Disclaimer: I do not own The Owl House or any of its characters. The "Raeda Week 2021" prompt list is by raedaweek of Twitter.

I had been facing some writer's block for a little while, so I gave the week a whirl (closer to when it first happened) to give some love to one of my favorite Owl House ships! :)

i could call you my new religion

(Raeda Week 2021 Day 1: Strawberries)

"Are you sure it's safe here? I think someone was staring at my ears."

One side of her mouth curled higher than the other in what could only be described as roguish. "Relax… No one's got their eyes on us…" She chuckled under her breath, a low sound that stuttered the beat of Raine's heart. "Besides, we're in a completely new café that I didn't get banned from. These people have no clue who either of us, or the kids are."

Raine paused for a moment, then, very slowly, let go of the headwrap covering their pointed ears.

"See, it isn't so hard." Eda smirked, lounging in her wooden chair. "Look around. Place is half empty with how early it is in the morning, and there's not many people that care too much about who's wearing what hat at this time of day."

Their eyes left Eda's face—a crime if it was to be decreed as one—and gazed over the coffeeshop's interior.

The same warmth that welcomed them from the wintery chill stayed strong. Smells of sweet breads, ground coffee beans, and tiny cakes filled the air, coating each breath with just the right amount of sugar and coffee. Jazz floated over the space, something Raine couldn't help but love, enchanting the little human-owned shop with an aura of hominess Raine hadn't found anywhere else.

Across from both them and Eda, on the other side of the little restaurant, sat Luz and Amity. The two girlfriends were already making dreamy eyes at each other. Taking small sips from each other's drinks. Stealing bits of each other's food when one of them was too distracted. Laughing so loudly that Raine could hear the sudden noise reverberating in their ears before the other shushed them back to a normal volume.

Even Hunter and Edric, both of whom had opted to go with the two other couples rather than stay at Camellia's home like King, Emira, and Viney had, were engrossed in their private conversations. They sat right next to the café's front window, watching each other as a thick flurry of snowflakes blanketed the still-dark morning. Raine could tell from how haphazard Hunter looked that the young kid wasn't a morning person, yet still made the effort for Edric. The former Golden Guard's actions were the complete opposite of graceful: so awkward and forced that it was clear he was trying hard to impress and flatter the handsome green-haired boy across from him.

Other than that, there were only a few other older customers there for the early-morning paper, and two employees that sipped from their own hidden coffee cups to shake off the need for sleep.

A snorty laugh came from Eda's side of the table. Her hand waved towards the direction of Hunter and Edric. "Hoooohhh… look at that kid," she murmured, mischief in her eyes. "He's trying way too hard to get everything down perfectly."

Raine matched Eda's smile, flicking their eyes to the counter as a touch of red color rose on their dark-skinned cheeks. "Now that reminds me of me when I was younger…"

When Raine looked back up to Eda, they found the woman lifting her large coffee cup to her lips. "You know, Rainestorm, I was just about to say that."

The bard closed their eyes, letting the memories wash over them. There was the picnic date that went like that… then there was the whole thing with the fake IDs and Plant School documents… and then there was time they almost bust out a Snagglebeast and three criminals out of jail just because Eda wanted to call Raine's bluff on keeping everything perfect…

They clicked their tongue and shook their head. "I'm glad I got over that phase of dating a looong time ago."

Eda set her cup down, a drop of milky-brown coffee hanging from her lower lip, and nodded her head over to Luz and Amity sat. "To be fair, you're not the only person that grew out of a dumb dating phase. Look."

Raine hummed, drawing their attention over to the two girls. The both of them looked so excited it was a miracle they were keeping as quiet as they were. Enormous smiles and deep blushes decorated their faces throughout the entire time they were talking. Their hands moved in wild circles, enunciating each word they were whisper-shouting to each other.

Raine let the soft smile pull at their lips. Their fingers reached for their Styrofoam cup, heat searing against their skin as they lifted the cup to their mouth. "Oh yeah," they teased. Their lips stayed against the drinking part of the cup. "I remember that quite well actually."

"How'd you even put up with me, Rainestorm? With all the manic energy I had, there's no way you hadn't gotten sick of it."

Hot chocolate with a touch of peppermint for the winter season rolled over their tongue, and a smooth warmth coated their throat. "I was in the same mindset, Eda." Embarrassment appeared on their face. "I was honestly just so happy to have you as a girlfriend. So many possibilities opened up when we finally got together. It was like the whole world reinvented itself overnight."

Eda stayed quiet, but the teasing smile didn't leave her mouth.

Raine sighed softly, letting the content breath hang over the space. Their eyes kept watch over the two couples, flicking back-and-forth to make sure neither group was having a bad time.

"I haven't stopped loving you, you know."

The bard lifted their cup. "I know, and neither have I," they said before they sipped at their cup.

"Well… you've mentioned that you're up for trying again…" Eda's eyes looked away, and discomfort turned the teasing smile into a concerned frown. "And our few dates have been going pretty well so far… But that whole pressure the kids are feeling… I don't feel any of it."

Raine hummed.

Yellow nails flashed under the gentle light of the café as Eda waved her hand in a motioning circle. "It's just… I don't feel any pressure to make anything perfect. I don't have the overwhelming joy that Luz and Bossy Boots have because…" She paused, shrugging her shoulders and looking back to Raine. "That's just kinda it. I have no clue why. I'm just happy with being with you and your company."

This time, the teasing smile formed a cat-like grin on Raine's face. "Is that a bad thing?"

Eda shrugged her shoulders again, looking over to the kids. "I don't know. I just thought everything would be so big after we got back together. We haven't been together in so long that it would be like the world reinventing itself overnight, but… the little things we do together. They make me feel so happy and peaceful. Even a night on the couch watching old shows on the crystal ball feels more than enough for me. So long as you're by my side."

Raine's fingers scooped up one of Eda's hands, lifting their conjoined hands up to head-height.

"That isn't a bad thing, my melody." The bard gently laid the cup back down to the table and draped their free hand over Eda's. "I don't think I need all the stuff the kids are going through. I still want to do grand, romantic gestures for you, but just being in your company and loving all the little things about you… I like doing that."

The smile slowly returned to Eda's face. "I… like that too, Rainestorm…"

"Marylin! Order up for Marylin!"

Eda yanked her hand out of the cocoon Raine's fingers had formed around her own. "Oh, that's me!" She winked to her partner. "Wait here. I got us a ton of goodies, and there's a special treat I want you to try."

Their hands dropped, moving back to lift up the cup for another drink. "Hurry back, my dear."

With a roll of her eyes, Eda stepped away and headed for the order counter.

The bard ran one more check on the kids. Hunter was now blushing furiously, both hands slapped right over his mouth and eyes wide with shock, while Edric was laughing at something. Luz and Amity sipped at their drinks, and with every silent moment between them, the two gave each other their most overdramatic, flirtiest gazes.

Something like a cat's mouth formed on Luz's lips, and Raine had to do a double take at how the human had managed to make their mouth look like one of those upside-down three's.

Red fabric swept back into their vision. Raine turned their head just in time to see a whole pile of snack cakes and pastries fall onto the table. A plastic fork then appeared next to Raine's left arm, pinched between Eda's thin fingers.

"Oh, you're gunna love some of these, Raine…"

Their hands lifted to organize the spilled food, poking into the brown bags and setting their contents on top of the paper wrapping. "They all smell so good… and this one looks like it could be really tasty!"

Eda sat back down, pointing toward a square-shaped, bready thing that had red fruits on top of it. "That one. That one's gunna be your favorite."

Raine lifted an eyebrow, already raising their fork. "I'm not that predictable, am I?"

Eda matched their expression. "You are," she laughed. "Now, try the strawberry shortcake."

With a dramatic sigh, Raine dug their fork into the strawberry shortcake, picking off a small piece. They fished the food up to their lips, snagging in their mouth before the piece could fall off the fork.

Sweet flavors, all a perfect mix of sugar and berry, exploded in Raine's mouth. Everything tasted creamy and smooth, and the hint of strawberry only enhanced the pastry. A low moan burned in Raine's throat. They closed their eyes, basking in the sensation of the new food.

"Right? I knew you'd like it!"

Before Eda could say anything else, Raine reached over and snagged the whole slice of strawberry shortcake. "Good luck having any of this," they chuckled, their fork already going in for another scoop.

Eda raised her fork. "I'll have you know that I am proficient in the art of food stealing…"

The bard popped another piece in their mouth, then brandished their fork like a sword. "En guarde."

Both of their laughs echoed in the space between them. A half-hearted fork fight, more flirty than serious, clacked the twin utensils together. Raine failed to notice a feint, and the next thing they knew, a small piece of cake was popped into her mouth.

"I win~" she hummed.

And that's about when Raine relearned what they had learned oh so long ago.

The mischief. The confidence. The love and care and bravery Eda showed when protecting the people she loved most. The way she could laugh off any threat but throw back anything that was thrown at her. The way she loved life and lived every moment to the fullest.

And the little moments like her stealing a bite of cake out from under Raine's nose while they sat in a world completely different from their own and flirted like no time had passed.

They would do anything for the love of their life.

"Eda…"

She raised an eyebrow, and the playful smirk stretched wider. "I'm already thinking about stealing another bite…"

Without hesitation, Raine pushed the shortcake to a space that was equal distance between them and Eda. They lifted their fork, resting their chin against the palm of their free hand. "Share it?"

"Why the sudden change? Should I be worried about you stealing another goodie from the pile I got?"

"No," Raine laughed. They quieted, and a slow sigh blew through their lips. "…I like this. A lot. And if you want to keep dating and seeing each other again, I would love to live the rest of my life at your side."

Sincerity replaced the tease on Eda's expression, and surprise flashed in the colors of her eyes. "You… You really wanna try again on a serious relationship, Rainestorm?"

"Yeah." Heat flooded their cheeks, and they knew without looking that the blush on their face was enough to let Eda know how serious they were. "I love you. Have always loved you. Will continue to love you."

A joking snort left Eda. "We haven't even really done anything since we started dating again…"

"It doesn't have to be big or grand," Raine murmured. They picked up their cup, sipping at the warm cocoa. "I don't need any of that. All I want are you and moments like these." They nodded toward the open floor of the café. "So? Do you want me to stick around with you and live out the rest of our days by each other's side?"

Eda looked out over the café, and Raine knew what she was looking at.

The peace their little party had when sitting in a small restaurant outside of a world most of them had been born in. The soft music drifting through the air that pleased the ears and backdropped intimate moments of little romance. The knowledge that everyone was safe and would continue to be, and the ever-present relief they combined company brought to the other…

Eda turned her head back to Raine, eyes glassy and happiness beaming bright on her face. "You know, Rainestorm, I think that's an offer I can't refuse…"

Song Inspo: "New Religion" by The Heydaze.

Since I have a ton of other projects coming along (monthly events never stop hhh), I only managed to get this first one and a small drabble for the second prompt done. I do love Raeda a ton, and I hope to make more for them in the future. For now, I hope this oneshot and the drabble I'll be posting later are some solid contributions to Raeda Week. :)

Thank you all so much for reading, and I hope you all enjoyed! :D