Alex rolled over feeling the warm spot where Astra had been lying. Even on vacation, the two women were so used to being up early that as soon as the sun had risen their bodies wanted them to get out of bed.
Alex stared up at the ceiling smiling, two years since she and Astra had met, a little less than that since she had come out to Kara and her mom. About a year and a half since she, Astra and Kara had decided to get a Brownstone closer to the DEO and CatCo. She had never seen Kara so happy and so sad at the same time. Then Lena had come along, and the little group had grown by one more. Now here they were on vacation, although there was a little black box in the drawer on Alex's nightstand that said this would be much more special than just a vacation.
Alex rolled onto her side and pulled the box out of the drawer, opening it to see the light play of the diamond, reminding her of the glint in Astra's eyes whenever she looked at Kara, or smiled at Alex and even when she prepared for a fight. She sighed at her thoughts and closed her eyes.
After another successful mission, Astra and Alex needed to cool down in the sparring room. What had started as training had become a part of their normal daily routine. The red sun lamps activated and Astra breathed in, then out, centering herself. Then the two women stepped to the center of the room, facing each other, they both nodded their heads and smiled slightly at one another.
Astra entered a relaxed fighting stance, she had noticed Alex favoring her right arm after the fight with the alien downtown. She watched the lovely red-head enter a boxer's stance, her right arm down, her left up. Alex moved quickly towards Astra, bobbing and weaving. 'By Rao, I hate this form' Astra thought to herself. Then she saw her opening and took it.
Alex moved forward, her right arm stiff and sore where the damned Alien had grabbed her. She knew she had the advantage over Astra while boxing, but with her sore arm, she didn't know how long she could last. Then Alex did something she rarely did in combat, she made a mistake. She swung through with one punch and her bad shoulder caused her to wince. She turned, lost her bearing and found herself with her back against the wall and nowhere to go. Astra stepped up, their face mere inches apart. Alex swallowed hard, noticing every feature on Astra's face, but she couldn't pull her eyes from Astra's lips.
Astra found herself lost in Alex's eyes, the strength, the courage, the love but she also saw pain. Instinctively, she reached up and put her hand on Alex's cheek, "are you okay."
At the feel of Astra's hand on her cheek, Alex felt goosebumps rise along her arms. Astra slid her hand slowly down Alex's cheek and watched Alex's brown eyes flutter at her touch. She licked her lips, wanting to lean in, scared to do so, scared not to do something. Alex watched the conflict in Astra's green eyes, the longing and the fear. The feelings had been growing between them both, Alex looked down, then back up again, at Astra's lips, then her eyes. Then her hand moved of its own accord, cupping Astra's cheek, pulling her closer. Astra leaned in, her lips parted, her face guided by Alex's hand. Then their lips met and Astra sighed. They gently explored one another's lips, then Alex's hand reached behind Astra's neck and pulled her closer, deepening the kiss. Astra's hands slid down Alex's waist and she wrapped her arms around her back, pulling her closer. Then the kiss deepened, tongues started to explore, moans escaped the mouths of both women, as tongue met tongue and the world grew silent around them.
After what seemed like hours they drew apart, a light kiss ending the passion that had been building between them since the day they had worked together to save Kara's life. At that thought, they both drew back, hand in hand and sighed.
Astra spoke first, "I need to speak to my Little One about this Alexandra, I wish to cause her no more pain than I have." She hung her head, her feelings were obvious in her heart, but after proving Kara's faith in her was no fluke, she couldn't stand the thought of causing her more pain.
Alex's thoughts were even more confused. They slid down the wall together, still holding hands, afraid to let go. "I need to talk to her also, and Astra, it-I have to talk to her before you do."
"Of course Alexandra, I understand," she nodded. "I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable Alexandra."
Alex turned her head towards the beautiful Kryptonian, seeing her with her head hung down. "Astra," she said as she lifted the woman's chin and their eyes met, "that was anything but uncomfortable." Then she leaned in and kissed Astra lightly upon the lips.
The two warriors stood and went their separate ways, maintaining touch until they were in a public area. As soon as they were apart, Alex lifted her phone and dialed her sister's number.
"Hey Alex, you okay, you sound a little out of breath?" Kara asked as she answered the phone.
Alex smiled, she hated when Kara did that especially since she could still feel the tingle on her lips from the kiss, "I'm fine Kar, can we meet in the park, we need to talk."
"Sure, did I do something wrong, or Astra?" Kara asked, preparing to defend herself or her Aunt.
"No baby sister, this is more personal." Alex wasn't quite satisfied with that answer.
A few hours later, National City Park
Alex stood, looking out of the lake, her hands in her pockets, looking at everything and nothing at the same time. She felt a tap on her shoulder and nearly jumped out of her skin.
"Sorry Alex, I've been standing here talking to you for two minutes." Kara smiled, but her sister's heart rate was through the roof. "I brought coffee."
Alex smiled, barely and took the coffee, "Sorry Kar, my mind was somewhere else."
"What is it, Alex?" She asked, "whatever it is, we can get through it." She placed her hand lightly on Alex's arm.
Alex closed her eyes and turned her head back towards the lake before opening them again. 'Dammit, this shouldn't be so hard. Not with Kara,' she thought to herself.
Kara reached down and took Alex's hand in hers, feeling how sweaty her hand was, "Alex, is everything okay, did something happen at the DEO, is everyone okay, is it Eliza, is that why I haven't heard from her today?"
"Kara, no, little sister. It's nothing like that, mom's fine, this is about me," Alex answered. "Let's take a walk."
The two women started walking down the waterfront, sipping from their cups, Kara wondering what was going on, and Alex, trying to figure out what to say.
"Kara, I've met someone, someone I like a lot," Alex spoke shyly.
"That's great Alex, what's his name?" Kara smiled brightly.
"That's just it Kar, it's-she's-oh Rao, this is hard." Alex stuttered.
"Did you say she?" Kara asked, "Alex?"
Alex dropped her head, this was not going the way she thought it would, she was floundering, with Kara. "We've been spending a lot of time together, working close, in the field and at the DEO." Alex was trying to explain, "we've been working really close, and I don't know Kara, the more I'm around her, the more I want to be around her."
Kara walked over to a bench and sat down, wrapping her head around what Alex was saying. "Are you telling me you're gay Alex?"
"I don't-maybe-we kissed today and there's something there Kara, something I want to pursue, something special." Alex's head dropped, "I think I am Kara." She looked up, with tears in her eyes.
Kara patted the bench beside her, and Alex sat down beside her. "Alex, I'm your sister, I'm not going to judge you, or treat you differently because you like girls."
"You're not upset, you're not disappointed in me? Oh God Kara, I couldn't stand it if you were disappointed in me," Alex was crying heavily.
Kara pulled her sister into a hug, "I could never be disappointed in you, you're my big sister, my hero and to be honest, I kinda saw the way you looked at Lucy when she was here."
Alex pulled away, a real smile on her lips, "and why did you notice that?"
"Because she had a cute butt Alex. How could I be judgemental of your sexual preferences Alex, I'm what human's call, bi-sexual, I like boys and girls, I just haven't found the right person," Kara admitted as if it didn't matter at all to her.
Alex's mouth dropped open at the admission, "We make quite a pair don't we Kara?"
Kara laughed, "what is it you always say about us? We should come with a warning label."
Alex laughed, "unfortunately that is very true."
"So who is it Alex? Who did you kiss that finally made you decide to come out?" Kara asked.
Alex took a deep breath and blew it out in a loud sigh, "Astra." It came out as a whisper.
Kara's mouth dropped open, and then she smiled so bright Alex couldn't help but smile with her.
After the talk with Alex, Kara took flight for a quick patrol, and then she headed back to her flat. Her head was spinning from Alex's coming out and admission. Things were about to change in her life and while she was happy for her sister and aunt, she hated change. She landed through the window of her flat and quickly changed into her pajamas. She cooked a pizza and sat down on the couch with her meal and flipped on Netflix, waiting for her aunt to come home. Finally, after binging five episodes of Sabrina, Astra came through the door.
Astra stopped, Kara had waited up, she had intentionally waited to come home until she was sure Kara would be in bed.
"Hey Aunt Astra," Kara smiled, patting the seat next to her on the couch, "something you'd like to talk about, something you might be trying to avoid."
"By Rao Little One, this is hard," Astra spoke as she made her way across the room and sat next to her niece. "Your sister is an amazing woman."
Kara sat in rapt attention as Astra began to explain herself. Astra took a deep breath, and another, then she opened her mouth to speak, but no words would come out.
Kara placed her hand on Astra's arm, willing her Aunt to be calm, to relax and talk.
Astra looked into Kara's eyes, smiling sadly, "l have never been good at this Kara, at talking."
"You were the best listener I ever had, Aunt Astra. You were always there for me, and now I'm here for you," Kara turned her head slightly to the side, making sure her aunt's green eyes were locked on hers.
"When did you become so wise Little One?" Astra asked, smiling.
"When my favorite aunt came back to me," Kara giggled.
Astra raised her eyebrows, "I am your only aunt?"
"That makes you my favorite," Kara giggled again then it turned into a smile.
Astra relaxed finally. "Thank you Little One, I guess this means you give me your blessing?"
"My blessing?" Kara questioned, "You and Alex are grown women, more than capable of making decisions like this without anyone's input, including mine."
"In that sense, you are both right and wrong Kara, we don't need you to approve our relationship, but we both need to know that it is not going to cause you pain or make you uncomfortable," Astra spoke solemnly.
"Aunt Astra, as long as you take care of one another and don't get me involved in arguments, I am happy for you both." Kara answered honestly, "Now, what's really bothering you about this?"
"Little One, I haven't felt like this since Krypton, since before Non." Astra tried to explain.
"Before Non?" Kara asked, confused.
"Yes, Little One, Non and I were betrothed for only a few years before we were exiled to Fort Rozz." Astra smiled a bit, "her name was Lara, and my time with her was very short, but it was so full of passion and love."
"What happened Aunt Astra? Krypton wasn't like Earth, your relationship would have been accepted." Kara was fascinated, this was a part of her aunt she had never seen before.
"It wasn't gender that kept us apart Kara, it was class and family." Astra frowned at the past, "she was a scientist, a future member of the Science Guild's Council. As the second-born twin, I was allowed to choose my own path, and I chose the military and with that choice, I sealed my own fate."
"Scientists and soldiers were not allowed to bond," Kara said, seeing the end of the tale in Astra's eyes.
"We were not, and your grandfather was not kind about his opinion, too bond with her would have lowered my station. As it stood, she married into another family and became the aunt of a great hero." Astra smiled to herself.
"But you were not happy Aunt Astra, didn't that upset you?" Kara asked.
"It did little one, and my bonding with Non was empty of feeling, of emotion and of passion. But it served its purpose, and because of that bonding my standing within my class grew." Astra smiled. "My journey has followed many twisted paths, but it has brought me back to you Little One, and has given me a chance at something that was missing from my life, love."
Kara tugged Astra a bit closer on the couch, wrapping her arms around her. This was a feeling she missed, one she craved once she discovered her niece was still alive. She pulled Kara to her and they hugged for what seemed like hours. As they pulled away, Kara's phone went off.
"What's going on Vazquez?" she asked as she answered her phone.
"Alien spotted north of the city," Vazquez answered.
"I'm on my way," Kara responded.
"Let me change Little One, I will go with you," Astra spoke.
"No Aunt Astra, I've got this, Alex will be here shortly." She smiled, "I'll get the alien, you get the girl."
Twenty minutes after Kara left, Alex let herself into the apartment. She saw Astra standing, looking out the window. She couldn't resist the pull that led her to the woman, and as she stepped behind Astra, she slid her arms around her waist. She felt some of the tension leave Astra's body and smiled, "she'll be fine Astra."
"I know Alexandra, but…" Astra tried to answer but Alex's finger was pressed to her lips
"Can you call me Alex?" the red-head requested with a smile. "Everyone else does."
Astra blushed, a slow smile forming on her lips, "I could my lovely, but such a beautiful woman deserves to be called by her regal name."
Alex shivered, then returned the favor by sliding her hand down Astra's arm and catching her fingers with her own. "Are we okay Astra, is Kara okay with this?"
Astra placed a light kiss on Alex's lips then purred into Alex's ear, "Kara approves of our courtship, Alex."
The sound of her nickname and the feel of Astra's breath on her neck caused Alex to breathe deeply. She turned her head slightly and brushed her lips on Astra's cheek, feeling the goosebumps form under her kiss. "I'm happy she did."
Three hours later Kara flew through the open window of her apartment and saw her Aunt and her sister lying on the couch, their arms wrapped around each other. She wrapped them in a quilt and made her way silently to her bedroom, a huge smile on her face.
Back to the present.
Alex stepped out onto the deck of their vacation home, she saw Kara and Lena making their way across the beach, and her Astra sitting on one of the deck chairs shaking her head.
"Good morning beautiful," she said as she bent over to kiss Astra.
Astra pulled Alex into a deep kiss, and when they finally came up for air, she whispered into Alex's ear, "My hero. I love you, Alexandra."
As Alex drew back from the kiss, she looked up to see Kara and Lena watching them from the stairs. Kara smiled sweetly and Lena winked at her. Alex reached into her pocket and pulled out the black velvet box. Then she dropped to one knee and Astra focused her attention directly on her. "Astra, the last two years have been amazing, having you become a part, the most important part of my life has been wonderful, and I understand, this is not the Kryptonian way, but it is a tradition here on Earth. I want to spend the rest of my life with you Astra, please, please do me the honor of becoming my wife?"
Astra smiled, she and Alex had discussed this many times, that and children. Lena had helped her with both, the application for adoption was under her chair, in a box with twin bracelets, the traditional ones, forged by her with Lena's assistance, following the customs of her planet. She held her left hand out as Kara had explained, "It is I who would be honored my lovely." Alex slid the ring onto Astra's ring finger and felt herself pulled into a deep kiss. When she came up for air she was pulled into a hug from her sister and Lena. Then she noticed a look pass between Lena and Astra.
She turned to ask what was going on and Astra reached under her seat, presenting her fiance with a larger black velvet box. Alex stepped back, sitting on the chair behind her. She opened the box and was surprised to find two silver bands, inlaid with what appeared to be cut crystal.
"These are bonding bracelets, Alexandra, they are the traditional jewelry of Kryptonian matrimony. I would be honored if you would become my bondmate Alexandra, as is tradition, not of Earth but of Krypton. The metal is of Earth, recognizing my dedication to your name and your home, while the crystal is from Krypton, allowing you to accept my name into your heart and forming a bond between our worlds." Astra smiled as she continued, "There is one more thing, Alexandra, underneath the velvet on the bottom of the box. A gift to us from Lena."
Alex looked at Lena, who was merely watching for Alex's reaction, she was still new to the family dynamic between the Danver's sisters and could only hope she hadn't overstepped her bounds.
Alex's hands were shaking as she reverently lifted the bands from the box and placed them beside her on the chair. Under them was an envelope, which she opened slowly. As she unfolded the papers and read them, her eyes started to water, then she saw the stamped word on the last page, and she looked up at all three of the women with her. The word approved was stamped there in red ink, she and Astra were approved for adoption, she was going to be a mom.
"What's the difference?" I asked him. "Between the love of your life, and your soulmate?" "One is a choice, and one is not."
― Tarryn Fisher, Mud Vein