Supergirl Femslash Ships & Fics Retrospective 3: Astra/x
Welcome back to the Supergirl (TV 2015) femslash ships & fics retrospective. This is the first part in which we focus on femslash ships of a particular character and a selection of fics and fic recs. In part 3 we focus on Astra In-Ze and her ships.
Table of contents
a) A quick introduction to Astra
b) Astra's ships overview
c) Alex/Astra fic recs
d) Alex/Astra/Maggie fic recs
e) Astra/Maggie fic recs
Series Overview: Supergirl Femslash Ships & Fics Retrospective
Part 1: Introduction, the TV show [tumblr [WordP]
Part 2a: List of F/F Ships [tumbl] [WordP]
Part 2b: List of Polyamorous Ships [tumbl] [WordP]
Part 3: Astra/x [tumbl] [WordP]
Part 4: Andrea/x [tumbl] [WordPress]
(links to be added once the parts are done)
a) A quick introduction to Astra
Astra In-Ze was a Kryptonian general, the twin sister of Kara's mother Alura and thus Kara's aunt. She was put in prison for eco terrorism and together with the other inmates of in Fort Rozz was one of the few survivors of Krypton's destruction. As a Kryptonian on Earth she has similar powers and weaknesses as Supergirl.
On the show Astra only appears in season 1, in which the was one of the main antagonists. Astra is an original character created for the show, who did not appear in DC comics before.
Astra was a fascinating character and one of the highlights of season 1. It was sad that Astra never got a redemption arc, but considering the quality of the show's writing, it is hard to imagine that it would have been satisfying anyway. Aw well, this is what fanfiction is for, and there are indeed several fics with redemption arcs for Astra.
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b) Astra's ships overview
Astra/Alex Danvers (GeneralDanvers)
This was the first pair I shipped in Supergirl and the one that made me fall in love with the show and the fandom.
When I watched the first scene Alex and Astra had together I thought wow, this is kinda gay and a lot of subtest. I wonder if they will ever do anything with it. Of course, they didn't.
But looking at AO3, I realized that I was by far not the only one who saw the potential for this ship. Unsurprising considering the source material, there is a lot of potential for angsty and darker fics, but there are also a few lighter AUs.
Link to AO3 relationship tag: Astra/Alex Danvers
Astra/Alex Danvers/Maggie Sawyer (General Sanvers)
If you shipped Alex/Astra and were open for/to polyamorous relationships, this was the natural progression to combine Astra with Alex's season 2 canon relationship. Not the rarest ship but pretty rare.
Link to AO3 relationship tag: Astra/Alex Danvers/Maggie Sawyer
Astra/Maggie Sawyer
This is a ship that I did not see coming. It is even more removed from canon than Alex / Astra / Maggie, because obviously Astra and Maggie never met on screen. True rarepair but with one brilliant long fic: And Alsike's masterpiece (see below) is the only reason why I included this ship here.
Link to AO3 relationship tag: Astra/Maggie Sawyer
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c) Alex/Astra fic recs
Prior Alex/Astra fic recs
Between the Lines by Anonymississippi
flung out of space by littlelamplight
Small Worlds by roryteller
In the Service of Secrets by orphan_account (twistable_turnable_girl )
Find my full original rec here: 4 Alex / Astra (General Danvers) Fics [tumbl] [WordP]
Also check out The Lesbian Review's review of Between the Lines.
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New Alex/Astra fic recs
She's My Professor by fritokays
Astra/Alex Danvers (GeneralDanvers) (f/f)
Completed, 12 Chapters, 8k words, 2016
Teen and Up; No Archive Warnings Apply
No Superheroes, college AU
Alex can't help but fall for her new Biology professor. It's going to be cute and fluffy!
Alex starts an affair with her professor without realizing that Astra is Karta's aunt. This is an Alex focused fic, that to a large extend focuses on banter between Alex and Cat (Cat is Kara’s girlfriend and around the same age as Kara and Alex in this fic) and a bit of flak Alex gets for her affair from her friends. Fun, lighthearted and very enjoyable fic.
Like a Shadow That Never Leaves by DangersUntoldHardshipsUnnumbered
Astra/Alex Danvers (GeneralDanvers) (f/f)
Completed, 1 Chapter, 2k words, 2018
Teen and Up; No Archive Warnings Apply
Tumblr user femslashhistorian asked for the following prompt: “There was a connection between Alex and Astra but Alex had never been able to wrap her head around it before she needed to kill Astra to save Hank. What if Astra had actually not really died that day and to Alex surprise, ten years later Alex and Astra meet again.”
The only fic that exists based on a prompt from me. I love it dearly and am very grateful.
If you give an alien a syllabus... by SapphicScholar @sapphicscholar
Astra/Alex Danvers (GeneralDanvers) (f/f)
Completed, 2 Chapters, 7k words, 2020
General Audiences; No Archive Warnings Apply
No Superheroes, college AU
“Alex blinked after her retreating form, wondering how she’d gone from trying to get this woman the hell out of her classroom to inviting her to read advanced environmental science literature together over coffee.” Or Astra is interested in learning more about human culture and *very* interested in what Alex is teaching her Intro to Environmental Science students at National City Community College
This is an AU that give the answer to the question: how would Alex‘s life be if she had not become an secret government Agent/ vigilante? This is an Alex centric story, in which she is a researcher and teaches in a community college. While Astra and Kara are Kryptonian and have powers there are no superheroes, no DEO and no fighting in this fic.
The fic is optimistic, pretty lighthearted and very well written. I enjoyed it a lot. A perfect, medium length AU that has a satisfying ending and leaves you wanting more.
My favorite part, that made me laugh was this conversation between Alex and Kara:
“That’s so inappropriate.”
“She’s not your student. Also, not a student literally at all.”
“I mean, yeah, I guess. I don’t know. She’s kind of an asshole, though.”
“So she’s your type.”
“Shut up. I don’t wanna talk about it.”
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More Alex/Astra fics from my favorite authors
The Descent by Alsike
When the Kryptonians discovered that their planet was going to explode, the science council made the decision to evacuate, sending refugee ships to earth. But when negotiations for asylum went bad, it became war. But the war has ended. Alex Danvers has lost everything except her life. But when she is taken from prison by General Astra of the Kryptonian Army, she does not expect any of what happens next.
I Have Loved the Stars Too Fondly to be Fearful of the Night by Anonymississippi After weeks of reconnaissance, Alex and the rest of the DEO agents are finally ready to make their move against the aliens of Rozz. There's only one problem: the hostiles are in the midst of negotiations with the Circuit, an international arms smuggling ring whose members prefer to shoot before they talk. While the Circuit schmoozes the unidentified Rozz leaders, Vasquez, Lucy, and Alex make attempts at infiltrating the negotiations. But those negotiations are being celebrated at Club Jaguar, the hottest gentleman's club in National City. Alex's night is overrun with shot glasses, stripteases and lap dances, and an interlude with a Kryptonian General that she never could've expected.
Forget Me Not by Anonymississippi Contrived, crackish, co-dependent witness-protection nonsense to work through my bitterness. Heads up for Insecure!Astra, Protective!Kara, and Anxious!Alex. Or, the one where Astra falls for Alex because her memory's shot after an "accident," and Alex feels major guilt.
Human Again by Anonymississippi Alex Danvers sets off to find her sister after an incident prevents Kara from traveling to the Artist's Festival in the next village. But, when she finds Kara held hostage in an enchanted castle in the middle of a mysterious forest, she offers herself as hostage in return for Kara's freedom. She's soon living with a woman covered in the scars she meted out to past victims. A former General who is more likely to yell at her than deliver a kind word. But, when their connection to Kara draws them closer, Alex gets wrapped up in an adventure she never planned on, becoming the key to a decade-old enchantment placed over the entire castle. Will her changing feelings break the spell before the final petal falls?
Everywhere That You Feel Stars by DangersUntoldHardshipsUnnumbered Just some sweet, sweet emotional smut with my OTP. What may have happened after the short "Starflower", in which Astra betrayed Non and sold out Myriad, with help from Alex.
Verona's Ache by DangersUntoldHardshipsUnnumbered Soulmate AU in which the bond is not activated until you come into physical contact with your soulmate -- but once you do, you're in physical discomfort whenever you're not with them. As you might imagine, this can create complications.
The Canyon's Arms Are All We Know by DangersUntoldHardshipsUnnumbered A "middle of nowhere" AU in which is everyone is a little bit more broken, and everyone has to work a little bit harder to heal.
Kara's trip through the Phantom Zone was difficult and left her struggling with social skills and management of her emotions and senses. Alex's work for the DEO is less black-ops and more equal parts therapist, doctor, social worker and cop. She drinks a little too much in order to deal with the pressure. Fort Rozz never crashed on earth, but Astra did.
your name's not on any signs by fictorium Alex and Astra and a first sweep at how a redemption arc might begin.
the definition of paradise by littlelamplight After moving away from everything she knows to a small, seaside town, Alex soon hears about the odd family living in the lighthouse. She doesn't hear about how beautiful the aunt is until she runs right into her.
fool's gold by littlelamplight, orphan_account When Detective Alex Danvers is assigned her first case at her new branch, she expects it to be done quickly. However, a simple burglary case begins to look like something far darker after she meets Astra, the desperate sister of the victim. Pressured from all sides to dismiss the case, Alex soon finds herself caught up in a web of lies and corruption, but she still promises to Astra that she'll find her sister's would-be murderer. If she lives long enough, that is.
Towards Zero by littlelamplight, orphan_account At the lowest point in her life, Alex Danvers is saved from certain death by a mysterious woman. Now, a year later, Alex finds herself embroiled in a family drama involving murder, and the woman whom she owes her life to. She might just end up returning the favour.
Hummingbird by kellsbells Astra wakes in her funeral pod to the sound of a hummingbird. She falls to earth and finds that her killer also gave her a gift.
The Importance of Honor by Musetotheworld No matter how many times Alex faces the General, the encounters are never what she'd expect.
Kryptonian Backpacks by Musetotheworld Krypton was a lot different than Earth, with a lot of different ideas on the way things should be. Alex has gotten used to Kara's take on things, but that doesn't always line up to the way someone who grew to adulthood on Krypton thinks.
Laundromats and Midnight Guests by SapphicScholar
“If Alex chose to do her laundry a little more often than was strictly necessary, well, it was a good habit to cultivate. And if she was more than a little pleased to find Astra in her usual spot on the following Wednesday night, well, who was there to judge her?”
Also known as the cracky/fluffy General Danvers laundromat AU birthday fic that very quickly morphed into a season 1 rewrite full of feelings.
Happier Feet Than Yours series by writerstealth (orphan_account) Alex, still with the DEO, and Astra, a reformed warrior and Greenpeace activist, are shacked up together. Astra surprises her with a little gift.
This Tiny, Unregarded Blue World by writerstealth (orphan_account) An Astra/Alex Danvers AU in which Astra is a fallen angel.
We Who Are About to Die by writerstealth (orphan_account) Astra, a former champion of the Roman gladiator circuit and servant to one of the most powerful women in Rome, falls in love with a young Greek warrior who sold herself into bond to pay her father's debts. They come together, with the aid (or meddling) of some ancient Roman goddesses.
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But wait, there are more Alex/Astra fics
Peculiar Circumstances by alittlelesspain
Alex falls ill. Not from an alien attack, or from a fight. Just plain old human sickness, and it happens to be terminal.
Astra finds an unusual cure for it. She does it for Kara, she says, but things escalate, and two people who were once enemies, and then wary allies at best, find themselves becoming something else entirely.
alittlelesspain also co-wrote Towards Zero and Fool's Gold (see above). And wrote a lot of GD fics and orphaned nearly all of them. Such as
the baffled stars by orphan_account
When scientist Alex Danvers crashlands on Krypton, she merely means to fulfill the lifelong promise she made to her father: to study the famously isolationist planet that he had revered in his heart for so long.
But Krypton's people are real, not merely the legends Alex has heard from her father since childhood, and they're not so pleased at this stranger invading their home. To save herself, Alex finds herself bonded in a marriage that she has no say in, to Astra, who secretly offers Alex a way to return to Earth, if only she can be patient.
But Astra has secrets of her own, that she has no plans of revealing. One of them, is that she is the soulmate that Alex had given up on finding a long time ago.
What we are series by AXEe "If I am her aunt and you are her sister what does that make us?" this is the answer
Strange Tales from Another Planet series by AXEe What if Jeremiah saved another alien instead of J'onn J'onzz? This is the result
Falling Up by BridgetteIrish Sometimes all it takes is a small shift for things to start tumbling.
Anatomy of a Stoic by Fangirlinit Professors are assumed to practice what they preach. Astra would hold to this principle were it not for the new professor of bioengineering who is young, beautiful, and annoyingly quarrelsome. Being masters of separate fields, they are pleasurably antagonistic toward each other… until secrets get the best of them.
The Power of Non-Fat Mocha Latte by Fangirlinit There are few job opportunities available to a reformed alien terrorist. For Astra, she would rather serve coffee to the masses than work for the DEO and that’s exactly what she decides to do. To Alex, this new transformation is just too bizarre to be bought. In her effort to hunt down the truth, she learns a little truth about herself.
The Words that Bind Us by Kendrickhier Astra has been waiting for decades to get her soul-mark, a tattoo that shows the first thing your soulmate says to you, and when she does get it she isn't too happy about it. When Alex gets hers, her parents aren't too thrilled about it either, while Alex is slightly concerned. Will these two stubborn women find their way together in the end? ... Who am I even trying to fool, this is fanfiction, just sit back and let me guide you through this soulmate AU where the two characters we love find love.
Falling slowly by SilentRain91 Alex learns that she's married, but she doesn't remember that she got married. She ends up allowing Astra to temporarily stay with her because her accidental wife has a broken leg and no home. Of course she doesn't want to remain married and it's not like she plans to fall in love with Astra.
Sword of Damocles by uisceB General Danvers Canon divergent from 1x13: When Hank shows up on the rooftop to stop Astra from activating Myriad, Astra manages to outmaneuver him, taking Alex hostage as a means of escape. Now, Alex finds herself a prisoner at the hostile Fort Rozz base, but as time goes by, she and Astra begin to form an unexpected bond, challenging each of their beliefs, and loyalties. Warnings for emotions, sexual content, more emotions, more sexual content, some violence, and language.
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d) Alex/Astra/Maggie fic recs
New Alex/Astra/Maggie fic recs
What Doesn't Bend Will Break by writerstealth (now orphan_account)
Astra/Alex Danvers/Maggie Sawyer (General Sanvers)
Completed, 23 chapters, 31k words, 2017
Explicit
Alex had an intense, closeted affair with Astra before her death. She remained in denial for its entirety, and her drinking became more serious after her unfortunate choice to kill Astra in battle. A year later, still plagued by nightmares, she’s otherwise moved on, and has come out to herself and her family. She feels healthier and has fallen for Maggie. Everything seems like it’s on the right path, until Astra returns from the dead and throws everything into chaos.
This was inspired by the one-shot "One Year Sober" but it is not connected to it.
A classic and well written Alex/Astra/Maggie story from one of my favorite authors. Alex has a drinking problem that is not just implied or skirted around but actually addressed in the fic. There is also quite a bit of Kryptonian mythology.
Favorite Quotes
“The redoubled sobbing confirmed Maggie’s suspicions. Maggie held her tighter. Everything snapped into focus. Maggie gave a low, impressed whistle. Poor closeted Alex, and the first girl who comes along and rings her bell so loud she can’t ignore it is her foster sister’s aunt who's trying to take over the world and who she’s eventually forced to kill. Maggie had had bad luck with girls before Alex, but that probably had the best of her sob stories beat by a country mile.”
"Astra pulled the same shit! [...] She just left me this sorry letter about how she’ll get out of the way so that you and I can get back together. Why is it that both of you love me so much, but you can’t manage to actually involve me in what goes on?"
The Rut Weekend Assignment by Alsike
Astra/Alex Danvers/Maggie Sawyer (General Sanvers)
Completed, 1 chapter, 10k words, 2021
Explicit
Alpha/Beta/Omega (ABO); no powers AU
Once, Alex had wanted to be a scientist, wanted to make something of her life, but presenting as an omega threw a wrench into all that. It didn't help that she was in the middle of an internship with Max Lord at the time, and stumbled into being his private toy. But that was a long time ago. Now she's freelance, self-sufficient, and very, very competent. Sex work is work, it's not fun, but it pays better than being a barista. It's just acting, but with only one role: the perfect omega.
But then a new client shows up, looking to hire her as an omega third for her alpha-alpha relationship, and this alpha isn't all that interested in the perfect omega. She might want Alex to just be Alex. And for once, Alex might have a good few days at work.
My second Alex / Astra / Maggie rec has a very different dynamic than the first one, and funnily enough that is mostly not due to the fact that it is a (non-traditional) Alpha/Beta/Omega (ABO) story. While in most of the polyamorous F/F/F stories I enjoy and rec the three characters end in a relationship together, this is not the case here: In this story Astra and Maggie are in a long term relationship and Astra hires (sex worker) Alex for a weekend.
In essence this is an excellent ABO smut with plot story with superb character and world building. Highly recommended.
The 2nd part of the Omega Prostitute 'verse series is a prequel and an Astra/Maggie fic.
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More Alex/Astra/Maggie fics from my favorite authors
More Beautiful for Having Been Broken Series by writerstealth (now orphan_account) A collection of follow up stories to What Doesn't Bend Will Break (see above)
As Many As the Stars, When the Night Is Still by DangersUntoldHardshipsUnnumbered
Astra/Alex Danvers/Maggie Sawyer (General Sanvers)
Completed, 13 chapter, 24k words, 2018
Explicit; ancient Rome AU
Alexandra, current champion of the Roman arena, and her lover, former champion Astra, have been together for some time now, working for the day when they will buy their freedom and move back to Alexandra's home in Greece. Their love is protected by the domina, Cat, until the young Empress Margarita Augusta (Maggie) takes an interest in them that she cannot seem to shake.
Featuring guest appearances by the Roman Legion and a trio of meddling goddesses. Inspired by We Who Are About to Die by orphan_account.
If You Were There by DangersUntoldHardshipsUnnumbered What you'd see if you happened to be at the bar when Alex, Maggie and Astra were having an evening out together.
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e) Astra/Maggie fic recs
I Think You're Impossible (I hope you prove me wrong) by Alsike @nike-ravus
Astra/Maggie Sawyer
Completed, 11 Chapters, 36k words, 2018
Not Rated; Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Maggie Sawyer is looking forward, not back. She's left Nebraska for Gotham, is figuring out her job prospects, sleeping with as many girls as possible, and getting to know the alien community in the big city.
A not-quite chance encounter with an alien who has lost her world and is struggling to find out if any part of it remains forces Maggie to remember just how much she has left behind. New city, new job, new friends, new apartment--clearly the only thing Maggie was missing was a jerk-face alien with a mystery to solve. Oh look. There she is.
The story is told exclusively from Maggie's POV. Through Maggie's eyes we learn about the perils of working for the Gotham police department (not the world's finest) learn about Aliens and in particular about an intriguing and infuriating Alien who introduces herself as Ace.
Written in a way that it could fit in before the show started. Although I doubt that the Astra portrayed in this story would have been a real villain after that...
This story is a masterpiece and a wonderful Maggie character study. I loved the scenes when Maggie met Batman and Superman.
Favorite quote
She scooped another bottle out of the drawer and tossed it to Ace. "Lube. Vegan and organic, totally edible."
"What?"
Maggie laughed. "Which part? Lube reduces friction, and this kind has no animal byproducts or synthetic pesticides in its production. It's still industrially manufactured, so it's not gonna stop the end of the world, but baby steps, you know. I like to make the effort with sex. The things you like should be sustainable, right?"
Ace looked from her to the bottle and then back again, her expression unreadable. She seemed to want to speak, but hesitated, then set down the bottle. "I'm sorry your planet is dying," she said, stiffly. It sounded different from when she mentioned it before, like she actually was trying to mean it, like for once, empathy had won out over anger.
"Me too." Maggie rose up on her knees and put her hands on Ace's thighs. "Want to distract me from my species' impending doom for a little while?"
Ace gave her a narrow-eyed look, and then rolled her eyes. “Humans, the answer is always hedonism.”
Alphas in the Club by Alsike The 2nd part of the Omega Prostitute 'verse series is a prequel to the Alex/Astra/Maggie fic The Rut Weekend Assignment (see below).
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Notes:
Originally published 2022-03-28
Updated 2022-04-01 to include link to external fic rec to The Lesbian Review
This was cross-posted to tumblr and my WordPress blog
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