A/N: This contains consenting, non-sexual age play. Don't like, don't read.

Alex gathered Lena's hair at the nape of her neck. "What do you think, baby? A ponytail?" She eyed the pouting reflection in the mirror, stifling a sigh. Her Little girl had been in a mood all day. Not even a visit from Auntie Kara and her new kitten, Streaky Two, had helped.

Her usual limitless well of patience was missing in action as she considered options that might have more appeal. "Puppy ears?" Alex separated the heavy waterfall of Lena's hair into two adorable clumps on either side of Lena's head.

"No, Momma." Arms crossed over her chest, Lena scowled into the bathroom mirror. "Want braid."

Of course. The one hairstyle Alex had yet to consistently master – and the one that took the longest, thanks to her lack of skill. "Baby, Momma had a long day." She hated the disappointment in Lena's eyes. The tears glimmering on lashes. Alex fought aliens on a daily basis. She could do this one, important thing for her Little girl.

Sliding three fingers into Lena's hair, she focused on making each of the strands equal to the next. "Hold still, baby." Right strand into the middle. Crossover with the left. Alex repeated the movements, silently chanting directions. She'd watched a million YouTube videos. All of them done by perky women claiming braiding hair was "so simple a child can do it."

Only if that child wasn't named Alex Danvers. The very next time she saw Kara, Alex vowed to swallow her pride and ask Kara to teach her how to braid better. She finally completed the last series of rights and lefts. Almost at the finish line. "Which barrette, baby?"

Green eyes rolled at the question. "Stitch!"

Of course. A little of Alex's exasperation eased as she picked up the plush Stitch head barrette she'd found online. Gripping the end of the completed braid one hand, she wrestled with the uncooperative clip with the other.

With a sickening crack, it gave way, falling to the floor in pieces. Stitch, divorced from his metal "home," stared sadly up at her. "Rao damn it!"

"Momma!" Lena's hands covered her own mouth. Giggles erupted around her fingers.

Alex hung her head; although, Lena's laughter winnowed a path through Alex's frustration and coaxed a hint of a smile in response. "Momma has to put her allowance in the Swear Jar again, doesn't she?"

Lena's enthusiastic nod nearly pulled the braid from Alex's fingers.

"Momma might have to ask Big Lena for a loan. Momma's broke!" She checked that her handiwork was intact before picking up the other Stitch barrette. Thank Rao they'd come as a pair. "Here, baby, please open this for me."

Little fingers made quick work of the task. "I gots money in my piggy bank. You can have it, Momma." Her expression grew serious. "But no more bad words! Gramma 'liza says smart people don't needs 'em."

Alex clipped the barrette around Lena's braid and gently tugged a few ragged sections into place. "Keep your pennies, baby. Momma will pay the Jar and try not to be so naughty again."

Lena turned and threw her arms around Alex's waste. "Not naughty. Perfect! Lub you so much, Momma."

The strain of the day disappeared beneath the balm of Lena's words. "I love you, too, baby. All the way to the moon and back."