Chapter Text
Ei coughed weakly as Miko put another wet cloth over her forehead. While changing the Raiden Shogun’s rules she had made a few more additional changes to make the body a little more human so she could better understand her subjects. In doing so, she had forgotten the mortal body’s penchant for illness.
Miko gave her a stern look. “Why don’t you let her take over for a bit? You’re already through the worst of it, you could do with a real rest.” She hated to see Ei in so much discomfort and had only ever seen her this weak when injured after great battles. Her skin was paler than usual and wayward strands of hair stuck to her face. Her fingers itched to gently brush it back into place, but that would be inappropriate.
“ She is a real person too, It would be shameful of me to pass a burden I brought upon myself to someone else.”
“500 years later and you’re still as stubborn as ever. What’s a familiar to do when her master is this stubborn.”
Ei let out a weak chuckle at the casual way her friend still teased her after all this time. “You, Yae Miko, have no master. Were I a hundred times more powerful than I am, I would lack the ability to reign you in.”
The words said in slight jest, made Miko’s heart sting. She clenched her jaw tight as if afraid her own body would betray her and utter what she truly wanted to say. Were I to have no master, I would roam the lands free like all other yokai, unbound. But here I am by your side, called by the soft command of my name from your lips. I rushed from the Narukami shrine where I have waited centuries, a loyal servant. Instead, she brought a bowl of broth to Ei’s lips and helped her drink. “You are lacking in nothing but the ability to see past your own pigheadedness.”
At this, Ei gently pushed the broth away and regarded Miko in a new light. She knew what it was she wanted to say… and it should have been so very easy. It was only a single word after all. Sorry. She was sorry for abandoning her last friend in favor of the pursuit of memories. Sorry for not saying goodbye beforehand, and most of all - sorry for not having the courage to be anything less than a God for Yae Miko. With a heavy heart, Ei gave her friend a crooked smile. “I am not sure if you are teasing or reprimanding me.”
Miko brought the bowl to Ei’s mouth once more so she could sooth her throat, which must be hurting from their conversation. In her usual teasing tone, she assured Ei. “I would not dare to reprimand the almighty Shogun.” But if I could, I would scream and cry and beg you to never leave again. If I were brave, I would hold you tightly so you would know the strength of my desire to be forever by your side.
Ei drank from the bowl obediently, hoping her compliance would do something to ease whatever storm was brewing in Miko’s mind. She never could tell what her friend was thinking, even after all this time. Her answer was soft and said for herself as much as for her companion. “You may not dare to reprimand me, but you are always the one to bring me back to my senses.” But I wish you were not so gentle with your words. If only you would cry for me, or shout and curse at me, beg me to never leave again. I would know then, if my absence affected you, if you missed me as much as I missed you.
Miko put the bowl down and dabbed at the corner of Ei’s mouth carefully with a cloth. “You are not alone, Ei. You need only whisper my name should you ever feel lost again.” I wish you would say my name more often, it sounds so beautiful wrapped in the camber of your voice.
“Thank you Miko, I shall keep that in mind.” I wish I could take you up on your offer, but I fear I would never stop calling your name. It tastes so sweet on my tongue. You are already responsible for enough.
Ei thumbed the pink on the hem of Miko’s robe. “Is this your favorite color?”
Miko blushed at the sudden intimacy of the action and rushed to answer so as to distract Ei from her reaction. “Yes, it is. I’ve always admired the pinks of the sakura blossoms.” My favorite color is purple. The shade of your eyes that strikes fear into the hearts of your enemies, but only makes mine beat faster. The bright hues of the lightning you call down from the heavens, signs you were still alive after you hadn’t said goodbye.
“Yes… the blossoms are quite beautiful aren’t they.” Ei took the time to appreciate Miko’s features as she said this.
“What about you?”
“Hm?”
“What is your favorite color?”
Pink. The color of your hair which always looks so soft and inviting. The color of the petals you always forget to brush from your clothes when you come to visit me from the shrine. “I suppose… it must be purple. It sounds cliche as the electro archon I know. But I feel a certain draw to it.” Ei’s voice was rough and getting rougher.
Miko brought the bowl to her Archon’s lips once more. “You must be getting tired, Ei. You should get some rest.”
“Mm… I think that would be good. Will you visit me again tomorrow?”
Miko pressed a gentle kiss to Ei’s knuckles as she slipped into unconsciousness. “And every day after that.”