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elidelioMy God, My Eternity by timegoesby
Chapters: 1/1, 2061 words
Fandom: 原神 | Genshin Impact
Rating: General Audiences
Relationships: Raiden Ei | Baal/Yae Miko
Characters: Raiden Ei | Baal, Yae Miko
This one was posted almost a full year after the last one (i just checked, this one is 08/apr/22 and the last one was 20/apr/21). I still love it, eimiko is my favourite ship involving those two I love them so much.
I remember being stuck in the middle of this fic for the longest time, but I loved that quest so much i just had to see it through and i'm really glad i did. i love writing soft moments like these, makes me all fuzzy inside <3
Chapters: 1/1, 2061 words
Fandom: 原神 | Genshin Impact
Rating: General Audiences
Relationships: Raiden Ei | Baal/Yae Miko
Characters: Raiden Ei | Baal, Yae Miko
Additional Tags: Fluff, Comfort, Established Relationship, Sort Of, Confessions, Post-Raiden Shogun's Story Quest: Imperatrix Umbrosa Act II: Transient Dreams
Summary:
Summary:
After the dust is settled and Ei has control over the Shogun again, some things are still weighing on her mind. Yae Miko is there, as she always has been, to help her sort it out.
That evening, after the Traveller had left and business at the shrine began to wind down for the night, the only thing that could have hinted to the world-shaping events that took place earlier that day was the still figure of Raiden Ei gazing up at the Sacred Sakura tree.
Seeing the Shogun outside of the Tenshukaku was unusual—seeing at her at the Shrine even more so—but since she had shown up in the company of the Guuji and the Traveller no one cared to raise much of a fuss. And since no one had said anything when she showed up, no one said anything while she remained there, staring at the Sacred Sakura tree, almost as if transfixed by some inscrutable mystery hidden deep within its pink blooms.
In truth, Ei was a little lost in thought. Earlier when Yae Miko had asked her if she was alright, she had tried to ease her familiar's worries by assuring her of her emotional state. It hadn't been a lie, though, at the time she really was feeling fine all things considered, but now that she had a moment of solitude she realised that the events of the last few... hours were still a bit too fresh to properly settle down in her mind. Eternity was funny like that; centuries over in minutes, recalling recent events that all took place a long time ago.
Ei was pulled out of her thoughts by a light hand on her back.
“Enough of your brooding,” Yae Miko’s perpetually teasing tone of voice brought her back to the present, “How much longer are you going to stand here? Should I bring you some tea?”
“I wasn’t brooding,” Ei smiled, “But you’re right, I should be on my way.”
“Good. Let us get going, then.”
Ei finally tore her gaze away form the Sacred Sakura to look at Miko with a quizzical expression. “’Us?’”
“Did you think I was going to send you back to the Tenshukaku alone?” Miko pretended to be upset, “After all the trouble you’ve gotten into today, I’d be amiss to take my eyes off of you for even one second until I know everything has been settled.”
For a moment Ei considered arguing back that she was perfectly capable of making her way back on her own, but the way Miko’s hand was now lightly holding onto the back of her kimono made her pause and acquiesce to her plan instead. “Very well.”
Miko nodded in approval, “It’s settled, then. Shall we?”
The two women began the long walk back to Inazuma City. They seemed to be in tacit agreement to not rush back, seeing as neither of them made a move to break the leisurely pace at which they were going, not even the people they occasionally encountered along the way were enough to sway their course.
It wasn’t until they neared Bykkako Plain that Raiden Ei spoke again, “I don’t remember the last time we took a walk like this.”
“That’s because you’ve been locked up in that Plane of Euthymia of yours for years. I’m surprised you remember how to walk at all.” Yae Miko’s tone was perfectly pleasant, but Ei couldn’t help but feel like she was being scolded somehow.
“Miko...” she began, but she couldn’t think of anything else to say. Miko had made it clear that she viewed her decision to retreat to the Plane of Euthymia as childishly impulsive, and her jumping into battle against the Shogun now would be no different. “I’ve made you worry.”
“Tsk.” Yae Miko huffed and looked away, but she stayed right next to Ei, walking in near-perfect sync.
It was already dark by the time they arrived at the Tenshukaku. The guards greeted them both respectfully and didn’t bother them after that.
Raiden Ei led them both to a side room and ordered for some tea to be brought in. “Have something before you go back,” she’d insisted, though the other wasn’t in a rush to leave either.
They both sat around a low table, enjoying their tea and sweet snacks. Miko began to talk about one of the newest lightnovels she’d read, and Ei listened with rapt attention, occasionally chiming in with questions Miko was all too glad to answer—though not in a way that fully made sense to Ei.
When their teacups were dry and the refreshment plates empty, a stuffy silence crept back into the room.
“I suppose,” Yae Miko was the one to break it, “You’ll be wanting to get back to your eternity soon.”
Ei frowned slightly. She had been out for a long time already and, usually, she would welcome the retreat. However, something about today made the prospect not sound too appealing. “Actually, I wouldn’t mind the company a little longer.”
Miko was momentarily taken aback, but soon laughed her surprise away and leaned in closer. “Feeling chatty today, aren’t we?”
“Perhaps.” Ei smiled, “Thank you for your help today.”
“I barely did anything,” Miko waved her gratitude away, “It’s that amusing little Traveller that did all the work.”
“You sell yourself short,” Ei thought for a second,“Still, I heard you two had a talk earlier, I’m curious to know what about.”
The way she asked made it sound so causal, but Miko still forced a laugh and tried to change the subject.
“It was nothing, just some words of encouragement. Every story needs a grand, inspirational speech, right?” She joked, “I was just making sure I would have my time in the limelight when the Traveller’s chronicles finally make it into a world-famous novel.”
Ei nodded, seemingly satisfied with that answer, but before Miko could continue with another thread of conversation, she spoke up, “Did you mean it?”
A pause. “Hmm?”
“Did you mean what you said? About me.” She wasn’t going to give in this time.
Miko sighed, thinking about her answer. It wouldn’t do any good to play dumb at this point, so she held Ei’s gaze for a moment. “Of course I did. You may be the all-powerful Archon of Inazuma, but to me, you are...”
“Your God?” Ei meant it to sound teasing, but it came out more like a genuine question.
“My God, sure.” Miko smiled now, her usual playfulness replaced by fond admiration, “My Eternity.”
Ei felt warmth flood her heart. Much like earlier today when she was able to hear Makoto’s voice again, she was filled with a strange sense of tranquillity. She realised that she had always been so focused on the things that were changing around her that she never really took the time to notice the ones that weren’t. She had let a flawed concept of eternity guide her every move, spurred on by her grief and insecurity, and now that she found herself having to rebuild the very foundations of her belief, there was someone right in front of her who never stopped believing in her. Even when she stumbled, when she shut herself away, when she was clearly in the wrong. It wasn’t blind faith, either. Yae Miko was not like the people of Inazuma, who held such trust in their Archon that it took her causing almost irreparable damage for them to start doubting her omnipotence. No. Yae Miko knew Ei for the flawed person that she was; a dutiful ruler, a grief-stricken twin, an ingenious crafter, a helpless cook, a skilled warrior, a stubborn child. Miko had seen this and more. She indulged her curiosity about the world through her stories, and her sweet tooth with snacks from her favourite vendors. Sure, she loved playing jokes on her but that, too, could be seen as a form of affection.
What had the Raiden Ei ever done for her familiar?
Argued with her, made her worry, stubbornly refused to listen to her sound advice on the many occasions she freely gave it.
And yet, for some reason, she was still here.
Ei remained silent for a while as she processed these thoughts. Miko grew slightly restless in the silence, and spoke, “Don’t think too much into it. I was just—”
“Miko.” Ei reached for her hand, “I... am glad you can still think of me in this way.”
She squeezed her hand back and responded, “Of course. You can be a real pain sometimes, you know? But for some reason I can’t seem to be able to stay mad at you.”
That comment got a genuine laugh out Ei, who brought their intertwined hands up to her lips and stopped just short of kissing Miko’s knuckles. “It seems as though I’ve really caused problems for you.”
“You’ll have to make it up to me.” She sounded nonchalant, but the slight twitching of her ears betrayed the change in her mood.
“Should I call for someone to cook you some Kitsune ramen? I’ll wake the cooks up if I have to.” Raiden Ei took a page out of Yae Miko’s book and began teasing her.
“You think one bowl of ramen is going to make up for all you’ve done? Oh my, those centuries battling against the Shogun must really have done a number on your mind.” Miko played along, enjoying this side of her.
“Two bowls, then?”
“You’ll need to go higher.”
“Hmm, then... ” Ei brought her hand back up to her lips and kissed the tips of her fingers, her knuckles, and finally her wrist, “...three?”
“Higher still.”
Ei smiled as she closed the distance between them, using her free hand to brush away Miko’s hair and planting a kiss on her forehead.
Miko let out a soft laugh, “I never thought I’d see the day I would be the one on the receiving end of a joke.”
“I thought you liked them.” Ei moved her hand to stroke her silky hair.
“Only when I’m the one making them.” She leaned against the touch.
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
And with that, Ei finally kissed her.
Their lips brushed together, softly at first, then with more urgency as the kiss deepened and the space between their breaths shortened. Ei could taste the sweet remains of their tea on her tongue, and Miko couldn’t help but sneak a few nips in, getting back at her for that teasing earlier.
When they finally parted, they were both flushed and a little short on breath. They were practically on top of each other, Miko’s hands had found their way into the folds of Ei’s kimono, and Ei’s were tangled up in the hair just behind Miko’s ears.
In the distance, a peal of thunder resonated through the land, announcing the start of a nighttime downpour.
“Oh dear,” Miko was the first to recover, “Looks like I won’t be making it back to the shrine tonight.”
“At this point, I don’t believe I would have let you leave.” Ei earnestly caressed the soft fur on her ears, and Miko hummed slightly.
“Are you ordering me to stay with you?”
“I am.”
“For how long?”
“For Eternity.”
Miko laughed again, “That would be wonderful.”
Thunder struck again, so close this time that even the mighty Tenshukaku shook in its foundation. The lightning illuminated their figures for a second, capturing the scene into a snippet of their very own momentary eternity.
Miko’s smile widened, and she closed her eyes, resting her forehead against the crook of Ei’s shoulder, “I’ve always loved nights like these, the thunder really helps me sleep.”
“Really?” Ei inquired as she shifted their position so Miko could lean on her more comfortably, “Most people are rather disquieted by thunder.”
“Well, I find it rather soothing. I wonder why that is?” She kissed Ei’s collarbone, “Maybe it reminds me of someone.”
For a moment, the only sound that could be heard came from the rain pelting against the roof tiles outside. Even their own breathing was too soft to drown out the deluge.
“Miko?” Ei whispered.
“Hmm?”
“I...” She began speaking softly, almost as if to herself, “I am going to work harder, to live up to Makoto’s faith in me, live up to my responsibilities to the people of Inazuma, and... to be worthy of being called your God.”
“You already are, silly.” Miko didn’t even open her eyes, “Forever and always.”
Eternity is like that.
And Eternity is all we could ever ask for.
Seeing the Shogun outside of the Tenshukaku was unusual—seeing at her at the Shrine even more so—but since she had shown up in the company of the Guuji and the Traveller no one cared to raise much of a fuss. And since no one had said anything when she showed up, no one said anything while she remained there, staring at the Sacred Sakura tree, almost as if transfixed by some inscrutable mystery hidden deep within its pink blooms.
In truth, Ei was a little lost in thought. Earlier when Yae Miko had asked her if she was alright, she had tried to ease her familiar's worries by assuring her of her emotional state. It hadn't been a lie, though, at the time she really was feeling fine all things considered, but now that she had a moment of solitude she realised that the events of the last few... hours were still a bit too fresh to properly settle down in her mind. Eternity was funny like that; centuries over in minutes, recalling recent events that all took place a long time ago.
Ei was pulled out of her thoughts by a light hand on her back.
“Enough of your brooding,” Yae Miko’s perpetually teasing tone of voice brought her back to the present, “How much longer are you going to stand here? Should I bring you some tea?”
“I wasn’t brooding,” Ei smiled, “But you’re right, I should be on my way.”
“Good. Let us get going, then.”
Ei finally tore her gaze away form the Sacred Sakura to look at Miko with a quizzical expression. “’Us?’”
“Did you think I was going to send you back to the Tenshukaku alone?” Miko pretended to be upset, “After all the trouble you’ve gotten into today, I’d be amiss to take my eyes off of you for even one second until I know everything has been settled.”
For a moment Ei considered arguing back that she was perfectly capable of making her way back on her own, but the way Miko’s hand was now lightly holding onto the back of her kimono made her pause and acquiesce to her plan instead. “Very well.”
Miko nodded in approval, “It’s settled, then. Shall we?”
The two women began the long walk back to Inazuma City. They seemed to be in tacit agreement to not rush back, seeing as neither of them made a move to break the leisurely pace at which they were going, not even the people they occasionally encountered along the way were enough to sway their course.
It wasn’t until they neared Bykkako Plain that Raiden Ei spoke again, “I don’t remember the last time we took a walk like this.”
“That’s because you’ve been locked up in that Plane of Euthymia of yours for years. I’m surprised you remember how to walk at all.” Yae Miko’s tone was perfectly pleasant, but Ei couldn’t help but feel like she was being scolded somehow.
“Miko...” she began, but she couldn’t think of anything else to say. Miko had made it clear that she viewed her decision to retreat to the Plane of Euthymia as childishly impulsive, and her jumping into battle against the Shogun now would be no different. “I’ve made you worry.”
“Tsk.” Yae Miko huffed and looked away, but she stayed right next to Ei, walking in near-perfect sync.
It was already dark by the time they arrived at the Tenshukaku. The guards greeted them both respectfully and didn’t bother them after that.
Raiden Ei led them both to a side room and ordered for some tea to be brought in. “Have something before you go back,” she’d insisted, though the other wasn’t in a rush to leave either.
They both sat around a low table, enjoying their tea and sweet snacks. Miko began to talk about one of the newest lightnovels she’d read, and Ei listened with rapt attention, occasionally chiming in with questions Miko was all too glad to answer—though not in a way that fully made sense to Ei.
When their teacups were dry and the refreshment plates empty, a stuffy silence crept back into the room.
“I suppose,” Yae Miko was the one to break it, “You’ll be wanting to get back to your eternity soon.”
Ei frowned slightly. She had been out for a long time already and, usually, she would welcome the retreat. However, something about today made the prospect not sound too appealing. “Actually, I wouldn’t mind the company a little longer.”
Miko was momentarily taken aback, but soon laughed her surprise away and leaned in closer. “Feeling chatty today, aren’t we?”
“Perhaps.” Ei smiled, “Thank you for your help today.”
“I barely did anything,” Miko waved her gratitude away, “It’s that amusing little Traveller that did all the work.”
“You sell yourself short,” Ei thought for a second,“Still, I heard you two had a talk earlier, I’m curious to know what about.”
The way she asked made it sound so causal, but Miko still forced a laugh and tried to change the subject.
“It was nothing, just some words of encouragement. Every story needs a grand, inspirational speech, right?” She joked, “I was just making sure I would have my time in the limelight when the Traveller’s chronicles finally make it into a world-famous novel.”
Ei nodded, seemingly satisfied with that answer, but before Miko could continue with another thread of conversation, she spoke up, “Did you mean it?”
A pause. “Hmm?”
“Did you mean what you said? About me.” She wasn’t going to give in this time.
Miko sighed, thinking about her answer. It wouldn’t do any good to play dumb at this point, so she held Ei’s gaze for a moment. “Of course I did. You may be the all-powerful Archon of Inazuma, but to me, you are...”
“Your God?” Ei meant it to sound teasing, but it came out more like a genuine question.
“My God, sure.” Miko smiled now, her usual playfulness replaced by fond admiration, “My Eternity.”
Ei felt warmth flood her heart. Much like earlier today when she was able to hear Makoto’s voice again, she was filled with a strange sense of tranquillity. She realised that she had always been so focused on the things that were changing around her that she never really took the time to notice the ones that weren’t. She had let a flawed concept of eternity guide her every move, spurred on by her grief and insecurity, and now that she found herself having to rebuild the very foundations of her belief, there was someone right in front of her who never stopped believing in her. Even when she stumbled, when she shut herself away, when she was clearly in the wrong. It wasn’t blind faith, either. Yae Miko was not like the people of Inazuma, who held such trust in their Archon that it took her causing almost irreparable damage for them to start doubting her omnipotence. No. Yae Miko knew Ei for the flawed person that she was; a dutiful ruler, a grief-stricken twin, an ingenious crafter, a helpless cook, a skilled warrior, a stubborn child. Miko had seen this and more. She indulged her curiosity about the world through her stories, and her sweet tooth with snacks from her favourite vendors. Sure, she loved playing jokes on her but that, too, could be seen as a form of affection.
What had the Raiden Ei ever done for her familiar?
Argued with her, made her worry, stubbornly refused to listen to her sound advice on the many occasions she freely gave it.
And yet, for some reason, she was still here.
Ei remained silent for a while as she processed these thoughts. Miko grew slightly restless in the silence, and spoke, “Don’t think too much into it. I was just—”
“Miko.” Ei reached for her hand, “I... am glad you can still think of me in this way.”
She squeezed her hand back and responded, “Of course. You can be a real pain sometimes, you know? But for some reason I can’t seem to be able to stay mad at you.”
That comment got a genuine laugh out Ei, who brought their intertwined hands up to her lips and stopped just short of kissing Miko’s knuckles. “It seems as though I’ve really caused problems for you.”
“You’ll have to make it up to me.” She sounded nonchalant, but the slight twitching of her ears betrayed the change in her mood.
“Should I call for someone to cook you some Kitsune ramen? I’ll wake the cooks up if I have to.” Raiden Ei took a page out of Yae Miko’s book and began teasing her.
“You think one bowl of ramen is going to make up for all you’ve done? Oh my, those centuries battling against the Shogun must really have done a number on your mind.” Miko played along, enjoying this side of her.
“Two bowls, then?”
“You’ll need to go higher.”
“Hmm, then... ” Ei brought her hand back up to her lips and kissed the tips of her fingers, her knuckles, and finally her wrist, “...three?”
“Higher still.”
Ei smiled as she closed the distance between them, using her free hand to brush away Miko’s hair and planting a kiss on her forehead.
Miko let out a soft laugh, “I never thought I’d see the day I would be the one on the receiving end of a joke.”
“I thought you liked them.” Ei moved her hand to stroke her silky hair.
“Only when I’m the one making them.” She leaned against the touch.
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
And with that, Ei finally kissed her.
Their lips brushed together, softly at first, then with more urgency as the kiss deepened and the space between their breaths shortened. Ei could taste the sweet remains of their tea on her tongue, and Miko couldn’t help but sneak a few nips in, getting back at her for that teasing earlier.
When they finally parted, they were both flushed and a little short on breath. They were practically on top of each other, Miko’s hands had found their way into the folds of Ei’s kimono, and Ei’s were tangled up in the hair just behind Miko’s ears.
In the distance, a peal of thunder resonated through the land, announcing the start of a nighttime downpour.
“Oh dear,” Miko was the first to recover, “Looks like I won’t be making it back to the shrine tonight.”
“At this point, I don’t believe I would have let you leave.” Ei earnestly caressed the soft fur on her ears, and Miko hummed slightly.
“Are you ordering me to stay with you?”
“I am.”
“For how long?”
“For Eternity.”
Miko laughed again, “That would be wonderful.”
Thunder struck again, so close this time that even the mighty Tenshukaku shook in its foundation. The lightning illuminated their figures for a second, capturing the scene into a snippet of their very own momentary eternity.
Miko’s smile widened, and she closed her eyes, resting her forehead against the crook of Ei’s shoulder, “I’ve always loved nights like these, the thunder really helps me sleep.”
“Really?” Ei inquired as she shifted their position so Miko could lean on her more comfortably, “Most people are rather disquieted by thunder.”
“Well, I find it rather soothing. I wonder why that is?” She kissed Ei’s collarbone, “Maybe it reminds me of someone.”
For a moment, the only sound that could be heard came from the rain pelting against the roof tiles outside. Even their own breathing was too soft to drown out the deluge.
“Miko?” Ei whispered.
“Hmm?”
“I...” She began speaking softly, almost as if to herself, “I am going to work harder, to live up to Makoto’s faith in me, live up to my responsibilities to the people of Inazuma, and... to be worthy of being called your God.”
“You already are, silly.” Miko didn’t even open her eyes, “Forever and always.”
Eternity is like that.
And Eternity is all we could ever ask for.
Post-fic Thoughts
This one was posted almost a full year after the last one (i just checked, this one is 08/apr/22 and the last one was 20/apr/21). I still love it, eimiko is my favourite ship involving those two I love them so much.
I remember being stuck in the middle of this fic for the longest time, but I loved that quest so much i just had to see it through and i'm really glad i did. i love writing soft moments like these, makes me all fuzzy inside <3
