Work Text:
Furina was gone.
After four hundred years together, he had found himself alone, in the silence of his office. The documents on the desk were endless, and yet, in unusual fashion for him, he couldn't focus.
Thoughts of all that had happened the previous days invaded his mind. Could have he done it differently, spared Furina some pain? How could he have not noticed her loneliness, not unlike his, but so well-hidden behind that perfectly crafted role?
She had always been a puzzling character to him: frivolous, childish, emotional, yet surprisingly loving and understanding of humankind and its condition. One could say Furina helped him be more human. If there was one undeniable truth about the Hydro Archon, it's they loved humanity, and they sacrificed everything for it.
Immersed in these thoughts while staring at the document in front of him, he realised he had been reading the same line again and again without actually understanding a single word. He took it as his call for a break, it was almost lunch time after all. He had never truly needed one – food wasn't a necessity and his endurance was obviously better than most, but he had soon found himself looking forward to his pauses from work, mostly to enjoy the view of Lady Furina happily indulging in her favourite desserts instead of a proper lunch – but that was no longer now.
He decided to step outside for a bit.
The sky was getting cloudy damn you, Furina but the weather was still pleasing. He was staring at the city from above, contemplating the Fontanians' daily habits, something he found himself to be fond of doing. It made him feel closer to humans, a chance to study them without interfering too much.
Suddenly, he heard a familiar voice coming from behind him.
"Hey, look at that! Looks like I guessed right".
Furina?
His heart suddenly skipped a beat.
What is Lady Furina doing here? Did she forget something at the Palais?
He tried to keep his composure. It was a common belief in Fontaine that the Chief Justice had an imperturbable gaze, little did they know the dragon hid a tsunami of emotions bursting beneath the still surface every time their lovely Archon graced him with her presence.
"Monsieur Neuvillette, I knew you would be here."
He turned around to look at the owner of the voice, and suddenly felt a warm sensation in his chest, something he has learned humans define as happiness. He missed her, he realised.
"I am here merely for a short break. It has been a while, Miss Furina. And you too, Traveler and Paimon. What might I assist you with today?"
Furina seemed excited about something. He had heard she has only been leaving her tiny apartment to get groceries and basic necessities lately, which was worrying him, but he didn't want to disturb her privacy after all that had occurred. It warmed his heart to see her smile, a real one this time.
"I would like to book the Opera Epiclese for an event. You see, the Aurelie’s troupe has asked my help for their final performance, and what place could make it more memorable than the Opera itself?"
He was surprised to hear Furina was making a return to the stage. Her last words to him were that she was tired of the stage lights, of everyone's gaze fixed upon her.
"The process to book the Opera Epiclese is rather complicated, but I will do my best to make it as quick as possible for the three of you. I will say, however, that I am surprised to see your passion for the performing arts rekindled after all that has happened."
Furina visibly blushed. Did he say something inappropriate?
"Huh? What do you mean? Do I look... excited?"
"Yes. And this is the first time that I've seen you like this since your departure from deityhood. I don't mean to pry, Miss Furina, yet I couldn't help but notice your change in demeanour. I am truly delighted to see you find a new lease on life."
He hoped he didn't make her uncomfortable, to ruin her newfound enthusiasm was the last thing he wished for.
"I am only helping behind the scenes and have no intention to return on stage. After centuries playing a part and observing humans from above, I now find myself more interested in people's personal stories."
Furina had always been fond of humans, so this was no surprise to him. She always tried to make him go out more, giving words of encouragement when it came to anything social outside the court.
"In any case, Monsieur Neuvillette, you are invited to enjoy the show. The best seat will be reserved for you, of course, by yours truly," Furina chuckled at her own words "perhaps the news the Chief Justice himself will be spectating the play might attract even more people, don't you think?"
"I will do my best to keep myself free for the occasion. Though may I say, Miss Furina, that we all miss your performances, and if you ever wished to come back on stage, all Fontainians and myself would be delighted".
He tried not to sound too obvious, but he really wanted to see her again. Their daily lives weren't as intertwined as they used to be, and now this was the only way he could see her. If it also meant to admire her doing something she loved, then all the better. But he wouldn't want to pressure her, just letting her know the admiration was real, not for the Hydro Archon persona she had created.
"I appreciate your words, Monsieur, but my decision still stands. I will see you at the Opera for the show, and maybe later as well, who knows".
Furina winked at him and waved while walking away. The Traveler and Paimon were also visibly puzzled by her words.
Whatever did she mean by that?
*****
The play was starting.
Neuvillette had already taken his seat in the top seats of the theatre. He felt agitated, as if he had to be the one to get on stage soon. The main reason of his uneasiness was that after reading the plot of the play, he had realised how much The Little Oceanid's story was modeled after Furina's, and a corner of his heart secretly wished for her to be the lead role actress, yet he also understood that reliving those emotions might have brought up unpleasing memories for her.
He tried to ignore these thoughts and focus on the play, in respect of Furina and the whole crew's work.
*****
Neuvillette looked at the crowd below him.
The show had proceeded smoothly, the public clearly enjoying themselves. There was now a break before the last act, but it was lasting longer than expected. He started wondering if something had happened. The second he thought about checking backstage with Furina if everything was alright, the stage lights went off, and the actors slowly walked to the middle of the stage.
Suddenly, one of the lights went on the female figure, and Neuvillette thought his mind was playing tricks on him for a second, turning his wishes into reality. But that was no infatuation-induced hallucination, that was Miss Furina herself, dancing and singing on stage with all her grace.
He got overwhelmed by a surge of emotions. It wasn't like him to lose control for a play, but this was the power she held over his heart. He felt a mix of pride, jealousy, happiness. He wished he had been the actor alongside her, as much as he disliked people's attention on him. He wanted to be next to her during this moment, to show her how much his chest was hurting, despite not even having a human heart. This might have been akin to what humans call love, but he felt something else going on inside him. He felt a warmth in his hands, as if a power was surging forth. He moved his gaze from his hands back to the stage, only to see this was the scene where the little Oceanid Clio receives a vision. He now understood, that feeling inside him was no coincidence. Furina's wish must have reached a special place, maybe Celestia, he wasn't sure himself how it worked exactly now that the power of Hydro belonged to him again. All he knew was that the Vision in front of Furina was no stage prop, but the fruit of her devotion to humanity in union with the love he will always secretly harbour for her, in any form, any time and place.
*****
The play ended, and Neuvillette had many questions racing through his mind. Furina previously dismissed him with a and maybe later, who knows so perhaps she wouldn't mind his intrusion backstage.
She was talking with some members of the crew in a rather animated manner, "I asked you not to mention my name! Now everyone will start asking me questions and visiting my apartment and..." she interrupted herself when she noticed he was there.
"Oh, Monsieur Neuvillette. I see you didn't waste any time. I have something truly important to discuss with you..." her eyes fell on the Vision in her hands.
"My apologies Miss Furina, I didn't mean to interrupt your conversation. We can discuss later, I will take my l-"
"You're not going anywhere, we have already finished. Let's go outside." she gestured for him to follow her. He obliged, feeling everyone's curious gaze fixed upon them as they exited the building.
"So... would you mind explaining this, my dear Hydro Sovereign?" she held the newly received Vision in front of his face.
"Miss Furina, I fear I do not fully understand what occurred either. It all felt very... natural. I didn't expect you to be the one on stage, and something just took over me. I am sure your rekindled passion also played a big role in you receiving it."
"Whatever you say, I appreciate your little gift. I see you also took the time to put some tiny dragon fangs on it. Adorable, I might say".
Neuvillette blushed like never before in his life. Furina had her eyes fixed on him, amused by his reaction, which didn't make it any better.
"M-my apologies I... don't know what got hold of me. Please don't take it the wrong way, Miss Furina, it's not any kind of mark that I willingly chose to-"
Furina got closer, putting a finger on his lips, "Hush, my Dragon. There's nothing to apologise for. You've accompanied me for all these centuries, you will keep being by my side now thanks to this Vision. The first one given by one of the Sovereigns. I am special, aren't I? I deserve a special treatment from time to time".
"Indeed you are, Miss Furina".
She gasped a little in surprise. It wasn't like him to be so direct, but the words left his mouth without thinking. He wanted her to know how important she was and will always be, to him and all of Fontaine. Whatever she decides to do, she will never be lonely again, he would make sure of that.
She looked up at him in the eyes, smiling, pausing for a moment as if to savour it. He noticed she had tears in her eyes, his every instinct telling her to hug her, but she did it first.
"Thank you, Neuvillette".