Chapter Text
“Hey you,” Kara grinned up at the phone she was holding over her head, settling herself flat on her back on the couch. It wasn’t the most comfortable position, but it was a great angle to show off the snowflake-patterned sweater she was wearing.
“Someone’s in the holiday spirit,” Lena teased through the screen. In contrast to Kara’s messy hair, comfy sweater, and apartment couch, she was sitting upright on the edge of a boardroom chair, wearing a three-piece suit sharp enough to cut and her best Business Face. Her stern expression relaxed though as Kara scrunched her nose and stuck out her tongue in response.
“Yeah yeah, you’re just jealous you can’t rock your sweater in your fancy Munich meetings.”
“Touché,” Lena conceded. Kara rambled on:
“I mean I had to do something festive. It’s already December 3rd and there are no Christmas decorations in my house, Lena! No lights! No tree! Not even a wreath. I wouldn’t do that for just anyone.”
Lena’s affection for her silly, wonderful wife lit up her face. “I know you wouldn’t, darling. And I love you for it.” Her smile fell, and she bit her lip, apprehensive. Kara knew that look. She braced for the bad news. “But I’m afraid I have to ask you to wait a little longer--”
“Lena, no,” Kara groaned. “You’ve been gone for three weeks!”
“We’ve survived longer trips.”
“But--” Kara fumbled for the first reason she could think of. “Uh--L-corp needs you.”
Lena’s eyes narrowed. “Hmm, that’s not what you said when you stole my phone in Iceland.”
“What else can there possibly be to do in Munich anyway? You’ve merged entire companies faster than you’ve worked out this BMW deal.”
“Oh, I already closed the deal,” Lena grinned, a flush of triumph on her cheeks. Kara gasped, her annoyance vanishing instantly. She shot up on the couch so she could get a better look at the phone.
“You did it!” Kara shouted. Lena beamed back through the phone, stopping herself just short of giggling like a little kid right in the middle of the Munich L-Corp office boardroom. Kara, being alone in their apartment, had no such need to maintain her composure and was furiously pumping her arm in celebration. “I knew you could do it!”
“So don’t begrudge me a few more days, okay? I promise it’ll be quick.”
“Okay, okay,” Kara agreed, spirits much lighter with the news of her wife’s victory. “You know I’m not really mad at you. I just miss you.”
“I know. I miss you too. But just two days in Salzburg for introductory meetings with Porsche, and then it’s back home,” Lena promised.
The CEO expected some kind of jubilant response. Perhaps promises of things they’d do when she got back, elaborate plans for Christmas decorating or the like, but Kara just... stared at her.
Lena pulled the phone back and tapped on the screen to make sure the connection hadn’t dropped and the screen was frozen. “Kara? You okay?”
The Kryptonian frowned, but replied. “I’m here. Salzburg…. Austria?”
Lena let out a breath in relief that nothing had happened. “Yes, it’s just a quick train ride from Munich, and my interpreter managed to get us a meeting on the 6th…” Kara’s brow crinkled, and she seemed very lost in thought. “Darling? What is it?”
“December 6th is St. Nicholas Day.”
“Oh--yes--it is.” Lena was impressed that Kara remembered that tidbit from her childhood stories. The statement still did little to clear up Lena’s confusion about Kara’s sudden displeasure, though. “No offense, but I didn’t think random Catholic holidays were all that important to you.”
“That means December 5th is Krampusnacht, right?”
Lena blinked. Krampusnacht ?
And then the pieces clicked into place. Lena recalled their brief exchange the year before - Promise me we won’t go to the Alps at Christmas - and she couldn’t help herself, she laughed.
This made Kara frown even more. “Lena! It’s not funny.”
“I’m sorry,” she apologized but Kara could see her still trying to conceal her amusement through the phone. “I know--you’re just worried about me. But Krampus?”
“Lena, we met a ten-ton housecat last year I think you would be at least a little concerned about European folk tales by now!”
“We were in an incredibly remote part of an Icelandic nature preserve. I am going to a busy, tourist-filled Central-European city. I promise you, nothing is going to happen--”
Lena’s attention broke away from the phone and to someone else in the room. She traded a quick few words in German while Kara tried to control her definitely, totally, well-founded worries about a horned, clawed Alpine goat demon.
“I’m sorry,” Lena apologized, bringing her attention back to Kara. “I have to go.”
“Okay,” Kara sighed, “Call me when you arrive safely? And maybe keep calling every hour until you’re out of Austria?”
“I will call you... as often as I can,” Lena promised. “Love you.”
“Love you too.” Kara smiled at the screen and waved until the call disconnected.
Her frown returned. After a moment’s thought, she punched her first speed dial and held the phone to her ear.
“Hey Alex? I need someone to cover for me for a couple days…”