Disclaimer: I do not own Supergirl or anything to do with DC. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
*****
Samantha Arias had never been more nervous in her entire life. It was kind of a ridiculous feeling to have, considering what she had been through, which was a lot of stressful things, even before being taken over by her evil alter ego, but the fact remains this was her first date in years, and her first one ever with someone she actually liked.
Hell, she had been nervous enough when she been talked into going on blind dates, or the 'hangout sessions' of her youth, but this was so much worse. Also her first official date with another woman, and she worried that she was going to freak out and make a fool out of herself, and ruin whatever Alex had planned. And she was stressed out because she didn't know what that was. And she had nothing to wear! And Alex was going to be here any minute! Oh God, what was she going to do?
"Oh for God sakes Mom, just pick something." Ruby groaned with frustration, and then when she saw the expression on her mother's face she softened her tone, and added, "Hey, hey, hey, it's going to be okay. Alex is going to love what you wear, no matter what, and you guys are going to have a great evening, okay?"
"You don't know that." Sam grumbled softly.
"Of course I do." Ruby countered, quickly listing off, "You could wear a paper bag, and Alex would still love it. And have you seen you guys together? You're going to never run out of things to say to each other. And as for everyone else, who cares what they think? Alex makes you happy, you know that. And you deserve happiness. And if some people can't see that, that's their problem. And as for saying or doing the wrong thing, you would never do that, but if you somehow do, I'm sure Alex will understand, and do whatever she can to make you feel comfortable, and give you a second chance, if you need it. But I don't think you will, because you're awesome Mom, and so is Alex. You two deserve each other."
"Thanks honey." Sam smiled after a brief pause, "You're a good kid."
"I know." Ruby beamed proudly.
Of course, Ruby wasn't psychic, Sam had just spent the last few hours burdening her child with her deepest insecurities, something normally she was good at hiding from Ruby, but that was just what Alex Danvers did to her. Which bizarrely, was part of the other woman's charm. After all, nobody else made Sam this nervous, and excited. So even though she obsessed over what to wear and what to say.
There was no way she was missing out on this night. And Ruby was right. Hopefully. Oh God, Sam had never hoped her child was right about something more than this. Especially when she found herself opening the door pretty much the second the doorbell rang, revealing Alex Danvers looking effortlessly stunning.
"Wow." Sam softly murmured.
"I think that's my line." Alex smirked.
"Smooth." Sam quipped, trying to sound mocking, even though she kinda meant it.
"I try." Alex grinned, before indicating, "Shall we?"
"Sure." Sam nodded, shutting and locking the door behind her, and then awkwardly asking on the way to Alex's car, "So... what did you have in mind for, you know?"
"You know?" Alex raised an eyebrow teasingly.
Sam gave her a look, and then simply said dryly, "Our date. Sorry, this is new to me. And not just because you're a girl. Like I said-"
"It's okay, I was just teasing. I really shouldn't have, I'm sorry." Alex quickly apologized.
"It's okay." Sam reassured, before gently pushing, "So where are we going for our first official date?"
"It's a surprise." Alex said dismissively.
"Okay." Sam said, "I love surprises."
*
"I hate surprises." Sam grumbled a short time later.
There was a brief pause, then Alex confessed, "You know, I spent hours deciding where to take you. But-"
"You did?" Sam interrupted, feeling touched.
"Of course. You mean a lot to me." Alex promised, "And even if we were strangers, anyone who doesn't put the time into thinking how to please you, isn't worthy of you."
"Sap." Sam blushed a little, before remembering where they were, and then looking away and grumbling, "So, you were explaining why you're taking the alien to an alien bar?"
"Because you're not comfortable with the fact you're an alien." Alex said softly, "I know you want just to separate yourself from Reign, and label her as the alien, but it's just not that simple. And I can't stand the idea that you would hate yourself for who you are. You're not Reign, but you are Kryptonian. No matter what happened to you. I just want you to be proud of that."
"And you thought the best way was to force this on me?" Sam said bitterly, still not looking at Alex.
"I thought it would be so distracting, you wouldn't really think about where you are." Alex explained softly, "I thought that it could be a first step into accepting your heritage. To be around other... refugees like you. Some of which have to hide who they are in public. And others who don't have that luxury. Who can't forget what they are, no matter how hard they try? Or we can go to one of the other half a dozen bars in this area. Or to dinner and a movie, or I can even just take you home, if I've completely ruined the mood. I just... I just wanted this to be special, and for there to be no pressure, at least not romantically. And honestly, this is my favourite place. Where I'm most comfortable. And I wanted you to see it, and hated you haven't been back since, you know..."
There was a long pause, and then Sam finally turned to Alex and grumbled, "So, just to recap, you're risking our chance to be together, to try and make me feel better about myself?"
"I wouldn't put it like that, but... yeah, I guess?" Alex admitted with a soft smile.
"Huh..." Sam hummed, before reluctantly admitting, "You're a good friend, you know that right?"
"I'd like to think so." Alex smiled softly, before quickly adding, "Although, I'm hoping I haven't just friend-zoned myself."
"You're good." Sam reassured.
There was then a brief pause, and then Alex gently pushed, "So, what do you want to do?"
"Well..." Sam bit her lip thoughtfully for a few long seconds, and then sighed as she admitted, "I think you're right. Sooner or later I'm going to have to face this, and I'd rather do it while I was distracted. And, and while I have someone I trust by my side."
"You will." Alex promised, "Supergirl and J'ohn swore to me that they had things handled tonight, so I'll be there every step of the way. I promise."
"I believe you. If I didn't, well..." Sam trailed off, as she and Alex got out of the car and started walking in the direction of the bar. Sam then held out her hand and then awkwardly asked, "Can we..."
"Sure." Alex replied quickly, saving Sam from having to say it.
Which was namely of course holding hands, and it was ridiculous and embarrassing that Sam couldn't seem to say that. It was bad enough that she was hesitant to call this initially a 'date', and two women could get away with holding hands in public without it necessarily being gay. Although she had been taken off-guard, and Alex Danvers had the tendency to make her nervous.
But still, Sam was embarrassed of that, and the effect that such a small thing had over her body. Because it was embarrassing to feel such a connection, just from holding someone's hand, which just proves how pathetically touch starved she was. Luckily from the look that Alex gave her she didn't seem to be alone in these overwhelming feelings.
Then they were at the door of the bar, and Sam actually needed to take a calming breath, and paused for a second, before stepping inside. Alex didn't say anything, but just her presents there was a big help. Which continued to be the case as they walked through the bar, lined up, got a couple of drinks, and sat down at a booth. Which was pretty standard stuff, except they were surrounded by aliens of all shapes and sizes.
Given she was one of them it probably should've made Sam feel comfortable, but she had never felt more uncomfortable in her own skin, and guilty for the things she had done as Reign. Yes, yes, that wasn't her, but in moments like this she wasn't so sure that there was a difference. Especially now she remembered everything this body had done.
"Are you okay?" Alex asked softly, after a few long seconds, and then gently pushed when she realized it was a stupid question, "Because we can leave if you really want?"
"I'm fine." Sam lied, before admitting, "It will just take some getting used too, is all."
"I'm sure." Alex nodded, placing her hand back over Sam's, "And I'm sure you can do this."
"Thanks." Sam smiled softly, enjoying the feeling of Alex's hand on hers, before requesting, "It might help if somebody distracted me."
"Oh?" Alex smirked wickedly, "And what did you have in mind?"
"Nothing like that." Sam blushed, before stammering, "I just, I... I..."
"I didn't say anything." Alex pointed out, trying not to sound smug, as she added, "If you took that as dirty, that's on you."
"Oh come on, it was so totally implied." Sam huffed, before admitting, "That kind of worked."
"You're welcome." Alex smiled.
"Say something else?" Sam pleaded.
"Something else." Alex replied childishly, before questioning, "Like what?"
"I don't know..." Sam grumbled, "Anything?"