Nyssa shifted on the couch, trying to stretch amongst the nest of pillows that Thea had declared necessary. Her ribs protested slightly at the movement, but for the most part her body was relatively pain free. Laurel and Thea had finally allowed her out of bed the day before, and though it was tiring, it made Nyssa feel more like herself to dress in actual clothes and leave the bedroom where she'd been sequestered for the past two weeks.
She flipped through one of the books Thea had given her. It had held her interest for a short time earlier, but she found it lacking now. Nyssa wondered if Laurel might be willing to bring some of the books from the loft. She'd been particularly enjoying Little Women, although she was hesitant to admit that, even to herself. Somehow it seemed far too... innocent a choice for someone like herself.
"How do you feel about losing the last of your stitches?" Thea asked as she walked into the living room. She held up a medical tray and a pair of scissors still packaged in their sterilized baggie.
Nyssa shrugged.
Thea plopped down on the coffee table. "If we take out your stitches, it means you get to take a bath."
That had Nyssa's attention. She'd been getting daily sponge baths from the nurse, but the idea of being fully immersed, of actually feeling clean, sounded wonderful. "Yes, please," she answered Thea.
"I thought that might change things." Thea helped Nyssa ease her legs off the couch and offered her a hand. "Easy now," she instructed as Nyssa got to her feet.
They made their way slowly to the bedroom where Thea helped Nyssa lean against the bed. "Take off your pants," she said with a grin, wiggling her eyebrows for effect.
Nyssa rolled her eyes, but slid the leggings down to her knees before sitting down.
"Laurel's bringing you some more clothes," Thea said, snipping through the black thread on Nyssa's thigh. "She should be back by the time you finish your bath." Setting the scissors and used thread in the metal tray, she inspected the area. "It's going to be sore for a while yet," she used her fingers to gage the muscle around the wound. "But, it's healing nicely." Thea gave Nyssa's thigh a gentle pat before getting to her feet. "I'm going to start the water. Any preference on bubbles?"
"No," Nyssa answered before muttering to herself, "When did my life become so surreal?" She studied the jagged line along her thigh. It had healed much faster than she'd expected. Granted, she had a much higher level of care than she'd ever experienced. It wasn't every day that a League assassin, even the Demon's daughter, received what amounted to her own private hospital.
She eased the black leggings the rest of the way off and stood. There was no pain as she bent her knees in a deep squat, but the weakness was apparent. Her leg began to shake.
"So help me," Thea chastised from the doorway. "I can't leave you alone for a minute."
Nyssa stood from the squat, but it took an effort. "I was only testing the strength."
"The same way Laurel will be test the strength of her hand on both our asses if she finds out."
Nyssa flushed.
Thea laughed at Nyssa's reaction. "That came out a little dirtier than I meant." She put her shoulder under Nyssa's arm and walked the other woman into the bathroom. The tub was halfway full, bubbles covering the surface, as steaming water continued to flow from the tap.
"I can walk," Nyssa insisted, still a bit embarrassed by both Thea's comment and her own reaction to it.
"Maybe I just wanted a cuddle."
Nyssa rolled her eyes, but let Thea lead her to the tub and help her sit on the edge. "I can also undress myself," she bit out as Thea reached for the bottom of Nyssa's sweater.
"Really?" Thea asked. "Okay, lift your arms above your head." Thea stood, hands on hips, waiting.
After two unsuccessful attempts Nyssa scowled. "Fine," she said, letting Thea ease the oversized sweater over her head.
The binding around her ribs was next. Thea carefully studied the faint bruising on her torso. "I think we should try leaving this off tonight." She smirked. "Try not to sneeze. It'll hurt like a bitch."
Nyssa nodded, letting Thea help her into the tub. The water felt amazing.
"Do you need any help?" Thea asked with no trace of teasing.
"At the moment, no. However," Nyssa paused, she really hated having to ask for things, especially after all that Thea had done for her already. "I would like to wash my hair…" she trailed off.
Thea reached out and tweaked one of the locks in question. "You soak until you're nice and pruny. Then I will be happy to wash your hair for you." She stood. "Shout if you need anything, I'll be in the kitchen."
Nyssa groaned. Thea's cooking was a risky venture at best. She'd been forced into the role of taster on more than one unfortunate occasion.
"You set one oven on fire and everyone's a critic," Thea groused. She pulled the door closed behind her, leaving it open just a crack.
Nyssa leaned back and closed her eyes, smiling. She'd tried very hard not to love these people. She had failed utterly. Quite without realizing it, she found herself a member of this family, more so even than before she'd left.
Thea had become a sister to her in every way. She teased and cajoled with affection, and was fiercely protective in a way that touched Nyssa deeply. In Oliver she'd found a competitive older brother. They had been through a great deal together, and though Nyssa had not anticipated it, she trusted him in a way she did very few people.
Felicity radiated a kindness that Nyssa was unused to. She also mothered everyone with the delicacy of a hammer. And if Felicity was the hammer, John was the anvil. Stoic, unmoving, and utterly dependable. She'd understood him immediately, and taken comfort from his presence. Quentin Lance had a similar but more intense effect on her. His gruff demeanor poorly masked his loving nature. He doted. As she imagined all good fathers did. She felt lucky to be included in his concern.
Nyssa sighed.
And then there was Laurel.
She hadn't lied when she'd told Laurel that her time in Starling City was the happiest of her life. Nyssa's time with Sara had been filled with desperation and urgency. First love, sharp and pointed, like a knife. Sara had filled Nyssa with light when she had known only darkness. When she'd found Sara in Starling City she'd known that Sara had moved on. That she'd reconnected with Oliver. But she'd still hoped somehow that Sara might come back to her, that she'd find Nyssa worthy. That Sara hadn't had caused Nyssa great pain, but had in no way lessened her love for the other women.
Nyssa had thought Laurel weak when she'd first encountered her. Stupid, selfish, and weak, a mere shadow of the person her sister had been. Laurel was none of those things. She was honorable and brave and selfless. And beautiful and kind and fierce. Nyssa's mind continued to list Laurel's attributes.
They hadn't spent much time apart since Nyssa had awoken. Something had changed between them, but neither had spoken of it. Though her memories of her time as Merlyn's prisoner were unreliable at best, some parts were rather clear. She'd hallucinated the important people in her life. For strength, or courage, or even hope. But they had all come from within her. Including her conscious acknowledgement of her feelings for Laurel.
Nyssa had never been someone who allowed others to touch her. Sara had, to a point, but never casually. Never without reason or purpose. She'd woken to the feel of Laurel's hand on her own, and had found herself enjoying Laurel's physically affectionate nature, even seeking out such moments. Light brushes along her hair. A shoulder that leaned against her. Fingers that intertwined with her own.
She couldn't find it in herself to mind Laurel's touches. In fact, her mind was eager to supply new and exciting ways that Laurel could touch her.
Nyssa sunk farther down into the tub.
She had made no effort to hide her affection for Laurel. Her desire however, was a different beast. It was so very easy, lying in the warmth of the bath, to picture an equally warm body behind her. Nyssa could imagine the softness of Laurel breasts against her back, firm thighs on either side of her own, cradling her. It would be very easy for Laurel to trail lips down her neck and along her shoulder.
Nyssa's heart beat increased. She imagined turning, pressing her body into Laurel's. Straddling her and feeling Laurel's hands slide from her hips to her back. Kissing her.
Nyssa groaned. This was not a good idea. The idea of Thea walking in on her mid fantasy was decidedly uncomfortable. Forcing herself to sit up, Nyssa began to quickly and thoroughly wash.
Just in time, it appeared, as she heard a light knock on the partially open door, followed by footsteps.
"I don't know if I am suitably pruny yet or not, but I am most certainly ready for my hair to be washed," Nyssa said, turning to face Thea.
Instead, Nyssa looked into the startled green eyes of Laurel Lance.