Work Text:
Freminet’s POV
Father is very particular about friendships outside of the Hearth.
It didn’t bother me when I was younger. I was content with following orders, staying close to my siblings and retreating to the ocean when my emotions were too much to handle.
That was until I fell in love.
My feelings were innocent enough at first.
Wanting to be near them. Wanting to hold them close, resting my head against their chests as I napped beneath the afternoon sun.
Until I found myself thinking about more.
For the past few months we’ve been together, Collei and I have never kissed.
For a while I’d put it off because I was nervous, and Collei understood, but then I took a trip to Liyue during Lantern Rite, and I saw Gaming perform.
And familiar butterflies danced within my stomach.
I tried my best to push down the feelings I had for him, but the more I tried, the more often I thought about them.
During training, I thought about what sparring with Gaming would be like. How it would feel to be pinned underneath him.
I thought about Collei walking through the fields of rainbow roses, and wondered if I kissed her what she would taste like.
I found myself diving more frequently than usual. Not to cry, but to try to push these feelings further down, down into the depths of the ocean where no one would find them.
I thought about both of them so romantically, it was distracting me from thinking about anything else.
I knew I had to come clean. I had to tell both of them how I was feeling.
Requesting that I take a trip to Sumeru, alone was no longer unusual to Father.
She accepted my visits, knowing I was going to see Collei.
Knowing she had already struck a deal with Collei’s guardians.
Then again, I had no doubt she would suspect my new developed feelings for Gaming soon enough.
I wanted to throw up. Father hardly approved of my first relationship. How could I possibly justify wanting another?
I sent out letters to both Gaming and Collei. I told both of them about the other’s attendance, deciding to turn my confession into a potluck of sorts.
Earlier that morning I went to catch the freshest ingredients to add to my soup, separating it into three portions.
Gaming was surprisingly the first one there, several boxes of dim sum packed up and displayed around a large blanket.
“Freminet! You’re here!” Gaming beamed, bounding towards me, almost knocking both of us out of the tree.
“H-hello Gaming” I mumbled, feeling the flush on my face.
“Something wrong?” Gaming asked, inspecting me head to toe, “Seems like you’re farther away than usual, wanna talk about it?”
I swallowed.
“Is it that obvious?”
Gaming nodded, “You’ve always been one to worry. What’s on your mind? If there’s anything I can do, you know I’d help, Frem”
I sighed. The two of us sat down together on the blanket. Gaming waiting expectantly.
“There’s been something I’ve wanted to talk about in regards to my relationship.”
“With Collei?” Gaming asked.
I nodded.
“I want to talk with you about it, but I also think it would be better if she were here too.”
“I see…well whatever it is I’m sure she’ll understand” Gaming reassured me.
“I don’t know…” I murmured, avoiding his gaze.
Gaming hummed sadly.
“Do you know if Collei is gonna be here soon?” I asked, finally looking back towards him.
There was a flicker in Gaming’s eyes. I’d never seen him act so nervous before.
“She’s on patrol, but she said it shouldn’t take her very long.”
I nodded, dismissing his behavior as anticipation for her arrival. Then Gaming spoke.
“I am curious, the two of you have been together for about a year now. Are you happy with her?”
I couldn’t help but smile to myself, gazing fondly at a piece of her jewelry she had woven into my sleeve
“I love her”
Gaming smiled fondly before resting his hand on my shoulder.
“In that case, I’m happy for you, Frem”
My face began to heat up upon contact.
“Thank you—-” I replied, glancing around for something that would change the subject “umm h-here I made you some soup”
I handed Gaming his bowl, our hands touching momentarily as he took it from my hands.
“Thanks Frem! I’m sure this will be delicious”
I smiled back at him, when I noticed familiar green curls out of the corner of my eye.
“Collei!” I called out, rushing over to greet her.
Her arms enveloped me, and I relished in her embrace as if it would be my last.
“Frem, is everything okay?” Collei asked, gently rubbing her palm against my back.
I looked up, back at Gaming who seemed to look between the two of us curiously.
“I think we should eat first, I’ll tell you both everything after that.”
Gaming warmed his bowl of soup with his hands, eating everything within it until the bowl was practically licked clean.
For the potluck, Collei brought more pita pockets and some baklava for dessert.
As the three of us sat down to eat, we talked for hours about everything we’d missed out on in each other’s lives.
Collei told us about what happened on her patrol, recounting how she had saved someone from a Rishboland tiger as well as a class that she had taught.
Gaming shared how practice with his dance troop has been going, showing us part of his new routine.
Collei and I both cheered, Gaming bowing once he had finished his demonstration.
I told both of them about my work with the Duke and Monsieur Neuvillette. Despite the fact that I was no longer a prisoner, I liked to go back to help with repairs in the fortress in my spare time.
The sun had drifted closer to setting once we had finished eating everything we had prepared. Roughly 15:00 hours.
Bowls were piled up in a neat stack next to where our cooking pot had been lit up. Gaming’s dim sum boxes were close by.
The three of us were laying on our backs, watching the clouds roll by while we waited for it all to digest.
I almost forgot the reason I had brought everyone together until Gaming slowly sat up, directing his attention towards me.
“I don’t mean to be pushy, Frem if you’re ready to talk, I’m sure both of us want to hear what you’ve been thinking about”
“Talk about what?” Collei chimed in, taking my hand in hers.
I took several deep breaths, practicing a technique Sigewinne had taught me in order to calm me down.
I took a deep breath in, held it, then let it out. I repeated this about six times before I sat up, my hands shaking as I pulled out a sheet of paper from my pocket and handed it to them.
Once Collei had accepted it, I turned my helmet on, holding my knees close to my chest as shame enveloped me.
I couldn’t trust my mouth to say the words they needed to hear. I knew this was a cowardly way to tell them, but I worried if I didn’t do this, I wouldn’t have the courage to tell them at all.
I couldn’t look them in the eyes while their friendship and love turned to hate and contempt.
But they deserved the truth.
Collei inspected the page for awhile before reading it aloud.
To Collei and Gaming,
The two of you are the most important people in my life. I couldn’t ask for a better best friend, or a better partner. That’s why I’ve been so afraid to admit how I feel. I’m scared that I’m going to ruin everything. I’m scared to lose you or lose our friendship. I’m scared that my life will get in the way of your happiness.
Collei, I still feel the same way I have about you since we first got together. There have been many moments that passed when I wish I had kissed you, but I didn’t. I was too afraid and for that I’m sorry. I wish I had when I still had the chance.
I love you, Collei. I still do with my whole heart, but I cannot deny it any longer.
I also have feelings for you Gaming. At first I dismissed them, thinking I deeply cared for our friendship and nothing more, but the longer I thought about you, the more my feelings for you felt the same as they do for Collei.
I love you Gaming. I love watching you dance, I love your eyes, and your pretty brown hair, and the passion you give to every aspect of your life.
I love both of you so much. I never wanted to to hurt either of you. I’m sorry.
I know this complicates our relationship with each other significantly. And I’ll understand if both of you never—-
Collei broke into tears before she could finish reading. Gaming took over.
I’ll understand if both of you never want to see me again. Just know that I cherished the time we spent together.
Love,
Freminet
We all sat in silence for a long time, Gaming staring at the letter in his hands, rereading sections to himself.
Collei seemed heartbroken if anything.
“Freminet…” Gaming finally spoke, kneeling down in front of me, reaching out to disable my helmet. “Please let me look at you.”
“I can’t” I choked, forcing myself to look away from him my tears echoing in my ears. “I ruined everything—-”
Collei kneeled by Gaming’s side, I could hear her gently kissing the rim of my helmet.
I froze.
“Freminet, we’re not mad at you.” She cried, wiping her tears.
My crying ceased, my fingers brushing over Gaming’s as we both disabled my helmet.
“I don’t understand…you should hate me—-”
“Freminet we don’t hate you.” Gaming repeated, brushing my bangs out of my face.
“W-wait—-does that mean you—” I sputtered, unable to fathom how the two people I loved most in Teyvat could possibly like me back.
“You’re not the only one who has something to confess” Gaming purred, gently holding my face in his hands.
My heart raced, I could hear it pounding in my ears as Gaming leaned in to close the gap between us.
He looked at me expectantly. I was half convinced I was dreaming, but I nodded frantically as Gaming’s lips pressed against mine.
I brushed my fingers through his brown hair. The healthy sections were smooth and silky, but some split ends pricked my skin as it moved through the area with dye.
As Gaming pulled away, my eyes were half lidded, looking up as he now stood in front of Collei.
Collei wrapped her arms around his shoulders, reciprocating his touch, kissing him back before eventually the two of them turned their attention back to me.
“Collei and I have actually been talking about this for awhile now.” Gaming said, making himself comfortable as he crawled behind me, resting his head against my back, I could feel him pepper kisses along the nape of my neck.
“Y-you have?” I asked, glancing between the two of them.
Collei nodded “We’re actually relieved that you feel the same way. I’ve been meaning to ask if you wanted an open relationship, but I was scared you would think I didn’t love you anymore” Collei answered, “I’m so sorry you’ve been holding onto this guilt for so long.
Collei and I reached out to each other, our hands trembling.
Collei started small, kissing the top of my hand before flipping it over, and kissing my palm.
I did the same, taking her hand in mine, leaning forward slightly, fully aware of Gaming’s arms wrapping around my waist.
After what felt like eternity of staring intently at one another, Collei kissed me. Hers wasn’t a desperate sort of passion like Gaming but a longing.
A longing to know me, to be closer with me, for me to understand her, and understand her love for me.
I kissed back, like an answer to a long unanswered question. Reciprocation of the feelings she had silently poured out to me.
Our kiss lasted much longer than the other kisses had, but Gaming didn’t seem to mind. I could still feel him cling to me, his warmth gave me the courage to continue.
Eventually, Collei had to pull away, in need of air. Knowing how long I could hold my breath for, if she wanted to I could have held out for about another minute.
“Been waiting a long time for this huh?” Gaming teased, removing himself from me so he could sit between us, one hand in Collei’s the other holding mine.
“A couple months now” I admitted sheepishly.
“Same here…” Collei acknowledged
We pulled Gaming into a group hug, which he happily returned.
“Awww you guys” Gaming gushed, grinning ear to ear.
I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding, listening to the sound of Gaming’s heartbeat.
Gaming wrapped his arms around me, leaning back on the base of the tree.
“Getting tired Frem?” He asked, brushing his hand through my hair.
I nodded, my head still resting against Gaming’s chest “I hardly slept last night…I had to write the letter—-
I heard Collei soothe me, the weight of her hand in mine, her lips gently brushing over my knuckles.
“You should rest Freminet. I’ll make sure you get back home before your Father worries.”
I was slipping in and out of consciousness, comforted by the safety of being in both of my partner’s arms.
Being with Collei and Gaming, being accepted and having their love melted my worries away.
For the first time in a long time, I slept peacefully without worrying about my future had in store for me.