Chapter Text
Neuvillette set his cup of black tea down on the desk. Many people underestimated the power of this beverage. The bitter brew was unassuming, but it packed almost as much caffeine as coffee. The perfect solution for covert workaholics. After all, who would scold you for drinking three cups of tea in your office?
The judge's gaze returned to the report. The case of the missing women. He sighed quietly. It wasn't his style to be so frustrated, but this one particular case kept him awake at night. No matter how many people stood before his court, none of them were guilty. Justice had still not been served. Twenty years... how much longer would this case drag on? Another two decades?
Suddenly, the doors to Neuvillette's office swung open wide, and a shorter figure barged in. The judge didn't even need to turn around to know who it was. Furina's entrances were always chaotic and disorderly, and announcements were a rare occurrence. The Hydro Archon did this often whenever she wanted something from him.
"Neuvillette!" Focalors exclaimed with enthusiasm, placing a piece of paper on the judge's desk, thereby disrupting his order of paperwork.
"What do you need, Lady Furina?" the man asked with a perfectly calm tone.
"I have something for you!" The Archon looked at the paper she had brought with a joyful expression. Neuvillette could tell from her expression alone that another headache awaited him.
The Chief Justice slowly extended his hand as if he wanted to delay reading this document as much as possible. Neuvillette finally began to read. With each word, he was increasingly surprised. It had nothing to do with work or the courtroom! Instead, it had to do with...
"You'll be perfect for this!" Focalors exclaimed, looking proud of herself. "As soon as I heard about this program, I thought about how lonely and boring you are, so I signed you up right away. What do you think?"
"Exchanging letters with a complete stranger from another nation?" the judge quickly scanned the text again.
"Exactly. Doesn't it sound wonderful!? It's like long-distance friendship!" Focalors chirped with almost gleaming eyes of excitement. "Something like this is just perfect for you! You're excited, aren't you?"
"Do I look happy, Lady Furina?" the man sighed.
"Well, you have the same expression as always, so it's hard to tell," the Hydro Archon shrugged.
Indeed, Neuvillette's expression remained neutral. The only slightly revealing clue about his current mood was his slightly tightened lips.
"I can assure you I'm not happy."
***
Kaeya closed his eyes, sighing deeply. He reached with his hands to unbutton his corset and let his hair down. Finally, he sat alone in his office, allowing himself a bit of comfort. Besides, it was already late. Alberich doubted that anyone would be looking for him at this hour.
Extracting information from enemies, flirting with danger, and dealing with the Abyss Order, it could all become tiresome. Although the cavalry captain usually charged forward with his characteristic cunning smile, today he was simply exhausted. He would have preferred to go to sleep, but the reports wouldn't write themselves. He had already completed his own, but he had taken some additional documents from Jean, and...
The door to the room creaked open slightly. The blue-haired man quickly raised his head.
In the doorway stood Jean with a slight smile. She nodded to Kaeya and approached his desk. The cavalry captain straightened up immediately. He was ready for any request from the Acting Grand Master.
"Kaeya," the blonde held a piece of paper.
"Yes, Jean? A new report? Something I need to sign?" The cavalry captain had his pen and inkwell ready.
Gunnhildr shook her head. "It's not really related to work... I think it's better if you see it for yourself." Jean handed him the piece of paper.
Kaeya began to read. His eyebrows lifted with each subsequent word.
"Is this some kind of mistake?" Alberich laughed. "Or maybe a joke?"
"No," the woman replied shortly. "This is as serious as it gets. I've noticed that you don't have a balance between your personal and professional life."
"What? What do you mean I don't have balance? I have excellent balance!" the blue-haired man retorted. "I always leave my work on time"
"You don't finish work; you go out into the field. Did you think Diluc wouldn't tell me that you're working even outside of office hours?" Jean asked, looking at him with tired eyes.
"I only drink in the tavern. I don't understand what you're getting at," Kaeya said with a smile. In his thoughts, he cursed the bartender.
"You drink, gather information, conduct interrogations," Jean began to list. "Sometimes, when you leave, you immediately go and break up some gang. And now, after hours, you're sitting in your office. Kaeya... Where in all of this do you have time for yourself?"
Alberich didn't like the tone or the way his boss was speaking to him. After all, it was Gunnhildr who was the workaholic, not him.
"I have plenty of time for myself. You don't need to worry about that," he scoffed. "Worry about yourself. I'm not overworking myself to the point of collapse."
Jean visibly tensed. That was a sensetive topic.
"Well, that doesn't change the fact that you don't have a healthy work-life balance," she sighed. "When was the last time you had a friendly conversation with someone, not just in passing or because you needed something for work?" Kaeya opened his mouth to answer but then Jean clarified. "And no, getting blackout drunk while talking to Diluc doesn't count."
"..." Alberich couldn't come up with another response. Work had given his life some meaning. Thanks to it, he didn't feel as out of place in Mondstadt society. Work would never redeem a sinner, but at least it would make things a little better...
"Exactly," she said. "Try it. Exchanging letters with a complete stranger from another nation. It sounds quite interesting, doesn't it?"
Kaeya simply nodded resignedly.