Archive of Our Own ^beta

Crier had always thought herself to be lucky, but all those trivial joys paled in comparison to seeing the girl she adored lying next to her, tucked in the curve of her neck and snoring quietly. She was divine in her beauty, in the curve of her lips and of her cheeks, the soft curls that surrounded her face and the golden brown skin that always seemed to shimmer like it was made of magic. She was everything Crier could’ve wanted since she knew how to want, and yet so much more. Crier felt Ayla shift and was roused from her thoughts. She smiled softly as she looked down at Ayla, expecting her to still be asleep but instead being met with wide eyes and a small yawn from her partner. 

“Good morning, my love.” Crier said, pressing a kiss on Ayla’s forehead. 

“Mor’n.” Ayla responded with a grin, pecking the nearest place available to her (which right now happened to be Crier’s neck). With a slight pleased shiver at the kiss, Crier started to extricate herself from the knot that they’d managed to create while they slept. 

“Crier... come back to bed. M’cold.” Ayla whined, pouting. 

“As much as I’d love to, my dear, we can’t sleep in all day. Why don’t I make you some tea to warm you up?” Crier said as she stood up and stretched, giggling quietly at Ayla’s antics. 

“If you insist, I’ll have some.”  Ayla said, with faux exasperation coloring her voice, which paired quite weirdly with the grin playing across her lips. Crier shook her head fondly and walked over to the kitchen to put on the kettle. Soon enough, a yawn sounded from behind Crier and strong arms snaked around her middle. Ayla hummed into Crier’s neck, once again causing a small shiver to run through her. 

“What do you say we do today?” Ayla asked as she rested her chin on her lover’s shoulder. 

“We don’t have any pressing obligations in Varn, and as far as I know, we’re not needed immediately elsewhere, so I think we’re free today.” said Crier. “Do you have anything specific you’d like to do?” Ayla thought for a second. 

“Anything, Crier. As long as it’s with you.” Crier’s heart swelled at hearing those words, and she turned her head to kiss Ayla; the kettle chose that moment to screech that it was boiling, making Crier jump a bit and Ayla sway, arms still around her, to avoid getting a Crier head to the chin. 

“Damned water.” Crier grumbled half-heartedly, as Ayla giggled into her shoulder. 

“You’re too damned cute. I’m just one girl! I can only take so much!” Ayla responded, unhooking her arms from Crier’s waist so she could grab their mugs from the cabinet.  Crier didn’t respond except for a smile as she reached up to grab the tea that they both loved. Ayla placed the mugs, two simple yet vibrant blue vessels that they had discovered on a trip to Varn, on the counter and rummaged around in the drawers of the kitchen until she found the infusers she was looking for. Crier filled the infusers with the salvia tea, the fruity, tropical scent filling the air around them. 

She then placed the tea-filled contraptions into the cups and poured in the water. After several minutes, the infusers were removed and both women moved to the couch in the library. They sat side by side, being careful not to jostle their mugs as they took slow, savoring sips. 

“I’m thinking we just sit here on the couch and cuddle and you read to me. I do not want to get up for a long long time.” Ayla said. 

“I wholeheartedly approve of this plan. Please, get in the proper cuddling position.” Crier got up quickly, and ran to get a book that she knew they would both like. Returning, she sat down and stretched her body down the length of the couch and sat herself up where the back and the arm of the chair met. Ayla snuggled into the space that Crier made for her, relishing in the warmth and comfort that Crier provided her. Crier started to read, her free hand caressing Ayla’s body softly all the while, before settling on Ayla’s Made leg. and she fell into a relaxed and tranquil state at her touch. Crier could feel the love that radiated from Ayla, and she knew that Ayla could absolutely feel how much  Crier loved her. She was safe, she was free, she had the girl she loved in her arms and the future ahead of her, and she had never felt more lucky to be alive.