I know this is supposed to be AU but it reads like canon. The characterizations are seemless, and the slow build up of their relationship is so believable. I love how you brought everything around to where it started, and your use of the prompt as the underylying theme -- of being faithful to oneself -- was really elegant. You've written a charming and complete story in under 6500 words -- how did you DO that? (I could never have done that.) This is just a wonderful story.