never try to find a partner again. Or a friend. She didn't need these emotions. She can deal with the 'anguish of loneliness'. She can be her own friend. Her and her mind, inseparable partners.
It becomes very confusing to present day Lena, when she feels a strange pang in her chest the second she laid eyes on the reporters. The same feeling she tried in vain to replicate for years. The feeling of... want. Of wanting to experience the sparkle. With that person. But, it wasn't for the male reporter. It should be, no? Is this... allowed? Lena could feel weight on her cheeks when she glanced at the female reporter once more. A glance that turned into a stare. A stare at the face of the woman, whose own eyes widened, whose tongue darted out to lick her lips. As the reporters entered her office, Lena tore her gaze away from the woman. She would figure out what was happening, later. Right now, she needs to get this interview on-point.
As the reporters settle in, Lena cannot help but analyze them once more. One adorned that fake smile she grew to disdain from people over the years. The other, though. The other's face, her mouth, it didn't have that smile. No, this was something different. A slight upturn of lips, indicating a feeling of content, perhaps. Or, comfort? Her face, her features are so soft. With a pink tint that makes her just feel so... real. Genuine. She was looking at Lena, though the woman had seemingly cowered behind the other reporter, a tall man. Lena may be a genius, but she was not the best at reading people. But this, this means that the reporter must be shy, or new. Waiting for him to begin, unsure of her actions. For a split second, Lena saw herself in that woman, as the 16 year old staring at the university gate, unsure of where she stood in life, or if she was doing the right thing.
"Miss Luthor, the name's Clark Kent, reporter for the Daily Planet. Pleasure to meet you" Lena nodded, put on her interview facade, and offered a hand. "Thank you for coming, Mr. Kent." She paused, and looked at the other timid reporter. "And who might you be?" is what Lena eventually said to the woman. A sentence that put her in control of the situation. At least, made her seem in control. The woman flushed, and opened and closed her mouth several times, before clearing her throat and managing out: "I'm Kara. Ah. Kara Danvers, CatCo Magazine."
Kara Danvers.
Lena felt the flutter in her chest once more. She felt it as the interview went on. Even when she turned around in her chair to glance out the office window to stop herself from staring at the woman. To stop these confusing thoughts. Lena didn't, then, notice the pair take that split second while she wasn't looking to rake their eyes around the room, looking for something. The interview continued as expected afterwards. Questions on what the device she created is, what it does, how it works, if it was safe. Lena was expecting the following question to come eventually.
"Lex Luthor is another Luthor name who attempted to cure what was believed to be an uncurable disease. Do you have any relation to him? And how can the public be assured that another Luthor won't hurt others?"
It was asked by Clark. Kara hadn't asked many questions, mostly just jotted down notes in a notepad, holding Lena's gaze in the times when she wasn't writing. Lena took a deep breath. She had prepared for this moment. She was unknown. Detached from her family. Not a part of them. Ever. Considering she was adopted, as well. But she cannot be dishonest to the public. She needs to be fully open and transparent. To not lie or do anything otherwise shady in order to get what she wants. She needs to not be Lex.
"I did grow up in the Luthor household. I left and cut contact with them when I turned 16. I sustained myself financially. I am 21 years old now, and have not heard a single thing from them, nor do I intend to reach out. As for whether growing up as a Luthor may make me untrustworthy. I hear you. I hear you all. I can only be as open and transparent as possible. I do not care for making a name for myself, even to 'spite' my estranged family. I especially do not want to hurt anyone. What drives me isn't greed, or power, like Lex. What drives me is... the sparkle. The sparkle in people's eyes when they hear their child, their parent, their partner, is going to be okay. The sparkle of humanity, of life, of being given a second chance. I may have been raised a Luthor, but I never will be a Luthor. I am Lena. I vow to take back the Luthor name. Make it a force for good. Use everything I have to make this world a better place."
Lena spoke with such passion, and honesty, one of those speeches in which the background fades away, and it is only her speaking, it is only her words that exist in this very moment. Her words, and... blue eyes, staring at her, perplexed, intrigued. Hopeful. Kara Danvers staring at her. Seeing her. Kara Danvers' eyes sparkled. Kara Danvers believed her. The women made eye contact. While still shy and bunched into herself, Kara offered a small smile. Not one of pity, or obligation. One of... acknowledgment.
And Lena Luthor's eyes sparkled.