It's when Shirayuki feels she must go, not only is this a work assignment, but something important that she should act upon, that Zen supports her completely, trusts and respects her decision. And it's the little things that flower like little seeds planted in her heart, and Zen's smile and support, even though it won't make things easy is beautiful.

And it is coming back, feeling Zen pull her tight in a hug, squeeze her close, to where she feels most at home, close enough to hear his heartbeat flutter in her ear. And she knows she's safe within this embrace, knows that she's loved and supported.

It is her support that he thanks her for, and yet it feels so odd to count it only as that. Because Zen encouraged her, believed in her, trusted, and respected her, let her follow what she felt was the right step, what she still feels was right, and she of course returns the favor.

She trusts Zen even with the distance that can make things hard when she's in Lyrias, and he isn't. She knows he's trustworthy, and that if things really for some reason did fall apart, he'd be honest and forthright with her. It is here though that she feels at home.

There's an element of home to Lyrias, a little way that her friends feel like family, a little way that a cold, new place can become a home once you live there long enough. And yet despite that, there's still home in Zen's arms, still home in his embrace. And when he pulls her close, it is like she's been given a place to rest between his ribs.

And she knows that he'd never force her hand, that he lets her work and work hard, lets a physical distance crop up between them, and yet is never angry at her for her work. There's a deep abiding trust there, and not just a respect, but an admiration that creeps in. He sees value in her work, admires it, and he supports her in whatever way he can.

"Thank you." Shirayuki tells him as their hug fades to a little persistent contact, her hand coming to rest in his to stay close and yet regain mobility again.

"For what?" And Zen looks at her as if she's just lit up the whole sky, overpowering the sun with her own strength, and Shirayuki feels a bubble of joy come up, tempting her to laugh in sheer giddiness. She keeps her laughter quiet though just barely.

"For supporting me." Shirayuki squeezed Zen's hand in hers, "For respecting me, for listening." Not everyone would, she hears vaguely, between whispered gossip down old palace hallways, hidden in marketplaces, and her heart breaks for those that don't get even this much.

"Of course, I'd support you." Zen tells her with a smile, and then almost bashfully responds, "You're welcome."

Shirayuki smiles, a little at a loss for what words she could possibly use in reply, enough so that the silence that falls like a hush between them, a gentle whisper of quiet, will not be broken by her.

"I love you." Zen tells her with so much conviction, that Shirayuki's heart takes to racing, and her face flames a bright red.

"I love you too." Shirayuki answers, softer with the stronghold of emotion that springs up, trying to snatch away her voice, and yet, as they stop walking on palace grounds that are at the moment blissfully empty except for the two of them, they are given just a moment to be still together, just for now.

The grass nearby is not even disturbed by any feet, whether human or animal, and they are truly within the hush of a daytime idleness.

And when Shirayuki meets Zen's blue eyed gaze, she's struck by the bright depths within it, of love that rushes like the sea in his eyes, at warmth that feels like it springs from all of Zen, through her fingers that are entwined with his, and then through all of her. It's beautiful.

And when he leans down, Shirayuki closes her eyes not to escape the depths but to anticipate what is coming next. And when he kisses her, she leans up into it, sheer warmth running through all of her, a gentle kind, not like an inferno, but like a blanket overtop of her.

When their kiss ends, it is echoed through bright smiles, flushed faces, and so much warmth that envelopes them. It's beautiful to be back home again.