Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Alex Danvers was at the DEO, standing next to the bed where her sister Kara lay, weakened by kryptonite. This scene wasn’t new to her; she had lived through this nightmare countless times before, but it never stopped hurting. Every time Kara fell, Alex felt like something inside of her broke a little more. No matter how hard she tried, it was never enough.

Kara had always been her priority, her responsibility, the reason she fought. But that day, after the failed mission, things had gone wrong, and kryptonite did its damage. The DEO doctors were doing everything they could, but Alex couldn’t stop blaming herself.

Eliza had called Alex as soon as she found out, but Alex only had eyes for Kara.

"How’s my daughter? What have you done to her? Why didn’t you protect her better, Alexandra? You’re her sister, you should have kept her safe," her mother had yelled over the phone.

Alex’s heart sank with each word. Eliza hadn’t even asked how she was doing, how she felt, how she ended up with a bandage on her head and some minor injuries. All she cared about was Kara.

"Always, Kara, always," Alex whispered, her voice breaking. J'onn looked at her with understanding, but there wasn’t much he could do other than offer a silent look of support.

"Are you going to be okay?" J'onn asked, but Alex just nodded, not saying anything. She couldn’t take it anymore. Her mom’s call had been the final blow. It felt like everything she’d done to protect Kara had been in vain. Like, no matter what, she was always destined to be the second choice.

Without saying a word, Alex walked out of the DEO, moving quickly but with unsteady steps. She was hurt, yes, with a bandage on her head and her body exhausted, but the physical pain was the least of her concerns. She just needed to escape, to stop thinking, to stop feeling. And she didn’t know any other way to do that.

She headed to the nearest liquor store, buying whiskey, rum, and whatever else she could find that was stronger than water. She wasn’t thinking about what she was doing or the promises she’d made to J'onn not to fall back into old habits. That promise didn’t matter anymore. She just needed to disconnect, even if it was only for a little while.

Back at her apartment, Alex collapsed on the floor, surrounded by empty bottles. The noise of the city felt distant, everything felt distant. The emptiness in her chest, the sadness, the frustration, the guilt… it all mixed together into a storm inside her. She was alone, surrounded by nothing but silence and empty bottles.

Just as she was about to fall asleep, a soft knock on the door pulled her from her trance.

"Danvers... Are you there? Are you okay? I heard about Kara..."

It was Maggie. Maggie had been one of the few people who’d actually cared about her, who’d given her a safe place to be herself. And now, there she was, knocking on her door.

Alex couldn’t get up, but Maggie didn’t wait for a response. She used the key Alex had given her to open the door, and there she saw Alex on the floor, surrounded by empty bottles, her eyes red and swollen, as if everything in her life had lost its meaning. Maggie’s face filled with anguish as she saw her like that.

"Alex..." Maggie whispered, her voice trembling with concern. Alex couldn’t look at her. She didn’t deserve her affection, didn’t deserve her help. She hadn’t been good enough to protect Kara, hadn’t been strong enough to face her own demons.

Maggie stepped forward, and without saying another word, she took the bottle from Alex’s hands, and Alex didn’t even try to resist. She was too broken to do so.

"You don’t have to do this," Maggie said softly, her voice filled with pain and love. "This isn’t going to help, Alex. You’re not alone. You don’t have to go through this by yourself."

Alex, her vision blurry, tried to stand, but her body wouldn’t respond. She was too weak, too exhausted. That’s when Maggie, gently, carefully, wrapped her arms around her, lifting her up with care, making sure she wouldn’t hurt herself further.

"I’m going to help you," Maggie said, her voice firm yet tender. "Everything’s going to be okay. I’m here for you."

Maggie guided her to the bathroom and helped her sit on the edge of the tub while the shower turned on. She knew Alex was hurt, with a bandage on her head and some minor injuries, so she was extra careful as she helped her undress. Alex’s skin was tight, and every movement seemed painful, but Maggie kept speaking softly, guiding her step by step.

"Relax, trust me," Maggie whispered as she helped Alex into the warm water. The sound of the shower was soothing, but Alex’s body still trembled with exhaustion and pain. Maggie kept a hand on her back, the other on her arm, ensuring she wouldn’t fall.

With great tenderness, Maggie washed her hair, running her fingers gently through Alex’s scalp, and when she made sure the water didn’t touch her bandaged head, she said soft words of encouragement. "I love you, Alex. I’ll always be here."

Maggie’s words were like balm for Alex’s soul. Slowly, the pain in her body and heart began to ease, if only for a moment. The trust that Maggie offered was something Alex had never felt before. She wasn’t alone. Maggie was there with her.

Once the shower was over, Maggie helped her out and wrapped her in a towel, drying her off gently. There was no rush. All that mattered was being there for her. She led Alex to the couch, where they sat together, and Alex, now more relaxed, rested her head on Maggie’s shoulder, finally allowing herself to rest.

"I promise everything’s going to be okay," Maggie said, holding her tightly. "I love you, Alex."

Alex closed her eyes, letting Maggie’s words wash over her. She didn’t know what the future held, but for the first time in a long time, she felt like she could face whatever came because Maggie was by her side.

After making sure Alex was comfortable on the couch, Maggie lay next to her, watching as Alex slowly drifted into a peaceful sleep. The soft sound of Alex’s breathing grew deeper, indicating that she was finally getting the rest she desperately needed. With a sigh of relief, Maggie gently stroked her head, not wanting to disturb this moment of peace that Alex needed so badly.

Her fingers moved gently through Alex’s hair, brushing away stray strands, and she whispered softly, as if her words could take away all the pain Alex had been carrying.

"I love you, Alex," Maggie said quietly, her voice full of affection and an unspoken promise. "I love you, and everything’s going to be okay. You just need to rest."

Alex snuggled deeper into Maggie’s shoulder, and even though her eyes were closed, they reflected a peace that hadn’t been there in a long time. At that moment, Maggie took out her phone, not wanting to leave Alex alone, and made a quick call to J'onn.

"J'onn... It’s Maggie," she said softly when he answered. "She’s asleep now, and she’s going to be okay. She just needs time. I’m here with her. She’ll recover, but it’ll take time."

J'onn’s voice, always full of concern, came through the phone. "Thank you, Maggie. I’m sure it helps her to have you close. Please take care of her."

"I will," Maggie said firmly. "I’ll take care of her like she’s mine."

She ended the call and looked at Alex one more time, a soft smile on her face, her heart full of love. With a trembling hand, she placed a gentle kiss on Alex’s forehead, a gesture full of tenderness, before settling beside her, holding her softly.

But soon, Maggie realized that the couch wasn’t the best place for Alex to rest. Even though Alex was deep in sleep, she kept shifting slightly, and Maggie noticed that her breathing was still irregular, like she wasn’t fully at peace.

Maggie knew Alex needed more than just a place to lie down. She needed closeness, something that would make her feel safe and protected. Something that would give her a true rest. So, with a sigh, Maggie gently lifted her from the couch and helped her into the bed.

"Alex, let’s go to bed. You’re too tense, and I think you’ll rest better there," she said, helping her settle in carefully. She didn’t care that it was the middle of the night; all that mattered was that Alex was as comfortable as possible.

Once Alex was lying down, Maggie curled up beside her, wrapping her arms around her to keep her protected. "I love you, Alex," she whispered again, her love overflowing. Even though Alex was deep in sleep, her tears seemed to calm with the warmth of Maggie’s embrace.

The night passed slowly, with the sound of Alex’s breathing becoming steady and the soft glow of light in the apartment. Maggie couldn’t stop looking at her, making sure she was as comfortable as possible.

By morning, when the first rays of the sun started to filter through the windows, Maggie had already started taking care of Alex. She’d made some breakfast, something light she could eat easily. Though Alex was still resting, Maggie couldn’t help but give her little doses of affection and care at every moment.

"Alex, do you want something to eat?" she asked gently, bringing over a plate of warm oatmeal and tea. "Just a little, I know you don’t feel like it, but it’s important you take something. I’ll be here to make sure everything’s okay."

Alex, still drowsy, lifted her head slightly and looked at Maggie, her eyes filled with doubt and sadness.

"I don’t deserve it," she murmured almost inaudibly. "I’m a mess, Maggie... How can you still love me?"

Maggie set the plate aside and leaned toward her, gently taking her hand.

"Don’t say that, Alex. You’re not a mess. You’re going through a tough time, and I’m here to help you. You don’t have to carry all this alone."

Alex closed her eyes, tears welling up again.

"I don’t understand," she said with a broken voice. "How can you love me if I’m so... fragile, so broken? I don’t deserve you caring for me, Maggie. You’ve been through so much more than I have, it’s always been Kara, and I... I’m just the failed sister."

Maggie looked at her, steady, her voice soft but firm, full of love and understanding.

"No, Alex. You’re not the failed sister. You don’t have to compare yourself to anyone. We all have our battles, and sometimes, the hardest ones are the ones no one can see. What matters is that you’re not alone. I love you for who you are, not for who you think you are."

Maggie’s words made Alex lean into her chest, fighting the tears she didn’t want to show. Maggie held her tighter, cradling her against her chest while she kept whispering softly.

"It’s okay to cry, Alex. It’s okay to feel lost. But I promise, I’ll always be here for you. I’m not going to leave you. No matter what happens, we’ll do this together. I love you just the way you are."

The soft, reassuring voice of Maggie began to calm Alex little by little. Her body trembled slightly, but Maggie’s embrace was her refuge, the feeling of being cared for, loved just as she was. Without needing to explain further, Alex nodded, accepting the comfort Maggie offered, even though doubts still plagued her from the inside.

Meanwhile, Maggie continued tidying up the place, making sure Alex had everything she needed to relax and rest.

"You don’t have to worry about anything, Alex," she said as she swept the floor. "Rest, I’ll take care of everything. Relax. I’ll take care of you."

Alex nodded slowly and closed her eyes as she settled into the bed. Despite the storm raging inside her, the warmth of Maggie beside her and the security of her words brought her some peace.

Throughout the day, Maggie kept caring for Alex, bringing her water, preparing more light meals, and offering little bits of comfort whenever the tears came back. She knew that Alex’s recovery would be a long process, one that would take time, but Maggie was ready to be there every step of the way.

"I love you, Alex," she repeated, again and again, like a mantra, making sure Alex heard it, making sure she never doubted the love Maggie had for her. And even though Alex still fought with her own pain, she knew that, for the first time in a long time, she wasn’t alone.

Alex’s inner storm didn’t disappear right away, but with Maggie by her side, the light began to break through little by little, and the road to healing, though long, didn’t seem so dark anymore.

Chapter Text

Maggie had spent a good while cleaning Alex’s apartment. She’d already finished sweeping the floors and taking out the trash, the only thing left was washing the dishes and utensils she’d used to cook. J'onn had called her a few minutes earlier to inform her that Kara was fine and that she could tell Alex, to avoid her getting overly anxious or worried. Maggie knew how Alex was when it came to her sister. She knew how much she loved her and how protective she could get. Alex would probably stay awake all night if she found out Kara had had an accident, but thankfully, Kara was out of danger.

Alex was still fast asleep, and Maggie made sure not to make any noise. She moved around the apartment carefully, almost as if she were tending to a delicate piece of glass that could break with the slightest movement. She didn’t want to wake her. "Rest a little longer, Alex. You need it…", Maggie thought as she finished wiping down the last table.

When she was done, she went to check on Alex. Seeing her there, Maggie’s eyes softened. Alex was wrapped in a towel, completely dry, since Maggie had helped her shower hours earlier, after everything that had happened. The towel was snug around her, providing warmth, but her face reflected a rare sense of peace—a well-deserved rest. Maggie smiled tenderly as she watched her so vulnerable. "She looks so sweet…", she thought, silently observing her. For a moment, she felt the urge to take a photo, to capture that moment of peace when Alex wasn’t saving the day or worrying about anyone else. But she held back. "It’s not the time." She knew Alex needed this rest without distractions, without worries.

Maggie moved closer and gently brushed Alex’s hair. "Just a little more rest…", she whispered, more to herself than to Alex, as she carefully backed away to head to the kitchen. She remembered that she had made a mental note to help her get dressed later when she woke up fully. She didn’t want to rush anything.

As she cleaned the utensils in the kitchen, Maggie reflected on everything that had happened. How could Alex have been so on edge? She had spent the entire night worrying about Kara, but had neglected her own well-being. Maggie knew Alex was always like that: always putting others first, thinking about Kara’s safety, the mission, whatever she had to do to protect others. But… who’s taking care of you, Alex? Who, besides you?, Maggie thought as she picked up the phone to make a work call.

"Hello, this is Detective Maggie Sawyer. I won’t be able to come in for the next few days. Someone needs me right now, so I’ll be staying with her." It didn’t surprise Maggie that her boss agreed without hesitation. She was ready to give Alex the support she needed.

When the call ended, Maggie went back to check on Alex. She saw that Alex was still asleep, and with affection, she approached to cover her a little more. She took off her jacket and placed it over Alex’s shoulders, covering her body, knowing it would give her warmth and comfort. "She’s so exhausted…", Maggie thought with sadness. "It’s incredible how she can be so strong for everyone, but never allows herself to rest."

Eventually, Maggie took a few more moments to think about what Alex was going through, what she was feeling. She was not only the older sister, always living in Kara’s shadow. She was always the one taking care of others, the one who had to save the day. But… who takes care of her? Suddenly, a shift in the bed pulled her from her thoughts. Alex began to stir, waking up slowly. She stretched out, letting out a sigh, then sat up, confused at first, as if trying to orient herself. She grabbed the jacket in her hands quickly, associating it with Maggie. When her eyes fully opened, worry flooded her face immediately.

"Kara? Is she okay?" she asked, her voice tinged with immediate concern.

Maggie, calm, moved quickly toward her. "Yeah, Kara’s fine. J'onn called me, and I told him you needed rest." She looked at Alex with a soft smile to reassure her. "It’s okay, Alex. Kara’s fine. You don’t need to worry anymore."

But Alex didn’t seem convinced. Desperate, she tried to get out of bed, searching for her phone. "I need to call him. I need to talk to J'onn… I need to know everything’s okay."

The anxiety in her voice was palpable. Maggie quickly knelt beside the bed, as Alex tried to stand. In the process, the towel she was wrapped in slipped off, falling to the floor. Alex didn’t even seem to notice, so focused on finding her phone. Without hesitation, Maggie took her jacket, which Alex was still holding loosely, and gently draped it back over her shoulders, covering her without saying a word.

"Alex, calm down. J'onn already told you everything’s fine. You don’t need to talk to him right now." Maggie’s voice was firm but comforting. "It’s okay. Everything’s fine."

Alex looked at her, still confused, but slowly allowed Maggie to help her lie back down. "It’s just… I need to know that everything’s okay. I’m always worried about her…" Alex’s voice cracked slightly.

Maggie looked at her and sat next to her, studying her tired, worried face. "I know, Alex. I know. But you need to rest too. You can’t carry everything on your own."

Alex closed her eyes, letting Maggie’s words sink in slowly. She knew Maggie was right, but how could she stop worrying about Kara? How could she stop feeling like she always had to live up to everyone’s expectations? She had always been the older sister, the one who had to protect everyone, especially Kara.

"I’m always in Kara’s shadow…" Alex thought. "I’ve always been the one there for everyone, the one who saves the day. And who am I? Who am I when I’m not Kara’s sister?" The pressure of living in her sister’s shadow had left her exhausted, empty, unsure of whether she’d ever find her own place in the world.

Sensing Alex’s tension, Maggie gently embraced her. "You’re more than that, Alex. You’re amazing just as you are. You don’t always have to be the one to save the day. I’m here for you, and I always will be."

Alex fought back the tears that threatened to fall, feeling the weight of uncertainty about her identity. "Do you really think that?" she whispered, almost too softly to hear.

Maggie nodded and smiled tenderly, gently stroking her hair. "I do. Now, what you need to do is get dressed and rest a little more. Don’t worry about Kara. She’s fine. You need to take care of yourself too."

Alex, with a slightly confused expression, looked at Maggie, her words sinking into her heart. The softness of her voice and the sincerity in her eyes made her feel a little calmer, though not entirely. She closed her eyes for a moment, thinking about everything Maggie had said. "Thank you, Maggie… I know you’re right. It’s just… hard to let go of control, you know? I always feel like I have to be there for her. But… I’ll try."

Maggie smiled at her, a warm, understanding smile, and looked at her with tenderness. "I know, Alex. And you’ll always be there for her. But don’t forget to be there for yourself too."

Alex nodded slowly, and in that moment, she realized something she had been overlooking: she wasn’t dressed. She looked down and saw that she was only wearing Maggie’s jacket over her shoulders. A light blush crept onto her face as she realized how exposed she was, despite the jacket covering her essentials. She couldn’t help but let out a nervous little smile.

"Is this your jacket?" she asked, her tone slightly playful, as she looked up at her.

Maggie nodded, a small mischievous smile on her lips. "Yeah, it’s mine. And if you want, you can keep it. But… I think what you really need is some comfy clothes."

Alex stared at her, surprised. But seeing the way Maggie looked at her, the tension in her chest lightened. "Alright, that’s fine… thanks," she said, starting to get dressed.

Maggie, with the same care she’d treated Alex all night, stood up from the bed and went over to Alex’s closet. "I’m going to find something you can wear. Something comfortable, alright?"

Alex stayed in bed, wrapped in the jacket, watching as Maggie moved around the room. The situation still felt strange to her; she wasn’t used to feeling so vulnerable, but with Maggie, everything seemed a little easier to handle.

Maggie opened the closet and started picking out clothes. "Hmm, something comfy, but also practical…" she muttered as she grabbed a light grey long-sleeve shirt and some dark sweatpants. "This should work," she said to herself, holding the clothes in one arm while looking for the right underwear for Alex.

With the clothes ready, she returned to the bed. "Here you go. Put these on if you can. And don’t worry, I’ll help with whatever you need."

Alex, still a bit uncomfortable with being so exposed, couldn’t help but blush even more. However, she realized how good it felt to be with Maggie, how calming her presence was, even though she still felt a little awkward in the situation.

Maggie watched as Alex started to put on the clothes, her face completely flushed. "She’s just too adorable," Maggie thought, smiling despite herself. "Definitely still a baby gay…"

As Alex finished putting on the underwear and the shirt, Maggie, with a little turn of her head, took a step back to give her some privacy, though she couldn’t help but look at her with tenderness.

When Alex finished getting dressed, she sat on the bed for a moment, and Maggie gently handed her the sweatpants. "Here you go. I’ll help you get them on," she said, kneeling down to help her put on the pants, being careful not to hurt her skin, which was still healing.

Alex, slightly embarrassed by the proximity, blushed even more. But she realized how good it felt to be around Maggie, how safe she felt, even if the situation was a bit awkward.

Maggie, seeing Alex relax, smiled tenderly as she adjusted the pants around her waist. "There, much better. How does it feel?" she asked softly, making sure everything was in place.

Alex nodded, grateful for the help. "Yeah… much better," she said, unable to hide the mix of relief and nerves she felt.

"Well, now," Maggie said with a soft smile, "I’m going to put the jacket back on you so you’ll feel more comfortable."

Gently, Maggie draped the jacket back over Alex’s shoulders, making sure it was snug. Alex, feeling the warmth of Maggie’s jacket enveloping her again, felt more protected, more at ease.

Maggie smiled at her, satisfied with how well she’d cared for Alex. "You’re ready," she said warmly. "Now, get some more rest. Everything’s under control, and you will be too."

Alex, still a bit unsure about everything she had just been through, gave a small smile, feeling a little lighter. "Thank you, Maggie. Seriously. I don’t know what I’d do without you."

Maggie smiled sweetly at her, touching her arm softly. "You don’t have to do it without me. I’ll always be here for you."

And for a moment, they shared a comfortable silence, both knowing that their trust in each other had grown even more, even if words couldn’t fully explain it.

Finally, Maggie broke the silence with a smile and a soft, playful tone. "Ride or die, right? You remember, Alex?"

Alex looked at her, surprised for a moment, but then a nostalgic smile appeared on her face. "Of course. Ride or die."

They exchanged a glance, an unspoken understanding in their eyes. No matter what came, they would always be there for each other.

Chapter Text

It had been a few weeks since that mission went sideways—a mission that had put both sisters in serious danger. Kara had been gravely injured, and Alex, without a second thought, had thrown herself in front of her. The result: both of them ended up severely wounded. While Kara was recovering under the care of the DEO, Alex was also battling her own physical and emotional wounds.

Despite the visible scars on their bodies, what weighed on them the most were the invisible ones—the fear, the guilt, the helplessness that came from knowing how close they’d come to losing each other.

Alex was still healing, with bandages wrapped around her head, her abdomen, and a number of cuts scattered across her body. Every day, Maggie took care of changing the dressings with infinite patience, as if every small act of care was also a way to help heal Alex’s soul. While her body slowly recovered, the emotional scars—especially those tied to what happened with Kara—lingered.

That afternoon, like so many others before it, Maggie sat beside Alex, ready to help her with the daily bandage change. The routine had become a quiet ritual—an act of love in every motion, a way to remind Alex she didn’t have to carry the weight of her memories alone.

Maggie started with the bandage on Alex’s head, which still showed signs of the injury she’d sustained during the mission.

“I’m sorry, Maggie. I know I’ve said it before, but I really don’t know how to thank you for all of this,” Alex said as she adjusted herself in bed, staring up at the ceiling.

Maggie didn’t look up from her work, but her voice was soft and comforting.

“You don’t have to thank me, Alex,” she replied, a small, affectionate smile on her lips. “I just want you to be okay. That’s all that matters.”

Alex gave a faint smile. She knew Maggie was right, but sometimes it still felt like nothing she did could show how grateful she truly was. As the head wound was tended to, thoughts of Kara continued to swirl in her mind. Even though she knew her sister was in good hands, she couldn’t help but worry.

Maggie finished wrapping the fresh bandage around her head, then moved to the abdominal wounds, where the injuries had been deeper. Even though Alex had insisted she could handle the bandages herself, Maggie always made sure to do it—never letting her face that burden alone.

“How are you feeling today?” Maggie asked gently as she carefully removed the gauze covering Alex’s side.

Alex looked down at her hands and paused before answering.

“I feel like I’m getting better... but I still can’t stop thinking about what happened,” she said, her voice tinged with pain and regret. “What happened to Kara... when I saw her hurt, I couldn’t help but feel like I failed her.”

Maggie stopped for a moment. She knew how hard it must be for Alex to process everything from that mission—the one where they’d barely made it out alive.

“Alex, what happened isn’t your fault,” Maggie said firmly. “The mission went wrong, and sometimes things get out of our control. The only thing you can do now is heal—and be there for Kara when she’s back on her feet. You can’t keep punishing yourself.”

Alex looked at her, gratitude in her eyes, but also a deep, lingering sadness.

“I know. But... I’ve always been the protector, the one who makes sure everyone’s safe. And seeing Kara like that—so hurt—it made me feel like I failed.”

Maggie sighed and secured the bandage around Alex’s abdomen. Then she gently took her hand.

“What I admire most about you, Alex, is that you always fight for everyone else—but you never stop to think about yourself. You’re incredibly strong. But you don’t have to do this alone. Kara’s with you. I’m with you. And if you ever forget that, I’ll be right here to remind you.”

Alex closed her eyes for a moment, letting Maggie’s words sink in. She knew she wasn’t alone—but the guilt still clung tightly inside her. If only she’d made different choices... reacted faster... maybe things wouldn’t have turned out the way they had.

After a while, Alex sighed and looked at Maggie with a bittersweet smile.

“Thank you, Maggie. Really. You make me feel like I can breathe again.”

Maggie smiled warmly and gave her hand a gentle squeeze.

“Always, Alex. I’m always here.”

Once the last bandage was in place, Alex sat up in bed and glanced at her phone. She’d been thinking about Kara all day. Even though the DEO was taking care of her, the need to see her sister—just to know she was okay—had only grown stronger.

“Maggie... could you take me to see Kara?” Alex asked, her voice full of concern. “I need to see her.”

Maggie studied her for a moment, noticing the urgency in Alex’s eyes. She knew how important it was for her to see her sister, even if Alex herself wasn’t fully recovered. That worry for Kara had never left her—wounded or not.

“Of course, Alex,” Maggie said without hesitation. “Let’s go. But take it easy, okay? We’ll just check in on her.”

Alex nodded gratefully, and together they left the apartment. Maggie helped her onto the motorcycle, and once they were both ready, they headed toward the DEO.

The wind brushed against their faces as Maggie rode steadily, and Alex held onto her from behind, closing her eyes for a moment to let the closeness calm her. Her body still ached, but Maggie’s presence gave her a quiet kind of comfort. She knew she’d always have her by her side—just as she would be there for her.

They finally arrived at the DEO. An agent greeted them and guided them to the medical wing. Kara was lying on a cot, surrounded by monitors and medical staff. Her face showed signs of fatigue and weakness, but when she saw Alex walk in, her eyes lit up just a little.

“Alex...” Kara murmured in a faint voice. “How are you?”

Alex rushed to her side, the knot in her stomach tightening at the sight of her sister like this.

“I’m okay,” Alex replied softly, wrapping her in a gentle hug. “I’m so glad you’re awake. But... what about you? How are you feeling?”

Kara gave a faint smile, though her gaze filled with concern as she took in the bandages still visible on Alex’s head and torso.

“I’m getting better. Just need to rest. But... you’re hurt too,” she said, her voice laced with sadness.

Alex tried to soothe her, but the guilt still pressed down hard on her chest.

“Don’t worry about me. I’m here for you,” she said, her heart easing slightly just by being near Kara, though she knew the road ahead wouldn’t be easy for either of them.

Kara nodded, but the worry didn’t leave her eyes.

“I love you so much, Alex. I don’t know what I’d do without you,” she whispered.

“I love you too, Kara. And I’ll always be here. We’ll get through this—together.”

Maggie, who had been quietly observing from a distance, smiled at the deep bond between the sisters. The road to recovery might be long, but something in her heart told her that, with time, they would both find their way forward.