hey guess who wrote a bianella drabble bc they were bored?? that's right it's me! anyway I don't have a title for this, however, fair warning for KotLC-typical heteronormativity and the matchmaking system. also there's a passing mention of Amy and I want yall to know that my headcanon is that Amy is nonbinary. anyway, that's all, on to the actual story!
“Well, fancy seeing you here.” A voice, smooth and snarky, interrupts Biana’s attempts to sneak off unnoticed. "I thought you outgrew brooding in the corners of parties after we graduated Foxfire?"
She glances up, a smile growing on her face when she sees Marella. “Well hey there, love. You’re hiding from the party too?”
"You didn't answer the question," Marella jokes. A beat passes, and she nods, and Biana knows what she's thinking.
“Yeah,” Biana sighs. “Don’t get me wrong, it’s a great Winnowing Gala, Mom did amazing. And most of the guys I had to dance with were pretty nice. But, I just--” She trails off, and Marella fills in the blank.
“Wish it could be us.” She finishes softly.
“Yeah.” Biana says as Marella slips down to sit next to her on the floor, lacing their fingers together. “It hurts, you know? Seeing everyone out there. Keefe was on my match list, but he knows I'm not interested, so he's probably dancing with Sophie. My brother is probably out on a date, since he's not supposed to be here. Everyone else is happily dancing the night away, and we’re stuck in the shadows.”
She sighs, tracing absentminded circles on Marella’s hand. “I'm still holding out hope that someday, we won't be left hiding in the corner.”
“You know,” Marella tilts her head, leaning on Biana's shoulder. “Back when Amy visited, I taught them how to paint, and we got to talking. And, well, they told me that in the Forbidden Cities, anyone can get married to anyone. There’s still-- prejudices, and people who hate others because of who they love, but people like us aren’t stuck in the shadows.”
There’s something unspoken in her words-- a question, a hope, a promise. And Biana wants it, more than anything. She touches the ring, hung on a chain around her neck, and carefully untangles it from the other necklaces it's hidden amid.
“The Neverseen are gone. We’ve got years to spare. Maybe it’s time for a vacation.” She says, soft and hopeful. Her eyes are sparkling, almost as bright as the hope in her words, as she presents the ring to her. "I know at this point it's only symbolic, and a human marriage wouldn't even be binding here, but I still want it to be real. Marella, light of my life, will you help me drive out the shadows that still remain?"
Marella softly gasps and smiles, a bright, beautiful thing. “Yes,” she murmurs. “Yes, yes, a thousand times over, yes. I’d love nothing more, dear.” Her heart’s hammering against her ribs, thrilled at what they’re planning. To leave what they’ve always known. The towering light of their home casts some pretty dark shadows, but it’s time to step out of them.
Biana sighs, leaning on Marella’s shoulder. “I love you.”
