Inazuma Yaeko had always had a fair amount of control over anything that stood in her way. That was, until she found her centre.
To her, Kol Mikaelson was like enjoying an onsen while in the throes of winter, and she intended to soak in it until it got cold, if it ever did. He was cool zephyrs during midsummer evenings, just like he also was the remaining deliciously warm embers of a fire long quenched. He was both her comfort and her pillar of strength, the very foundations of her new-found fortitude. He was the one thing she never saw coming, a literal present from her gods.
Before, she only lived to act in her Patrons' behalf — duty had dictated her life, her very core used to consist entirely in her obligations, her family and its values would always come first. Her sole goal had been the upkeep of her role as a loyal servant of the Demiurges, an enforcer of Balance.
But now. Now she had someone unconditionally on her side. Now she had a centre of gravity to ground her. Now she also lived for herself and hers. Now, despite not having as much control as she used to, the unpredictable did not cause her any fear whatsoever. For as far as she was her own, she was also his.
•᯽•
Barring his family situation, Kol Mikaelson had always been the one at the centre — chaos, mischief, magic; you name it. That was, until he found his new raison d'être.
To him and to the world, Yaeko Inazuma was more than a mere witch. She was a sorcerer, and it would never cease to amaze him — that was how he felt: absolutely enthralled and vulnerable to her whims, but with absolutely no intention of breaking himself free from her shackles. She was the magic in her veins, and the divinity of her soul. And most importantly, she was the last thing binding him to the world. She made him feel as if he never lost the ability to practise his most precious craft.
Before, he had been on his own, only his magic to keep him company, to embrace him when he needed the warmth of another. It only became worse when he was forcefully turned into an abomination. Forever excluded from his siblings' vow of eternal loyalty, and unable to truly connect with his eldest brother, he had been utterly alone. His tether to the World had been irrevocably severed, his soul had been indelibly damaged, and it all resulted in Nature repudiating his very being. Sun would no longer shelter him, vervain would hurt as if it killed him — only by robbing another from their life force would he be able to obtain proper sustenance.
But then he finally found someone who believed in him. Now he had someone to offer him the tranquillity he had yearned for countless ages, the calm to his storm, the serenity to his whirlwind of thoughts, the peace to his chaotic mind — the humanity he had lost along with his life, the anchor to the World he had so desperately needed; a perfect equivalent of the one he used to have so long ago.
He was not alone anymore, he would not feel as lonely ever again. For as far as he was his own, he was also hers.
•᯽•
The late May sun is lazily rising from its comfortable resting place below the horizon, and the young sorceress feels its warm caresses on her warm beige skin, effectively countering the cool breeze seeping through the slightly opened yukimi-shōji that connected the room to the egawa. She feels the softness of the silky white sheets, raven black tresses sprawling across the pillows, and through the sleep-induced haze, she notices the absence of another body beside her.
She dreamily muses on where her lover has gone to, but then she hears the sound of footsteps coming through the fusuma that connects to the rest of the house, and she knows it is Kol making his reappearance known. In order to face him, she turns around and lays on her other side, head resting on her flexed arm. The fusuma slides open, and she sees him enter the room.
An adorably focused expression adorns his handsome face, frown creased in concentration, and when his dark brown eyes meets hers, a genuine, content smile settles on his lips.
• • •
He has barely slept, but he doesn't need it that much thanks to mother dearest's spell from a millennia ago. He has got up, careful not to disturb his darling Yaeko, and decided to make the most of the time before her ultimate waking by preparing breakfast. When he is finished and leaves the traditional-looking kitchen, he goes back to their shared room —it's in the private guest house that has been allocated for them at the Inazuma Compound—, and notices it still smells like a mix of them both — lavender and cherries, tightly entwined with snow and fresh cedar.
"Hello there, darling."
A big smile stretches on her face, corners of her mouth curved up, and he can feel himself melt and fall for her all over again, just like every time he looks at her. His very dead, reanimated heart soars; it is pounding on his chest relentlessly, and a familiar feeling squeezes it like a bunch of lemons for making lemonade.
When she makes an attempt to sit up, he leaves the tray with the breakfast on the bed, and flashes to sit behind her. He grabs her by the hips, bringing her closer to him so that her back rests on his front, arms around her waist and hugging her to his chest. He nuzzles up against her, head on the crook of her neck and nose inhaling her captivating scent.
"Slept well, princess?" He hums, poorly concealing the smug tone of his voice. He knows perfectly well he's the reason why she had a dreamless sleep last night. He receives a light shove in response, but unaccompanied by a verbal quip, meaning Yaeko is still too out of it to muster up a sarcastic retort.
"Yeah, yeah, laugh it up," she grumbles jokingly. "So, where's my coffee?"
He merely laughs at that. She's unable to function without a drop of caffeine in her system. He hands her the cup and reaches out to the tray, bringing it closer to them.
"Here you go, darling. I've made miso soup and tamagoyaki, your favourites."
She turns around to look into his eyes, stars shining on her own. "Have I told you yet how much I love you?" She snakes a hand to the back of his neck and pulls him into a kiss, letting him taste the sweetness of her lips. He adores it. After sneaking a couple more chaste kisses, she turns back to the deliciously-looking breakfast, takes the chopsticks, and dives right in.
Pretending to be offended, he sasses; "Oh, I see how things are, you only want me for my cooking." Channelling the Mikaelson drama, as Yaeko often says. She just nods, still busy eating, a blissful expression surely on her face. He can practically see fireworks exuding from her.
He's not used to this kind of peace just yet, he muses, all while allowing her calming presence to wash over him. He's never been used to this type of tranquillity, surroundings as serene as he himself feels, and able to share this moment with another person, one truly important to him.
He honest to the gods wishes it can last for quite a long, long time.