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Ace stepped carefully over the great rocks, holding up the hem of her skirts. The path down to the beach was a slow one if she wished not to trip, and that was of the essence. She quickened her pace once she reached the beach, reaching the end and beginning to make her way over the rocks, into the cave hidden from view of the beach or hills. She settled on her knees by the edge of the water within, setting down her basket.
“Shou Yuing?”
An eruption of water answered her as Shou Yuing pulled herself out of the pool and into the air, long hair stuck slick to her back. Ace reached out to catch hold of her face, to keep herself steady as she leant in, pressing their lips together for a long, lovely moment.
“It is good to see thee,” she murmured. Shou Yuing sighed in agreement, but was the one to pull back, peering with curiosity at the basket.
“What hast thou brought?”
“Food,” answered Ace, leaning back to open it and show her. “And too a blanket and cushions, so we might be comfortable should thou choose to come upon land.”
“Then, pray, lay it down so I might come out and join thee.”
Ace obeyed, offering out a hand to Shou Yuing, who accepted her help in leaving the water, curling up against her as Ace unpacked all but one thing from the bag. They ate their feast together, Shou Yuing leaning contentedly against Ace, and talked endlessly about light and trivial matters - yet, from Shou Yuing’s mouth, they seemed the most interesting things in all the world. Still, she fidgeted, thoughts of the treasure in her basket.
“My dear,” said Shou Yuing. “Thou seemest as though thou art… unwell.”
“Forgive me,” responded Ace. “I have been keeping a secret from thee.” She reached for her basket, taking out the final object, and offered it to Shou Yuing, who turned over the embroidered fabric wrapped around it in wonder.
“‘tis beautiful,” she said. “Is it thy hand that did make it?”
“‘tis messy,” answered Ace, with a slight flush, “but indeed. Unwrap it, pray.”
“I shall.” Shou Yuing unwrapped it slowly, and drew out the comb within. She gazed at it, then turned to Ace, her eyes wide. “Ivory.”
“Indeed.”
“Thou wast told of such a comb’s meaning.”
Ace studied her expression with a pounding heart. “Indeed.”
“That ‘tis marriage for us.”
“Hush; I know. Tell me thine answer.”
“That I do accept.” Shou Yuing passed it back to her. “Thou knowest, I trust, how marriage is conducted.”
“I do.” Ace beckoned for Shou Yuing to lie down, and curl into her arms, and when she had done so, she began to brush the comb through her hair. Surely no magic happened at such a simple thing - but she felt, for a moment, warm, with Shou Yuing’s heart beating against hers, that it might have.
“I love thee,” she murmured.
“As do I.”