Back To Krypton

Chapter 15

Lena has barely slept. Usually, she can sleep perfectly when Kara is around because she trusts her instincts and her reactivity enough that she can allow herself the time to just rest and put her safety in someone else's hands for a little while, even if they don't know that they are taking that responsibility.

Something about Kara's aunt and the way Kara was so quick to get lost in the joy of seeing her again puts her on edge. They don't have the time to waste on misplaced sentimentality. She knows that sounds harsh, but it is true.

She would absolutely love for Astra's words to be honest and true, for her to be well-meaning and just want to take care of her niece, but something seems fishy to her, and she can't place her finger on it. Maybe it's just her wary side shining through, but she is praying for Kara's sake that Astra pulls through.

Lena's mind also keeps wandering back to the others and what they are going to do about them. They can't tell Astra about them yet, but they are stupidly loyal to a fault, so they are likely to come wandering back this way to come and rescue them, so they need a game plan.

Lena peers down at Kara out of jealousy at how soundly she is sleeping. She honestly looks more rested than she has in a while and that's after she has been sneaking in naps wherever she can. She understands though, Kara has a difficult relationship with her family and Lena herself understands better than anyone that when it comes to family, you are entitled to as many irrational feelings as you can fit into your noggin.

Kara seems to sense that Lena's thinking about her and shifts even closer to her from where she was already lying next to her, her arm slung across her waist until she has her forehead pressed to the side of Lena's arm, breathing in deeply when her nose brushes Lena's warm flesh.

Lena makes a decision right there and then, with Kara snuggled into her and a cloud of uncertainty hovering over her head. She's going to do as much snooping as she can possibly get away with to be sure of Astra's motivations, she just hopes for Kara's sake that they are good.

She's still watching over Kara a little bit later when the golden sleeper finally stirs. She looks up at Lena, worry swirling in her sapphire orbs. "You look tired. Have you slept?"

"Not really." Lena doesn't have the energy to lie. "I'm still on edge, I don't trust these people, I know that she's your aunt, but we don't truly know them."

To her credit, Kara doesn't try to defend Astra out of some kind of familial loyalty. "I get that, I want to see the good in her and try to prepare myself for the worst. I know that my aunt has done a lot of bad things, some heinous, but I can't help but see her as the woman that used t read me bedtime stories."

"I know, darling. That's why I'm staying vigilant." Lena swipes her fingernails up and down in a soothing motion on Kara's upper arm, tickling her slightly and keeping her relaxed.

Kara hums, processing everything the best she can. "Do you want to try and sleep for a while? I'll stay awake and if anyone comes near here, I will wake you up."

Lena jumps at the offer, her eyelids already halfway shut. She isn't going to be able to investigate as much as she wants to when she is half asleep so a couple of hours will do her wonders. Now that Kara is awake and being honest with her, Lena feels more comfortable sleeping. She knows she can trust Kara to put her safety first, she doesn't even know why she doubted it.

Her head barely hits the pillow before she is fast asleep, sunken into a dreamless sleep.

Kara keeps her word, she spends the next two hours watching Lena sleep and keeping an ear out for any signs of movement. She takes the quiet time to think and assess. She knows that Lena is right, but as always, she is too emotionally invested to see the situation for what it is, she needs to let Lena take the lead on decision-making and just use her skills to get them by until they can discuss their options.