Work Text:
Beatrice tried to suppress a fond smile when a familiar face appeared in the door of the smithy, even when it was currently turned away from her. She knew Dora and Shannon would tease her again if they saw her reaction. Not that they would not tease her now, but Beatrice had hope that it would be a little less. But even with that in mind, she couldn't stop the corners of her mouth from rising when she heard Ava's voice, her tone offended and a pout evident in it.
"…my fault. I just didn't see it, that's all."
Mary, who entered the smithy after Ava and currently had all of her attention (which was completely fine, of course, Beatrice didn't need Ava to look at her the second she came in here, she definitely didn't), scoffed.
"Of course. It's only a big shiny metal helmet, why would you make sure it's not lying in the mud right in front of you before your horse smashes it to smithereens?" Mary said, very sarcastically, which made Beatrice think that Ava should indeed have seen it, though she reserved judgment, as always when Ava came to her with something that had to be fixed or rightened. Which happened a lot. A lot more than with other knights in fact. So much that maybe, sometimes, in the small hours of the night, Beatrice dared getting her hopes up that this was not just Ava being exceptionally clumsy.
But she knew she shouldn't think like that. She was a blacksmith, Ava was one of the most promising young knights of the land. There was no way she would be interested in courting her. Was there? Shannon and Camila, the apothecary who had her practice next door to the smithy, seemed to think that the possibility was there. And with Shannon knowing Mary, one of Ava's closest friends and mentor, intimately, maybe there really was a chance.
But unfortunately, every time Beatrice thought that maybe Ava could be interested, that maybe she could try and be more direct about her own interest in Ava, her parents' cruel words echoed in her mind. That she would never be enough, that her 'afflictions' were unnatural and would lead to her staying alone forever. Beatrice knew they were wrong, had worked so much on building up her confidence after she had finally separated herself from them for good, but sometimes it was still hard to ignore them.
Shaking off those dark thoughts, Beatrice watched as Mary and Ava walked into the door, with someone else staying outside and only briefly waving at them before continuing towards the next building. This time, Beatrice's lips did curl up into a smirk. Lilith was Mary's and Ava's friend and fellow knight but she barely visited the smithy, keeping her armour and weapons in peak state always. Well, it wasn't like Mary didn't but she rarely let the opportunity of visiting Shannon slide, so more often than not she accompanied Ava on these visits.
Ava finally now looked away from Mary, still a little indignant, but clearly willing to let it go, only waving her hand in a dismissive way. Beatrice couldn't help but hold her breath for a second when Ava's eyes found hers. She wasn't sure if it was a trick of the light or a trick of her brain but Ava's eyes seemed to light up the second they fell on Beatrice. A big smile spread on Ava's face and she practically skipped the last few steps towards Beatrice.
"Hey, Bea, it's nice to see you," Ava said, a little breathlessly. Beatrice couldn't help but smile back at her softly, never able to resist Ava's charms. But after a moment of them just looking into each others' eyes, Mary cleared her throat and stepped forward, rolling her eyes and walking into the back, clearly hoping to see Shannon.
When she passed Ava she gave her a little bump with her shoulder and whispered something in her ear that made Ava turn red and lightly slap Mary's arm, her eyes wide in indignation. Mary just chuckled and gave Beatrice a wave in lieu of a greeting. Beatrice nodded at her but barely tore her attention away from Ava, still smiling at her softly.
Ava looked after Mary indignantly for a moment but then turned back to Beatrice, the smile again firmly on her face. Beatrice gestured towards the helmet Ava was nervously twiddling between her fingers, her smile growing wider.
"I gather you need some repairs on that," Beatrice said, superfluously, since the helmet very clearly had a deep gash right through the front. Ava nodded, looking a little remorseful but still smiling.
"Yes, Halo got a little enthusiastic and kicked it," Ava said, not seeming too unhappy about that. Beatrice got her hopes up once again that Ava was here for her more than just the repairs, but then Ava continued, "I don't need it back quickly, I have my training helmet. And I'll pay you extra cause you got so much work from me being so clumsy."
There went Beatrice's hope. She tried her best to keep a smile on her face, but taking the helmet from Ava, Beatrice couldn't suppress a slight frown. The gash was deep indeed and there were other places in which the metal and the chain mail part that covered the bottom of the helmet were bent. This would be a difficult repair, maybe even one that would be impossible, meaning Beatrice would have to make a brand new helmet.
Looking up into Ava's shining eyes, her grin having faded a little under Beatrice's scrutiny of the helmet, Beatrice couldn't help herself, she smiled again and nodded.
"I can repair it, don't worry. And you don't need to pay extra." Beatrice felt emboldened by Ava's brilliant smile. "You are my best customer after all."
Ava laughed and wiggled a little, which made Beatrice have to clear her throat because she distinctly felt something move in her stomach and was afraid she would swoon. Which was not something she did. Ever. Well, maybe when she was lying in her bed at night, dreaming of a knight showing interest in her, courting her. But those were silly dreams and just because that knight always wore Ava's face lately didn't mean anything.
Ava was only here so that Beatrice could repair her armour, that was it. Nothing else. Currently, Ava was wearing the light leather training armour, same as Mary and Lilith, which did come with a lighter helmet but the knights barely wore it. Beatrice was of course very familiar with the heavier chain mail armour that the knights would be wearing in battle having made it herself and repaired it several times.
After all, this smithy prided itself in both creating and maintaining the highest quality of armour. Shannon would never have employed Beatrice if she wasn't up for the task. As a former knight herself, who had been injured too severely in battle to continue to serve, Shannon had used the stipend she had gotten for her service to buy the smithy and had given both Dora and Beatrice the opportunity to not just work for her but eventually partner with her in owning the smithy.
Something that both of them had of course immediately accepted, neither having enough money to get the independence they were craving. Beatrice's parents were only minor nobility but wealthy enough. Except for Beatrice to partake in that wealth came with stipulations Beatrice was not willing to adhere to. Not anymore. Instead of keeping up trying to change herself to fit into their expectations, losing herself in the process, Beatrice had broken free and chosen to do what she wanted to do.
Which, incidentally, included being happy that a knight might show interest in her. Specifically, a knight like Ava. Who was now expressing how sorry she was about the helmet once more. Beatrice told her it was not necessary and said to expect it done in a week. Ava wiggled again and grinned widely. But instead of leaving, she lingered for a moment, leaning forward and just looking at Beatrice, as if she wanted to say something more. Beatrice's heart already jumped in her chest, but then Dora stepped out of the backroom into the smithy and Ava physically retreated, her face falling a little, her eyes showing slight panic.
"Well, then, thank you, I will be back for the helmet," Ava said, jovially, but a little breathlessly, even though that might have just been Beatrice's imagination.
Beatrice kept smiling and waved at Ava, who walked out of the smithy, turning around at the door and smiling at Beatrice one last time, making Beatrice feel that warmth inside her body again. Dora clearing her throat beside her snapped Beatrice out of it, though she was pretty sure a blush was spreading over her face. She refused to look at Dora and instead started to examine the helmet more thoroughly.
It didn't seem as impossible when she looked at it from up close. Even if a week was maybe a little too optimistic, Beatrice was willing to put in extra time to make sure she'd have it done in the promised time. Over the next few days, she stayed longer in the smithy than she normally would to finish the helmet, Shannon giving her knowing looks but thankfully not saying anything more than usual about Ava possibly having interest in Beatrice.
Camila on the other hand had a lot to say about how she was sure Ava was sweet on Beatrice and only needed a hint from Beatrice's side to officially start courting her. Which Beatrice of course dismissed with a blush, but secretly, she hoped it was true. Maybe she could send Ava a signal that she would not be opposed to her courting when she came to pick up her helmet? She wanted to, but she frankly did not know how, never having understood the intricacies of courting, especially not being courted by a knight.
She decided to not dwell on it, hoping that Camila's advice to just be herself and let Ava know bluntly that she liked her would work out. Not that Beatrice knew how to let Ava know, but she hoped she would know when the time came. For now, she tried to concentrate on her other work, not wanting to slip up, even when she got more and more nervous the closer the day of Ava picking up the helmet came. In the morning of that day, she was not sure whether she was more excited or more anxious.
In a way, it did not even make any sense, as it would certainly not be the last time Ava came to the smithy, so even if (or when) Beatrice missed her chance, there would be more. Or so she told herself, when she started working that morning. She had put the helmet with other finished pieces on one of the shelves, ready to take it down when Ava arrived. From the very morning the smithy was busy. On one hand, Beatrice appreciated it because it meant she had less time to think about Ava coming in later but on the other hand, she had to keep her wits about her and not become distracted if those thoughts came unbidden anyways, something that proved harder and harder the longer the day went on.
Especially when one of her least favourite knights came in, Crimson, who always was rude and impatient, thinking her orders should have priority and not caring about limitations for works, always expecting them to finish faster than they specified, and still finding things to criticize about the finished products. Beatrice knew Shannon had more than once thought about turning Crimson away but they couldn't afford getting on a knight's bad side.
But today, Beatrice had a hard time enduring Crimson's criticism and constant tiny little needle pricks of arrogant remarks about how nothing Beatrice, Shannon and Dora had crafted for her was good enough. Only Shannon's calming presence in the back of the smithy kept her from exploding at Crimson. Even then, Beatrice hoped that her keeping her calm and collected exterior and only acquiescing to everything Crimson threw at her would be satisfying and Crimson would leave soon.
Then, suddenly, in the middle of Crimson's rant about how Beatrice hadn't managed to sharpen her sword enough, Beatrice's attention was taken by someone at the door of the smithy. Her mood immediately went up together with the corners of her mouth when she realized it was Ava, Mary trailing behind her as always. Not able to tear her gaze away from Ava, who was again wearing her leather armour, Beatrice smiled softly.
She was rudely taken out of her happy daze when Crimson scoffed.
"Are you paying attention? I am paying too much for you to swoon over that klutz while I'm talking." Crimson looked very angry now, all but stamping her feet, which unfortunately made Beatrice feel a bubble of giggles rise up in her throat, especially when she looked again at Ava's face, who was grinning now and rolling her eyes at Crimson as she advanced into the smithy. Not wanting Crimson to see her barely contained amusement, Beatrice turned to the side, putting her hand over her mouth. But she barely had moved when she felt a grip on her arm, turning around abruptly again in shock, looking at an incensed Crimson who was now far too close for Beatrice's liking even with the small work table in between them. "How dare you turn away from me? If I'm talki-"
"Take your hands off of the lady!" Ava interrupted Crimson before Beatrice could do anything. Her brain had a hard time catching up to the sudden heat in her body and the thumping of her heart as Ava was now standing very close too, looking at Crimson with an anger Beatrice had never seen in her. Why that made something flutter deep inside Beatrice, she was not keen on analyzing. Instead, she just stared at Ava wide eyed, taking in this new side of her. Crimson scoffed, but at least released Beatrice.
"She's not a lady now, is she?" Crimson stood her ground, arrogantly. Beatrice wanted to tell Ava that she could fend for herself and really, she was not a lady, not since she had forsaken her parents and rejected the place they wanted for her in society, and she was happy about that, she was proud of earning her keep. But before she could say or do anything, Ava had drawn her sword and pointed it at Crimson, making Beatrice gasp with how close to Crimson's neck the tip of the sword was.
"Take that back, right now. And apologize." Ava's voice was pure ice. It sent a shiver down Beatrice's spine, but she couldn't tell whether it was because of fear or something else. Something deeper. Something she had never felt before.
Crimson did seem to be afraid, stepping back a little from Ava's sword, but she still scoffed arrogantly.
"You don't tell me what to do. If you're sweet on her for doing second rate work, whatever, you can have the bitch." The second Crimson spat out the last word, Ava's sword was even closer to her throat. Mary had now stepped closer to Ava's side, putting her hand on Ava's arm, but Ava eyes were glued on Crimson, fire in them.
"Apologize right now or face me," Ava practically growled. This time, Crimson's arrogance fell off and she swallowed thickly. But she still stood her ground, jotting her chin out and stepping back, drawing her own sword and moving it so that the tips of her and Ava's sword touched.
"I accept." Crimson's voice was cold and still full of arrogance, though Beatrice felt like she could detect a hint of fear in there. Mary stepped between them now, something Beatrice admired, but she did not seem to fear the swords, sharing a pointed look with Ava.
"One hour. In the training yard," Mary declared. Both Crimson and Ava nodded, sheathed their swords and shook hands while staring daggers at each other. Then Crimson turned on her heels and stalked out of the smithy. Beatrice felt herself deflating and fear rush her system, while Ava took a deep breath and unexpectedly let out a laugh.
"Well, that's that." It was said quietly, more to herself and then Ava turned to Beatrice, smiling softly. "Are you alright? I know you don't need me to defend your honour, but I could not let that cunt talk about you like that."
Beatrice couldn't suppress a surprised laugh at Ava using that language, but it turned into a little sob.
"I… no, thank you. Truly, just… Ava, are you going to duel Crimson?" Beatrice asked, breathlessly, not knowing what to think about any of this, still feeling all those confusing feelings. Ava nodded, but grinned, not seeming too concerned.
"Yes, I will. Don't worry, it will be fine. I'm not that clumsy, you know. But I do need my helmet."
"Of, of course," Beatrice stammered, trying to keep up. But she was happy to have something to do, something to take her out of her dark thoughts, so she walked towards the shelf and took the helmet down, handing it to Ava, who admired it and smiled brightly at Beatrice.
"It looks perfect, thank you so much." Ava hesitated for a second, her smile fading, looking a little insecure now. "You are coming to support me, yes? You don't have to but I would appreciate it."
"Yes, yes, of course." Beatrice answered before even thinking about it. But when Ava grinned widely, her eyes shining, Beatrice couldn't regret it, even though she had no idea whether she even could leave her work. Ava nodded and turned around, practically skipping out of the door. Mary nodded too, though she looked a lot grimmer, and then followed Ava, leaving the smithy empty.
When they were both gone, Beatrice deflated. Emotions rushed through her. She felt completely overwhelmed. Was Ava going to duel Crimson for her? What if she got hurt? Why was she doing this? A warm hand on her shoulder took Beatrice out of her spiralling thoughts and she turned to see Shannon look at her softly.
"Are you alright?" Shannon asked, quietly, gently, the concern obvious in her tone. Beatrice's first instinct was to nod and assure Shannon that she was indeed alright, but she kept seeing Ava's sword and then Crimson pull out her own sword and meeting Ava's, kept thinking about how they would duel and felt like she couldn't breathe. Tears were pooling in her eyes without her being able to stop them. She only managed to shake her head and let out a strangled sound between a gasp and a sob. Then Shannon's arms were around her, tightly, and she finally could breathe again, leaning her head on Shannon's shoulder, clinging on to her and breathing in her comforting scent. "It's okay, just breathe."
Beatrice suddenly felt a laugh bubble up in her just from the sheer disbelief that filled her. Had this truly just happened? What did it mean? She leaned back and looked at Shannon, her face probably one big question mark.
"Ava, she's… she's going to duel Crimson?" Beatrice managed to get out, barely, feeling the sob stuck in her throat. Shannon smiled and nodded, touching Beatrice's cheek gently.
"She is. It will be alright, I am sure. Mary said Crimson has been getting unruly over the last few weeks and they were already vying to put her in place. This was an opportunity to do so." Shannon did not look concerned, even a little amused. Beatrice was not sure what she should feel about that information.
"Oh," she let out. "So it wasn't because…"
"Because of you?" Shannon laughed and then smirked at Beatrice, who felt her whole face turn red. Shannon patted her arm. "It was. For your honour and hers. And I would be surprised if Ava didn't ask to court you after this."
Beatrice felt herself blush even more, the corners of her mouth going up. Even when she didn't need Ava to fight for her honour, she couldn't deny that it was still a good feeling to have someone defend her. Then her brain caught up with what Shannon had said last and she looked at her wide eyed.
"You think Ava would court me? Really?" Beatrice wished she could sound a little less incredulous but she still had a hard time believing it.
Shannon tilted her head and raised her eyebrows with a smirk.
"Of course she would. I have been telling you for weeks that she is sweet on you. Why do you think she always comes in here with some bent and broken pieces of armour? I told you, it's because she likes you."
Beatrice blushed even more profusely and shrugged, looking down on the floor.
"I don't know," she murmured, trying to not get her hopes up too much but then thinking of the upcoming duel and scrunching up her face in fear. "But what if Ava gets hurt? Duelling Crimson I mean. I would never want that."
Shannon squeezed Beatrice's arm and shook her head, smiling, albeit a little grimly.
"No, there is no way Crimson could beat Ava or even get close to her without cheating. And Lilith and Mary will make very sure she won't get a chance to cheat." Shannon said it in a decisive tone that did make Beatrice feel a little better. She took a deep breath and nodded, hoping that Shannon was right.
Even then, the next hour seemed to simultaneously pass incredible slowly and suddenly very fast. Beatrice tried to distract herself from her worry with work, but she could barely concentrate on the easiest tasks. So much so that Shannon eventually gave her a broom to sweep the smithy. Beatrice diligently swept, grateful that Shannon had agreed to leave Dora in charge alone for a short while today to be able to attend the duel with Beatrice. For that, Shannon wanted the smithy spotless so Dora could fully concentrate on customers and her work while the two of them were gone.
Camila coming into the smithy ten minutes before the duel was supposed to start, excitedly talking about how the news had spread to everyone and there was already a crowd forming at the training court did not help Beatrice's nerves. But Camila also assured her that when Lilith had stepped by for a short visit, she too had said that Ava would have no trouble holding her own in a fight with Crimson. It made Beatrice feel a little better, especially when Camila hugged her, grinning.
"See, I knew Ava likes you. Come on, let's watch Ava triumph over that trollop!" Camila grinned and Beatrice couldn't help but laugh a little, tilting her head and raising her eyebrows at Camila.
"How long did it take you to come up with that phrase?" Beatrice asked, a little cheekily, suddenly feeling giddy and excited more than worried. Camila laughed too and waved her off.
Together with Shannon and Camila, Beatrice made her way towards the training court shortly before the duel was set to begin. When they arrived, there was indeed a small crowd already gathered at one side of the fenced court where the duel was supposed to happen. Beatrice could see the looks she was getting from the knights and townsfolk, most of whom she knew, but not very well. Now, however, they all regarded her as curiosity, some jovially clapping her on the back and telling her platitudes she barely had the capacity to process, some simply just staring at her.
At least most were clearly on Ava's side of this, several telling Beatrice that they were happy she had enabled Ava to take Crimson down a peg. That made Beatrice question whether what had actually happened had been embellished, but she did not have time to think about it because now Ava and Crimson were walking towards the training court, both flanked each by two other knights. Beatrice couldn't recall the names of those walking with Crimson, but of course knew Mary and Lilith, who were at Ava's side.
Both Ava and Crimson were wearing light armour, only the chain mail vestments and thick leather trousers, still holding their helmets in their hands. It made Beatrice worry again, but Shannon had assured her that this duel was not one to the death but just for honour and that it was rare that duelists were injured, let alone severely. The goal of the duels was to prove to be better than the opponent and from what Shannon had said, it carried with it no worse consequence than making a mockery out of oneself when losing.
Of course, Beatrice did not want that for Ava, but it was certainly better to lose her honour than to lose her life. The way Ava strutted onto the field, she clearly did not fear either, grinning widely and tilting her head into this direction and that, waving as people were cheering for her a lot more than they did for Crimson, who was already walking to the other side of the field with her entourage. Crimson did not seem to care about engaging with the spectators the way Ava did, who was now coming close to the fence, shaking hands and grinning even more as people patted her on the back and wished her good luck.
Beatrice felt like her breath was taken away when Ava's gaze fell on her. The way Ava's eyes lit up and her entire face suddenly was a picture of happiness made something inside Beatrice light up, making her feel warm all over. She was pretty sure she was blushing, a smile forming on her face. Ava skipped over to where Beatrice was, very close to the fence and then went down on one knee in front of her, smiling up to her brightly. Beatrice felt like her heart was standing still for a moment and then started beating far too fast.
"My lady. It is an honour to pledge this fight and my heart to you," Ava declared, dramatically, still grinning. Beatrice was sure there were people laughing around them but she could barely hear it, the blood rushing in her head far too loud. A fog seemed to descent around her and she felt like she was unable to get out any words. But when Ava's face fell, Beatrice nodded urgently, feeling herself turn even redder.
"Thank you," Beatrice managed to get out, quietly and breathlessly. She had no idea what the etiquette for situations like these were, didn't even know if knights generally pledged duels like this to anyone, but a huge smile nevertheless formed on her face and she was sure her eyes were shining. She felt emboldened by Ava's grin and the way her eyes were shining too. "I will cheer you on, but I am sure you do not need it to win."
By the way Ava puffed out her chest and her whole face lit up even more it had been the right thing to say. Unfortunately, in that moment Crimson called Ava away impatiently and she got up and walked away from Beatrice, not without turning around and grinning at her one last time. Beatrice still felt like she was floating, like something was happening in her lower abdomen, some tumult she had never felt before.
Suddenly, she realized that she should have told Ava that her heart was hers too, after that pledge and she gasped, leaning on the fence. She felt light headed suddenly, like she would pass out. When she felt a hand on her shoulder, she turned around abruptly, but it was only Shannon, looking at her questioningly, softly. Beatrice exhaled and let herself feel grounded from Shannon's touch. Camila now also came closer to Beatrice from the other side, bumping her shoulder into Beatrice's.
"Well done! Now Ava just has to win and she can start properly courting you instead of always breaking things to come into the smithy." Camila's tone was light and she was smirking.
Beatrice suddenly felt laughter bubble up in herself, thinking about how she had truly believed that Ava was just very clumsy. Now she had to concede that that was most likely not the case. Which did make her feel better about Ava's chances in the impending duel. She had meant what she said about being sure that Ava would win, but there was still worry that she would be hurt.
Far too quickly for Beatrice's liking the duel began. Shannon narrated for her what they were doing, that Ava was holding back deliberately, letting Crimson tire herself out. Crimson apparently was quite predictable in her movements and in Shannon's opinion too forceful and crude in her style. Ava looked like she was dancing, every step extremely graceful even with the chain mail vest and the helmet on. It mesmerized Beatrice, how she ducked and parried every strike, how she did not seem to get exhausted at all even when Shannon pointed out that Crimson's movements were getting sloppier.
And then, at some point, things turned around and Ava went on the offensive, not just parrying Crimson but now landing her own powerful blows that had Crimson stumble back. Beatrice held her breath every time a strike landed, feeling it in her heart. But even without Shannon's narration and Camila's rising excitement, Beatrice was able to see that Crimson was losing ground rapidly. In only a few seconds, Ava had her backing off and having to go into the defensive. But Ava did not let up and soon enough, Crimson was on the ground with Ava's sword at her throat.
Beatrice gasped, still worried but also very impressed by Ava's skills. It ignited something in Beatrice, seeing Ava like that, standing proudly as the winner. Especially when, after Mary, Lilith and Crimson's entourage came to declare Ava the winner, she now took off her helmet and grinned towards the spectators, raising her sword in the air. Everyone was clapping and cheering. Crimson was helped up by her friends, with Mary and Lilith standing back talking to them, but Ava had already turned her back to her sheathing her sword and walking straight towards Beatrice, who suddenly felt nervous.
But before Ava reached her, Crimson had broken free from the hold of her companions and without Mary and Lilith being able to stop her, she charged at Ava.
"Ava, watch out!" Beatrice yelled it, together with Camila and others, as Crimson had taken out a knife, aiming for Ava's neck. But Ava reacted fast, pivoting around, the knife only grazing her arm and in one move, she had rammed her elbow into Crimson's face, who collapsed on the floor, unmoving.
Beatrice only had eyes for Ava, not able to hold herself back, ungracefully climbing the fence, thankful that she was wearing her usual work trousers instead of a dress, and running towards Ava, even when Mary and Lilith were now already at Ava's side, checking if she was okay. Beatrice stopped three steps short, not knowing what she should do now, cursing her inability to stop herself, but Ava didn't seem to mind, instead she grinned at her, shaking her head.
"It's just a scratch, don't worry," Ava said, dismissive, but Beatrice couldn't hold on any longer, she crossed the remaining distance between them and launched herself into Ava's arms. Ava seemed confused for a moment, but then she hugged Beatrice back, holding her tightly. "It's alright, I'm good." Ava whispered it. Beatrice put her head on Ava's shoulder, breathing in her scent, all the tension and worry seeping off of her and releasing itself in a sob. Ava leaned back and looked at her, worriedly, cupping her cheeks. "I won! I said I would. I'm all good, don't worry."
Beatrice let out a little choked laugh, also touching Ava's face, feeling the need to reassure herself that she was truly okay. It felt like they were in their own little bubble, like currently nothing outside of the two of them existed.
"I know. Not so clumsy after all," Beatrice whispered, drawing a bright laugh from Ava. Leaning their foreheads together, they just breathed with each other for a moment, but then Beatrice felt that fire ignite in her abdomen again and looking into Ava's eyes she saw that same fire. It was like they were drawn towards each other, Beatrice's lips finding Ava's as if that was what she had always waited for. And maybe she had.
When their lips met, softly, searching, slowly, Beatrice felt like everything she had ever wanted was finally coming true. It was a short, tender kiss, but it held the promise of so much more, as did Ava's eyes when they parted. Both of them started laughing, the tension fully dissipating. Ava offered Beatrice her arm and together they left the training court, walking towards their future.
A future that suddenly looked a whole lot brighter to Beatrice.