Work Text:
The shop is rather quiet today.
And well, it does absolutely nothing to distract you from the hurricane of thoughts you have in your head. Every nerve in your body is wailing for you to just accept that you’re… in love…
You groan and try to finish the last of your daily work. While you dazedly touch up the displayed bouquets, the bell to your shop jingles.
A familiar top hat peeks through and a bright smile follows. “Good morning!”
You excitedly smile, feeling your energy burst up again. Lynette and Freminet trail after their brother, both of them giving you soft smiles.
“Lyney!”
You duck under the counter to hug your friend. He happily squeezes you back.
“I heard from Freminet that you needed more Rainbow Roses, Lyney,” You hold his gloved hands gently, “Why didn’t you tell me?”
He playfully shrugs, but there’s a sincerity in his eyes, “Well, I’ve also heard that you’ve been busy lately. Why would we want to trouble you further?”
You pause. Did everyone notice your friendship with the Iudex of Fontaine? Or worse, had even Neuvillette noticed your budding affections for him? No, no, it’s plain to see that you’re just friends. Or are you?
While you mentally bury yourself into the sand of shame like a scared crab, your extremely perceptive friends notice your odd behavior. Lyney takes a few seconds before his eyes regain that teasing sparkle in them. “Ah, I see.”
A cruel flush makes its way across your neck and cheeks, and you shriek at him. “What do you mean ‘I see’!?”
Lyney giggles while Lynette steps in. She doesn’t look at least fazed, but it’s her signature, patient silence that comforts you right now.
“Would you like to talk about it?”
Your cheeks still feel hot as Lyney’s laughter dies down. “Sure. Do you want some tea?”
All is quiet once again as you pour your friends some tea in the inner room of the shop. Lyney procures sugar cubes out of thin air, giving them to his siblings and leaving five for you.
You stare pointedly at the tea you're stirring, when you realize all three pairs of eyes are looking intently at you.
Sighing, you try to find the words to explain your predicament (but then, is it a predicament when you're content to suffer just to see him smile?)
"If you didn't already know from any rumors, Neuvillette often visits my shop.”
The three of them nod, but you’re thankful that Lyney stays silent.
You start reiterating your previous meetings together; how you met, when he visits, what happens when he visits, all that.
Lyney leans on his hand, “So does he know about you?”
Nursing your half-empty cup, you nod. “He saw me swimming one time, but he was still the same, still kind.”
Lynette sets down her cup, and you continue.
“I know that some rumors describe Monsieur Neuvillette as stern, even emotionless, but… I don’t see that.”
Freminet places a hand on yours, and you smile, relishing in the quiet presence of your best friend.
“Have you ever thought of giving it, no, him, a chance?” Lyney speaks up, gently probing your fragile bubble of denial.
You shake your head vehemently.
“I don’t really think I’d want to ruin our friendship with my own feelings, Lyney,” you say, “Besides, he’s been busy with all the trials lined up this week, he doesn’t need the added stress.”
Lynette, who’s been quietly listening - and eating the sweet pastries you’ve laid out for them - speaks up.
“Of course, it’s your choice, you have the grasp on the situation,” she explains, “But, you’re also the one who knows Monsieur Neuvillette more than all three of us combined do.”
Lyney nods, “That’s right! Why don’t you try evaluating his actions around you?”
You bite your lip, worrying it between your teeth. The slight pain helps you focus, and analyze their advice. One look to Freminet, and his soft smile gives you the last push. It’s like, he’s saying that in the end, it’s your choice. And no matter what happens, the trio will always be there for you.
A grin creeps up on your face. Yes, you have nothing to lose! Well, you can probably scare Neuvi away, but maybe you can work it out, as friends?
Your friends’ smiles grow, and you burst out into a laugh. You’d never know how to dig yourself out of the sand of despair if you hadn’t talked to them.
You chat about other things, now. About Lyney and Lynette’s preparations for their new big gig, and Freminet’s adventures underwater.
All of you are halfway through debating about the new bakery’s best goods when the bell to the shop rings.
You excuse yourself from the table, and rush to the counter.
“Good afternoon! How can I he-”
You promptly pause, and stare in wonder at the figure waiting by your door.
It’s none other than the person who has been living rent free in your heart, Neuvillette.
Yes, Neuvillette, with the soft sunlight casting a halo around his form, and the (shy?) smile he gives you.
Your treacherous heart skips a beat. And another. Your breath sits lodged in your throat, but at least you manage to close your lips around a beaming grin.
“It’s really nice to see you, Neuvi.”
Neuvillette nods and walks further in your shop, towards the counter. (No, he’s walking toward you!)
“Would you like to have the new batch I received today?” you ask, gesturing to the bundle of Cecilias you’ve had delivered from Mondstadt.
“Yes, I would be delighted to.”
Funny enough, your brain was a total mess when you kept thinking about him, but now…
There’s no discomfort, just a sense of peace, of belonging.
The rustling of the wrapping plays in the background, and you fight back a blush when Neuvillette speaks up.
“How have you been?”
He says your name with tenderness, and you hand him his bouquet.
“Not much,” you shrug, “It feels less exciting without you here.”
The last phrase flew out of your mouth, and you tentatively look up to see his reaction. Did you go too far?
Instead, he chuckles - that warm laugh, the one you yearn to hear everyday - and replies.
“I’m delighted that you are pleased with my company.”
“Why wouldn’t I? You’re…” you trail off, but once you see the veiled curiosity behind those eyes, you sigh.
“Your presence is… comforting for me.”
He looks taken aback, and you don’t even get to panic before he lowers his head. You catch a hint of a wide grin, and yours follows suit.
This was what you had missed. After the stresses of the day, Neuvillette exuded calmness, like the deep waters. Little can jostle you once you let yourself sway with the tide, and when you sing siren songs that echo through the expanse. Neuvillette is comfort personified, in a way you yourself cannot explain. Little are the words you can use to describe the secret darling of your heart.
Yet the cruel thing is, unrequited love means dancing on a tightrope. Will he stay once he knows the truth? Or will he let go of you, until you fall into the endless abyss of eternal humiliation? You admit your friends’ advice really helped, but there no escaping a person’s war with his mind.
And so, the moment is broken by the clinking of the clock on your wall. As Neuvillette’s brows furrow at the sound, you remember that it often marks the time, every hour. Perhaps a new trial has to start, or a case needs to be investigated. Alas, Neuvillette is not only needed by you, but the entirety of Fontaine.
But wait. Can’t you do something about it? Come on, haven’t you learned anything from your friends’ pep talk?
“I’m terribly sorry,” he says, remorse drenching his tone. (Is he also sad that he’d be leaving so soon?)
“Don’t you worry, Neuvi! I’ll always be here when you visit.”
“Thank you.” Aaand there he goes, saying your name so softly like that.
“Before you leave, though,” you say as you fumble with the drawers under the counter, and Neuvillette tilts his head.
You grab the “Language of Flowers” book and hand it to him.
He gently takes it, scanning your beaming face. A conflicted frown crosses his face as he feels the worn, well-loved book.
“You can borrow it for the meantime, since I’ll have a little surprise waiting for you next time.”
“I will take good care of it, I promise you.”
You laugh, and you feel lighter than you ever did these past few weeks.
“I have no doubt about that!”
Lyney is propped against the door, silently squealing for you. Lynette has a grin on her face and Freminet’s smile is warm.
The trio share a silent fist bump, cheering you on. (You forgot about them for a bit, and you apologized by making them dinner.)
Happily munching on a piece of bread, you note that the sky is clear of any raincloud. Freminet, who sits at your right, remarks that the Hydro Dragon must be happy today.
You smile and stare at the boundless sky.
Lyney’s cheerful voice rings out.
“What a wonderful day!”