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To say that he was the prettiest boy Gaming had ever seen would be an understatement.
Honestly, he was pretty sure that boy was the most gorgeous person alive.
Gaming watched without an ounce of subtlety as the blonde spoke to some divers. He couldn't hear the conversation, but he could just picture how gentle and soothing his voice must be as he talks about some diver…underwater… stuff.
Oh, Gaming realised, I’m blushing.
He turned away, helping haul the cargo onto the small boat. When he took another peak, he was startled to see deep blue eyes looking his way.
Like the colour of the sea just after the sun dips below the horizon.
Crap, I'm definitely blushing.
The blonde hurriedly looked away, spinning on his heel and walking over to a more secluded part of the dock.
Gaming pouted as he moved onto the next box. Did he freak the pretty boy out? He sure hoped not. He took a deep breath, hauling the final crate onto the ship with a frown.
Now his work was done… he'd have to leave.
He took another look around Lumidouce Harbor, desperate for one last peek of shiny blonde hair. He glanced over to his coworkers, grinning when he noticed they weren't looking at him.
He slinked away as they finalised the details with their client. It was a small harbor, surely he hadn't gotten too far.
–
He was staring. That guy was definitely staring.
Freminet tried to keep up with his conversation as bright, hazel eyes bore into the side of his head.
Did he look weird? Was there seaweed stuck to him? Freminet subtly checked himself over, not seeing anything out of the ordinary.
Maybe the boy just thought he was odd. Wouldn't be the first time. Still he grumbled silently, must you stare so blatantly?
He decided to chance a look in the strange foreigners direction, only to meet his eyes head on. The blonde startled, excusing himself from the conversation and hurrying away.
Seriously, why is he staring?
He took a deep breath in an attempt to calm his nerves as he peaked around the corner. The boy seemed to be a courier, with the way he was moving cargo around.
He was well built, though his outfit covered most of his skin, Freminet could tell he wasn't scrawny. His hair was also interesting, a soft brown on top with a striking red underneath. It brought out his stunning eyes-
What?
Oh, he was blushing.
Freminet slid against the wall, putting his helmet on in an attempt to hide his shame. Was he seriously checking him out? He's never checked anyone out!
Lyney would get a kick out of this. Freminet continued to silently berate himself, when a familiar voice made itself known.
“Freminet, correct?” Was asked as a pair of ornate boots stepped into his helmet's field of vision.
Freminet jolted, smacking his head on the wall behind him and quickly removing his helmet, “M-Monsieur?” He squeaked, eyes lifting to meet the ludex's.
He was given a smile in return. “Might I inquire as to why you are hiding?”
“Um-” the teen stuttered. Just as he was about to stand, to his surprise, Neuvillette lowered himself to the ground beside him. Freminet internally winced at the thought of his clothes getting dirty. “Someone was looking at me.” He muttered.
Although he tried to hide it, the amusement of the ludex's face was clear, “looking at you?” He asked, and, was that a teasing tone he detected?
“W-well, more like staring.” Freminet weakly defended. He pulled his knees up to his chest with a pout, “what about you? I don't often see you outside of the city.” He asked quietly.
At that, Neuvillette smiled, patting a small box beside him. “I had a rare day off so I decided to take a trip to Chenyu Vale. Wriothesley’s birthday is coming up, and he liked the tea I brought back last time.”
Freminet nodded along, silently noting the casual use of the Duke’s name.
“Now, back to the problem at hand,” he continued, looking directly at the diver, “point out who it was that bothered you, and I shall give them a talking to.”
Freminet could feel the scarlet colouring his cheeks as he quickly shook his head. “O-oh no, Monsieur! There's no need to trouble yourself.”
“But there is,” he countered, “this has clearly caused you some level of distress. As you ludex, it's my duty to right this. Now, if you will.”
Freminet watched, awed, as Neuvillette stood, dusting himself off. He awaited Freminet’s answer, so the boy sheepishly peeked his head around the corner, pointing to the brunette from earlier.
Neuvillette gave him a gentle smile before making his way towards the foreigner.
_
Gaming let out a groan as he stretched his back. Where did the pretty boy go?
He didn't want to give up his search, but his coworkers had finalised the delivery and were getting ready to depart for Liyue. He let out a long sigh, woefully sweeping his eyes across the harbour a final time, when a tall, imposing man caught his eye.
A tall, imposing man walking directly towards him.
“Uhh…” Gaming began, as the man stopped before him. He felt himself shrink a little as those sharp eyes met his. “Everything good?”
“I’m afraid not.” The man said bluntly, resting both hands on his cane gracefully. “Would you mind explaining why you were staring so intently at my… friend earlier?”
Gaming felt his brow raise when the man stuttered. Friend? What frie- ohhh!
Gaming tried for his brightest smile, scratching the back of his neck. “Oh dude, I'm super sorry if I came across as rude!” He began, “I just thought he was really pretty is all.”
Gaming watched as the man's eyebrows raised for a moment before his whole face seemed to relax, a smile pulling at his lips.
“Is that so?” He asked.
“Yeah!” Gaming assured, “seriously I meant no harm, didn't even realise I was that obvious. Any chance I could apologise?” There was a hopeful lilt to his voice as he looked up at the man.
“Yes, I think that's an excellent idea.” The man agreed, gesturing for Gaming to stay where he was before turning around.
Gaming watched as he turned a corner. He returned a few seconds later, hand on the back of the pretty boy as he gently guided him.
They stopped a few paces away from Gaming, pretty boy curling in on himself ever so slightly.
From this distance, Gaming could see the exact, mystical blue of his eyes. The light freckles that decorated his button nose. The way the sun bounced against his golden hair.
Sweet Celestia I’m done for.
“H-hey, so…” he stuck his hands in his pockets, attempting to look casual, before he realised it made him look kinda cocky. He quickly pulled them out, awkwardly clenching and unclenching them. “Sorry for staring. I didn't mean to freak you out.”
He averted his eyes as he awaited a response, knowing full well he'd be unable to stop himself from getting lost in those eyes.
“I-” The pretty boy began, and oh, from that one word alone Gaming had already decided he never wanted to hear anyone else's voice.
“I forgive you.” Pretty boy finished, earning a gentle pat from the tall man.
They stood in an unbearable silence for a moment before Gaming caved, sticking his hand out. “I’m Gaming, from Chenyu Vale. Nice to meet you.”
He watched nervously as the pretty boy looked at his hand for a moment, before raising his own and giving a timid shake. “Freminet. And, um, you too.”
Freminet. Gaming would get the name tattooed on his arm to make sure he'd never forget it. They stood, hands still clasped, for a few seconds, before a gentle cough interrupted them.
“If you've no other plans,” the tall man began, speaking to Freminet, “why not accompany this young man back to Chenyu Vale. It'd be a nice opportunity to be shown the sights by a local.”
Freminet retracted his hand, looking up at the tall man in shock, mouth gaping like a fish. He stayed silent, eyes darting between the two as if completely unaware of how to respond.
“I’ll let your siblings know where you are,” he went on, and then, he turned to Gaming, a knowing look in his eyes, “It's always good to foster new relationships.”
“Y-yeah!” Gaming quickly agreed, grateful for the opening. “I'll buy dinner, I know where you can get the best food in Yilong Wharf!”
He hoped his enthusiasm didn't scare off the boy, but then, to his surprise, Freminet nodded.
“Lyney did say I need more friends.” He muttered.
Gaming couldn't stop the bright smile that spread on his face, he had to fight the urge to jump up and down where he stood.
“Awesome!” He chanted, taking Freminet’s hand in his own and rushing over to his coworkers with a call of “Thanks mister!” over his shoulder.
He kept his grip light, in case Fremimet pulled away. Shockingly, the shorter held his hand firmly as he dutifully followed behind Gaming.
'More friends’ he said, well, they'd be more than that if Gaming had anything to say about it.