At the peace talks between the Empire and the Federation, Princess He Wuyang propped her feet up on the conference table, while Federation Commander Sui Anran cleaned her gun with an expressionless face.
"Your pistol isn't even loaded," He Wuyang scoffed.
"You've got a dagger hidden beneath your skirt," Sui Anran replied without looking up.
Three standard hours later, the two stood covered in blood amid the ruins of the bombed-out conference hall. Someone had tried to kill them both.
"Let's work together." Sui Anran tore off her bloodstained Federation insignia.
"For now." He Wuyang snapped off the tip of the imperial crown.
In the third year of their flight across the stars, they reunited at an abandoned space station.
When He Wuyang kicked open the hatch, Sui Anran was using a dagger to dig out a bullet. She looked up at her. "You're three minutes late."
"I stopped to save a child." He Wuyang snatched the dagger. "Is the Federation commander really doing this badly now?"
"Still better off than the Imperial princess." Sui Anran held down her restless hand. "At least I don't have to flee for my life in a skirt."
In the seventh year, the two stood atop the Empire's highest tower, gazing at the sea of stars.
"Did you think I was a huge pain back then?" He Wuyang suddenly asked.
Sui Anran was silent for a moment. "Yeah. But now I think..."
She took her hand.
"A little trouble isn't so bad."
Theme: None, just writing for my own enjoyment
