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Furina came back to her little cottage, a bunch of bags in her arms. She’d picked up a bunch of groceries, and a few other things from the store. Namely, tinsel and ornaments and cookie dough and little string lights that could change colors. It was her first time celebrating Christmas on her own. Every year she would give a huge speech and a tree would be lit, and it would be bright and glorious. The whole of Fontaine looked forward to what Furina de Fontaine had to say that would bring them good cheer. But this year was different. There was no huge speech. There was no giant spectacle. There was no Furina at the forefront. She was by herself in her house, no one to join her except some stray cats that popped by every now and then.
She started hanging the decorations, standing on a little stool to reach the places that were too high for her. Humming a little tune, she couldn’t stop the memories of the person she’d missed more than anyone else. Neuvillette, the hydro dragon, had been the object of her affections for centuries. Every Christmas he’d stand next to her as she gave her speech. He applauded her with everyone else, with that inscrutable look on his face he always had. He walked back with her to the opera house and watched a Christmas ballet with her during the season. Things were amazing with him around, and she hadn’t even realized it until it was gone.
“Hydro dragon, hydro dragon… don’t cry,” Furina sang to herself, staring up at the ceiling. Hot tears spilled from her eyes and down her face. She sniffled, getting down off the stool and sitting on her couch. “I miss you. I really miss you…”
The human experience she was created to have included love. And with love came heartbreak. No normal human was free of these perils, so why should she be?
After throwing a little pity party for herself, Furina forced herself to finish decorating and took a deep breath. She took a step back and took in the silver and gold wonderland she’d created for herself. Things actually looked pretty great! Sparkling ornaments hanging from a mini fir tree, mini snowmen and reindeer scattered around on tables, quilts and blankets sprinkled with candy cane pictures. She had an eye for these things, of course! No wonder her house looked amazing!
After decorating, of course, was baking! With the excitement of a small child, she unpacked her supplies, including premade cookie dough (it was a lot easier that way, and came with cookie dough to eat!). She hummed traditional Christmas songs as she worked, but her mind quickly drifted again.
How was she going to eat these all by herself?
No one loved sweets more than her, but even still… She knew better than anyone they tasted better with someone to share them with. “Not again,” she whispered, trying not to cry again. She could see it in her head: Offering her plate of cookies to Neuvillette, to which he would smile and kiss the top of her head and hug her, and say ‘These cookies are simply divine.’” Oh, the fantasies Furina would dream up when it was just her. She crafted wonderful, comforting fantasies of herself and the one she loved, and it made life just so much better. Her fantasies carried her through the day. If she didn’t have her fantasies, she had nothing.
Furina pulled her desserts out of the oven and put them on the windowsill to cool. Then she’d put them in a little jar and eat them throughout the week, she’d decided.
Next was to wrap presents. Little trinkets she’d picked up for the people of Fontaine, as well as something extra special she so truly wanted to give to her dragon. So she didn’t have to think about it, she wrapped it first. That way she didn’t have to remind herself of anything.
Knock knock.
“Eh?” She looked up at the door. “Who could that be? It’s so late.” Furina stood up and smoothed her shorts, prepping herself to open it. But nothing could have prepared her for who was on the other side. Standing before her, tall and proud, was none other than Neuvillette, with a small wrapped gift in his hand.
They stared in silence for a moment, neither daring to pull their gaze away from the other. Furina felt her heart swelling, and the tears pricked her eyes yet again.
“I can go,” Neuvillette offered, sensing the water threatening to spill from Furina’s face. “I am sorry for showing up unannounced. I just wanted-”
“No! No, don’t go! C-come in, it’s cold outside.” Furina ushered him in, attempting to control her trembling hands. “Can I get you something to drink? I have coffee and hot chocolate and tea and water and- Anything you want!”
“You know what I like.”
“Right.” Furina laughed in spite of herself and went to the kitchen, pouring a glass of water. “Is… Is everything okay? Why did you come here? I mean…”
Neuvillette looked up. “Do I need a reason to come here? Well… I suppose I do have one,” he mumbled, putting the little gift on the table. “To give you this. I’m sorry I don’t come around more often.”
Furina’s breath hitched in her chest. She looked at the gift, finely wrapped in dark blue paper and adorned with a silver bow. It was small enough to fit in the palm of her hand, and even more so in Neuvillette’s hand. “It’s for me…?”
“Of course it’s for you. Christmas just isn’t the same in the opera house without you.” Neuvillette swallowed and looked around Furina’s house. “These are beautiful.”
“You think so?”
“They’re very you. You… have an eye for these things.”
They stood in silence again, a light pink dusting each of their faces. The silence hung in the air and seemed to amplify the sounds of their beating hearts.
“I-I actually have something for you too! If you’ll believe that,” Furina eventually offered. She scurried over to the pile of gifts and picked out the one wrapped item. “I picked it out a few weeks ago! It… Reminded me of you.” She handed it over to him, not meeting his eyes.
“Oh. Thank you.” Neuvillette broke into the smallest grin and handed Furina her gift. “Why don’t we open them at the same time?”
“Good idea! Okay, on the count of three. One, two, three!”
The Iudex and former archon removed the paper from each of their items. Furina opened the box hers was in and gasped, nearly dropping the whole thing. She picked it up and inspected it - A blue diamond in the shape of a water droplet on a silver chain. The diamond had a lining of white - presumably more silver. She trembled and felt her heart pound out of her chest. “Neuvi…” she started, unable to stop herself this time. She lunged forward and hugged him, burying her face in his chest. “It’s beautiful! It’s so beautiful! It- it looks like you! It’s so nice! Thank you so much, Neuvi! Thank you, thank you! I’m sorry my gift isn’t nearly as good!!”
“What are you talking about? I love mine. What could be more indicative of what I love than this?” Neuvillette hugged Furina tightly and rested his chin on her head. In his hand was a snowglobe, depicting the opera house surrounded by little Melusines. They were playing in the snow and wore little snow coats. A yuletide wonderland, in the palm of Neuvillete’s hand.
“Although, perhaps there is something more indicative of what I love.” Neuvillette gently rubbed Furina’s back and planted a kiss on her head. “Forgive me, mademoiselle, but… I missed you dearly. I hope we can spend a little Christmas together…”
Furina looked up, completely flushed but grinning. Her tear-stained cheeks and her puffy eyes stronger than ever before. But there was something just different about tears born out of joy. She sniffled. “I was just thinking the same thing.” She got on her toes and kissed Neuvillette’s cheek. “Say, Neuvi?”
“Mmn?”
“Do you want any cookies?”