Chapter Text
Rounding up the remaining Daxamites was a far easier task with the assistance of Anubis and Hermāhās . By the evening they were making their way back into the castle grounds, victorious in their hunts. There was a small group of Daxamite defectors in chains and Kara greeted them with mercy. All of the remaining parts of the castle that were still structurally sound were secured, but the throne room itself was cracked open and bare to the sky. It’s where Kara set up a new base of operations once she had gotten herself under control, her knights reassuring her that she had nothing to be ashamed of with their own eyes no longer dry. Lena had roughly repaired the chasm in the ground so there wouldn’t be a risk of anyone falling in, and brought the red circlet to Kara. The ring that had once adorned the Daxamite Prince’s head was heavy and cold, grief seeping from each decorative twist. Kara took it in her fist and sighed, the massive weight that had been pressing down on her shoulders for months finally starting to lift. The circlet now laid in the center of the long table that had spanned the throne room.
Lena was watching her closely, but not crowding. Her work was now technically complete, having fulfilled what she had promised to do. The battle hadn’t left her physically tired, but she had forgotten the uncomfortable vacuum of emotion that often occurred after a long tense burst of adrenaline. It was exponentially more draining this time around, having had a personal stake in the matter. She was looking forward to getting cleaned up and resting, though she also selfishly wanted to pull Kara away to reaffirm their fledgling relationship.
The Kryptonians were in good spirits, if exhausted, and had happily brought up casks from the cellars. Meager collections of food were on the tables pushed up against one of the remaining intact walls, and Lena had found herself a little corner out of the way between a bowl of strange looking purple fruit and a stone pillar. Hermāhās had already run back to share the good news with the far outpost, and then back to their own realm to inform Jack and the other gods of their victory. From there they would coordinate a safe return of the refugees.
Lena was still watching Kara as the Regent poured them two cups of an amber wine, nodding along to whatever Nia was telling her. Eventually Nia caught sight of the two cups and Kara’s patient expression and blushed, mumbling an apology. The Regent grinned and nudged her shoulder as she picked the drinks up. She turned and found Lena, her grin softening to a smile and trudged over to her looking beyond tired.
“Here, a taste of one of our finer vintages.” She murmured when she was close enough, and gave her one of the cups. “The beginning of many gifts of gratitude.”
Lena took the cup and let her comment about payment slide for now, returning the gentle smile. “Thank you, darling.”
Kara blushed and watched her take a sip of the wine, her eyes dropping to her lips against the rim of the cup for a moment before blushing and focusing on her own drink. Lena suppressed her smile, feeling warm from Kara’s affection and the strong port-like alcohol that coated her tongue. Kara’s armor clinked as she leaned against the stone pillar and dared to look at Lena’s mouth again before focusing on her eyes.
“I wanted to ask something of you, but you’ve already done so much for me I am hesitant to do so.”
“What is it?” She prompted, but she already knew the question. And her answer.
Kara sucked her lip into her mouth and chewed on it for a moment, then she spoke softy, “Would you stay a while? A few days at most? I could use some guidance for returning the refugees. You seem to have much more experience in that area than I do.”
“Of course. I will stay as long as you need me to.” Lena answered easily.
The Regent’s shoulders slumped in relief and she dipped her head shyly. “You were going to stay anyways, weren’t you?”
Lena gently brushed her finger over Kara’s knuckles, hidden by a clink of their cups. “I was.”
A soft blush colored Kara’s freckled cheeks and she glanced nonchalantly around the great hall before slipping into Faroese.
“I wish I could kiss you right now.”
It was more than just words spoken secretly between them. It was the way her tone reflected her desire to be close to her, to ask for comfort and peace. But the hesitancy in her posture showed she wasn’t ready to express a show of her affection in front of others yet. Lena understood and barely arched her brow with a lilt of a tease to her tone.
“I do too. You can kiss me plenty later. Wherever you like.”
Kara’s face blushed a deeper pink and her eyes dropped again to Lena’s lips before deliberately moving away. “You tease me so blatantly.”
“Because I know how well you kiss.” Lena mumbled into her wine, delighted when Kara made a quiet noise of frustration in her chest.
There was a clatter at the other end of the hall and a group of knights and some civilians strode in. Kara sighed and tried to get her face under control, straightening up away from the pillar as if it were the last thing she wanted to do.
“Duty calls?” Lena asked and Kara nodded with a tired sigh.
“Please make yourself at home.” she told her and touched her shoulder briefly, a brush of deep affection pressing against her through her magick.
Lena watched Kara walk away to greet the new arrivals, still looking rather imposing with her stained red cape and Ehl’shom strapped to her back in the stately scabbard she had constructed earlier in her stay with her. At some point more seating was brought in and arranged in a second long table. A meal was served, simple but filling, and the decision was made to stop work for the evening and get some rest. Anubis also bid his goodbyes, having reverted back to Bayek’s face to give the Kryptonians an easier time at reading his expressions. He rounded the table having said farewell to Kara and Kal after spending a good amount of time deep in discussion with Nia. He had taken a shine to her and offered tutorship if she ever wanted to learn a different way to control her seer abilities. He might as well have asked to adopt her and eventually Lena had to butt in so he would get home to his wife. Finally he was pried away after Nia gave him a surprise hug, and finally made his rounds to her.
“I will see you back home. I am sure the others will want to hear some tales.” He switched to Egyptian.
“I’ll let you know when I return. It could be a few days.” Lena answered him, noticing the confused look from Kelly next to them at their quick language change. She gave her a friendly wink and turned back to Anubis.
“You fought bravely today. I had only heard such stories of glory about you. It was an honor to fight as your friend.” he intoned gravely, his amber eyes warm in the candle light.
Lena dipped her head in humility. “I could say the same. Thank you for helping. It means a lot to me.”
“Of course, Moreega. Perhaps we could take up sparring. One of mental or physical prowess would be most entertaining.”
She matched his wide grin on a whim. “I welcome the challenge.”
Anubis laughed fully, deep and in his chest. He looked around the room and they both caught Kara quickly looking away, the hint of another blush on her cheeks. He hummed in amused curiosity and gave her a smirk full of teeth.
“Hey. Have fun tonight, eh?”
He laughed loudly again at the blush she couldn’t control and squeezed her tightly around the shoulders in a half-hug.
“A jest! You deserve to relax, as I hope to do when I return home.” He reassured her. “Send word when you get back?”
“I promise.” She reaffirmed, and let him scoop her into a real hug. “ Ugh you stink.”
“Hey! You are no summer rose.” He poked back and stepped away. “Go find some soap.”
Lena batted his hand away playfully and he laughed once more, a contagious sound of happiness. He called one last farewell to the room and left with another swell of laughter.
The hall dissolved into louder celebrating as the evening drew on and someone found a stringed instrument that reminded Lena of a lute. The great fireplace that had been big enough to roast a large beast of the field had been destroyed, but a makeshift pit roared with a merry fire. Here is where Lena found herself sandwiched between Sam and Kelly, feeling warm from camaraderie and drink. Whatever that wine was that they had brought up certainly affected her and she decided it was rather nice and much smoother than her own poitín. It also helped her ignore the staleness of dried sweat and unwashed bodies. The atmosphere brought her back to an older time, that while it may not have been a simpler one, the similarities were uncanny. Somehow she had found her old life within these new relationships, circling back to the cold nights on the cliffs of old Ireland. She was stirred from her blank stare into the base of the fire pit as Kara traded places with Kelly.
“How are you feeling?” Kara asked and peered into Lena’s cup. “Would you like more?”
“I’m fine for now, thank you.”
Lena took advantage of Kara’s close proximity and leaned into her a little. The Regent had set aside Ehl’shom and her cape a little while ago, both bundled safely next to the red metal circlet on the main table. Still, her armor was a little bulky and Lena wished it wasn’t in the way. They sat together in silence for a few long moments, nursing their cups and staring into the fire. Kara stirred and looked at her with a crinkle to her brow.
“Where are you right now?”
Her question lilted over her tongue in Faroese again, the hint of concern peeking through. Lena blinked and breathed in the sharp smokey campfire, the chilly night air biting at the back of her nose.
“Home.” She leaned a little heavier into Kara’s side. “The ease of victory, the simplicity of a night under the stars sitting around a fire with those you care about.” She put a heavier inflection on the word care and Kara bit back a smile.
“You should be proud, Kara. I can see why you help lead your people.” Lena concluded softly.
“Had it not been for your quick thinking I don’t know what would have happened.” Kara admitted, her eyes dropping to the cup in her hands. “I lost my composure. That is not a trait of a worthy leader.”
“No one is perfect, Kara. No one is unbreakable. You saw yourself that I can be just as fragile as the humans I protect. In the beginning I was unkind to you as well in my selfishness. By your definition, that is no trait of a fair goddess.” She ducked her head to try to catch Kara’s eye, the tips of her fingers pressing into the heavy tunic on her elbow. “Forgive yourself for being imperfect.”
The corners of Kara’s mouth quirked in between a twist of grief and a smile and she finally met Lena’s gaze with glassy eyes. “You always know what to say.”
“That’s what happens when you’re older than the hills.” Lena told her dryly, relieved when Kara broke into a real smile. “Look at you, going after older women.”
“Rao take you, don’t say that.” Kara laughed, ducking her head shyly.
“Shall I continue or let your imagination get the better of you?” Lena said into her cup and Kara hid her face in her hand.
Lena took pity on her and pulled her teasing back for the time being, though Kara was incredibly cute when flustered. The music crescendoed and the celebration became more lively as more Kryptonians joined. It seemed the people remaining around the outskirts of Argo City had been welcomed in for safety and warmth and the party swelled. Kara left her for a time to greet them and check to see if their needs were met with Kal by her side. Lena was adopted into Nia’s group where she introduced another young man named Querl who happened to be one of Krypton’s top inventors-who immediately started questioning her about the human realm. She accepted another cup of wine from an apologetic Nia and indulged the man for the next hour, accidentally drawing a small crowd of other interested Kryptonians while Kelly and Alex took turns translating so Sam could send a note back to Ruby.
Eventually Kara wandered back to them and somehow extricated Lena from the group, promising the curious Kryptonians that she would be around a few more days. Kara led her back to the central table and picked up Ehl’shom and her cloak.
“I could tell your social patience was wearing thin.” She admitted gently. “Would you like to retire?”
Lena could have kissed her in the middle of the great hall. She was drained and ready to get some rest for the first time that week. “ Please .”
Kara grinned, hearing the mock desperation in her voice and led her from the great hall, pausing only for Lena to collect her weapons. As they left Kara snapped her fingers and created a small flame to light their way. It bobbed along above their heads, casting odd shadows on the fine decor and polished marble flooring. It was a beautiful castle, but it was more functional than opulent. The crest that adorned Kara’s armor was reflected in the subtle stitching of the House of El colors hanging from the stone walls. Recognition of who was ruling, but not flaunting. It was a respectful approach to their position of power tasked with the safety of the realm. Lena hoped that these past few months wouldn’t shake the public’s trust in their leaders. It was a tricky situation, but perhaps their victory today would be adequate enough to smooth over the loudest of dissent.
They traveled up into the main body of the castle, passing a damaged library and other small studies and offices of the ruling body. Kara led her up into chambers that looked well-lived in and deduced that these were quarters for the royal family and esteemed guests. They passed by a room where Kara asked her to wait, and entered inside for just a moment. More light flooded into the room and she emerged without her sword or cloak.
“Let me show you to your room.” She murmured, the single little flame circling above their heads.
Lena caught her by the elbow as she started to lead her down the hall again, a swirl of stubbornness and the barest hint of selfish concern balling up inside her chest. Kara stopped, surprised, and let Lena pull her back.
“If you think I’d leave you for even a moment…”
Lena’s words hung heavy between them and Kara finally gave in and crashed into her with a hungry kiss. They indulged in each other’s touch for a brief moment, relishing the feel of the other on their lips. It felt like a breath of fresh air and Lena started pushing her backwards towards her chambers with a questioning quirk to her brow.
“I have blood in my hair.” Kara offered bluntly as an answer.
Lena grinned and guided her in through the door. “Do you have a bathing room?”
“Yes.” Kara answered helpfully.
“A tub, perhaps?” Lena kicked the door closed with her foot, pressing back until she heard it latch.
Kara nodded, blushing deeply as Lena’s voice dropped into her chest.
“Shall we see if it can hold the both of us?”
Kara gawped as Lena left her weapons next to Ehl’shom , still not taking her eyes off of the flustered Regent. Her pleased grin turned wicked as she returned to Kara and wiggled her fingers in under the belt around her waist and began to loosen it.
“And your bed? Will it be large enough?”
Kara didn’t give her any other verbal answers that night until they were spent and clean, snuggled deeply in fresh bedclothes murmuring goodnights between lazy comforting kisses.
The next few days were a blur of new faces and new challenges and too many prayers of mourning as they began to lay their dead to rest. Lena helped Kara by acting as a mentor when needed, offering her own knowledge and advice for what systems needed to be repaired first to create a more stable place to live if they were so set on having the refugees return quickly. There was still plenty of room in Argo City, that wouldn’t be one of their issues. The words too much room hung unspoken in the lull after her comment and she moved them along quickly to the topic of water and Argo City’s sewer system.
In between meetings Kara introduced her to Winn, one of the realm’s head technicians, and James, head of the castle guard. Both were equally earnest, though Winn was by far one of the nerdiest people she had ever met. James stood back and watched him fondly, a stoic guardian that Kara later revealed as the patient love of a husband. Kara had also revealed that she and James had almost been in a romantic relationship, but through their duties and far too much time spent together had determined that they were much better suited for friendship. The confession had surprised Lena a little and she said just as much.
“Why surprise?” She blushed, looking up at her from the pillows.
“I’m not sure. You seemed too serious to date.” Lena teased, pressing a kiss to the silvery scar on Kara’s chest.
“Says the goddess of death.” Then Kara squinted at her for a moment, recalling something until she started to grin. “ I find pleasure wherever I fancy it regardless of my partner’s gender .”
Lena shoved a pillow in her face for the parroted comment. “I do not sound like that.”
Kara’s crow of but you do! was lost against Lena’s kiss. Once they had settled again after another moment of pleasure and caught their breath, it was Kara’s turn to press kisses into her skin. She watched her counted the freckles on her chest and neck with her lips, slowly working her way back up.
“I’ve changed my mind.” Kara murmured unprompted into the underside of her jaw.
“About what?”
“My favorite color.” She wriggled to prop herself up on her elbow. “I think I like green too.”
She had said her answer with a grin, her gaze locked on Lena’s eyes. Her green eyes.
“You’re incorrigible.” She blushed.
Kara leaned down, her breath ghosting over her lips. “But it’s true.”
Lena slid her hands across the soft tanned skin of her broad shoulders and buried them into wild blonde curls, pulling Kara close.
“Good thing I changed my mind about the color blue.”
On the morning of the ninth day she finished helping them finalize a plan of regrowth, and to check that the sewer system had been at least partially repaired and recharged. Once those were confirmed it was decided that Lena would return home to report back to the other gods of her success, and with the offer of allyship with Krypton. It was a rocky step across millennias of judgement from either side, but perhaps the Kryptonians were the link they had been looking for. Kara volunteered to escort her back, claiming that she had things to collect and to help Lena clean her home up while she helped facilitate the transfer of her people back to the Fae realm. Lena really knew she just wanted to spend more time with her before they had to figure out what to do when all of this was settled, and selfishly accepted her offer.
The travel back to the portal was quick with the advantage of Kara’s powers. They had discovered that they were more muted back in Krypton, but the charging under earth’s yellow sun had given her a much needed edge in their fight. She told Lena that she still had speed, and with her hand placed at the base of her skull for support zipped them to the furthest outpost at a dizzying pace. Alex was there with Eliza in their new and improved tents that were more than just long branches and pieces of fabric. There were also a group of hastily commandeered wagons each drawn by a six-legged beast of burden. Lena offered to go through first so she could help Jack. They readily agreed, citing the need to make sure everything was prepared on their end. Kara gave her a warm look and Lena stepped through the portal and into her dark quiet home. She breathed in deeply through her nose, taking in the familiar comforting smells of her herb and tea collection still safely lining the walls.
“Jack?” She called softly into the dim hallway, the silver of dawn in the Faroes washing through the open door behind her.
There were was a clatter of a teacup practically being dropped onto its saucer and heavy footsteps as Jack barreled out of the kitchen and around the corner to her.
“ There you are, you had me worried sick .” He fussed at her with unkempt hair.
Lena gladly tucked herself into his tight hug, mumbling a sorry for worrying you into his chest.
“Yeah you better be. I mean, Anubis was very happy to give me a blow by blow of the day, but all Barry could afford me was an it’s all good . Can you believe that prick? All good my ass- stop laughing at me , Moreega .”
“Forgive me, I just missed you.” She told him as he held her at arms length. “I’ll happily tell you everything, but first we have some people to return home.”
“ Now ? It’s not even seven.”
“So wake them up and tell them to get ready. There are wagons waiting but they need not rush.”
Jack blew his breath out obnoxiously though his lips like a horse and glared at her. “Let me get my tea.”
Lena called a thank you, darling after him and was only given a half-hearted wave in return. She carefully set her weapons a little further down the hall to stay out of the way for the future increase of foot traffic, and exited her home again to go inform Kara and the others that things would be in motion soon. She spotted Eliza by one of the nearest wagons checking some of the ropes holding the covering down and went to her with a wave.
“My friend is waking them, they’ll be moving through soon.”
Eliza smiled warmly and then made a face as if she had forgotten something, keeping her hands busy. “Oh, Rao help me. I forgot my medicine kit up in the green tent, could you fetch it for me please? It’s the blue bag with white stitching.”
Lena could tell it was an act, but humored her anyways. She didn’t really know what to do in the first place and decided any direction for now was good direction. Her boots crunched over the dry grass and her cleaned armor clinked softly with each movement as she made a straight path to the only green tent lined up in their updated outpost. Lena slipped inside and looked around for a few solid minutes, a blue bag with white stitching nowhere to be found. She was about to leave empty handed when the murmur of soft voices from two tents over caught her attention.
“- don’t know . I don’t know what to do, Alex.”
“You’ll figure it out, Kar-
” I am spellbound by her .”
Their voices paused awkwardly and Lena rustled around the tent to make it seem as if she hadn’t heard them, her heart in her throat when she realized they were talking about her.
“By force?” Alex asked firmly.
“By choice . She has my heart, for better or worse… and I have hers.”
She could hear Alex sigh quietly and someone started pacing. Lena’s heart ached for Kara.
“Does she know this?”
“She does.” Kara answered and the pacing stopped. Lena opened and shut the chest under the small field table, feeling tossed about in a storm. She knew Kara loved her, and she loved her in return. But this talk sounded serious. It sounded like a confrontation of something and she didn’t know if she could bear to listen-
“What will you do? I know you want to sta-”
“ I don’t know . I don’t know. I’ll think of something.”
It was all Lena could bear to hear without feeling guilty for listening in. She did one last loud rustle of a stack of papers to the side, and then exited the tent at the same sedate pace she had come. She found Eliza at the back of the cart she had been fiddling with, the tailboard lowered and the pesky blue back with white stitching on full display. The older woman looked up at her footsteps and gave her an apologetic smile.
“Forgive me, Lena. I forgot I had already taken it with me.” She patted it with her free hand.
“You did that on purpose.” Lena told her without accusation in her voice. It was more surprise that she had been taken off guard by a harmless scheme from the woman who had fostered Kara. A scheme she had willingly walked into, but she was surprised none the less.
“Of course not.” Eliza told her quietly with a motherly wink, and then left to go welcome the first children barreling through the portal.
That day the Kryptonian refugees were safely returned home. Lena watched the wagons trundle away with Kara leading the way after asking if she could come back that evening to see her. She had told the Regent to take her time, and gave her hand a gentle squeeze hidden out of sight between them. Kara had quickly returned it and whisked her people away, leaving Lena to watch the dust trail vanish into the outskirts of Argo City.
Jack had already cleaned up and reset her mudroom by the time she crossed over the threshold, and even had warm kadhi chawal and fried potatoes waiting for her. She spent the evening telling him everything that had occurred, and even hinted at how far her and Kara’s relationship had progressed. Lena wasn’t ready to share the overheard conversation yet since she herself was still processing it. It felt too personal in the moment even though it gnawed at her to spill out. He had listened intently, asking leading questions when she stalled and kept his teasing to a minimum. By the time she had gotten through most of her story it was late and Kara still hadn’t returned. Jack excused himself to rest, informing her that he would plan to leave the next day if he was no longer needed. He had just ascended the stairs when the door to the mudroom opened and shut, bringing a familiar wave of warm magick. Lena stayed up a little longer to help Kara out of her armor and into the shower with her.
After breakfast the next morning Jack did depart, this time through Lena’s inner sanctum. Kara had dressed in her leather pants and tunic and left for Krypton again after breakfast with a promise to be back in the evening again-if it pleased Lena. The more than friendly kiss she gave her in the mudroom was accompanied with the promise of a drawn bath upon her return. Back and forth Kara went for the next few days, and then she was with Lena for a blissful weekend before heading back to Krypton. Each visit almost felt stolen and it gave Lena the time to learn the best way to separate herself a little from Kara. There was still the possibility of visits, weekend trysts, and perhaps even stolen moments if Kara happened to be near the breach. They both had their own important lives to lead but surely there was a balance to reach.
She remembered the broken conversation from the tents and tried not to lean too heavily on hope. Of course, she failed, even though she had realistic expectations.
Lena noticed that Kara had began meditating with Ehl’shom often, her brow constantly furrowed in either displeasure or concentration, she sometimes still had a hard time telling between the two. She greedily relished every waking moment she had with Kara, impressing her love into her skin and leaving fragments of her power within Kara’s magick. One day she stopped meditating, and Lena decided that she would present Kara with her own sword as an early parting gift-should they actually part. If not, then it was a gift of protection and one that she didn’t regret. Kara expressed her gratitude for the gift with the utmost nobility and couldn’t help but become acquainted with the blade in the patio. The vision of Kara dancing barefoot across the mossy cobblestones with Lena’s blade in her hand was one that she would never forget.
Still, Kara lingered. There were rumors of a being of light rescuing people all across the world and Lena had a good idea at who it was. Her suspicions were confirmed when Jack told her that Heka had blessed and brought another into their fold. His news was paired with reports that a woman made of sun had saved a plane from falling out of the sky. The Sun Woman had finally returned to earth, and now all Lena was waiting for was Kara to come clean to her in some way. When she was ready, of course.
Kara’s armor stayed carefully laid out in the newly organized upstairs shelving and her borrowed clothing was slowly making its way into Lena’s chest of drawers. Lena noticed that she wasn’t exactly taking anything back to Krypton. She didn’t want her to leave, so she tried not to bring it up. It wasn’t until she came back one evening with a small rucksack of belongings and an intent to steal her breath with every kiss did she begin to breathe easier at the new clue that something was going on. Of course, something was always going on, but she wasn’t an omniscient goddess. That privilege was reserved for Heka and those like him. She was clever, but only so much could be speculated with the information provided.
Lena greedily enjoyed Kara’s comfort anyways as the days passed by, soaking up each drop of affection until she felt as bright as the sun.
The fire crackled low in the stone hearth, licking up from the red-gold coals pulled into a heap under the suspended cast iron kettle. Lena swept around the cozy kitchen in a whirl of deep green fabric, her bare feet silent on the stone slab floor worn smooth over a millennia. Two plates were carefully being assembled on the hewn wooden table polished to a gleam. Sunlight poured into the room through the door and open windows, warming the modern granite countertops and the eclectic and jarring mix of ancient pottery and modern technology. She wiped her hands on a dishcloth and scooped up the plates, pocketed her phone, and tossed the inky waves of her hair over her shoulder as she slipped from her home.
Lena stepped out onto her sun-dappled patio and felt her shoulders and face warm in the light. Birds sang merrily in the high reaching boughs of the lichen spotted trees and the springtime flowers were nearly in full bloom. The old gnarled apple tree was beginning to bear fruit, and in the back by the portal she could hear the gentle gurgling of the new fountain she had created to hold her wellspring water. The perfume of growth brightened the fresh earthy green and compelled Lena to slow her step to take in the scene. It was the most alive her small hidden pocket dimension had looked in centuries, and it only grew more beautiful as her powers returned to her, growing stronger than ever before as she healed. It helped that she wasn’t alone and had someone to help her. Someone to keep her from closing herself off again into cold, little boxes.
Kara had that effect.
Kara.
The Kryptonian.
Her Kryptonian.
The wild, sunny woman that she had inexplicably fallen in love with. The woman who brought the Daxamites to their knees in a battle of fire and blood, yet offered kindness and mercy when they lay groveling at her feet. The very woman dressed comfortably in a deep navy tee and cream trousers, who busied herself at the table on the patio with a tea set, making Lena’s cup just the way she liked it. The very woman-
“How many times do I have to tell you? Stop growing moss on my teapot.”
Lena’s placidly amused stare slid from Kara’s face to one of her favorite delicately patterned teapots on the table. A tiny pink mushroom emerged along the edge of the slowly creeping greenery. Her brow rose with the mushroom. Kara fidgeted and twisted her hands together as embers glowed under her skin in her fingertips.
“...sorry.”
Lena hummed in flat, insincere belief as she set their lunch on the table. “I’m fairly certain you’ve managed to grow a small garden on just about every pot I own. When I told Mr. Shakespeare I was still finding lichen on the one he gifted me, I had to convince the man not to blow his immortality cover when he felt so overcome to write you a sonnet. Dearest Kara, fiery creature of light and life- ”
“Lenaaaa…” she whined at her ribbing, knowing now that Lena’s words were all in jest.
Kara, in all her nigh-immortal Kryptonian glory, slouched a little further in the wicker chair looking adorably guilty with drooping broad shoulders. The pout of her lip quickly burned out the teasing fire in Lena’s chest. She reached forward and twirled her finger over the pot, choosing to draw power through the ley line her home rested on and coaxed the springy moss to grow away from the spout. The energy seeped through her body and felt like cool silk sliding over her skin, comforting and familiar in its delicate chill. It was a dull buffer that helped prevent their lunch from turning into a different kind of hunger.
“What is it, darling?” Lena’s breath escaped in a white fog.
Kara shrugged and the thin white scar peeking out from the collar of her loose tee drew her attention. Tired, dull fear twinged in Lena’s chest when she remembered how that scar had come to be. The crushing weight of the freezing ocean, the brine in her nose and mouth as she dove deep to pull the limp, pallid form of the fallen Kryptonian from the clutches of death. She could see the tendrils of blood again, seeping through the split golden breastplate and darker than black in the icy water, spidery and reaching-
“-Lena?”
The warm sunlit patio snapped back into reality and Lena blinked, bewildered. Kara was leaning forward and had taken her hands and Lena realized with a blush she had completely missed her question. The crinkle of worry between Kara’s brows had formed and Lena squeezed her callused hands back.
“I’m sorry. Would you care to tell me why you’re growing a garden on the teapot that Miss Emily Bronte gifted me?” This time she asked gently with a lilting tease, her soft brogue tripping over her question.
Kara dropped a kiss on her knuckles and pulled her plate towards her. “I’m happy. Where did you go just now?”
Lena sighed and sank down into the chair next to her. Kara’s top had shifted and covered the scar again. Instead could see the new silver chain against her skin and knew that the shield talisman she had crafted hung from her neck. She had also noticed the night before when she was removing the Regent’s shirt that a new golden teardrop pendant with a black gemstone hung next to it. She blinked and looked away from the necklace.
“Just remembering our first swim together.”
“Ah. Well, it wasn’t much of a swim, but it’s a good thing I landed in front of the goddess of death. Considering the Morrigan’s calling card, it’s a wonder she saved me. One could say I fell for her.” Kara grinned brightly, her nose scrunching, and well aware of her terrible joke.
Lena rolled her eyes and pulled her plate towards her as Kara kept grinning. She felt her own smile threaten to betray her carefully crafted air of nonchalance. The show of open affection was still something she was getting used to after having been alone for so long. She could feel warmth blossoming in her chest and her cheeks blush. Kara snorted at her non-verbal response and gently bumped their shoulders.
“Well, I’m not afraid to, as the Humans say, kick you to the curb .”
“You’re going to make me do a walk of shame? Ouch.”
“Did Jack teach you that phrase? I’ll let you take your leftovers if you refrain from letting him influence you further.”
Kara leaned over and pressed a kiss to the corner of her mouth. “Goddess of death and generosity.”
Lena sighed again good naturedly and turned her face to the endlessly amused Kara. She laid a soft kiss on her smile. “Eat your lunch.”
She didn’t have to tell her twice and Kara dug in with gusto. Lena left her to her own devices and poured them both a cup of tea from her lushly green teapot. By the time she set it back down on its cozy, there were three more tiny mushrooms in a delicate myriad of colors popping up, a watercolor of bright blues and pinks. Moss crawled further down the side of her teapot, following the grooves of the shape.
“Kara,” she started, her mind going back to the conversation that they had both been actively avoiding for the past few weeks. “When are you going back to Krypton?”
Kara froze next to her. A shimmer of heat outlined her frame for a heartbeat, warming Lena’s side with a sudden flash of magick as a bolt of unease made her control slip. Lena watched her lean back and carefully wipe her mouth with her napkin, the heat receding as quickly as it had come.
“I, well…” She hesitated.
Nervous energy rolled off of her in waves and Lena could feel the tension coiling in her body as the embers glowed to life under her skin. The air became more humid and an electricity in the air set her teeth on edge. But that’s all it was. She could tell that Kara wasn’t upset, but… she was missing something. Kara had confessed that she had fallen in love with her, and that wasn’t a basis for concern in the slightest. No, Kara was nervous . Lena had never seen her so nervous, not even on the eve of their final battle with the Daxamites. Lena pushed her plate away and slid to the edge of her seat, her hand covering Kara’s forearm. Her cool touch stilled the rising panic she could feel under her palm.
“Krypton is safe, is it not? ” Lena began calmly, blocking out the cold creeping ache in her chest. “We always knew separation was a possibility, Kara.” Perhaps she had been foolhardy to hope.
Lena took Kara’s clenched fist and wormed her fingers into her grasp. ”I can visit you. You can always visit me. We both have our own duties to take care of, I understand that. It will be hard, but-”
“ I accepted the position of the Kryptonian Representative to the Human plane of existence .”
The sunlit patio fell silent following Kara’s rushed confession, save for the song birds in the trees and the breeze coaxing the wind chimes to call out an uneven nonsensical tune. Lena straightened up and blinked wide-eyed, almost certain that she hadn’t heard her correctly. The old feeling of familiar warmth in her chest blossomed beneath her ribs as Kara pushed her plate away to face her, her apprehension- and hope- clear in her face.
Oh.
“I-well-you see. Now that Krypton has been reclaimed and the Daxamites driven out, the newly formed High Counsel felt that Krypton needed to be more open to its dimensional neighbors. Our isolation was ultimately why, um. You know that already, that’s not the point.”
Kara took a deep breath and twisted her hands together, pulling her eyes from her lap to look at Lena. She swallowed visibly and untangled her fingers to take Lena’s hand again. Her touch was gentle, the calluses on her palms rough against her knuckles.
“Because of my extra time spent on Earth- even though it was against orders ,” she grimaced as she spoke, “and then my extra time spent here with you, the High Counsel approached me to stay. And…”
“What do you mean against orders ?” Lena asked breathlessly, her head whirling.
Kara was their Regent . Who ordered around their Regent?
“ Ehl’shom was… unhappy to be away from Krypton for so long. He can be quite pushy, and insisted I remain exclusively at my post in Argo City.”
Lena stared at her wide eyed, hope crashing recklessly back into her chest. “You refused him.”
“I passed him to Kal yesterday in exchange for my Aunt’s pendant for protection. I… I want what is best for Krypton. But I want you too. I thought, maybe this position as an ambassador could be the perfect balance…”
Kara trailed off, her eyes dropping again as she fidgeted for a long moment, her thumb smoothing over the back of Lena’s hand as her mouth opened and closed mutely while she searched for her next words. Lena could feel her heart in her throat as the warmth in her chest roared to life in a surge of blinding affection. She was certain she knew what she was going to ask, and the revelation sent her wheeling into space feeling like she was composed of feather down and sunlight. Kara took another deep breath and visibly set her shoulders. She looked back up at Lena, the dappled sun brightening her eyes to clear blue.
“You can say no, but I was hoping that I could stay here. With you.”
Lena gawped.
A bird trilled overhead.
Kara’s eyes grew wide in panic.
“Um-I realize this is assuming a lot and I don’t want to encroach on you more than I already have because you absolutely don’t have to say yes! You said that I could stay with you for as long as I wanted to and I do want to stay with you but I don’t want to assume the permanence of that offer. This is your home and you have a life and you’ve only known me-”
Lena was hastily climbing into her lap and interrupting her with a heady kiss before her sentence was finished. Kara squeaked in surprise but immediately melted, wrapping her up tightly in her embrace as the nervous tension bled from her. They lost themselves in each other for a few long minutes as Lena chose to show her answer to Kara’s question rather than verbally answer it. Before things got too out of hand Lena pressed her nose into Kara’s cheek and just breathed her in, her arms comfortably wrapped around solid shoulders. A warm hand smoothed up and down her back in easy comfort. Kara grinned against the corner of her mouth, her smug flirtiness coloring the words murmured into Lena’s skin.
“I guess I should have told you that last night?”
Lena leaned up just far enough to drink her in. Kara was relaxed and practically glowing gold with happiness, her freckled cheeks flushed a pretty pink.
“You’re not leaving.”
Her question came as a prayer. Kara smiled brightly and reached up to the side of her face. Her fingertips traced above her brow and carefully tucked a stray lock of hair behind Lena’s ear. The touch made sparks race down her spine and the surge of fondness in her chest nearly robbed her of her breath. It was a welcome sensation she was still getting surprised by, and hoped to hang onto for many years yet.
“How long will you stay?”
“I’ll stay for as long as you want me.”
Lena’s arms tightened around Kara. Her whispered answer raced past her lips without a shred of doubt. They were the truest words she had spoken in lifetimes.
“ I want you forever .”
Kara was already pulling her back in with wonder, the love in her eyes warming Lena to the very center of her being.
The birds sang as the breeze made the sunlight dance across the patio, accompanying the calming tones of the chimes hanging from the eaves. The wellspring water exuded calm. By the time Lena and Kara had retreated inside the remains of their lunch were cold, and the little teapot was buried in soft springy moss and a rainbow array of tiny mushrooms.
And all was well.