It all starts during a visit to CatCo.

Lena shows up for her lunch date with Kara to find the blonde seated on the couch, layouts spread over the coffee table and in hand, and glasses on her face.

"Kara?"

The new editor-in-chief looks up, smiling. "Hi Lena! Be with you in just a second."

"Take your time." Lena steps closer as Kara makes one more quick mark on the plastic sheet in front of her. "Are you feeling alright?"

"Why do you ask?"

"You're wearing your glasses."

"Oh." Kara blushes slightly as she stands and takes them off. "Yes, I'm fine. They just help me focus."

Lena nods as she leans in for a quick kiss. "There's no need to be embarrassed, darling. I just didn't realized you still used them."

Kara smiles again, that amazing, soft smile she reserves for her favorite people. "Not often. So, lunch?"

"Lunch. Where do you want to go?"

The next day, Lena pages through her mother's books at the Tower. She spends most of her free time doing this: reading about spells, trying to make different incantations work, figuring out the how and why of these powers of hers. Since magic is real, she wants to understand it and utilize it to the best of her ability.

Her eye catches on a word, and she stops skimming to read more closely. A spell to deaden the senses.

Kara's lead-lined glasses do the exact same thing…

An idea takes root in the back of her mind. Lena places a bookmark at the page and starts flipping through the rest of the book. Didn't she see… "Ah ha!" Instructions to key a spell to an object and/or phrase.

The idea grows further, taking shape as it does. Lena reaches for her phone and starts typing. If this is going to work, she'll need some help.

Six weeks later

Lena wakes to the sound of soft Christmas music, the smell of coffee, and an empty bed. She stretches and sits up, chuckling to herself when she catches sight of the clock. Of course Kara doesn't sleep in on Christmas.

As if summoned by her thoughts, Kara appears in the bedroom door, backlit by the lights of the tree in the living room. Her smile is bright, even in the dim light. "Morning, Lena." She approaches the bed and passes Lena a steaming mug. "Merry Christmas!"

Smiling, Lena accepts the mug and leans in for a kiss. "Merry Christmas, darling," she says when they break apart.

"So I know we're going over to Alex and Kelly's later to open presents with Esme, but I have something I want to give you before that, if that's okay?"

Lena's heart speeds up slightly, but she also feels a little relieved. "What a coincidence: I have something I want to give you before that, too. Give me a minute."

Kara looks surprised but agrees, heading back out to the living area. After using the bathroom and retrieving the box from her purse, Lena joins her.

They sit facing one another on the sofa, each with a small box in their hand, their faces mirror images of anxious excitement. Lena had thought over and over about what she'd say, but now in the moment she can only offer the box to Kara and say, "For you."

Kara accepts the box, eagerly tears off the wrapping paper, her eyes widening when she opens the lid. "Wow." She lifts out the necklace, admiring the way the gold chain sparkles in the light. "It's beautiful."

"It's a replacement for your glasses."

Kara looks up, confused. "What?"

"I found a spell that dampens the senses, and cast it on the necklace. You can activate or deactivate it with a keyword; that's inscribed on the pendant." Lena motions at the small rectangle hanging from the chain. "I just thought… you wanted to stop hiding who you are, and your glasses were part of that disguise, but you said they still help you, so-"

Kara leans forward and kisses her soundly. When they eventually part, she pulls back only far enough to rest her forehead against Lena's. "You are amazing. I love it." She presses another quick kiss to Lena's lips before pulling back further. "Your turn."

Lena accepts the box, smiling at Kara's reaction to her gift. The brunette unwraps her present with only a little more restraint than Kara had, revealing a square cardboard box. She lifts the lid and reveals a plain, silver-colored bangle, about a quarter-inch wide.

"It's white gold," Kara says as Lena lifts the jewelry out of the box, "and the inside…"

"It's engraved," Lena breathes, carefully turning the band to read. Alex. Kelly. Esme. J'onn. Brainy. Nia. Eliza. Kara. Lena. The names of her friends. Her family.

"Is… do you like it?"

Lena doesn't bother with a verbal reply, merely leans forward to kiss Kara again. "I love it," she finally manages.

Kara grins, bright enough to outshine the lights on the tree. "I love you. Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas darling. I love you, too."


Author's Note: I wish you and yours happy holidays, and all the best for 2022.