Chapter 39: A Gift and a Choice
Laura's fingers twitched as she stared at the suit in Lara's hands. The sleek material shimmered faintly under the spaceship's soft lights, looking both alien and strangely familiar.
She felt Ethan watching her, waiting for her reaction.
Lara's words echoed in her mind.
"I thought if my daughter-in-law was a mutant, I should make something for her."
Daughter-in-law.
Laura's throat went dry.
She knew Kryptonians were direct, but this was something else. It wasn't just an assumption—it was a declaration.
Still, as much as the words flustered her, she couldn't ignore the quiet sincerity in Lara's gaze. This wasn't just about a title. This was an acknowledgment—an acceptance of her, without hesitation or doubt.
A part of Laura wanted to scoff, to push back with her usual sharpness. But instead, she swallowed and reached out, hesitating for just a second before taking the suit.
"…Thanks," she muttered, glancing away as warmth crept up her neck.
Lara smiled knowingly, but she didn't comment on Laura's obvious shyness. "You'll find it's more than just clothing," she said. "It was designed with your unique abilities in mind."
Laura ran her fingers over the material. It was soft, yet felt nearly indestructible. She didn't doubt that Lara was telling the truth.
Jor-El, who had been watching quietly, finally spoke. "Gifts from Kryptonians are never given lightly. That suit is a symbol of our trust." His sharp gaze met hers. "You are important to our son."
Laura exhaled slowly, tightening her grip on the fabric. Important. The word made something in her chest tighten.
Ethan hadn't said anything since she took the suit, but when she finally glanced at him, she saw something warm and unspoken in his eyes.
It was too much. Too real.
She looked away.
"Let's go," she muttered.
Ethan smirked, but he didn't push. "Alright."
---
A Moment of Realization
After leaving the spaceship, Laura found herself following Ethan through the underground city.
The place was mesmerizing. The structures glowed with an otherworldly light, and despite being deep beneath the surface of Mars, the air felt crisp, almost alive.
Ethan walked beside her, his hands in his pockets, completely at ease in the place of his ancestors.
Laura, on the other hand, was anything but at ease.
Finally, she sighed. "Back home, when I saw your scars…"
Ethan glanced at her.
"…I remembered that my claws pierced you," she admitted. Her voice was lower, almost reluctant. "And when I looked again, there were scars, but no wounds."
Ethan didn't react. He just kept watching her, waiting.
Laura scoffed lightly. "That's when I realized—you're not human."
Ethan's lips twitched. "That's what gave it away?"
She shot him a glare. "Don't be a smartass."
He chuckled, but then his amusement faded. "Does it bother you?"
Laura hesitated. Then, she let out a small breath. "No."
Ethan raised an eyebrow.
She glanced at him, then rolled her eyes. "I think I already knew. From the moment I met you, something felt… different." She looked away. "I just didn't want to admit it."
Ethan's expression softened. "You don't have to be afraid of me, Laura."
Laura snorted. "You think I'm scared of you?"
Ethan smirked. "No. But I think you're scared of what this means."
Laura's breath hitched.
She didn't answer.
Ethan didn't push, but the silence between them felt charged, like something was shifting.
Finally, she muttered, "You talk too much."
He just smiled.
---
The Truth About the Scars
They had left the underground city and were walking near the entrance of a hidden cavern when Ethan suddenly said, "You've been thinking about my scars a lot, haven't you?"
Laura's body stiffened slightly.
He smirked at her reaction. "You don't have to feel guilty."
Laura crossed her arms. "I pierced you, Ethan." Her voice was sharp, but there was something else in it—something raw. "I saw my claws cut into you."
Ethan hummed, as if amused. "You didn't."
Laura blinked. "What?"
Ethan tilted his head slightly, his smirk growing. "Laura, you could never pierce me."
Her eyes narrowed. "Excuse me?"
He chuckled at her reaction before turning slightly, allowing her to see his back. "I let you pierce me," he said casually. "Otherwise, your claws would've never broken through my skin."
Laura's lips parted slightly, her breath catching.
"I wanted to have a medal of my hard work," Ethan continued, his voice calm, but there was an unmistakable fondness in his tone. "A reminder that I've trained my body to the point where even adamantium claws can't truly hurt me."
Laura just stared at him.
Then, heat rushed to her face.
Her fingers twitched at her sides, her entire body stiffening as embarrassment crashed into her like a wave. He let me?
Her claws had come out during one of the most intimate moments of her life—she had been terrified that she had hurt him. She had felt ashamed, had worried.
And this idiot had let it happen?!
Her face burned as she turned away sharply. "I hate you," she muttered.
Ethan just laughed.
Laura clenched her jaw, her embarrassment threatening to strangle her. She was never the type to get flustered easily, but this—this was too much.
Ethan leaned slightly toward her, clearly enjoying her reaction. "Are you blushing?"
"Shut up."
His laughter grew. "I think you're blushing."
Laura gritted her teeth. "I will kill you."
Ethan only smirked. "You could try, but we already established that your claws won't—"
Laura shoved him. Hard.
He barely moved, but he was definitely still laughing.
She groaned, burying her face in her hands.
This man was impossible.
---
Returning Home
Eventually, Ethan decided it was time to leave.
"You ready?" he asked.
Laura hesitated, glancing at the underground city one last time.
The suit Lara had given her was still folded in her arms, feeling heavier than it should.
She wasn't sure if she was ready for whatever this meant.
But she was ready to see where this path led.
"…Yeah," she said, turning back to him.
Ethan smirked. "Hold on tight."
And then, he lifted her effortlessly, letting her settle against him before soaring into the sky.
Unlike last time, he didn't rush.
Instead, he let her feel it—the sheer freedom of flying, the weightlessness, the way the stars stretched endlessly in every direction.
Laura had never felt so small.
Or so alive.
She didn't realize she was gripping him tightly until he chuckled. "Enjoying yourself?"
She scowled, but there was no real irritation in her voice. "Shut up."
Ethan laughed, holding her a little closer.
And together, they vanished into the stars.
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