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Helena didn’t think about it when she was with Mei-Yin. There was no conscious effort to “move on” from Victoria. Honestly, she never even realized that there was anything more than friendship between the two of them.
Mei-Yin just pulled her in, naturally, all on her own.
Neither woman even had to say anything before their first kiss. It had just felt… right. Helena knew that the times and cultures that most of the people on this island hailed from would look down on their relationship but with her modern knowledge, Helena knew what she had with Mei-Yin was as natural as the sun rising in the sky each day.
“Helena?” Mei-Yin shifted, awakening from her sleep. It was all she had done recently, all that Helena would allow her to. She needed it and if allowed her revenge-centered mentality would lead her to death well before her wounds had healed.
“I’m here.” Helena sat at the edge of Mei-Yin’s cot, her hand cupping her beloved’s face. It had been a week and a half since their fight against Nerva. Mei-Yin was mostly healed and anxious to start the process of getting back at the Roman. However, it was obvious - to Helena at least - that Mei-Yin was not yet ready to get back to her daily training regiment, no matter how much the woman insisted, “What do you need?”
“When will you let me free from this bed? You seem to be becoming as cruel as Nerva’s jailors.” Mei-Yin smirked while Helena frowned deeply.
“Do not make jokes about that!” Helena slapped Mei-Yin’s less hurt arm, soft enough not to reverse any of her healing but hard enough to show that she was serious. She quietly continued, “Not when I was so close to losing you.”
Mei-Yin’s smart look dropped. She looked down, ashamed, “I apologize. I thought humor would bring light to this dreary situation.” The older woman paused, allowing her apology time to settle before cheekily adding, “However, I do wish that you would allow me out of this bed.”
Helena couldn’t help but smile at that, “Fine, today’s the day then.” She stood and began to lean down to help Mei-Yin sit up before pausing and asking with a quirked brow, “Are you sure…?”
“Yes! Now help me up.” Helena couldn’t help but giggle in response to her companion’s impatience. She could sense that under that impatience was building excitement to escape, what she viewed as, yet another prison. Helena helped Mei-Yin, slowly and carefully maneuvering the healing woman to her feet. Helena supported the taller woman throughout the short distance walk around their camp. No matter how excited Mei-Yin was to leave the infirmary she grew tired with the effort it took for her to walk.
As Helena was laying her down, for the second time, Mei-Yin quietly spoke, “Thank you.” The shorter woman knew that this was not only a thank you for the walk but for everything that had happened since the last time her companion had uttered those words, not least of all - saving her life.
Helena smiled but remained silent, not only because she felt that there was no perfect response but because it would save the poor woman some embarrassment - she was already growing red and looking away just from those two words.
After Mei-Yin was tucked back into bed, before leaving, Helena brushed Mei-Yin’s hair from her forehead and planted a kiss there, “Sleep well.” As Helena was pulling away Mei-Yin pulled her back in with a hand in the younger woman’s hair, this time meeting Helena’s lips with her own.
When they broke Helena rested her forehead against Mei-Yin’s, panting. She smiled, brushing the older woman’s cheek with her thumb. Helena gave Mei-Yin a final kiss before leaving the infirmary. Contented, Mei-Yin drifted back to sleep.