Work Text:
Alouette was glad to be out of the manor again. And more so to be performing again. Things had been utterly suffocating there. Or so she kept telling herself. Not being able to walk was difficult, and she had worried they’d leave her down in the labs while waiting to get to her. And maybe Peter had planned to.
She enjoyed being on stage and the sound of applause at the end of every song. The freedom to move freely and do as she pleased again. Or at least as much as she could. Peter still wanted her to rest her legs between shows. A trail to make sure the work held up. But it was still freedom and she wanted to enjoy it.
But she found herself missing the manor. Or at least some of the people she met. Peter wasn’t the one that checked in on her. Though plenty of bots did. Some brought her trinkets and soft things to make the lab more bearable. As if soft things mattered to someone who couldn’t feel. One even brought her clothes to change into and helped her change. It didn’t really matter, but it was nice to freshen up.
She missed the friends she’d made. Except for Nico, she told herself. Again. A curious puppy that wouldn’t leave her alone. He came down with Peter to work on some of the doors and converting standing desks. He was curious, in a friendly but bothersome kind of way. He kept her company, even when she tried to make him go away. He was even there when Peter tested her legs.
Walking across the room on unsteady legs, she only made it a few steps before they went out, and she collapsed. And directly into Nico’s arms. He had rushed to her side and kept her from damaging herself more. He even had the audacity to laugh and smile warmly when she scolded him for getting in her way and tried to detangle her limbs from his.
No, she absolutely did not miss Nico, and she wouldn’t think about him. Not for a single second. Not how he laughed brightly, when he carried her back to the workbench, or how he kept her company, so the dark labs weren’t so lonely. Or how he followed her around once she was free of them. He worried over everything she did, even when he quite literally couldn’t keep himself together. Alouette was not thinking about him, not at all.
She was looking forward to seeing everyone again while she came back to be looked over. As much as she loved being on stage and singing for everyone, she also enjoyed the quiet parts of the manor. Sitting with the bots while they sewed or watched movies. And even she loved to sit in the garden with good company. And it wouldn’t be long until she was back. Just a few more shows, and she would be on her way back.
And while she was on her way home, someone was even more excited than she was. Nico was pacing through the halls and telling everyone about it that would listen. She’d been gone for weeks, and he hated it! He liked getting to talk with her, even if sometimes he thought he might be annoying her. Just a little. He wanted to do something nice for her, but what? Walking in through the garden, he got an idea.
When Alouette finally came home and walked through the doorway, she was greeted by Nico standing in her way. Fighting the urge to smile, she frowned, just slightly, instead as she watched him. Sighing, she put her hand on her hip. “What do you want, chiot?”
He smiled brightly, hands behind his back. “Welcome back! Did you have fun touring?” He asked, stepping up to greet her. He knew not to invade her space too much, but he was still so glad she was back!
Raising a brow, she crossed her arms. “I did.” Seeing his hands were hidden behind her back, she leaned to the side, just a bit. “What are you hiding, chiot? I’m not playing fetch. I’m far too tired for your games.”
Nico laughed brightly at that, warm and welcoming. As always. “Of course not!” He showed her his modest pick of a bouquet. Yellow petals with tiny white flowers dotted around them. “Here!” Offering her the flowers, he smiled so wide his eyes closed. “I wanted to give you something to welcome you back.”
Alouette paused and looked the tiny display over before taking it. She seemed to be giving them a critical eye, though more she was trying not to show how happy she was to be greeted. Holding them carefully, she smiled a little. “This is the worst bouquet that I’ve ever been given.”
That made him frown a little. His head dropped and he wrung his hands together worriedly. “They were the best looking ones in the garden.”
Still looking at the flowers, she started to walk into the manor. When there wasn’t another set of footsteps, she stopped and turned around. “Come on, chiot. You can help me find a vase for these.”
His head perked up and he was quickly at her side. “Of course! I think there’s some in the kitchen, we can go look. Can you tell me about your tour? Oh! How are your legs, do I need to carry you?”
“Chiot!”