I don't own these characters; DC/the CW does.

2: Avow

Kara was surprised how smoothly things went announcing that she and Alex were bond mates. For a moment, she feared Alex was going to have a heart attack and literally die on her feet until Eliza gave her approval. Alex really needed that. It was a very relaxed night after that and even went on longer than expected, but it was good.

"So, when did you suspect we were bond mates?" Kara asked after they had moved to the sofa and had gone through a bottle of wine just celebrating the good news. Alex almost fell off of her chair at the counter, probably not wanting to take things back to that, but she needed to see her mother was comfortable with their relationship.

Eliza leaned forward from her place on the couch. "It was never one moment. You two have always been a series of cute moments."

J'onn snapped his fingers and pointed to her. "Quite right."

Eliza nodded. "I think any great love is always a series of moments."

Kara crossed her legs under her and floated. "You think we're a great love?"

Eliza smiled and sipped her wine. "I didn't stop you, did I?"

Kara giggled. "You did not."

"Like I said, you two were cute. It was easy to tell you were more than two crazy teens just…" She grimaced and then took a bigger sip of her wine. "When did you two try to mark each other? I had always worried what happened with Jeremiah drove you apart." She glanced at Alex, who did not say anything.

"No, it was before that." Kara blew out her cheeks. "Now that I think about it, we were probably too young to be doing that by your standards."

Alex sighed and nodded. "Definitely too young. And then we drifted apart when I left for college. Well, I also fell apart, as Dad's death finally hit me." She shrugged.

"But, you found your way and you found your way back to each other," J'onn said. "I think this would be a Kryptonian fairy tale, which are surprisingly more Disney-esque than human fairy tales."

Kara laughed. "He's right. Tons of stories about bond mates losing each other, going through quests to find themselves, and then making their way back to each other to care for each other just the same. It's to show that no matter how much you change, your bond remains."

Alex nodded. "That is us."

"And it always has been," Eliza said with a smile. "You two all always be bonded. So, I can't wait for the ceremony."

Alex's chin wobbled and she sniffled. It was low, but Kara heard it. She really needed this. Eliza and J'onn left on that note, which seemed really good. There were hugs and smiles as they walked Eliza and J'onn to the door, which also seemed really good. Alex dropped on the couch as soon as Eliza and J'onn were gone, though, and laughed almost hysterically, like something was wrong.

"You okay, love?" Kara asked because she could hear the sob just underneath the laughter. She planned to clean up the dinner debris, but she had a feeling much of it would keep until the morning.

Alex laughed more, but it still sounded like crying. "She knew all along. I worried about nothing. I made us wait for nothing. She thought we did it already. Even Mom saw that we were bond mates. How stupid was I for fighting it?" She put her hands over her face.

"Hey!" Kara zipped over to the sofa and gathered Alex in her arms, holding her close. "You don't have to look back or regret. We're here now. Possibly better for it. I mean, imagine us bonding officially ten years ago and then I meet Lena."

Kara did not even want to imagine that. Alex would have been devastated. She would have drank herself sick more than likely. Hell, if they were lucky that would have been all she would have done. It would not have been good. They would have fallen apart.

"I just feel like I put us through unnecessary pain," Alex said, her voice small, but she huddled into Kara, so that was a plus.

"But, that's not true. First off, we made a mutual decision. It never fell squarely on you and we were still as close as ever. I was happy to be with you. I'm always happy to be with you," Kara replied. That would always be true.

Alex nodded and wrapped her arms around Kara's waist. "Can you stay tonight?"

"Of course." Kara nuzzled Alex's hair. "That was always the plan. You change your mind about being alone this weekend? We would love to have you. We could have a slumber party."

That got a chuckle out of Alex and she patted Kara's stomach. "No, go be with Lena. I'm doing good at clearing my projects when you're not worried about me."

Kara kissed the top of her head. "I'm always going to worry about you. I love you."

"I love you, too, Stitch."

Kara groaned, throwing her head back for a second. "You're going to have to cut that out!"

Alex pulled away just enough for her to see the huge grin on Alex's face. "What about 'Alf'? Wanna be Alf?"

"Why are you so terrible?" Kara laughed and she shoved Alex away. Alex did not go anywhere, holding her tight around the waist.

"I've got a long list, Mork. I go with Stitch because I know you love the movie."

Kara smiled and sighed, relaxing. "I do love that movie." It was pretty obvious why and Alex used to watch it with her on loop. Oh, how she loved me, even then. "Oh, can we watch it?" The nostalgia might help get Alex into a better headspace.

Alex gave a heavy exhale, like this was some great burden. "As long as you hold me, yes, we can watch it."

"I will always hold you, and just so you know, it's stuff like this that made life great, even when we didn't acknowledge our bond." Kara could have had this with Alex for the rest of her life and it would have been more than enough, more than she deserved sometimes.

Alex put the movie on and Kara held her. Alex fell asleep in her arms. The only way this could have been better was if Lena was there. But, she settled for the next best thing. She FaceTimed Lena.

"Hey, lover," Lena greeted her with a smile. From the background, it looked like Lena was still at L-Corp, pulled up to a table in her lab.

"Hey. Look." Kara angled the phone, so Lena could see Alex asleep against her.

"Aw. Is this from a good night or not?"

"Things went very well. So well Alex thinks she wasted ten years because we didn't do the bonding ceremony before. I think she's worn out from stressing herself out and then finding out she didn't need to stress."

Lena gave a sad smile. "A very Alex reaction. I'm glad things went well. So, when will you do the ceremony?"

"Next week good for you? Alex has custody of me, after all." Kara laughed. Honestly, she did not know how people in polyamorous relationships did this type of switch off for years on end. She loved both of her bond mates, but she wanted to be with them both at the same time whenever possible.

Lena chuckled right with her. "I'm fine with that. I picked out a dress the day after Alex accepted being your bond mate. I'm ready. Are you ready?"

Kara sighed, sounding dreamy to her own ears. Well, this was a dream come true. "I've been ready since the day I met her, but that's a story for another time. I also got a dress the day after she accepted."

"And knowing Alex, she'll just wear some tactical gear."

Kara smiled at the thought. "And we'll both swoon."

"Yes, we will." Lena wiggled her eyebrows.

Kara could not help laughing. "But, enough of that. How are you feeling? You okay?"

"I'm great. You see I'm sitting in my lab. Alex blew my mind with this hormone. I can't sit still about it." Lena wiggled and she looked around her before focusing back on her phone. She very obviously bounced in her chair.

"I am very aware, love." It was adorable to witness at first, but Kara feared this might be one of those things Lena obsessed over and she would have to watch for that. I can't let her get lost in her head, lost down a rabbit hole. Lena wore herself and got hurt when things like that happened, sometimes little things, but also big things.

"Is Alex coming over for the weekend now? She could help me—"

Kara jumped in. "She already said no. She's intent on letting us have this weekend to be together. And we are relaxing this weekend, Lena. Don't make me have to take you to a deserted island." She would do it. After all, she could be anywhere on Earth within seconds, so she could get anything Lena might need on a deserted island while Lena would have to relax away from everything.

"Oh, are you planning to seduce me on fine sand?" Lena smirked and her eyes grew dark.

"Is that what you want?" Kara smirked right back. "You've been calling it your weekend. Just tell me what you want and I'll give it to you." That was the truth. Kara would do anything in her power to give Lena whatever would make her happy.

"I think we need more time to plan something like that. Besides, I already planned for us to binge watch a show and eat ice cream."

Kara could not help laughing. "Okay, now you're trying to seduce me."

"It's working."

"Of course, it is. You, TV, and ice cream. I might come just from the thought." Kara let loose a wide grin. She could not wait to be with Lena, but she still did not want to leave Alex alone, just like she did not want to leave Lena alone.

Lena chuckled. "You have gotten so dirty since you started fucking Alex again."

"Oh, you like it. I mean, listen to you, mentioning me fucking Alex." Kara glanced down at Alex, not wanting to disturb her rest. Alex was still out like a light and Kara turned back to the phone, beaming at Lena.

Lena groaned. "Okay, no. You have to stop that. I want to focus on this while you're not here, so I can focus on you when you are. Are you coming early in the morning?"

"Probably the usual time. I really just want to make sure Alex is settled before I go. I doubt you'll be getting any texts warning you that I'm all sexed up. And, for the record, I'm not hyper after having sex with either of you."

Lena snickered. "I'm glad you think that, but that is not the truth. You are downright chipper after sex. Anyway, enjoy holding Alex. Maybe get some sleep. I've got this hormone thing to keep me busy and I look forward to you tomorrow. Love you."

"Love you back."

-8-8-8-8-

Alex wore the dress she was supposed to marry Maggie in, as she loved this dress and it seemed a shame to not wear it at least once. She had it altered, added splashes of blue and red to the white along with the House of El seal on the front. Of course, Kara squealed when she saw it.

Alex had to fight down a blush, but it was impossible. The love that just came off of Kara in that moment was almost tangible. Kara did not see it as a recycled dress, was not insulted that Alex used this dress. She loved Alex and loved Alex in the dress.

"You're so beautiful," Kara said before taking them to where they needed to be.

The ceremony was done at the Fortress of Solitude, just like when Kara and Lena bonded. It looked as it always did, no fancy decorations. It was just Kara wanted to do this surrounded by her Kryptonian culture while remaining on Earth. Both shaped who she was and the Fortress gave her a connection to both homes. Alex sort of felt the same. She had to connect with Kryptonian culture with Kara and it helped shape who she was.

J'onn performed the ceremony while Mom, Lena, and Kara's parents acted as witnesses. They invited Brainy and Nia, mostly because Brainy was so open and accepting of Kara having another bond mate that Nia did not even ask questions. Brainy felt the whole thing was too intimate and he feared he would treat it more like a study than a ceremony, so he and Nia decided to wait back at the Tower for the after-party, which they would all head to in a moment. That was where the real celebration would take place, anyway.

For all of its importance, a Kryptonian bonding ceremony was fairly basic. But, then again, it was not a culture of fanfare or flare. Fine by Alex, as she did not want something fancy or fantastic. She just wanted Kara.

Kara stood before her, dressed in Kryptonian robes, the ones from when she bonded with Lena. Alex had never felt more honored to see her in those clothes. She could not help thinking back to Kara's first bonding ceremony. She had felt nothing but joy seeing Kara and Lena make their relationship official, both by Kryptonian standards. Never once had she felt like Lena took Kara from her.

"This is amazing," Kara whispered to her, breath caressing her cheek.

All Alex could do was nod. The ceremony went by quick, just like when Kara bonded with Lena. Of course, Alex might have just blanked out, lost in Kara's eyes. She did not even remember reciting the vows. She had to have said them, though. There were tears now. J'onn cried, Mom cried, Kara cried, so of course Alex cried. Kara's parents looked on, clueless. Kara was happy to have them, but Alex would always carry a little resentment toward Alura. Zor-El was pretty much a puppy, though.

"I can't believe you have two bond mates," Zor-El said, putting a hand to his forehead as he looked between Alex and Lena. He pretended to faint, falling back, and then he chuckled. They had to laugh with him.

Kara put an arm around the waist of each of her bond mates. "Two brilliant, strong, feisty bond mates." Kara looked between them and pursed her lips. "Hmm… I might have a type."

"Funny, us too." Alex kissed Kara's cheek.

"I didn't know humans were quite this evolved," Alura said and then she flinched, realizing her mistake. Kara, Alex, and Lena frowned anyway. It was only so many times they could glance away as she looked down on humans, not like they destroyed their planet… yet anyway. And, she had the nerve to say anything about being evolved when she abandoned her daughter, not trying to contact Kara at all while she had been alive. Hell, while many Kryptons had been alive. She would never know or acknowledge the damage she did to Kara.

J'onn came up behind them before Alex could voice any of the thoughts running through her mind. "Maybe we should get out of here. Nia's probably had that party set up all day and is itching for all of us to join it."

"Yes, let's go." Alex would love nothing more than to not have to talk to Kara's mother ever again. It was more than the woman having the nerve to survive Krypton exploding and not once looking for Kara or even leaving Kara to clean up her mess. The woman was just so condescending. Alex was not sure how she had not called Alura a bitch to her face yet. Well, she's Kara's mother and you couldn't hurt Kara like that.

"I've got it." Lena hit a button on her watch and opened up a portal.

They went through the portal and entered the Tower where Brainy and Nia were waiting, dressed quite formally with him in a tux and her in a powder blue dress with matching heels. They popped party-poppers and sent confetti into everyone's hair, but it was still great. Nia fired up the music before they were even all in and then jumped on Kara to hug her. Flashing lights strobed through the Tower.

"Congratulations!" Nia then flung flower petals in the air, hitting all of them. But, they smelled nice and added flare to the moment, so Alex would let it pass.

Alex groaned. "You are really trying it right now." She needed Nia to know she would not take too much of this cute stuff.

"When else am I ever going to get this opportunity?" Nia flung more petals into the air, directly over Alex.

Alex rolled her eyes, but smiled in spite of herself. "You're lucky this is one of the happiest days of my life and I like you, kid."

"I can make it up to you!" Nia giggled and wrapped an arm around Alex's elbow. "Your dress is beautiful."

"Thank you," Alex replied and did her best not to preen. Fuck it, preen to your heart's content. This is your wedding, basically. She squared her shoulders and held her head up high. She was bond mates with Kara Zor-El and she could not be prouder if she tried.

Nia led Alex to the table littered with bottles of juice, soda, and of course alcohol. By the time she finished looking the selection over, everyone else was gathered around the table. Brainy took the liberty of pouring everyone a shot of Alex's favorite whiskey.

"A toast to the most obvious and most oblivious couple any of us have ever met!" Brainy held up a shot glass.

"Hey! You said that at my last ceremony," Kara replied.

"It's been true both times," Brainy said.

Mom chuckled. "He's not wrong."

"Can we please get some real toasts?" Kara asked, holding up her shot glass.

"May you all be more aware of yourselves!" Nia snickered.

"May you know peace and happiness together," J'onn added.

"And continue to love each other as deeply as you always have," Mom said.

"And build the life that you were always meant to have," Lena said, earning a few glances. She smiled and nodded and they all nodded back.

"To your health and future!" Zor-El grinned and that was good enough for everyone. They took their shots and cheered.

After that, Alex and Kara stepped over to their wedding cake. It was two tiers with a House of El symbol on the lower tier. The bakery did not think anything when doing this particular design, as National City loved Supergirl and tons of people got cakes with her symbol. There were also decorative roses around the base. Once they cut it, Brainy passed out flutes of champagne to toast again.

Alex had a sip of champagne for the extra toast, but that was the extent of her alcohol consumption. She did not really have a need to drink. She was happy.

So, Alex grabbed some food — empanadas, because of course they would be at any celebration for Kara. In fact, there were empanadas, potstickers, and donuts. Kara introduced her parents to those things while Lena talked Mom's ear off about her suppressant formula. Brainy took a seat next to Alex, who was parked on the stairs separating one room of the Tower from the other.

"Now that it's official, do you feel different with Kara?" Brainy asked.

Alex shook her head. "To be honest, no. It just proves her point. We've been bond mates since we were teens."

Brainy nodded. "I've been… considering…" He glanced at Nia.

Alex smiled. "I'm sure she would say yes. The ceremony isn't really something that will elevate your emotions for her. It's just a show and sign of the feelings already there. It makes a statement of your commitment to each other."

"So… were you not committed to each other as teens?"

"No, we were, which is what kept us together even after we decided we weren't bond mates, but I don't think I was ready for the level of commitment I am now."

"Is it because of Lena?" His eyes drifted to her.

"Are you asking in normal curiosity or part of a study I don't know about?" Alex could not help chuckling as she teased him.

He laughed. "I'm curious. I know it's not part of your culture to have relationships like this. Well, no, to have all parties acknowledge a relationship like this. You and Lena seem to be fully accepting that you have to share Kara between the two of you."

Alex nodded. "It works for us. You know, you do what works for you."

He took a breath. "I'm not sure how I would feel if Nia fell in love with someone else."

"Well, sir, your relationship is different. Honestly, Kara told me she was happy it went this way. I would've been hurt if we had bonded back when we were younger and she then bonded with Lena. She's probably right. I have a habit of wondering if I'm enough and if she bonded with someone else after we did this, I would definitely feel inadequate. So, sometimes things go the way they're supposed to." It sounded very true as she said it aloud.

He pursed his lips. "Not a very scientific approach."

"I know, but as horrible as this might sound, sometimes life can't be approached scientifically." Her eyes drifted to Kara, who was bright and shiny as she watched her father eat a donut. For all she had been through, she appreciated the little things. Alex had to learn to do that.

Brainy nodded. "I'm learning that every day from all of you. I am quite appreciative."

Alex smiled and patted his knee. "I'm learning that every day from all of you as well."

Brainy sat up a little straighter, pride tilting his chin up. He stepped away to go be with Nia and Kara came over. She unabashedly sat on Alex's lap, careful of Alex's plate. She was about as heavy as people would expect, but Alex was very used to her weight. She rested her head on Alex's shoulder and snatched one of Alex's empanadas, wasting no time eating it.

"You happy, Stitch?" Alex asked.

Kara let out a pleasant sigh. "You know I am. I love you so much. I love that we were able to do this." Kara kissed her cheek and wrapped her arms around Alex. "Also, I love that I can do this to you." Kara kicked her legs out. "When did you get this strong?"

Alex shrugged. She was not sure when it happened, but it had to do with the constant running around with super-powered beings. Of course, she had always been able to hold Kara up for a little while. Not quite as comfortable as she was now. Before she could contemplate that further, Lena came over and leaned against Alex. Alex put an arm around her and she rested her head on Alex's other shoulder.

"You okay?" Alex asked. She rested her cheek on Lena's head for a moment, but then moved enough to look at Lena.

"Yes, I just wanted in on your moment, for just a little while," Lena replied honestly.

"Why not? I've put myself in your moment for the rest of my life," Alex said.

"Stop saying that. Kara is our bond mate, simple as that. You haven't put yourself anywhere you weren't already," Lena insisted.

Alex sighed. "I know. I know. I'm working on it." It would seem she had a long way to go, but she was moving forward.

"We'll get you there," Kara said and rubbed her thigh.

They both hugged her and Alex doubted she had ever felt so loved and accepted for who she was. From across the room, Mom snapped a picture and that really cemented it. This was where she was supposed to be. I'm so happy to have them. She would protect Kara and Lena with her life.

Eventually, Kara and Lena got up to go mingle. Alex was prepared to do the same, but her mother came and sat down next to her. Mom handed her a slice of cake.

"You should at least have some of your own wedding cake, especially since it's really good," Mom said.

Alex nodded. "I'm going to live in the gym this week." She took a bite of the cake anyway. She hummed as the buttercream frosting slid across her tongue. This was a really good choice!

"I have to assume you do that already from the way you held Kara, like she didn't weigh anything. Do you wish you two could have had a normal wedding?" Mom asked.

Alex shook her head. "No, even when entertaining the idea of bonding, I never thought about us getting married. I think Kara and Lena should have that honor." Kara and Lena needed that in a way she and Kara did not. Being married would make them family. She and Kara were already family, would always be family.

Mom smiled. "That's good. You've matured so much."

"Not as much as you'd think. I'm still learning so much and having to unlearn things."

"Well, such is life, my child." Her mother laughed. "I'm still learning and unlearning things as well."

"Is that why you took this so well?"

Mom laughed again. "Oh, no. I've been waiting for this moment for a long time. I got a little scared when Kara eloped and did the bonding ceremony with Lena, but I see you two found your way again. Well, not so much found your way since Kara tells it that you never really fell far from each other, but you ended up where you should have been."

"Uh… I'm sorry about… you know… when we were younger." It sucked, but she had to apologize for being rude and having loud sex in her mother's house.

"I assumed it was going to happen, especially after Kara saw what your suppressants did to you. That's why I had that talk with you about your suppressants and why you wouldn't be taking them anymore and why I made sure to give you both several lectures about safe sex."

Alex groaned. "I thought those were just… you know… in general." She did not know it was possible to have retroactive embarrassment until this very moment. It would probably be rude to retch right now.

"Oh, they were. I mean, I didn't want to actually encourage you two to be together even more than you were. But, enough about that. Are you two going on honeymoon?"

"Well, it's my weekend with Kara…" Alex could not help chuckling over it.

Mom's face scrunched up a little. "Just a weekend? Are you sure? Didn't she do two weeks with Lena?"

"Kara can't take too many days off. Cat gives her leeway for the whole Supergirl thing, but with that, Kara can't call out sick or something like that."

Mom nodded. "Double-edged sword there. Where are you going?"

"She's going to surprise me. She just promised there'll be choice surfing."

Mom's face lit up. "Oh, she's going to get you to surf again. Nice."

Alex could not help smiling. "Yeah. It'll be nice." She looked forward to it. Two days of rest, relaxation, and, well, sex. I deserve this. We deserve this.

-8-8-8-8-

Lena sat in her full lab at work. She was a little surprised by how she had taken to the alone time she got when Alex and Kara were off together. Before Kara, she was often alone and hated it on so many levels. Hell, even with Kara, she had been alone, but in a different way because Kara had not been honest with her. This alone was different, though.

This alone did not feel oppressive or eternal. It did not gnaw at her bones and suck away her soul. It was just a chance to work while Kara was gone. It was as if Kara stepped out to go to the store or something similar to that. The fact that she was out with Alex actually somehow made the alone time better. They would come back, energized. Hell, Alex might have more ideas for the suppressant formula.

She could not believe how incredible it was for Alex to, one, come across this information and, two, workout how to use it without having to harm aliens for it. This could be world-changing. If she could get it from theory to reality. Right now, she had the chance to devote all of her time to it.

"Make sure you drink something if you're going to be up all night," Kara said from behind her.

Lena turned and smiled. "Babe, shouldn't you be moaning underneath Alex right now?"

"We just finished. She's getting a power nap. I got you a bubble tea." Kara put the drink down and kissed Lena's cheek. "Don't work too hard."

"I make no promises. Please, go enjoy your time with Alex. You both deserve this. You've waited so long."

Kara smiled. "Rao, I'm so lucky to have you. I just wanted to tell you. I'm so grateful for you and I love you so much." She hugged Lena close.

Lena ran her hands through Kara's hair. "I know that." She kissed Kara's nose. "I need you and Alex to stop acting like I've made some great sacrifice for you to be together. You were already together when I showed up. You were together when you and I started dating. You've been together. This is just a continuation of what you had with a little something extra added and I can't be upset about it. As we all know, I, too, would like to be sleeping with Alex."

Kara chuckled. "Want me to try to convince her to make a sex tape?"

Lena laughed. "I would rather you convince her to help me with this if I don't get it by the time she comes back."

"That'll probably be easier than the sex tape."

"I'm sure it will be. But, you can remind her, I'd still love a chance to watch."

Kara snickered. "I think she would, too, but she has to work herself up to that. Are you sure you're okay here?"

"I'll be fine."

"Okay, I'm going to leave you alone and hope you remember to eat, bathe, and sleep. I won't show up again until Monday."

"Promises, promises." Lena would be surprised if Kara stuck to that, but she would do her best to do the basics to make sure Kara did not have to come back.

Kara gave her a quick kiss and then Lena was alone again. She really liked the idea of being able to just throw herself into the science, like she would have done in the past. It was not forever. Just a change of pace in the name of science. Time to get things done.

-8-8-8-8-

Next time: happiness gives way to stress as someone tries to harm Lena and Alex ends up injured.