Chapter Text
Amaya regards the damaged swath of her palm in deep reflection as her left hand cradles and massages the sharp, herb-like scented balm into the tissue. The puckered and mottled skin is a grim sight without the covering of a leather glove, but seeing the scar brings a profound rush of fondness and peace.
Enduring the pain had been worth every second: from preventing Janai’s heedless death, to working together to support the future of every civilization on both sides of the Breach. It was one of the many actions that allowed them both to evolve further; acknowledging their histories and odd circumstances as former rivals to become more.
And no matter their distance, Janai would always be a part of her. This scar was a keepsake, poetry found in between the lines of her unique imprint, burned onto both skin and soul. It was only fitting; Janai was the most extraordinary thing to ever happen to her in her thirty-six years of existence.
A movement at the bedchamber’s door catches her attention, relaxing when it’s the woman at the forefront of her thoughts that slips through the opening.
“Kazi mentioned I might find you here after your meeting; said you took off in a hurry.” Janai walks further into the room, focusing on Amaya’s seated form on the bed’s edge. “Scar being stubborn today?” She asks, eyebrows knit together in concern.
Amaya pauses working at the flesh, nodding at the question. “It’s just a little cold, is all. Hasn’t been this stiff in a while,” she reluctantly signs, grimacing at the deep soreness the movements bring. “I just wanted a moment to get some of their ‘new and improved’ pain-relieving balm on before the next conference.”
“I could have the meeting rescheduled, if you wish it. We could set aside some time and take a bath, get an herbal soak in to aid relaxation.” She removes her Queen’s crown with a practiced motion, unclasping her spaulders and cape just as quickly before setting the items aside. “Some uninterrupted time would be lovely, wouldn’t you agree?”
Fuck. Amaya’s fingers drum against the bed sheets and she swears the temperature in the room climbs just a little higher. “I wholeheartedly agree.” She worries her teeth at her lip, feeling the oncoming drop of regret. “But much as I would love to give into the temptation, I’m the keynote speaker for this one. I can't willingly subject the people next to Ambassador Teva’s seat to how shrill her voice can be when opening a trade route is delayed again. I’ve seen their reactions - it’s pretty damn high. I’m surprised I couldn’t hear it, honestly.”
“My condolences to all of your associates,” Janai winces. “I've heard the banshee shrieks from across the wing; I’ll admit - her lung capacity is impressive.”
Amaya sighs, perfect posture slumping in defeat. “I want to prevent another incident of her harassing our Crow Master, flooding our communication networks with calls of urgent meetings. Once as this meeting is taken care of, I’m whisking you away to the washroom and drawing that much-needed bath.”
“I look forward to it. But as the bath was particularly an intent to soak your hand…” Janai looks to the scar with a softened gaze, seemingly re-living its origin’s memory all in the span of a moment. “May I?” she signs gracefully, slipping into Amaya’s space on bent knee at the following approval.
Her touch is as thoughtful as it is tender when she cups the hand between her own, bringing it up to exhale prolonged warm breaths across the skin before pressing her thumbs into the taut flesh.
The immediate pressure is enough to make Amaya groan and when her eyes slip closed to revel in the feel of it, Janai flicks her gaze upwards to observe the smallest of details scattered upon Amaya’s face.
Fanning sweeps of her thumbs stretch out the palm on each stroke encouraged about a relaxed heaviness, Amaya’s forearm going limp atop her thigh. Firm circular motions pressed into the thick scar sparked a furrow to her forehead, but was smoothed upon repeated strokes between the tendons underneath.
The intimacy in their closeness was a perfect blend of awestruck and maddening; the ability and permission to touch all deemed divine encounters that left them both breathless.
After several minutes with the hand becoming more pliable under the constant ministrations, Janai reverently closes eyes before lifting the scarred palm up to her lips to place a lingering, parting kiss. When she opens her eyes, she’s enraptured by the dream-like haze of comfort that Amaya radiates. “How’s that feeling? A little bit better?”
Amaya takes the time to flex her hand, clenching and expanding the fingers as far and wide as possible. “Drastically better, thank you. You’re an absolute miracle worker,” she signs fluidly, and they both share a smile.
She reaches for Janai’s hands, laying slow, lasting kisses across each knuckle and delighting in seeing the blush bloom across Janai’s delicate collarbones. The dream-like fog of relaxation clears in an instant, giving way to a far more simmering fervor when her gaze follows the path of exposed skin. “You know...I do believe you nicked my inner thigh during that one skirmish we definitely had that one time at the Breach.”
“Is that so, now?”
Amaya nods imploringly, hooking a foot around Janai’s thigh to urge her closer. “If we’re in the business of kissing burn scars, I think it’s only fair none of them feel left out.”
“Inner thigh, hm? I can’t imagine I would have aimed a slash there.” She allows herself to be pulled forward, settling comfortably in the space of Amaya’s bent legs. They’re in such proximity that Amaya needs to dip her gaze downwards to catch Janai’s hand movements. “That would be so out of character for me - not enough tactics behind that action, you see.”
“Nope, it’s definitely there. Can’t remember which thigh it is for the life of me, though...” Amaya bites at the inside of her lip, feeling heat rush to her abdomen when Janai latches onto the motion.
“Then I suppose I need to inspect for any scars thoroughly.” Janai presses a single finger to Amaya’s breastbone, smirking as Amaya gives in easily, slowly laying back against the silk bed sheets. It’s a divine sight, indeed. The raw look of awe and unfiltered desire offered from below makes her shudder, heat racing through her veins. It’s an incomparable power, knowing she could undo Amaya’s composure with a single touch.
Her eyes rake down Amaya’s figure, sliding back up to affix her with a sly grin. “What kind of queen would I be if I didn’t take care of the woman underneath me?”