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“Aella? Where are you headed?” Celestia asked, seeing Aella stand from where they were resting.
“Hm?” Aella hummed, fiddling with her ring bands, “Oh, Lyse asked me to meet up with her for something.”
Celestia stopped her maintenance work on her axe, “Oh? Is the lover girl here getting laid finally?”
Every hair stood on end for the shy miqo’te, “What in Thal's name—! There’s nothing—!”
“Ignore her, Aella. You’re keeping Lyse waiting by indulging her.” Sirius advised.
She huffed, brushing her tail fur down, “You’re right, Siri. Just so both of you know, there is nothing happening between us!” The blushing Miqo’te exclaimed, pointing at the two.
“I wasn’t even accusing you…” Sirius trailed off, as Celestia cackled.
Aella left with another huff, her face burning.
When Aella arrived at the place Lyse had mentioned she hadn’t seen any sign of the other woman.
That was until a voice spoke from behind her, “Sorry to have kept you waiting!”
Aella would recognize that voice from anywhere, and turned to meet the other, but stood frozen in shock.
Lyse was wearing a beautiful red gown with jewels adorning her neck and hands. Aella’s eyes flicked everywhere, trying not to stare.
“What do you think?” Lyse asked with a twirl, the skirt of the gown fluttering behind her.
“It’s a bit…old fashioned, in a traditional sort of way. Yda wore it whenever she could.” Lyse continued, her eyes widened at the realization of what she said, “Not that I’m pretending to be her! Not anymore. It’s just…this is our final fight, I thought she should be a part of it.” Lyse rambled, her typical habit.
A soft smile found its way onto Aella’s face from remembering their talk before heading to Ala Gannha. The reassurance Aella gave her to not hide behind her mask anymore, to find the woman standing in front of her, to find Lyse.
“It’s perfect,” she said breathlessly, “It suits you.”
She saw Lyse’s cheeks dust red, “It’s nice of you to say so. And a bit embarrassing…but mostly nice.” The hyur grinned.
Aella chuckled, looking over Lyse again. She was so proud of her, everything they had been through and Lyse still stood tall at the end, finding herself while honoring her sister.
The woman in front of her took a deep breath in, “Anyways, the real reason I asked you out here was to sneak in a warm up before the final battle.”
Aella’s tail swayed in excitement, “There’s a place I know where monks used to spar as a part of their training, I thought it perfect, for you and I,” she gestured between them, “Care to join me?”
The Miqo’te nodded excessively, “Of course! I would love to!”
Lyse smiled and offered her hand, Aella took it immediately, letting Lyse lead the way without ever letting go.
The sound of cheering filled Aella’s ears, making her smile. It was over, it was finally over, Ala Mhigo was free and Lyse stood proud at the front of it all.
She should be looking at the people, waving and congratulating them, but Aella couldn’t keep her eyes off of Lyse’s back, the one she stood behind to protect and the one that stood in front of her in return.
“Aella?” A voice next to her made her jump.
“Oh! Alphi! Sorry, were—“ Aella cleared her throat, “Were you saying something?”
The young elezen glanced between the two women, fighting off a grin, “I was only saying we should head back soon, there is much to do.”
“Y—Yes…” Aella trailed off, stealing one more glance towards Lyse.
“Commander Hext has other things to do right now, we can get started on helping back at the Quarter.” Alphinaud had to stifle a snicker.
Aella groaned, fully turning away from the monk, “I know! Let's get going.”
The two walked off, letting the rightful leaders handle the crowd.
They arrived at the Quarter faster than Aella expected, but her daydreaming might have been the cause of that. Alphinaud immediately put her to work, much to her dismay.
The Miqo’te huffed as she placed the crate of supplies down, wiping sweat from her brow, even in a loose top and a skirt the Ala Mhigan heat still got to her.
After a while of sorting through supplies, Aella’s ears flicked towards a voice she heard, one she would never tire of listening to. The sound made her turn towards the stairs and there, at the top, was the one she wanted to see the most.
Aella grinned, taking off in the same direction as the commotion, running up the steps.
“Lyse!” She exclaimed, reaching the top, “Congratulations, I’m so—“
Aella was cut off. It all happened so fast, a rush of red in front of her, then suddenly arms wrapping around her neck as something soft—too soft—pressed to her mouth.
Aella couldn’t think—something warm was pressing up against her chest as she stumbled back to catch both of them, the softness moving against her lips.
Her green eyes caught a glimpse of blonde hair, but Aella didn’t get to focus on it long before the feeling on her lips felt feather light. The woman pulled back, arms still resting on the Miqo’te’s shoulders. Aella blinked owlishly, processing what just happened.
“I’m sorry—I was just—I didn’t mean—“ Lyse stumbled over her words.
She couldn’t get out a sentence before the same feeling met Lyse’s own lips, with just as much fervor. Lyse could feel arms wrap around her waist as she immediately reciprocated by moving in tandem with her, kissing Aella until neither of them could breathe anymore.
The two pulled away just enough to have their noses touch, content to stare into each other's eyes, “…I’m sorry, I’ve been wanting to do that for a while.” Lyse admitted quietly.
Aella chuckled, breathlessly, “Don’t apologize…I’ve been wanting to as well.”
Lyse smiled, taking a deep breath in, inhaling the Miqo’te’s sun soaked scent, “Aella, I have so much ahead of me, and I chose this path, but…could I ask you to stay by my side, forever?”
Aella almost couldn’t breathe, this was something she never thought she could have. Being in a relationship with someone never crossed Aella’s mind ever since she was a small kit, and she was content to stay that way. But even thinking of saying no made her heart twist uncomfortably.
Aella realized how long she made the other wait for a reply when the hyur’s expression turned sour. Aella pulled her close again, speaking the words right into her ear, “Of course, of course Lyse, I won’t ever leave you.”
Aella could feel tears burn in her eyes, but she didn’t let them fall, instead she quickly kissed Lyse on the cheek, “I wouldn’t want it any other way.”
They both smiled at each other, not wanting their moment to end, but unfortunately running a country after its liberation comes first.
“I think if we stand here too long Alphi will yell at us.” Aella said with a sigh.
Lyse giggled, “But he would be right.”
The Miqo’te pouted, resting her head on the other’s shoulder, “But if I let go, when could we be together again?”
The blonde gently placed her hand at the base of Aella’s ears, scratching lightly, “You could always ask.”
Aella huffed, unable to fight off the way her body leaned more into Lyse, “You say that like it’s easy.”
She laughed, “I promise to make time for you. You have a lot on your plate too, Warrior of Light!”
Aella’s tail flicked in amusement, “I promise to make time for you too.”
“Good,” Lyse moved her hand to Aella’s chin, guiding her head up, “That’s all I ever need.” She finished with one more kiss to the Miqo’te’s lips.