Time seems to slow down to a crawl as they stand there in silence. In Astra’s mind it’s almost as if they are dueling minds in a chess game, each one waiting for the other to make a small mistake. She refuses to back down. It’s been a long time since she’s had something that challenges her beliefs so much and Astra still can’t let them go. She knows that she would do it all over again, sacrifice everything for Kara, for their future. Somehow it seems as if touching Alura would be a relinquishing of that stance. But as her sister moves forward and reaches her hand out, makes the first move, Astra can’t help, but feel so stupid about all of it. She missed her sister. She has for so long. Has mourned her loss and here she is again. Shouldn’t she be allowed to cherish that?
Astra let out a small shaky breath and her hand twitched slightly, not sure which way it should go. It’s her feet that manage to actually do something, moving forward slightly. The back and forth game that she was apparently playing was ridiculous and Astra knew it, but she couldn’t quite manage to meet Alura’s hand. Seeking out comfort was something that no longer came naturally to her. Instead she waited, forcing herself to stay as still as possible, barely even breathing as if that might frighten Alura off. Their hands are bound to meet now and every nerve of her body stands ready, pulsing with anticipation. Alura’s hands had always felt so much more delicate, smoother than hers. Would they be the same now? Would they be different?
And then it happened. A smooth, slightly warm sensation slid against her skin, wrapping around her hand. Astra’s eyes shut, her entire focus going into this moment and her body bends forward, echoing the memories of the hug that would typically follow. She can’t ask for it, but she wants it, wants the comfort that Alura used to provide her. Instead, she just stand there, all the strength in her hand barely grasping onto her sister’s.
Her eyes fall shut, and she cannot bear to watch, to see Astra’s expression. The possibility that she will be rejected is very real in her mind, and if it is to happen, then she does not wish to see it reflected in her twin’s expression. To live it will already be more than she can bear. But as she moves, her hand does find Astra’s (rough and bearing callouses as reminders of her years of hard work and training, but warm and soft all the same), and her eyes open once more. She sees Astra lean in, just slightly, as their fingers twine together, and with that, Alura breaks.
She reaches out, throwing her arms around her sister, pulling Astra to her, holding tight, almost clinging to the other woman. And yes, she is real, and she is here, and in that moment, that’s all that Alura needs to know. They are together once more, and despite everything that has transpired between them, despite the years and events that have torn them apart, in some ways, it is like they had never parted. Alura buries her face in the crook of Astra’s neck and breathes deeply, holding fast to her sister.
After everything they have been through, all that they have both lost...Alura does not think that she could bear to lose Astra, too. Not again. They are meant to be together, she thinks, and while there are still many wounds that have yet to heal, many things that remain unsaid, she resolves to remain by Astra’s side through it all. Come what may, she will not allow anything to tear them apart now that they have found each other again.
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