Liana was an expert on beauty. She'd been since she was young, constantly surrounded by beautiful music and delicate flowers, and the heartwarming love shared by her parents before they passed. And yet, she believed Alexa was the most beautiful creature on the entire planet, inside and out. She was clever, sweet, and gentle, her shyness hid this from the rest of the world, it was reserved only for Liana.
To Liana, Alexa was beautiful at all times. She was beautiful when she awoke in the morning and gave Liana her first smile of the day, radiant while she worked hard in their shared garden, heavenly when she sang with and to her, and breathtaking in the candlelight before it was blown out for the night.
Alexa was a believer in magic, and there was no greater wielder of magic than Liana. When they first met with Liana's blonde hair like spun gold and her eyes like sapphires that glittered everytime she grew excited, Alexa honestly wondered if she was some angel or fairy that had taken on human form.
To Alexa, Liana was enchanting in every way. Her smile, her laugh, her ability to face anything, Alexa couldn't put it into words even if she tried. She made Alexa feel safe just being around her. Given her general anxieties, this was an extraordinary talent. Everything about Liana seemed too good to be true and yet, here she was, unafraid to get her hands dirty if it meant supporting her.
Near their cottage, Liana wiped the sweat off her brow for what felt like the hundredth time that day. She had finally finished pulling up the weeds that'd invaded after a particularly rainy week. She wiped her hands together with a satisfied smile before looking back to her lover. She giggled, seeing the other woman's face go red. "Hey! You're going to drown the flowers!"
"Huh? Oh." Alexa lifted the watering can, fumbling with it slightly. She shook her head as if Liana was the one at fault. "I wouldn't be if you weren't distracting me!"
Liana smirked, getting up and wiping some dirt off Alexa's face. "Distracting you? How so?"
"Liana, stop it!" The woman laughed, gently shoving her friend away. "Seriously though, the sun's beginning to set. We ought to finish up for the day."
Seeing the sun was indeed setting behind the cottage, Liana nodded. She began to sing, knowing their work always went faster with a song. "So rare to find a friend like you…"
"Somehow when you're around, the sky is always blue." Alexa smiled back at her.
"The way we talk, the things you say, the way you make it all okay. And how you know all of my jokes, but you laugh anyway…" They crossed each other, brushing fingertips before starting to pick the best-looking blooms of the day. "If I could wish for one thing, I'd take the smile that you bring, wherever you go in this world I'll come along!"
"Together we dream the same dream! Forever I'm here for you, you're here for me. Oh whoa, two voices, one song…" They finished.
"I really like that!" Liana smiled, putting down her battered guitar. "I say it's one of our best yet, up there with Connected."
Alexa nodded. Liana was the music writer while Alexa worked on the lyrics. With their talents combined, they created the most beautiful songs. "It feels… magical somehow."
Liana gave a snort as she stood up, shaking her head at the woman as she walked over to the plates from dinner. "Everything sounds magical to you, Alexa."
"That's because I believe in magic. And wishes." Alexa reminded her smugly as if she knew a secret the other didn't.
"And dreams that come true?" Liana smiled, eyes sparkling as she looked back at her.
"Always dreams that come true."
"Good! Then it's your night to do the dishes!"
Alexa stood up at once, pretending to be flabbergasted even though she already knew. "What?"
"My dream come true." Liana shrugged cheekily.
The dark-haired girl rose slowly, giving an uncharacteristic smirk as she walked over to her friend. "You know, Liana, I also believe in witches…"
Liana felt her heart speed up. Alexa rarely showed her mischievous side but when it did appear, she was helpless against it.
"Evil witches…" Alexa wrapped her arms around her before suddenly dipping her, getting Liana off guard. "who smother unsuspecting girls with soapy dishcloths!"
Liana gave a shriek, ducking away from the cloth Alexa had snatched from the sink. There was little room to run in their one floor cottage, so Alexa quickly caught up to her, smothering her face.
"You fiend!" The girl pretended to faint onto their bed, shutting her eyes as if she couldn't bear to look at her.
Alexa leaned over her with a smile. "The curse has worked just as intended! Now only true love's kiss will awaken you!"
"Perfect!" Liana smirked before wrapping her arms around Alexa, pulling her onto the bed. She pressed her lips to Alexa's for a moment or two before they leaned their heads together to the point their noses were touching. They laughed.
"Looks like we have bread and jam…" Liana glanced around the cabinet as if there was a bounty of ingredients just waiting for them to cook. "Or jam and bread!"
Alexa gave a small laugh at her ability to make light of any situation, including the fact they'd be out in a few days. She peeked in their coin purse, wondering if they had enough to get Liana's favorite raspberry jam at the market today. They didn't, of course, unless they sold every flower they had in the village. That had never happened.
Liana noticed her lover looked downcast and waved a sandwich in front of her. "What's wrong? Is the sandwich not to the lady's liking?"
"I wish we had more."
Liana nodded sadly. They certainly needed more. More everything. The one thing they were abundant in was their love, but that couldn't put food in their stomachs or money in their purse. And she knew it was a sensitive point for Alexa, who'd always loved the grander things in life. She wished she could provide them for her.
"If we did, we'd never have to worry about anything, ever again…"
"Except how insufferable we'd be." Liana smirked, putting the sandwich in Alexa's basket and handing it to her. "Butler, I have far too many dresses to wear, it's horrible!"
"How dare those princes invite me to 5 different balls on the same night! I can't possibly go to all of them!"
Liana laughed hard despite feeling a bit breathless after pushing the flower cart for so long. She gave a cough at the strain.
"Hey, hey, my turn. Let me give those muscles a break." Alexa demanded, gently pulling her away and taking her place.
"No-!" Liana tried to insist, trying to nudge her away .
"Uh-uh." Alexa grunted, standing firm. Even though she wasn't the stronger of the two and Liana liked playing the strong hero of the two, Alexa would never let her strain herself.
Liana crossed her arms and pouted slightly before trudging on, knowing she wouldn't get past her. The frown faded though when she noticed an old woman passing them.
She wore a baggy gray cloak but even thorough that, the girls could see her body was nothing but skin and bones, her eyes deep and sunken.
"She looks…"
"Starving." Alexa agreed softly, knowing the signs just as well as she did.
Reminded of the way Alexa had looked when they met, starving and alone, Liana couldn't help but take pity on the woman. She trotted up to her then, offering her sandwich. "Excuse me, madam?"
The woman looked up in surprise, looking between the girl and the sandwich.
"May I share this with you?"
Liana could practically hear the woman's stomach growl at the offer but she still shook her head, trying to be polite. "It's your lunch…"
"I'm… not hungry." Liana fibbed, knowing the woman needed it far more than her.
Alexa smiled softly, loving how bold Liana was compared to her. She'd been too shy to do anything but shuffle away.
"Well, thank you." The old woman said, taking it gingerly. She suddenly heaved the heavy pack off her shoulder before opening it up. "Please, take one of my treasures."
Liana looked at the 'treasures' to see most of it was junk covered in grime, hardly any of it was usable. Even if she wanted to, she couldn't take something the woman could sell to make some money. "I… I couldn't."
"You don't want to make her upset.." Alexa whispered in her ear.
Liana noticed then that the woman did seem rather disappointed she wouldn't be able to repay her in any way. It was just one thing. "Uh, how about…"
Her hand drifted over the items until it touched the curved handle of something. The moment her hand grazed it, Liana could feel a strong warmth that filled her from head to toe. It almost felt alive. "How about this?"
She pulled the item out to see it was a heart-shaped mirror decorated with jeweled flowers. The girl felt a strange shiver go up her spine as she and Alexa peered into the glass. She couldn't tell if it was from her or the mirror itself.
"There you go then." The woman smiled. "A nice present for a nice girl."
"Thank you."
"Flowers for a special someone!" Liana called, offering a rose to a passing man. "We have bouquets for cheap, only-"
The man ignored her, brushing the rose away.
"Oh, uh, sorry for bothering you." Liana blushed, taking the rose back.
Alexa frowned from her spot behind the wagon. How could anyone ignore someone as lovely as Liana? If only they'd see how kind and generous she was with just a glance.
A few more people passed the stand, some stopping for a moment or two but eventually moving on.
"Such a lovely lady giving roses? That hardly seems right." A young man suddenly said, taking the rose from Liana's hand..
Liana nodded eagerly. "Actually, you can get a whole bouquet at our wagon!"
"Please, lead the way." The man smiled, linking arms with her.
Alexa could feel her cheeks flush at seeing the way he looked at Liana. She knew this kind of customer all too well.
"Are you buying for your partner? Or maybe a friend?" Liana asked friendly, wanting to give him the benefit of the doubt despite also knowing this gaze.
"No, no. I was thinking of buying one for the beautiful seller." He winked.
"O-Oh…" Liana felt her smile tighten, fighting to stay on. He was either thinking of her or Alexa, and neither sat right with her. She wanted to pull away but felt his grip on her tighten.
"Just let me get you one." The man insisted. Liana wondered if he thought this was charming…
She glanced over to see Alexa glaring at the man like he was some snake that managed to sneak into the garden.
"One bouquet for the beautiful miss-"
"She doesn't need one. Not from you."
"Excuse me?"
Liana gave her a look, saying she was costing them money. "Alexa… stop…"
"She has plenty of flowers in our garden." Alexa insisted, raising her voice slightly. She rarely ever got like this, usually too shy to speak up about things that she didn't agree with. Unless they had to do with Liana.
Liana glanced around and noticed people were now looking at the scene, stopping and whispering.
"Their garden?"
"Why won't she just let him be a gentleman and buy the girl some flowers?"
"She's so upset, you'd almost think they were a couple!"
The looks of confusion turned to looks of disgust as the rumor circulated. She couldn't let Alexa see them.
"Alexa, we're done here." Liana grunted, taking the wagon and pushing it away from the village.
"What? But we-" Alexa was surprised but followed after her anyway. She glanced back to see the others and saw the way they were looking.
Alexa slumped down beside Liana, dipping her feet in the lake beside her.
It had been a silent and tense walk home, one neither of them had enjoyed.
"Hey, look…" Liana suddenly said, noticing something shining back at them through the water. Two heart-shaped stones. She carefully scooped them out and realized they were actually shaped pearls. Where had these come from? "Two perfect hearts. They look pretty magical, don't they?"
Alexa smiled weakly, but that was the only reaction she gave. Her mind was clearly far away as Liana gave her one.
It was a few moments later when Alexa asked, "Are you embarrassed… being seen with me?"
Liana's head snapped to Alexa, looking shocked she'd even think that. "What?! No! No, of course not! Why would you ever think that?"
"You packed up so fast at the market…" Alexa shrugged weakly.
Liana suddenly took her hand, holding it tightly before turning Alexa's face towards her. "I only did that because I couldn't stand how they were looking at us… and I didn't want you to see it too."
"We've kept it secret for so long, because nobody would buy from us if they knew..." Alexa whispered, tears coming to her eyes. "Now they do, how are we going to make it? Most of our profit comes from the market, all of it's gone!"
Liana wasn't sure herself. She knew her love was right, given how provincial and close-minded their village was they probably thought the sellers were witches by now. Witches or demons. They'd never buy from them. But she couldn't let that get to her. They'd always scraped by before, they'd do it again. "We'll get by… We always do. It doesn't really matter to me right now."
"How could it not?" Alexa sniffed, glancing at her.
"Because it seems you don't realize that no matter what the world thinks, I'm always going to be by your side. You make me complete. And I need you to know… I love you, today, tomorrow, and always."
After stating the vow, Liana dropped her pearl into Alexa's empty palm before closing her hand around it. It seemed to glow the moment she accepted it.
"It's like magic…" Alexa whispered, but she wasn't referring to the pearl. She looked down at her open hand. "the way you're able to brighten the entire world and change it to something I'm not as afraid of. Not when I'm with you. I love you, today, tomorrow, and always."
She dropped her gem into Liana's hand and made a fist around it. It glowed as well.
Just as the vow was finished, a rumble of thunder hit their ears, startling them. They turned to see the sky filling with dark clouds, lightning striking.
"The flowers…!" Alexa gasped as the wind picked up, wailing on their livelihood.
"There's not enough time to save them, we have to go!" Liana yelled over the wind as rain began to pour to the point it hurt. She grabbed her and Alexa's baskets, the mirror gave hers enough weight to stay grounded while the other was nearly blown away. She grabbed Alexa's arm, pulling her inside.
"Do you think it'll be over soon?" Alexa asked softly, peeking out from behind the curtains as the garden tried its best to weather the storm.
"Maybe, if you wish on something magical."
Alexa turned to see Liana holding a necklace made of twine and the pearl she'd given her. "Oh, Liana, it's beautiful!"
Liana gently tied it around her neck, making sure it wasn't too tight before giving Alexa a small hand mirror to look at it. "I love it. Where's yours?"
"The perfect match." Liana smiled, tying on hers. "Now come on, we should be getting to bed."
While Alexa read aloud from a worn-out book of short stories, Liana rested her head against her shoulder and began the long process of cleaning the gift she'd received from the old woman. They stayed like this til the candle flickered out, leaving them to fall asleep to the sound of the pouring rain.