Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Elysia is used to waking up with an empty bed next to her. As a songwriter for an infamous game company, Eden is a busy person. She once told her that writing a good song needs much inspiration to leave an impression on its listeners. Eden always writes songs with all her heart so, of course, she takes her job diligently. Often times Eden would go touring several continents for weeks just so she can immerse herself in the local culture and enhance her ideas —which Eden also doesn't forget to bring her along. Other times she would get up very early and get home very late when Eden was pursued by a deadline. But never once, did Eden forget to give her a kiss on her forehead whenever she get home very late or before leaving for work.

Today too is one of those days. Elysia can tell from the slight skin her bangs reveal when she woke up. Eden must be off to work by now, Elysia thought. So when she walked into the kitchen to grab some grub, she didn't expect Eden to wear an apron while making lunch for them.

"Oh, Ellie, good morning, although it's already 2 in the afternoon. I told you last night to not live streaming very late, didn't I?", Eden greets her with a smile and her usual gentle voice.

Elysia rubbed her eyes, once, twice, until she is really sure what she saw in front of her is Eden.

"Eden? Don't you have work today? Or did I accidentally sleep until Sunday?"

"Your reaction is funny, Ellie.", Eden giggled, "I have a week off so you can rest assured, you didn't sleep through the week."

"Oh! I see... That's good, no, it's very good~", Elysia scoots closer to Eden's side without interrupting her, "We rarely have free time together. There are so many things I want to do with you when we get the chance. For example, I got this idea from chat saying that I should check out the new amusement park in their city and there's also a list of movies we haven't been able to watch so— Eden?"

Her ramble was cut off when Eden caressed her cheeks and rub her thumb just right on her cheekbone. Elysia follows the movement of Eden before looking at her eyes but the tall lady wasn't just looking back at her, she is staring affectionately. That enough is a good sign Eden was distracted, a common occurrence when they have a conversation, not always for sure.

"Eden? Are you listening?", Elysia tries to snap her back to reality.

"I rarely see your face when you just woke up. It's quite interesting."

Elysia gasped and took one step back, flustered, she combed her hair quick with her hands and tapped her cheeks.

"I- I don't have panda eyes, didn't I? or left any trails of drools?", she panicked. Maybe she really should have listened to Eden's advice last night.

"Calm down, Ellie, you didn't. I just found that even your wake-up face is beautiful as always.", Eden retracted her hand and back to flip the katsu she was frying with a chopstick.

"Geez... of course, I am! I am Elysia, the prettiest girl you can find in the entire world~ Ah, I mean you too, Eden."

There goes her narcissistic side of her showing again, but Eden doesn't mind it. She doesn't deny it. Elysia is indeed pretty with her long pink hair and charming personality. It's sometimes a wonder how she can be so lucky living together with a pretty girl like her.

"I know.", Eden responded, "Anyway, Ellie, about how to spend my week off, I will leave it to you. We can go wherever you want."

"That's fascinating! It's been a while since the last time I make vlogs about us."

"Ah, I mean just two of us, you and me, without any camera or people to be entertained."

The idea of Elysia making vlogs actually still bothers her. Eden knows everyone loves Elysia. She has the personality that gets along with anyone and gladly does volunteer work since she likes helping other people in need. Still, Eden doesn't like to share what is hers.

"No vlogs?", Elysia ask to make sure.

"Yes."

"But I want to share with the world I get to spend time with my wonderful girlfriend.", Ellie made an excuse, her tone almost like pleading in a sweet voice.

"..."

Eden sighed, feeling defeated.

"That's unfair, Ellie. When you use that tone. Alright, you can. But only for outdoor activities. Indoor is off camera."

"Thank you, Eden~", Elysia tip-toed and give Eden a kiss on her cheek, "So what are we having for lunch?"

"I make something simple, a katsu-don with teriyaki sauce and some salad.", Eden replied while putting away the golden brown katsu and starting plating it nicely for two of them, "We should shop for some groceries later too. We barely have anything stored in the fridge."

"Of course! Let's go shopping together."

Elysia helps Eden set the table and stays close to her, being clingy even when they just have lunch. It's rare that Elysia gets to eat Eden's cooking so while she can she really takes her time. Eden noticed this and took the initiative to feed Elysia by herself which Elysia welcome gladly. At times like this Eden would pay attention very close to her to make every moment worthwhile. Even to the smallest ones like rice grains on Elysia's corner lips.

"Hm? What's wrong, Eden?", Elysia noticed Eden has been staring at her for a while.

"Wait, don't move.", Eden lean forward and took the rice grains by her mouth, "Eat slowly, Ellie."

"Oh...", Elysia blushed, "I must look like a child right now. What a mess."

"I like your childish side too, Ellie."

After having their lunch, they watch a television sitcom until evening and decide to take a bath before going to bed. A very lazy day doing nothing. But for them, it's their quality time.

"Eden, are you sleeping yet?", Elysia turned on her pillow, facing Eden.

"No. Is something bothering you, Ellie?", Eden replied almost immediately, still closing her eyes. Elysia, without saying a word, get closer and tugged Eden's pajama. "Ellie?", only then did Eden turn around.

"I just want to admire your sleeping face closely.", Elysia whispered, "You often came home whenever I already fell asleep and I never get up earlier than you."

"I'm sorry to make you feel lonely, dear Ellie.", Eden pats Elysia's head before pulling her closer for a hug, "I'm here now."

Elysia nodded and snuggle her way into Eden's neck. She inhales her cinnamon-like scent, sweet and calming. 

"Eden?"

"Yes, Ellie?"

"Eden...", she mumbled.

"...Do you want me to sing a lullaby to help you sleep? I write new songs that sound soothing.", Eden offers a suggestion.

"I prefer the one you used to sing to me."

"Aren't you bored listening to the same song? I write others for you too.", Eden huffed.

"I rarely listen to you sing. Would it hurt you that I ask for a simple request?", Elysia pouted.

So Eden starts humming the song for Elysia while also running her fingers through Elysia's long strands, tucking her bangs behind her ear to take a great look at her girlfriend's face in the dark with only moonlight illuminating the room. Somehow she can tell Elysia smiling at her.

"What is the title of the song? I just remember I never get the chance to ask you.", she asked when Eden finished.

"I never give a title for that one."

"You should give one. I can't refer to a song with no name."

"Für Elysia."

"What?"

"The title. Für Elysia. I name it just now."

Chapter Text

If there's one thing Eden holds dear in her heart, aside from Elysia, it's a song. Composing music is her work, telling a journey through ballad is her way of life, something she holds on to when she fell down, it's her light of hope and her story. Instead of pages of a diary, Eden prefers to keep memories in the form of a song. So that people will remember a piece of her.

There is not a day when Eden is separated from musical instruments. At home, they have a piano, violin, and harp. All of them were personally bought by Eden when they move in. Even Eden asked Elysia to install synthesizer software on her personal computer so she can write more songs.

Elysia likes to watch Eden play harp the most. Her figure stood like a goddess descended from heaven while her fingers trailed gracefully between the strings of the harp. Likewise when she plays the violin and piano. Each of the notes was a heavenly sound to Elysia's ears. Besides playing instruments, Eden also has a hobby of collecting classical music records.

There's an antique gramophone sitting in their study room. Next to it was a shelf full of Eden's classical collection. Eden always tells her all of her collection. The one that inspires her the most is George Frederic Handel. Eden said his violin sonata was rich and flavourful. She confessed to playing even one of his pieces, she need to practice so much. But her effort was fruitful, Eden is now proficient and talented.

Usually, Eden would lost in thought when she played a piece of music. She didn't even notice when Elysia came into the room and sat on one of the sofas, silently watching her. Only when Eden put down the bow did she realize the presence of her clapping lover.

"Wonderful as always, Eden.", Elysia praised in awe.

"Elysia? Since when?", Eden turned around and put down the violin in its case.

"Only halfway through. A bit late to see your full performance.", there's a disappointing note in her voice. After all, she doesn't want to miss any of Eden's plays.

"I suppose you feel bored then? I thought you were still streaming."

"Ah, about that, something came up and I have to finish the live stream early."

"Oh? Care to tell?"

"...", Elysia seems hesitant to tell her, "I want to listen to you when I heard you play the violin. Do an encore, Eden."

"You didn't really answer my question, Ellie.", Eden's forehead frowned and pressed Elysia to explain. She walked toward Elysia, kneeling, and cupped her lover's face with her two hands. "Did something happen?"

"I...", Elysia's eyes leered to her side, "I got a troll wave. Suddenly the chat is full of harassment.", Elysia sounds bitter.

"Again?", Eden sighed. It's not the first time this kind of thing happen. Eden did warn her when Elysia said she want to try v-tubing that haters will always exist no matter how she acts. But Elysia being Elysia, is quite stubborn when it comes to getting along with people. Eden swears Elysia sometimes can be very naive for believing everything can be solved through talking. Yet that's also one of her charms that made Eden fall for her.

"Have you thought of st—"

"I'm sure everyone is just tired today.", Elysia cut Eden's sentence in haste, "Maybe they have a bad day at work or an argument with their friends and family. So I told everyone to have a nice rest and snuggle in their warm blanket.", again in her usual cheerful voice which makes Eden even more doubtful.

"...I really can't do anything about you, am I?", Eden gives Elysia a hug to hide her concern which Elysia return the favor by giggling into her shoulder.

"I'm sorry for being a bad girlfriend, Eden~"

Eden shook her head, "No, you are not. You are perfect the way you are."

Elysia has always been like this. Kindhearted, considerate, selfless, and pure. That's why she can get along with anyone. Even for any offense directed to her, she would return it with kindness. In a way, Elysia seems stronger than she looks to not get bothered with those annoying posters.

"Let's do something more fun, Ellie.", Eden stepped back and took one of the records off of the shelves then turn the gramophone.

"Aren't you gonna— Wait, this piece... Chopin?", Elysia took a guess.

Eden smiled and extended her hand, "Yes. Let's do some waltz, dear Ellie. May I?"

Elysia was about to accept the offer but she pulled back, "I never dance you know. I don't know how.."

"I will teach you."

Eden take her hand and draw the shorter woman close to her embrace, "I will take the lead. You just need to follow my step.", Eden leaned to whisper in her ear, "We will take it slow. Don't mind it if you missed a step or two. Just have fun with me, alright?"

Elysia blushed and can only nod to that. She even accidentally let out a yelp when Eden pulled her even closer by her hip. Oh, they were so close in this position. She almost can hear her loud heartbeat. Of course, they have been more close than this compared to other times in their leisure but it's her first time dancing with Eden. Their height difference looks more apparent when they stood facing each other like this. She didn't remember the last time she had to look up just so she can see her girlfriend. Was it their first kiss?

And so as the music plays, Eden leads her around the room while maintaining the pace so Elysia can keep up with her. Sometimes small steps, take a turn, and other times Eden would let Elysia spin in her grip. It doesn't take much time until Elysia gets used to her steps without counting numbers anymore. And finally, Elysia let out a genuine smile for the first time of the day. it's enough to tell Eden that Elysia's mood getting better.

Then suddenly Elysia slipped and fell to her back.

"Whoa— careful..."

Fortunately, Eden was quick to react. Following her fall, she bends forward and holds her. Elysia grasped Eden's arm tightly and their whole dance sequence stopped. Their faces were just an inch close to each other. Not to mention the out of breath they let out after continuous waltz, it makes the small space between them get hotter by the second.

"I— Thank you... Eden. Um... can you help me stand up?"

Eden kept quiet. Rather than helping Elysia, she pulled Elysia's arm high and picked her up, carrying the girl in her hands to lay on a nearby sofa.

"Ooff...! Eden?", Elysia grunted when she was laid down so suddenly. Eden immediately hovered over her and confine the short girl between her arms. "E-Eden?", still in shock, Elysia can't comprehend Eden's intention.

"Ellie. Ellie... My dear, Ellie.", Eden call out her name again and again. She took one of Elysia's hands, kissed the wrist, and inhaled the scent on the palm. Elysia can't help but blush, her cheeks become redder and she can feel the heat on her face. After a second, Eden gives her a gentle kiss on the lips.

"I will give you everything you asked, my dearest, Ellie."

Chapter Text

"I think this is good enough.", Eden said to herself. She wrote down the notes on a sheet of paper in front of her, "Let's test it.", and tried to play the line written just now. A series of piano chords immediately fill the silence in the studio once again. As she plays, she tried to feel the ambiance by closing her eyes, focusing all her senses on hearing alone before stopping midway.

"Hm..? Should I tunned one octave up?", she mumbles and repeat the sequence once again, "Better..", then smiled, feeling satisfied. She gets up from her seat, took the sheet off the music stand, and decided to sit by the window frame. As she took a sip of her drink, she hummed the tune as if playing the piece with an instrument in her head. Since Eden has perfect pitch, it was easy for her to demonstrate musical notes. She wasn't aware that she was being watched by a pink-haired girl that she left on the bed this morning.

"I never heard that one. It was quite pleasant.", the girl called her out, still in her disheveled nightwear.

"Good morning, Ellie.", Eden welcomed her with an open arm and gestured for her lover to sit on her lap which she followed obediently.

"Morning, dear Eden.", Elysia kissed her cheeks and swiftly took Eden's glass away, "No drinking very early in the morning. How many times do I have to tell you that?", she pouted. Eden replied with a chuckle to the remarks and circle her hand around her hips.

"It's not much, Ellie. I promise."

Elysia puffed in annoyance. For Eden, not much means a whole bottle. She swear she will install a fingerprint lock on their wine cellar just so Eden can't sneak around to grab a bottle when she was away.

"By the way, Ellie... is your body alright? I mean from last night.", Eden tucked away Elysia's hair from her shoulder, revealing the red mark that is still there.

"You were a bit rough, Eden. You might break your cute girlfriend~", she teased, circling a finger on Eden's collarbone.

"I will try to hold back next time. Forgive me, okay?"

Eden pampers her with a slight peck all over her face that tickled Elysia. But then her attention then directed to the paper sheer in her other hand.

"Is that a new song?", Elysia asked a question when she saw Eden's scribble written on it. "Can I see it?"

"Sure. Sing for me, Ellie."

"Eden, you flattered me. My voice is not as good as you."

Even had said that Elysia still turn the sheet to her way and give it a quick read through the notes. Thanks to her experience of living with Eden for several years, she can read the musical sheets and sing the song to an extent. Eden only watches her mumbling to herself to adjust her voice with the piece. She likes to see this side of Elysia that is eager to learn like kids, pure and innocent. Several minutes passed before Elysia finally gave out a nod of confidence. 

"Alright. Come, Eden, play with me.", she pulled Eden along with her back to the piano, insisting the other woman play the instrument as she sings.

"Anything for you, dear Ellie."

Eden starts pressing the key to the intro of the song, giving her a cue to start singing her part. Elysia's voice is beautiful just like herself, sweet and eloquent. Truly a voice of an angel, she thought. Oh, and how Elysia gazes at her affectionately. Eden would never have enough of it. A moment like this makes Eden wish time would just stop and frozen to preserve her feelings and their world of two, colored by the glittering gold and bright sapphire.

I dream to see the birds in the sky

kissing the horizon,

and white dove singing for the world

that looks like a mist of flowers,

as the children smile

I make a wish to the shooting star

As the outro carried the closing, Elysia turned and sit next to her. To her surprise, she initiates a duet following Eden's play. She didn't know Elysia can play the piano. Has she practiced all this time when she was busy at work? Because that would send her heart flying at this point.

But Elysia didn't let the song end. She keeps playing, improving, and prolonging the piece. As if Elysia heard her wish.

"Come, Eden. Together." -Is what Elysia's eyes said when Eden make a questioning look at her.

So she plays along. Eden press the keys by what her heart said and Elysia responded gladly, filling the empty tune.