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Yae led Ei to to the spot she’d mentioned. She trusted Ei to keep her eyes closed until she allowed her to open them again. She wasn’t quite sure how Ei would react to this surprise, as it could either bring rather painful memories.
“May I open my eyes now?” Ei asked.
Yae gave her hand a little squeeze. “Almost there. Keep your eyes closed for me just a little longer, alright?” Ei nodded and followed Yae to wherever she said she’d bring her. She hoped it wasn’t a trap or anything, she knew how sly the kitsune was.
Ei tripped on a root sticking out from the ground, and Yae giggled at her lover. “Are we there yet?” Ei grunted.
“What an impatient god you are,” Yae shook her head sighed lightheartedly. “Alright, open your eyes.”
Ei’s eyes almost immediately shot open. In front of them laid a blue picnic blanket with sakura patterns on it, plates of food sat on top of it and two bottles of dango milk were placed beside the plates.
“Is this... the same sakura tree we used to sit under?” she asked, a hint of longing shining in those amethyst orbs.
Yae hesitated a little before giggling softly. “Of course not, silly, that one withered away hundreds of years ago. Although I’d like to think it is.” She let out a quiet hum. She looked towards Ei, whose eyelids were lowered as she reminisced.
The Guuji fiddled with the hem of her sleeve. “Of course, I only wanted to show you an old memory,” she said after a while, worried Ei would be unhappy with a reminder like this. “We could go back to the city and walk around instead? Your birthday, you can choose.”
“This is fine,” Ei said. “You bought snacks already, and it’s set up so nicely. It’d be a waste if we were to leave now. And I’d like to have a picnic with you.” Ei looked away upon saying the last sentence, avoiding Yae’s gaze coyly.
Yae only smiled at the archon’s shyness as she walked over to the blanket to sit down, neatly tucking her clothes away under her.
“Makoto told me the one type of sushi you liked was sashimi,” the kitsune said as Ei took her seat beside Yae. “Is that correct?”
Ei glanced down, looking closely at the plates of food. There was a plate of sushi, many variants of it, but mostly sashimi. A plate of fried tofu; Ei could guess who that was for, and a plate of tricolour dango. She smiled to herself, her heart warming up at how thoughtful Yae could be.
“Ah, yes,” Ei said, almost forgetting Yae had been waiting for an answer. “These are quite the delectables, thank you, Miko.”
“Of course, dear,” Yae gave a smile and took a piece of fried tofu with her chopsticks. “I was afraid some of the foxes around here would steal the food,” she sighed. “But I chased them all off, so we get to have this little date together.”
Ei choked on a piece of sushi and Yae’s ears perked up. Once Ei had finished coughing and denied any help from her friend, Yae handed her a bottle of dango milk. The archon gulped more than half of it down and set it down gently on the picnic blanket. Her face flushed from choking and Yae’s comment earlier, she took another piece of sushi to hide her raging emotions.
“Don’t tell me,” Yae said, a playful smirk landing on her face. “Did that phrase get you all worked up? Bad wording?” she teased.
“No…” Ei said. “I simply was eating too quickly. I guess I’d forgotten how good sushi tastes.”
She’s a bad liar. Yae thought, amused. I saw her slowly hold the sushi up to her lips, as if she was kissing it, examined it and then slowly bit half of it.
Ei cleared her throat, the faint trace of a blush still lingering on her ears. “Anyway, Miko,” she said with a hand over her mouth. “Why did you bring me here today?”
“It is your birthday after all,” the kitsune replied. “What better day to bring you here than today?”
Ei sighed. “Right... It’s been so long since I had to think about birthdays.”
“It truly has been too long,” Yae scoffed playfully. “I can’t believe you left me for 500 years to celebrate my birthday on my own.”
“You’re too childish,” Ei glanced sideways at the priestess.
“Oh?” Yae’s gaze flitted from the Archon to the stick of dango in her hand. “I’m the childish one here?”
“Honestly Miko…”
“Hm~ I remember Makoto telling me you used to be afraid of the dark,” the kitsune smirked.
“Miko,” Ei said firmly as Yae simply snickered.
“Alright, I’ll stop teasing you just for today,” Yae sighed, picking up a few fallen sakura petals and placing them gently on Ei’s head. She deflected Ei’s glare with a wink. “Shh, it looks nice on you.” The smile on her face grew when she saw the pink tint on Ei’s face when she tried to turn away, avoiding Yae’s gaze.
Yae scooted closer to the Archon leaned her head against Ei’s shoulder, earning a soft gasp that managed to escape her lips but no complaints were voiced.
“Tell me, Ei,” Yae said softly. “Do you enjoy spending time with me?”
A soft smile replaced the usually stern face Ei always carried, a smile only reserved for Yae to see. “Of course I do.”
“Hm, I thought so,” Yae’s cocky attitude returned after she grown out of the short moment of vulnerability. “I am pretty likeable.”
“Oh Miko, don’t get so full of yourself,” Ei scoffed, grabbing a piece of fried tofu.
The kitsune leaned forward and successfully snatched the tofu from Ei’s chopsticks, beaming in delight at Ei’s frowning face.
“Miko, you bought all this tofu and you’re planning on not sharing?” the Shogun said in mock annoyance.
“Hm, when did I ever say that?” Yae questioned with a tilt of her head, her ears twitching. She quickly swallowed her tofu and placed a quick peck on Ei’s lips. “There,” she said.
Ei’s cheeks flushed again as she stuffed a dango in her mouth. “You are quite difficult,” she muttered, shooting Yae a glare.
The kitsune returned it with a content smile, laughing about how cute Ei looked pouting.
A strong breeze blew by and shook the branches of the sakura tree. Sakura petals rained down on the pair and Yae let out a groan as some of the petals landed in her fried tofu. “Hah…” she sighed. “At least it’ll give it a bit more texture…”
Ei giggled, her eyes turning into two beautiful crescent shapes as Yae almost choked on her tofu looking at the woman before her smile. Ei had smiled around her before, but it was a rare sight. Yae cherished every moment and basked in that sweet smile anytime she could; it felt sweeter than any dango she’s had, more addicting than any light novel she’s read.
“Seeing your annoyance towards the fallen sakura… it reminds me, Makoto was never a big fan of flowers in her food either,” Ei glanced down, her expression softening into a more dull smile, her eyes clouded with longing. “She loved flowers, but nothing can interfere with her food. I am convinced that’s why she always carried a parasol to our picnics.”
Yae smiled with her lover. She always appreciated when Ei talked about the past like this and never felt like stopping her even when Ei apologized for rambling at the end. She was glad to see her reminisce with such a light expression on her face, the furrow of her brows almost disappeared whenever she rambled.
“Ah sorry, have I bored you?” Ei asked.
“You can never bore me,” Yae purred in reassurance.
Ei flashed a smile before sighing and looking up at the branches full of pink petals that hung over their heads, creating a shelter from the sun. “I miss Makoto.”
A shocked look flashed in Yae’s eyes for a second; Ei had never openly said anything about missing her sister, which made her giddy that Ei would trust her enough to be this open around her.
“Oh, Ei…” Yae said quietly. “I miss her too.”
“Of course you do, she fed you fried tofu all day and every day,” Ei said, a broken smile taking its place on her beautiful face.
Yae leaned forward and placed a kiss on Ei’s cheek. One that lingered for a few seconds before Yae felt something wet touch her top lip. A tear had made its way down Ei’s eye as the woman stared ahead of her with a blank expression, the sad smile still present.
“Ei,” Yae said quietly, cupping the Archon’s face with her hands. She placed her forehead on Ei’s as quiet sobs shook her shoulders. “It’s okay… you’re okay. Your sister loved you very much.” It was true. Every time Makoto talked about Ei to their friends when she was away, there was always a gleam in her eyes, as if she was always proud of something Ei had done. Yae gently stroked Ei’s head, her slender fingers following the curved figure of her braid as she continued to whisper reassuring words to her lover.
“I’m sure she’d be proud of the person you’ve become,” Yae whispered.
“Do you think she’d be mad at me for choosing my own birthday,” Ei murmured. Throughout these 500 years of locking herself away, she had decided to ignore the birthday she shared with Makoto, as she had mentioned to Yae that her original birthday was just a painful reminder of her sister
Yae hummed. “I don’t think she’d be too worried about that,” she smiled. “The good thing is, our birthdays are closer now.”
Ei let out a soft chuckle. “What would Makoto think of all the things I’ve done… the vision hunt decree… everything..?” her expression darkened as her gaze clouded with guilt.
Yae couldn’t find the right words. After all, she wasn’t too familiar with Makoto, and only had a few chats with her from time to time. She slowly pulled Ei into a tight embrace, her hand finding the back of Ei’s neck as she gently caressed her soft skin. “It’s alright,” Yae whispered. “I’m sure Makoto understands your intentions. Your heart was in the right place.”
A gentle sob shook Ei again as she leaned her head against Yae’s shoulder, letting her tears fall onto the silky skin. “Sorry,” she mumbled, and Yae simply hushed her.
Ei was hesitant to return the hug, but slowly brought her trembling hands up to Yae’s back. They held on for a while longer before a strong gust of wind blew against them.
The food that Yae had bought for the picnic was long forgotten as Ei confided in the kitsune for comfort; Yae did not mind at all, she would spend every last mora for this stubborn Archon if she had to.
“Oh, Miko…” Ei’s soft voice sounded barely above a whisper as Yae’s ear twitched. “Your food…”
“Ah, don’t worry about it,” Yae said with a shrug. Ei made a quiet ‘oof’ sound as her head bounced on her lover’s shoulder. “I can always get more.”
Her tone switched back to a more serious one as she pulled Ei away by her shoulders and gazed into her violet pools, the same ones that Yae always got lost in, accompanied by the beautiful mole below her left eye and her soft lips. She was getting carried away by Ei’s features again. “Are you feeling okay?” her soft voice had no teasing tone to it, no sarcasm behind it either, the sympathy she felt for this woman before her was real, as real as the love she felt.
Ei nodded and cracked a smile as Yae wiped away her stray tears with a thumb. Ei slowly began to lean forward, Yae noticed, and soon her eyes were closed. Yae took a little longer to observe the sight before closing the gap between them. Ei’s eyes flung open in shock, as if she couldn’t believe Yae was kissing her.
The Archon pulled away, an obviously flustered expression taking place. “W-what did you do?”
Yae tilted her head, frowning. “I kissed you.”
“… I know,” Ei said, her eyebrows furrowed in confusion, a cute action that Yae's heart fluttered at every time she saw it. “But why?”
"I planted a kiss on your cheek earlier, too," Yae stated and watched as Ei shot her a stare of disbelief. "Did you not notice?"
The Archon shook her head. How oblivious could she be? “Ei, dear, perhaps you’ve been locked away far too long,” Yae said gently. “But it’s a way two lovers show affection.”
Ei’s face suddenly turned as red as the plates of sashimi that laid untouched before them as her heart began racing. “L-Lovers?”
“… Yes,” Yae responded. “Please, Ei. Don’t tell me you don’t know what the concept of lovers is?”
The Archon shook her head. It took a moment for her to regain her composure. “No, I do. But what do you mean..?” she paused, her eyes wide as she stared at Yae, a mix of panic and embarrassment gleaming in her eyes. “Are-are you implying that we’re lovers?!”
Yae’s jaw dropped. She thought she made this clear before the cataclysm, they would partake in all kinds of things couples did. They’d kiss during training and Makoto would even comment on how cute they looked together, which caused both of them to get flustered and shove each other away. Perhaps with Ei spending so much time by herself, she barely had time to consider that their special relationship never ended.
“Sorry,” Ei said, a nervous smile creeped onto her face. “I… think I just erased the concept when I isolated myself.”
Yae pulled away, shifting in her seat. “Sorry that was so sudden,” she said guiltily. She should’ve known better than to kiss someone she hasn’t seen in 500 years. “I should’ve asked first…”
“Oh no, it’s fine,” Ei said, biting her bottom lip as her heat thumped against her chest. “I… quite liked it.”
“Oh?” the kitsune’s signature smirk returned.
Ei nodded coyly. “May… we do it again?”
“Hm… I don’t know,” Yae replied slowly, taking her sweet time while observing Ei’s reactions. The Archon’s shoulders dropped a little, her eyebrows tilted up in a sad expression, and the corners of her lips tilted down in a pout.
Yae leaned forward with her hand grabbing Ei’s chin, keeping their faces an inch apart and holding her in place to make sure Ei doesn’t lean forward for the kiss just yet.
“Miko… please..?” Ei said quietly, embarrassed that she had to plead for the Guuji to kiss her. The usually stoic Archon, the God of Inazuma who dominated over the land, reduced to a flushed mess at a few mere words from this pink haired priestess.
Yae hummed, touching her nose to her lover’s. “Are you that desperate? Have all those centuries been lonely without me?”
“It’s been bearable.” Ei said curtly. Yae felt her trying to get closer to her face, tilting her head a little so that their lips could touch.
“Aren’t you impatient,” Yae commented in a teasing tone before pressing her lips against Ei’s. The silent breath of relief that shot air through Ei’s nose blew against Yae’s upper lip. She felt Ei smile into the kiss and the neediness of her Archon. It truly has been too long since she had last felt this feeling.
Yae’s tongue looked for an entrance, and Ei allowed it. The Guuji let go of Ei’s chin and wrapped her hands around Ei’s neck, her fingers becoming tangled in long, dark purple hair. She felt Ei’s hands slowly trail up her back, holding her tightly as if she wanted more.
Ei pulled away, her eyes clouded with an unidentifiable emotion. “Miko,” she said softly. “I love you.”
Yae smiled. A genuine smile. Her magenta orbs shone with joy. “I know... Say it again," she encouraged softly.
“I love you so much,” Ei said. “Seeing you again… is truly a nice change to eternity.”
Yae brought their foreheads together. “Will you let me in to this eternity of yours that you seek?”
“I’m afraid I’ve changed my plans slightly,” Ei sighed. “I want to preserve the eternity that Makoto wished for.”
Yae placed a small peck on Ei’s nose, running her fingers through Ei’s loose braid. “Then, would you mind spending eternity with me?”
“Hmm, let me think.”
“Miko!” Ei’s eyebrows furrowed, feigning a hurt expression.
“I’m just joking,” Yae giggled. “I’d love to spend eternity with you.”
Makoto, I’m doing well. Ei looked up at the darkening sky as Yae buried her head in the crook of Ei’s neck. I’m ready to move on to new things in life.
“Miko,” the Archon lifted Yae’s head as the kitsune stared at her with questioning eyes. “Have you wished me a happy birthday yet?”
Yae looked up thoughtfully. “Oops,” she said with a wink. “Happy birthday, love.” She pounced back onto Ei and planted a kiss on her lips, grinning in the process.
I’m happier than I could ever be, so do not worry, Makoto. I will be fine.
The duo had fallen to the ground, Yae on top of Ei as they made out. The kitsune pulled back to let them both catch their breaths. She gently caressed Ei's cheek and felt a hand come up to hold hers as the Archon leaned into her touch.
"Does this mean we're lovers now?" Ei asked hesitantly.
"We always were," Yae replied before leaning down to kiss her Archon again.
Ei closed her eyes as happiness bloomed in her chest, letting Yae's sakura scent engulf her.