Ana couldn't remember a time when a training range at HQ was this crowded. The viewing gallery was packed to the seams by eager onlookers, and agents who couldn't squeeze into the gallery perched on support beams lining the ceiling, kept safe from accidental misfires by the hard-light forcefield which surrounded the training range. Ana knew for a fact that many more were watching from remote locations, by way of Hana's livestream – amid the buzz of the crowds, she could hear the girl's commentary and exclamations, which bore a practiced lilt designed to grab her audience's attention.
Personally, Ana didn't mind the attention. Many times in the past, agents had snuck into the gallery to steal peeks at Captain Amari's vaunted skill with the sniper rifle. Admirers and gawkers were but a part of her life – as essential as oxygen for a show-off like Ana, Kamilah liked to say – and though she was chagrined to find such a crush of spectators when she'd arrived at the range today, she'd shrugged it off. Her pride would sting from what she'd planned, but she found a perverse sort of pleasure in anticipating the aftermath.
"Score: 40 - 40. Round 5 will begin in 30 seconds."
Ana released a puff of breath when Athena brought an end to the fourth round of this 'sniper-off' – a term coined by Hana – and released her rifle's grip. It was a standard-issue, not the usual biotic weapon she brought into the field; she didn't need such advanced tech for a whimsical contest anyway. Replacing the empty magazine with a fresh one, Ana glanced at the sniper's tower to the left of her own – hard-light constructs created for this occasion only. Her competitor was reloading her own rifle as well, movements smooth and clinical. The multi-eyed visor obscuring the top half of her face lent an alien edge to the air of detachment she carried.
Ever since Widowmaker had been accepted into Overwatch's ranks, a sharp-tongued, fiery rivalry between her and Ana had flared to life, growing day by day until it was the stuff of legend and gossip in break rooms. None would dispute that they were Overwatch's top snipers – their perfect records were proof enough. But with two names at the top, it was only inevitable that one question took root in people's minds – which of the two was better?
Ana didn't care about the debate, despite others hinting at a competition to settle it once and for all. She knew that she was the best sniper – of course she was – and she didn't need a showdown just to prove the fact. Widowmaker didn't care as well, as far as Ana knew, and never responded to playful suggestions from her fellow agents. The only reason she had a 'rivalry' with Ana was because Ana kept goading responses from the otherwise placid sniper.
It was no surprise then, with the pair's stubborn indifference through the years, that the agents were flabbergasted when Ana finally agreed to a contest, after putting it off for so long. Amelie had been taken aback as well, and though she wore a frown while being pestered, she'd acquiesced in the end. For what reason, Ana didn't care to know. It didn't matter.
Athena spoke through the speakers once more, and Ana readied her rifle in its tripod, her rival doing the same as the countdown started. Tuning out the low buzz from the spectators, Ana rested comfortably on her front, wrapped her hand loosely around the rifle's grip, and lined her eye along the scope.
"Round 5 – begin."
Stark orange holo-drones flew into the air – twin targets, one in each sniper's lane, cutting erratic paths as they swooped dizzyingly quick, making it difficult to follow. That was – difficult for anyone except the two competitors. In perfect synch, two rifle reports echoed through the range as they shot down drone after drone, matching each other in accuracy and reaction time. Ana fell into a comfortable rhythm, relishing the rush in her veins as her mind whirled with rapid calculation. Adjust the rifle, fire. Adjust, fire.
She kept a mental count with each drone that sparked out of existence. 46. 47. 48. 49…
Tracking the last drone for this round, Ana held her breath, and willed her muscles to defy the rhythm she'd built. A fraction of a second passed, then she tweaked her sights by just a hair's breadth, and fired.
One holo-drone exploded in a shower of sparks. Its twin remained, cutting a haphazard path through the air, blissfully unaware of the ringing silence which had fallen over the training range. The spectators' buzz had died out. No one moved. Even Hana had stopped her commentary, presumably staring along with the rest.
"Round 5: 50 - 49. The match goes to Widowmaker."
Ana reveled in the stunned silence which stretched long after the end of Athena's announcement. It was as sweet as she'd imagined it to be. Sweeter, even.
Hana was the first to recover. "I–, that's–, it's Widowmaker!" She barked a laugh, heavy with disbelief, before her stream personality reasserted itself. "Widowmaker takes the crown! What a turn of events! Now, if you'll excuse me, I know some people who'll be treating us all to a feast tonight!"
Laughter dotted the crowds, before warmth broke through the chill when agents started ribbing their friends loudly for winning the unlikely bet. Applause rang through the range as well, though Ana suspected it was far more polite than what she would've gotten herself. Captain Amari was the fan favourite, after all.
She snorted, then groaned quietly as she rose from the prone position, back cracking as she settled on her behind with a sigh. Turning her head, she caught Widowmaker's eye – or rather, eyes. Her rival's visor still covered her face, but a touch to its controls on the temple soon revealed amber eyes, fixed on Ana with a questioning gaze. Ana smirked and, giving into a childish urge, flipped Widowmaker off, causing amber eyes to narrow, blue-tinged lips curling down. Smirk growing into a grin, Ana rose to her feet and slung the rifle over her shoulders, climbing down from her sniper's nest.
When she reached the prep room, the doors slid open to reveal none other than Hana Song, who stood waiting with her camera off, thankfully. Her eyes were wide as they fell upon Ana.
"Captain!" Hana wailed. "I must be having a nightmare. Please knock me out, I wanna wake up now!"
Ana couldn't help but burst into laughter at the overly-dramatic anguish. She strode forward and drew the girl into a hug, as the entrance opened to admit more visitors. "Watching your heroes fall isn't fun, I know."
"You're still my hero." Hana's arms squeezed tightly around Ana's middle. "Always. Forever."
"That's enough, Hana." Kamilah wore a dry smile as she walked in with Fareeha. "Don't say any more, or you'll inflate her head right back up again."
"But it's true!" Hana whined, refusing to let go until Fareeha pried her away.
"Come on, Hana. Let's find you better heroes." Fareeha guided Hana by the shoulders, leading her to the door. "Probably much prettier ones half her age."
"Hey!"
"You'll always be the prettiest hero to me, Captain!"
"Thank you, little lion," Ana chuckled. When the door slid shut behind Hana and Fareeha, she huffed an affectionate sigh. "You know, I don't think my own wife has ever adored me as much as Hana does."
"Your wife didn't have to, not when the whole world had their lips plastered to your ass." Kamilah rolled her eyes, then glanced at the door. "Still has," she corrected herself. "You cost a lot of people their money, you know. The way people were moaning back there, you'd think someone died."
"Really. Pity I didn't place a bet myself, huh?"
Kamilah eyed her quietly, as she slid off her gloves and tucked them into her belt. "Did you lose on purpose?"
Of course her wife would suss it out so quickly. Ana's lips quirked. "Does it matter?"
Kamilah's head tilted in thought. "I guess not. But I'm curious."
"Well," Ana drawled, sauntering closer. "I seem to remember someone said something...about the world always demanding the attention of the world's best sniper."
"Hm. Sounds familiar," Kamilah deadpanned, a flicker of a smile on her lips when Ana's arms slid around her waist.
"It got me thinking: 'Well, I wouldn't want that.' So, to have more time with my darling wife, I thought that I shouldn't be the world's best sniper."
Kamilah raised a brow. "So you aren't the world's best sniper anymore, hm?"
"Not as far as anyone knows," Ana murmured, leaning in. "That means I am all yours now, doesn't it?"
Kamilah's poker face cracked, lips parting in a smile as she laughed softly, arms hooking around Ana's neck. "You tell me."
Ana dipped her head to steal a gentle peck from her wife, and had to stifle a groan when the prep room's door slid open once more. They didn't bother to break apart – half the base was accustomed to seeing Ana clinging onto Kamilah anyway – and they turned their gazes to the lone woman who stalked in from the training range, rifle slung across her back.
"If you've come to gloat," Ana drawled. "Don't bother."
"You missed on purpose." Amelie's voice was even, but her piercing gaze shot the accusation through her cool exterior.
Ana snorted. "Oh? Did your thousand-eyed visor tell you that?"
"You hesitated."
"Right… I hesitate twice in my life, and you get to reap the benefits both times. Funny how that works, huh? Ow!" Ana jerked away when she received a jab to the ribs.
"Behave, scoundrel." Kamilah spared Ana a passing glance, before directing a smile at Amelie. "Don't mind her. She's just sore."
"I'm not sore!"
"Hush." Kamilah waved a hand at her. "Congrats, Amelie. And thank you – I've waited so long for someone to take her down a peg." She didn't bother to be subtle while stamping on Ana's boot, when her wife blew a loud raspberry. As Ana exclaimed and hopped backwards, she kept the smile on her face. "Tea later, as usual?"
Amelie's eyes flickered to Ana, then back to Kamilah. Her lips thinned briefly, before her steely expression softened under Kamilah's attention. In defeat, others might say, and that might be partially true; but Ana knew otherwise.
It was safe to say that no one had expected Kamilah to care for her wife's would-be killer, especially not when Ana maintained such an antagonistic relationship with Amelie. But Widowmaker had suffered through so many breakdowns, both physical and mental, in her recovery and rehabilitation that even Angela couldn't handle this patient by herself. She'd tapped on Kamilah for help – the only medical staff whose nerves weren't strung taut in fear from being in close proximity to Widowmaker. No, what Kamilah had felt was much less forgiving; but through the long months of care, both Angela and Kamilah had grown protective of Amelie, whom they'd coaxed slowly from Widowmaker's shell.
Amelie Lacroix still had few friends in Overwatch. But to those few she was fond of, she was loyal, and displayed rare gestures of...what passed as affection from her.
A petty part of Ana was still miffed that Kamilah was in Amelie's inner circle, but she'd learnt to keep certain opinions to herself. After all, the only glare more venomous than Widowmaker's, was that of Kamilah Amari.
"Later, then." Amelie spoke, whisper-quiet. "Thank you."
"Have fun being the world's best sniper, now."
That earned Ana a dangerous squint, before Amelie left the prep room. She smirked, then promptly dropped her smile when she caught Kamilah's reproachful stare.
"What?"
"How many times do I have to tell you? Be nice to her."
"Come on, she's not some fragile child," Ana scoffed, following Kamilah to the door. She slung both arms around Kamilah's waist, plastering herself to her wife's back as they walked. "Besides, you've got her wrapped around your finger. I have to be a deterrent so she won't cling to you."
Kamilah huffed. "Be any more of a deterrent and I might just twist her around my finger more."
Ana gasped. "You wouldn't."
"Why not? She's half your age. And pretty," Kamilah echoed Fareeha's words. "And she's the world's best sniper now. In every way possible, she is a more desirable woman."
Unable to stifle her amusement any longer, Ana burst into a laugh, clamping her arms tight around Kamilah to lift her wife from the ground. "Say that again. I dare you."
"She is much more desirable than y–! She is much–! No!" Kamilah shrieked, legs kicking in the air as Ana dug her fingers into her wife's sides, causing her to writhe helplessly. "Stop! Wait, I yield–! I yield!"
"Ship-shape?" Tracer grinned.
"Ship-shape," Kamilah confirmed, lowering her handheld scanner. "No surprise, you're the only one in this entire place who can successfully dodge bullets."
"I'll let you in on the secret." Tracer leaned in, whispering loudly as she tapped on her chronal accelerator. "It's the timey-wimey trickery."
"No kidding," Kamilah deadpanned, looking around as boots thudded on the hangar floor behind them. "Maybe you should lend some of that 'trickery' to this bullet sponge, then."
Pharah blinked innocently. "I have no idea who you're talking about. See you later, Doc–!"
"Where do you think you're going?" Kamilah stopped the soldier mid-stride, pressing her scanner against the Raptora chestplate. "You're supposed to be in medbay. Resting."
"I got clearance from your boss."
"My 'boss'," Kamilah said flatly, gripping Fareeha by the arm to turn her around. "Cannot be trusted to remain impartial with you."
"Oh? Sounds like you know from personal experience." Pharah grinned as she received a sound knock on the head, while Tracer stifled a chortle behind one hand.
"Stand still." Kamilah passed the scanner down Fareeha's body, brows rising further as she did so.
"See?" Pharah declared, insufferably smug. "I'm stellar."
Kamilah hummed, looking to the side where Mercy approached with Ana in tow. "All her recent injuries have miraculously healed without trace. Your doing, I assume?"
"It is." Mercy smiled. "The Strike Captain raised a good point: since we will be working with Helix Security on this mission, it would be to our advantage that she is present to ensure the operation goes smoothly between both teams."
"See? Totally impartial."
"If this is impartial, then my hair isn't white," Ana commented, clasping Mei's hand in greeting as the scientist walked past them, and entered the waiting VTOL with Tracer.
"But you can't prove it's not impartial." Pharah winked, then took Mercy by the hand, tugging her towards the plane as well. "Alright, everyone's here. Let's go."
"Play safe, Fareeha," Kamilah called after her. "You too, Angela."
"Don't worry, Milah." Mercy offered them one last smile, before accompanying Pharah further into the VTOL.
Two more agents, McCree and 76, waved to the Amari couple as they jogged up the VTOL's ramp. Kamilah backed away from the aircraft with Ana, and stood to the side as they were buffeted by winds courtesy of the VTOL's engines. When it had cleared the hanger and soared out of sight, Kamilah sighed and took off her frameless glasses, rubbing at her eyes. She nearly groaned aloud when Ana's hand reached for her nape, massaging the tense muscles there.
"Tired?" Ana asked. "You came back to the room so late last night."
"I need my retirement soon," Kamilah lamented, hooking the glasses on her shirt collar.
"Well, I'll retire when you do."
"Ugh." Joining Overwatch herself had given Ana a leg up on this age-old discussion, to Kamilah's dismay. Now she was spouting the same reasons Ana had given before, delaying the time she'd lay her white coat down.
"Come now, don't frown. You have enough wrinkles on your face."
Kamilah growled, but her frustration was dampened when Ana held her head in both hands, massaging her temples with her thumbs. "Half of my wrinkles are there because of you."
Breathing a slow exhale, she forced her shoulders to relax. Looking up at Ana, she reached beneath the loose scarf, brushed back the short fringe which had fallen over Ana's eyepatch. After the last mission, where Ana's braid had been an unfortunate casualty of an explosion's blaze, she'd chopped the singed portion of her hair. But she didn't stop there, and returned with a side shave that set half the population on fire – both in Overwatch, and her adoring fans outside. Fareeha had lived with her face in her hands for a week because no one could shut up about her mother, and Kamilah had been wheedled into admitting that, yes, her wife was still the hottest sniper in the world.
And, of course, Ana had been unbelievably smug after wringing that admission out of Kamilah.
Ridiculous woman, Kamilah thought wryly, wearing a crooked smile which earned a curious look from her wife.
"You know..."
Hana's voice made them jump in surprise, tugging their hands away from each other.
"I would complain about your PDA like I do with Fareeha and Angela's," Hana said, unable to hide her smile. "But you two are just too sweet."
"You're biased, Hana," Kamilah stated.
"Maybe." Hana grinned, then brought her heels together, snapping a smart salute at Ana. "Mission accomplished, Captain Amari. I'm ready for the debrief."
"Good to know, Captain Song. It went well, then?"
"Yes. The scientists are in our custody, ready to hand over the intel."
"I suppose that's my cue to go."
"Not you, Hana." Kamilah stopped the young woman, who'd turned to follow Ana just a tad too quickly. "In the medbay, now."
"But Doc, I'm fine!" Hana adopted a sing-song voice which worked on Kamilah – sometimes. "My team got in and out just fine, no complications."
"From this mission, maybe."
"Mm." Hana sucked her lips into her patented grimace, which surfaced whenever she knew Kamilah had her cornered.
"You got pretty banged up the last few times, Hana." Ana stepped in, showing all the sense she never used for herself. "Better get yourself checked out, just in case. And it'll spare you from all the nagging quicker."
Ana snickered, sidestepping the swat at her arm, then slipped in to steal a kiss from her wife. "Well, I have some scientists to see to. Have fun in medbay, you two."
Hana pouted at Ana as the captain walked away, then at Kamilah when she received a nudge on her back, falling in step with the doctor.
"I swear I didn't get nicked this time, Milah."
"Hm." Kamilah ran the scanner over Hana, noting that there were indeed no new injuries on the MEKA pilot's body. The few that remained from her previous missions, however, still warranted a check-up. "So you didn't. Good job."
"Yes!" Hana pumped a fist. "Does that mean the last baklava's mine?"
"Fareeha finished it this morning."
"Aw!" Hana threw her head back in despair, then shot her best puppy eyes at Kamilah. "Tell me you'll make more."
"If you pay me, maybe."
"I'll give you my entire month's salary. And my stream earnings."
"Sometimes, I forget you're richer than most people here." Kamilah laughed, resting an arm around the young woman's sturdy shoulders. Hana's arm hooked around her waist in return.
Though Hana had been intimidated by Kamilah at first, preferring to stick closer to her childhood hero, she'd gradually taken to Kamilah after spending enough time around Ana and Fareeha. Much of her bright, indomitable character reminded Kamilah of a younger Ana, truth be told, and Kamilah couldn't help but take Hana under her wing as well. So often could Hana be found by Ana and Kamilah's side, that Fareeha had said it was like having an adopted sister. Kamilah didn't disagree – after all, she considered Hana part of her family. Much like she did with Angela, and all the other agents who would trudge into medbay and bear her chiding with a sheepish smile.
Somehow, despite her old grudge against Overwatch, she'd accepted them all as family. The irony was not lost on her.
Hana cocked her head when Kamilah remained silent, gazing at her with a smile. "Hello? Earth to Milah?"
Kamilah blinked. "Oh. Um, where was I?"
"You forgot I'm richer than most people here."
"Right."
"And, I'm just saying – you're not gonna seduce me for my wealth."
"Don't spout nonsense." Kamilah rolled her eyes, as Hana giggled. "How about this? Let's buy the ingredients, and make it together on your next day off."
"Yes!" Hana sprang on her feet in happiness, nearly lifting Kamilah from the floor as she did so.
Despite Kamilah's constant grumbles, she and Ana remained in Overwatch for two more years – long enough to see through the dismantling of Talon, and watch Fareeha receive the rank of Strike Commander. After holding hands together at their daughter's wedding ceremony, keeping dignified poise amid several guests' audible sobs while Fareeha and Angela exchanged rings, they decided that the time had come to take their leave of Overwatch.
Of course, they weren't allowed to leave without any pomp and fuss. Courtesy of Strike Commander Amari – and her pockets – a farewell was held within headquarters, where all agents were invited to celebrate not just Ana Amari's illustrious – though troubled – career, but also that of her wife, who'd nobly pledged her services in a time of need. They'd exchanged glances during Fareeha's speech – their daughter had dipped her tongue in silver for the occasion – and though they'd have preferred a less...grand send-off, it did relieve them of having to deliver a speech themselves. Not that their friends didn't try to wring one out of them – but a stomp on Jesse's boot, a filled mug to Reinhardt's mouth, and a tactful squint at Hana put an end to any further attempts.
On the day of their flight to Cairo, they were escorted by a guard of honour – friends with whom they'd worked and bled for the past few years. Friends who grabbed them in such a tight group hug that Kamilah had to yell them down, before the retirees were suffocated by their combined warmth. To Fareeha and Angela, they planned to reunite in Cairo. To Jack and Gabriel, they gave a stern warning to play nice with each other. For Reinhardt and Jesse, they had to smack the men's noses to elicit grins, before their watery eyes shed actual tears. With Torbjorn and Brigitte, they exchanged promises to visit each other's families. From Hana, they received a promise of regular visits and a strong hug from her deceptively lithe frame. And to all their friends, they thanked for the unconditional love and support through trying times, for being a home away from home, and for enough stress to last them both for ten lifetimes.
"And with that..." Ana punctuated her parting words with an elegant bow amid the happy chuckles, then lifted her head with dramatic pause. "Screw you all."
A wicked grin unfurled across her face as the farewell party erupted in a boom of jeers and laughs, turning many heads in the departure hall. Ana quickly grabbed Kamilah and made their escape, cackling all the way, satisfied that they would leave without tears in their wake.
There was no need for that. They were family, after all, and would always find a way to see one another again. Ana and Kamilah already had plans to visit Zurich for their own holidays, in addition to visiting their daughters at HQ.
"I still can't believe you didn't even bother telling us you were alive."
"Well, to be fair… You people have mouths that never shut up," Ana drawled, snorting when a ball of crushed tissue paper arced through the air and landed on her face.
"Of course we wouldn't shut up!" Layla barked at her. "You had a bounty on your head that could buy us all a villa. Each."
"You were going to sell me out?" Ana gasped in mock hurt.
"Uh, yeah? You let us pretend you were dead, asshole."
"Then she ran off to be a hero again, and now we have to kiss her ass instead of kicking it." Hakim smirked, leaning against the balcony railing with arms crossed. "Well played."
"Technically," Adofo piped up from where he sat on the floor, beside Kamilah's chair. "We can still kick her ass if we want to."
"Milah? Do you mind?" Mesi asked with a sweet smile. "I'm still quite pissed that I had to learn she's alive through news reports."
Ana scoffed. "Like you could–"
Kamilah mirrored Mesi's smile. "Of course not. Please kick her as hard as you can."
"Whoa, wait–!" Ana curled up into a tight ball on her chair, hands flung out when the entire squad rose to their feet – apparently intent on seeking justice in their first reunion with her. "What the fuck?"
"Present your ass for the kicking, Ana," Khalid intoned, his dramatically-imperious tone given more weight by his respectable beard.
Adofo's eyes flickered from blue to red. "Resistance is futile."
"Whoa, what is going on here?"
Their heads turned in unison to the balcony doors, where Zahra and Safiya stood with paper bags in their hands.
"We're about to kick Ana's ass," Khalid supplied helpfully.
"Were you going to start without me?" Safiya asked incredulously, setting her bag beside the empty dinner plates on the table.
"The ass-kicking can wait." Zahra took brown food cartons from the bags and opened the lids, allowing a syrupy-sweet aroma to waft across the balcony. "Better tuck into dessert while it's warm."
"You're the best, Zah," Ana sighed, relieved to be free of the spotlight.
"I am," Zahra concurred. She pulled a piece of paper from her purse and unfolded it, handing it to Adofo. "Here. Since you can't eat, we got you a .jpeg you can savour."
"Ooh! Thank you." Adofo took the print-out of a delicious serving of kunafe, and laid it flat across his face. Lights flickered across his faceplate, visible through the paper. "Delicious."
"Goof," Ana laughed, accepting a plate of harisa and cookies from Kamilah. "Oh, I can't remember the last time I had these."
"Before you ran back to Overwatch?" Khalid snipped.
"Stop being salty for one minute." Ana rolled her eye, though a smile betrayed her mask of annoyance. She took a bite of harisa, and slumped back in her chair in bliss. "Oh, this is so good. I missed home."
"So what are you going to do now? Without hero stuff to keep you occupied?" Mesi asked.
"I dunno. Sit on my ass all day, maybe. Stuff my mouth with food." Ana shoved a cookie into her mouth as she spoke, and realised that she...had no plans whatsoever. That's right – nothing for her to keep an eye on, to worry about, to plan for. Nothing clawing for her attention. It was just her, the rest of her life, and…
She glanced at Kamilah, catching her wife's eye over the rim of a teacup. "What do retirees do? Join a book club? Have tea parties? Bitch about aching joints?"
"Well, we babysit our grandkids together." Mesi shrugged. "That's enough exercise to keep us fit, I guess."
"I joined a knitting club." Khalid grinned. "My wife loves the scarves I make for her."
"Honestly, I just want to do nothing for a good long time." Kamilah sighed, rolling her shoulders. "I think Overwatch shaved off ten years from my life. I need to recoup my losses."
Ana chuckled, reaching over to clasp her wife's hand. "How about travel? We always said we wanted to, but never had the time."
Kamilah cocked a brow. "Hm."
"Or you could bake!" Layla said. "I missed those cupcakes you two made back then."
"I second that." Adofo nodded, despite not having grown the ability to eat with his omnic body.
"That does it, then. Traveling, and baking for these morons."
"And kittens," Kamilah added, smiling back at Ana. "I want to adopt some."
"Of course, darling," Ana crooned, lifting her hand for a kiss on the knuckles. "As many kittens as you want."
"Kittens, huh?" Khalid raised a brow, eyes glinting with mirth. "Not gonna ask Fareeha for babies?"
They glanced at each other, breaking into matching smiles.
"She's only just gotten married," Kamilah said. "Give her some time."
"One year." Ana poured herself a cup of tea. "I'll give her one year, and they'll start talking about babies."
5 years later
The sun was mellow that afternoon, its bright, tropical rays tempered by a cover of soft clouds. It was the perfect weather for one to indulge in the beautiful beaches and sparkling waters of Hawaii, or stretch their legs on a sightseeing tour about the islands, or simply take a stroll through a marketplace to while away the hours. All of that, however, Ana Amari had already done in her previous visits to the islands, always in the company of her beloved wife, happy enough to share their golden years together.
So there she was, content to lay on a lounge chair beside the pool of their rented villa, with a shade over her eyes to fend off the sun's occasional glare, while she dozed the minutes away in blissful idleness. Nothing could tear her away from this, although...something certainly could distract her.
Ana frowned when she realised there was a featherlight weight resting on her upper lip, just below her nose. Lifting her shades, she squinted up to find Kamilah standing beside the chair, with a glass of juice in one hand, and a finger held under Ana's nose.
"What are you doing?"
"Just checking that you're still breathing."
"Please." Ana scoffed, taking the glass of pineapple juice from Kamilah. "You should be checking on yourself, you old crone."
Kamilah chuckled as she joined Ana in the chair, pecking her on the cheek. "Someone's cranky."
"You would be too, if you woke up to someone checking your breath." Nonetheless, she wore a smile as she caught Kamilah's lips in another kiss, before handing the glass back.
"I suppose." Kamilah sighed as she laid back, sipping her drink. "Fareeha just texted. They'll be here soon."
"They'd better be. I'm getting bored waiting around." Taking Kamilah's hand, she traced the gentle ridge of veins over her wife's skin.
"We could sit here together until they arrive. Then they can check both our breaths."
Ana laughed, slipping an arm around Kamilah's back. "You're ridiculous."
"Must be your influence."
"It definitely is."
She planted a kiss on her wife's temple, and they settled in together, waiting to be roused by the family – and the wait didn't take long. While they dozed, Ana's ears pricked at the click from the front door's lock, then the childish giggle that carried through the house brought a smile to her lips. Kamilah shifted, having heard their arrival as well, and had swung her legs down from the lounge chair when a little voice called out happily.
"Mimi!"
"Ade," Kamilah cooed, mimicking her granddaughter's joyful pitch as she knelt down, catching the girl who ran into her so enthusiastically, Ana would call it a collision. "Mimi missed you, little bird."
Adelah wore a toothy grin as Kamilah smoothed back the thick curls on her head, blue eyes alight with excitement. The girl bounced on her heels, clutching at Kamilah's sleeves, then bounced even harder when she noticed Ana drawing close.
"Nana! Nana!" She ran over and threw her hands up into the air, in much the same fashion as Fareeha did as a toddler. "Up!"
Taking the cue, Ana swooped down and lifted the girl from the ground, holding her easily over her head as Adelah giggled uncontrollably, waving her hands about.
"Careful, ami."
"I always am, habibti," Ana reassured Fareeha, who'd joined them in the lawn with Angela trailing behind, tapping away on a datapad. Judging by the frown on her daughter-in-law's face, it was probably work. "Nana has never dropped you before. Has she, Ade?"
"Never!"
"Please don't jinx it," Fareeha groaned, squeezing Kamilah in a hug before she shrugged off her leather jacket.
Ana bit down a laugh, and settled Adelah more comfortably in her arms. Bouncing the girl to get her attention, Ana said, "Did you have fun on the plane, sweetheart?"
"Yeah! I watched a lot of movies," Adelah said, slipping over a few syllables as her words fell out in an eager rush.
"Really?"
"And she ate a lot of snacks," Angela supplied, an amused curve on her lips as she tucked the datapad into her purse. "Stole nearly everything from Fareeha's bag."
"Is that right, Ade? You're a little snack monster, aren't you?"
"I am Snack Monster! And I want more!" Adelah did her best imitation of a 'Snack Monster's roar, just as nana had taught her.
"Uh oh," Fareeha mouthed, knowing well what was coming.
"Oh? What do you want, then?"
"Ice cream!" Adelah announced, legs flailing.
"Ami," Fareeha warned quietly.
Ana shot her daughter a sweet, grandmotherly smile. "Come now, habibti. You wouldn't stop your mother from pampering her granddaughter, would you?"
"Of course she won't," Kamilah joined in smoothly, after a pleading glance from both Fareeha and Angela. "Let's go for a walk in the markets first, hm? Snacks can come later."
"Oh, alright. How about it, Ade? We'll run around a little bit, and then get you ice cream."
"Yay!"
"We'll meet you at the door, then." Fareeha waved a hand as she strode back into the villa, where they'd left the luggages by the glass doors. "And no sneaking more candy in the meantime!" She called over her shoulder.
"Party-pooper." Ana pouted at Adelah, who pouted back at her, tickled and unbothered by her mother's warning. "How was Overwatch, Ade? Did you have fun there?"
"Yeah!" Adelah nodded vigorously, as they circled around the house, following a stone path through the grass. "Uncle Jesse gave me a carrot toy. Hana let me sit in her MEKA!"
"Did she fly it while you were inside?" Kamilah asked, though they already knew the answer, when Adelah broke into giggles which she tried to stifle behind her hands.
"No."
"Did Hana tell you to say that?"
"Yeah," Adelah replied innocently, having not grasped that honesty with her grandmothers and her ploy with Hana were of conflicting interests.
"I'm going to have a talk with that girl," Kamilah sighed.
"Come now, Milah. They were just having fun."
"Hana is not teaching my granddaughter to lie to me, thank you." Kamilah raised a brow, keeping her voice low even though Adelah wouldn't understand.
"Oh, she'll learn to do that on her own...eventually." Ana smirked when she received a pinch on her arm.
They reached the front porch, and Ana set the girl back on the ground. Adelah hopped and skipped over the grass and occasional stone tile with surprising agility, arms held out at her sides, making 'whoosh' noises as she went. Then she stopped mid-flight when something caught her eye, and crouched by a plot of flowers, curious fingers touching the vibrant petals of a bird of paradise.
Ana gazed down at the girl, heart soft. Though driven by curiosity, Adelah was remarkably less rambunctious than Fareeha had been as a child, and displayed a tendency to listen carefully before she did something. Sure, she was still taken by frequent flights of fancy – often when encouraged by those around her – but she seemed to have inherited much of Angela's thoughtfulness, to balance out Fareeha's stubborn edge. A wonderful mix between her parents, and Ana couldn't help but wonder what sort of person she'd grow up to be. Would she be a typical Amari child, strong and resolute to a fault, or would she break the mould and flourish into something new?
Such a delightful little mystery which came with her new purpose in life, and it made Ana all the more determined to be with Adelah as the child grew, every step of the way.
"You're zoning out again." Kamilah's arm hugging her waist drew Ana from her reverie. "Do I have to check your breath?"
Ana snorted, swatting down Kamilah's hand. "No. Just...thinking about the future, that's all."
"'The future'?" Kamilah said incredulously. "Ana, we're already in our twilight years. This is our future."
Ana barked a laugh. "I suppose so."
Fareeha and Angela emerged from the house, and Ana watched with a soft smile as Fareeha crouched low to let Adelah climb onto her shoulders, Angela keeping a steadying hand on the girl's back when Fareeha rose to her feet.
"To the market?" Fareeha asked, glancing at her parents for confirmation – and received a nod. "To the market, Captain Adelah!"
"Whoosh!"
Ana couldn't help but chuckle as Fareeha jogged through the gates with Adelah's hands in her own, Angela keeping pace behind with a close eye on the pair.
Following behind the young family, Ana slung her arm around Kamilah's shoulders. "Watching them really makes me miss the good old times," she sighed. "When I could still carry Fareeha in my arms… Chase after her in the playground… When our hairs were still black, and my wife didn't check if I'm still breathing." She bit down a cackle when Kamilah pinched her in the side.
"Did you forget what your career was?" Kamilah said incredulously. "I had to call you every other day just to make sure you were still breathing."
"Oh, fine. You can have that one." Ana pinched her wife's nose, then chuckled when her hand was smacked down. She gave Kamilah a gentle squeeze, gaze drifting back to Fareeha, who spun in a circle, eliciting giggles from Adelah.
"Would you do it again?" Ana looked at Kamilah. "Would you do it all again, together? Even knowing everything that's happened?"
Her heart grew a little frantic, beating a pulse she could feel in her chest, as Kamilah gazed back at her. The silence stretched, and Ana was on the verge of deflecting with a joke, when Kamilah broke into a soft smile.
"Of course I would. I couldn't do it with any other," Kamilah murmured, resting their heads together. "It's always been you, Ana. It has always, only been you."
A/N: And...we did it, peeps. Here we are, at the end of this fic, at the end of 4 years together. Love yall :heart:
Really though, thank you so much for all the reads and comments and art, it's all been so freakin amazing. You're all the reason this fic got to where it is. I just...idk how to word but thank you all so much again I just. Love you. So gaddamn much GAAAHHHH
Here's all the artz if yall wanna check it out: tagged/halcyon-ow-art
Gonna take a good long break from writing, so goodbye for now! May our fandoms/paths cross in future. In the meantime, take care and stay safe :heart: Love you lots.