White Diamond awoke when the bright light of morning infected the cave. Something twinkled near the left corner of her eye, so she turned and caught Coal's gem.
Her last memory played back: a knight with a war hammer. White swung her sword, but everything went black as her body grew cold.
She looked up at Coal's sleeping face. Her dark and wild hair obscured some of her features, which shifted as she breathed. Her gem sparkled in the morning light, and at certain angles, its facettes reflected a rainbow of colors and White Diamond narrowed her eyes.
Coal coughed and drew White's stare back to her face. The sound rumbled violently, but she didn't wake, despite her expression twisting with unspoken pain.
White sat up and shook the air with her armor's noise. Its separate pieces clinked against one another, but the cacophony still didn't cause Coal to wake. White then regarded her perfect leg, and steadily released all of her breath. Her flesh remembered the rip—that terrible sensation that afflicted her from her toes to her forehead as if she were actually torn apart. Now there was only the cool air through her damaged armor.
She leaned over to clear some of the hair from Coal's face, and when her gloved hands came close enough, those deep black eyes popped open.
In the light, White made out her squared pupils, darker than the midnight of her irises.
"I didn't mean to wake you."
Somehow Coal held her composure. "I was worried you wouldn't wake up. When I found you, you had lost so much blood."
White's gloved hand touched her cheek. "You're a Diamond, aren't you?"
Coal merely looked her in the face.
"You fixed my gem and managed to reseal that wound entirely. I'm sure I had died, but somehow, you brought me back. None of the healers in my court can come close, and you're telling me that a Coal, of all gems, is capable of such a thing?"
"You didn't die…"
"So, are you denying it?"
Coal couldn't answer, opting to look away as a singular bead of sweat rolled along her face.
White continued, "I was suspicious of you from the start. There were rumors of a Diamond that ran away from her kingdom, but no one knew where she went. I suppose 'homeless wanderer' is about as good a cover as any. Though, I'm terribly curious; why would you choose this life?"
Black Diamond sighed and swallowed to clear her throat. "I'm at peace living this way. I couldn't stand all the pomp and was happier in the forest, helping others when I could, leading a simple life."
White digested her answer, and said, "Come back with me." She paused before continuing. "There doesn't have to be any pomp, but I want to repay you for saving my life. I'll give you whatever you like and you can bring that one too—" Pearl squeaked upon receiving White's stare.
"Didn't you hear what I said?" Black's lips bent. "I'm happiest living here."
White scowled, but partially. "Do you have any idea how long I've wanted to meet you? I've spent so many nights thinking about the Diamond that could be out there, wondering if I was delusional for believing that I might not be the only one. I kept telling myself that there had to be another. It didn't make sense for only one Diamond to exist, and now that we've finally found each other, you want to continue living outside like a damned animal. Why? I'm prepared to give you everything you've ever desired and you would forsake that to sleep on the ground and bathe in the river? I'm insulted."
"I don't mean to insult you. I'm sure your palace is beautiful and has all the world's fineries, but I like sleeping on the ground and bathing in the river. I don't expect that you'll understand, but I'm happy this way. It's simple."
White sighed as they looked at one another. Several seconds passed before Black continued. "Listen, if you want to repay me, why don't you visit me sometimes? We seem to have a knack for running into one another. Whenever you're feeling lonely, you can track me down, and we can be Diamonds together, privately. With time, perhaps I can show you the beauty of bathing in a river or lying on the ground, and you can forget about being the only one."
"Black Diamond," White began and spoke simply, "I want you to come back with me."
"I'm sorry, but I won't."
White's eyes burned silver and the healer's heart caught fire.
"Let me repay you somehow."
Black rolled her lips into a hard line. "How about a lock of your hair?"
"My hair? Are you going to curse me?"
"Heavens, no! If I wanted to curse you, I could clap my hands together like this and whisper—"
"Black Diamond, please. I just survived having my gem cracked and my leg ripped open. I don't need any more bad luck." She held up her hands. "You can have a lock of my hair, but I want to know what you'll use it for."
"Nothing." Her cheeks grew as dark as the night sky, but those wells of ink didn't look away. "It would be far too special to use for anything. I would simply admire it."
"In that case, I want a lock of your hair as well."
"You won't curse me either, will you?" Black winked.
"I haven't any idea how. Even if I tried, I'm sure you would find out and curse me three times as severely."
"I think I would manage to forgive you."
The empress and the wanderer shared a quiet gaze before White turned to Pearl. "Well, are you going to get the scissors? You've been listening to us this entire time."
"Oh stars—" The servant nearly wept. "Yes, Madame—"
Pearl handed the scissors to White and returned to her place in the corner, watching as the two Diamonds traded locks.
"Which piece do you want?"
"I can have any of them?"
"Any at all."
Black pinched the lowest strand at the base of her neck. "I'd like this one, please."
White surrendered the scissors, and Black cut gently until those silver hairs laid flat in her hand. White did the same and took one of Black's points, stowing it away inside her armor.
After lingering in the cave a moment, both finally walked outside to find Luna chirping. The dragon chatted with noises she made in her throat as she yipped and flapped her wings. All of her attention went to White.
"Calm down, you lizard." White set her hands upon either side of Luna's face and touched their foreheads together. "Did you really think I was done for?"
Luna squeaked, and with one hand on the dragon's chin, White turned to Black. "Are you sure you don't want to come with me?"
"I'm sure. Thank you."
"Suit yourself." She climbed up on Luna's back and took the reins. "I suppose I'll see you around."
"Certainly."
They made eye contact before White took off. Luna caused a storm as she kicked up dirt and created wind. Black Diamond took Pearl's hand.
"How do you feel about her knowing?"
"I'm not sure." Black tucked a little hair behind her ear. "She seems happy to have found me. I just hope she'll be satisfied with meeting in the woods."
Pearl didn't say anything, but held her mistress's hand tightly.