Work Text:
“Please don’t tell me this is the lady gold weavers idea of a christmas date.”
Aglaea just hums as a faint smile crosses her lips. Based on how intently Cifera watches as each stitch brings the mannequin closer and closer to wearing the perfect outfit. “Honestly Cifera, don’t act like you’re not even the least bit curious. I’ve seen the way you peek over my shoulder just to watch.”
The only response Aglaea hears is a slight grumble as Cifera walks over and sits next to her. She can’t help but smile as she adds a few more stitches in. “Haven’t you ever heard that curiosity kills the cat? It’s almost as if you’re trying to kill me.”
Aglaea hums again, allowing herself to break eye contact with her work for a few brief moments just to look Cifera in the eye. “Now whatever could you be curious about?”
Cifera smirks, it seems Aglaea’s attention is the treasure she was set on stealing today. “Just, why is it that I find the illustrious Gold weaver knitting?”
Aglaea sighs and turns her attention back to the pattern she has been knitting, closing the seam one patient motion at a time. “Surely you don’t think weaving is my only specialty, Cifera.”
Cifera lets out one of her iconic laughs, “Please, it's in the name is it not?”
Aglaea tries to look annoyed, but she can’t help but feel the curl of a smile force it way on her lips, “Honestly Cifera, do you really think I weaved those boots for you?”
Aglaea can’t help but chuckle at Cifera’s groan as she keeps up the same motion again and again. Creating clothing has always been one of Aglaea’s favorite things to do, second only to taking a nice soak in a bath. She loves that the patterns come as second nature to her, leaving her time to appreciate the finer things in life. Right now, her appreciation seems to center around the endearing trickster.
Aglaea relishes in the warmth she feels from Cifera leaning against her side. Delighting in each purr, each cat-like noise the other woman makes. She finds it endearing how easy it is to tease the trickster in these moments of respite. She cherishes every finer moment and detail because she truly does love Cifera.
“What are you even making anyway?” Aglaea can hear the impatience in her lover's voice, but she still continues to follow her same pattern.
“I’m simply making a gift.” Aglaea answers nonchalantly as she keeps knitting.
With a groan Cifera rolls her eyes, “Really a gift? For who? You didn’t seriously invite someone else to interrupt our date did you?”
Aglaea smiles and shakes her head, “I suppose you’ll have to wait and see.”
Cifera mews out a groan as she stretches beside Aglaea before standing once more. “Sooo boring! Whatever, you can keep doing these old lady like hobbies. I’m going to be the responsible one and cook something for us to eat.”
Aglaea hums, not taking her eyes off her project as she moves on to stitch another row. “Whatever you say Cifera, just try not to get distracted by all the shiny gems out there.”
Aglaea can’t help but feel a smirk creep upon her lips as she hears the groan from her beloved partner as the sounds of cat paws delicately make their way to the kitchen. “Puh-lease! You could have a little more faith in me ‘Agy’! I’m not that easy to distract.”
“Of course Cifera, whatever you say.” Aglaea is truly happy to have these moments. How nice it is just to be able to tease her Cifera without fear of losing her all over again.
As the sound of cooking ware clattering around fills the silent ambience of their shared abode, Aglaea couldn’t help but smile as she reflects. Just like a crafting project, nothing about it is easy or perfect. No relationship ever is. Each and every day is just an exercise in patience and trust. How do two very different souls learn to live as one? How does one live on despite past wounds? How can Aglaea ensure that her Cifera won’t run away once more?
She can’t help but sigh as she keeps up the meticulous pattern. None of the past matters anymore. Cifera didn’t need to hold onto a world breaking lie anymore. Aglaea didn’t need to destroy her own heart to hold a society together anymore. They were free. They have earned this happy, peaceful life.
For once, Aglaea can just sit back and enjoy a relaxing and domestic life. She is finally able to sit back and actually enjoy her hobbies without worry of how she looks as the leader of a people, and Cifera, she is finally able to find something that she can do better than Aglaea. Honestly, it was a welcome surprise when Aglaea learns that Cifera is much better in the culinary arts than either of them had ever expected.
Most days are like this, Aglaea working on a new piece of clothing while Cifera makes a meal that is sure to impress. Today is different for one very simple reason. Her gift for Cifera is nearly finished, and she will actually be able to sit down and appreciate her lover's reaction to the result of her heartfelt determination.
Half an hour passes and Aglaea can proudly say she is done. With a sigh, Aglaea lifts up the scarf she has just spent the past several days knitting. She is usually proud of the products she makes, but Aglaea truly feels she outdid herself this time.
In her hands she holds up a longer navy blue scarf, a knitted kitten and mini Aglaea cuddled together knitted on one side while on the other is a pattern knitted to look like the pair of boots Aglaea once gifted the younger thief all that time ago.
A satisfied smile finds its way across Aglaea’s lips as she holds the scarf up across her armspan. This has to be her best creation since the boots she gifted to her beloved.
Satisfied with her own work Aglaea stands and makes her way over towards the kitchen only to see her Cifera huddling over an armful of something, something that Aglaea is perceptive enough to see has a shine to it.
With a deep exhale, Aglaea walks up behind her Cifera and wraps her arms, and her scarf, around the feline who jumps at the contact. “MEOW! Agy! Come on now that was totally uncalled for!”
Aglaea looks over Cifera’s shoulder to see a hoard of shiny gems and expensive looking jewelry now scattered on the counter. With a sigh she shakes her head, a warmth filling her chest at the sheer adoration she feels towards the other Woman. “I told you you couldn’t help yourself.”
Ciphera groans as she turns herself around so that she could now be face to face with Aglaea, who for her part, never broke the embrace, “Ugh whatever you say.” Aglaea can feel Cifera wrap her own arms around her, making her own heart flutter in response. “In any case Lady gold weaver It seems you finally finished your little project.”
Aglaea smiles as she breaks from the embrace and takes a few steps back, leaving the precious scarf on her Cifera's shoulders. “Take a look yourself.” Aglaea watches with a sense of pride filling her chest as looks down at the scarf. Of course, her smile only widened when Cifera pulled up on either side and found herself unable to speak as she was etched into either side. ‘Merry Christmas Cifera. May you forever remain a blessing in my life.”
“Aglaea…. You…” Cifera didn’t say anything else. She only runs up and pulls Aglaea into a warm and long embrace, one that Aglaea has no intention of leaving anytime soon.