Work Text:
Neuvillette had arrived at Furina’s house intending to spend an hour or two with her before heading back home while it was still light out, but that had been three hours ago.
“Neuvillette, darling, could you stop reading and pay attention to me?”
He looked up from the book in his hands. Furina was sprawled across her sofa, her head resting against a cushion and her arms stretched out toward him, as though she’d been waiting for an eternity.
“I have been listening to you.”
“Listening isn’t the same as paying attention, those are two completely different things, darling.”
Neuvillette set the book down on the table and turned his attention toward her.
“Is this better?”
“Much better,” she replied cheerfully.
Furina smiled and beckoned him over with both hands. He had barely sat down before she snuggled up against his side, wrapped her arms around his waist, and rested her cheek against his chest.
“Ahhh, yes. This is exactly what I needed.”
Neuvillette let out a soft laugh. He’d grown accustomed to her sudden displays of affection, though he was still amazed by how easily Furina could turn an ordinary afternoon into something he wished would last indefinitely. He brushed a stray lock of hair away from her face and gently stroked her hair.
“Have you had a difficult day?”
“Terrible!! Absolutely exhausting. I had to decide which cake to buy, argue with the baker because he refused to admit that my choice was superior, and walk all the way here in these shoes.” She lifted one foot to show him the delicate pair she wasn’t used to wearing. “I think I deserve a reward.”
“Of course.”
“Oh, really?”
Furina lifted her head, intrigued. Neuvillette leaned down and kissed her forehead, prompting her to look at him.
“That was a rather modest reward.”
“Do you consider it insufficient?”
“Of course I do!!”
He smiled before kissing one cheek, then the other. Furina began to giggle as he continued peppering her face with little kisses, until she finally cupped his cheeks in both hands and pressed a kiss to his lips.
“That’s more like it!” she declared triumphantly. “You’re learning.”
“I’m fortunate to have such a dedicated teacher.”
“You have no idea how dedicated I can be when I put my mind to something.”
“I look forward to it.”
His unexpected response left Furina staring at him, her lips slightly parted, Neuvillette took advantage of her momentary distraction to pull her closer and kiss her again. This time, she had no intention of pulling away anytime soon, her fingers brushing against the back of his neck as he rested one hand on her waist and drew her closer. When they finally parted, Furina hid her face against his neck.
“You’re terrible,” she murmured.
“A moment ago, you seemed to think otherwise.”
“Don’t take advantage of my good mood Neuvillette.”
Neuvillette tightened his arms around her.
“I would never dream of it.”
They stayed like that for a while, exchanging absentminded caresses. Furina played with a lock of his hair and his blue horns, while he traced slow circles across her back. Every now and then, she would lift her face to steal another kiss, only for Neuvillette to seek out her lips before she could settle back against him. It was impossible to explain how much he loved having her like this, with just Furina, warm and smiling in his arms, complaining because the cushion wasn’t at the right angle or because he’d stopped stroking her hair for three whole seconds.
“Neuvillette.”
“Yes, my love?”
Furina froze. He seemed to realize what he’d said, too, but he didn’t take the words back or try to explain himself.
“What did you just say?” she asked, almost in a whisper.
Neuvillette brushed his thumb across her cheek.
“My love.”
The smile that spread across Furina’s face was so radiant that he felt a strange tightness in his chest.
“Say it again.”
“Furina…”
“Please!”
He chuckled, pulled her closer, and kissed the tip of her nose.
“My love.”
Furina threw her arms around his neck and kissed him with such delight that Neuvillette ended up leaning back against the sofa, laughing between kisses as she showered him with affection.
“I love you so much,” she confessed suddenly, resting her forehead against his. “You know that, right?”
Neuvillette held her face gently between his hands.
“I do but I like hearing you say it.”
Furina felt her heart melt right then and there.
“Then you’ll have to get used to it, because I’m going to tell you every single day.”
“I see no reason to object.”
“And I want you to hold me like this every time you come to visit me.”
“Agreed.”
“And kiss me and tell me you love me.”
“Of course i'll do it.”
“And call me your darling.”
Neuvillette smiled.
“Anything you want, my love.”
He wrapped his arms around her again, and Furina tucked her face against his chest, hiding her smile.
“Good,” he murmured. “Then I think I’ll stay a little longer.”
Furina reached for the blanket draped over the back of the sofa and pulled it over them both.
“You can stay as long as you like, Neuvillette.”
Then she lifted her head to give him one last kiss.
“Careful, my love, I might just take you up on that.”
“That is precisely my intention.”