Work Text:
Neuvillette was extremely pleased with his current position, feeling like- for the first time in too long- all was right with his world. His dragon was curled up in his subconscious, purring like a contented cat, a far cry from the bristling, annoyed mess it was when Furina wasn’t near.
His hand was buried in the white and blue locks of the woman whose head was resting in his lap.
It was with delicate care that he continued to allow those locks to slip through his fingers like silken water, attempting not to wake the precious treasure asleep in his lap.
It was the joy of his day, Furina choosing to make these spontaneous visits to his office to ‘draw him away from his paperwork before he became a bottle of ink and a self-writing pen.’ It was a habit and excuse that she’d been making for centuries before the trial, prancing into his office and then eventually back out like a whirlwind. Once she’d started tentatively resuming these visits after the trial, Neuvillette believed he’d surprised her with his enthusiastic appreciation of them.
He’d realized, now, that they were something he very much didn’t want to lose.
Proof of that was in the way that he was much more willing- eager, even- to join her when she sat herself on his couch, discussing any number of things while Sedene brought them sweets with a relieved and knowing smile. Neuvillette would keep quiet, watching with fond indulgence as the two of them took the chance to chat; the Melusine had missed Furina as much as he did. Eventually, though, Sedene would return to her office, and Neuvillette and Furina would be left to enjoy the rest of their refreshments together.
Furina had been quieter than usual, today. Nodding slightly over her tea, before shaking herself awake with an embarrassed laugh. Leaning against his side in a line of warmth that he soaked in like it was sunshine. Neuvillette had been encouraging her to lean against him more and more as the time stretched on, but he still hadn’t expected her to take his offer when he suggested that she stretch out on the couch and use his lap as a pillow.
He was a little afraid that too much of his delight might have shown when that’s exactly what she did.
Still, that hadn’t stopped her from continuing to rest there, closing her eyes trustingly and then breathing the deep, relaxed breaths of a sleep.
That’s why when Sedene pushes the door open again, Neuvillette knows that his eyes are probably half lidded with contentment, his body language more relaxed than it has been in a long time.
Her eyes fall on Furina’s position in his lap, and she is unsuccessful in hiding her smile.
“I can wake her up and convince her to move to a bed if you’d like, Monsieur.” She says in a soft and gentle tease, and Neuvillette further narrows his eyes at her playfully.
“Don’t you dare.” He says just as softly, mostly seriously. Sedene clasps one hand over her mouth as she muffles her laughter at him.
“I’ll make sure no one disturbs the two of you instead, then.” She promises once she is done with her fit of giggles. Neuvillette smiles at her in appreciation.
“Yes, that would be nice. Thank you, Sedene.”
“I’m so glad to see the two of you being like this again, Monsieur Neuvillette.” Sedene says sincerely before making her way out of the office.
Neuvillette hums in agreement toward the now shut door. Yes. That he is now able to have this again is indeed something to be grateful for.
He would take his time appreciating it.