Chapter Text
As unlikely as it seems, Raine and Eda just sort of fell back together. After Belos’ defeat, and the beginning of a new era on the Boiling Isles, there was a lot to do. Between figuring out where to put all the displaced citizens and putting together a custody agreement with Camilla, Eda had her wings full. Luckily, Raine was right there, a steady hand in a bright, yet uncertain future.
The lights were dim inside the sparsely furnished Owl House. The night was quiet, and for a little while, everyone was sleeping, every part of Eda’s now large family draped throughout the house in what seemed to be the first restful sleep-in ages. Everyone was asleep, except for Raine and Eda.
“It’s finally over, isn’t it?” Eda leaned against the walls of the kitchen, the fingers of her left hand drumming a beat on her leg.
Sitting at the table with a cup of tea in front of them, Raine considered. “I guess so. There’s still so much to do, but it’s nice not being made of wood anymore. Though I did enjoy you visiting me every night.” With a light blush, they met Eda’s eyes.
“Oh, you heard that?” She turned away, a dusting of pink coloring her cheeks.
Raine’s eyes crinkled as they watched Eda. “Some nights more than others. It was sort of hazy, but I remember your voice. It was nice—being able to hear you. I’ve always loved listening to you talk.”
Meeting their eyes once more, Eda took a deep breath. “I’ve, well, I’ve always loved you.” A small, hesitant smile played at her lips as she met their gaze.
A slow smile spread on Raine’s face as they took in Eda’s words. Ducking their head slightly, letting the shorter hairs at the top of their head fall over their eyes, Raine responded. “I love you too, Eda the Owl Lady.”
Both smiling at each other like the idiots they were, a burst of laughter broke the quiet. Crossing the distance from the wall of the kitchen to Raine’s side, Eda leaned down, cupped their jaw with her hand, and pressed her lips to theirs in a soft, familiar kiss. “I think maybe it’s time we get some sleep.”
“We haven’t really talked about the logistics, you know?” With a hand gripping the handle to their cup of tea, Raine gave Eda a lopsided smile. “I don’t think sleeping in your nest is going to work in the long term. I’m a little too old and not bird like enough to sleep comfortably on a pile of sticks.” They took a sip, then placed the now empty cup on the table.
Placing her remaining hand on top of Raine’s free palm, she intertwined the two together. “That is quite the predicament, isn’t it, Rainestorm? I guess maybe we could add some padding to the bottom for your delicate back. What do you think?” With an affirmative hum, Raine gave Eda’s hand a squeeze.
“I suppose so. Now that that’s settled, just how soft are your feathers in your harpy form?”
With a snicker, Eda pulled Raine up from their seat by the hand and started pulling them through the doorway. “Why don’t I give you a demonstration?”
A lot of things about the aftermath were difficult and complicated; but the two of them? That was simple.