I don't own these characters; DC/the CW does.
A/N: this is the sequel to Sixpence. It's the sixth in the Counting Saga. That means more Kara/Lena/Alex stuff and more omegaverse stuff. As always, I lack a beta, so I'm sorry for any and all mistakes. I hope you like this one.
Just wanna throw out some special thanks to important folks who help push me to write. Shoutout to: Mel, nyrdqueen, 2bears2023, Knzi, Eris_zilEira, Jodi G., Angel S., N, Evie, Lauren S., Persephone the dreaded one, jelli_tots, JoLeen, MaxximumRide666, HR..., Jennifer B., Starkitty23, 88WWitch, Kael D., Susie, Sally C., Sketchy Raccoon, Mary, MamaSaucy, Katherine L., Nick K., Reimarbles, EchoJuliet, and Matts. These folks keep this Lunatic writing more than I would if left to my own devices. They're awesome. I truly appreciate them.
Lucky Number Seven
1: Consciousness
Today, Vasquez had custody of Alex, or that was the joke they liked to make about their lunch arrangement. It would bother Alex if it were anybody besides Vasquez. She would have expected taunting from the phrase, but Vasquez was nothing like that. No matter how much Lucy, the love of Vasquez's life, teased Alex, Vasquez never joined in with her girlfriend, never backed her girlfriend up. Besides, Alex enjoyed lunch with Vasquez, so even if she made jokes about it, it would be fine.
"What to do something simple today?" Vasquez asked as they marched away from the L-Corp main building. "I want to talk to you about something and not waste a bunch of time walking for some new place to eat."
Alex shrugged. "That's fine, even though we could walk and talk."
"I'd rather be settled."
"Okay. Wherever you want to go." This had to be serious and she did not want Vasquez carrying it around any longer than necessary.
They ended up at the nearest deli, which was less than a block away. They ordered, grabbed their sandwiches, and sat at a corner table in the back. Vasquez was silent, but Alex did not press her. Vasquez liked to make sense of her thoughts and words before she said them. Alex bit into her Philly cheesesteak.
"I've been looking at rings for Lucy," Vasquez said, voice low, almost shy. She ducked her head for a moment, eyes on her tuna melt, as if she could not face Alex suddenly.
Alex was not surprised. Vasquez had been taken with Lucy since they first met. Yes, there had been bumps. What relationship, especially with Lucy Lane, did not have bumps? Vasquez handled her relationship like she did everything else, with quiet masterful certainty.
"What made you do it now? I'm shocked you've waited so long, but I'm sure it was more for her," Alex said after she swallowed her bite of sandwich.
Vasquez nodded. "I want her to be comfortable. We've discussed it quite a bit. I had to figure out where her head was with this before I dared look at anything. I mean, I can't just spring this on her."
Alex snorted. "Definitely not." Marriage and engagement had to be sore spots for Lucy. But, Lucy also had to be aware Vasquez was all about her and her happiness.
Vasquez chuckled and finally took a bite of her sandwich. She then sipped her water. "I think she sees I'm not going anywhere and no one will turn my head."
"You sure? Kara probably would take both of you." Alex winked.
Vasquez laughed. "Kara couldn't deal with Lucy, you know that. You damn sure couldn't deal with Lucy."
Alex scoffed. "She'd definitely be everybody's problem, but mine. I wouldn't be part of that mess." She took another huge bite of her food.
"She'd force you to be part of it because she knows it would bug you. And, then Kara would force you because she thinks your relationship with Lucy is unhealthy."
Alex snickered, as both of those were true. She swallowed her food. "But, anyway, you wanted to talk. It can't be only about you looking at rings."
"I want you to help me narrow it down. You know Lucy pretty well."
Alex shrugged. "Gotta know the Devil in the details."
Vasquez shook her head, but a small smile settled on her face. "Of course, you'd say that." She turned her attention back to her food.
Alex smiled. "I'm actually honored by this and promise to take it as seriously as knowing Lucy doesn't deserve you deserves."
"You could've stopped at 'I'm honored.'"
"I promise I am. Now, show me what you have."
Vasquez wasted no time pulling out her phone and going through ten rings. Each had a full explanation for why it was perfect for Lucy. Alex agreed with every explanation and each pick. Lucy would probably be overjoyed with any of these, if she was ready to take Vasquez on as her spouse.
"I was hoping you could help me get it down to the top three," Vasquez said.
Alex nodded. "I think I can do that." She was certain she could do that.
So, they spent the next few minutes eliminating some rather beautiful rings along with finishing their meal. Vasquez had a good eye. Lucy would more than likely love whatever Vasquez decided on.
"I wonder if I'd be this good at picking out rings for Kara and Lena like you did with Lucy," Alex said.
Vasquez scoffed. "You're as observant as I am and you pay attention to detail… when it's not about you."
Alex nodded. "Self-aware I am not." No need to deny it.
"But, very aware of others. Do you want to exchange rings with them?" Vasquez arched an eyebrow.
Alex shook her head. "It's too soon for me. I think I'm the most skittish of us." Beyond that, she never had an urge to give Kara a ring. There had always been dreams of Kryptonian bonding bracelets, back when they were idiot teenagers and Kara craved every bit of her culture. Alex always wanted to give her that. And now she has it twice over.
"Makes sense. Do you worry over not being able to marry both of them?"
Alex shook her head. "I've always thought of marriage as something for them, not for me with either of them. I think I've adapted so much to Kara's culture that this is fine."
Vasquez nodded. "What about exchanging marks? I'm going to leave that one up to Lucy. She still has phantom pains from James' mark fading as their bond broke down."
Alex winced. It was a good thing she and Maggie had not exchanged marks. "That sucks."
"Yup."
"Marks, I'm not sure about. Marks don't stick with Kara and things are still kind of new with Lena."
"You should talk to them, though. Make sure you're on the same page and understand each other. Lucy and I have discussed marks more than marriage. She brings that one up often, but I think it's because the faded mark bothers her."
"Yeah, I have to work on being better at communication, anyway. Might as well start with marks. My rut's coming up soon, too, so it'll be a talking point anyway." Alex held in a flinch, not meaning to mention her rut. Vasquez might not want to hear about that.
Vasquez laughed, sounding quite normal. "You're so different in your private life. No one would believe it."
Alex sighed. "I'm not sure if that's a positive thing or not."
"Hey, it's about being comfortable in your own skin. Take it from me, the alpha no one ever suspects is an alpha." Vasquez was secure in herself and never strutted around like many alphas did.
Alex nodded. "You're absolutely right." What did it matter what she was like in private as long as she was comfortable? She had two incredible women who adored her, who she adored back, a kick-ass best friend, two amazing jobs, and every now and then, she saved lives, righting wrongs. Not many people could make those claims. So, yeah, screw what everyone else thought.
"You'll come with me to place my order for the ring?" Vasquez asked.
"Yes. I'm so honored you're including me on this. I mean, it's obvious you're my best friend, but I don't assume it's the same on your end."
Vasquez scoffed. "Danvers, as much as you've let me in to see you, of course, you're my best friend. You look out for me. I don't have a lot of people to do that for me."
"People are missing out. You're awesome."
"You are, too."
"Do you have a plan for how you're going to propose? Do it someplace super public, so she'll be embarrassed." Alex laughed as she pictured the panic on Lucy's face.
"You want to visit me in the hospital after she shoots my kneecaps out?" Vasquez grinned. That was probably what would happen if she proposed someplace with a bunch of strangers. "I was actually thinking Game Night. Everybody important will be there to celebrate with her, so she won't have to worry about who to tell first. Kara will keep her from dwelling on it beyond fawning over what's happening. You and J'onn can keep me focused. And, maybe keep me from passing out once she accepts."
Alex tittered. "You better not pass out and leave us to deal with a giddy Lucy. I don't have the slightest clue about what that would look like. The thought scares me, though."
"That's why Game Night would offer the perfect place to do it. She'll be busy."
"It'd be a cool surprise for the night. We'd all love it. You'll want to do it soon, though. Pretty sure James is coming back and while you're all cordial to each other, things might get awkward."
Vasquez chewed the corner of her mouth for a moment. "I think even with him, it'll be fine. They're still friends. He'll be happy for her, like he was for Kara and Lena getting together."
Alex nodded. "True. He might need to do some soul searching for why he suddenly becomes emotionally unavailable in relationships, but as a friend, he's there for all the emotional stuff."
Vasquez shrugged. "He might like chasing, but is actually aromantic."
"Perhaps." Alex never considered that. Has James ever considered that? She took a breath as her nerves buzzed. "I'm excited for this. Is it weird I'm excited for you?"
Vasquez laughed. "I think that's actually normal for a best friend."
"Is it? I need more friends." Alex shook her head. "It doesn't matter. This is going to be so fun." She vibrated for a long moment and then sobered. "When do you want to do the ring? My rut's some time next week and I'm not sure how much help I'll be in the time before that."
"We can wait until after your rut. Could you imagine looking at rings right before you go into rut?" Vasquez laughed, throwing her head back.
Alex sucked her teeth. "I'd probably buy them both the whole store. How would I even explain that?"
A scoff escaped Vasquez. "Kara would be unimpressed. She'd want to know why you didn't buy an ice cream truck instead if you had the money for it."
Alex laughed more. "Too true." What would happen if she bought rings? She did not have the urge, but it was best to be safe. She sighed. "I'm looking forward to this, Vas. You and Lucy deserve to be happy and celebrate your love. Beyond the rings, anything you need help with, I am here."
Vasquez smiled. "I know. Thank you for that."
"No need to thank me."
"I know that, too."
That meant the world to Alex. She was not too sure how she and Vasquez ended up like this, but she was grateful. She would cherish this friendship.
-8-8-8-8-
Lena found Alex sitting at the kitchen counter island, jotting something down. A shiver went down Lena's spine. Studious, working Alex was sexy. She went to Alex and pressed herself to Alex's back.
It took all of Lena's self-control to not inhale Alex's delicious scent. Yes, she had no problem thirsting for Alex. Hell, Alex needed to see she was desired. But, Lena did not want to distract herself and Alex was already distracting without her mouthwatering, pre-rut smell. Oh, I guess I'm failing at taking in her scent, but it's so damn good.
Alex turned and kissed her. "Late meeting?"
Lena groaned, popping open the buttons on her suit jacket. "Department meetings are always long and tiresome. So glad to be home. Where's Kara?" She looked around, wanting a kiss from Kara as well. That would keep her from drinking in Alex's incredible smell.
"She wanted Italian." Kara was somewhere in Italy then.
Lena laughed as she shrugged out of her jacket. "This has to be considered an abuse of power at this point."
Alex gave her a look. "You say that until you want and receive authentic gelato."
Lena hugged her. I wanna bury my nose in her neck and never leave. "You know me well. But, really, who wouldn't abuse this power for gelato? What's this you're working on?"
"Getting my thoughts in order for my rut."
Lena blinked, not expecting that. "Like what I did for my heat?" Alex planned ahead for many things, but almost none of them regarding her personal life. Perhaps she never considered it until she saw Lena put pen to paper for her heat.
"No, more reassurances for myself. I'll tell you about it once Kara's back. Go get comfortable."
Lena nodded, stole another kiss, and then went to take a long shower to clear her head of Alex's aroma. She wanted to jump on Alex now. Was her scent concealer that flimsy? Had other omegas smelled Alex? The possibility made Lena scowl. She would need to know. Other omegas should not be treated to the feast that was her alpha.
Lena tensed as the hot spray rained down on her. "My alpha?" Was Alex her alpha? Something to discuss. She was certainly Alex's omega at this point considering what her simple scent did to Lena's insides.
What did it mean to be Alex's omega beyond the obvious? Lena was not sure. Did she want to mark Alex? It would be nice for all to see Alex was taken. Wait, I want to mark her? Lena shook all of that away. It was much too early in their relationship to think about marking Alex.
By the time Lena returned to the dining area, Kara was back with several bags on the kitchen island. Kara rushed to hug and kiss her. Lena was glad to return the affection. It ended too soon as Kara stepped back to look at her.
"Your whole outfit is stolen clothes," Kara commented with a lop-sided grin.
Lena smiled. "And I look good in them." She wore Alex's DEO sweatshirt and a pair of Kara's comfy pajama pants.
"You're dragging." Kara pointed to the pants' cuffs.
"I'm inside. It's fine. Tell her, Alex." Lena winked.
Alex held up her hands in surrender. "I'm not getting involved in your married couple squabble."
Kara scoffed. "You're in this marriage, too."
"Nope." Alex shook her head and pointed in their direction. "Married couple squabbles. I jump in with bond-mate stuff and girlfriend discussions."
Lena tilted her head. "Is that how you really see things?" It made sense, but also did not make sense. It was like Alex removed herself from their overall relationship.
"I've always thought of you two as a married couple, even before you got together." Alex arched an eyebrow. "Is that not how you see it?" She glanced between them.
Kara shrugged. "I'm married to both of you, so no. Two bond-mates."
"Bond-mates and marriage aren't the same in my mind. There's a different energy in both of them," Alex replied.
Lena nodded. "I understand what you mean. Bond-mate is more spiritual."
"Exactly, not to say marriage isn't as special. Nor am I trying to downplay or discount myself when I say you're a married couple. That's just your vibe. I might make it there with time, maybe," Alex replied. She did not sound confident, or maybe like she was not interested in marriage.
"Would you want to get married?" Kara asked with a furrowed brow.
"I don't need to. Marriage doesn't hold the same weight it used to for me. Besides, you two are already married," Alex pointed out.
"You elope once and they never let you forget it!" Kara threw her hands up.
"Mom certainly won't let you forget it," Alex said with a snort.
Kara sighed, but she glanced at Lena. Would Kara want to have a grand wedding ceremony? Have their friends and family there when they stood before each other and promised to love each other forever yet again? It would also end up in the press. The rest of the world would be aware of their situation as well. She would put that on the back burner for now.
"So, are you going to tell us about your list for your rut?" Lena asked as she opened food containers and distributed them accordingly. There was so much pasta, but Kara would take care of it.
Kara frowned. "We have rules for your rut now?"
Alex laughed. "No, actually. It's a list for me more than anything else." She looked at Lena. "I think my rut with us was a little traumatizing for both of us. Even though it helped get us to this place, I want to avoid hurting anyone else, including myself."
"Meaning?" Lena asked. Alex was not wrong about that rut, but she made it sound like it was all her fault. They were both awkward and uncomfortable. She reached over and took Alex's hand.
Alex managed a small smile. "First, I reminded myself you both care about me. I know, but have to remember."
"We love you," Kara said, wrapping her arms around Alex's shoulders.
Lena nodded. "Yes, we love you."
Lena gasped and everyone's eyes bugged out. The words slipped out and time froze right after. Lena and Alex had not exchanged the phrase yet. But, as the words escaped Lena, they could only be true. She loved Alex and had loved her for a long time. How could she not love Alex? Alex would do everything Kara would do for her and do it with as much emotion, as much affection, and as much devotion.
"I love you," Lena said, staring Alex down.
Alex's eyes misted over and she swallowed hard. "You-you do?"
Lena gave her a soft kiss to her cheek. "I've loved you for a while now. I love you so much."
Alex sniffled. "I kinda know." She gave a half-smile. "Yeah, I love you, too."
Lena smiled. "I kinda know." Alex's actions always spoke louder, better, and sooner than her words. Lena went in for a kiss, which Alex returned. She melted at the press of Alex's lips. It was probably her imagination, but she was certain she could taste love on Alex's mouth.
"And I kinda told you," Kara said in a sing-song voice.
Alex broke the kiss and groaned, always fed up with Kara, but also wrapped around Kara's little finger. "I also reminded myself I'm safe and it's okay for me to ask for things."
"Please! We are at your service," Kara replied.
Lena squeezed Alex's hand. "Is there anything you wanted to do that you've been scared to ask for?"
Alex shook her head. "Not really. I'm damn simple in this regard. Maggie used to call me her vanilla girl." She sounded fine with the nickname, which was not like Alex. Agent Danvers would be insulted by the pet name, would never admit it existed, and would then go out her way to do the most alpha thing possible, so no one would ever question her again.
Lena chuckled. "Is it that you got all your wild, rough, and anonymous sex out of the way in college?"
"I don't think that's it. It's only… the best sex I've ever had has always been with people I care about. Kara, Maggie, you. Even when me and Kara were fumbling teenagers, that was better than any college sex. I want to be held and cuddled and kissed often." A blush stained Alex's cheeks.
"Thank you for admitting that," Lena said. Those things had to be hard for Alex to confess. She wanted a chance to be soft. Badass former agent alpha Danvers desired nothing more than to be mushy during her rut.
It took Kara a moment and then her eyebrows shot up as she got it. "Oh, those things aren't considered very alpha, are they?"
"No, but I don't have to be 'very alpha' with you and that's what I'm looking forward to." Alex sighed. "I can just be me."
"Which is great because we love you," Kara said.
"Now, what's on your list for us to be aware of?" Lena asked. "Because that list better have something for us or we have to send you to the reeducation center to learn everything isn't on you yet again."
Alex laughed. "That sounds terrible."
Kara scoffed. "It's probably the couch and you get kisses and cuddles, so not bad."
"And ice cream if you learn your lessons well," Lena added with a grin.
Alex chuckled. "Well, I'll do my best." She sobered, squaring her shoulders, like she needed to prepare for her words.
"Back to the matter at hand, what do you want us to do for your rut? I want to make it as pleasant as possible," Lena said.
"Just both of you being there and taking care of me should be enough. I think… I think I need a break from being the alpha. I just want to be Alex," she replied.
Kara puffed up. "While you are Alex, you're never just Alex! No matter what, you're always exceptional. It sounds like you want to be soft, though. Soft and loved."
Alex nodded. "Yes. That's it exactly."
Lena grinned and clapped for a second. "We get to pamper you. I like that." She took a deep breath to address her real concern. "Do you think… are you going to want to bite?" She was not sure she was ready for that from Alex despite her thoughts in the shower. After all, she just randomly declared her love for Alex. They needed some time in between before claiming each other.
Alex waved that off. "With Kara there, I'm very easy to redirect. I know and accept my mark won't stay, but Kara likes trying."
Kara shrugged and started in on the food in front of her. "Feels good to me. I wish I knew what you two were supposed to feel when you do it to me."
Alex and Lena eyed Kara and then glanced at each other. "Nothing to add?" Alex asked.
"Hmm?" Kara played innocent, slurping up noodles from her plate.
"It's usually at this point in the conversation you end up way ahead of us," Lena pointed out.
Kara smiled like an angel. She was helped by a dot of tomato sauce at the corner of her mouth. "No idea what you mean."
"Say it," Alex insisted.
"I don't think I need to. This part of the relationship is strictly between you two. You know this biting thing way better than I ever will and you both know your reactions. It seems to me that you want to bite each other and you're both there…" Kara trailed off with another shrug and then shoved more food in her mouth.
Alex sighed. "Biting, exchanging marks, and being mates is not something to take lightly. I hadn't even marked Maggie. I was rather careful with my teeth until my rut with Lena."
Kara smirked. "Shouldn't that tell you something?"
"Stop trying to rush us. We'll get there," Lena replied.
"Besides, if Lena ever accepts my mark, I'd like for us to both have clear minds. I'd like to be able to remember it," Alex added.
Lena could not help preening. Alex had put thought into marking her. Alex put thought into a future with her beyond being girlfriends. They could be mates, partners. Her heart fluttered. Okay, maybe I wouldn't mind if she bit me.
"We waited through my heat, so we can wait through your rut," Lena said.
Alex blinked. "Does that… have you considered my mark?"
Lena smiled. "Alex, this might surprise you, but not only am I extremely attracted to you, but I hold great affection for you. Like Kara, I see this as being it for me. But, I don't think we're at that point yet."
Alex blushed and ducked her head. "I hope we make it there. I want this to be it for me, too."
Lena rounded the counter and wrapped Alex into a hug. Of course, Kara had to join in. Alex pretended to groan, but she loved it. She loved being loved. Lena locked eyes with Kara. They both had the same idea.
-8-8-8-8-
Kara poked her head into Lena's home office, finding Lena at her work table, as expected. Lena glanced up the second she came in. Her face was clear of makeup and her hair was in a loose ponytail. She was so beautiful.
"We're ready to wind down. You're joining us or do you still have work?" Kara asked. She doubted Lena had been in here "working" in the traditional sense. She had excused herself after dinner, after Alex reminded them of her rut. She was plotting more than likely.
Lena yawned. "She really wants to be spoiled, but doesn't seem to know the words."
Kara frowned. "Is that my fault? Should I be spoiling her?" Alex spoiled the hell out of her. She was not sure how to go about spoiling Alex, beyond showering her with weapons.
"It's not your fault. She wouldn't let you. She wouldn't let either of us, until now maybe. She's starting to realize she doesn't always need to be the big bad alpha with us."
Kara smiled. That was a good thing. Alex needed to be able to turn off as much as they needed to do so. "Let's come up with a plan then. I want to spoil the hell out of her. She deserves it."
"She really does. We'll come up with something later. Let's not leave her waiting."
"Oh, wait, so you're not coming up with a grand scheme right now?"
Lena smirked and wiggled her eyebrows. "I have the outline of a plan."
Kara nodded and held in a giggle. It would be awesome to conspire with Lena to give Alex the treatment she deserved, but rarely accepted. This whole thing would be amazing as long as Alex went with the flow.
For now, they met Alex on the sofa. Everyone was in comfy clothes and cuddled close. It was Kara's pick for whatever they were watching, so Lena and Alex groaned. She let them tease her about her interest in musicals, but they loved The Wiz as much as she did.
"I remember this movie scared you the first ten times you watched it," Alex said with her arms around Kara.
"This movie has so many creepy parts," Kara replied with a fleece blanket tucked under her chin. Blankets were so damn comfortable.
"I had never seen it before Kara showed up in my life, but it definitely scared me in a few places, too," Lena said, resting against Kara's hip. She had her own blanket over her body. Her hand stroked Kara's thigh, as if she needed something to do.
"Lemme guess, the munchkins peeling themselves off the wall," Alex said.
"Yes, and everyone unzipping their skin in the end." Lena shuddered.
"Beyond the parts that scared me at first, though, I felt the song Home down to my bones," Kara said, which earned her hugs. She still cried when the song came on and she had no choice in singing along with Diana Ross, but the movie touched her in other places. "But, like with The Wizard of Oz, I love that Dorothy finds companions she can rely on and have her back in a strange new world."
Lena scoffed. "You like anything that has to do with The Wizard of Oz, which is why we all know the Wicked soundtrack by heart."
"Hey, I don't knock you for John Wick being your comfort series," Kara replied with a grin.
Lena laughed and kissed Kara as an apology. Kara accepted and then settled back against Alex. She tried to focus on the movie, but was distracted by a familiar sound.
Kara glanced at Alex to find Alex fell asleep that fast. She was not sure she had ever seen anything like it. She poked Lena.
"Hmm?" Lena looked at her.
Kara pointed to Alex. "Out cold. Did something happen today?"
"No. Normal day for her."
"Vasquez couldn't have done that much to her."
Lena scoffed. "Who knows. They might spar during lunch."
"No. Vas knows to take her out of the building during lunch. Maybe life is simply catching up with her."
Lena shrugged. "She's allowed to be tired. Maybe she worked her up thinking about her rut and this is the result. This is why we have to spoil the hell out of her during her rut. She deserves all the things."
"You're right. You both do."
Lena sucked her teeth. "Don't be cute."
Kara made it worse. "You could spoil her by marking her."
"Okay, don't be annoying either. Watch your movie." Lena waved her off.
Kara shifted, turning away from the television and to Lena. "Why don't you two want that yet?"
Lena sighed. "It's a big step and we should both be sure. It's like becoming your bond mate. I didn't just jump into that, even when you were so certain."
Kara nodded. "I was scared, too, you know?"
Lena's brow wrinkled, like she did not understand. "Scared? Scared of what?"
"Your response. I had hurt you so much, lied for so long, and denied my feelings for you. I was certain you'd never dare to consider binding your soul to mine. You'd never want to be that close to me."
Lena moved, pressing herself closer to Kara. She gave Kara the gentlest kiss, as if it was laced with forgiveness and care. "It did hurt, but one of the reasons it hurt so much was because I cared about you, had all of these giant feelings for you, and thought you didn't feel the same. I had to deal with those emotions to move forward."
Kara nodded. "Are you and Alex still dealing with the hurt from before?"
"I don't think that's it, but we're at the start of something new. It'll take time to make it to mating marks like it took time for us to become bond mates."
"You told her you love her and she said it back."
"It'll take more time than that, my love. We confessed love to each other, but didn't do the bonding ceremony for months after."
Kara sighed. All of that was true. "I just want you both to be happy. You make each other happy. You love each other. You'd die for each other, but more importantly, you'd live for each other. I need you both to live."
"We need you to live, too."
Kara gave her a squeeze. "I know. The effort you both put into making sure I have a high quality of life will never cease to amaze me. You won't let me wallow in the pain or give up ever. You make me go on. This makes it so obvious you're my bond mates. Is there a way for you to know if Alex is your mate? I mean, I understand you both have that scent thing going on."
"There's not one thing, darling. It'll just take time. And, yes, Alex smells marvelous to me, but I'm more complex than my smell. Alex is as well, just like your feelings are more complex than the simple fact that Alex gave you positive attention."
Kara pouted. "I suppose." She took a moment. "I'm sure you'll get there. I just want you there now. I want us all to have married couple vibes."
Lena chuckled. "I don't know if Alex will make to that point. She might feel too badass for marriage."
"She was going to marry Maggie."
"Yes, and maybe that's left a sour enough taste in her mouth that she no longer sees marriage in her future. She has to do what's best for her, like any of us. Don't press her."
"I won't. She's my bond mate and that's more than enough for me."
"Saying that, do you see us as a married couple or bond mates?"
Kara was quiet for a moment. She never considered this before. Technically, they were both. Yeah, but that's not how you see it. Be honest with her.
"Bond mates," Kara replied, ducking her head a bit. Shame flooded her. She should see them as both, equally, but she put her thing above others.
Lena patted her hand. "You don't have to feel bad about that. You're hanging onto your culture as best you can."
"Yes, but I want to respect your culture as well."
Lena sighed. "Maybe it's because we eloped. We didn't have anyone there to celebrate with us. We only felt like we should do it since we were bond mates. A marriage should be celebrated, shared, like the bond mate ceremony."
Kara nodded. "We didn't want the attention, though."
Lena frowned. "The press would've been annoying."
She said "would've," like it would not matter now. Kara was certain Lena would like a proper wedding. Kara would as well. Yes, she was Kryptonian, but she lived on Earth, bonded to two humans. She wanted to respect their culture and desire as they did hers. So, she had to do something about Alex's rut and Lena's yearning for marriage. Guess I don't have it all figured out.
-8-8-8-8-
Next time: the beginning of Alex's rut with some emotions sprinkled in.