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It was a beautiful sunny day in the Court of Fontaine. Lyney and Lynette sat side by side at a table on one of the stone balconies crossing over top of the Vasari Passage. The cool, marcotte scented breeze blew a fluffy cloud out of the sun’s way, and the twins were bathed in shining warmth. Their mission the night before had been a success. Now they could relax and rest on their laurels for a while.
They sat in companionable silence. Lyney practiced a new way of shuffling cards he had invented. Lynette sipped from a steaming cup of tea as she read the morning copy of The Steambird. There was a third, unfilled chair across from them. Its emptiness felt conspicuous. Freminet had been away for a solid month now, but he should be returning any day. Their Father had promised.
As if the passing thought for their brother had summoned him, a familiar figure turned a corner and approached. The time he spent stationed at Lumidouce Harbor hadn’t changed Freminet one bit. Those familiar grey-blue eyes were still mostly hidden behind his blond bangs. The tailored black diver’s uniform still hung from his thin form. He still stared down at his feet, like he was trying to disappear from view.
What struck his brother and sister as odd though, was the smiling young man walking next to him. The young man holding his hand. They were certain they had never seen him before. Judging from the accessories on his clothes, he was from Liyue. Nevertheless, the foreigner had a relaxed air. He glanced around at the city with happy curiosity, entirely comfortable in the new environment.
Once Lyney and Lynette finished hugging Freminet and welcoming him home, they turned to face their brother’s companion. “So, who’s this?” Lyney asked, extending a polite handshake. “A contact you made through a commission, maybe?”
“I’m Gaming!” He shook Lyney’s hand with exuberance. “I’m, um-“ He turned to Freminet, letting him do the honors.
Freminet’s pale face somehow turned even whiter. “Oh, uh…” He fiddled with the hem of his coat. “He’s my boyfriend.”
Lyney and Lynette froze. Had they misheard? That had to be it. Freminet was prone to mumbling, after all. Lynette cocked her head to the side. “Your boyfriend?”
Freminet nodded, staring a hole through the ground. Gaming laughed and rubbed the back of his head. “It’s nice to meet you both! Fremi’s told me a lot about you. I just have to see one of your magic shows after all the stories I’ve heard.”
The twins blinked at each other. Fremi? Boyfriend? What? How?! And such a cute, charming guy too! How on earth had Freminet pulled that off?! Not that they would want any less for him, but this was the sort of person Freminet would sooner dive into the sea before talking to.
“Soooo, how did you two meet?” Lyney asked.
Gaming threw an arm around Freminet’s shoulders and pulled him close. “I help with deliveries to Lumidouce Harbor a lot. When my ship pulled in, a bunch of cargo got knocked into the water. Fremi jumped into the sea to get it before we even inventoried what we had lost!” Gaming laughed warmly. “He really saved my ass there. You could say it was love at first sight!”
Lyney and Lynette exchanged looks again. So he really did dive into the sea. Apparently Gaming was into that.
“Gaming showed me around Yilong Wharf,” Freminet added, glancing shyly at the other man. “He’s a really good tour guide. We even saw some fireworks.”
Lyney swallowed. This was a lot to process. “Lynette, sidebar real quick.” He smiled apologetically to his brother and his brother’s boyfriend.
They took a few steps away and stopped next to one of the gray, stone railings overlooking the thoroughfare below. “I didn’t expect this,” Lynette murmured.
“That guy’s such a catch!” Lyney moaned. “How the hell did he do it?”
Lynette smirked. “You’re just jealous because you can’t get a boyfriend. The traveler left pretty quick after Furina’s trial, didn’t he?”
“He had important things to do!” Lyney hissed defensively.
“Clearly you didn't make that list,” Lynette mocked.
Lyney stuck out his tongue. “I don’t see that pink-haired reporter you’re smitten with hanging around either.”
“Shut up!” Lynette blushed. “I’m taking my time.”
“Yeah, and while you’re pining, Freminet’s making moves.” They both looked back at the couple. Freminet was smiling bashfully as Gaming helped straighten his hat. He gently lifted Freminet’s bangs and said something endearing about how pretty his eyes were. Lyney let out a depressed sigh. “Damn, I am jealous.”
“He looks like a performer of some sort,” Lynette observed. “Maybe we can get some inspiration for a new act?”
Lyney nodded. “Good idea. I bet he knows a lot about tea too, coming from Chenyu Vale.” He shook his head, clearing it of thoughts. “Whatever the case, we have to be welcoming. Freminet’s nervous enough as it is. How about we invite them both to the Hotel Debord for dinner tonight?”
“Perfect.”
They returned to the couple a moment later. Freminet’s eyes flicked back and forth between his older siblings. “Is- Is everything okay?” Gaming squeezed his hand comfortingly.
“Sorry, that was rude of us.” Lyney dipped his head in apology. “We’re just a little surprised.”
“But that’s all,” Lynette quickly added, smiling at Freminet. “If you’re happy, then we’re happy.”
Lyney tipped his hat to Gaming. “We truly look forward to getting to know you. Would you want to join us for dinner tonight? We wanted to take Freminet out to celebrate his return, but you’re more than welcome to join.”
“Oh, I might have to take a raincheck on that.” Gaming pressed his hands together in front of him.
Beside him, Freminet gave a half-smile which exhibited a rare confidence. “Sorry. We already made plans to have a picnic by the sea tonight. Just us.”
Lyney and Lynette looked at each other pathetically. When had their brother become so romantic? Where were their charming partners who would have picnics on the beach with them? Oh how cruel the world was. And yet, their hearts couldn’t help but warm at the way Freminet looked at Gaming. How could they not be happy for him?
--
“Do you really think it went okay?” Freminet asked. He sat with his pale knees to his chest, resting his head on them and gazing at Gaming.
Their food had been eaten and now they simply sat side by side on the blanket, waiting for the stars to come out. The colossal Navia line blocked some of the sky nearby, but otherwise the deepening twilight became speckled with more and more celestial pinpricks by the minute. They were like a bucket of pearls some god had spilled into the night. As beautiful as it was, seeing the view reflected in Gaming’s amber eyes was more beautiful still.
Gaming laughed, making Freminet’s cheeks turn pink. “This is like the third time you’ve asked! Yes, I do think it went okay. Your brother and sister seem like great people.”
Freminet pursed his lips. “And… you’re sure you’d rather have done this than go to the Hotel Debord? Sandwiches and salad aren’t really classic Fontaine cuisine…”
“You worry so much!” Gaming shifted closer and wrapped an arm around Freminet. He leaned in and kissed his boyfriend’s cheek. Freminet turned to hide his face as his blush deepened. Gaming laughed again. “Tonight is perfect, Fremi. Sandwiches made by you are better than all the food in Fontaine.”
“You haven’t eaten at Hotel Debord yet,” Freminet said. Gaming tilted his head down, more words of comfort ready on his tongue, until he caught a glimpse of a joking smile on Freminet’s partially obscured lips.
“Aaah, you can’t do that to me!” Gaming protested, playfully shaking Freminet by the shoulders. It wasn’t long before they were both giggling together. Gaming still remembered the first time he had made Freminet laugh. He couldn’t think of a time he had smiled wider than when he heard that adorable sound. These days, he was quite good at finding ways to amuse his boyfriend.
The calm sound of gentle waves flowing in and out on the shore in front of them was only punctuated by the occasional titter of a bird above. Gaming was used to the smells of the sea, but Fontaine’s waters were different than the oceans around Liyue. This scent seemed cleaner, purer. Less fishy. He gazed out at the rippling surface of the dark waters.
“You’ve probably explored every inch of the seabed, haven’t you?”
Freminet shrugged. “More than most people, I think.”
Gaming smiled. “Tell me a story about it.” Freminet had been fascinated that “storyteller” could be a career in Liyue. They had sat through several tales of the ancient adepti at teahouses. Freminet was enraptured by the storytellers, completely invested in whatever legend was being told. Gaming had heard them all already and was far more content to watch Freminet.
“I don’t know any stories…” Freminet looked at the lapping waves. “There’s only fish down there.”
“Aw come on.” Gaming nudged his shoulder. “Surely something interesting happened at least once.”
Freminet thought for a moment and then nodded. “I guess I can think of one.”
Gaming grinned. He lay down, taking a second to find the most comfortable position on the blanket-covered sand. Then he beckoned for Freminet to join him. Soon they lay against each other, close enough to feel the other’s heartbeat. The sky was dark enough now that the brilliant green and blue splashes of the galaxy painted a colorful strip through the black.
“Not too long ago, I got a commission- er, wait…” Freminet trailed off and then started again, clearly trying to emulate the grand style of Liyue stories. “Long, long ago, dating back even before the times of Remuria, the people of Fontaine told tales of water imps. These creatures would lure children into the sea in order to kidnap them and take them to their underwater kingdoms. The most famous imp of all was Prince Thelxie…”
Freminet’s chest rumbled pleasantly as he spoke. Gaming cuddled closer, enjoying his boyfriend’s warmth. Embracing the man he loved as he heard a new story under the stars. Yes, he would take this over the fanciest restaurant in Teyvat any day.