Then it was settled.

Houtu willing, retirement was on the horizon, and they would have their long-deserved rest at last. Free to be with each other as they had all those years ago, unrestrained by duty and responsibilities: they had endured every joy and every hardship together, seen their lives uprooted and planted firmly time and time again; they had suffered war and loss, even survived the end of the world, and somehow throughout it all still managed to raise eight children together (which was probably harder than all of the other things combined).

It had been a fulfilling life, and it wasn't over yet.

As the crackle of the fire lulled them into a strange haze, Valeska felt her skin turn electric at Amaranth's soft touch. An uncharacteristically soft giggle escaped her lips as her mate traced the lines of her body, grateful that even after all of this time, they still found their ultimate happiness in each other.

Home was, would always be, Amaranth.

Good.

And that was all Valeska said before she, too, melted into the soft coil of their bodies, silver and gold twining together like shimmering thread.