Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

To tell you the truth, his release almost felt surprising.

They said the Oratrice always reached the right conclusion, who thought it could also misunderstand situations the few times humans didn't? Well, nevermind that now, the important thing now is that Childe is free from jail.

Of course, Neuvillette, felt a great urge to apologize to the man. He was accused of a crime he did not commit and was imprisoned for it, he deserves one.

And so, it began.

Neuvillette took out keys from the cell the ginger man had been waiting in for the past few days. As soon as he heard the sound of keys hitting each other, he perked up from his seat and looked at Neuvillette like the world suddenly flipped. He was fine??? Of course, he was! He knew he didn't commit the crime! But what if it didn't work out...

Nevermind that, he's free now.

Neuvillette opened the cell and put his hands together in an apologetic way. "Childe, the 11th of House of Hearth, we sincerely apologize for imprisoning you here for the past week. It is our mistake for relying on the decision of a device and we hope you and the Fatui can forgive us. We will forward the apology to the Tsaritsa if needed."

Childe grinned and put hands on his hips, feeling the long awaited freedom. "Oh, no need to forward it, I'm sure we don't want to bother the Tsaritsa. Although, I will say, a verbal apology isn't exactly enough for me to forgive you."

"Oh— I apologize, I should've figured an apology speech won't make up for the lost days. What would you suggest, then?"

"Hm, let's see." Childe brought a hand to his chin to think. "Actually, I might have an idea."

Neuvillette, intrigued, suddenly felt gagged at the words that left the ginger's mouth. "An apology fight."

"Excuse me?"

"An apology fight."

"I'm sorry, but I must refuse."

"Oh, come on. I only deserve to have a proper fight with you after you knocked me out in one hit."

Neuvillette fell silent. The statement was true, after all, but still it felt so ...inappropriate? He was supposed to fight the person he just released? Is that professional?

He cleared his throat and rested his hands on his cane. "If I may, I suggest we don't participate in violent acts. Especially since we are both involved with the governments of our nations..."

"No worries, I don't want this fight to be professionally involved at all!"

"...I see."

The Harbinger seemed so genuine about wanting a fight with Neuvillette. He couldn't figure out if it was some type of facade Childe was putting up, that thrilled face everytime the word "fight" was mentioned.

But, Neuvillette still was pretty opposed to the idea.

"Please, let us figure out another way."

"I'm not sure that's possible," Childe smiled, with a glint of mirth, perhaps malice, in his eyes, "but I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. If you eventually find some idea, feel free to tell me." Childe walked to the door on his own accort with a small wave, "I'll be waiting to hear your ideas, if you have trouble finding me, just go back to where you defeated me first."

It wasn't even exactly a riddle, rather a very obvious clue, and yet Neuvillette left the cell utterly confused and disoriented. Where to now?

On the way back to business, he was met with the Traveler.

Oh.

They stared at each other for a moment before Neuvillette broke the silence. "Hello, Traveler, I'm sure you've hesrd already, but your companion, Childe, has been released. I have a small request, or rather a question."

The Traveler looked at Neuvillette with curious eyes, which burned a bit of Neuvillette's confidence in asking. Either way, this was his best chance in getting an answer.

"If you had to apologize to Childe— I mean. Apologies, let me be more clear. I'd like to properly apologize to Childe for the trouble our false accusations towards him have caused, but when I asked him for a suggestion, it was rather... how to put it politely... not prosperous for the sake of peace? I'd like to ask if you, as his friend, know something that could.potentially satisfy him to the same core, except not as ...violent?"

"Ah, he asked you to fight him?"

Neuvillette stopped breathing for a second. So the proposal wasn't the first time the Harbinger has ever requested a fight with someone ...Wonderful.

"Yes ...precisely."

"Huh, well... I don't mean to be rude, but I don't think there's any other way to convince him to resolve this without a fight. At least, from my exprience..."

Ah, Neuvillette understood perfectly. Guess there was no way of dodging a fight with Childe.

"Thank you, Traveler. I'll ...think about it."

"No worries, if I recall something else that could help you, I'll tell you immediately."

"I appreciate it."

And so they bid their goodbyes and continued going to where they were individually headed.

After work, when Neuvillette finally felt like getting some peace of mind, he suddenly remembered the apology fight.

'Is there truly nothing else I could do?' 

He rested his head on his hands, beginning to feel frustration from the amount of burned creativity he'll have to use to figure our some type of plan to not fight Childe. He sighed, this is going to be incredibly draining to think about.

By some miracle, or rather by a night of lost sleep thinking about a Harbinger's wish, Neuvillette finally came up with an idea. An apology dinner. Is it the greatest idea? Of course not. Should he try it regardless? Why not.

And so, he headed to where Childe's words have guided him, the Opera Epiclese.

As he got closer to the stage, he was surprised to see how empty it was there. Even when court doesn't take place in defending someone's crimes, theatre and shows are to be held here. So why was it so quiet?

Suddenly, he heard footsteps with the smallest sound of jingle bells hitting the floor.

"And here I was afraid you wouldn't show up! I'm glad to see you've taken up the offer!" the Harbinger looked at Neuvillette delightedly.

"My apologies, but I am not here to fight you. I have a proposal for another idea, rather."

"Oh, and what might that be?"

"An apology dinner..." he said quietly, suddenly.not quite sure if this really was that amazing of an idea.

"An apology fight you say, I'd love to!"

"Dinner. Apology dinner, sir Childe."

Childe blinked and let out a laugh. Laugh which sent Neuvillette into both confusion and somewhat shame?

"I must say," Childe said between small laughs, "I did not expect something that peaceful after I suggested to fight the Chief Justice of Fontaine." 

He jumped down from the stage right next to Neuvillette and put a hand on his shoulder. With a slightly whispery voice, he spoke: "Let's see then, Chief Justice, I'll tell you if I forgive you after the dinner. Don't get your hopes up too much." He headed towards one of the doors leading to the front of the Opera Epiclese. As he reached for the door handle, a voice far behind him rang: "The dinner will be at Café Lucerne at 6 PM. Will I see you there, 11th?"

Childe turned towards Neuvillette one more time with a grin and then disappeared from sight.

Chapter Text

Neuvillette stood in front of the Café Lucerne, waiting patiently for his initial "date". It felt like a breath of fresh air to go to dinner with someone without it having to be about some business transactions, although this wasn't necessarily an ideal situation anyway. He was surprised to hear the Harbinger accept, but he was worried maybe this really isn't to satisfy him on the level the fight would.

He tapped the cane he held a few times when suddenly a certain someone appeared behind him.

"Hi there! Sorry for being a bit late, I had to deal with some last minute business." The Harbinger smiled as he leaned over Neuvillette's shoulder. Neuvillette flinched at the unexpected greeting, though he quickly recompositioned himself and turned towards Childe. He fixed his collar to distract himself from his own awkwardness before greeting back.

"Hello Childe. I'm thankful you've accepted the offer to dine here with me."

"Of course! I'm intrested in what spurred the thought of an apology dinner in the first place!" the Harbinger's curious smile was always so surprisingly non-threatning, yet he was the one who kept suggesting to fight in a courthouse.

Neuvillette's facial features softened, he wasn't sure either why the thought that occured to be the most acceptable to him was dinner, which is nothing compared to a fight, regardless, Childe accepted and that was the important thing about all this.

Brushing off the question, Neuvillette's gaze pointed at the entrance to the café. "Shall we enter in?"

Childe nodded and they headed inside. They sat down and started reading the menu, continuing the conversation. 

"Since we're already on a date, might as well get to know you a bit better. Any hobbies?"

Neuvillette, breathe. Why did you stop breathing?

"Oh, uhm... I suppose... my job?"

Childe stared at Neuvillette for a few seconds and laughed. "Can't argue with that, although I must say I expected at least some surprising hobby outside of that."

"Surprising?" Neuvillette made a confused face.

"I mean, yeah! I just thought maybe Chief Justice enjoyed doing something that isn't necessarily arranging documents or judging in court."

"Well, if you word it like that..." Neuvillette put a hand on his chin and tried recalling if he did something enjoyable, preferably multiple times, "...perhaps flowers? I find those enjoyable, although I don't know how I could really call that a hobby..."

"Like you buy them?"

"No, I mean as in ...I often pick them, I guess? If ever met with a younger Melusine group, they like to mess with my hair, so I bring them flowers for it..."

A pair of ocean colored eyes stopped on him for a moment again.

"Well, you do sound like you enjoy that, getting your hair braided by the youngins." Childe rested his head on his arm, smugly smiling at Neuvillette as if he found it adorable. Maybe he did. Neuvillette's mind was in shambles as he tried not to look too embarassed by the other's obvious thoughts.

He cleared his throat, like he usually does when he's about to go through an awkward moment. "I find the happiness of the younger people I care about important."

"That's a mindset I can relate to." Childe put his hand out, as unecessary as it was, Neuvillette took it and they shook on it.

A waiter soon arrived, taking their orders and leaving soon right after.

Neuvillette, out of politeness of course (and an attempt to find out more about Childe in case this dinner was not enough to be let off the fight), was asking questions back. "Would you care to share some of your hobbies?"

"Of course! This is a hobby I have from my childhood days, but I enjoy fishing. Although— Sorry, I just realized maybe that's not appropriate in Fontaine."

"Why wouldn't it be?"

"Well, I just thought— It's the nation of Hydro, so... Nevermind. Anyway, maybe it's a bit childish but I still like to go sleighing with my younger siblings, as rare as it is of an occurence now."

"Why is it rare?'

"Well, I just don't get to be home as often working as a Fatui Harbinger."

Neuvillette felt more guilt suddenly knowing Childe was imprisoned partially because of him, maybe he would be home by now if he wasn't held up by the mistake which happened in court.

"It's still a very refreshing thing coming back home though, I'm sure the youngsters probably miss me a little too. I'll have to apologize to them for leaving so suddenly."

"You mean to say you aren't here on business?"

Childe shook his head, "No, I'm here on a personal matters actually. One of your Champion Duelists agreed to spar with me, so I came to do exactly thar. But also, my vision has been bothering me a little recently, so I came to seek what might be wrong with it."

"Your vision?"

"Yes, I'm a Hydro vision user. My vision is just currently under someone else's possession. Don't worry, it's consentual."

'Insteresting.' Neuvillette thought. "And you said there's been some kind of issue with it lately?"

"Yeah, for some reason I can't control it sometimes, it stops working randomly. I've also been, humiliatingly, getting a bit moody. I can't really explain why."

"Maybe it would be wise to speak with Lady Furina."

Childe sighed, "Yeah, but I don't think she'd be extremely delighted to see a person who asked to spar because of an accussation. Besides, are we sure she knows how to solve it."

Focalors was certainly a unique archon, but she cared about her people, Neuvillette highly doubted she'd deny someone else just because they're from another nation, especially since they've been granred with a Hydro vision. But, it was not certain whether she's dealt with this type of matter before, and who knows when Lady Furina's schedule will be free again...

The waiter returned with their orders, and without another word, they ate.

The initial 'date' went by almost too quickly. Neuvillette didn't have high hopes of forgiveness but a part of him almost didn't care. Childe was ...intresting to say the least. In a good way. But also maybe he'd like to find out more about him. Neuvillette kind of hoped no matter the outcome of today, he would get to talk with Childe once more sooner or later.

Maybe he was lucky.

"Thank you for the dinner, it was quite enjoyable. But, I'm not forgiving you completely just yet." Childe said playfully. Neuvillette couldn't object.

"Yes, do not worry. I've realized your imprisonment was a big inconvenience for you during our conversation, I'll try to think of something else." Neuvillette gave a polite bow.

Childe didn't exactly understand, if anything he felt a bit guilty now, not forgiving Neuvillette after a dinner. However, an oppoturnity is an oppoturnity. And Childe still wanted to spar with Neuvillette.

So he simply smiled at Neuvillette and waved as he disappeared off somewhere in the streets. Neuvillette simply stared at the spot he lost sight of Childe and huffed, somewhat fondly.

Interesting.

Chapter Text

Sometimes, it's a bit foolish how Fontaine can operate, just like this morning.

Neuvillette was called in, they said there's another case to solve in court. For what reason you might ask? A stolen piece of bread.

Right, the most sinful crime of all.

The guy who's half of a slice of bread got stolen is simply a bit too...short tempered and driven by justice, as Neuvillette wanted to think, as to not simply bail on the case. He stood in the court for hours between an arguing bread seller and a poor citizen, the one accused of the crime.

Ironically enough, the case continued for hours upon end, eventually finishing with the verdict of "Not Guilty". How surprising. Just gets your timbers shivering. I know. (I'm sorry for writing this segment, forgive me for my sins. I actually stole the bread slice - Author.)

Exhausted, Neuvillette drops his head face down on his table, right on the pile of papers he has to finish by next week. It's not that much paperwork, but looking at it at that moment really gave him the urge to throw it out the window and jump with it, when suddenly his five second relaxation time got interrupted by someone waltzing in his office.

"Sir Neuvillette."

"Clorinde?"

"My apologies for barging in here, I have an important report to make."

Neuvillette held himself back from groaning in mental exhaustion and sat upright in his seat. "Yes?"

"There's an issue with the gardemeks. They've all turned unresponsive."

"The gardemeks again? Has someone checked their condition properly?"

"We tried, but the gardemeks won't even open the entrance to their internal system. It was similar last time during the attack..." Clorinde quieted down, remembering the recent event.

Neuvillette's eyes slightly widened. This might turn into something worse.

"We need to put them all in an enclosed and protected space, this might be dangerous."

"Sir, I'm not sure it's possible to do so with the amount of gardemeks we have. Some might already be out of sight."

"Then at least the ones close by, I'll put out an announcement not to get close to the other sighted gardemeks and to report them immediately if seen."

"Understood." Clorinde bowed down and ran out the office to deal with everything swiftly.

Neuvillette sighed and pressed a hand to his forehead before standing up and heading outside as well.

He headed to the forest, even if it's unlikely to find a gardemek there, everyone is still at a risk if they find one there. Especially if a melusine gets lost. Poor tiny creatures.

Passing between the trees, sudden commotion could be heard in the distance. Mechanical noises and parts of metal being hit. Neuvillette ran towards the source of the sounds and was met with dead ocean blue eyes staring murderously at their opponent. He watched as their gaze, and essentially fists pierced through the gardemek, leaving it on the ground, barely moving.

Neuvillette thought of the strength of the Harbinger. Of course, he's aware of how ruthless and strong the Harbingers can be, but still, Childe was currently visionless, didn't use a delusion during the fight and yet he still destroyed one of Fontaine's guards.

Incredible...

"Oh, hi, didn't see you there!" Neuvillette snapped out of the daze he was left in by the familiar voice, which slowly came closer.

"Childe." he rested his hands on the cane he carries with him.

"What brings you here? Also, I may have been accused of a crime before, but I don't think I deserve to be sent back to jail after being cleared of guilt." he said sarcastically.

"The gardemeks have malfunctioned, all of them ...or I guess most of them, are currently in resting mode. What happened here, are you hurt?"

"Pfft, me? Hurt? I'm not a harbinger for no reason. With all due respect to the creators of your guards, they don't stand a chance against any of the Harbingers."

'Right.' Neuvillette thought, silent, wasn't he the one going on about how strong Childe was a moment ago?

"...But thank you, it's nice to know you'd care."

'Right.' Neuvillette thought, continuing to be silent as a faint blush crept up his cheeks from embarassment.

"Anyway, I was just passing through the forest and this gardemek wasn't functioning, yet as soon as I got close to it, it got up and attacked me."

"Yes, we've recieved a message about them not functioning properly at the moment, however this is the first one that's moved. Did you do anything with it?"

"No, if anything, I was actually going the other way from it. It was almost like something switched it on."

Neuvillette fell into more thoughts to carefully examine. Such a strange situation to just happen, considering how even the Oratrice misjudged a situation not long ago... Something might be messing with the entirety of Fontaine's technology. Or someone.

"Anyways, I suppose my help isn't really needed here any further?"

Right. Childe wasn't bound by any laws to help in this investigation. Neuvillette's facial features turned a bit sadder without him realizing. Maybe Childe noticed this, maybe it was by random, but he immediately took it back. "However, if you'd appreciate some extra help, I'm not against it..." Childe rubbed the back of his head. It's intresting how shy one can get offering help. Especially a harbinger...

Neuvillette smiled softly, "Thank you, Childe."

"You're welcome!" Childe smiled back just as happily.

"How did today's task go for you?"

"So far very well, all the gardemeks have been disabled."

"Very well, however I've heard of one being spotted fighting a certain man with a red scarf."

"Ah, of course. We weren't alerted of his presence in Fontaine, must be a personal matter."

"Well, nevermind that, as long as he doesn't interfere, there will be no problems with his existence within such radius..."

...

"She wouldn't be very happy with his extermination. Make sure if he interferes, he'll live... unless told otherwise..."

"Of course."

"Very well, you may return to your own matters.""

Chapter Text

They’ve circled the same forest area an awful amount of times by now. The sun has already set, only leaving a quiet atmosphere of the woods, and two people going somewhat insane after seeing the same fallen tree trunk for the tenth time in the past two hours. Maybe it was all for nothing, the thought has crossed their mind the same amount of times they’ve stepped over the trunk. Why were they doing this again?

Defeated, Neuvillette sat down on a cut tree stump with a big sigh. Childe, seeing this, exhaled with relief and tiredness and decided on giving up as well, plopping down next to him. After a moment of silence, Neuvillette’s urge to apologise kicked in.

“I’m sorry for dragging you into this, Childe.”

“Don’t apologise, I offered to help after all. I should’ve expected such a new case wouldn’t be resolved so quickly.”

With a light, apologetic exhale, Neuvillette looked up at the sea of stars forming in the sky. He supposed stargazing would make the evening at least a little more worth its efforts to soothe the mind. Childe observed carefully along, admiring the twinkling particles in the sky, and yet for a moment his eyes sparkled over something else, something he hadn’t let his thoughts ponder over much before. He must’ve stared a bit too long, because the sound of a familiar name rang in his ears. He swiftly retracted back to reality, creating some awkward apology to deflect the blaring, embarrassing silence once the muffled words stopped.

“I was just thinking—“ he peered at Neuvillette, catching his eyes, a mistake as it caused him to flare up more red than before, “—that this reminds me of our dinner a bit, well— it’s just, I enjoy spending time with you, I guess…”

Neuvillette was taken aback, but still attempted to respond composed, specifically by reducing his words, otherwise he’d likely fold on the spot.

“Oh, I’m flattered… Me too…”

Neuvillette turned back to the stars as to not embarrass himself more with the expression he was desperately making an effort to wipe off his face. He knew he’d have to hide himself forever if he were to expose how the words that Childe had just uttered so arbitrarily, forced his heart to jump, almost like it was willingly giving itself to him.

“Either way, I look forward to your other ideas on how to get me to forgive you.”

Right, okay. New ideas.

Neuvillette had none, to be specific. He was going to figure a plan out eventually, surely.

“No need to share them, yet, of course. I don’t mind a little surprise in the middle of the day.” Of course, Childe was jesting, and yet Neuvillette couldn’t help spiralling into some fit of anxiety over getting him to forgive him ever. Why was he obsessed with being forgiven so much anyway?

Their spontaneous meetup essentially came to an end at a certain late hour, and as Childe left the woods, all the sounds died down and Neuvillette could only watch his back get further from view. He was suddenly hit by a wave of poison, an intoxicating feeling of loneliness. He was not entirely lonely, however a certain presence lacked now, and it felt agonising.

Shrugging off unsaid urges, he headed home.

The following days were just as busy as ever, leaving Neuvillette resting on his desk, nodding off. The room was suddenly invaded by someone slamming the door open, Neuvillette wished maybe that stopped happening.

“We have a problem!”

If it weren’t Furina, maybe Neuvillette would raise his head a bit faster, but Furina was both a boss and a friend, her arrival would be enough time to wake from his exhausted state.

“Yes, Lady Furina?”

“Look outside!”

So he did, naturally. And his energy immediately flipped around, or perhaps it was adrenaline rushing in as people of Fontaine were scattered from everywhere, the bridge between the city and the Fountain of Lucine was filled and slowly getting fuller.

He bolted out, the Hydro Archon behind him. Suddenly they were met with gardemeks, forcing them to join the crowd. Neuvillette ran among the people, completely out of breath after reaching the fountain on the other side of the island.

“What happened here..?” Neuvillette managed to get out, and as if on command a man ran up, panickingly explaining the situation.

“SIR NEUVILLETTE!! HELP US!! THE GARDEMEKS WOKE UP AND FORCEFULLY CHASED US OUT HERE!! PLEASE, SAVE US!!”

“Please, calm down—” he coughed, still heaving. “—When did they wake up?” 

“BARELY HALF AN HOUR AGO, AND MORE SEEM TO BE COMING FROM OTHER DISTRICTS!!”

With every Fontanian here, we’re all going to get crushed eventually, or fall to the waters…

“Everyone here! Come inside the Opera Epiclese and stay there until the issue is resolved! Do not push each other on the way in and enter in an orderly fashion!”

And with, magically, minimal complications, the present wave of Fontanians settled in the Opera Epiclese. After checking that no one who was present had stayed outside, Neuvillette finally turned his attention to the gardemeks and Clorinde, appearing by his side.

“This sure is a strange situation, isn’t it?”

“Yes, indeed…”

They watched as the march was incoming from a distance again and the only thing they could rely on is the space left in the courthouse, which was already very limited by now, even just a third of the city itself has filled most of the house, and yet the gardemeks were pushing in the whole nation, it seemed.

Why specifically this place anyway? Was it a plan by someone to get everyone drowning once the floors would be overpopulated? Who’s doing was this anyway? 

Fate, perhaps.

And Fontaine was here to play the part.

After a while, the number of civilians present was rising again, which indicated another emergency plan would be needed. The planning was however interrupted by commotion inside the Opera Epiclese. 

Neuvillette ran in, the Oratrice Mecanique d’Analyse Cardinale going ham at its spot. Neuvillette stepped even closer upon witnessing the chaotic action, commanding to stay calm to everyone behind him in the room. The tip of his index finger touched the mechanism and a wave of discomfort hit him. Clutching his wrist, he pulled away and stared in horror.

Now he understood. Today, set so perfectly, as the prophecy had foretold. Judgement upon all Fontanians. Regardless of what takes their lives away, the flood or punishment, the end was nearing.

Neuvillette turned back to the silently panicking crowd. Their faces, so unknowing. Furina sat at her usual place, meeting Neuvillette’s eyes and understood, sinking in her spot with woes filling her income of tears.

“Lady Furina?!”

“What’s wrong Lady Furina?!”

Fate was inevitable, no new discovery. Yet, despair was also not dodgeable in a moment like this. Neuvillette finally sank too, and—

Opened his eyes to the sound of his door slamming open.

“Neuvillette!”

Furina was soaking with rain, it almost felt like some of the wetness got to him as well.

Oh.

During lunch, Neuvillette thought about it. He actually kind of wished it weren’t just a nightmare, because then he wouldn’t have to await its arrival.

Zoned out, he did not register someone sitting down next to him.

“I see you’re pretty tired.”

Neuvillette’s senses started going back into focus once he finally felt the right voice pulling him to reality. The concern on his face however, Childe could admire it only as much as he was worried. Sometimes, the eyes of genuine sorrow showed only occasionally, and yet so strongly.

What really brought him back though was his face being held by gloved hands, something which he should’ve considered an invasion of personal space and comfort, and yet he could only lean in to the touch more.

“Childe.”

The ginger smiled in response and said with glee, “You’re back.”

Letting himself relax around Childe’s presence finally brought all the exhaustion back and his head collapsed on the other’s chest. He’ll write a formal apology about invading personal space as an indirect act of revenge later.

Chapter Text

Neuvillette opened his eyes to find himself pressed against a soft mattress. The outside behind the window pane was surprisingly not that dark, he figured he must’ve slept for only a few hours… (or a little over a “few” hours)

The room was unfamiliar, although Neuvillette could recognize the wallpaper, was he in Hotel Debord? He scanned his surroundings again, slowly recalling the occurrence before his supplemental slumber. Childe must’ve been the one to bring him there. His chest warmed up at the thought of the harbinger’s care for him, but also the embarrassing idea of being princess-carried here, which he swiftly disposed of in his mind for internal peace’s sake.

The knock on the wooden door frame from another room and turn of the doorknob finally revealed the guy. “Good morning Chief Justice, it's been a while.” The corners of Neuvillette’s mouth twitched in refusal to smile at the futile title tease, cruel how the same sort of revenge would send a rather threatening feeling towards the Harbinger because of the situations it’s usually brought up in.

“Better now?”

Neuvillette nodded: “Yes, I feel well rested, thank you. My apologies for inconveniencing you, I shall repay you for the room as well.”

“Oh, no need! It’s my hotel room, you’re just resting here, nothing to worry about.”

Oh.

“Oh, regardless, you have my gratitude.”

Childe only grinned in response, turning the topic over: “I don’t know how appropriate it is to ask you this in your state, but since we finally have a moment to talk again, any updates on your date ideas?”

Neuvillette was always taken aback by the word “date” when it came to this situation. He’s Fontaine’s judge, he’s had many dates with people regarding business, this just felt a bit too casual for him to consider it purely professional, so how could he keep his composure having it mentioned so normally.

“You know, if you don’t have any, the fight offer is always open—”

“I have thought of something.”

A tinge of disappointment formed on Childe’s face at the refusal to fight, however he seemed intrigued by what Neuvillette said. “Oh?”

“How do you feel about sightseeing, Childe?”

Childe had to admit, this kind of sightseeing felt different to the usual. They were not, in fact, going around the city, it even felt more like an adventure for how far they’ve gone from the noisy area.

He observed the cubes made of fluid in the sky, amazed by how they could just float up there (...although upon remembering Celestia’s existence maybe it wasn’t all that strange.) despite not having some kind of ground foundation. Condensed seawater perhaps? Who knew, really.

Neuvillette set some safety restrictions as Childe was eager to try and climb up the broken paths leading up to the cubes, disappointing, but understandable. No need to upset the Tsaritsa about one of her harbingers dying to gravitation and poor decision making, they deserve to die to something a little more honorable.

“How long do you plan to stay in Fontaine, Childe?” their conversations always managed to establish quite a natural flow, even if they rarely ever got to finish properly.

“As long as it takes me to figure out what’s wrong with my vision.” Childe chuckled lightly, as self-evident the dishonesty sounded in it. There’s barely any joy in slowly losing yourself to fate. 

“Any plans you have to go about that matter?”

“Not really, I’m just trying to enjoy my time here I guess. The symptoms aren’t getting much better, but whatever it is, it’s either I’ll find it or I’ll let it find me! So I’d say taking time to do something won’t be as useless as it seems.” the bitterness of leftover hope, it felt almost too distasteful to consume. The air had remnants of it in its contents, Neuvillette’s nerves shook a little every time he breathed in as he could no longer tell if it’s determination that Childe was experiencing, or utter despair.

“Have you done anything fun during your visit so far?”

“Oh, yeah, I went fishing the other day!”

Some genuine excitement from the outlander finally lifted the rock off Neuvillette’s suffocating body. Even if everything felt like pretend sometimes, even just a millisecond of hope from the harbinger was extremely welcoming, and it drew Neuvillette in.

Some kind of poison found its way back to Neuvillette’s veins, but rather than occupying him and draining him, it was glueing him into the moment, or rather the picture that was being painted in front of him. The picture was already finished, actually, it only felt unfinished for Neuvillette. He felt maybe there was more to do with it, the smallest adjustments. He stopped in his tracks and Childe turned to him. Neuvillette reached his hand out to touch Childe’s face when suddenly the ground under his feet trembled for a second, crumbling down right after. Childe managed to get a hold of his hand, unfortunately the ground did not grab Childe, and they fell into the water.

The water wasn’t too deep, or too cold, thankfully. No one was hurt. Looking up they realized they got too distracted in their conversation and stepped onto a defect bridge, oh well.

Looking at each other again, they were close, and holding hands, or wrists. But Childe seemed captivated by something else. Neuvillette’s glowing parts, to be exact. Neuvillette, realising his dragon marks have likely come out in the water, attempted a pathetic cover up with his hand, putting it on his cheek. Before proper sense hit him it was set back by Childe’s palm covering his, once again admiring him.

After a while, Neuvillette noticed signs of struggle from Childe, since Childe was a human, and they were still underwater. The sense of responsibility finally kicked in and he pulled them up. Childe finally tried catching some air into his lungs, a cough betraying him after trying to hold his breath underwater for so long. Neuvillette swam to the shore still holding him by the wrist, still unsure of how he should feel after having had his other form exposed on accident, especially to a human. 

A few moments later, Childe was okay. “Sorry, I guess I didn’t realise we’ve been there for that long.” he chuckled.

Neuvillette made a small distraught hum and Childe probably understood off of that his suspicions were right.

“You know, that’s actually pretty cool. The glowing effect and stuff…”

Instantly, Neuvillette’s worry shifted into humor and he let out a scoff. Guess he doesn’t care about it that much…

That assumption was wrong, of course, but Neuvillette didn’t have to know. 

Nobody had to know.

“I think we should head back to the city.” Neuvillette suggested with a relaxed smile and Childe simply approved it.

Back at the hotel’s entrance, Childe held Neuvillette’s face again. 

“I like doing this.”

Neuvillette didn’t know whether to be wary or not of this act, however he felt more embarrassed by the potential audience of this. “Childe.”

Childe let go. “I’m just joking…”

…

“Do you actually?”

“Well…I’m interested now that there’s things to see I didn’t know about…”

“Huh?” Interested?

“W-well, regardless, thank you for today …and for saving me later on. See you soon?”

“Yes, soon…” Neuvillette gave Childe a reassuring smile and they waved goodbyes to each other.

Around the next corner he finally stopped functioning and had to lean on the wall for support. Interested???

It wasn’t unheard of. Chief Justice is well known in Fontaine, he’s guaranteed to have a few admirers. But Childe???

Neuvillette slapped himself lightly, maybe he was jumping the gun. Maybe Childe meant his dragon marks and head extensions, or maybe he didn’t. He also assumed maybe it wasn’t right to unpack it behind a hotel. Of course not.

He headed back to Palais Mermonia and shut himself in his office. He was ready to sink to the floor and think about this. Since when did he overthink these things anyway??? And then he noticed Clorinde at his desk.

“I’m sorry if this may not be the right time, but we found a new suspect regarding the gardemek matter. He is currently awaiting trial.”

“I see. I suppose it would be best to proceed with it as soon as possible?”

Clorinde was as surprised by that statement as much as Chief Justice himself. When has he ever wanted to put off important work for later? How much did today’s happenings affect his cognitive process for the love of Furina?

“I understand.” Clorinde stood up and headed out the door, “I’ll be outside when you’re ready.”

Neuvillette sighed with shame, it wasn’t the time to think about Childe’s possible confession. He recomposed himself and after a while, he opened the door and headed to the courthouse with Clorinde.