Work Text:
It had become tradition at this point that Wriothesley would come up and meet Neuvillette for lunch at least once a week, if not more, depending on their schedules. Today was no different. A spot had been cleared on both Wriothesley and Neuvillette’s schedule for the occasion. Wriothesley always brought paperwork along with him to ensure that they could make it a working lunch, even if sometimes they didn’t get to the paperwork before Wriothesley had to return to the Fortress. The pair would get caught up in conversation, talking about all sorts of things from the weather to books the two of them had read. Wriothesley had come to call it their weekly catch up session, bringing news of things that had happened down in the Fortress during the week's absence.
Wriothesley had settled himself on one of the couches in Neuvillette’s office, while he watched Neuvillette set aside paperwork on his desk. He had brought some soup from the cafe down the street, as well as a new tea blend he wanted Neuvillette to try that was a lighter affair than his normal go-to.
“This new blend you want me to try…” Neuvillette said as he stood, walking towards the back of his office where he kept the tea set.
“Hm? Oh it’s a new tea blend from Chenyu Vale.” Wriothesley said, going ahead and unpacking both of their lunches onto the table, “It is supposed to be light and fragrant. A white tea, with floral and herbal notes. I thought it would go well with your normal lunch affair.” He said, setting a napkin down and a spoon for Neuvillette.
“Ah Chenyu Vale.” Neuvillette said, giving a small nod as he looked through the various waters that he had. He tapped his chin briefly in thought. “I do have water from Chenyu Vale that I could use. The spring water may best develop the flavors since the plants used to create the tea are likely watered with the same water, and thus the tea leaves would perfume the water and enhance the already subtle floral notes within…or perhaps I could use water from Mondstadt…the crispness of the water from Cider Lake may prove to be a good companion for the delicate flavor of the tea….” Neuvillette turned, looking behind him to see Wriothesley standing, leaning against the back of the couch with his arms crossed, smiling. Something about the way that Wriothesley was just watching him made his cheeks flush slightly.
“Well, Monsieur Neuvillette, you do know that I am most unlikely to be able to tell the difference depending on what water you pick, so how about you pick your favorite?” Wriothesley suggested, smiling. He loved listening to Neuvillette talk about water. He got so passionate about it, and the look on his face when he got deep in thought about it was one of Wriothesley’s favorite things.
“My favorite?” Neuvillette asked, tilting his head. “I do think it would be impossible for me to choose a favorite. They all have their purposes and flavor profiles and are all different and can be used for different purposes.” He said, glancing back at the water cabinet.
“Well, how about you use which one you think would be best? From what you were saying, it seems like the water from Chenyu Vale would be the best suited one, simply because the leaves were grown there, and therefore the water would take on the extra flavor.” Wriothesley said. Neuvillette felt his face growing warm again. Here was Wriothesley, once again proving what a good person he was. He listened when Neuvillette talked about the small things. Normally, if someone else were to be present and listening to him prattle on about water, they would have tuned him out. Neuvillette smiled.
“Water from Chenyu Vale it is.”
With the water boiled, and the tea steeping, Neuvillette brought the teapot and tea cups over to the table, pouring each of them a cup when it was ready. Neuvillette took a seat in front of his soup, taking a long sip of it and smiling at Wriothesley.
“I want to thank you.” He said. Wriothesley looked confused for a moment.
“Hm? For what?” Wriothesley asked, picking up the tea cup and holding it to his lips to blow across the surface to cool it ever so slightly.
“For listening to me.” Neuvillette smiled fondly as he watched Wriothesley take a sip of the tea. To Wriothesley, this was one of the best cups of tea he had had in Neuvillette’s office. He set the teacup down with a smile.
“You have no reason to thank me. I actively enjoy listening to you talk about water. You speak with the same experience as any wine sommelier.You’ve heard me talk endlessly about tea, and you listen to me go on and on about it. Why wouldn’t I listen to you talk about water?” Wriothesley smiled. “I come see you because I enjoy talking to you. We actually talk about things that matter to me, not just drama.” This got a little bit of a chuckle out of Neuvillette.
“We do often discuss the more dramatic things that have happened during our work days.” Neuvillette said, bringing the teacup to his lips. It was Wriothesley’s turn to laugh.
“Well, yes, but I mean we don’t sit here and gossip with one another. You should hear what the guards down in the Fortress gossip about. It’s all I ever hear. Coming up here and talking to you about which waters would taste best in the tea I’m trying to get you to try is by no means gossip, and is one of the best parts of my day.” Wriothesley smiled as he took a bite of his sandwich, watching as Neuvillette took a long sip of the tea. Neuvillette set the teacup back down.
“So what’s the verdict?” Wriothesley asked. Neuvillette smiled.
“I do think that the water from Chenyu Vale was the right choice. This tea is delightfully light and fragrant. It doesn’t sit too heavy on the palate, and the herbal and floral notes are enhanced by the water choice. Plus, it goes quite well with my lunch. Thank you, Wriothesley. I may have to get some of this for my own personal collection.”
Another win for Wriothesley. He’d be thinking about this moment for the rest of the day. This was almost better than winning a boxing match.