𝘀𝘄𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗻 | raiden ei x reader

Chapter Seven

"Hmm... perhaps... they require more sun to grow? Just as the peonies do?"

You form an 'X' with your dirt covered fingers. "Nope, hydrangeas hate the afternoon heat just as much as I hate you! Try again."

Baal pouts, and the expression looks hilariously out of place on her regal features. "Then I must make the assumption that they enjoy... the morning sun... because it is not as intense...?"

"Ding ding ding! You got it! Your prize is absolutely nothing, my lady!"

She expertly ignores your quip. "I do not understand why we had to waste our time with a frivolous questionnaire instead of just planting these flowers."

You and the Electro Archon are currently knee deep in Tenshukaku garden soil. Your hands are currently patting down the dirt around the newly planted hydrangeas, Baal close by next to you. She was only observing, but you felt the pressure as she watched you work.

It had only been a few days since Baal had stormed into your cell and demanded you to work as her personal retainer. In all honesty, you have been living extravagantly these past few days. You were treated well by the staff if you ignored the dirty looks they gave you and the hate-filled whispers you often heard.

Physically, you were thriving. The wounds on your arm and your concussion are almost fully healed, leaving no scars or lasting damage behind. Mentally, though...

Your mind could not stop working. The most probable reason as to why Baal integrated you into her ranks... it must have been to make a statement. To show Lady Kokomi that you were now the Raiden Shogun's. You wanted to say this wasn't true, to kick and scream your way back to your friends—your family—

You are sure this was the reason Baal made you her retainer. You've thought of other reasons of course, but their stupidity ranged from Baal genuinely enjoying your company to ghostly possession. Both ridiculous.

You feel eyes boring into you, and you realize you've been spacing out thinking to yourself this entire time, and Baal had asked you a question. Embarrassing.

"Oh—uh. It's to help you...learn the ropes and all. Maybe then you won't be so useless at this." You laugh awkwardly, finishing with your work. You lean back on your hands, head panning up to admire the blue sky.

Baal has that look in her eyes. That I could kill you for calling me useless, you trash look. It's not a very calming look.

"How did you, a soldier, commandeer such a mundane interest in the first place?" Baal asks instead, watching her new flowers in almost intense scrutiny. She's probably paranoid they're gonna go die on her again.

You hesitate for a moment. You weren't expecting this question, and you're not sure how to answer.

"My dad taught me to garden, actually."

Oh gods, you are such a idiot. Any answer would have been better than the truth! What the hell is wrong with you!?

The answer leaves a curious look on Baal's face, and you turn away in embarrassment, quickly hugging your knees close to your chest. You have never spoken about your past so nonchalantly.

Instead of sparing you, Baal continues. "Was your father born here, in Inazuma? Perhaps I know of him."

You wave your hand dismissively. "Born in Mondstadt, moved here to live with his wife. He was sick when he took me in. Died when I was nine."

Might as well go all in, right? Maybe now she will consider the fact that you seriously don't want to talk about this anymore. You don't know why you felt... comfortable... around this woman who should be your enemy. Was it her age? Her demeanor? Your strange friendship with her? Who knows.

"I am of the assumption you do not know who your birth parents are, then."

"No clue. Could be dead or I could have been abandoned. I don't care either way, my true father died years ago."

Baal nods, "I understand the sentiment."

"...can gods be orphans...?"

Baal seems amused at your question, the corners of her mouth turning up the slightest bit. You curse inwardly when she doesn't laugh. It's becoming a personal challenge at this point, what can make the scary Raiden Shogun laugh?

"I was once human as well. My mother and father were very withdrawn from us, however. It was almost as if I truly was an orphan."

"Us?"

All of a sudden, Baal's demeanor shifts. She has this, for a lack of a better word, terrifying look on her face. You immediately bristle, embarrassed about your own exclamation.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to—"

"I was referring to... my sister and I." Morbid expression gradually turning into one of silent sorrow. "She is no longer here in the waking world. She was... the only family I ever had."

A wave of silence stretched between the two of you.

You feel a short breeze carry over the garden, leaving you to inhale the soft scent of flowers. Gardening... it had always reminded you of your dad. Of his strong but silent demeanor... his sarcasm which definitely rubbed off on you... just...everything. It was too much.

When you had met Baal in the garden that night a few weeks ago, it was the first time you had brought up gardening in years. The grief had always haunted you too much to even consider doing anything that would remind you of him.

From the look in Baal's eyes; she seems to feel the same way.

You wordlessly reach over. Slowly, you place your palm over the back of her hand in a sign of understanding. And she lets you.

She doesn't move to push you away, and she doesn't say a word as she flips her hand over to entangle her fingers with yours.

You don't remember how long the two of you sat in the dirt like that, but neither of you pry your hands away.

At one point, your tired head leans down against her shoulder. Her thumb is tracing the back of your hand. It feels nice, calming even. You feel your mind drift.

You don't mind this at all, and the thought frightens you a bit, but you don't move.

You don't even think about prying yourself out of her grasp.
‎
‎
‎
‎