At least (my mom thinks) I'm pretty

“We missed your voice, lady Furina.” Neuvillette spoke in such a calming tone. Smooth and fluid, like a wave coming back to the shore. Others must find comfort in his voice. Furina does, now barely aware of the chaotic Épiclèse that made her fleet.

She breathed in, fearing her voice would tremble. “I wasn’t supposed to sing tonight,” Furina explained herself, holding the bouquet tighter. She isn't sure why.

It was quick the last time she met him. Neuvillette doesn’t have free time in abundance to waste with small matters, she had the excuse of doing some errands to not stay around for too long. Lumine was there, too. Everything seems easier when the fallen star is near.

Now they're alone. The Épiclèse remains alive, an opera house full of workers cleaning the stage and telespectors congratulating the debutant cast. But that’s inside the building. Outside, at the fountain of Lucine, the place where water comes to rest, there’s just the two of them.

“You sang beautifully either way,” said Neuvillette. “I hope that wasn’t your last presentation. Fontaine wouldn’t recover from losing a true talent.”

It didn’t feel right. He wasn’t supposed to watch it. He’s the beloved Iudex, busier than a humming bird's frail wings. Certainly there are more important matters for Neuvillette to worry about.

Neuvillette shouldn’t have seen her tonight.

“It’s late, my dear Iudex.” Furina hugged herself, realizing she forgot her coat when sneaking to an emergency exit. “You must have much to do.”

His silence made Furina bite her inner cheeks. She looked down, unable to hold his gaze any longer. Cecilias. Furina inhaled their perfume, searching for their meaning on her memories. True feelings of an unbounded soul. Could that be… a proper declaration of peace?

Furina decided to not read too much into it. Knowing him, Neuvillette probably asked for a Melusine to assist him with the flowers.

A sudden movement made Furina squeeze the bouquet, crumpling the paper around it on her thin fingers. An acute sound escaped her throat, a high-pitched excuse of a scream.

Neuvillette placed a coat on her shoulders, the fabric falling around Furina's body just right. More than that, it fits Furina perfectly. Moonlight allowed her to discover it was her own coat.

Was Neuvillette… looking for her? And for how long? Her heartbeats were too loud as she ran away, throbbing on her eardrums. If he had called her, Furina wouldn’t have heard. Did he see when she stumbled on a step that wasn’t there?!

His face was neutral, as usual. Imparcial, as a judge seeks to be. Not worried, annoyed, entertained. Neuvillette seemed the same. Distant as he had always been.

“May I accompany you, lady Furina?” Neuvillette offered his arm, ignoring her words. “As we used to.”

There's a chance this already happened before. Melancholy after a presentation, emergency exits that lead to safety. Neuvillette there, following her because that’s what a dragon does for its archon.

“Very well, my dear Iudex.” For old times sake, she thought. This time, as myself. “You may.”

:::

It was easy to be herself when drowning in silence. No rigid walking, no self-assure gaze to emulate. With a relaxed posture, all she needs is to put one foot in front of the other.

“It’s been long since we last exchanged more than a couple sentences,” Neuvillette shattered her peace of mind.

Finding her own voice can be challenging. Sometimes Furina forgets how she sounds like and uses the voice of an archon once more. She grew used to that one. Ordering is easier than asking, ignoring is easier than answering. Furina knows it’s more than just the time she spent being an archon. It's simply far more convenient to be treated with the respect she earned through centuries of lies.

Fontaine used to be her stage, but those centuries of acting were meant to end from the very first day. Furina may have grown used to pretending, but she won’t anymore. She can’t do this to herself.

“Oh, my dear Iudex.” Furina breathed in. She looked at him, a smile on her face. That one had no meaning at all. “It's the best for both of us.”

It didn’t surprise Neuvillette. That she sounds sweet when not putting on effort. Looking back, he should've noticed. Furina was soft all around.

Neuvillette can’t stop himself from coming back to it. To all of it. Each memory they share, every moment he thought nothing of. Since her judgment, all Neuvillette can do is wonder.

In a new light, his oldest companion is someone Neuvillette knows so little about. And only now, centuries after their first meeting, that Neuvillette can truly know who Furina is.

“I bet it's quiet now that I'm not around.”

Something bitter found a home inside Neuvillette's ribcage. He wasn’t offended, only guilt for knowing how he used to rejoice in her absence for that very same reason.

Neuvillette never had the patience to deal with Furina's excesses. Now he knows what they truly meant, not only for the people of Fontaine but to herself. Centuries of sacrifice for the chance of maybe succeeding on her plan against Celestia. A half cursed, the other dead.

Neuvillette hasn't much experience when it comes to curses, all for a good reason. Though he doesn’t need to have cursed humans to understand the depths of one's determination to choose that path willingly.

Ashamed, Neuvillette recognized he was correct in worrying about her. Furina thinks the person she has known for so long despises her, and instead of screaming or crying she simply smiles in acceptance.

The rain started suddenly. Furina bit her lips, ashamed of her words. She said something wrong, didn’t she? Furina wanted to quicken her pace, to turned on that familiar corner and lock herself inside the building she’s trying to call home. Instead, she continued to stare at Neuvillette.

“It is, lady Furina,” Neuvillette managed to say. Prying eyes would wonder if they hadn’t noticed the rain. “Too quiet.”

Furina nodded. She knew that already. Neuvillette's life must be easier now that she's not an integral part of it.

Then why did he grant me a vision?! Furina stopped her mind. She couldn’t think about it. Not now. Why is he still here?! Is this a new sort of punishment for those endless centuries?!

“Why haven’t you challenged me?!” Furina transformed scourge into something meaningful, raising her voice to defy the rain. “It would make sense for you to defy my authority if I never showed any proof of my claim as an archon! You could've taken back what was once yours.”

You screamed, Neuvillette thought. Finally, lady Furina. A meaningful reaction.

“It really was a good act,” she sighed, losing the energy to keep on yelling. Her clothes were cold now, sticking to her skin. Her eyes burned a little. “If I managed to fool a Sovereign Dragon, that is.”

As suddenly as it started, the rain became a ceasing drizzle. Looking at Neuvillette, Furina could’ve sworn his eyes were a tad red. He seemed distressed.

“There has always been something divine about you, lady Furina. I could feel the warmth of your soul in your every breath. I still do.”

Eyes widened, Furina didn’t know what to do with her racing heart. “I… see.”

Neuvillette is not one to say things lightly.

There has always been some friction between them. Fontaine was all they cared about, their ways of doing so simply weren’t meant to match all the time. And even during their worst years Neuvillette never said something he would come to regret.

Neuvillette sounds like himself. Not like a dragon facing an usurper. Not like an Iudex facing his lying archon. Looking into his watercolor eyes, all Furina sees is her old companion.

Neuvillette isn’t thinking about all of this? Or did he, and decided it didn’t matter?

Neuvillette booked Épiclèse for her. Somehow got her favorite flowers. Was there on her return to the stage. Accompanied her to the new house, one he pays for alongside each and every of her bills. Neuvillette granted her a vision.

Neuvillette knows about all her flaws and mistakes, crimes and neglects. He knows her, more than anyone else. And he’s here. Does that mean Neuvillette judged her innocent?

“I'm not Her,” Furina made sure to use her own voice. She won’t be near someone that thinks of her as the goddess she never had the chance of being. “I was, but I'm not. And I'll never be, so don’t think dear of me for being someone I'm not.”

Neuvillette smiled. Furina never realized how soft his eyes could be. “I have no intention of doing so.”

He doesn’t hate her. He doesn’t love who she's not.

Furina wasn’t quite willing to say goodbye already. “What about tea, my dear Iudex?”

:::

The silence is comfortable now.

Furina washes a vase as water boils on the stove, not once thinking about opening her mouth. She tries her best to undo the bouquet's ribbon without damaging any flowers, then places the vase in her bedroom. White petals on her nightstand matching the curtains.

Back to the kitchen, Furina grabbed the only teacup set she had. Plain white, without all the flowery of those she had on Palais Memonia. Honey and milk on her chipped teacup, just tea on his.

She wants to get prettier teacups. Or more of them, at least. Quickly Furina realized living alone meant satisfying her own desires though it also meant doing so herself. She hasn't learned how to deal with that last part yet.

Furina found him standing in the hallway. Neuvillette accepted the teacup—his excuse to drink warm water. His soft glove brushed against her palm, hand lingering there for a moment longer than it needed to. It warmed her skin.

“You have many photos, lady Furina.”

She followed his gaze. It took her a moment to fully understand his words. “All thanks to our kind, nosy lady Charlotte.”

Clorinde on guard, as serious as one can be. An afternoon at Spina di Rosula. Lumine leaving Fontaine behind. Liney, Linette and Freminet performing a magic trick on her birthday years ago. A blurred coat as the Duke escaped her lens.

She doesn’t know what motivated those gifts. Maybe Charlotte was merely promoting herself, trying to fall on the good graces of her used-to-be archon. Maybe she didn’t put much thought into it at all. Or maybe she knew Furina needed to see Fontaine living and breathing after the prophecy was set and done.

“Do we have any together?”

Furina frowned, sipping her tea. “I… can't recall.” Furina lived for long, her memories aren’t reliable when it comes to details. “Though I do recall we've starred in a handful of magazine covers. First page of journals, painted without permission or knowledge…”

Furina walked into her bedroom and sat on her bed to rest sore feet. It was a long day. Longer than she expected it to be. Tiring, and still not enough for her to desire a tomorrow. “But we have more than enough official portraits hung on Palais Memonia.”

Neuvillette excused himself inside her bedroom, his perfect posture reminding Furina to fix hers. He placed his teacup on the bedside table, then took a small machine from inside the inner pocket of his coat.

A camera. Paimon's gift for him to record Furina's comeback to the Épiclèse. What a marvelous little thing. A couple metal pieces aligned correctly and now Neuvillette can hold an entire performance in his hands. Neuvillete has her voice, the way Furina's eyes shone as a vision appeared before her, eternalized.

Neuvillette comprehends the desires that drove the distant Shogun for centuries. He too desires to make this finite moment, Furina blowing her tea with closed eyelids, last forever.

“Could we take one?” Neuvillette offered instead.

A new memory for her walls. Furina drank her tea in one big gulp, burning her tongue and throat. She took the camera from his hands, finding a place for it on a bookshelf. She set a timer and stood beside Neuvillette.

“One, two, three…” Furina smiled. “Cake!”

Furina laughed when checking the photo. “My hair is all over the place,” she walked back to Neuvillette, showing him the awful take. “I’ll delete it for you.”

“There’s no need to delete a good photo.” Neuvillette took the camera from her hands, shaking his head. Looking at Furina, he set a timer and put it on the same shelf. “Should I say ‘cake’ as well?”

Furina nodded, smoothing her hair. “Does it looks better now?”

Neuvillette took a step closer, fixing damp locks of hair. Furina breathed in. He cupped her face, his black gloves cold against her skin. His every movement was caring. She got used to his scrutiny. To have Neuvillette’s attentive gaze noticing all her flaws. But now… She feels like that’s the first time Neuvillette ever truly looked at her.

“M-Monsieur,” Furina stumbled on her words. “That’s too…”

“Monsieur?” Neuvillette furrowed his brow. “Wasn’t I your dear Iudex, lady Furina?”

For a moment, an eternal moment, Furina had nothing to say in response. Because Neuvillette is not one to say things lightly. Never was. A judge can’t allow space for interpretation on his words. Lost on those ancient eyes, Furina found herself moving closer.

“You should go,” she whispered. Lowering her eyes, Furina held the hand around her jaw. “Don’t do anything you’ll regret, Neuvillette.”

“I’ll go if you desire,” leaning his head over her shoulder, Neuvillette felt her muscles taut. “I’ll stay if you accept me, Furina.”

She squeezed his hand. Eyes closed, Furina raised her head and tried to think it through. Five hundred years. She needs to think of them. To not ruin them anymore than she already did. To not do something she'll regret.

But a part of her doesn’t want to think it through. A part of her can’t pretend to care about what will be ruined when she’s done. A part of her wants to believe there won't be a reason to regret.

“Temptress,” Neuvillette whispered against her skin. In this position, her neck was completely exposed to him. He breathed in, her scent right beneath his nostrils.

Suddenly, his common sense was back. Neuvillette took a step back, eyes widened. “Lady Furina, I apo-”

Furina pulled him closer, tiptoeing to meet his lips. It wasn't delicate. Holding him still, Furina didn’t have the patience to be soft. And as he did during all those centuries, Neuvillette adapted to her needs.

His hands grabbed her hips, large fingers keeping her stable on the floor. Her nails raked at his neck, the wet sound of their kiss so harsh it made Furina's cheeks burn.

She only moved away to breathe.

“It's been so quiet lately,” Neuvillette kissed her knuckles, palm, wrist. “I miss you, lady Furina. I never felt this way before. This need…”

Furina stared at his raw lips. “What need?”

“To make you mine,” Neuvillette grunted. “To have you in ways only a dragon could.”

Neuvillette prepared his fragile heart for the rejection. When he managed to gather his strength and look at her, Neuvillette only saw curiosity in Furina's eyes.

“Then do it,” Furina breathed in. Her hands left him, unbuttoning her still-damp blouse. “Make me yours, hydro dragon.”

Neuvillette watched her fingers move from button to button. The dark blue blouse was still glued to her body, product of the rain that ceased minutes ago. Her fingers shook a bit, but Furina still managed to do it while looking into his eyes.

She didn’t take it off. Neuvillette touched the fabric, pulling it away from her skin. When he did so, Neuvillette felt his already hard cock throb.

“Lady Furina,” it ached for him to inhale. “You’re not wearing a bra.”

Furina's cheeks grew warmer. She didn’t know it was possible. “I-I never do.” She played with the hem of her blouse. “It’s not like I have something to be held. And with all the layers of clothes I wear it's not like anyone would notice it.”

It was true. Neuvillette leaned down, thumbs moving to softly caress her nipple. Furina whimpered in a way he never heard before. Her chest was small. Small enough to maybe…

“Neuvillette!” Furina cried out, grabbing his shoulders. He sucked once more, all of her tit in his mouth. “You’re… please I…”

Neuvillette licked her nipple. He kissed the hot skin of her chest, looking inside her feverish eyes. “Please what, lady Furina?”

Watching him kiss and bite her other boob, Furina closed her eyes and tried to regain his composure. “I don’t know,” she laughed. “I don’t know.”

Still sucking on her, Neuvillette grabbed her thighs and took her into his arms. He laid Furina carefully on her bed. What a beautiful creature she is. Blue eyes shining beneath him.

Her nails sank on his forearms. “Do something.”

“How could I deny you, my lady?” Neuvillette kissed her lips. It was soft, slow. As if her nipples weren’t burning from his attention.

Neuvillette moves away to get rid of his clothes. Curious, Furina doesn’t notice what she’s doing until her hands are already pressing on his pants. She can feel him, big and waiting to fill her up. Bigger than she could've imagined.

She barely stimulates Neuvillette before deciding to get out of her shorts. Neuvillette groans at the sight of her open legs, thumb moving to treat and explore her folds. She’s already dripping wet.

Furina stops him from leaning down, instead locking her legs around his hips and pulling Neuvillette closer. She takes his hand in hers, pressing it against her clit. “I want you inside of me. I need to feel you.”

Neuvillette doesn’t obey, jerking his cock against her soft belly. “Think it through, lady Furina.”

Furina follows his gaze. She moans at the sight of his cock passing her belly button.

“I will be this deep inside of you,” Neuvillette can’t barely breathe, rutting against her. Amidst losing his sanity, Neuvillette manages to think for the both of them. “Won't it be a big stretch for you?”

“Do it now, Neuvillette,” Furina pouts. “I want it, don’t be mean to me.”

Neuvillette hits her clit with his leaking tip. “Mean,” he laughs. Something burns inside her stomach. “Tell me when it's too much.”

Neuvillette pins her down, aligning his cock with her entrance. He stops when the tip disappears, her warmth embracing him like home. Furina shakes beneath his palms, eyes following every movement of his hips.

He goes deeper, slowly to stop when she says so. But Furina doesn’t object. She bites her lips and fingers, but doesn’t tell him when enough is enough.

“Greedy human,” he whispers. Furina sobs once their skin connects once more. Neuvillette makes sure to rub her clit, sucking on her tits to distract her from the pleasurable pain inside her walls. As if anything could distract her from it. “Taking me in so well.”

“I… can't think,” Furina babbles. Her hand presses down on her belly. “Neuvi… gods, I…”

“No god will help you now, my lady.” Neuvillette kisses her chin. “But your dragon will.”

His trusts make her sob. Furina feels tears running down her cheeks. She doesn’t care about anything besides the monstrous cock inside of her. She feels a sticky pool forming beneath her ass.

Nothing ever felt this good. Five hundred years breathing and she never felt so alive. So drunk on pleasure. Why haven’t they done that before? Why did they wait for so long?

“Come inside me,” Furina cried. “Hydro dragon, hydro dragon.”

Neuvillette sank his nails on her waist. He didn’t want to come inside of her. He didn’t want to come. He wanted this moment to last forever, for her teary eyes and raw lips to be all he can see for eternity. Neuvillette wants this to last.

“It’s been so quiet lately,” Furina sobbed. She tried to clean the tears with her forearms. “I missed your voice.”

Last straw consumed, Neuvillette supported himself on the mattress and forced his weight on top of her. Furina hugged his shoulders, shaking as she leaked around him. Her legs trembled, moans turning into a pitiful sound. Neuvillette kissed an orgasm out of her.

“I know, I know,” he consoled her. She squeezed him so good, Neuvillette could feel it coming. “I won’t let you alone now, my lady. Never again.”

His mind went white, just as Furina's womb. Neuvillette collapsed on top of her, whispering dirty sweet nothings. “My love,” he bit her neck. “My sin.”

Furina smiled. “Sin?”