Work Text:
Miko twirls and sends a wave of electro energy in Ei’s direction. She blocks it with her own energy, redirecting it up and making the air above them crackle. They haven’t sparred in, well, hundreds of years. But even before Ei locked herself away, it had still been nearly a century since they did this.
Which is a shame. Ei takes her combat seriously, so it’s nice to see her let go and have fun while training. At least, Miko is certainly having fun.
She missed Ei so dearly. Anything she was doing would be nice to watch.
Admittedly, though, watching Ei fight is one of her favorite things. So is fighting Ei. It feels oddly intimate, the two of them paying attention to the other’s moves and almost dancing with their energies. Though, since Ei granted Miko her electro power, perhaps it’s intimate every time she uses it. Yes, that must be it. She holds her Archon in her heart always. (In her earring, technically.)
The kitsune dodges the energy that comes from Ei’s spear and sends a bolt back. They trade bolts and waves for a few moments before Miko gets hit, a little shock that’s more thrilling than painful.
“Oh, dear, you got me.”
Ei smirks a little and touches her fingers to her spear to get rid of the excess energy. “You’re a little sloppy today.”
“Am I? Well, you can’t blame me. It’s been so long… And we’re not going all out anyway.”
“You are correct. Let us resume.”
Miko laughs — politely, of course. “So formal, Ei. Has it really been that long?”
Ei falters. “Well, no. That’s not why…”
“I’m teasing you, dearest.” Since that’s just how Ei is, and Miko knows that very well. She’s surprisingly shy at times; in the matters of emotions and relationships, especially. They hadn’t seen each other for so long. So she would assume Miko wouldn’t accept casual speech.
“D-dearest?” Ei breathes. Her face goes a little pink, but then she clears her throat and readies herself again. “I see. You’re playing dirty to distract me.”
Miko was definitely not doing that. Then, Ei is foolish, after all.
Well, she shouldn’t be surprised. Centuries of flirting has gone completely over her head.
She summons a construct that sends electricity Ei’s way. “You can believe that if you want.” She summons another, the part of her that is utterly frustrated taking over. Ei dodges and deflects the energy perfectly, of course. Her sharp eyes look Miko over, clearly sensing that something’s off, but Miko composes herself and tilts her head. Sighing, Ei slashes the air to create a blade of electro.
They continue to spar, and Miko’s frustrations melt away with the pleasant ache that builds up in her muscles. She’s not much of a fighter, so it’s been such a long time since she felt it. Too long, really. Ei matches her pace, and Miko once again feels like they’re dancing. If only they were really dancing. But this is probably the best she’s going to get, so she really can’t complain. Besides, Ei is more suited to fighting than dancing. Miko is content meeting her where she is, even if the mental image of Ei trying to dance with Miko is very amusing. One day, she’ll ask. Maybe.
While she’s lost in her fantasies, Ei sends out two crossing lines of electro, and Miko does not dodge in time.
This, unlike the last hit she took, hurts like a bitch. Miko grits her teeth. She really tries to stay on her feet, but the pain is too much. She attempts sitting, and ends up flopping on the ground unceremoniously instead. Her nerves are on overdrive.
“Miko!” Ei cries. She rushes over to Miko and gently touches her head. “Are you okay?”
Groaning, Miko nods. “It… hurts, but I’ll be fine.”
“Are you sure?”
Ei is leaning over her, her free strands of hair hanging down and her face twisted in concern. She’s gorgeous, and Miko suddenly doesn’t care about the pain. In all her centuries of being alive, Ei has never quite expressed an emotion like this. Miko has gotten to her. Because she saved her from herself, and because she got hurt. That’s why Ei is being honest with her feelings. And that’s all Miko has ever wanted.
If Miko’s right about this, then…
“I’m sure,” Miko says, smiling and tucking Ei’s hair behind her ear. “You didn’t even hit me that hard. I know you could do better.”
Ei frowns. “I’m not going to hit you with my full power, Miko.”
“Hm. That’s a shame. I’d like to experience that.”
“What are you talking about?!”
Miko laughs. A sweet joy fills her at the sight of an angry Ei — all these years of pushing her buttons, and she’s finally gotten through. “I love you, Ei.”
The Archon’s jaw drops, and she blinks rapidly. “W-what?”
“I love you, Ei, so will you kiss me?”
Miko wraps her arms around Ei’s neck. Gently, of course, not forcing her into it, because Ei is a bit like a cat in that you have to take everything slow with her. You can’t be too forward off the bat. Ei’s eyes stay staring into Miko’s for what feels like an eternity, disbelieving.
“You do?” she whispers finally. “How long?”
“For a very long time,” Miko confesses. Giddiness captures her spine at having said it out loud. She honestly thought she never would. “And you?”
“I…”
Ei closes her eyes, lost in thought. Miko waits, even though she feels terribly impatient. She knows Ei has probably never even thought about it. And she wouldn’t be in love with Ei if she didn’t think her emotionally dense nature was endearing.
“I love you too, Miko.” Ei shifts so that she’s properly on top of Miko. Her heart pounds suddenly when Ei grabs her chin. “I never thought I would have the opportunity to tell you… Or that my feelings would be returned.”
Miko’s eyes go wide. “You— you knew?”
“Yes?” Ei tilts her head, and then laughs, high-pitched and adorable. “I was in love with you. I was obviously going to notice.”
Miko feels a little silly. She laughs as well, her chest light and tight at the same time. “You can’t blame me. You’re not exactly… intelligent in matters of the heart.”
“Are you calling me stupid?” Ei asks teasingly.
“Just a little.”
Miko decides to make the first move, because she can’t possibly wait another second. She moves her hand to the back of Ei’s head and gives her a meaningful look. Ei nods. Miko’s heart throbs in her chest as they both lean in. The actual kiss isn’t very noteworthy despite being centuries in the making. Ei’s lips are chapped, Miko’s are soft, and the difference feels nice. Miko parts for air and presses them together again. Ei shivers and makes a little sound, and a thrill goes through Miko.
That’s new.
She tentatively licks at the seam of Ei’s lips. She parts them easily, so Miko takes the opportunity to lick inside her mouth. Ei tastes sweet. Literally and figuratively. Ei isn’t being passive, though, and she pushes her tongue against Miko’s. The kitsune moans, surprising even herself.
Ei tries to pull away, perhaps to say something, but Miko pulls her back. Ei huffs a laugh — more like an amused puff of air — and leans into it. They’re both uncertain. It still feels wonderful.
Eventually, Ei manages to bully Miko’s tongue back into her mouth and pushes her own tongue in as well. Miko accepts it easily, although she pushes back on it just a little to tease her. Ei sees through it. She gently teases Miko’s mouth, warmth slowly spreading out and overtaking both of their bodies. Miko thinks it’s a shame that they’ve never kissed before. No, it’s a tragedy. Her lips are tingling.
They decide to part at the same time, their eyes opening very slow. Miko smiles. Ei returns the expression, a thing of genuine tenderness that makes Miko’s heart flutter. Ei runs her thumb along Miko’s bottom lip reverently, and then pecks it again.
“Is that the best you can do?” Miko asks, grinning and baring her fangs.
Ei sighs. “Perhaps it is. I’ve never kissed anyone before.”
“And you think I have?”
They look at each other for a beat before leaning in again.
It is a very, very long time before they part. Both of their lips are red and kiss-swollen. Miko feels like she’s in some kind of stupor. Ei looks the part.
And it’s amazing.