A/N: AaaaaaaaaAAAAAAAA I'm so glad I finally get to post this. This is my piece for the Rare Delights zine, a zine where focus was put on rarepairs in luxurious situations! I'd always wanted to work on a shipping zine, and one that gives unique pairs the spotlight sounded perfect. And of course... it gave me the perfect excuse to make something for my own favorite rarepair.

I wasn't sure if I should put this in my Himiko/Mahiru fic collection or not, but I decided to post this on its own since I want it to stand out! I put a lot of heart into it, trying to show why the pair worked and as well as how cute it could be. Will I convert anyone? I don't know, but all I can say is... I'm satisfied. And I hope you all can at least enjoy the story!

All good things must come to an end. That included tropical trips with your girlfriend.

When they'd first started dating, Mahiru could barely get Himiko out of the house, let alone out on vacation. Heck, even now the mage still preferred a comfy night at home to a night on the town. Yet here they were, sharing a rented beach house on the tail-end of a couple of lovely weeks spent somewhere in the Bahamas.

When they'd first started dating during their time in Hope's Peak, something this fancy was only a far-off dream. Would they mesh? Would they last? Would they ever manage to get Himiko off her lazy butt? But as they'd studied together, grew closer, eventually graduated and moved in together, they'd turned out to be pretty good influences on each other. Mahiru's stern but caring guidance helped her girlfriend learn to express herself better, encouraged her to pick up healthier habits and bolster her ener-... mana. In exchange, Himiko showed her how to relax a little, to view the world through a lens that wasn't her camera's and to see just how magical everything could be with a little imagination.

They were still going strong. Stronger than ever, even. And they'd celebrated with an unforgettable expedition.

It'd been paradise.

On top of the local cuisine and activities, there were plenty of beautiful tropical vistas around... and Mahiru made sure to capture as many as she could on film. Some habits died hard, especially since she made a living off her photography now. They'd have plenty of pictures to look back fondly on later if it killed her.

Time on the beach, shopping from local merchants, riding across crystal clear waves on a boat, and some of the most delicious food they'd ever had. Even without Mahiru's help, it was an unforgettable trip.

But they were going home tomorrow. They had lives to get back to, and a cat that must be driving its sitter crazy by now.

On the night of the final day, Mahiru reclined in one of the chairs in their bedroom, scrolling through the photos in her digital camera. It was conflicting, not wanting to leave, yet at the same time being excited to get home and develop these. She'd always preferred tangible photos to data... it made them feel more real, more permanent. And she definitely wanted to keep the memories they'd made on the trip forever, in a scrapbook.

Behind her, she heard the door click open, knowing full well who it was. She smiled to herself, feigning ignorance up until she felt a slim pair of arms drape around her shoulders. "What're you doing?" Himiko asked, savoring the rare occasion to feel tall by resting her chin atop Mahiru's head while she sat.

"Reminiscing." Mahiru lifted the camera up to show her the screen. "We definitely need to pin a few of these up back home."

Himiko hummed her agreement, reaching out to swipe her finger across the screen. "This one was fun," she said, landing on a picture of the two making friends with an inquisitive turtle. "Perfect pictures, as always."

"Thanks." Mahiru never got tired of Himiko praising her work. Still, she sighed, knowing that these rare moments ended here. "It's a shame we need to head back already."

Even with Himiko's renewed pep, she was still far from the most energetic person. It was usually up to Mahiru to plan their escapades, which is why it came as a surprise when she murmured one last suggestion in her ear.

"Well... we're still here until tomorrow, aren't we?" Himiko pointed out. "We could head down to the beach one more time. Have one last swim before we gotta leave."

"This late?"

"Why not? It's only a short walk away. I could even teleport us there."

Mahiru smirked, long used to her girlfriend's sorcerous claims by now. "Conserve your mana. Go on ahead without me, I'll join you after I change."

"Nyeh... that's okay. Take your time. I'll be there when you're ready. Meet me at that special spot we found a couple days ago." Planting a kiss on her cheek, Himiko let go and jogged out of the room.

Not just making the plans, but running off ahead without her? ...Heck, running, period? Her girlfriend was acting weird.

Now that she thought of it, Himiko wasn't fond of the ocean, either. She typically didn't wade out too far into the water when they visited the beach. And now she was suggesting a swim? Something was up.

Her curiosity peaked, Mahiru changed into her favorite blue polka dot bikini, packed a few things into her camera case, and set off after her a few moments later.

Mahiru made her way along the path to the shore, the waves gently lapping at the sands under the moonlight. She traced the route along the beach they'd charted in their minds earlier, the one leading up to a scenic and secluded cove farther up the coast.

A nice private place for the two to spend their beach time, and for Mahiru to snag some particularly dazzling photos. As promised, Himiko was waiting for her at the water's edge, having already laid out a towel for them.

Something was off, though. Himiko had changed, too, but into more than just a swimsuit.

The girl had thrown her mage's hat on, a dark cape wrapped around her brown swimsuit. Her usual accessories for when she put on performances. Wondering just what she was up to, Mahiru approached. "What's with the get-up?" she called to her.

Himiko glanced her way, waving warmly. "Ah... the guest of honor is here. I conjured a seat for you~."

She gestured to the towel and Mahiru chuckled, playing along and sitting down. "What's this about?" she asked, looking up at her.

In response, Himiko opened her cape, throwing out her arms. Nothing up her sleeves... because she didn't have any. "A private magic show, just for you. I figured it'd be a nice way to end the trip, right?"

A twinkle gleamed in Mahiru's eye. She'd been to many of her girlfriend's performances, and Himiko wasn't shy about pulling off random tricks in their day-to-day life. But a special display, just for her, in such a beautiful place? A nice way to end the trip, indeed.

"I'm honored," she replied truthfully, bringing her knees up to her chest. "So what've you got for me?"

Himiko grinned, turning to the ocean. "If I had the energy right now, I'd part the waves for you." Suddenly, she swished around, a bouquet of tropical hibiscuses in hand. "Nyeh... I guess you'll have to settle for these."

Mahiru gasped. Where had they come from? They'd been dating for years and she still couldn't get Himiko to disclose her magical secrets... the one hidden thing between them. It left her boggled more often than not, but it made moments like this all the more magical. "How'd you do that?" she asked, accepting them with a grateful grin.

"You know I can't tell you," Himiko replied. "But there's more where that came from. For my next spell..."

The show continued, and Himiko didn't hold back. She used every trick in her repertoire, from filling the sky with fireworks to summoning seashells and seagulls from her hat. Even more mundane things, like card tricks, which still impressed and amazed Mahiru every time she bamboozled her girlfriend or predicted the impossible. Himiko got a laugh out of her when she tore a King of Spades to shreds... yet somehow brought it back, but with a fish head.

Mahiru's applause echoed across the cove again and again, her flowers seated on the towel beside her. She wasn't sure how much time passed - minutes, hours? It was hard to keep track when every moment was full of wonder.

At last, though, it was time for the finale. "And for my final act... something tried and true." She stepped closer, once more showing off her bare arms with a flick of the wrist. "I think there's something behind your ear."

Mahiru giggled. A rather simple trick to close things out, but knowing her girlfriend's talent, she'd find a way to make it amazing. "Oh? What is it?"

Himiko knelt down before her, letting her hand glide across her cheek before reaching behind Mahiru's head. "Onnnne second..." She made a show of taking her time, fumbling around behind her, even scrunching up her face in concentration. Eventually, she finally reeled her hand back with something clutched inside. "This."

Mahiru hadn't been wrong. Himiko had definitely, absolutely made it amazing.

It was a little clam, nothing too special... until she opened it up to show the treasure within. A pearl ring, shining in the shell, so small and yet truly her most powerful spell yet.

It was at that moment Mahiru realized Himiko had knelt down for the trick, and was still kneeling.

The implication hit, and it hit hard. Mahiru pressed a hand to her mouth, pointing down at the engagement band. "Is this...?"

Himiko nodded, a hopeful look on her face. "It's my job to use my magic to make people smile... but yours is my favorite one. I wanna see it every day." She bowed her head a bit, shyly peering from under the brim of her hat. "So... if you'd let me... I want the chance to find ways to make you smile for the rest of your life."

Mahiru stared in stunned silence. But when she finally broke it, it wasn't the response Himiko had hoped for.

She laughed. Loud and hard.

The mage instantly deflated, her bravado evaporating. "Oh..."

"No, no, no! Don't you dare misinterpret me!" Mahiru's giggles died down as she wiped her eye. "It's just... well... one second."

She reached into her camera carrying case, digging for something she'd stashed away in it just before she'd left the bungalow. She held it up for Himiko to see... revealing a ring of her own. She'd been beaten to the punch.

When it clicked, Himiko was laughing too. "Did we just...?"

"Yeah." Mahiru blushed, tucking some hair behind her ear. "Though my proposal wouldn't have been nearly as flashy. I'm kind of glad you did it first..."

"It would've been perfect," Himiko assured her. And she was telling the truth.

The two sat in silence a moment, the only sound being the gentle caw of seabirds urging them on. "So... does this mean...?" Himiko pried.

"Yeah." Mahiru gave her the warmest, most sincere smile of her life. "I'll marry you. And I think it's safe to assume you'll accept my ring, too..."

"Without a doubt!" Himiko took a mental snapshot of Mahiru's grin. She'd cherish that image forever. Wordlessly, she plucked her own band from its clammy confines and held it out.

Mahiru let her slide it onto her finger, and returned the favor a second later. But rather than just slip it on and be done with it, she held onto her hand, pulling her in. The two shared one more loving smile and a knowing glance before their lips met, starting the new chapter of their lives with a kiss.

As it turned out, some good things COULD last forever.

Ahhhh... cute. Admittedly I joined the zine not knowing there was a luxurious focus, so I had to look through my prompt list and try to figure it out. I think it worked well in the end, since I ended up merging 'Himiko and Mahiru go on vacation' and 'marriage proposal' into one of my favorite fics! If anyone got this far, thank you for reading — and if you like the pair now too, by all means, let me know I've converted someone :P