They sat there for a moment, pinkies linked, the weight of the promise settling between them. Then Tao Zi let out a shaky breath.
"Thank you," he whispered. "For coming to find me."
"Always," she said. "I will always come to find you."
He nodded, and for the first time since she had found him, a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
"We should go," he said. "Zhen is probably having a meltdown."
"She's definitely having a meltdown."
Tao Zi gave a small laugh, and it was the most beautiful sound Zhǐ Ruò had heard all day.
They stood together, brushing off leaves and dirt. Tao Zi's hand found hers, small and warm and trusting.
"Ready?" she asked.
He nodded. "Ready."
~
The morning sun filtered through the cracks in Zhǐ Ruò's hut, painting golden stripes across the woven mats. She had slept better than she had in weeks. No nightmares. No tossing. Just deep, dreamless rest, the kind that came from knowing she had done something right.
