Work Text:
'The ongoing reconstruction efforts within XXXX necessitate a heightened allocation of manpower, given the ci-'
It's no use.
No matter how much Neuvillette attempted to comprehend the text before him, his mind adamantly refused to cooperate, rendering every letter, every word into a tangled mess of incomprehensible gibberish. Looking back, he understood the source of his struggles all too well. It was difficult not to when the image of a certain woman effortlessly permeated his thoughts, her presence etching itself upon his very soul.
Somewhere along the line, he has come to realize that the sensation he'd been experiencing as of late is what humans would describe as longing. Indeed, he harbors a profound longing for someone.
That someone is Furina.
A sigh escaped his lips as he reluctantly set aside the paper he'd been trying to understand moments before, returning it to the neatly organized stack of documents he had yet to read and process.
"This won't do." He muttered to himself, his hands instinctively rising to massage his temples as he let his body slump against the plush cushions of his office chair. If anyone were to see him in such a state, it would undeniably cause a stir within the general public. Especially now, with the aftermath of the prophecy still lingering fresh in everyone’s mind. Repairs and refurbishment of different establishments within Fontaine must be swiftly processed and approved, with the people relying on him - he can't afford a moment of weakness; he needs to embody the flawless facade of competence.
But despite his best efforts to maintain his resolve, his mind remained besieged by distractions. Thoughts about the recent prophecy - Focalors' sacrifice - Furina's suffering, his returned authority of hydro - and his own longing consumed him. It was all too much.
Despite his longing, he knows he cannot seek Furina out. Neuvillette understands that, of all people, she deserves time to rest. He cannot deprive her of that. No matter how much he longs to be with her - to bask in her presence, to kneel before her and seek for forgiveness -
He cannot bring himself to do it. He respects her way too much.
A sigh escaped his lips once again as he stood up, the familiar creak of his chair reverberating through the office. Perhaps a walk would offer some clarity. Sedene had once mentioned that when humans are troubled, they often walk to clear their heads. Maybe the same logic could apply to him. He needed to sort out his thoughts, and perhaps this activity could even give him the nudge he needed to continue his duties.
With that in mind, he stepped out of his office. It wasn't an activity he typically engaged in to destress, a fact emphasized by the obvious lingering stares from both human and melusine workers. Nonetheless, he paid no heed to the creeping sensation of eyes trailing his every move and pressed on.
A step here, a right turn there, a left turn here.
He wandered aimlessly, his footsteps carrying him through the streets of the city with no particular destination in mind. Neuvillette basked in the beauty that was Fontaine - even in its somewhat imperfect state, it was still beautiful. Buildings and establishments displayed varying degrees of damage, ranging from mildly damaged to severe, with some even beyond repair. Yet, amidst the wreckage, the people persevered, their optimism unwavering despite the recent losses. And for Neuvillette, that was enough.
Although a part of him wished that she could see this view, too.
Neuvillette wanted her to understand the significance of her actions and sacrifice, which had saved everyone, including him. However, he knew that Furina wouldn’t accept the truth, and that realization stirred something feral inside him, something deep that didn’t seem quite like him.
A dark, gnawing feeling inside him despises how little Furina values herself. However, he recognizes that he and the others' betrayal undeniably played a role in fostering her sense of failure, leading her to believe that all her efforts were for naught.
He loathes himself for this.
She was his closest companion, their relationship blossoming over the span of centuries, each moment woven with shared experiences and mutual understanding. Their bond had weathered through the tests of time, evolving into a connection that transcended mere companionship. Yet, despite it all, he had failed to trust her when she needed him the most. He had closed his eyes to her as she desperately pleaded for everyone to believe in her - to believe in their archon. Neuvillette knew that he needed to be impartial, and this trial was the only option they had left. Everyone was desperate for answers, fueled even more so after the flooding that had ravaged Poisson.
Pitter patter.
He shook his head, his amethyst eyes gazing upwards to the darkening sky before him, a mirror of his somber mood.
'Ah, what happened to clearing one’s mind?' the dragon sovereign thought to himself.
He supposed it was time to head back. His mind remained clouded, but he could no longer delay his duties as the regent of Fontaine.
With that in mind, the Hydro Sovereign begrudgingly began to walk back towards the direction of the Palais when he heard a familiar voice. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of the woman he had been missing for so long. A small smile instantly graced his lips as he saw Furina, accompanied by her Salon Solitaire, rushing to get home with groceries in tow.
Her brows were furrowed with annoyance but despite it all - she retained a small smile.
This singular encounter was enough to clear the skies of Fontaine; this limited interaction was enough for him. Neuvillette was content to see her living as a regular human, no longer shackled by the responsibilities Focalors had roughly imposed upon her.
Perhaps, he wished, in the near future, she would allow him to show her what she truly meant to him.
With one last look at the woman he had come to love and cherish, he decided to walk away.