Sappho's poem is a trademark of the W.W. Norton and Company, The poem is copyright 2016, Philip Freeman, original characters are copyright 2012, CW Network, Greg Berlanti, Marc Guggenheim, Andrew Kreisberg, all rights reserved.

"Please, Nyssa," Sara whined as she threw her arm over her eyes in an attempt to block out the lamp's light. The soft yellow glow cast over Nyssa's book and her bedside leaving shadows across the floors and ceiling.

"Just a little while longer, my Beloved. I want to finish these last ten pages."

Sara groaned and pulled the pillow over her head. Nyssa briefly looked over at her and chuckled at her antics, it was barely 9:15 pm. Nyssa knew that regardless of her setting, at precisely ten Sara would be fast asleep. Sara's sleep schedule was consistent. She awoke at the same hour each morning and fell asleep at the same time each night and with League training, she could fall asleep anywhere. Except when they were on a mission.

Sara groaned again and shuffled out from under her pillow. She pushed herself up on her elbows and stared at Nyssa. When her girlfriend refused to meet her eye, Sara huffed and let out a long sigh, but Nyssa continued to ignore her.

Finally, Sara crawled on top of Nyssa before she dramatically dropped onto her chest. It was just enough to make Nyssa breath out a soft hmph.

Nyssa pulled up her book to reveal Sara's face. Her chin resting on Nyssa's chest and a small smile on her face, one that had gotten Nyssa into to much trouble before, but tonight her eyes don't quite have that troublesome spark.

"If you wanted my attention you need only ask," Nyssa said, placing her open book in the spot where Sara use to lay.

Sara didn't say anything in reply, she just hummed and scooted forward until her head was under Nyssa's chin. She buried her face in Nyssa's neck as Nyssa wrapped one arm around her.

Nyssa grabbed her book and continued her reading. It was a little awkward to do with one hand, so she rested the book on Sara's back where she can reach it with both hands. The silence seeped into the room, and just when Nyssa thinks she has fallen asleep, Sara asked.

"Will you read to me?"

There are few things in this world that Sara loved more than Nyssa's soft voice. With Nyssa's arms wrapped around her and her soft voice in Sara's ear, she had never felt safer. Nyssa knew this and began to read aloud.

Nyssa liked to read a variety of fiction and nonfiction books, but often she found herself drawn to books Sara considered 'boring college lit.' Tonight she had chosen something simpler, poetry. Sappho's words had caught her attention and like most nights she was far too interested to put it down. As she read, she paused after every line and pondered the weight of the poet's words and their meaning.

"She wanders to and fro remembering
gentle Atthis, and her tender
heart is consumed.

to go there . . .
much . . .
says . . .

For us it isn't easy to rival the goddesses
in a lovely form…

… love

… Aphrodite

… poured nectar
from golden cups
with hands Persuasion

… to the Geraesteum
… beloved" (Freeman and Sappho, 2016)

"My Beloved," Nyssa added. After the last line, Nyssa pressed her lips to the top of Sara's head.

Nyssa sometimes wondered if Sara truly loved her or if she was simply grateful to the woman who saved her life. On nights like this, there was no doubt in her mind about the love that Sara had for her. And Nyssa did everything in her power to tell Sara that she meant just as much to Nyssa and more.

Nyssa had once asked if Sara had been like this as a child, one morning after Nyssa had carried her back to their room. One minute she was sitting on Nyssa's lap as they lounged against the pillows of the common area, Sara's head against her shoulder as she giggled with their friends and the next she was asleep. Her forehead pressed against Nyssa's neck.

Sara had said yes. Telling Nyssa how she had fallen asleep during a shopping trip in one of the stores changing rooms. Sending her parents into a frenzy for ten minutes when they couldn't find her. After that, she said they would always schedule events so that they could be home before she fell asleep, or so that she would fall asleep in the car.

After Sara's breathing had evened out and she was sure her beloved had fallen asleep, Nyssa couldn't help but stay up to read the other poems and lines.

The morning sun filters in through the patterns of the window screens, casting a shadow of the art along the floor and up onto the bed. The first thing Sara was aware of was the steady thump of Nyssa's heart. She listened to its sound as she awakes. Still very much asleep, she longed for a couple more minutes. She eventually opened up her eyes to check the clock on her nightstand, the ticking has been drowned out by the bird's morning song.

The time said they're running late, but one of the perks of being the heir's beloved was that she could say it was the will of the heir which caused her late arrival. She sighed and rolled off Nyssa onto her side of the bed she spread out her limbs out like a starfish. She knew she needed to get up, but the comfort of sleep was too tempting and they were already running late, what's a few more minutes.

Nyssa stirred next to her and took a deep breath as Sara's weight no longer constricted her movements. She rolled onto her side and blinked. As she opened her eyes she gave Sara a sleepy smile.

"Good morning," Sara said in a low whisper.

"Good morning to you too, my Beloved," Nyssa replied, her voice was sweet as the morning around them.

Sara stretched and yawned, pushing her limbs across the bed, her foot running into Nyssa's leg. Something about it made Nyssa chuckle and grab ahold of Sara's hip, pulling her back into Nyssa's embrace.

"Someone is tired this morning," Sara said, as she nestled up against her. Nyssa greeted her with a lazy kiss. "That wouldn't be because you stayed up late to read, now would it?"

"Now, Taer al Asafar," Nyssa said her, her eyes remaining closed. "You know I am above such things."

Sara laughed, the main reason why Nyssa teased her so often and pressed her forehead against Nyssa's. They once again they settled into bed and drifted out of consciousness as the sun rose higher.

Notes:

Freeman, Philip, and Sappho. Searching for Sappho: the Lost Songs and World of the First Woman Poet. , 2016.

I got the book of Sappho's poems from the library. It's was a really great read and I definitely recommend checking it out.