A/N: I feel like a horrible person! This Thanksgiving was ridiculously busy. I hardly had time to talk to my best friend... like for real. It was crazy so I apologize for the late update. I could barely think so there was absolutely no writing since Wednesday. Anywho... Here starts the lovely fluffy stuff as well as some hg backstory. I hope it isn't too hard to follow. No beta so mistakes and stuff belong to me. please enjoy! :)
Months had passed since Myka had joined the small group. She had been keeping track of time, counting the days; unlike her captors turned family, who seemed to just go along with the flow of nature as though no time were passing at all. She wondered if they even knew how long she had been with them; it could be days, weeks, months or even years and they might not even know it.
Myka was closer with everyone now, forming special connections and bonds to each person there. She found that she loved them all very much, cared for them and wanted to stay with them. The connection that came as no surprise to anyone was the one she formed with Helena. They had grown so close, they were practically attached at the hip; going out almost every day and not returning till late in the night or sometimes the next morning. They were inseparable.
"Helena where are we going?" Myka followed the older woman through the woods, which she discovered was wonderfully endless. She had taken to holding Helena's hand on their little adventures, constantly clinging to her, enjoying her warmth and closeness.
"We are going on a picnic."
"Where?" Myka huffed as she took a big step off a rock. They picnicked all the time, but it was never the same. Helena always managed to leave her in awe by taking her somewhere new.
"It's a surprise darling. Dont' ruin it." Helena giggled, tugging Myka along gently. She would look back every now and then to study Myka's flushed cheeks and concentrated gaze; looking at the ground, unfamiliar with the terrain. Helena could walk these woods with her eyes closed, so every chance she got, she looked at the younger woman with adoration and maybe something more.
They eventually slowed by a stream. Helena smiled and guided Myka over a set of wet stones until they crossed safely. "We'll go upstream a little and we will be there." Myka just nodded and followed Helena. With all the time they had spent together, Myka grew attached to her; longing to be near her and feeling empty in those rare moments when they were apart.
"Another waterfall?" Myka nearly yanked Helena back when she stopped abruptly to examine the mountain side.
"It's a cave actually, hidden behind the falls so it's wonderful if you want privacy."
"And... do we want privacy?"
Helena looked at the ground blushing. "Well... we... I didn't mean that... if you don't want to..." Myka shushed her, brushing the back of her hand against Helena's cheek. She leaned in and placed a light kiss to the corner of Helena's mouth, feeling those lips curl up into a smile against her own. Now both of their cheeks were scarlet red, hearts pounding in their chests.
"Sounds nice." Now it was Myka leading Helena to the cave. There were blankets, a table, chairs and a chest filled with clothes. "You come here often?"
"I used to." Helena smiled sadly. "It's been a while since I was last here. I just needed a place of my own but I started traveling more so it hasn't been used much."
"Looks like it's been well kept." Myka noticed that even though it was a cave, it was very clean and the blankets looked like they had just been washed.
"I had Claudia bring fresh supplies for us." Helena led Myka to the table and pulled out a chair. Myka sat down and watched her set the table around her. They ate and talked, moments of silence were conveniently filled by the sound of the waterfall. It wasn't as loud as you'd think; in fact, it was peaceful.
They sat across from each other as they ate; eyeing each other over the table, both thinking of the intimacy of Myka's chaste kiss. That was something that hadn't happened yet. Their contact had been limited to hand holding and the moments in the morning when they realized that they had gravitated toward each other in sleep. They would lean against each other constantly, using the other as a foundation.
"Helena?" Myka broke the silence, setting her fork down. She knew that the older woman trusted her more with each passing day, but something was still bugging her.
"Yes Myka?"
"I wanted to ask you about what happened With you... With my family I mean." Myka stopped breathing as Helena slowly looked up at her. Her eyes were darker now, glossy, her eyebrows pinched together, jaw clenched. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to upset you. You don't have to tell me." Myka picked her fork back up and looked down as she started playing with her food. She heard Helena exhale forcefully.
"It's alright darling." She extended her hand, covering Myka's, letting her know that it really was okay. "We should be more comfortable though. It's kind of a long story."
"Okay." Myka allowed herself to be lead to the mess of blankets and sat quietly against the back wall, feeling Helena settle in next to her.
"I was 15 years old, and at the time arranged marriages were a commonality; especially among the higher ups."
"It still is..." Myka whispered, remembering her arranged marriage to Sam.
"Yes, I suppose it is." Helena took Myka's hand as she always did, squeezing reassuringly but also asking for some support which Myka was always more than ready to give. "Jonathan Bering was his name. He was a lot older and had been with a few women already. I was young and inexperienced. He didn't like that I was prudish. I wasn't, I just didn't want him in that way and I was only a child. I turned 16 and we were to marry, but two weeks or so before the wedding he wanted me to... Well, he wanted me. So he took me." Her eyes went cold, her grip tightened around Myka's hand so tight that the younger woman whimpered. Helena heard her and apologized, loosening her grip. Myka just held on tighter, lifting her hand and kissing the back of it tenderly. "So after that whole thing happened I told my parents. They just chided me, telling me to make it work and don't mess it up. They're a powerful family, they told me. All that told me was that they could take anything they wanted and not answer to anyone. I left... Took my things and traveled to Paris to stay with my cousins. A couple of weeks later I found out that I was pregnant."
"You have a baby? You never said..."
"I don't. Not anymore. We were in Paris for almost seven years, living a very comfortable life. We were happy. Then he found us. He traveled with a man who I suppose was his servant, I don't know But I remember seeing him back when I was 16. Jonathan followed me to my job and then to my home. He attacked me; but my daughter, my Christina stood at the top of the stairs, and he saw her and he just knew... It was probably the look in my eyes when she called for me. I fought with him but he beat me until I was no more than a bloody mess on the floor. I couldn't feel anything Myka."
Helena's breath quickened and Myka pulled her closer whispering into her ear until she calmed down. She didn't pull away, holding Helena close so she could feel her heart beat And know that she was safe.
"I watched him go up the stairs and the whole world started to go black. The last thing I saw was the shadow of the other man following him."
"What do you remember next?"
"Waking up in a hotel with my daughter sleeping next to me. I got up and looked in the mirror and I was fine. Not an ache anywhere, no cuts or bruises."
"How is that possible?"
"That man came back. He saved me and Christina. He sat me down and told me that he saved my life with magic. He had a vial around his neck, like this one." Helena pulled a locket out of her blouse, opened it up and took out a small vial with a clear liquid in it. "He told me that he needed to make a choice and when he saw that I had a daughter, he chose to save me. He had me drink the water and I healed instantly, but remained unconscious for almost 24 hours."
"Wait, when you say healed... This sounds insane Helena."
Helena pulled away from her and reached over to the side to get a knife. She took the blade to her hand, closing her eyes as it slid across the soft skin of her palm. Myka watched in horror as the skin gave way and blood spilled out. "Helena!" But as fast as the cut had been made, it was gone. She saw it heal right before her eyes.
"I can't be hurt Myka. I can't die. Believe me, I tried every way imaginable, but nothing worked."
Myka took Helena's hand and studied her palm closely. Nothing. "How?" Myka's eyes widened. "The water of life? He found the water of life?"
Helena bowed her head. "He did. He took me and Christina from Paris, brought us to the warehouse and said it was safe; that no one would ever find me or my daughter unless they were meant to. I was confused because his home...your home is right there and yet we were safe? Only later did I learn that the same magic that hid the well also hid the warehouse."
"The well... That's why Claudia tried to stop me from drinking the well water." Helena nodded. The gears in Myka's head were turning furiously. "Jonathan Bering was my great great uncle. Helena, what happened to Christina?"
"We were at the warehouse for a few years and Christina had fallen ill. She was dying Myka. I wanted to save her, to give her some of the water, but the man who saved us ultimately betrayed us. He kept the water from us until she passed. I was so angry, things got out of hand and he left. If he is here, I'm not and vice versa."
"Why didn't he save her?"
"She was only twelve. If she had some of the water she would have aged in a child's body. What kind of life would that be? I understand that now, but then... All I cared about was her being alive. I couldn't imagine a world without her in it." Helena's shoulders were shaking as the darkest part of her past overtook her. Myka just held her close, rocking her in her arms. "I miss her so much, every single day."
"I know. I'm so sorry that this happened to you, that your daughter was taken from you and that you have to live without her forever." Myka swallowed hard, resting her chin on the other woman's head. "Helena if you weren't here, I would be so lost. I really do wish you could have your child with you, but I can't help but be a little selfish. I'm happy that you and I met. I really care for you." Myka said all these things and Helena's mind was racing. What did this mean? Myka said all the right things, barely whispering; so afraid that she would scare Helena away.
"I never thought that I could bring myself to care for anyone ever again Myka. I want to, but I'm still not sure if I can..." before she could finish speaking, Myka grew bold and tilted Helena's head up to kiss her softly. She felt her gasp against her lips and smiled when she didn't pull away.
The young woman turned and moved so she was half draped over Helena's body, deepening the kiss. Hands were everywhere, lips connecting with neck and shoulder. There would be marks the next day, but neither woman thought it was important. Those marks would be proof of when they were most vulnerable and willing to give up control. It was nice, to be lost in someone who really cared and wanted to be there. They sheltered each other, protected each other.
They curled up around each other as the sun set, deciding to stay the night wrapped in their beautifully honest embrace. Myka was a comfort that Helena had been missing for far too long and Helena was an adventure that Myka would never be able to get enough of.
As she fell asleep, Myka heard Helena's story over and over in her head. She understood now why these people lived the way they did, letting time just pass them by; because time was all they had. But now Myka knew that she wanted to make Helena understand and believe that there was more. They wouldn't just have time; they would have time and each other.
I hope you guys liked it. Drama coming up soon. Lol. Not too bad so don't worry. Please review or just comment. I like hearing from you guys. :) thank you for reading this! Love you all. Xo