Eternity

The concept of eternity was never something that had been something that Mai understood.

It just wasn't possible, she had realized at any early age, for anything to last as long as was wanted. Life was short and fleeting, and you just had to enjoy every second of it, and know that it wouldn't go on forever; indeed, it would end when you least wanted it and least needed it. And—as far as she knew—love was like that too, flawed and finite and to be enjoyed while you had it.

Therefore, romantic notions of eternal love that most girls harbored at her age were doubly incomprehensible to her.

Until now.

"Do you mean that?" she asked him, her face muffled against his shoulder, his hand supporting her back as he cradled her, warm and protective.

He hesitated before answering. "Mai…."

"Just tell me."

Lin stroked her hair gently away from her face. "I am yours," he said simply. "If you want."

Mai nodded, and for the first time since she was so very small and trusting and innocent, she thought that she might be able to understand what it was to be cared for after all.

"Forever?"

His eyes were deep enough to drown in. "For all of eternity."

"Good," she murmured, eyes slipping shut.

Her last memory, before she dropped off to sleep, was his smile, and the gentle touch of his hand as he—oh so carefully—smoothed her hair back from her face once more.

Eternity, she thought sleepily.