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The late afternoon sun filtered gently through the canopy of leaves towering above them. Amara had given up on trying to hold Rafa's hand while they made their way through the woods, as their easy walk had quickly become a proper hike. The incline had become steeper, and their path had narrowed, then widened again, winding around huge trees and between boulders. Just past a cluster of large rocks they had needed to all but climb past, Rafa paused for a break and leaned against the rocks. Amara gratefully sank down next to her, catching her breath.
"Rafa, please don't take this as an insult or anything like that but- are you totally sure we're going the right way?" She panted
Rafa smiled as she smoothed and re-tied the bandana she had wrapped over her hair.
"What, do you not trust my navigation?"
"No! No, not at all, I just, I remember you said it had been a long time since the last time you had been here, and so I wanted to make sure?"
"I'm quite certain, we've passed several of the landmarks that I remember. Though it is a bit more strenuous than I recalled it being- we can turn back if you'd prefer, I don't want you to wear yourself out."
Amara shook her head,
"No, I'm good to keep going. I want to see this view I've heard so much about."
"Good, it really is worth it."
"Then lead the way."
Amara pushed herself off the rocks to follow Rafa, boots crunching in the dirt.
A few meandering turns later they came to a creek, babbling quietly as it rushed over the rocks. A few stones peaked up out of the water, just close enough to step between. Amara jumped at the chance to offer a hand to Rafa for balance, and fought not to blush when she took it. Rafa's fingers were warm and steady where they draped over her own, and she willed herself not to stumble as she led them both from rock to rock. Will it as she might, the second to last rock must have had it out for her- or maybe she was just distracted- but as she stepped onto it her foot began to slide out from under her. She wobbled but before she could fall, Rafa's hand darted to catch her by the elbow. They both giggled as they crossed the last few stones to the bank of the creek.
"Thank you for catching me, that nearly ended like our first time dancing, which would have been...terribly embarrassing."
"And quite a bit muddier than the ballroom. But some good news, if memory serves, that stream means we're pretty close."
"That's good, I'm looking forward to- Oh!"
Amara stopped and crouched down, staring at a plant she had never seen before growing just off the trail by the creek. She leaned in, careful not to touch it, and examined it. A cluster of tiny white star-shaped flowers bloomed at the top, each tinged with purple at the center. As she peered closer she could see that each petal was coated in what looked like little tendrils. She watched, mesmerized, as they twitched and swayed independent of the breeze.
"I don't think I know this flower." She mused, admiring the delicate and slender shape of the petals. Rafa bent down next to her.
"Oh, I think that's called Buckbean. I believe it only grows in these mountains."
"Is it poisonous?"
"Not at all, they use the leaves for making beer and mead."
Amara's eyes gleamed as she studied it.
"I can't remember the last time I saw a new flower. It's beautiful."
"It is."
When she looked up, Rafa was not looking at the flower. She flushed as she met Rafa's eye and hurried to stand back up.
"Shall we continue then?"
"Certainly, not too far now."
When they finally crested the top of the trail Amara gasped as she took in the view. The sun, dipping low to nearly kiss the earth, had painted the sky in streaks of orange and pink and blazing red. Gazing down, their little vantage point overlooked a valley bursting with color. Yellow and violet and white wildflowers dotted a vivid green field spilling towards the horizon. Both of them stared out at the sprawling scene, listening to the evening insects start to sing.
Amara looked over at Rafa and felt her breath taken away a second time at the sight of Rafa, her smooth skin bathes in the colors of the sunset, transfixed with her eyes locked on some point in the distance, nearly glowing in the warm light, and smiling so, so peacefully. Amara was struck with an overwhelming desire to see that look on Rafa's face every day until she could permanently etch it in her memory. She reached over and gently took Rafa's hand.
"This is amazing. Thank you for showing me."
Rafa turned that stunning gaze to her.
"There's no one I would rather share it with."
Amara slowly brought her free hand up to cup Rafa's cheek.
"May I?"
Rafa smiled and leaned in to close the distance, pressing her lips to Amara's in the soft light of the setting sun.