Chapter Text
--- PROLOGUE ---
The chime of a bell. Loud cheering. Wide smiles all around. Crying, though it’s not the ultimately sad kind of crying.
It’s a happy day, Amelia notes.
Amelia trips a little bit as she walks down the aisle, so nervous that she can feel the tips of her fingers freezing and her knees shaking, and the sweat gathering on her forehead. Her friends and family all share a laugh at the scene, which doesn’t help at all with the humiliation.
She kind of figured it wouldn’t be perfect- her future self told her, after all. Her heart pounds fast when she reaches the priest, a member of Ina’s cult, she notes. He smiles kindly at her, and she returns a shaky smile.
She waits, as Calli (best man) walks down the aisle. An easy smile on her smile, as she takes her place next to Amelia. The pink haired rapper places her hand on the blonde haired girls’ shoulder, an amused smile on her face. The look on her face seems to tell Ame you’ll get through this, don’t worry.
Amelia’s eyes dart to the brightly shining ring on Calli’s finger, and then back to the rapper and she nods her head. Her butterflies in her stomach seem to quieten down a little bit.
The rest of the bridesmaids and groomsmens, members of Hololive who were along with them through their journey, walk down the aisle- and Gura, who decided to take up the role of the flower girl instead of having to choose between her best friends for bridesmaid or groomsmen, walks down the aisle, tossing flowers left and right, giggling cutely.
Seeing the Atlantean walking around so carefreely, as if it were another day to just be herself, calms Amelia down just a little bit.
The music changes. Pachebel’s “Canon in D Major”. Composed in 1680-90. Published in the early 20th Century. Amelia scoffs quietly, with mirth. The most cliche wedding song in history. She knows its name without even thinking about it. The song and composer’s history.
Well… She supposes she has Ina to thank for that.
She looks towards the aisle, and she’s mesmerised.
---
Ina grips onto her fathers’ arm tightly, the gravity of the situation suddenly gaining on her. They’re nearing the doors, and she can start to hear the excited and hushed conversation between the bridesmaids and the groomsmen.
She can feel the chill of her fingertips. The fast beating of her heart. The butterflies in her stomach that threaten to fly unabashedly. Her mouth feels so dry. Oh god. What if she messes up a line? That would be so embarrassing- the others would never let her live that down.
Kiara, on the side of the bridesmaids, looks back as she approaches. She gives her a little wink, and a thumbs up. You’ve got this! , it seemed like she was saying. Similarly, Gura and Irys, who were talking to each other, look back and give her a little wave.
The chill in her body thaws, just a little bit. She’s still nervous, but the butterflies sit still, thankfully. She swallows, forcing down her anxiety. The priestess gives a nervous smile to the three looking at her, and waves back.
The phoenix giggles, mouthing the word cute! before the doors open up, and Ina suddenly feels like the air has been taken out of her lungs.
It’s so quickly, the way everyone is out of the room and on their places for the wedding. She spots Kiara staring lovingly at Calli, who grins sweetly. IRyS, whose hands are intertwined with Baelz’ hands, waves around to the audience. Bae gives IRyS a little twirl before they move to their respective spots. Gura’s little dance, throwing flower petals around happily, giggling.
Ina does not feel like she is prepared enough for this.
So when she steps forward, she feels like her heart will stop. The blood rushes to her face, and the eyes and cheers all around her make her especially conscious about every move.
But she looks forward, and she’s mesmerised.
---
“You may now kiss the bride.”
Amelia, giddy, filled with utmost love and happiness that she’s ever experienced in her life, leans in. Ina, absolutely overjoyed with emotions, that the sweet smile on her face doesn’t want to leave her face, leans in.
Their lips meet with each other, and they share a short, chaste kiss. When they pull away, Amelia can’t help but giggle, raising her hand to stroke her face lovingly. They laugh together.
They’re married now.
It’s real.
With them together, nothing wrong can happen.
With those sorts of thoughts in both of their minds, the two walk down the aisle, confetti being thrown around in celebration.
They laugh, and they giggle, and their hands are so tightly intertwined that it seems like they would merge at any second.
When it comes to the perfect love story, it ends with marriage.
After overcoming the difficult hurdles and trials that love throws at the couple, they face it together. The vows of love that they utter during their marriage help solidify that love between the two.
It’s the kind of story that Ina loves to read, and although she’d never admit it out loud, Amelia secretly loves reading those kinds of stories too.
It’s the perfect happy ever after for the protagonists who will continue on with their happy days until the end.
“The divorce between Ninomae Ina’nis and Amelia Watson has been granted.”
The slam of the gavel on the sound block rings loud and clear. It brings Amelia and Ina to the reality of their situation. The sound of feet treading tiredly along the courthouse towards the entrance.
Out emerge two figures. Amelia Watson, and Ina’nis Watson- soon to be Ninomae once again. They both look exhausted, heavy bags under their eyes. Ina’s hair is slightly messy, tied up, as if she didn’t have enough time anymore to dress up. Her face is pale and nose pink from the cold wind.
Amelia’s still wearing her detective uniform, though it’s dirty, and the colour has worn off a little bit. It’s obvious that she hasn’t left the office in days . Maybe even weeks .
Ina takes notice of this, and feels a twinge of worry. Has she been eating well? Has she been taking proper care of herself? When was the last time she even showered? Or taken a break from work? Are the thoughts circulating around her brain. She doesn’t bother to vocalise these thoughts, as the detective decides to turn towards the priestess.
Amelia extends her hand for a handshake.
Ina stares at her, unsure and cautious. “...What?” She asks tentatively.
Briefly, Amelia reveals her worry. Of course she’s noticed that Ina isn’t feeling well. She’s a detective. She used to study medicine. All the signs of sickness and stress are practically oozing from Ina, and the doctor side of Amelia impels her to take Ina to a nice warm bed, make her porridge, and take care of all the duties (besides drawing) for Ina.
Instead, she gives her a condescending smile, “Well I suppose I should at least congratulate you for getting this far.” she waggles her fingers a little, waiting for the priestess to return the handshake. “And console you. I don’t want you crying to me when this is all over.”
Ina looks away, a scoff threatening to leave her lips as she laughs dryly. The worry she was feeling was quickly forgotten and easily replaced with spite and disbelief.
“Fine.” She answers, turning around slowly to meet hands with Amelia. “It was good while it lasted, Miss Watson.” she says, a formal tone. The purposeful use of ‘miss’ instead of ‘mrs’. Oh, Ina knows that one hurt, with the little wince on Amelia’s face. It’ll get hard to get used to not being married again.
Ina notes that Ame’s hands are a little rough. The moisturiser that she’d bought for Amelia not long ago, she can tell, was discarded and not used.
“Ah right, Ame. Here, moisturiser.” Ina says, a tentacle outstretched with a bottle of lemon scented moisturiser, not taking her eyes off of her screen. She’s sketching out a commission of a League of Legends character. Amelia recognises the character from the new show that was released recently- that, and Ina’s been drawing her a lot lately.
Amelia takes the lemon scented moisturiser in her hands. “Uhh… Thanks, but uh… What’s this for?”
Ina feels a yawn coming, and she hides it in her hands cutely. It takes everything in Amelia’s power to not swoon over her wife and cuddle her and bother while she’s working. Ina returns to drawing on her tablet, sketching loosely to draw out the figure of the character.
“Your hands are a bit dry.” Ina replies simply. Amelia bristles a little at that.
“My hands not good enough for you?” She asks teasingly, but she rubs her hands together, nervous. Despite acting carefree and unhurt by the comment, she feels insecurity begin to run through her body- the chill starting her toes all the way to her fingertips.
Ina’s eyes widen, any and all sleepiness in her body completely forgotten.
“What? No! I love your hands!” Ina exclaims, looking at Amelia. Her eyes dart down to Amelia’s fidgeting hands and the blonde girl follows her gaze to her hands. Amelia realises she got caught and stops rubbing her hands. Ina frowns, and sighs, shaking her head.
The priestess stands up and Amelia just watches quietly as the purple haired girl reaches in and gently holds the detective’s hand, bringing it close to her body. Delicately, she cradles the hand, as if it were something fragile, and holy, treating it with the same reverence one would with a God.
“Hey.. You know I didn’t actually… mind…” Amelia tries to argue weakly, but her words go quiet at the look of pure adoration on Ina’s face.
“Shh…” Ina whispers as she looks down at Amelia’s hands. “I love your hands, Amelia Watson.” she affirms, once again.
She rubs Amelia’s hands, similar to what the blonde girl was doing to herself earlier. But it’s softer. Gentler. Loving. Nothing like the self-depreciating rubbing from earlier. “It’s not that I don’t think they’re good enough, it's just…”
She leans down and kisses Amelia’s hands. “I just want you to take better care of yourself. That includes all the little things… your body,” she caresses a scar situated on Amelia’s shoulder.
“Your face.'' She caresses Amelia’s cheeks, running her thumb over the cute Gura themed band aid from the HoloMyth aid kit that’s been selling at convenience stores recently. Amelia had gotten the scratch from a scrap during her time travelling shenanigans.
Ina’s fingers trail downwards to her neck. “Maybe not so much your neck.” She says, with a quiet, knowing giggle. She runs her fingers through the necklace of love bites that were garnered from the night before. Amelia feels her cheeks heating up at the mention, and a little whine from the teasing. The affection she's receiving turns her body to a volcano, close to eruption out of pure embarrassment.
Her hands return back to Amelia’s hands. And she looks up and gives her a loving grin. She leans in and gives her a chaste, sweet peck.
“And I love you .”
“Just kidding.” Ina says, under her breath, but loud enough so that Amelia is able to hear it. Amelia’s easy going smile quickly disappears as she feels a chill from Ina’s stony, cold expression.
The priestess snatches her hand away roughly, wiping it on her dress, with an expression of disgust- as if she just touched something she didn’t want to touch. Amelia makes an affronted sound at that, crossing her arms and huffing angrily.
“It was terrible.” Ina deadpans, “Never talk to another girl ever again lest you treat her wrongly again, you unfaithful old woman.”
“I didn't even- Aaaah. Haha.” Amelia chuckles scornfully, a sad expression on her face as she mutters spitefully, “Yeah, I really don’t want to hear that from you, you damn extremist.”
“You better make sure to pay the alimony on time, you…” Ina eyes her outfit with disdain, eyeing the faded colours and the patches of dirt on white parts. “Dirty pig. Did you roll around in the mud? I sure hope you had fun, being in your element and all.”
“I see the stick up your ass still hasn’t been pulled out. Always judging left and right.” Amelia refutes, a sarcastic laugh bubbling from her throat. She looks away and waves her hand dismissively. “And, yeah the alimony or whatever, cheapskate. I’m filthy rich anyway, so it doesn’t matter to me.”
Ina feels the anger rising through her body, her neck growing hot, the need to insult Amelia has increased, but she stops herself before she goes too far. She just scoffs and turns the other way to walk away.
Amelia looks away, and her expression winces. “Wait!” she calls out to Ina, and reaches in to try and pull on her sleeve, but puts her hand away, knowing that Ina would be less than happy to be grabbed by the detective.
Ina stops walking and turns her head. “What?” she asks menacingly, eyes shaking in fury.
Amelia fidgets around with her hands. A striking contrast to the attitude she had earlier, “Please…" she meekly mutters, "...At least let me keep seeing Walter.”
Walter.
The sound of a laughing baby goes through Ina’s mind. He's happy, carefree- unknowing of all the evils and the bad moments of the world. Unknowing of his own parents' bad relationship. Not even old enough to realise anything. At this point, Walter is the only reason why she can keep going like this. The reason she hasn’t just completely given up, is the love she has for her baby boy.
Amelia feels the same way. Ina knows.
“…okay.”
Ina would be a monster to stop her child from meeting her other mother.
The priestess turns around again, and walks away. Forcing herself to stop from looking back to the detective that she was once so in love with.
Amelia watches Ina start to walk away. She looks down at the confirmation divorce papers they got from the courthouse and shakes her head. She walks away, sparing one last look toward the priestess before pulling out her watch and adjusting the timeline to travel to.
Did the protagonists in those love stories continue to live happily ever after?