To Catch a Thief

Chapter 7 - There's Nothing Up My Sleeve

Kara has always exemplified the soft butch aesthetic. From her button-down shirts and dress slacks to her low-top Oxford shoes, her look is one of someone who opens doors and pulls out chairs but without any unease when the same is done for her. Her look is soft hair curling over her shoulders with hard muscles underneath. Unlike her sibling, she consistently identifies with a gender but not with gender roles.

"Alex, which tie, stripes or plaid?" Both are shades of blue. It's basically Kara's signature color. When she was just a baby gay coming into her identity, an attractive older girl (of all of sixteen) told Kara that 'blue really brings out your eyes.' It's true, but it was more the messenger than the message that made this sale.

"You're wearing that suit?" In contrast, Alex's gray suit, white dress shirt, and black vest and tie look far more subdued than their flashy sibling. It's a truth about them, Kara being outgoing while Alex is subdued, private in a way that can be mistaken as anti-social.

"What? This is a great suit. You always say to go with blue." Kara slides her hands down her torso, over the fabric of her bright blue suit with lighter blue pinstriping. The fabric is soft and tailored to fit over her broad shoulders and muscular arms, flowing where it should and tucking up in all of the right spots to accent her body. It's hardly a subtle choice, but that's the point.

"You're sure people will notice you in that? You don't have anything brighter?"

Kara has never been good at picking up on her sibling's sarcasm. Though capable of locating the tiniest security breach in an operation and correcting it before theft occurs, she has a blindspot. Everyone does, and Alex is Kara's.

Alex, who would wake up and would sit and talk to young Kara who had nightmares. Alex who beat up Jake when he lied and told other kids Kara had given him a handy behind the bleachers. Alex who was the first person to make Kara laugh after the accident that killed Kara's parents and then held Kara as she cried with guilt from daring to find some piece of happiness again. Kara has since found many good things in the world, like puppies, potstickers, and cute girls who like her eyes, but she has never found anything as good as Alex.

"Good idea," Kara says with a snap of her fingers, and she's off, heading out of the room at a brisk pace and toward her own bedroom. "I should wear my red suit. That will make me unforgettable."

"Oh God," Alex groans as they hurry after Kara, grabbing her arm. "Hey, no, on second thought, this is the suit, and this," Alex pulls out the striped tie held loosely between Kara's fingers and presses it against Kara's torso, "is the tie."

Alex smiles, and it feels like all the confidence Kara needs to get through the day. She feels her lips twitch as her own smile breaks free. "Yeah?"

"Yeah, it brings out your eyes." There's a knock on the apartment door, interrupting their little moment. Alex stretches out their arm until their watch pops out from under their sleeve, their brow furrowing as they stare down at the time. "Ah, crap, Sam's early. I still have to find my shoes."

"Go. Go. I'll let Sam in."

"Do I... How do I look? This is pretty good, right?" Insecure isn't a word most people would use to describe Alex, but most people don't know them like Kara does. Oh, Alex has worked hard to earn their usual swagger, but heteronormativity leaves scars, even if they're not visible. There's a lot of bluster in Alex's bravado.

Kara picks an imaginary piece of lint from their sibling's suit and offers a gentle smile. "Like a million bucks. I'm sure Sam will think so too. Now, go get your shoes."

With a grateful smile, Alex hurries back to their bedroom, and Kara crosses the living room to pull open the door.

Kara whistles, long and slowly, taking in Sam's appearance. Sam's dress is light gray and made from an airy material. It's also strapless and plunges between her breasts. It's a side of Sam Kara has never seen before - literally never seen but won't soon forget. With her hair hanging loose over her shoulders, dangling earrings, and dramatic makeup for the night out, she's a show stopper.