Days stretched into weeks and blurred into months, and it was business as usual in Heliopolis. Never-ending training and patrols lulled them into a dull battle sleep, where 'sleep' rang truer than 'battle'. At least, until Jaida pulled off unpleasant surprises designed to make them fuck up and earn her ire. They learnt after the first few failures and made sure to keep on their toes. Even tried to read their OC's body language for a hint of what was in store, but to no avail. Personally, Ana was glad for Jaida's blindsides. It kept things interesting as life rolled on, one of the little things of note that had come to pass.

Khalid started dating Nairah. Hakim and his wife were expecting their first baby. Mesi went to Ana's room and divulged her conflict over her ex's text. Layla's parents were divorced. Ebo broke an arm. Adofo won second prize in a photography competition. And Ana was just letting an important fact sink in.

Her life was no longer her own.

Kamilah would call her 'dramatic' if she heard that, Ana knew. But it was a fact. Kamilah had become an extension of her; each experience, each emotion her partner felt would trickle back to her. Be it through words or the lack thereof, through touches that lingered or quickly pulled away. Ana would observe, identify, and compensate. Her needs and desires revolved not around herself anymore, but her partner's as well. It was a connection Kamilah shared; she was there to watch over Ana whenever she slowed down to rest, to snort at her dumb jokes as she crawled out of her slumps.

It was almost intuitive now, sensing the other's needs and moods. And Ana had not a doubt in her mind, that Kamilah wanted to break her nose in at that very moment. Not that it was physically feasible in their current states.

"I can't hear you, Amari!" Jaida yelled over her head.

"I am a hero!" Ana cried through a raw and parched throat, bending her arms into yet another pushup. Beside her, Kamilah repeated the chant as well, keeping a healthy pace as sweat dripped down her chin and onto the concrete floor. The rest of the company stood at attention, deathly still as if a single twitch would send them to the floor with their two fellow soldiers.

It had taken a spectacularly bad stroke of luck and a large dose of foolish heroism on Ana's part to land them in this situation. Ana's squad had been pinned down at the objective during the training exercise. Driven to recklessness by an incoming artillery strike, Ana burst out of her sniper's nest in an effort to rescue her comrades. A blatant disregard of Kamilah's direct orders – the squad leader she had deferred to, having been cut off from Mesi. Long story short, Ana ran into an ambush, Kamilah broke out of position to prevent her simulated death, and they were pinned down until the reinforcements Kamilah had called for arrived in a messy rescue. Which ended with half a company's worth of 'casualties'.

So here they were, relegated to the floor and forced to call themselves a 'hero' until the term became the worst of insults. A hundred pushups was Jaida's original sentence, but Ana had long ago lost count. Not that it mattered – they would be forced to do it until Jaida was satisfied anyway. Which, judging from the boot that slammed down on her back, was not yet the case.

"Hold position," Jaida barked as Ana pushed up against the weight, causing the two women to stop. Ana's arms trembled as the OC addressed the rest of the company.

"I train soldiers here. I train soldiers who obey orders and complete their mission. I have no need for heroes in my company. I have no need for shitheads who run out just to be shot dead. War has no place for heroes."

Ana's arms buckled under the crushing impact of Jaida's boot for the second time, air bursting through her mouth when she hit the floor.

"That's why they all die, Amari," Jaida shouted down at her, loud enough for the company to hear. "They are useless. They die, and they pull others down with them. You could've killed Shadid today. You could've killed over 50 fucking soldiers today. Do you understand that, Amari?"

"Yes, ma'am!" Ana forced what vague threads of breath out in a guttural reply.

"You were a fucking dumbass today. Do you know that?"

"Yes, ma'am!" She panted against concrete, inhaling dust through her mouth.

"And if I see any of you fucking morons following Amari's example," Jaida yelled at the company. "I'll fucking shoot you myself. Is that understood?"

"Yes, ma'am!" Thankfully, the company's obedient roar was loud enough to satisfy Jaida on the first go, and the boot on Ana's back finally moved away.

"Then bring your wounded to the aid station. Dismissed!"

Ana remained prone through the bang of boots against the floor, catching her breath as Jaida marched away. She was just starting to move when Khalid and Mesi grabbed under her arms and hauled her up. They held her until she seemed steady on her feet, then let go. Ana turned her head to see Kamilah's squad standing around her, as she was helped up by a squad mate. Kamilah picked her rifle up from the floor, jerked its strap over a shoulder, and stalked off without a backward glance.

Her own rifle was thrust into her hands. Ana looked up as Mesi patted her on the cheek.

"Come on. You have a boot print to wash off your uniform," Mesi said with a tired smirk.

"That's the least of my worries," Ana muttered, trudging along her squad.

Kamilah's icy stare could burn flesh. Ana quailed a little, but kept her shoulders straight.

"May I come in?" Ana asked, regretting how clipped she sounded.

Keeping silent, Kamilah's jaw twitched, eyes sliding off Ana to focus everywhere else. Then she moved back stiffly, snapping the door shut when Ana walked through. She stood still as Ana looked her over, taking stock of the bruises on her arms and one on her cheek.

Feeling a pang of guilt, Ana asked, "You alright?"

Kamilah crossed her arms, unwillingness to talk apparent. She had been rather wound up recently, and Ana had been unable to pinpoint why, only tend to the symptoms as they appeared. And it seemed the day's public humiliation was the straw that broke the camel's back. A large, heavy straw. For which Ana was responsible.

"Look, I'm sorry. I got you into trouble."

Lips parted, but pressed together again after a sharp intake of breath. Kamilah shook her head and brushed past Ana without a word.

"Milah, I just want to make sure you're okay." She followed Kamilah to her desk, where she was fumbling with a half-empty blister pack. Ana touched her arm, watching her stab at a blister with her nail, becoming more forceful when she was unsuccessful, hands trembling in frustration.

"You haven't taken it today?"

She knew it was the wrong thing to say the moment it left her mouth, and was confirmed when Kamilah snapped at her, "What does it look like?"

Ana stayed in place when Kamilah jerked out of her reach, finally popping the pill out of the blister and throwing it into her mouth.

"Milah," she said slowly, as Kamilah shoved the pack back into its box. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Kamilah hissed through gritted teeth. She tried to walk away, but Ana stood in front of her.

"You've been like this for the past week. Will you just stop for a second and talk to me!"

"And why should I?" Kamilah blew up at her, taking her aback. "Anything I have to say, you'll just throw it to the fucking side!"

"That's not true–"

"You'll just do whatever you want to. You don't care about anything else."

"That's not true, and you know it!" Ana raised her voice, indignation erupting to the surface. "If I didn't care, I wouldn't even fucking be here right now!"

"Oh, that's what you want, isn't it?"

"I just asked one fucking question! Why are you being like this?"

"Like what? Like myself? If you don't like it, then leave!"

Her eyes glistened, giving Ana pause. She reached for Kamilah, but had her hand slapped away.

"Leave me alone. Just go."

Ana stared back at the glare, grasping at the fading threads of patience vanishing from within her, feeling them flow through her fingers like water. Suddenly suffocated, Ana wrenched her eyes away from Kamilah and made her escape.

Within her first breath of fresh air outside, regret started seeping in.

They stayed apart for the next few days, and Ana fell into a pall the longer she was deprived of contact with the woman she loved. Damn it all, Ana loved her. And having to watch her partner go about life from afar – when Ana could tell she was flagging on the inside – cut deep.

In all honesty, Ana had let go of her anger long ago. But she kept her distance, in case Kamilah had not. Ana settled for watching over her discretely – covering for Kamilah's squad more often than needed during training, and sending Mesi on undercover missions to chat with the medic. On Mesi's second report where she told Ana again that Kamilah was acting normal, she also told Ana to stop being such a wuss and just check on Kamilah herself.

So she did.

It was good foresight, she thought, that she had hidden the gift in her pocket. The silence in which they stood after Kamilah opened her door gave Ana an unpleasant sense of déjà vu, and was not really a mood conducive for gift-giving. Ana shifted on her feet, then gathered herself.

"Can…we talk?"

Kamilah's countenance seemed lighter than before, but still quiet. She nodded and let Ana in. They stood in silence when Ana forgot her prepared speech, and instead noted the uncertainty in Kamilah's expression as she fidgeted with her wrist, eyes downcast as if waiting for something to fall.

What am I doing to her?

"I've…" Ana prayed it was the right thing to start with. "I've been worried about you." She waited, and plunged on when there was no response. "I'm sorry for pulling you down with me during training. And I'm sorry I lost my temper." She stopped again, this time because she couldn't remember what to say.

At a loss for words, she took a step forward. Kamilah's eyes flickered up towards her, then fell away again.

"Milah, I love you. You don't have bear it all by yourself. Each day I spent away from–"

Again, Ana was surprised. Not by an irate outburst this time, but by Kamilah flying into her, arms clamping around her torso as if she were a lifeline. Her heart jumped at the sudden movement. As she calmed down and realised Kamilah was not going to throw her to the floor in a suplex, she relaxed. Ana held her tightly around the shoulders, as Kamilah shifted in her arms and pressed impossibly closer.

"I'm sorry," Kamilah muttered into her shoulder, voice thick.

"Don't be." Ana patted Kamilah's back soothingly when her partner took a slow breath, smoothing over the hitches. She waited, the head on her shoulder shifting restlessly, until Kamilah pulled away. Much of the hardness had fallen from her face, now replaced by exhaustion. A look Ana recognised all too well.

"I'm sorry I lost my temper. I was angry at you for that exercise. But–, I don't know." She rubbed at her eye, shrugging defeatedly. "Everything just piled up and…I took it out on you."

"Stress?" Ana ventured. "Were you tired?"

A wan smile. "I stopped taking my meds for a while. I lost it at my therapist and…I was being petty."

"You could've told me," Ana said gently, rubbing the small of her back.

Kamilah shook her head, a bitter laugh leaving her lips in quiet huffs. "I didn't want you to know."

"Well, I guess it kind of backfired. But I'm glad it did," she added quickly, when Kamilah's smile faltered. "You don't have to hide anything from me, Milah. I'm an idiot, remember? I'll stay no matter what."

"It does take an idiot…"

"Not that way, albi." Ana cupped her face, lifting Kamilah's gaze to meet her own. "I know who you are. And I love you for everything that you are."

"Are you trying to make me cry?"

"It's not working, apparently." Ana gave a crooked smile, pretending not to notice the shine in her eyes. Instead, she reached into her pocket and pulled out the palm-sized teddy bear that had been squashed inside. It held a red heart with 'I love you' stitched across the front. Cheesy, but effective – judging from the curve in Kamilah's lips as she took it.

"Really?"

"Yup. For when you need a reminder. Wanted to get you one of those huge ones, but then I'm afraid it'd take my place on your bed."

Kamilah laughed softly, kissing her on the lips. "Nothing will ever take your place," she sighed, tilting her head. "The most you'd have to do is share your space with it."

"Thanks a lot."

Ana remained watchful for a while after – Kamilah needed time to let her guard down fully again. And though she still slept badly at night, admitted no anxieties and preferred to go about life without discussing it. And Ana let her. Kamilah sought to weather this out by herself, and Ana would take other burdens off her shoulders to make things easier. She was there to keep Kamilah's room in order, her necessities easy to find and in arm's reach. She 'sucked up' to the squad leader and carried half her load, getting unsubtle sneezes sounding like 'kiss ass' from her own squad. She offered a firm embrace when Kamilah buried her head in Ana's neck, stifled tears finally finding release in the dead of night. They quickly found solace in the return of their routine, and the stability it brought.

Although, Ana noticed something different. That first quarrel seemed to have lowered an unseen boundary, and they found themselves bickering more often. Over little things really – Ana leaving used clothes in Kamilah's room, Kamilah stealing Ana's shirts that never saw the light of day again, and using up Kamilah's tea bags without replacing them were the latest on the list. These always blew over quickly, and Ana was glad that Kamilah did not hold herself back as much as before. She did seem more comfortable with each passing argument, getting used to voicing grievances no matter how small, and was more certain that Ana would not just up and leave over these little squabbles.

Ana loved her more than life itself. And Kamilah was just accepting that simple truth in full.

Rolling her bruised shoulders, Ana felt the tender patches on her body throb in response. To celebrate the day that she 'popped out of mama's crotch' – as Safiya had put it – Kamilah finally brought Ana for a skydive she had originally planned the previous year. They spent the better part of the day at the school, listening raptly during their ground training before boarding the plane for the tandem jump. Ana's blood raced as she stood at the edge of the door, and leapt without hesitation at a command from the instructor strapped to her back. Keeping her eyes wide open, Ana's attempts to laugh failed as her breath was whipped from her lungs by the blast of cold air. It went by in a rush – she marveled at their 'floating' in free fall, turned to wink at her instructor's camera, before she felt a jerk when the parachute was deployed.

As they cruised through the air, Ana craned her neck upwards to find Kamilah some distance above her. She blew a kiss, then pouted when it was caught and tossed away. It all went smoothly until they were close to the ground – a sudden gust of wind threw them off, Ana forgot her instructions to keep her legs up, the instructor lost her footing, and they tumbled across the sandy ground. Thankfully, the crack she had felt in her ankle was nothing. All she had sustained were bruises – same for the instructor, who joined in her laughter as they untangled themselves from the parachute's cords.

Ana had considered signing up for actual lessons, but decided to put it on the backburner for now. Perhaps after her bruises had subsided, and she was ready for another dose of mid-air adrenaline.

She reached the modest ampitheatre built into the middle of the mall, stretching down two stories. There were more people seated now than when Ana had left to pick up their coffees, all waiting for the free movie screening that evening. Ana hopped down the steps towards Kamilah, noting a crisply dressed man approaching her. She slowed down, watching as he bent down and spoke. A smile was already crawling onto Ana's face when Kamilah looked distinctly unimpressed, and it was obvious from the phone in his hand why she was so.

Ana had to refrain from cackling when she reached Kamilah just in time to hear her say 'No.' and turn back to the front as if he did not exist. Kamilah's rejections were short yet brutal, and Ana loved them. When she was not on the receiving end, anyway.

She made her way towards Kamilah, then dropped down into her seat and planted a kiss on her partner's temple. Kamilah took her ice blend from the cardboard tray Ana held out, wearing a knowing smirk as Ana smiled up at the spurned suitor, who slunk away without another word.

"Aren't you just popular, sweetie," Ana cooed, getting an elbow in her side. "Men and women flock to you like moths to a flame."

"Please don't." Kamilah sipped at her coffee, scooting closer when Ana circled an arm around her waist.

"Where was it last week…" Ana hummed, pretending to think. "Oh right, at the supermarket. When someone wanted to 'check you out at the counter'."

Kamilah sighed. "I'd rather they left me alone." She glanced at Ana. "Guess having the most annoying person with me does help sometimes."

"Right," she drawled. "But then again, I can't be with you all the time. Why don't I just pee on you and mark my territory?"

"Do that and I'll put you to sleep."

"Just like that? No collars?"

"It's not a punishment if you enjoy it."

She chuckled, lacing their fingers together as the floor lights in the ampitheatre darkened, and the first advertisement was projected onto the screen.

"How about a ring?"

"We already have them."

"But not on the right finger."

Kamilah gazed at her with an indulgent curve on her lips, already used to Ana's teases. "Try again, darling."

Ana grinned, giving her partner a squeeze before turning her attention to the opening of the movie. Oh she would, alright.

So Ana did try, and Kamilah took it in stride. Her face barely even twitched anymore when Ana popped in with her unsubtle suggestions, pushing her away with a finger and yet another 'try again'. Once, Ana had rolled on top of Kamilah, squashing the woman beneath her and said, "Marry me."

Kamilah blinked blearily up at her, having been snatched back from the brink of sleep. "No." She did not move at the whine and nuzzles, falling asleep under Ana with no trouble at all.

It was all in good fun, of course. Though she did feel a twinge at the blunt rejection. But then again, Kamilah never really possessed much tact when thoroughly exhausted. Maybe Ana should try again when she was awake.

A pinch on the nose was her reward. But it was expected, and life went on.

Months passed since the beginning of a new year, and Ana's joking proposals grew less in frequency. They were less joking as well, Ana realised, when she gazed back into Kamilah's eyes through the dimmed lighting of the dance floor. As promised at last year's ball, Ana had brought Kamilah to a restaurant overlooking the Nile for their two-year anniversary.

Perhaps it was the establishment's classy ambience, the intimacy of the dance floor, the slow chords of love songs, or just the exquisite beauty of her partner; Ana had held her breath, waiting to hear what Kamilah thought of this 'practice for their wedding'. But all Kamilah did was smile softly, and bring their dance to a halt with a kiss on Ana's lips. Her intent – if there was one – remained a mystery. Kamilah merely led her back to their table, Ana's eyes moving down the black dress that graced her body, to the ring on her finger – the black to Ana's white.

Something burgeoned within her, taking root where it had waned moments ago.

Hope.

"…current investigations show that a critical AI malfunction was the cause of these attacks. The Krasnoyarsk Omnium has classified them as isolated cases, and dismissed claims that these incidents are related to the development of the God Program, Triglav. A press conference will be held on…"

"What do you think, Ado?" Khalid asked.

Adofo cocked his head, eyes still fixated on the televisions in the display window. He shrugged. "There's not enough information to go on, I'm afraid."

"It's probably nothing," Ana said. "Just a few crazies giving you a bad name, hm?"

"I hope so. But I don't like the idea of the God Program."

Ana reached out to pat him on the back, and quickly moved forward to catch him when he lurched forward. They looked back at the teenage boy who had run into Adofo, watching his eyes widen as he looked up at the omnic.

"I'm so sorry!" he said in panic, holding up his hands, eyes darting towards the televisions before scurrying off.

"Some strength," Khalid said. "Even we can't move you from one spot."

"I wasn't standing properly."

"Don't be embarrassed, Ado. We all have our moments." Ana smiled up at him, and blue eyes flickered in amusement. Then they turned at the sound of Layla's voice from farther up the street, where she stood waving at them.

"Come on, we found the place!" Layla called out, waiting for them to make their way over.

Ana fell in step behind Adofo and Khalid, walking with hands in pockets as her gaze slid from clothing displays, laptops, furniture, lights, jewelry–

She paused and backtracked, peering through the glass window. The display of necklaces and bracelets was lovely indeed, but most of her attention drifted towards the rings by the side. Ana found herself skimming through the prices when she noticed the shop assistant approaching her.

"Would you like to view our collection inside, ma'am? We have many more beautiful designs for you to–"

"Oh, no. I'm just…looking," she finished lamely, turning her head just in time to see Adofo disappear around the corner ahead. "Thanks." She waved a hand politely, then hurried away.

'Looking' became 'thinking', then 'pondering', 'imagining', and 'staring'.

"Is there something on my face?"

Ana started, then glanced down at her tablet screen where she had just lost a game. "No," she muttered, tapping through the stats and closed the app.

"Are you okay?" Kamilah asked, lowering the book in her hands. She scooted over to where Ana sat beside the bed, fighting the urge to curl up tighter in her corner.

"Yeah. And before you ask," she said when Kamilah raised her brows. "I'm sure." She held fast under the scrutiny, and breathed a quiet sigh of relief when no more questions came. Parting her legs to let Kamilah shift in, she rested her tablet in Kamilah's lap when her partner lay against her.

"Milah?" Ana said.

"Mm?"

"Do you love me?"

"Yes." Kamilah flipped a page, head brushing against Ana's. "What do you want this time?"

A favour. A huge one.

"You?" Ana squeezed the woman in her arms, getting a breathy chuckle in return.

"You don't even have to ask, darling. You already have me."

"Forever?"

"Forever." She thumbed a page. "You ask for a lot, don't you?"

"And you still keep giving," Ana said, digging her fingers into Kamilah's sides. Kamilah shrieked as she jerked forward, their book and tablet dropping to the floor, and Ana soon found herself fending off a flurry of slaps, cackling until she suffered one right on the nose.

Ana sat on it.

Then she grew restless, impulsiveness clashing with deliberation day after day. She wanted to wait – for the right moment, for the right signal, for the right state of mind. But there were moments of impatience, where she wanted to whisk Kamilah off into the sunset without a care in the world.

Would Kamilah want to be with her, she wondered. Would Kamilah want to spend the rest of her life dealing with Ana's nonsense? Would she want to share a house, a family, a life?

Ana knew what she dearly wanted. She had repeated it so many times, in passing, in jest, in passion, in love. And now, only now did she feel the true gravity of that wish. She wanted to spend the rest of her life with the woman she loved most, and she would do anything to make it a reality. Their reality.

It was the one thing of which she was certain. But there was still one remaining question, and the answer she yearned for would either make her whole, or break her completely.

Only one way to find out.

Taking a deep breath, Ana rose from the bench. She straightened her shoulders, and strode into the jeweler's.

As it turned out, buying the ring was not as simple as it seemed. A month of surreptitious ring-shopping later, Ana was about ready to plant her face into the ground and weave a grass ring herself. But she was nothing if not persistent, and marched on. Besides, Kamilah's lap was a much better place to plant her face into anyway.

Another month passed, and she very nearly blurted the question over Kamilah's birthday cake. Thankfully, her body froze before she could do anything stupid. At the worried touch on her cheek, she managed to wrangle out a thinly-veiled question about the type of rings Kamilah preferred, before trying to choke herself to death with a big piece of cake. Her face reddened with a blush despite her best efforts to remain composed.

Eventually, Ana roped Khalid into shopping with her. First he squealed, then gushed, and eventually ended up groaning after Ana left the ten thousandth store empty-handed. He stuck with her though, and they scoured nearly all of Cairo's shops until Ana finally decided on a round solitaire diamond ring with an open-curved silver band. Pretty simple for something that she took over three months to find, but fitting.

Having acquired the ring, Ana started planning the proposal. It was to be a quiet and private affair for sure; Kamilah never liked to be part of a spectacle. She had narrowed down potential locations to the fountain in the park, at the boardwalk by the pyramids, or at a hotel suite for true privacy and a good view of the Nile–

Then she remembered.

Ana flew to Ebo's doorstep seeking a favour - he was the favourite nephew of a wealthy businessman. And after crushing Ana in a hug, he went on to fulfill Ana's request and more – she now had a yacht at her disposal, along with a boat captain and culinary staff for an evening.

Now that Ebo was part of the planning, the entire squad became involved as well, by virtue of his big mouth. That was why she had a room of soldiers sitting around to watch her pace nervously before going for her date.

"Ana, will you just relax–"

"I'm trying to!" Ana said in exasperation, earning a sympathetic look from Khalid. "Oh fuck… Fuck, what if she says no?"

"She won't."

"What if it's too early? It's only been what, two years? Is that enough?"

"Hey, I know people who got married within a year," Layla said.

"And are they still together?"

Layla grimaced. "Well…"

"The length of time doesn't matter, Ana," Mesi chipped in. "You spent two years with her, and they were good enough that you want to marry her. Isn't that enough?"

"Yes…"

"It's just your nerves acting up."

Ana raised a hand, but remembered she had make up on before dragging it down her face. She stopped in her tracks, fingertips digging into her temples.

"Anyone can see Kamilah loves you, Ana," Mesi continued. "Does she look at you like she wants to kill you?"

"Sometimes."

"See? Not all the time. She must feel something for you." Mesi grinned at the smattering of snickers from her squad. She rose from the bed, walking over to clap Ana on the shoulders. "Pull yourself together, alright? You have your ring, you have your yacht. Now all you have to do is listen to her say 'yes'."

"And put a ring on it," Layla added.

"That's right. Come on, Ana." Mesi tugged at her navy blue blazer when she still looked dubious. "Look at you. You're dashing! Who could say no?" She turned to look at the rest. "Could any of you say no?"

They shook their heads in unison.

"See?"

"You're being ridiculous," Ana groaned, picking the phone up when it vibrated on the table.

Kamilah: [Ready?]

"No," she said audibly, and Mesi leaned over to read the message, clicking her tongue.

"Showtime." Mesi plucked the phone out of her hand and squeezed it into Ana's pants pocket. She patted Ana over, and tried to push her fringe to the side. "Got your rings?"

"Yeah."

"Then let's go."

Hands suddenly feeling cold, Ana breathed in deeply and made her way out of the room amid a chorus of 'good luck'.

"By the way, Ana," Ebo said before she went down the stairs. "My uncle says if you don't succeed, you're paying for everything."

That earned him a slap on the back from Khalid. "She's nervous enough as it is, you asshole."

"It's a joke!"

Ana sighed, and went down to pick up her date.

"Ana," Kamilah said slowly, as Ana led her down the docks and came to a stop before the yacht. "How did you get this?"

"I have connections." Ana smiled, walking up the ramp.

"Ana Amari has connections. Wonder why I'm not surprised."

They were greeted by Mathieu, their captain. The man was French, but he spoke Arabic as precisely as any local. They were led farther in and welcomed by the rest of the staff, then brought on a tour around the two decks before being seated in the indoor dining room. The round booth was located right by the window, so they could see the bow and the dark waters they sailed leisurely across. Soft music piped through the speakers in the walls, and Ana detected a light fragrance permeating the room.

The menu was introduced and champagne was poured, and they were left to their own devices.

Ana reached for her glass to take a sip, hoping to drown the butterflies in her stomach.

"So," Kamilah said. "What's the occasion?"

"Do we need one?" Ana asked.

"For this…" Kamilah waved at the window. "There has to be."

"I just want to give you the best. I don't need an occasion for that," Ana said, watching her smile gently and take her own glass as well.

The rich five-course meal consisted mainly of seafood – rather fitting, as it were. They worked their way slowly through each dish, though Ana found it difficult to fully appreciate the plates of art. Her attention always drifted back to Kamilah, gazing in silent adoration, and trying to somehow divine her expression at the end. How would she react, Ana ached to find out.

They remained in the booth for a while after their meal, laughing at each other's burps, sneaking in a caress, and a kiss or two. When they leant against the backrest, looking out at a view confined to the angles the window allowed, Ana decided to proceed. With a racing heart, she took Kamilah's hand and suggested going to the top deck to enjoy the night breeze. As they stood, Ana ran a hand down her jacket under the guise of smoothing over creases, feeling for the boxes in the inner pocket. Her stomach squeezed impossibly tighter.

She helped Kamilah up the steps with all the chivalry of a knight, earning a quirked brow from her partner. Ana stayed by the stairs as Kamilah walked across the wooden flooring, gathering her courage before following after her. She circled an arm around Kamilah's waist, hugging her from behind as they looked over the dark waters, dotted by lights from boats like theirs. Ana turned her head, kissing Kamilah's cheek as she entwined their fingers together on the flat metal rail. How would the ring look on Kamilah's finger, Ana wondered.

"The view is beautiful," Kamilah said.

"It is."

"That was your cue to tell me I'm the better view."

She chuckled with a lopsided smile. "It doesn't have to be said, albi. No matter where we are, you'll always be the better view."

"Flatterer."

"It's not flattery if it's true," Ana murmured, pressing their lips softly together. She ran her thumb over Kamilah's, pulse quickening. It was time.

She stepped back, tugging lightly on Kamilah's hand to turn her around. "The truth is, I brought you here for a reason."

"You mean, other than 'giving me the best'?"

"Yes." Ana matched her grin, though her smile quickly became smaller as nervousness ate away at her. She took Kamilah's other hand as well, taking a breath to calm herself down.

"You know, I had a speech planned for this. But now… I think I'll just speak from here." She pressed the back of Kamilah's hand on her chest, feeling acutely the rapid thuds of her heart. "I love you, Milah. You're the single, most important person to have ever walked into my life, and you've taught me to love so much deeper than I ever knew I could. We've been together for two years, two wonderful years. And already, I find myself dreaming of a future with you."

Her next breath wavered, and Ana slowed down. She held Kamilah's gaze, soft and knowing.

"I am yours. Everything that I am, that I have, is yours. And I want to be yours for the rest of my life." She reached into her jacket for the first velvet box, feeling Kamilah's hand tighten over hers. Digging her thumb into the groove, she lifted the lid to reveal the ring. Ana got down on one knee.

"Will you marry me, Kamilah?"

Kamilah stood frozen in place, staring down at the ring. Ana felt her hand tremble minutely when Kamilah's gaze moved to her. Surprise melted away from Kamilah's face, leaving it placid for a terrifying moment.

"Are…" Kamilah rasped, and Ana caught the quiver in her lip. "Are you sure?"

"More than anything."

She lapsed into silence again, leaving Ana on tenterhooks. Kamilah's expression scrunched up a little, then relaxed. She nodded.

"Yes," Kamilah said, voice hushed. She seemed breathless as she looked up at Ana, lips twitching into a smile. "Yes, Ana."

Ana's mind went blank.

Yes. She said yes. She said–

Ana shot up from the floor, catching Kamilah in a tight embrace. "Oh god, Kamilah. Kamilah–" Her breath hitched, and her vision blurred. Ana blinked the moisture away, then loosened her hold. She smiled at Kamilah and brought the box up. Taking the ring, she held Kamilah's hand and slid it through her ring finger. It was a perfect fit – her fingers were similar to Ana's.

"It looks beautiful on you," Ana said, lifting her eyes towards her fiancée. Her fiancée.

It sounded so surreal, yet so right.

She lifted Kamilah's hand, pressing a kiss beside the ring. Then she pocketed the empty box and brought out another, offering it to Kamilah, who opened it to find a slim silver band with inlaid crystals along the top. Just as Ana had done, Kamilah held up her hand and slipped the ring through. She gazed at it longer, before fixing Ana with a tender smile, head tilting into the caress on her cheek.

Ana leaned in, eyes locked until the very last moment, when their lips met. Light and slow, yet so deep and fierce. They moved in tandem, an exchange of vows unwritten, engraving each line into their souls, one after another.

When they parted, there was not a sense of loss. Just a serene warmth in their chests, where their other half resided.