+ warnings: wlw mutual pining, mention of death
+ ft: raiden ei x fem reader
+ note: i was really craving raiden ei content, especially with her acting more mortal like than god like </3 i love domesticated gods. also, it's kinda like, mutual pining? not really established relationship, but you know. might do a part 2 (i lie about this a lot).
also i feel like it doesn't make sense but at the same time it does??? oh well </3
it was silent. too silent. but just the right amount for mourning.
you had lost too much in the war, your family, your friends, your comrades. what had you fought for? for a broken country? for love? for honor? it didn't make sense. nothing made sense at this moment.
you stood by the edge of the ocean, water lapping languidly at your feet, soaking into your shoes and the bottom of your tattered dress.
the reception went horrible. the funeral for your mother, father, and sister left nothing but a burning hole in your chest, an empty spot. what was there to love, if not your world?
with a sigh, you settle down into the sand, watching the endless stretch of black water, the moon reflecting onto the surface. a light in the dark, of both this world and your own.
ships passed, vessels returning with both goods and passengers, whether they be alive or dead from the brutal attacks.
at least from death, there could be life. inazuma would flourish again, raiden leading everyone to a - hopefully - swift and healthy recovery. you had put your faith into the archon, barely even knowing her as a person.
and yet she watched over you, keeping you safe. it should be a blessing, that someone as insignificant to her life as you was allowed to survive. she must have seen something in you, right? and yet, the thought barely held any comfort against the cold blood racing through your veins, the anger at the stupidly unnecessary bloodshed.
slowly, you collect yourself, standing up and with one last look at the water edge, retreating back to your home. if that's what it could even be called anymore. at this point, it was simply a shelter, a safe space to reside in. no one was there to make it a home.
within the next few years, you worked your way up the ladder of rank. turning your anger into motivation and preservation, you skillfully proved your worth to not only the army, but the shogun herself.
in fact, she even took on privately tutoring you, your swordsmanship skills catching her eye quickly. private duels between the two of you commenced, each one growing longer and longer the more you learned after each other.
it had been a while since ei had a connection with someone who wasn't immortal like her or yae, someone who she viewed as an equal, despite their mortality.
however, with every step you two got closer, the rumors grew stronger. every practice spar was seen as romantic hookups to the jealous onlookers, every walk through the sakuras a private date between the two of you.
it would be wrong to say the idea didn't give you butterflies. the raiden was a gorgeous woman, after all. but you both were heavily scarred, and you feared that two headstrong women with past eating them alive would make a terrible couple. but yet, the idea was more appealing that ever every day you spent by her side.
and today of all days didn't help. the irodori festival was around the corner, and raiden herself asked you to be her escort. yae would be so busy, and she wanted to see it for herself, but it would feel wrong to just show up. that's where you came in.
besides, she really just wanted to spend more time with you.
and so, you ended up strolling the streets with her. it started off purely innocent, subtle grazes of each of your hands on the others, stolen glances. but as the night furthered, you felt more drawn to her.
was it her power, the respect she held? her beauty, her unrivaled strength? her sheer determination and willpower, her ability to unite the nation with a single command?
or was it for her. the way she treated you, took you in, respected you as if you weren't some meer mortal, who could die at any moment?
whatever it was, the longing in your heart beat stronger and stronger. especially tonight.
she looked ethereal - more so than normal - in the lantern lit streets. she looked like a normal person. not a god, not an archon, not a ruler, not a warrior.
you wanted to see this side of her every night. the simple giggles between hushed jokes, the soft sounds of appreciation when eating the street food, the shine in her eyes every time you found a vendor who looked interesting.
you had no clue how much she loved you.
as the festival's first night died down, you two winded up staying at a local inn, too tired to trek back. collapsing in the bed with her, you giggled at more of her jokes, as the feel of her fingers brushing your hand out of your face. at the soft look in her eyes when she whispered good night.
she slept peacefully. you didn't. you couldn't, not with her cuddled up in your arms, her hair clinging to your skin, the soft rise and fall of her chest.
tomorrow, she would be raiden ei again. not ei, raiden. it stung, a bit, but you still loved her.
and you hoped she loved you too. which, if fate had you set in the right track, it seemed she did.
one could only pray the countless rumors of you and her eloping would be true...
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