Work Text:
Rain droplets cascaded down from the sky, light blue eyes misty and lidded. Neuvillette was no short of beautiful, long silvery eyelashes and a sort of aura that only he was capable of.
“Mlle. Menthe,” Neuvillette called softly, his voice raspy and quivering as though shaken by the cold, “I hope you don’t mind telling the other Melusines that I will be absent for today?”
Menthe peered over the Palaise Mermonia staircase, her ears just barely touching the shroud of rainfall Neuvillette stood in without a care. His hair stuck to his face, flattening against it. A stark contrast to his typical appearance.
“Of course,” Menthe called out, her voice breaking through the rain that gradually grew near-to-crashing. “Is your lover finally visiting?”
A pang of hurt bloomed in Neuvillette’s chest, an almost unnatural feeling to him. “He isn’t,” Neuvillette choked out, “It’s been a while since he last visited.”
Work.
Neuvillette and Wriothesley worked all day and night, and they could never see each other because of it. The rare times Wriothesley does come home, Neuvillette never is awake to see him. The only confirmation Neuvillette has is the scent left behind on the sheets. He couldn’t take it.
Neuvillette slowly walked towards the railings, his gloves dragging along the stone. He blinked back tears rapidly, aware that he was crying rather incessantly instead of moving on. While he invested himself in more work, the stress of Wriothesley being gone was unbearable. Their only means of communication were through the melusines, though even then that was scarce since not many visited the Fortress of Meropide.
He couldn’t blame them.
Neuvillette glanced backwards, realizing Menthe had long gone inside and it was only him now. He knew that the rain was troublesome. Neuvillette truly hated it whenever it rained, soft utterances of complaints filling his ears every time.
“Seriously, again?” Someone would groan, “I can’t believe I have to stop working just for a little rain.”
Neuvillette’s breath shuddered, pursing his lips as he held out his hand for a moment. Every droplet pooling into the center of his palm. He could see his reflection. His eyes lidded and red, puffy from crying so hard beforehand.
“I wish that it would just stop raining,” Another scowled, “I hate it! I just want to have one day where it doesn’t-- everything is going to flood!”
Neuvillette flinched slightly, realizing how selfish he was to drag the entirety of Fontaine down with him purely because he was sad over Wriothesley being absent. The slightest blue hue reflected from his eyes, the rain pausing in an instant. Droplets halted in their fall, reflecting his features before returning to the sky at his call. It was a difficult trick to do without the full extent of his power, and yet he couldn’t have it any other way he felt.
Neuvillette gazed up at the cloudy sky, muddled with light and dark grays. He sighed quietly, brushing his hair back with his hand. Glove still mildly wet but not enough to cause discomfort.
He turned around, heel digging into the stone path below him. Palaise Mermonia’s shadow loomed over him, the whispers of more paperwork… he wasn’t eager.
Though this was a cycle. Every afternoon he stood in the sunlight, trying to bask in it only for clouds to shroud over the sun’s light. Day after day bringing less and less hope, the sheets smelled less like Wriothesley and more of the lotions and perfumes Neuvillette often indulged in.The scent of tea would waft in the room often, sheets and pillows messily thrown about the room as though reflecting restless nights. He hated how when he leaned over the vanity, Neuvillette could see heavy bags under his eyes. His face, once radiating with sleek beauty, was anything but.
He hated how sleep mocked him, elusive and yet beckoning him further. Blinking only brought the temptation to sleep. Neuvillette slid his coat on, buttoning it rather sloppily in contrast to how put-together he always seemed to be.
“Comme on fait son lit, on se couche,” Furina repeated countless times, her knowing gaze pinned to Neuvillette. He knew she was right. Though Neuvillette refused to acknowledge it, glaring at the ground while Furina took that as a sign to continue, “Falling in love with someone who lives a dangerous mortal life. I don’t know what you expected!” For some reason, her actions that always accentuated her statements annoyed him more than usual, sharp oceanic eyes flickering over to meet hers as though testing how nasty of a look he can provide before being scorned.
Furina’s gaze softened when it met his, a flicker of an indiscernible emotion blooming over her features for the fragment of a second. “Neuvillette,” She murmured, voice lowering just enough to be drowned out by the downpour just outside. Slamming raindrops against the office window that typically let sun pool in. She reached her hand out, fingers scraping along Neuvillette’s forehead.
Neuvillette exhaled shakily, warmth pushing back strands of messy silvery hair. “Furina.”
“You’re stressed out. Anyone who tosses a glance at you can tell.” Furina crossed her arms with a hum, “And as the Hydro Archon of Fontaine, I say a good day’s rest can help.” Her voice grew haughty and normal once more, her smile prideful. “Besides, Iudex, you can use that time to visit your lover.”
That idea brought a rumble deep in his throat, pleased, he glanced offishly towards the clock. “Just a day?”
“TWO!” She held out two fingers, “I take it back. Two! Deux! You need ample time to rest. Or my trials will be absolutely unsatisfactory.” Neuvillette didn’t expect anything more from the archon, nodding slowly. He supposed the normalcy of her typically annoying behavior was comforting, enough a smile tugged to his lips.
Neuvillette stood up from his desk, his height in comparison to Furina was nothing but shocking, standing over her with a subtle smile. The rain was only a warm drizzle, spots of sun peeking through holes forming in the clouds, “Thank you, Furina.”
Furina tilted her head, heterochromatic eyes glimmering slightly with a pleased grin. Strands of silvery hair tickled her forehead, perfectly framing her face. She looked young and beautiful, even if her attitude contradicted how he knew her before.
Neuvillette bowed his head slightly before walking past her, leaving her standing before his desk. “He’s okay,” Furina murmured, the archon’s voice echoing in the room, “I hope seeing him can soothe your anxiety.”
She knew. She knew the bond he and Wriothesley shared all too long, how his beloved was simultaneously his mate. Neuvillette turned his head slightly to see her through tufts of hair that covered his eye. Focalors stood with calm eyes, her voice sultry and smooth, “Travel safely, Neuvillette.” She folded her hands over her lap, turning away to face the window. Her suddenly shortened hair barely able to disguise the obvious change in clothing.
Neuvillette turned around once more, shutting the doors to the office with a rumbling thud.
He couldn’t understand the world, human emotions, and above all, Furina. Neuvillette walked through the hall with quick steps, melusines turning their heads to see the rushing hydro dragon. He didn’t mind how the flowers lifted their heads with beautiful colors by the pressure of his walk, nor how his ribbon was struggling to keep it together.
--
The opening to the Fortress of Meropide slowly rumbled open, it’s gate screeching open from the lack of oil provided. He stepped inside, folding his hands over his cane as Neuvillette breathed out a long sigh. He was privileged, and Neuvillette knew that. Especially when the moist air of the fortress got to him, though it wasn’t for the fact that dry weather had a worse effect on him.
Winding pipes twisted and dove down from the high ceilings, water rippling under his footsteps from the dripping.
“Hey.”
Neuvillette paused, glancing over with wide eyes. That voice. Childe leaned against the wall, arms crossed with the typical cocky grin he bore. Though “cocky” barely covered the true meaning of such a haughty expression.
“Childe.”
“You can call me Tartaglia.” Tartaglia shrugged, “Childe just feels like you’re ridiculing me. We had a good fight, we’re friends now.”
Neuvillette blinked back surprise, never quite expecting such a 180. He supposed humans were more conflicting than he assumed previously. “Do you require my services?” A bold ask since if Tartaglia truly did need him for something, the likelihood of Neuvillette truly committing to it would be less than likely.
“I don’t suggest continuing on down here,” Tartaglia murmured, voice dropping a few octaves, “You should go back. The Duke is busy.”
“Nonsense, I believe I had made an appointment, so any work can be provided some hel--” “I’m serious.”
The pair stared at each other for a long time, and slowly Tartaglia turned away with a weak chuckle, “I’ll see you when I see you, comrade.” Neuvillette watched as Tartaglia walked away, every long stride almost quickening to get out of sight. Neuvillette rubbed his thumb over a knuckle, anxiety blooming in his chest.
What would Wriothesley be busy with that made Tartaglia freak out so much? He shook his head firmly, tucking silvery strands behind his ear before continuing down the path. Usually, Wriothesley would greet Neuvillette at the door, but this time Neuvillette walked in alone.
Faintly, he could hear the sound of shuffling clothing and heavy breathing. An odd scent following.
A fever? Humans were sickly like that. Neuvillette slowly walked up the stairs, making sure his steps were silent. He didn’t want to bother Wriothesley’s important work, he supposed.
“Shh…” A woman’s voice hissed, which brought Neuvillette immediately to suspicion. He gripped the railing and almost ran up the remaining steps, head snapping to face the couch.
What.
“Wai-- Neuvi!” Wriothesley nearly shouted, “You’re not supposed to be here for another ten!” Normally Neuvillette would apologize, but he couldn’t. His expression twisted between devastation and anger, bile collecting in the back of his throat. Beneath Wriothesley lay a woman, her fingernails digging into Wriothesley’s bare shoulders as her face reddened with shame.
The petals from the flowers he was holding scattered nearly everywhere, his fingers trembling momentarily.
Neuvillette opened his mouth to say something, but he couldn’t manage. He inhaled shakily, gaze suddenly sharp, “I hadn’t expected the Duke would indulge in disgusting behavior such as this in his work place.” He should have listened to that harbinger. Neuvillette clutched his cane, “I will not be seeing you any further-- and for archons sake it reeks in here. Tidy up.”
His once thoughtful and loving gaze so considerately held on Wriothesley every moment they were together became cold and sharp, unyielding as he was in court.
Neuvillette whisked around, his ears burning out of sheer embarrassment. He was beyond distraught, and yet he couldn't feel anything. His chest buzzed. Breath hot on his own face as he pushed through the Meropide’s halls towards the exit. It was suffocating in here. More than just suffocating.
The doors buzzed, not many greeting nor dismissing the Chief Justice, possibly because his expression shifted between nothing and hurt. The gears of the doors groaned as they shut, rumbling as he ascended. Neuvillette didn’t want to disappoint Furina, to make her disappointed is… not his goal. The fabric of Neuvillette’s gloves squeezed together, he clamped the cane tightly between his fingers.
“Monsieur Neuvillette,” Guards would greet him cautiously, saluting formally. The flames licked at the air desperately before being doused in the roaring rain.
There was no escaping the numb feeling in his chest. He could hardly understand it. Neuvillette pushed past the bridge, his thoughts trailing closely behind him through the trip back to Fontaine. Neuvillette didn’t know how much longer he could keep it together, recognizing that he was heartbroken.
--
“You’re back--” Furina paused, “It’s raining quite hard isn’t it?’ Her eyelashes seemed to flutter almost innocently as though aware of what she was insinuating. Neuvillette stood at the door in shambles, his usually tidy hair disheveled and soaking. His ribbon sloppily falling off and his clothes awkwardly wrinkled.
Furina sighed, walking towards the couch and patting the spot beside her, “Sit, sit.” She didn’t express disgust towards Neuvillette’s wet dog appearance, simply allowing Neuvillette to rest his head on her lap as his legs dangled off the couch. His tall stature never seemingly contained.
Neuvillette couldn’t weep. He simply lay there wordlessly, leaning into the warmth of her palm. He hadn’t noticed how she removed her gloves at the moment, though he assumed she didn’t want to get them wet. “My poor Iudex. Why do you look so dejected?”
Neuvillette pushed out a sigh, unsure if he should vent his worries to the Hydro Archon. Nonetheless, he rubbed his cheek against her palm, “I won’t bore you with the story, but it seems Wriothesley and I are no more.”
“I assumed as much,” Furina muttered, pressing her index finger to his forehead, “You need to raise your standards. Maybe a Snezhnayan Prince or something cool..”
“I don’t believe Snezhnaya has Princes.”
Furina shook her head firmly, “Oh, Neuvillette, my point stands. You deserve worlds better, a man such as that usually doesn’t even get to see the Iudex personally..” She twirled his bangs in her fingers, reveling in the softness, “I say we make a court case of this. Such a man doesn’t deserve to walk free..”
“Did you know?” Neuvillette inquired quietly, trying to stifle the accusatory tone.
Furina shrugged, “It was gossip. I didn’t think much of it honestly, I’m sorry for not telling you but you are more than stressed.”
Neuvillette raised an eyebrow, “I think knowing about it would be better than being under the impression he reciprocated.”
Her shoulders dropped, letting out a long sigh, “I fear that infidelity is common with mortals .” Furina spoke of mortals in her typical high-and-mighty tone. Her heterochromatic eyes flickering to meet Neuvillette’s, “If they interest you that badly, you just need to find the right one.”