Work Text:
Zelkov: There you are. I have been searching for you.
Louis: Oh? To what do I owe the pleasure?
Zelkov: Follow me. There is something we must discuss at once. Away from the ears of passerby.
Louis: My, how dire. This must be a grand secret indeed. Let us retreat to our usual teatime spot.
Zelkov: No time for that.
Louis: My dear Zelkov, there is always time for tea!
Zelkov: Spoken like a true Firenesian… Come, under this alcove. Quickly.
Louis: I have not seen you so agitated in some time. Are you certain you don’t want a pot of-
Zelkov: Quite. Now, please accept this.
Louis: My goodness! Is that… a sweater? Were you hiding that in your robes this whole time?
Zelkov: Indeed. Is the weave to your liking?
Louis: It’s beautiful. The size is perfect. And these patterns… Zelkov, don’t tell me you knitted this yourself?
Zelkov: Not entirely. I procured the wool from the Somniel sheep with Amber’s aid, and Clanne assisted in the mixing of the dyes. But the bulk of the craftsmanship was my doing.
Louis: I can’t begin to imagine how many hours you spent on this. Was this the “work” you refused to involve me with?
Zelkov: Correct. I could not allow you to spoil the surprise.
Louis: I am at a loss for words. What have I done to earn such a generous gift from you?
Zelkov: This is no gift, Louis. It is payment in kind.
Louis: I don’t follow.
Zelkov: When we first met, you offered to take care of me. At the time, I did not know why those words bothered me so much. They chafed at my pride, but that was not all.
Zelkov: Only recently did I arrive at the truth. Your incessant desire to care for others… It sparked a question in my heart. If you attend to everyone else, then who attends to you?
Louis: I do, of course. I have always done so. As a retainer to Lady Céline, it is paramount that I look after my own-
Zelkov: I am not saying you are inattentive to your needs. Far from it. You are attentive to a fault. You wrap your body in armor, and fasten your smile to your face, and bury your heart in steel.
Zelkov: But you forget I am an older brother, too. That same protective urge dwells within me. With every pot of tea you serve me, it grows only stronger.
Louis: Are you saying you wish to take care of me?
Zelkov: I am. Hence, this sweater. A token of my… desires.
Louis: Zelkov…
Zelkov: You appear shocked. Perhaps I am the one running roughshod over your feelings now.
Louis: Not at all. Though now I understand why you were so eager to talk privately. You ought to have confessed you were feeling shy.
Zelkov: I was feeling nothing of the sort.
Louis: Hm, is that so? In any case, I am honored to reciprocate your affections. Especially when they come in the form of such fine clothing.
Zelkov: Think nothing of it.
Louis: I most certainly will not. Your artisanship is something I have always admired.
Louis: Sewing, weaving, embroidering… In Firene, such pursuits are the dominion of women. They are considered tasks of the home. It is expected that men occupy themselves elsewhere.
Louis: “A true man does not covet beauty.” I try not to harbour such thoughts in my heart. I do not always succeed.
Zelkov: I did not know you held those sorts of doubts.
Louis: I do, on occasion. But seeing you pursue your passions with such fervor… It reassures me that my path is true. Each time I wear this sweater, I shall be reminded.
Zelkov: I am pleased to hear it. Though I worry the Firenese sunshine may gift you few opportunities to wear it.
Louis: Perhaps. But were I to visit Elusia after the war…
Zelkov: You would be more than welcome. Perhaps then, I shall be the one to serve you tea for a change.
Louis: You are certainly eager to spoil me all of a sudden. What would Kagetsu say if he heard you, I wonder?
Zelkov: He will never know. Because you will never tell him.
Louis: Haha. If you insist. Then shall we discuss our travel plans further, mon chéri? Over a nice cup of tea, perhaps?
Zelkov: Par les Emblèmes… Vous êtes incorrigible. As you wish.