#annelie

Bonded Through Time - December

Annelie from Dragalia Lost

A/N: I wanted this out earlier, but I got so caught up with trying to make my grace period for Algebra 2 that I wasn't able to finish until now. This is my first little self-ship fic for TOT.

“Artem, I’m glad you were able to make it.” Annelie’s calm voice gently fluttered to the senior attorney’s ears. “You invited me out an hour after your former surprise for me at the film festival. I couldn’t just decline.” Artem said he had gotten a text from his partner about 20 minutes after they had departed.

She had texted him asking her to meet him here wearing something a bit nice. He looked at what she was wearing, a red dress with a tail longer than the front of the dress, it was sleeveless with her wearing 2 black gloves going up her forearms. There were a few golden trims and designs.

“That’s the dress I gave you on your last birthday.” Artem stated. “It is, you’ve been looking eager for me to wear it, so I thought tonight would be a good time.” Annelie smiled a bit. “So, is this another surprise for me from you?” Artem asked with a soft smile.

“It is, I knew even on your birthday you would be working even after the first surprise. This second surprise might be able to get you to relax and forget about work until tomorrow, or the day after.” Annelie smiled then suddenly took Artem’s bare hand.

“Now, come on Birthday boy. Don’t want to be late, do you?”. She led him down the sidewalk for a bit until reaching a small, but popular restaurant, especially known for its alcohol. “You have a reservation here?” Artem asked. “I managed to get one months in advance just for your birthday.” Annelie smiled, “I knew you’ve been wanting to try this restaurant, but been too indulged in work to try it, now less talking let’s go.” Annele pulled him inside.

Artem just chuckled lightly, a bit amused and happy that Annelie had put in this much work for him and his birthday. He was also a bit surprised that she had even managed to do this behind his back. Annelie pulled him inside the restaurant and into one of the more expensive private rooms.

“I’m not even going to ask how you managed to pay for this.” Artem sighed, sitting on the black long leathered booth chair. “Artem at this point you should know I have money.” Annelie chuckled lightly. It was a candle lit room, it wasn’t too bright, just like the way Artem liked it.

“Exactly how long have you been studying me to make this birthday surprise?” Artem asked. “Did I really need to study you or were you just too oblivious to my non-direct questions Mockingbird?” Annelie teased a bit. “It seems you’ve used your many lawyer skills to out smart me Ms. Zynees.” Artem smiled as he leaned back, finding the booth chair comfortable.

A waiter gently knocked before coming in, she handed both of them a menu. “Order what you like Artem, my treat.” She said, “You never let me pay regardless.” Artem said. Annelie just chuckled at his response. “So, what type of alcohol do you drink, Artem?” She asked straightforwardly.

“I had a feeling this is what you meant by me not worrying about work for a couple days, and I know for sure it wasn’t Celestine’s idea.” Artem sighed. “I haven’t drunk much alcohol, so I’m not aware of what I prefer. So pick what you like and I’ll try it.”.

Annelie only chuckled a bit before ordering a bottle of whiskey. “Ah, I see where Celestine says you’re not exactly a ‘party type’.” Artem said, glancing over the menu while deciding what to eat. “Celestine just doesn’t like whiskey, she says it’s too rough on her.” Annelie shrugged.

Artem just sighed through his nose, he cursed himself a bit for bringing up another woman when he was sitting across from one he loved, but he could tell Annelie didn’t seem to mind, did she know? Or was she trying to get a reaction out of him?

To Artem, Annelie was a wise lawyer that was even able to out smart him, but she definitely looked at the human way of things after looking at the lawful way of seeing things. She wasn’t annoying, but definitely had a strange way of creeping into his heart.

Artem still isn’t sure how she weaved her way into his heart, but she did. “You decided what you wanted?” She asked, setting her menu down on the table. Artem nodded his head. A few moments later a waiter came in to get their orders, which they gave with detail.

After taking their order it only took 10 minutes for a waiter to come and give them the alcohol Annelie ordered with two glasses and a bucket of ice. Annelie was the one to pour the glasses, sliding one over to Artem.

“Give it a try.” She smiled, bringing her glass to her lips. Artem grabbed the glass, the whiskey had a strong aroma to him. He brought the glass to his lips and gave it a taste. It was strong, but it seemed to have a sweet taste to it. He noticed Annelie seemed to be waiting for a reply. “It has a strong and sweet taste. Is it normal for it to have this type of taste?” He asked. “Yep, whiskey sometimes has a better taste than rum and coke. If you’ve never tried it befor-” “It’s a mix of an alcohol and a soda beverage.” Artem said. “I only tried it once, it tasted too bitter for my tongue.”.

Annelie chuckled, “Guess we have a similar taste Artem.”. “I’ve been able to see that for a while, have you just noticed?” Artem asked. “Guess you can say that. I never really cared, because I don’t believe taste should have anything to really do with how similar or compatible we are as a couple.” Annelie hummed, taking another sip of her drink.

Artem froze hearing those words, ‘So she does know.’ he thought. “You think I didn’t?” Annelie asked, “What are you a psychic?” Artem asked. “Your facial expression and eyes tell what you’re thinking. Did you forget I’m a lawyer and I can tell these things?” Annelie asked with a soft smile, a rare smile to everyone else, but a familiar smile with Artem.

Artem chuckled lightly before taking another sip of his whiskey. “It worries me that you can read through me sometimes, but I’m glad someone can instead of making assumptions about me by the way I express myself to others.” Artem said. “You just have a hard time expressing yourself Artem, I can see that since I used to be like that and I found somebody that had done the same for me.” Annelie said.

“I believe that person is me, correct? Or is it someone else you’re close to, Peirce maybe?” Artem asked. “It would be you Artem. Luke is able to see through my facade, but he has never seen that I have a hard time expressing myself like you have. I believe I can do the same for you like you had done for me. Even if you haven’t said anything directly, you have said something indirectly.” Annelie smiled.

“But, that isn’t the reason why my feelings for you are there.” She then stated. “Then what is?” Artem asked.

“I’ll allow you to figure that out on your own Mockingbird.” Annelie smiled, her eyes seemed to glow within the candle light as she filled both of their glasses.

The two had stayed there for an hour, Artem was more than tipsy. His cheeks were flushed as he leaned back in the booth chair. Annelie was a bit tipsy as she laughed lightly at him. “You were telling the truth when you said you couldn’t handle your alcohol Artem.” She said.

“I’m done.” Artem hummed as sat there. “Give me a minute to get the check and pay the bill and I’ll call a taxi.” She said standing from the table. She came back 5 minutes later. “Alright, a taxi is on the way.” Annelie said, she reached her hand out for Artem. Which he took as he stood up.

She led him outside as they waited on a bench near the restaurant. “This was a fun night, thank you.” Artem said as he sat on the bench next to Annelie. “I’m glad I could make it enjoyable for you, I was a bit worried you wouldn’t like it.” She smiled at him. “The only thing I’m really missing is something I may not get.” He muttered.

“Hm? Is there something you truly wanted on your birthday Artem?” Annelie asked, looking at him with question. “Yeah, there is.” His sapphire eyes glanced over at Annelie, well at her lips before turning away. “Sorry, my drunk mind is talking, ignore me.” He said.

“A drunk mind speaks a sober heart.” Annelie said, her dark pink eyes watched her partner. “I doubt that is truth.” Artem said. “It is, I’ve seen it time and time again. The phrase is true. Your drunk mind speaks what your sober heart wants, but your sober mind refuses to be released.”.

They sat in silence for a minute until a yellow cab stopped in front of them. “Come on, let’s get you home before you pass out.” She stood up, grabbing Artem’s arm. He allowed her to pull him into the taxi and he put his seatbelt on as they both sat there in silence. Artem was lost in his mind, especially with what Annelie said.

His ocean eyes looked at her from time to time as she was watching the city lights at night. It took about 40 minutes to get from the restaurant to Artem’s home. Annelie paid the cab fare and walked Artem to his door, he unlocked it quickly and opened the door. “Go to sleep, you’re going to wake up with a hangover tomorrow.” Annelie said, turning to leave.

“Why don’t you stay here for the night, it’s late.” Artem said suddenly. “And you live a good few blocks from here.”. Annelie looked back at him with a smile, “I’ll be fine, plus hangover you tomorrow will be concerned on how I got there since most don’t remember what happens when they’re drunk.”.

She turned to leave again until Artem gently grabbed her hand. “I insist… Please.” Artem said, his cheeks and the tips of his ears were flushed a cherry red. Annelie looked at him once more before letting a small huff out, “Fine, but if you scold me in the morning for being in your house we’re gonna have issues.” She said.

Artem nodded before letting her come inside, she took her red heels off at the door and set them near the shoe rack Artem had in his home. His house was neat and beautiful. Annelie never expected to be in here once.

Annelie watched Artem strip himself of his coat and laid it down onto the back of the couch. Then she saw him set the tie down. Artem ran his hand through his hair. He looked over at Annelie, then froze. “Wait there.” He said before going upstairs.

He came down a moment later with a shirt and a pair of pajama pants with a tieable waist. “Here, this was the best I could find for you to sleep in.” Artem said, holding them out for her to take. Annelie nodded, “where's the bathroom so I change real quick.” she asked. Artem pointed to a door that was slightly creaked open. 

Annelie disappeared behind that door for a few minutes before she came out, the clothes were a bit large on her, but she managed to make some adjustments so they wouldn’t fall off. “Thanks…” She looked away with a soft blush on her cheeks.

“I’ll sleep on the couch, you go to bed.” Annelie pointed upstairs where she believed Artem’s room was. Artem nodded before leaving to go upstairs. Annelie sighed lightly in relief, she didn’t know how she was able to hide her heart beating rapidly. She was currently wearing his senior’s clothes that even carried his scent of vanilla.

She noticed Artem had left his coat and tie on the couch. She was debating on bringing it up to him, but decided against it. She laid down on the couch, that was really comfortable. She laid down on the couch cushion and slowly drifted off.

Artem had come down after she fell asleep. He had a blanket in hand as she saw her passed out. He watched her sleep for a moment before gently and carefully placing the blanket down on her. ‘She looks so peaceful.’ Artem thought as he watched her for a moment more.