Chapter Text
Purple.
It is the first thing Yae sees when entering the plane of euthymia. The same lively, surprised purple eyes she’s longed to see for centuries staring right back at her.
She must have faltered on her feet, then, because the traveler quirks an eyebrow in her direction: a silent question, so she quickly recomposes herself and starts talking with a razor sharp tongue.
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Now she's perched on a familiar arm, slowly walking through the festive afternoon streets of Inazuma city. Two weeks had past since the archon’s return —well, since the actual archon’s return, not that regular Inazumans knew about the whole ordeal— and Yae, as Guuji, had found it sensible to throw a small surprise festival in order to celebrate their Shogun, ‘ just because’, she had told the Kamisato commissioner. For the first time in ages, Yae feels like she's not in a hurry, and so she sighs, smiling contentedly.
The owner of the arm she's been supporting herself on peeks at her at the little noise.
“Are you enjoying yourself, love?” The god finally speaks, her tone as soft as it had always been with her.
“Hmm, you could say so.” She rubs her face against Ei’s shoulder affectionately, tickling skin with her hair. The archon beams at the action, and Yae thinks 500 years were worth it if it meant seeing that smile again. They find themselves smirking at each other in the middle of the street; the Shogun and the Guuji acting like madwomen. Yae’s sure some kid makes a mock-disgusted noise at them (she couldn’t care less, although she ought to recognize the kid’s bravery).
Giggling, she pulls on Ei’s hand to urge her forward, but the woman is still looking at Yae like she had built Tenshukaku herself. When had her god become so lovey-dovey in public? Her cheeks hurt from smiling at the thought. Yae sometimes wonders if that’s Ei’s way of making up for her absence; when the conversation pops up, she will tell her beloved that staying by her side for the rest of their lives is more than enough.
The feeling of callous fingers squeezing her own derails her train of thought, just in time to see Ei pointing at a candy stand, the request clear in spite of Yae. She doesn’t know if she is to be endeared or disgusted that Ei’s taste in tooth-rotting sweets hadn’t changed since they were younger. She sighs for the second time in the night, not so content now.
“I guess it is my duty as the Shogun’s familiar to entertain your wishes, isn’t it?” The fox teases in an exasperated voice, starting to walk towards the little shop.
“Yes,” the archon says, poker faced. Discerning Ei’s jokes from serious statements is often a challenge. “I’m merely jesting, Miko, although I truly wish for you to come with me, if you will?” She averts her face as she asks, suddenly looking like a shy teen, and not like the powerful being she really was. Had this woman learnt nothing after all that happened? Yae Miko would follow her Raiden Ei anywhere, anytime, even if it meant visiting places that reeked of caramel apples and cavities.
“Of course, dear.” A kiss on the cheek. “But you’ll have to compensate me after this.”
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The rest of the evening is spent between lighthearted teasing and mindless shopping, just as Yae liked. They return to Tenshukaku only when the last few stands are closing up, happy to have enjoyed every last of them.
After a well deserved bath, Ei closes their chambers’ door behind her and Yae immediately clings to her neck, dragging them both to the bed in a fit of child-like laughter. Their tangled legs make them trip and land inelegantly on the soft surface, with Ei barely hovering above Yae, supporting herself on her forearms. They remain quiet, now, just staring at each other’s eyes while Yae draws slow circles with her fingers on Ei’s face, the archon leaning against the touch.
“I’ve missed you,” Yae starts, a whisper tinted in invitation. Ei hides her face in the crook of the woman’s neck, ashamed; they had to talk about it at some point, she muses.
“Miko…” Ei follows, brows furrowed as she looks for the right words, but when she sees the look on Yae’s eyes, tired of listening to the Shogun Puppet’s parroted excuses, she finds there’s nothing she should say other than the plain truth. “I missed you too, terribly.” She circles her arms around Yae’s waist and rests her chin on her chest. Smirking slyly, she dares to tease. “My pretty fox.”
Yae’s heart grows infinitely fonder and she blushes, her ears perking up at the pet name. She interlaces her hands behind Ei’s nape and brings her closer to her own face.
“Don’t you ever leave again.” It’s breathed against Ei’s lips. “My god.” Another whisper, only meant for her beloved’s ears.
“I won’t.” And Raiden Ei kisses her Yae Miko, slowly, tenderly, suddenly feeling the longing of 500 years wash over her.
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When Yae wakes up this time, the first thing she feels is the security of Ei’s arms wrapped around her body.
She thinks lightning has never felt so gentle against her skin.