Work Text:
In huge office between tickling of clock only rustling of paper and occasional humming could be heard. One after another papers were moved from one side of the desk to another, but Iudex once again because wave of returning memories couldn't properly focus on his work. It already passed some time since golden haired traveller together with his small, reliable companion moved from Fontaine to their next destination Natlan, but he still couldn't forgive himself that he didn't get some free time back then, to go with others and together see them off. Neuvillette could feel regret especially stronger now when not so long ago Furina barged to his office to show him letter and photos from new adventures of those two Travelers, which Katherine was asked to give to their close ones.
During Aether adventures in Fontaine Neuvillette got to not only know him more, but also get great liking to golden haired Traveler with his warm resembling sun personality. Iudex always enjoyed spending time with him whenever he could. With time they got closer and even got some different routines like Aether regularly visiting Neuvillette in his office to convince him to take a break and go together to some cafe, walks to their favourite beaches or swim while showing each other interesting things or play together with cute otters.
That's why Neuvillette regrets greatly that he lost chance to see him one last time. With them travelling through whole Teywat who can know when they will visit Fontaine again if they even will that is.
Finally Iudex decided to try occupy his mind with work to not sour his mood any more. Lately it was rainy enough in Fontaine without his influence, so he didn't want to accidentally be a reason for more rain especially when during time when he wasn't able to say proper goodbye to his dear traveller he couldn't stop himself from quietly sulking and it end up raining for some days after they left.
Neuvillette massaged his temple and decided to try focusing on huge amount of paperwork in front of him. When he finally cleaned his mind a little and started to properly focus and finally started to fill out some documents doors to his office got widely open with surprisingly grand strength. Before he was able to look up on his loud intruder in front of him already showed two coloured eyes.
"Greetings, what important matters brings you here that needs being in such a hurry and with such a great strength?" Asked Neuvillette after fastly looking at his door for any damage and then seeing happy face of Furina in front of his desk.
"Lately you again constantly only sit in here all day long and if you don't then you only go out to Opera for even more work. I told you last time that if you don't take good care of yourself then I will help you with that myself, so now without any excuses let's go eat something!"
Neuvillette wanted to refuse using huge piles of paperwork as an excuse, but he knows Furina well after all those years and he know that she will not let it go when she sets her mind on something.
"Alright then, but just for a moment I still have a lot work to do."
"Don't worry your work isn't going anywhere and I promise it will not take that much time. Now let's go some Melusine wanted to go with us too, so let's not make them wait."
Neuvillette knows well that dinner breaks with Furina never ends quickly especially is she invited some other people to join in, so he put his pen to the side and let Furina lead him out. When they left in the distance he noticed waiting for them happy Melusines which immediately started waving to them what make him smile lightly.
Since Traveller left Furina together with Melusines, Navia, Escoffier and their other friends that she roped in, but who themselves wanted to help with making sure that Iudex isn't overworking himself, agreed to regularly check if Neuvillette is in good mood and made sure that he gets enough breaks. That's how he got invited for many outings be it for something to eat, to enjoy some plays in Opera Epiclese, to go play games or do some shopping for him and for Melusine that girls always persuaded him to met even more if he tried to use his work as an excuse one to many times. They even sent Sigewinne to do whole check up on him to make sure he is in good shape and to spend some nice time together what end up with him eating her questionable dishes and her describing him some supplements that he regularly took even if taste was bizarre he would never question her medical abilities.
Neuvillette was very thankful for their care and in the end always let himself be dragged to their countless shenanigans which they specially prepared for him.
Days were passing fast and time for their annual Carnival was coming closer and closer. Some time ago Neuvillette after properly reading and consulting some details with Furina who always was eagerly helping with planning Carnival, signed up proper papers to allow for this event to happen. People were slowly decorating around their houses and in shops there could be seen many different special outfits and masks.
Neuvillette was fondly looking at preparing last little things people and Melusines from his office window while slowly sipping his water during small break that he took between his work. When he finally stepped away from window and wanted to come back to his work he again heard some commotion outside of his office. He wasn't able to answer fast knocking to his door because Furina with standing behind her gently scolding her Escoffier for barging to his office like that and happy Navia on her side went to his office. All women were already in their specially made outfits that were perfectly fitting them and their aesthetic and only missing things were masks.
"Apologies for intruding." Said fastly Escoffier.
"That's not important now, what is more important is what plans do you have for Carnival?" Interrupted her Furina and focused her eyes on Iudex.
"I don't have any plans, exept continuing my work."
"I knew that it will be like this, that's why we came prepared!" Said Navia.
Navia turned around and went out of office. Moment later two of her men brought big box in Neuvillette office. Suprised Iudex was carefully observing as men put it in front of his desk and after bowing went in direction of door and disappeared in no time. Before he was able to say a word Furina fastly approached box.
"It should fit you well, I spent a lot of time with Chiori trying to pick the best for you." Then Furina took out dark blue outfit with silver decorations and came closer to Iudex. "Alright don't keep us in suspense and try it out Carnival will not last forever."
"I believe in Furina and Chiori abilities, but if it will not be good on you then we will fastly take care of it." Said Navia.
"I'm really thankful for your care, but..."
"No excuses, especially not today, you deserve a break too, so we will let you change in peace call us back when you finish."
Women left Neuvillette office leaving his outfit on desk, Iudex gently touched beautiful pattern on it and started to change. After moment he called out and women immediately came back.
"It fits perfectly you two have really good eye for it." Said Escoffier after seeing that outfit perfectly fit on Neuvillette.
"It indeed do, thank you all for it."
"That's nothing, then if there isn't any more needing me matters then I can go check on my men, have fun guys!" Said Navia and after waving in doors she put her mask on and disappeared as fast as her people before.
"We all need to get going too, but first here." Furina gave Neuvillette smaller box in which inside there was beautifully decorated, fitting perfectly to his outfit mask. "Outfit wouldn't be complete without it, so put it on and let's go have some fun!"
They went together to specially prepared main place of this event which was full of different attractions and foods around and orchestra and dance floor in the middle, and after moment split around. Escoffier went to see how other chefs are doing and check dishes, Furina to check on desserts and Neuvillette decided to stand on the side and peacefully observe event. Everybody seemed to have a lot of fun playing around, trying delicious foods and energetically dancing. Neuvillette was so focused on song that was playing that he didn't even noticed when somebody came closer to him only when he felt light tapping on his shoulder he realised that he isn't alone anymore.
When suprised Neuvillette was turning around he could feel smell of sea different that one's in Fontaine, coming from person that approached him. Then he noticed long blond hair combed in braid and lightly smiling half hidden in mask tanned face of beautiful man in golden with some white part outfit.
"Can I ask for a dance?" Asked blond man and stretched his hand in Iudex direction.
Neuvillette smiled softly and after seeing happily enjoining desserts with Furina and Navia clothed in pink outfit Teyvat best guide he took offered to him hand.
"It would be my pleasure."
When musicians started to play next this time slower song, they went to dance floor. Both men were slowly moving to the rhythm perfectly matching each other moves.
"You're really good at dancing, it seems that you trained since our last dance." Complimented Neuvillette.
"Thank you." Said Aether after lightly laughing after remembering how many times he stepped on Neuvillette foots last time when they have occasion to dance. "And being honest I got some really good help beforehand." Said Aether and looked at Furina who after noticing them looking at her showed to them her two thumbs up before coming back to slowly teaching Paimon how to dance.
"They really planned everything spotlessly, I will need to properly thank them later, but for now I would love to put all my focus on you."
"Same here." Said Aether and put his head on Neuvillette arm.
They danced a little more and after later eating and sharing small talks with their friends, Aether made sure that Paimon will be okay to spend time with girls and he with Neuvillette went to the beach.
When they were finally alone they took their masks off and looked at surrounding Fontaine waters that were beautifully reflecting cloudless stary sky with full moon in the middle.
"Carnival is great and I love spending time with our friends, but it's nice to get some breath. Honestly I missed our walks." Said Aether after he stretched his body.
"Feeling is mutual. It's nice to see everybody celebrating and having fun, but it got to crowded. I'm glad we can enjoy another walk together. Where do you want us to go?"
"Let's just go forward maybe we will find new nice place to swim together." Said Aether who gently grabbed Neuvillette hand in his own and started to lead him. "Also I still have so much to tell you. Oh before I forgot I bought for you some Natlan water and left in your office."
"Thank you, I will cherish it and I will make sure to proper thank you for your thoughtful gesture."
"I don't need it, it's enough for me to spend time with you again."
Neuvillette standed in place and after taking Aether hand up on level of his lips, he gently kissed top of his hand. "Then I will make sure that our time will be as satisfying as it can possibly be." After saying that he gently took stray blond hair behind Aether ear.
Aether laughed lightly and tightly hugged Neuvillette
close. "Then I will hold you to your word."