Chapter Text
"I need your help," Vel began without preamble, striding into Mon's office.
Her cousin looked up, concern crinkling her eyes. "Of course, what's wrong?"
Vel flicked a sheet of flimsi across Mon's desk.
Mon picked it up and scanned it
Ah yes. She was familiar with this.
It was the bill proposing that traditional Chandrilan wedding customs be permitted in same sex marriage ceremonies.
She looked up expectantly.
Vel's face was serious. "You know I want to marry Cinta."
"Yes, Vel, we were all there when you proposed," Mon smiled at the memory.
~~~~~
They were supposed to be celebrating Kleya's birthday. Vel, Cinta, Kleya, Mon, Greeg and Tarlan had all been there.
Vel had been carrying the ring she'd carefully selected around with her for days by that point. In true Vel fashion the pressure had suddenly become too much for her and she'd whipped out the tiny ornate box in the middle of the main courses.
Unfortunately, in her nerves she'd lost her grip on the item and it had flown out of her hand and bounced off Cinta's forehead.
Cinta caught it and once she figured out what it was she had instantly softened. With the help of an encouraging kick to the shin from Kleya under the table, Vel had eventually pulled herself together enough to get the right words out.
Of course Cinta had accepted and there had been tears all around.
Vel had worried Mon might be upset since she'd finally got divorced only the previous year.
But her cousin had been thrilled for her.
She'd immediately started crying and had to bury her head on Kleya's shoulder.
Kleya had smiled fondly and wrapped an arm around her.
The servers, who had been approaching with a birthday cake and a song that Kleya'd not requested, had panicked and run back to the kitchen for an extra dessert.
Kleya had sat in stony silence as three overenthusiastic wait staff chirped about how happy they were it was her birthday. Not having a song for a proposal they'd just repeated the performance for Vel, to Kleya's abject horror.
Vel couldn't see what the issue was, they'd got a free cake!
Mon's warning hand on Kleya's arm had stopped the brunette throwing a spoon at her.
It was technically supposed to be a meal for Kleya...
The younger woman was more interested in finding out who had dared order a song and dance on her behalf.
There had been a few minutes of intense interrogation before Greeg had eventually been unearthed as the culprit and swiftly informed Kleya hated public displays of celebration and if he valued his antennae he would never do it again.
The cakes were lovely though.
~~~~~
"I'd like to be able to marry her properly, not just in some soulless ceremony in a registry office. I want to do it like you did." Vel reconsidered her words. "Well obviously not exactly like you did. But I want it to be beautiful. Cinta deserves that."
Mon hadn't known Vel felt that strongly about her Chandrilan roots. Mon had hated every second of her wedding, from her mother being blind drunk to Perrin cutting off her braids. In fairness she'd also hated almost every second of her marriage so at least the experience had been consistent.
But she could see what her cousin meant. They'd grown up in traditional households, no matter how much Vel had rebelled and rejected the expected role Chandrila had prepared for her, it was her heritage and there was still a lot of splendor there. Chandrilan celebrations were truly something to behold.
"I really need this to pass," Vel said softly.
Mon bit her lip, of course she had been planning to support the proposal but she wasn't sure she could promise Vel that it would succeed.
"Please, Mon, it would mean a lot." Vel's face was so sincere the senator couldn't let her down.
"I'll do my very best," she squeezed Vel's hand. "I'll speak to my team right away."
Vel beamed at her. "Thanks, Mon. Let me know if you need anything."
Mon waved her off. "Go plan your wedding. I'll take care of this."
~~~~~
"It'll never succeed," Maarva Andor, Mon's campaign manager, shook her head.
Mon's heart dropped. "But why?"
The grey haired woman eyed her critically.
"It's you."
"Me?" Mon was incredulous.
"Your profile is all wrong. Sure, you're liberal but you've never come out strong on this issue. Your impact will be weak. You have no passion for it, you're doing it as a favor to your cousin. People will see that. They saw it on the farmer's bill."
Mon winced. The farmer's compensation bill, which she had tried to support to the best of her ability, had died a slow drawn out death. She'd been lambasted in the newsflimsis for having a bleeding heart but no real understanding of the issues faced by the workers themselves. The worst part was they hadn't been wrong.
But Mon wasn't ready to give up yet, she'd told Vel she'd make this happen for her and by the gods she'd do whatever it took. "Is there nothing you can suggest?" she wheedled.
Maarva was the best. If she didn't think Mon had any hope then the bill would be dead in the water. But her spirits lifted as the other woman seemed to consider for a few moments.
"You need to understand this, what it truly means to people and what the inclusion would represent," Maarva was thinking out loud.
Mon cocked her head, intrigued. "What did you have in mind?"
Maarva had a cunning look on her face that Mon had learnt to be extremely wary of. Whatever she said next Mon was guaranteed to hate it.
"I think it's time you experimented a little."
"I beg your pardon?" Mon's voice shot up several octaves.
"Full immersion, that's my recommendation. Go out and live the lifestyle, experience the struggles, connect with the people this really matters to." Maarva's lips twitched. "Kiss a few women while you're there."
"And how do you propose I do that?" Mon asked, utterly exasperated.
Was this really the best Maarva could come up with?
This had quickly got out of hand. Mon knew Maarva's methods were unorthodox but she hadn't expected this.
Still, if it would help Vel...
Mon pursed her lips, her cousin asked for so little and this would mean so much to her.
If Mon was being truly, completely, 100% honest with herself she knew she was attracted to women. She suspected she always had been looking back. But she'd been married so young and it had felt like something she'd never get to experience so she'd buried the desire down so deep it was almost like it didn't exist anymore.
But now that she wasn't married there was nothing to stop her, was there?
Maybe she could see this as an opportunity to finally explore that long neglected part of herself?
Maybe she could actually do this.
How bad could it really be?
Maarva shrugged as she watched Mon talk herself around to the idea. "I'd start by speaking to your assistant."
~~~~~
So that was how Mon found herself hovering anxiously next to Erskin's desk, waiting for him to come back from lunch.
"Senator," he looked nervous as he entered the office, "are we expected somewhere?" He was certain there was nothing pressing that afternoon but it wasn't like the tall woman to lurk without purpose.
"I think I need to kiss a woman," she blurted out.
Erskin stopped dead in his tracks.
Well, at least she was finally catching up to what everyone else already knew.
He sat down carefully in his chair.
"That's not really my area of expertise," he broke gently.
"But you're gay," Mon said desperately.
Erskin tried to suppress a smile. "Yes, that's rather my point."
"Oh," Mon flushed. "Of course. I'm sorry, this is all a bit much for me I'm afraid."
"Maybe you should start at the beginning?" he suggested mildly, indicating for her to take a seat.
So Mon told him what Vel had asked and what Maarva had subsequently suggested.
Well, it was certainly a novel approach, he'd give the campaign manager that.
"How did you land on kissing a woman?" he had to ask. It seemed an odd place to start her quest.
"I thought it might be an easily achievable first step," Mon muttered. So far that hadn't panned out quite as she'd hoped.
Erskin nodded slowly. He supposed he could see that. But this was also wildly out of his comfort zone.
On the other hand... He did know someone who might be able to help the desperate senator.
"Maybe you should speak to Kleya?" he suggested slyly.
It was common knowledge that Mon and her chief of staff had been hopelessly infatuated with each other for years. Unfortunately the only people who hadn't noticed were the two women themselves. They called their relationship 'best friends' but everyone knew Kleya was the real reason Mon had got a divorce. Perrin had hated her, hated how much time Mon spent with her. His jealousy had led to several blazing rows. Eventually he'd insisted Mon choose between the two of them.
It was an utterly laughable demand, there was no contest as far as Mon was concerned. She had chosen Kleya without any hesitation.
Mon had eventually made Perrin move out. The actual divorce came shortly after.
Leida had been devastated but everyone else knew it was absolutely the right decision. Mon was never happier than when she was with the grumpy younger woman. And Kleya never smiled for anyone else.
None of them had been surprised when Kleya had temporarily moved in with Mon while she was going through the hideous, emotionally exhausting process of divorce. The younger woman's lease on her apartment had run out and her landlord wanted to sell. Mon had an enormous home and Leida was away at school most of the time. It made logical sense her friend became her housemate. The significance of the fact Kleya was still living with her nearly a year later, with no sign she was planning on moving out any time soon, seemed to be entirely lost on the senator.
They just needed Mon to pull her head out of the sand and realise why she had never been interested in her arranged husband and flinched from his slightest touch, yet would happily lounge in Kleya's lap when they had movie nights.
There was no point trying to force her to acknowledge it though, Mon could be stubborn as an eopie when she wanted to be, it would only push her further into the closet.
How Kleya had remained so patient none of her friends knew. The prickly CoS wasn't known for her people skills but she practically melted around Mon. Everyone knew the brunette was basically her wife at this point. The senator was the only person who could reign Kleya in without a word, all it took was a raised eyebrow or a hand gently placed on an arm and the shorter woman settled back down.
Kleya had been the perfect gentlewoman throughout Mon's marriage. Despite what Perrin seemed happy to claim she had never been inappropriate with her friend, even when Mon had occasionally got drunk and handsy.
Sure they held hands, they often slept in the same bed and Mon was happy to kiss the younger woman on the cheek but Kleya had never pushed for more. She'd even stopped dating. It had only ever been a casual activity for her but it had quickly lost its allure when she couldn't concentrate on anyone but Mon.
She seemed content to continue living like some kind of martyred nun but her friends were worried about her.
Maybe this would be the catalyst needed for the two idiots to wake up and smell the romance.
The senator nodded slowly, "Alright, I'll speak to her. Thank you, Erskin." She smiled kindly at him before leaving to find her chief of staff.
Thank me later, he thought to himself. And remember to mention me in the wedding vows.
~~~~~
"I need to kiss a woman," Mon didn't bother with a 'hello'.
Kleya was used to the older woman's eccentricities by now, nothing much phased her any more, but that statement gave her pause. She put down her pen.
"Are you looking for recommendations..?" she asked dryly.
"No," Mon shook her head, "volunteers."
Oh.
Kleya's brain took a moment to process that information.
"Would you care to explain what Maarva has cooked up now?" she sighed. She had a feeling the Ferrix woman was somewhere behind this.
Mon took the chair opposite her and told the whole sordid tale all over again.
Well, there was a certain elegance to the plan's simplicity. Although it might look like a gauche publicity stunt if they weren't careful. But with a bit of caution it could work...
"Alright," Kleya nodded slowly.
Mon sagged in relief that her friend was onboard.
"Now what's this about kissing women?" Kleya smirked.
She watched with delight as Mon blushed right to her roots. It wasn't often the elegant woman was so wrong footed. Kleya was finding it quite charming.
She took Mon's hand and rubbed the back encouragingly.
"I was hoping maybe you would do it?" Mon asked in a tiny voice.
Kleya's vision momentarily whited out.
It wasn't that she hadn't thought about kissing Mon, of course she had. Many, many times in fact. But this wasn't exactly how she'd imagined it might happen.
Kleya was fully aware she was in love with the other woman and that she had been for some time. And sometimes it seemed like Mon felt the same way. But they'd never discussed it and they'd certainly never crossed the line into physical intimacy.
So far that had been enough. More than enough. Kleya was happier living with Mon than she had ever been in any of her previous relationships.
But she worried if she kissed Mon for Maarva's ridiculous scheme then she might never be able to stop or go back to how things had been before. Losing Mon would devastate her.
She wasn't willing to take that risk.
"Let's keep thinking," she suggested gently. "Who else did you have in mind?"
Mon scrunched up her face. She'd rather been hoping Kleya would help her but she wouldn't insist on the other woman's participation. It was a big ask after all. Mon could understand her reluctance, Kleya could have any woman she wanted. She didn't need to waste her time kissing her middle aged housemate.
Still, she couldn't help the bitter ball of disappointment that had settled in her chest at the implied rejection.
Mon hadn't really considered any other candidates. She couldn't ask Cinta, Vel would lose her mind even if it was ultimately all for her benefit.
She realized with a lurch Maarva was right, she really was out of touch with this particular demographic. How embarrassing.
"Bix?" she finally suggested.
Bix had been involved with people of various genders from several different species. She might be willing to do Mon this huge favor.
Kleya looked unconvinced.
"What's wrong with Bix?" Mon asked with mild despair.
"Oh, nothing she's a good kisser," Kleya readily agreed.
Mon opened her mouth to ask about that but Kleya carried on.
"But do you really want to kiss someone who's had Andor's lips all over them?" she wrinkled her nose in distaste.
"Well who was the last person you kissed?" Mon asked teasingly.
Kleya thought for a moment. "You. At the Solstice party. At midnight." It had only been a brief touch of lips but it had felt electrifying.
Mon blinked. "That was almost a year ago!"
Kleya nodded.
"But...how is that possible?" Mon was flummoxed.
Kleya was gorgeous. Women must be falling over themselves to please her.
Kleya shrugged self-consciously. "I've been concentrating on work."
It was true, there were just certain elements of her work she was more focussed on than others. Like her boss, for example.
"In that case, maybe I should have gone to someone who's had more practise," Mon grinned.
Kleya was indignant. "I'll have you know I'm a fantastic kisser."
"Prove it."
Kleya opened her mouth to say 'fine she would' then realized what Mon was doing. "Nice try, senator."
Mon gave the lopsided smile she only ever seemed to use around Kleya. "It was worth a shot."
"And who was the last person you kissed then? I'm sure it wasn't Perrin." Kleya was morbidly curious.
"It wasn't," Mon agreed, a small smirk playing on her lips.
Kleya knew Mon was interested in women, she'd got drunk and let it slip one night. As far as Kleya was aware she was the only one who knew for sure, although she imagined their friends probably suspected.
She and Mon had talked circumspectly around the older woman's orientation but had never directly addressed the idea of Mon going out and pursuing other women.
But Mon wasn't obligated to tell Kleya everything just because they were friends, for all she knew Mon had kissed dozens of women since she'd divorced Perrin.
She tried not to feel that thought like a punch to her gut.
"Maybe you should ask them for help then," Kleya tried not to sound bitter.
"I am," Mon said pointedly, poking her in the shoulder. "The Solstice party," she confirmed.
Oh.
Well, fuck. She'd walked right into that one.
Kleya shook her head. "I have a better idea."
Mon swung one leg over the other, getting comfortable. This whole insane plot was getting more complicated by the minute. "Do tell," she sighed in resignation.
"Maarva said you need to understand queer life. We can do that without you kissing anyone."
"How?"
Kleya grinned wickedly. "For a start you're coming clubbing with us."
Mon paled. "What?"
"You heard me. Greeg, Tarlan, Bix, Erskin and I go out together. This time you're joining us."
Mon scrambled to think of an excuse not to. She was far too old to go out dancing with her younger colleagues. She'd only embarrass or injure herself.
Kleya could read her imminent refusal on her face.
"Nuh uh, you said you were committed to this. Time to put your credits where your mouth is, Mon."
"Are you sure you can't just kiss me instead?" Mon pleaded desperately.
Kleya considered. "Fine. If my plan doesn't work, we'll use yours."
Mon's shoulders dropped in relief.
"But I don't expect my plan to fail."
Mon didn't like the look on Kleya's face one bit.
Just what the hells had she gotten herself into?
And was it too late to back out?