She'd done it again. Fallen asleep on the sofa. She thought she'd barely be able to sleep after she'd revealed her gay abandon but there just hadn't been time to reflect on it. Interrupted with news of illness in the dorms, they'd snapped into work mode. She and Ada had wrestled with work life until they had no time left over to knit some more limbs or steal chocolate or catch up on anything. She'd stolen glances at the object of her affection but didn't want to make it obvious. Looking down, she could see that she had been tucked up tight again and she nestled in again, feeling the hug of the blanket. She was alone in the staffroom. The cup of tea next to her was cold. Ada had come and gone. Hecate should have gone to bed. She got up, tidied the blanket and cushions away. Turned to look at the drawer. For no reason. She opened it. Inside was a bar of Ada's favourite chocolate. It had only been three days since their encounter. She'd dreamt about it every night. She unwrapped the first row. Snapped it off and savoured it.
The door opened. Like magic, Ada appeared as she was thinking of her. Hecate turned around.
'You restocked the drawer.'
Ada nodded.
'It's not next week yet.'
'Just making it easier for people to mug me. Not everyone is allowed to do it in the manner you seem accustomed to.'
Hecate knew she was teasing her but still felt abashed.
'I've been waiting for a chance to talk to you.'
Panic bloomed in Hecate's chest.
'I don't know what came over me.'
Ada stood on her tiptoes and gently placed a finger on the questioning lips.
'I don't think you need to explain anything. I saw your confidence and I can match that. You meant that kiss. So did I. And I think you know it.'
Hecate stared at her in shock. She had known it. But she was hesitant to really truly believe it.
'I don't wish to waste any more time Hecate. I care for you more than anything. And quite frankly, I was deeply thrilled with that kiss. You've made me feel sparks on my skin again.'
Ada stopped talking abruptly. Hecate looked petrified.
'I'm sorry, too soon?'
She waited as the other woman's face took time to slowly relax.
'Ada. I truly did not know what came over me. But I know I meant it. I suppose I didn't know how to express how I felt about you.'
'Well you did it marvellously.'
There was a tinge of a blush on Hecate's face.
'You got that bar of chocolate for me?'
'Of course, for you. Who else?'
Ada's expression was so fond, it made Hecate's heart thrum to bursting.
'I have even more comfortable furnishings in my room. I hope you feel refreshed enough to stay awake a while longer' teased Ada.
Hecate's face took on that queer expression again. Ada enjoyed it for a few moments, yearning sweeping over her as she thought about all the things Hecate could do to her, make her feel so alive again. Without a word, Hecate reached out and took Ada's hand and vanished them to one of the few rooms in the castle that she had never been to.
She found out very soon that Ada's room was furnished very comfortably indeed. Luxury just to Hecate's liking. As was Ada's affection.