Chapter Text
it's not the warmth of her vision that keeps signora warm, but her embrace. those eyes, which looked at everybody at either disdain or no emotion at all, but now, they look at her with gentleness.
after they finish mourning, arle takes her disguise's cape and drapes it around her shoulders. No matter how composed and haughty signora was, arle knew that everybody got cold. mondstadt's chilly winter air was nothing compared to a normal day in snezhnaya, but arle felt like she could do more for the people that didn't test her nerves regularly.
"come along. how about i get you something to eat? good hunter is still open in this weather. i can take a parcel and we can eat at a room in goethe. sounds like a plan?"
watching the blonde turn her head away with a slow nod, arle smiled. "very well."
they trudged through the snow, with a few snowflakes landing on signora's rosy cheeks and her elegant locks of blonde hair, which flowed flawlessly down her back. Arle wondered how someone could be so ethereal..
With a quick order (Mondstadt's ~~vermins~~ people are quite efficient in their work, so signora says), They made their way to the goethe hotel, avoiding the prying eyes of the knights successfully.
"You're so kind to me." Arle's eyes cracked open, charcoal with red crosses, meeting diamonds. "If there's anything that I can do for your in return, please let me know." A smile crept on her face as she watched her cheeks flush red due to the admission.
Arle shifted a little, letting Signora bury her head in her neck, feeling her breath hitch. As signora was about to protest, Arle muttered,
"There's only one thing I want you to return."
"...What is it?"
"My heart."
"..???"
"To others, you're the fair lady, the eighth harbinger, the crimson witch of flames.... But to me, you're nothing but a thief."
"A thief?!-"
"A thief because you stole what was left of my heart."
Signora went silent.
"But I don't want you to return it. Ever."
"...Why?"
"Because love steals, and never returns. It's the only form of thieving that can be excused, at least to me."