• June 13, 2017 •

Alex had come back home after a tiring day at work so Kara thought of making coffee for both of them. The elder sister had been quite exhausted as she didn't even go up to her room, collapsing on the couch in the living room after greeting Kara in the kitchen.

Kara noticed that Alex had closed her eyes, resting there for a while before going up eventually. So in that short time, she quickly made coffee and took the cups out.

The strong scent of coffee roused Alex and she sat up, a smile breaking out on her features to see her sister out down the cups on the table. "You have no idea how much I was craving coffee."

She smiled as well, "seems like I do have an idea, or else I wouldn't have made coffee in the first place."

"Thank you, sweetie," Alex picked up the cup and made room for Kara to sit beside her.

The two had gotten quite close over the years even though they had had a rough start initially. But as time had passed, Alex had accepted Kara and looked out for her even though the Kryptonian was capable enough to do that.

But as Alex had accepted her by then, she had begun to fulfill the role of a caring and protective elder sister. And Kara appreciated the concern as well as the love behind that gesture a lot.

"You've gotten so good at making coffee," she complimented her, "I wish you'll do this more often."

"I will," Kara replied, "I figured you were tired so it would help in reenergizing you."

"That it does..."

Alex was usually very reserved but with her family members, she was comfortable so she shared almost everything with them. Right then, she told Kara about her day and then in return, asked about hers.

Kara had been busy with the YJ those days as they were all training Mon-El so that he would be able to join them on missions. So obviously the explanation of Kara's day included her time at the Mount Justice along with the team and Mon.

Alex listened but her expression was blank. When Kara finished, she spoke up, "so you guys are letting Mon join the YJ?"

"Yes. We mutually decided that it wouldn't hurt to have an extra member plus he could help out as he does have powers and can replicate others' powers too when needed. It can be a great advantage over opponents."

Alex nodded, brow furrowing in thought, "just be wary of him. It's not sensible to put so much trust into someone who you have no idea about."

"Alex..."

Kara was about to defend Mon but she interrupted her, "look, I know you and Connor have become good friends with him. And he doesn't seem to have any ulterior motives for now but I'm just saying that you should be sensible in making any decisions."

Kara knew Alex never judged people so if she was warning her about Mon, there had to be something that she was not telling her because she did not want her friendship to suffer.

Perhaps the elder had sensed the real reason for the tension between Mon and Kara. And thinking about that made her slightly queasy.

"I don't know why you're wary of Mon but I think he's trying his best to adapt to us so the least we can do is make him feel included," Kara remarked as one last attempt to mend whatever misunderstanding Alex might have towards the former prince of Daxam.

"Okay," she placed the cup back and turned to face her, "I trust you to be a better judge of that. But from the past few days, I have noticed you two are slightly stiff towards one another. So I just thought I would share what I thought and maybe if you're willing, you can tell me what's bothering you."

Kara sighed, realizing that her initial assumption had been right. Alex was very observant when it came to her loved ones so of course, she would have noticed Kara's awkwardness around Mon.

Both of them were trying to ignore that Mon had indirectly confessed that he had feelings for Kara. But it had ended up making a cautious barrier between the two as they constantly kept themselves in check.

"There's nothing bothering me," she spoke up but the uncertainty in her eyes betrayed those words.

Alex had noticed that so she didn't probe further and changed the topic, "and how's Zach doing? He hasn't come to our place in a long time."

"Yeah he's been busy training himself for the National Rounds," Kara was slightly thankful for the change of topic because she found it hard to lie and if Alex had asked her further, she would have had to answer her truthfully then.

"He's sweet," she remarked, leaning back as she closed her eyes briefly, "he likes you."

"I know that," a soft smile played upon her lips, thinking about Zach, "I think... I like him too."

"Mon likes you too."

Kara almost choked on her coffee at that abrupt statement.

"So you also know this," Alex remarked and took in a deep breath, "makes sense."

Kara remained silent, not knowing how to respond to her. Alex definitely had connected all the puzzle pieces by herself so it was no use giving her any excuses.

"Alex, do you think I am being selfish?"

"How so?"

"I like Zach, I know that very well. But I'm conflicted towards Mon," she decided that she had to confide in someone and Alex could give her good advice, "and I'm scared to hurt either of them by picking one."

"You and I both know you'd pick Zach in a heartbeat," Alex stated and was quite confident in her statement because she knew Kara, "he understands you and doesn't hold you down. I remember you told me how he understood your fear of commitment and found a way around it."

Kara nodded for she had told her about that conversation the two had had on the beach. She hardly ever kept anything a secret from Alex so obviously she knew.

"But in Mon you see someone who is so much like you that it's unnerving," Alex resumed, "you find his experience similar to yours and as a result, you subconsciously empathize with him more. You feel bad saying no to him."

"Well, I... You know me so well, Alex, that it sometimes frightens me."

Her expression softened and she patted her shoulder reassuringly, "there's no need to be frightened. I know you and am only trying to look out for you."

"I really appreciate that," Kara spoke up, "but tell me, what should I do? I feel bad not telling Zach about this even though we promised to always be honest with each other. But at the same time, I don't know how he would react to this and... I don't want him to become distant with me."

Alex nodded, thinking over the situation carefully. She knew Kara was too empathetic and couldn't bring herself to hurt either of the boys. But it was clear that she felt a lot more affection and trust towards Zach.

"I think you should be honest, just like you promised him. He has understood you before as well, why wouldn't he do so now?" 

Kara still looked uncertain so Alex elaborated further.

"Kara, honesty won't make you two grow distant but misunderstanding will. Don't give things a chance to reach a misunderstanding by not being honest at the moment." She gently took her hand in hers and squeezed it, "besides, you don't have to worry about Zach not understanding you. It's more than evident that he loves you a lot so of course, he would understand."

However, the last sentence made Kara freeze, "loves me?"

"Do you have any doubt in that?"

"I..."

Alex shook her head, a soft smile gracing her features, "Kara, if he didn't love you, he wouldn't have found ways to keep you with him without overbearing you. This whole proposition of a relationship without labels that you two have not only grants you more freedom but also more liberty to discuss things without the fear of destroying anything. Zach's quite smart, I have to give him that, he found the perfect solution."

Kara had gone silent, pondering over her sister's words as well as her advice. She wasn't sure whether Zach loved her or not, she wasn't even sure of her own self. But the way Alex had put it held merit.

Perhaps she was right. But whatever the case, she had to tell him about Mon honestly. It was a decision that would help her in seeing whether Alex was right in analyzing Zach's intentions or if her fear of losing him would come to light.

"You don't want to lose him too," Alex concluded, "that shows you also value him a lot. And I'm sure you'll figure things out very soon. I trust you to make the right choice."

***

• June 15, 2017 •

[ Kara <•> Zachary ]

K: when are you leaving for the Nationals?

Z: on the 21st.

K: and where are they being held?

Z: Hornet Stadium, California State University.

Z: it's in Sacramento.

K: oh that's far off from here.

Z: yeah, the dates for the Nationals are 22 and 23 but we're leaving a day early so that we can reach conveniently.

K: oh

K: best of luck 👍

Z: thank you.

K: but if you do make it through the Nationals and pull a joke on me like you did earlier with your selection, I'll make you pay.

Z: 😂

K: you aren't planning to do that again, are you?

K: because you can't fool me twice.

Z: you can't deny it wasn't fun though.

K: a tad more fun for you to see me get worried and shocked then it would be for me.

Z: and what about the aftermath?

K: ...

Z: similar thoughts regarding it or not?

K: I wouldn't mind that. 

Z: of course.

K: just don't shock me again by saying you didn't get through.

Z: okay.

***

Z: it's my last few days here before leaving for the Nationals, can we meet up?

Z: whenever you're free.

K: yeah sure.

K: I have been a bit busy these days but I'll clear my schedule for tomorrow.

Z: okay.

***

K: how about we go to the beach? It's been long since we went there.

Z: yeah.

K: and this time let's go to see the sunset.

Z: alright.

***