Helen instinctively reached to wrap her arms multiple times around her lover, and she made a low noise of dismay when her arms failed to stretch. Evelyn recognized the noise and hugged Helen close to her. “I know, cara. I know.”

“I'm still not used to it. I don't know if I'll ever be used to it,” Helen whispered, tears starting in her eyes.

Evelyn kissed her hair. “I don't know if you'll ever get your powers back. But if you don't, you'll still be my cara, and you'll still be the same amazing person I know you are.”

Helen couldn't help but smile. Evelyn was so rarely openly sweet with words, but that made those rare occasions all the more special. “Thank you.”

“But if your powers do come back, and you go back to your husband…”

Helen’s throat went dry. “Honey…”

“No, I need to say this,” said Evelyn. “Apparently amazing sex loosens my tongue. Or something.” She closed her eyes and Helen stroked her face. “You’re not going to stay with me forever. You’re going to go back to your family. And when that happens, worst case scenario you’ll probably be ashamed you ever looked at me, let alone slept with me. And you won’t want to talk to me again. So when that happens, I won’t be a bitch about it. I’ll be upset, and I’ll miss you, but I won’t be a bitch about it.” She looked over at Helen. “Do you think you’ll still want everything I bought you? The clothes? The books?” She paused. “I’m keeping Sabina, though.”

“Of course. She’s your cat,” said Helen. “I’d like to keep everything you bought me.”

“You sure?” Evelyn asked. “I mean, I care about you, but I know you don’t...you don’t feel the same way about me as I do about you.”

Helen squeezed Evelyn tightly. “Of course I care about you, sweetie.” She paused. “Do you love me?”

“Do you really want to know the answer to that?” Evelyn sighed.

Helen kissed Evelyn between her collarbones. “Yes.”

Evelyn swallowed audibly. “Yeah.” Her voice was strangled. “I love you, okay? I love you. Don’t feel bad you can’t say it back.”

“Oh, honey…” Helen blinked back tears as she kissed Evelyn’s hair and forehead.

“Goddammit,” Evelyn whispered. “Goddammit, I shouldn’t have said that.”

“It’s okay, sweetheart. It’s okay,” Helen whispered, moving so she could look at Evelyn’s face. She rested a hand on Evelyn’s cheek, trying to wipe away her tears. “I’ll figure out a way for us to stay together. I promise.”

Evelyn closed her eyes. “Don’t make promises you can’t keep, cara.”