Chapter Text
It was four in the morning and Corrin still hadn’t gotten any sleep.
For once, though, that wasn’t a bad thing.
Corrin laid on her back, practically sinking into the mattress. Velvety-soft black sheets, adorned with a moon and stars pattern, only added to the feeling of inescapable comfort. A faint black light provided some illumination in the room, setting various framed photographs of pin-up models, old fortune telling posters, and macabre scenes aglow. The aroma of Jasmine incense permeated the room, mingling with lavender perfume and the faint scent of sweat.
Next to her, laying on her side and propped up on an elbow, was Rhajat. Black nails traced up and down the length of Corrin’s arm. Turning her head, Corrin felt a smile come to her face as she saw the slight wrinkling of Rhajat’s nose and her intent gaze. She took a bit of time to admire the contrast in their bodies. Rhajat was short, slight, and thin, a contrast to Corrin’s sturdier, more athletic build. It meant Rhajat was able to fit just perfectly against her, as though she had always belonged in Corrin’s arms.
“And just what are you looking at?” Corrin asked, a hint of teasing in her voice.
Rhajat’s reply was almost instantaneous. “Everything.” A bit of a smirk crossed her lips. “Those work clothes you wear do you a disservice,” she went on, her fingers moving to Corrin’s abs. She giggled a bit as Rhajat traced the shape of them. “It’s unfair to keep all this hidden…”
Corrin giggled a bit more. “Well, perhaps it’s for the best. Maybe there’s only one person I want to see all that.”
She felt Rhajat suddenly yank her a bit closer. There was surprising strength in those slender arms. “Good. Because you’re mine.”
“I’m yours,” Corrin confirmed, moving her head to kiss Rhajat tenderly. The two had shared plenty of kisses that night, but this was the slowest and softest of them. Rhajat made quiet, needy noises as she pressed further against Corrin’s lips, and the feeling of nothing getting in between them made it feel all the more special. Intimate.
“Mmmm… delightful.” Rhajat practically purred as she nuzzled in to Corrin’s shoulder. “You’re no longer allowed to leave.”
“I’ll have to get up eventually, you know. Work. Food. At the very least the bathroom.”
“Hmph. Do you have to be so reasonable about it?” Rhajat pouted, squeezing her a bit tighter.
“Sorry Rhaj,” Corrin giggled, giving her a kiss on her forehead. Her fingers played with Rhajat’s long, silky hair, earning yet more purring from her. “So can I ask you a question?”
“Speak.”
“When you decided to drop out and open a store like this, was it scary at all?”
“Hah! I thrive in the realms of fear.”
Corrin rolled her eyes a bit, and chuckled. “Yes, very dark and mysterious of you. But really.”
“Hm. It was.” A period of silence followed.
“Rhaj?” Corrin poked her a bit with her foot. “Are you going to elaborate?”
“Fiiiiine.” Corrin could feel Rhajat’s breath on her skin as she huffed.”Yeah. My parents couldn’t give up the farm, and it’s not like I had any friends, so the whole thing was on my own. A whole lot of nights of planning, ordering, organizing, entirely on my own. It was…” Rhajat’s voice trailed off into mumbling.
“What?”
“You heard me.”
“No, I didn’t.” Corrin gently nuzzled the top of Rhajat’s head. “What was it?”
Rhajat grumbled unintelligibly in response.
Sighing, Corrin’s fingertips drifted down to the sides of Rhajat’s stomach. “Look, all you have to do is tell me..”
Rhajat growled, and looked up at Corrin with narrowed eyes. “Don’t you dare…”
“Dare do what?” She gave Rhajat an innocent look.
“You know damn well what!”
Corrin blinked. “I’m certain I don’t. Oh wait, did you mean... this?” With that her fingers started moving against Rhajat’s stomach, earning a loud squeal.
“CORRIN! I’LL HEX YOU SO HARD!” She managed to get out between giggling fits.
By now Corrin was laughing too. “Come on, Rhajat, you know what you need to do…”
“ALL RIGHT! IT WAS LONELY!”
Corrin stopped at that, smiling at Rhajat. “There, was that so hard?”
“I swear to the dark gods, Corrin…” Rhajat pouted and rolled over, turning away from Corrin.
“Oh, come on Rhaj.” Corrin slid over to Rhajat, hugging her from behind and giving her a few kisses on her shoulder. “It was just some playing.”
“Hmph. I don’t play.”
Corrin cleared her throat. “All right. I’m very sorry, my very serious, very beautiful, evil queen.” She made sure to punctuate each pause with more kisses, earning a smile from Rhajat despite her best efforts to find it.
“Very well. You are forgiven.”
Corrin giggled, and planted one last kiss on Rhajat’s cheek for good measure. “But yeah… lonely?”
Rhajat sighed. “I know. I’m supposed to be all dark, and mysterious, and prefer being alone and away from everyone. And you, know, I do like having time to myself. Sometimes other people are so damned exhausting to be around. So many of them never stop talking, even when they don’t have anything of value to say, and they love rushing to judgments about other people.” A brief silence followed, before Rhajat continued, her voice noticeably softer. “That doesn’t mean I ever wanted to be completely alone. I wish I actually was better at talking, making friends, and all those things. I’d have to hide parts of myself if I did ever want to try, though. What makes me me… drives people away.” Rhajat turned her head back a bit to look up at Corrin. She seemed calm, but there was a certain sadness in her eyes. “Sorry. That went on too long.”
:”Not at all…” Corrin moved her hand up to caress Rhajat’s cheek, smiling a bit as she leaned in to the touch. ”I think you’re wrong though. I don’t think you’d need to try and deny who you are if you wanted to make friends and reach out to people.”
Rhajat gave her a skeptical look. “That’s sure been working out great for me so far.”
“Well, you’re currently in bed with your girlfriend. I’d say that worked out pretty good, Rhaj.”
“Bah. What did I say about being reasonable?”
Corrin laughed, and hugged her a bit tighter. She couldn’t get enough of Rhajat tonight, it seemed. “I have an idea. And you can say no if you hate it.”
“Very well. Speak.”
“Once a week, me and my sisters get together for some tea and snacks. It’s at the place you walked me to that one time.”
“I see. Go on.”
“Well, maybe you could come and join us one day?” She grinned. “My sisters are all great, and I’m sure they’d love you! Plus it would be more people you can talk to, and start feeling more comfortable with.”
What followed after was an extended, awkward silence. Rhajat had turned her head away, and Corrin was beginning to feel worried. “Rhaj?” She asked after a minute had passed.
She took a deep breath before responding. “You… you actually want me to meet your family?”
“Well, of course,” Corrin replied, her tone matter of fact. “You talked about wanting to connect with more people, my sisters are special to me, and you’re special to me too, so it just seemed like a good fit.”
“I see. I’m just surprised, honestly.” Rhajat sighed before rolling around to face Corrin again.”I had never thought anyone would see me and want me to meet their family.”
“I do, though.” Corrin leaned in to kiss her forehead. “I think you’re incredible, and I want to share you with the other people in my life. What do you say?”
Rhajat looked to be in thought a moment, before resting her head on her spot on Corrin’s shoulder. “I would. Very much so.”
Corrin smiled warmly, and hugged her close. “Good.”
---
As they neared the tea house, Corrin could feel Rhajat’s grip on her hand tightening. It almost made her fingers ache. “Everything okay, Rhajat?”
“Yes,” she replied curtly, not looking over to Corrin. “Just nervous.”
“It’s okay, you don’t have anything to be nervous about…” Corrin smiled reassuringly at her.
“Yet still I am. It’s quite the fascinating phenomenon,” she snarked.
“Sorry,” Corrin replied, giving Rhaj’s hand a gentle squeeze. “That really wasn’t very helpful. Let’s try that again. You’re wonderful, and they’ll see that. On the chance that they don’t, I’ll have your back. If you really need to get out of there, nudge my ankle with your foot three times, and I’ll make up an excuse for us to leave. No questions asked.”
“You… you would really go so far for me?”
“In a heartbeat,” Corrin replied almost instantly.
A genuine, warm smile came to Rhajat’s lips, and she took a deep breath. Corrin could feel her shift slightly closer to her. “Okay. I’m ready.”
Corrin returned her smile. “Let’s go.” With that, she walked up to the teahouse with Rhajat, and pushed the door open. Her four sisters were getting set up at the usual spot. Elise and Sakura were looking at the wall where they kept their various loose leaf blends, no doubt discussing what they were going to order today. Hinoka was sat at the usual table, blushing slightly as Camilla talked to her with a smug smile on her face. Much to Corrin’s delight, Azura had been able to make it, sitting at the table with Camilla and Hinoka, chuckling at their exchange.
It didn’t take more than a few seconds for Camilla to notice the two, and start frantically waving the two of them over. “Corrin! Darling!”
Checking briefly to see how Rhajat was doing, she ran over as soon as she was sure she was fine. She barely got a greeting out when she was crushed by a hug from Camilla. “C-camilla… hi…”
“So glad to see you again!” Camilla squeezed a bit tighter before finally letting go.
“Thanks, Camilla,” Corrin smiled a bit, and then turned to Azura, pulling her in for a tight hug. “Azura! It’s been too long!” It really had been. Her music career was starting to take off, and between that and Corrin seeing Rhajat, they hadn’t seen each other nearly as much as they used to.
Azura smiled as she returned the hug. “Likewise, Corrin. I hope your work has been treating you well?”
“It’s… been treating me.” Corrin chuckled a bit. “What about you?”
“Well, I just recorded a new demo, and I think there may be some interest.” Azura’s smile widened as she let go and told her good news. “I am meeting with a label later in the week, and hopefully I will have some good news then.”
“That’s already great news!” Corrin was gushing, though deep down she felt a pang of jealousy. She had always admired her cousin’s willingness to pursue a career in music, regardless of the risks that came with it. If only I had the same courage…
“Hey, don’t forget about me!” A voice interrupted her thoughts.
Corrin chuckled, and walked over to give Hinoka a hug. “Don’t worry! I haven’t forgotten about you!” Suddenly she found herself being clung onto by both Sakura and Elise.
“Corrin!” They called out practically in unison.
Corrin laughed. The greetings continued for a bit longer, with hugs being exchanged all around before she finally noticed Rhajat waiting just outside the group a little ways out, looking rather awkward. Once she finally had a chance, she walked over to Rhajat, and placed an arm around her. “So, um…. I… kind of have a big announcement.”
“Does it have anything to do with that girl?” Hinoka gave her a curious look.
Corrin gulped. Suddenly this was a lot harder than she had anticipated. Everyone’s eyes were on her, and all she could think of were the what ifs. Then she noticed Camilla smiling at her, encouraging her to go on. Then she felt Rhajat nestle a bit closer, reminding her that there was a very good reason she wanted to share the news. “So… um… this is Rhajat… and,” she paused and squeezed her hand. “She’s my girlfriend.”
“...Hi.” Rhajat added.
For a moment the silence was deafening. Azura and Hinoka looked genuinely surprised. Camilla was grinning, while the two younger sisters didn’t seem to have a reaction just y-
“Yay! Way to go big sister!” Elise cheered. “That’s so cool!”
“Y-yeah… that’s wonderful news,” Sakura added with a gentle smile.
“I agree with them,” Azura added. “While this comes as a bit of a surprise to me, it’s a pleasant one.” She smiled genuinely. “I’m happy that you have someone who makes you happy.”
“Same here!” Hinoka chimed in. “As long as she doesn’t do anything to hurt you, this is great news in my book!”
“I never would do such a thing,” Rhajat chimed in, clinging onto Corrin protectively. Corrin could feel her cheeks burn at the gesture.
“Oh, you are such a darling thing, aren’t you?” Camilla gushed as she came up to the couple, squeezing them both in a big hug. Corrin was well used to it at this point. Rhajat, on the other hand, was practically squirming.
“It’s… nice to meet you…” Rhajat spoke softly through gritted teeth. “Corrin, dear, you have such a lovely and touchy family…”
“She does indeed!” Camilla answered for Corrin, finally letting the two go. “I’m Camilla, her big sister. That adorable redhead over at the table is her other older sister, Hinoka!”
Hinoka’s face briefly matched the shade of her head. “C-Camilla!”
Corrin couldn’t help but giggle at that, moving to take a shaken Rhajat’s hand once she was sure the two were free from Camilla’s affections. “She was the MMA fighter in the family I told you about.”
“The one who taught you how to rough up the guy who tried to rob me?” Rhajat asked.
“The same!” Corrin grinned. Hinoka looked stunned, as though she was trying to decide between congratulating Corrin and cautioning her to be more careful.
Camilla giggled. “So dashing, my dear Corrin!”
“You know Camilla,” Corrin gestured to her with a smile. “At the back is my little sister Elise..”
“Hi!” Elise chirped, waving at Rhajat enthusiastically.
“Beside her is my little sister Sakura…”
“H-hello…” Sakura smiled politely at Rhajat.
“And right here is my cousin Azura!”
“A pleasure to meet you,” she said with a smile, getting up to shake Rhajat’s hand.
“Same,” Rhajat replied briefly, looking around a bit nervously.
Her expression didn’t go unnoticed by Corrin, who gave her hand a squeeze as the two found seats beside her at the table. “I also have four brothers, but they usually don’t come to tea with us. Xander, Ryoma, Leo, and Takumi.”
“Just how big is your family…” Rhajat murmured.
From there, Corrin and her family engaged in lively conversation, talking about their weeks, sharing stories about their friends, and some of the things they were planning. Corrin regularly checked in on Rhajat, smiling at her and putting an arm around her shoulder, but it was clear that she wasn’t quite comfortable in such a lively conversation. She slouched to hide her face behind her bangs, and leaned in to Corring almost defensively. It bugged her. She wanted Rhajat to get along with her family, but for that to happen, Rhajat actually needed to feel comfortable with her family.
It was then she got an idea. “Rhaj, why don’t you tell them about what you do?”
“What?”
“For a living,” Corrin clarified with a smile. “Like, Hinoka’s a fighter, Camilla teaches kindergarten, Sakura and Elise are in med school, Azura is a singer… what about you?”
Rhajat blinked. “I run a bookstore,” she replied in monotone.
“Oh? What kind of bookstore?” Asked Azura.
“Occult. I sell texts about magic, divination, demons… your usual light reading.” Rhajat explained.
“D-demons?” Sakura looked a bit nervous.
“It’s an area of interest for some. If it concerns you, knowledge of demons may help guard against them,” Rhajat replies, a faint smile on her face.
“Divination… that’s fortune telling, isn’t it?” Azura asked.
“It is. I even practice it a bit myself.”
“Really?!” Elise leaned in, a grin on her face. “Can you tell my fortune?!”
“How wonderful! I’d like to know mine as well,” Camilla chimed in.
“Mine too, if it’s no trouble.” Then Azura.
“I think I’d like it too…” Sakura added.
“Sounds like it could be fun. Count me in!” said Hinoka.
Rhajat blinked, as she looked at all of the others. They all seemed genuinely excited and interested. Corrin leaned in, resting her head slightly on Rhajat’s shoulder. “I hear you’re the best there is at it, Rhaj. I think it’d be great to see.”
Corrin met Rhajat with a smile when she turned to look at her. The smile she got in return was enough to let her know that she didn’t need to worry about Rhajat hiding away for this one.
“All right. I keep a tarot deck in my purse for just this purpose…” She smirked as she produced the pouch. “Who would like to be first?”
The couple shared a look as the others clamored for the honor.