Chapter 20

Thanks to Maggie, the day passes relatively quickly and Alex doesn't end up working herself into a worried frenzy thinking about Kara. All day, Maggie has been training with her. When they're taking a break, Maggie makes sure not to let Alex's mind wander and they end talking about everything and nothing. Alex appreciates what Maggie has done for her, and she hopes that she can more than make up for it tonight.

Their first date starts in less than an hour and she finds herself missing Kara even more. She isn't there to help Alex. On one hand, Kara can always tell what looks good on her, even better than Alex can. And maybe having her sister around would be good for helping calm the anxiety and nervousness she's feeling.

Alex bounces up and down on her heels as she looks at her clothes, neatly organized by type and color. She rifles through a few sweaters, wondering what Maggie would like to see on her. Alex keeps glancing at her clock until even she is annoyed with herself.

She chooses (finally) and changes quickly, and then looks at herself in the mirror. She's not wearing what Kara would suggest for a first date. Kara always encourages her to wear dressed on first dates but Alex rarely feels like it on first dates. Today, she's too nervous and the exposed feeling of a dress would make her feel even more vulnerable and shy than she already feels.

Alex nods to herself, and grabs her gun to for her holster on her belt. If Kara could see her now... Her sister always teases her for taking weapons on dates but they have come in handy. Maybe not against aliens or any hostile citizens, but against unwanted advances they are very effective. She figured out early on, back when she was trying to convince herself that she liked men, that when they know she's carrying a knife or a dagger, her dates are a lot less handsy. Not that she wants that with Maggie.

Alex tugs on her favorite leather jacket to top it all off and lets out a shaky breath. She glances at the clock again and nods, mentally psyching herself up for this. It's getting close to seven thirty, the time she and Maggie agreed that Alex would come get her.

Alex walks outside, taking the long way to Maggie's room, both to get fresh air to calm herself and to pick Maggie a fresh flower from the gardens.

She knocks on Maggie's door and hears a quiet bump and her swearing quietly inside. Alex's lips turn up into a smile that widens when Maggie answers the door a moment later.

Just the sight of Maggie, in front of her, staring at her and looking just as awestruck as Alex feels at the sight of her, makes her worries and nerves go away. Because Maggie is standing there, so close she could lean in and kiss her, her lips parted as she takes in Alex.

Maggie has on a white and red plaid shirt with her leather jacket on top and dark jeans that seem painted on. And just that would take Alex's breath away but Maggie's hair is down. It's curled and draped over one shoulder and Alex practically shudders at the memory of how soft her hair feels between her fingers.

And Maggie is looking at Alex like she's the most beautiful woman she has ever seen. Which Alex doubts because she knows Maggie has to have looked into a mirror before. Alex has on her most comfortable, soft gray sweater that dips low enough to show a hint of her collarbones. Like Maggie, she's wearing her leather jacket and dark pants.

Maggie takes that all in and then notices the single flower in Alex's hand as she smiles shyly at her from her doorway. And Maggie can't take not touching her anymore, not being close enough to her. So she leans in and kisses Alex.

Alex isn't as caught off guard as she was for their first kiss and quickly sinks into it. It's slow and sweet and Alex brings her unoccupied hand up and tangles her fingers in Maggie's hair. When they pull back, they're both dazed.

"What was that for?" Alex breathes out.

Maggie's so close she can feel her breath. She smiles softly at Alex. "Because you look beautiful. And you brought me a flower. No one has ever done that for me before."

"No one has ever brought you a flower?" Alex sounds confused and affronted.

Maggie bites her lip in a failed attempt to contain her smile. "Usually I'm the one that brings girls flowers."

"Well then I'll make sure to keep bringing you flowers." Alex says and it dangerously sounds like a promise that Maggie desperately wants to believe.

"Thank you." Maggie isn't quite sure how to put the emotions bubbling up in her chest into words. "Here, come in for a second while I put it in water."

Alex nods and hands Maggie the flower as she steps inside Maggie's room. She take it in as Maggie goes over to her cabinet. It's sparsely decorated, with a few boxes of things that still need to be put away.

Maggie takes the moment to collect herself as she fills a small vase with water. Away from Alex's perceptive eyes, she lets her hands shake slightly as she puts in the flower. Because Alex is sweet, Alex is a good kisser, Alex her. And Alex remembered how she looked around the gardens on her first day and Alex brought her a flower. She hasn't known Alex for very long but already she makes her feel more safe, more at home, than she has felt for a while.

Maggie turns back to Alex and reaches out her hand. Alex looks pleasantly surprised as she entwines their fingers together.

"Ready to lose at pool, Danvers?" Maggie asks to break the silence.

Alex's laughter makes Maggie feel like her steps are lighter as they head for her door.

***

Kara patrols every few minutes, flying around to make sure everything's safe. Her favorite time is when she isn't patrolling and she's riding on a particularly laid back horse that a kind knight is letting her use. The horse doesn't seem to mind when Kara takes off of it or lands back on the saddle. And the best part of this is that she gets to be right next to Lena for extended periods of time.

Kara mainly provides the conversation, telling Lena about Alex, about her life, about Krypton. The few times Kara isn't sure if Lena likes listening to her, Lena will tell her something about herself offhandedly. Nothing deep or serious like Kara has been talking about, but enough to reassure Kara that she doesn't mind.

Between Kara's patrols and talking to Lena, the day goes by quickly. When they stop for the night, Kara immediately pulls some snacks out of her duffel bag. She usually has a big appetite, but Kara has found that using her powers increases her appetite even more. Lena stands by her as the knights begin setting up tents. She seems both impressed and slightly horrified by how quickly Kara goes through a couple sandwiches.

The nobles haven't spoken to Kara yet so they make their way over to her and their Queen.

"Lady Kara." One man greets her, bowing.

His voice practically drips with cockiness, reminding her of all of the pretentious nobles she and Alex have had to entertain over the years. She smiles kindly nonetheless. He seems encouraged by that, as he starts up an incredibly dull conversation about how inconvenient traveling is and how bad riding horses is for his fragile back.

Kara nods along politely, letting her mind wander to ease her boredom. She wonders briefly how Alex and Maggie's date is going. The nobleman keeps talking and she looks over at Lena. Lena meets her eyes and scrunches her nose in distaste. It's a minuscule change of expression but it's enough that Kara now knows she dislikes this one-sided discussion as much as she does. Kara purses her lips so she doesn't do something 'unladylike' like giggle.

Luckily, a noblewoman saved her from the boring conversation and interrupts him. He seems deeply affronted that she did that, which just makes it that much better to Kara.

"My Queen," she says. "Now that Lady Kara is here, we don't have enough tents. She can stay with me."

Kara flushes and stutters, her hand reaching up to adjust the glasses she forgets she isn't wearing. Lena picks up on her discomfort and shuts the noblewoman down.

"That's alright. She can stay in my tent." Lena says and Kara blushes harder.

"Your Majesty, are you sure that's wise?" The nobleman who was interrupted questions. "We all know of your... Preferences. But as of now, the Danvers and Luthor Kingdom are at odds. Becoming attached to a potential enemy could be disastrous."

"Thank you for your unnecessary concern." Lena's voice drops sarcasm. "But I can control myself around pretty girls. From what I have heard from a former maid of yours, you cannot." Lena says drily and the man pales at her words and at Kara's disgusted expression. "Don't forget I can easily replace you with someone twice as competent and I am already more than ready to do so."

"Yes, Your Majesty." He bows lowly to her and then flees.

"Why did you bring him? Surely there were better people to choose." Kara asks Lena.

"Keep your friends close and your enemies closer is one of the few things Mother taught me that isn't riddled with prejudice and hatred. And I don't exactly have friends," she adds the last sentence quietly.

Kara resists the urge to reach out and squeeze her hand. "You have me now."

Well, that ended up being longer than usual. But this chapter was really gay so it's more than worth it. And Lena needs a hug and so does Maggie. Next chapter, more gayness! Thank you all for reading and for your amazing comments! Stay awesome!