Chapter Text
Neuvillette was giving you a tour of Fontaine. While he certainly didn’t need to do it, Neuvillette insisted on being your tour guide rather than having Aether or Lumine show you around the beautiful region. When Neuvillette insisted on being your tour guide, Aether and Lumine were surprised because the Chief Justice of Fontaine giving a tour around the vast region of the Hydro Archon? It was a shock, needless to say. And now here you are, walking toward the Fountain of Lucine with the Chief Justice beside you. Each time your arm brushes against his, you can’t help but blush to the tip of your ears.
“I believe a tour around Fontaine with someone familiar with the region would be more helpful than from those who are merely visitors,” Neuvillette says, snapping you out of your thoughts.
You look at Neuvillette, tucking your hair behind your ear. “I didn’t want to be a distraction, Monsieur Neuvillette. As the Chief Justice of Fontaine, you have a lot on your plate.”
The Fountain of Lucine gradually becomes louder as the both of you approach. Fontainians and Melusines passing by and looking at you and the Chief Justice with curiosity. Neuvillette stops halfway, making you stop beside him. Neuvillette shakes his head, turns towards you, and gazes at you with an unreadable expression. You look at the man curiously as he crosses his arms over his chest before smiling at you.
“Please, [Y/N] will never be a distraction. There’s no need to worry about being a distraction when it was I who offered to show you around the region,” Neuvillette reassures you. “And please, call me Neuvillette. There’s no need for formalities.”
Neuvillette’s hands twitch for a second as if he were going to raise his hand, but his hand remains on his biceps. You nod, cheeks becoming hotter the more he stares at you. Can Neuvillette tell you’re blushing under the moonlight? Your heart is pounding in your ears so loudly that it makes you wonder if Neuvillette can hear your heart racing against your chest.
You smile at the tall man bashfully, rubbing the back of your neck shyly. “That’s a relief to hear, Neuvillette. I’m glad you’re able to show me around Fontaine! I almost decided to explore the region alone, but Aether and Lumine were against the idea.”
Neuvillette’s eyes widen. “And why did you decide on exploring the region alone? It’s dangerous for someone like yourself to explore an unfamiliar environment alone.”
Before you can explain your reason, you hear rapid footsteps getting closer to where you and Neuvillette are standing. You turn to see a member of the Gardes jogging, no, sprinting toward you and Neuvillette. Given the look on his face, something must have happened, and it needs Neuvillette’s attention immediately.
The member of the Gardes stop before you and Neuvillette, panting. “Monsieur Neuvillette! Do you have a moment to spare?” The Garde asks, looking at Neuvillette pleadingly.
Neuvillette gives you a sympathetic look and places a hand on your bicep. “Give me a moment, [Y/N]. Do not leave this spot. I will be right back.”
You nod and watch Neuvillette and the member of the Gardes walk to the side to speak. You can’t help but feel awkward standing in the middle of the walkway as people walk past you. You survey your surroundings, listening to the people of Fontaine chatter away. A soft tug on the hem of your shirt pulls you from your thoughts. You look down to see Blathine and Veleda look up at you with curiosity and excitement.
“Blathine, Veleda! It’s good to see you two again!” You say, smiling at the two Melusines.
Veleda smiles and bounces on the balls of her feet. “It’s been too long, [Y/N]! I hope you’ve been doing well!”
“I’m doing well! I hope you’ve been doing well, too, Veleda!”
Blathine tugs on your shirt, walking closer to where you stand. “I see the Chief Justice is accompanying you to the Fountain of Lucine,” Blathine teases while poking you with her mitten-like hands. “You two seem close.”
You clear your throat, ignoring the heat rushing to your cheeks. “Neuvillette insisted on giving me a tour around Fontaine. Fountain of Lucine happens to be our last destination.”
Blathine and Veleda glance at each other before bursting into fits of giggles while covering their mouth with their hands. Veleda clears her throat, leaning to the side to get a glimpse of the Chief Justice before looking at you.
Veleda props her hands on her hips, giving you a closed-eye smile. “Can we tell you a secret?”
You blink at the Melusine and nod. “Of course! What do you want to tell me?”
Blathine claps while Veleda gestures for you to come closer. You inch forward and lean over while Veleda leans up to whisper into your ears.
“Neuvillette—”
“Oh? Trading secrets, now, are we?”
You, Veleda, and Blathine flinch before turning to look at Neuvillette. Neuvillette looks at you and the two Melusines with amusement, his arms crossed over his chest while standing behind you. You, Veleda, and Blathine look at one another, not saying a word.
Blathine laughs nervously, swaying in her spot. “What? Are Melusines and humans not allowed to trade secrets?” Blathine asks.
“That would depend on the secret. Am I allowed to hear in on this secret as well?” Neuvillette asks, raising his eyebrows at the two Melusines.
Blathine and Veleda’s eyes widen, and they quickly look at each other. “Uh…”
You purse your lips, attempting to hold back your laughter. You and Neuvillette lock eyes, and a small smile appears on his face. You smile in return, cheeks tingling. Neuvillette chuckles, shaking his head.
“Alright, alright, you don’t have to tell me if you two don’t want to,” Neuvillette sighs, feigning sadness.
A flash of panic appears on the two Melusines' faces as they turn to one another before looking at you. You do a double take and rub the back of your neck. ‘Do they want me to say something? What do they want me to do?’ You clear your throat and shrug.
“Hey, don’t look at me! I’m still not sure what the secret is,” you say, holding your hands up in surrender.
Veleda huffs and marches closer to you and Neuvillette. “Alright, if both of you want to know the secret, then I shall tell it!” Veleda announces. “The Chief Justice of Fontaine has a cr—”
Veleda is interrupted by the sounds of Neuvillette coughing and clearing his throat. Veleda closes her mouth and stares at the Chief Justice, unamused. You blink and look at Neuvillette, who coughs into his elbows before looking away. If you look closely, you can see the light pink hue on the Chief Justice’s cheeks and the tip of his ears.
You furrow your eyebrows. “The secret is about Neuvillette?”
Blathine and Veleda nod. Before the two Melusines could say anything else, Neuvillette grabs hold of your hand and gently—very gently, he’s very gentle with you— and tugs you toward the Fountain of Lucine.
“I believe [Y/N] and I should continue our tour of the Fountain of Lucine. If you two excuse us, we should be headed off,” Neuvillette says.
Veleda and Blathine let out a soft ‘hmph!’ as they watch the white-haired man pull you toward the fountain. The rushing water is louder and louder to the point where it’s almost deafening. You can’t hear anyone around you speak, nor can you hear your thoughts. You tilt your head to the side, watching the newlyweds wish for children.
“You seem to know the secret Veleda and Blathine were about to tell me, Neuvillette,” You comment, gazing at the Chief Justice from the corner of your eyes. “Maybe you would like to tell me the secret yourself?” You tease, turning toward Neuvillette.
“Ah, right…” Neuvillette trails off, looking away. “I am not sure if I want to tell the secret now,” Neuvillette murmurs.
You nod. It’s not like you’re going to push Neuvillette to tell you the secret. If he doesn’t want to tell you the secret now or ever, then he doesn’t need to! Although the curiosity is going to drive you crazy, you’ll be okay with not knowing what it is.
“I can tell you the secret, but you will have to agree to something,” Neuvillette murmurs, stepping closer to you.
You didn’t realize it, but it just dawned on you that Neuvillette did not let go of your hand when you two arrived at the Fountain of Lucine. Not even once. It feels nice— feeling his warm hands holding yours.
“And that is?” You whisper, looking at him curiously.
Neuvillette brushes a flyaway hair from your face and tucks it behind your ear with his other hand. “Would you like to, perhaps, join me for dinner tomorrow night?”
If your face wasn’t hot already, then it certainly is now. You gulp and nod, smiling at the white-haired man. Is Neuvillette asking you out on a date? It could just be a casual dinner between acquaintances and nothing more! But what if it’s a date? Maybe when you see Aether and Lumine again, you can ask them. Neuvillette smiles and brings your hand up to his lips before pressing a gentle kiss on your knuckles. Or maybe you can ask the Chief Justice himself?
“Is this a date?” You blurt out.
Neuvillette smiles behind your hand while his lips remain pressing against your knuckles. He slowly lowers your hand from his face but doesn’t release it. You purse your lips and continue to stare at Neuvillette.
Neuvillette clears his throat. “You can decide on what you want it to be, [Y/N].” Neuvillette smiles.
“What if I want it to be a date,” you mutter.
Neuvillette chuckles. “Then a date is what it shall be,” Neuvillette concludes.
Oh, fuck, how did he hear that?
“Does that mean you’ll tell me the secret now?” You ask, gazing at the tall man with giddiness.
Neuvillette snorts and shakes his head. “You’ll have to wait until our date, [Y/N],” Neuvillette gently chides.
You make a disgruntled noise while Neuvillette chuckles, lightly pinching your cheek. You press your lips into a thin line to prevent yourself from grinning from ear to ear. Gathering up the courage, you place your hand over his. From a distance, Blathine and Veleda squeal softly, nudging each other with excitement. Blathine and Veleda make a quick note in their minds to inform the other Melusines about the Chief Justice’s upcoming date.