feeling all the shades of indigo

Vervain

even the darkest night
will end

"It's alright. I've got you," Vai murmurs to Hotaru with a reassurring smile, her hands already gently pulsing as she pours healing magic into the other woman, lending her strength and ease to soldier on through this last hurdle. "You can do this," she assures her, though it's unsure whether she's speaking to herself or to Hotaru at this point. It begins again, and in the breath between the baby's delivery and the cry, it feels as though all colour bleeds out of the world itself.

And then it comes, Vai letting out a long, shuddering sigh as she wraps the baby up, wiping at her cheeks as she rises to her feet. "Your daughter has a little brother," she whispers, beaming between the two of them and moving to offer him out to Hotaru that she might enjoy these precious first moments. "Congratulations."

and the sun
will rise