Work Text:
As the world falls apart around them and their Flame-Chase Journey comes to an end, Aglaea indulges in a moment she never thought she'd have again. After all, Cifera's been avoiding the Holy City for quite a few centuries. With Kephale's fall, she understands why, even if she won't say it aloud.
She can't be the one to undo the only power keeping the world habitable, even if it is only here, in Okhema. One little lie turned truth is holding the last broken parts of Amphoreus together. Aglaea gently runs her fingers over Cifera's gray, cat ears as she contemplates what to say next.
“You're thinking too much, 'glaea,” Cifera grumbles under her touch, squirming ever so slightly in her lap. “We can't do anything until the Deliverer returns. Might as well indulge in some hedonism.”
Aglaea chuckles. “Have you ever indulged in anything else?” she teases, and she feels Cifera's whole body bristle under her touch. “Worry not, Cifera. I see through your guise of trickery and deception.”
Cifera huffs, getting comfortable again. “Says the blind woman,” she mutters, but bites back a pleased sigh when Aglaea finds just the right place to scritch behind her ear. “You're a cheat, Goldweaver.”
“I would never encroach on your domain, Cifera,” Aglaea replies with a soft hum. “Shall I remind you, you crawled into my lap?”
“It sounds illicit when you say it like that.”
“Perhaps,” Aglaea agrees. “However, it takes the end of the world for you to come to me. Rather disappointing, after everything.”
Cifera shifts and looks up at Aglaea; she may not be able to see her, but she feels Cifera's gaze all the same. “What does it matter, when we have here and now, huh?” Cifera offers in reply. “It's not like this is anything but a goodbye, you know. It doesn't matter what it took to get here. For all we know, it's just going to repeat again.”
Aglaea shakes her head with a soft smile. “No, can't you feel it, Cifera? We wouldn't have a moment like this, if the Deliverer hadn't won, truly. This is the last recurrence.”
“I'd like to believe that...” Cifera grumbles. “You say it with such conviction. I almost do.”
“What will make you believe in the future that's now within our grasp?”
Cifera falls silent for a long moment. “...I suppose, if that future includes us...”
“It shall,” Aglaea promises, a hand sliding from Cifera's ears, down to her cheek. “You believe in me, do you not?”
Leaning into that touch, Aglaea feels Cifera close her eyes. “...I didn't always, but I think I can right now,” she murmurs softly as the world starts to shift around them.
Aglaea leans down, pressing a soft kiss to Cifera's forehead. “Then we've already won, Cifera,” she states confidently as the world shatters and pulls itself back together, creating the beginning of a true Era Nova.