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Chapter Text

Freminet hates it here. It's too loud and crowded and he knows he stands out from the locals. But if he didn't follow Lyney and Lynette to Liyue, he'd be alone at home. And Father had reassured him it would be fine....

"Minet?" Lyney pokes his cheek, pulling him back to Teyvat. "You okay? We'll be at our hotel soon..."

Freminet just nods. He won't admit how overstimulating the environment is, but the mention of being at the hotel soon was a relief.

Lynette takes his hand as further support, and he stays close to her.

Lyney's words were true, and they're at the hotel after about ten minutes. It's much quieter here, and far less crowded. Freminet lets out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. Lyney gets the key to their room from the receptionist, and they head to the elevator.

"Ah- Hey, can you hold that?" A young boy shouts to them, and Lynette catches the door. The boy grins. "Thanks, sorry, this big guy's kinda a hassle to get inside!" He chuckles, holding a lion mask over his head. The boy has brown hair, but the undersides are dyed red, a style that matches his hazel eyes well.

"It's fine." Lynette says simply. And that should've been the end of it, but of course, Lyney pipes up.

"My, my! What do we have here?" He grins. "A fellow performer, might I assume?"

"Oh, yeah!" The boy smiles. "I do Wushou Dances! This is my puppet." He says, moving its mouth. "What do you do?"

"Magic shows." Lyney smiles. "I'm Lyney, of 'Lyney and Lynette's Magic Show'." He says, voice full of pride as he crosses his arms over his chest.

"Oh, magic shows? I think I heard of you on the program for the Lantern Rite!" The boy seems excited at the mention of magic. "How do you do it!? Do you have to use your visions?"

"Ah-ah-ah! A magician never spills his secrets!" Lyney smirks. "But if you must know... No. We don't use our visions, we're just naturally magic-"

"Mechanisms." Freminet mumbles.

"Ah- Freminet!?" Lyney pouts. "Don't tell on me!"

"Sorry..." Freminet mumbles. He was just trying to be part of the conversation. ...Father said that would help his anxiety.

"Mechanisms?" He hums as the elevator dings, finally up on the top floor. "Ah- Sorry, we'll have to chat later. I'll see ya at the lantern rite!" The boy grins, and runs off.

Lyney chuckles. "My, he's energetic. He seems like a natural performer!" Lyney hums.

"...You're annoying." Lynette says simply, and Lyney feigns offense. Lyney goes to banter, but Lynette is already taking Freminet along to their room.

"Wh- Heyyy!" Lyney follows after them, "You two are too boring."

...Lyney and Lynette have left to bring their props to the stage, and Freminet is home alone, in a hotel, with nothing to do. Usually he's just... brought along with Lyney's antics as Lynette tries to stop Lyney. But by himself, he just goes diving. And Liyue apparently has heavy regulations on 'swimming'. So, he finds himself just reading whatever he can find. He grabs the small pamphlet sitting on the nightstand, looking at the Lantern Rite's shows. ...Nothing interesting to Freminet, he's not much for crowds, and the interesting shows aren't enough to convince him to go. But one does catch his eye: 'Gaming's Musical Wushou Dances'. Wushou dances... That's what that boy said he did. He must have been Gaming. Hm. Maybe Freminet would go to see that one, it was right before Lyney and Lynette's show, so it wasn't like he'd have to go out of his way or anything... Yeah, maybe it could be fun. Freminet grabs his journal, finally knowing what to write for today.

Dear

Freminet pauses.

Dear future me,

We arrived in Liyue today. Lyney and Lynette are setting up their magic show. We met this boy with a lion puppet on the way to our hotel. I think his name is Gaming. He does Wushou dances. I think that sounds cool. I want to see one.

Freminet pauses, thinking.

I wonder if fish can perform shows.

That night is the first night of lantern rite shows, and sitting in the crowd, Freminet regrets coming so early. It's too crowded, even if Freminet is sitting alone. He finds himself zoning out with his overstimulation, his surrounding getting blurry and-

"Excuse me?" A blue-haired boy taps his shoulder to get his attention. Freminet flinches, as he's drawn back to his senses. "Sorry! I didn't mean to scare you."

Freminet hugs his mechanical penguin, Pers, to his chest. "...It's fine." He mutters.

"I just wanted to ask if me and my friends could sit here, it's a little difficult to find somewhere with four seats." The blue haired boy smiles politely, a girl and a boy, both with darker blue hair behind him waving.

"Um- That's fine." Freminet mumbles, looking away.

"Thank you!" The boy smiles, and he and his little group sit down, leaving a seat between Freminet and the group. "We're just here to see our friend Gaming." The boy smiles, and Freminet looks over at him.

"Gaming?" Freminet says softly. "I think I met him at a hotel... Um- Is he the Wushou dancer...?"

"Yeah, that's right." The boy smiles. "It's his first proper show, so we came to support him."

"His first show...?" Freminet mutters, looking toward the stage as the lights around go out, leaving just the moonlight and lantern light.

Drums. There are drummers lined up around the stage, and they start to play as Gaming walks onto the stage, still mostly hidden by the dark.

And then the entire stage blooms into light. Oranges, reds, and small hints of green light up the large lantern on the stage, as well as some LEDs on Gaming's lion mask. The brown-haired boy grins as he starts his performance.

His acrobatics are amazing, done mostly with his legs as his hands are occupied holding and operating the mask. But the most impressive part? When he dances... on the water! Standing on it like its solid ground, doing kicks and flips like it was nothing. He kicks the floating lanterns into a staircase and stands at the top as the music ends.

Freminet's just... sitting there, eyes wide and practically glittering as he looks up into the sky at Gaming.

Beautiful.

It's... beautiful.

Everything about it. From the music, to the visuals, to the dancer himself.

It was... amazing.

"...Wow." Is all Freminet can whisper.

Chapter Text

Gaming's never been so nervous before. This was his first ever show, and he can't seem to get his nerves under control.

The sound of the drums starting signals to him that it's time to get on stage, and he nervously does so.

People can see him now. Sure, he's mostly hidden by darkness, but he can definitely be seen.

Deep breath in...

...Deep breath out.

In...

...Out.

Gaming lets the sound of the drums fill his ears, then his head, then his mind, and he grins.

This is it.

He starts his performance focused almost entirely on his practiced movements, slightly stiff and rigid, but good-looking at least.

... And then one audience member catches his eye.

It's that short boy from the hotel. Chin-length blond hair and ocean blue eyes. ...He looks mesmerized, his eyes practically sparkling as he's sitting up in his seat and leaning forward.

...He likes it?

He likes it.

...He likes it!

Gaming feels himself smile almost involuntarily, and he starts to enjoy himself a little more. He starts deviating from the plan here and there, and extra spin or flip where it feels natural. and then, off of impulse, he jumps toward the water. He lands on his feet and can feel the steam of the water vaporizing under his feet as his Pyro vision keeps him standing. ...He's only done this once before, but right now it just... feels natural. He just keeps going, step by step, spin by spin, flip by flip. He hardly notices the lantern tower he's making until he's climbing up it, and standing at the top. He lets out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. ...Liyue is beautiful from up here. He scans the crowd looking for the boy from before and finds him: Grinning and clapping.

...Gaming's never been so proud of himself before.

Once down from the top of his lantern tower, it takes Gaming a few minutes to find his friends in the crowd. "Ah- Xingqiu! Chongyun, Xiangling!" He calls out to them, and they wave. "Save me a spot? Oh-" Sitting next to his friends is that boy from the hotel, who he'd been watching from the stage. ...Gaming's a little embarrassed he hadn't seen his friends right next to him. "Oh! You're that guy from the elevator!" Gaming smiles.

"You know each other?" Xingqiu asks.

"Ah- We just met briefly." Gaming explains, rubbing the back of his neck, he slips into the seat between Chongyun and the penguin boy. "You're here for uh- Ah! Lyney, right?" He smiles.

The boy looks between Gaming and his friends who are looking at him now. He seems a bit panicked, and before he hides his face behind a small wind-up penguin toy.

"Huh-" Gaming smiles. "Now who's this?" Gaming asks and gently pokes the toy. "Aren't you a cute little guy?" He laughs.

"Pers." The boy mumbles. Gaming wasn't expecting an actual answer.

"Ah- You're Pers? Reminds me of the fruit...." Gaming hums, before asking: "And what's your friends name? He seemed to really like my show."

The boy seems to hesitate, as if embarrassed that Gaming had noticed him, before he mumbles: "Freminet..."

"Freminet!" Gaming immediately says back. "That's an awfully pretty name."

...Freminet stays hidden behind Pers.

"So, Pers, what'd you think of my show?" Gaming asks, hoping to draw Freminet out of his shell. His friends have stopped paying attention to Freminet by now, so hopefully he's a bit less anxious?

"..." Freminet peeks out from behind Pers, but the second he makes eye contact with Gaming, he hides behind the robo-penguin again. "...It was really pretty."

Gaming grins. "Pretty? What about it was so pretty?"

"Um... I liked the lights. ...And the colors. And the lanterns. And the mask." He mumbles, listing everything he liked.

...Gaming can't help the grin on his face. "Aww, thanks! I actually made the mask myself."

"You did?" Freminet asks, clearly surprised, as he lowers Pers to his lap.

Gaming's smiles softens as he's actually talking to Freminet properly. "Heck yeah I did! It took me months!"

"Months? What materials did you use? How does it glow?" Freminet asks quickly.

...He's so awake now, talking to Gaming quickly, seemingly excited at talking about how the mask works. Gaming chuckles, "You really like the mask, huh?"

"Ah-!" Freminet seems to catch himself, and he looks at the floor, embarrassed. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to-"

"No, no, don't apologize!" Gaming quickly interrupts. "It's nice to see you so lively. You seemed so shy."

"..." Freminet hesitates. "...I make the mechanisms my siblings use. I just... like learning how things work." He explains, still seeming embarrassed.

"It's alright! I'd be happy to-" Gaming's cut off by the sound of deep cellos starting to play. "I'll talk to ya later." He elbows Freminet, and Freminet awkwardly nods in return.

"Hellooooo, Liyue!" Lyney calls out to the crowd.

Gaming's not all that interested in magic shows, but the idea of figuring out the mechanisms holds his attention. Some of the tricks are really cool, like teleportation and the disappearing act, but Gaming has no idea how it's done. ...Maybe he could convince Freminet to spill the secrets later. The show ends, and Gaming's friends are eager to pull him away to Xiangling's 'Wanmin Restaurant' for a celebratory dinner.

"Hold on!" Gaming laughs, and hurries to catch Freminet's wrist. "...You wanna come with?" He asks Freminet. "I can tell you about the mask."

Freminet frowns. "Um... My siblings are waiting for me." He mumbles, and Gaming frowns too.

"Well- Hold on!" Gaming stops him again. "Maybe I can meet you at the hotel in the morning?"

Freminet seems to perk up slightly at that. "Yeah. That... sounds good." He mumbles.

Gaming grins. "Tomorrow, then!" He says, and waves goodbye.

Freminet holds Pers up again, fidgeting with its wing to make Pers wave goodbye too.

Cute.

Chapter Text

"Are you going to write in there, or are you just staring at it?" Lynette hums, making Freminet look up from his journal. He hadn't realized she was still awake, since Lyney was snoring.

"I'm thinking." Freminet mumbles back.

"About what?" Lynette asks, standing up and moving to the kitchen.

"About what to write." Freminet says, looking back at the journal.

Lynette rolls her eyes. "Yes, I guessed that." She says simply, getting out a kettle and two teacups. "Walk me through it. What's going on in your head?"

Freminet sits there, thinking. He's not quite sure anything was going through his head. "What are we going to do tomorrow?" He asks.

Lynette tilts her head slightly at the question. "Lyney and I have another performance for the second day of the lantern rite. But other than that, we don't have any plans. Why? .....Do you have plans?"

Freminet nods. "Kind of. The Wushou Dancer wanted to see me."

"Gaming?" Lynette asks, and Freminet nods. "That's nice." She hums, "You could use some friends."

Freminet can't help but feel embarrassed at the comment. "...I have friends."

"I mean human ones." Lynette hums, as the kettle squeaks and she takes the kettle off at record speed. Lyney doesn't even stir. "Is that what's been on your mind?"

Freminet nods, watching Lynette fill the teacups and set the tea bags in. "Yes." He hums. "He... scares me a little."

"Scares you?"

"Yes."

"Why?" Lynette sits on Freminet's bed with him, passing him a teacup. Freminet sets his journal aside to take it.

"He's... confident."

It's quiet for a moment.

"Is that it?" Lynette asks.

"I don't know." He hums. "He's just... He seems so happy and confident with himself. It's almost intimidating." Freminet goes to take a drink of tea, but it's still a bit too hot, and he sets it back down. "I want to be like that."

Lynette smiles, and gently nudges Freminet with her elbow. "Then maybe he can help."

Freminet glares nervously at her. "I'm not going to talk to him about that..."

Lynette shrugs, and takes a sip of her tea. Freminet is always impressed with how hot she drinks it. "You don't have to tell him about your anxiety or depression, Minet. I just mean that maybe he can help you get used to being around someone other than us at The House. Surely he can introduce you to a good bit of people."

Freminet is quiet at that. "...I guess." He mutters.

Lynette pats his head, and steals his penguin beret off his head. "Go put on pajamas while you wait for your tea to cool. You're not sleeping in your clothes again."

Freminet blushes out of embarrassment and takes his beret back. "Fine..." He mutters.

That night, a bit past midnight, he sits next to the hotel's night light to finally write his journal entry.

Dear

Freminet pauses. He's still never sure who to address this to.

Dear future me,

I'm going to see Gaming tomorrow. He said he wanted to see me. It makes me nervous. I'm not sure I will be much fun. But I hope he is happy anyway. I also hope Pers will enjoy it. His wing broke off today, and I don't have the parts to fix him right now, so I will have to be careful with him. Maybe Gaming can help me. I want to see his lion puppet. Or mask. The lion thing. I think it's cool. And he said he would show me.

I want to make a puppet like that for myself.

I want to make a lion version of Pers for him, too.

The next morning, Freminet wakes up a bit early. He's lacing up his boots when he hears a knock on their hotel door. With Lyney and Lynette still asleep, he opens the door and peeks through the crack.

"Hey Freminet!" Gaming smiles. "I finally found your room."

"...Did you go knocking on every door?" Freminet mumbles.

Gaming chuckles, and rubs the back of his neck. "Ha... Maybe."

"...Okay." Freminet mutters. "One second..." He says, and quickly grabs Pers. "I'm coming." He steps out, and Gaming points to Pers.

"Hey- Where'd the little guy's wing go?"

"Oh- I accidentally broke it... I was just fidgeting, and the old hinge snapped." He mumbles, a bit embarrassed.

"Awh man." Gaming frowns. "Well- Do you still have the wing?"

"Oh- Um, yes." Freminet nods.

"Well, go get it! I might have an extra hinge that'll work to fix him."

"Ah- Really?" Freminet perks up a bit, a little less embarrassed.

"Yeah, of course!" Gaming smiles.

Freminet just nods, and quickly slips back inside to grab Pers' wing, before coming back out again. "Okay. I'm ready. But... where are we going?" He mutters.

"Uh..." Gaming pauses. "I dunno. I hadn't thought that far." He shrugs. "Why don't I take you to see some Liyue tourist sites? Like- I could just take you on a walk around the harbor. Oh! And there's this nice place by the water we could sit to try and fix Pers."

"...Okay..." Freminet mumbles. It sounds nice, Freminet's just not sure what to say.

"You sure? You sound pretty unsure." Gaming hums.

"I'm sure. It sounds nice." Freminet says simply, a bit embarrassed once more. He's no good at expressing himself, and he already feels like he's messing up.

But Gaming just smiles. "Alright! Then c'mon, I think I've got an idea of where to start.

Freminet's nervous as he walks next to Gaming. He feels like everything is wrong with himself. The way he walks, the fact he's bringing Pers with him, his Fontainian-style clothes, his 'girly' hair. Everything about him feels wrong the second Gaming looks at him.

And yet, Gaming still smiles at him.

"Okay, so- I can show you around the bookstores and this little dim sum place, and maybe take you around Wanmin for some desserts, and then we can go see the festival stores down by the harbor. And once we've seen everything we can go down to the shore and try and fix Pers." Gaming explains, and Freminet just nods a bit, awkwardly.

The first place they go to is a small dim sum place with a small storytelling stage. There's a little paper card given to Freminet, and a cart of food being rolled around the place. "I-I... uh..." Freminet's a bit overwhelmed by the unfamiliar menu system. "Can I- Can I just get tea?"

"Just tea?" Gaming hums, tilting his head.

"...Yeah. I don't have much mora with me, since I didn't expect to be buying anything..." Freminet mumbles, though it's just an excuse to not deal with the menu.

"Ah- Well, my treat then!" Gaming grins. "Here, lemme help you find something for you to try." He hums and leans over Freminet's shoulder. Too close for Freminet, and he leans away. Gaming seems to notice and leans away a bit. ...Freminet just nods as a silent thanks.

"Okay... so- So what should I get...?" Freminet asks quietly.

"Well- Traditionally, it's kinda like a collection of appetizers." Gaming hums. "You get a bunch of small dishes to share. But- Maybe not all at once! That way they don't get cold too fast... Though I'm usually guilty of getting too much at once, haha..."

"...Uh." Freminet looks at the little paper sheet, still lost.

Gaming chuckles. "Why don't I just get some basics, and we can figure out what you like."

Freminet nods. "Okay. But- But I'm a bit of a picky eater..."

Gaming shrugs. "It's okay! I can eat like nobody's business, so don't even worry about leftovers." He grins, crossing his arms and holding his head up high.

Freminet giggles a little at Gaming's pride in eating. Gaming seems to grin wider at the sound.

"There it is! I've gotten a smile out of you!" He teases, and Freminet can feel his face warm with an embarrassed blush.

Out of habit, he puts Pers up in front of his face again.

Gaming chuckles. "Hey, don't be shy. You've got a nice smile!"

Freminet just keeps Pers in front of his face.

Gaming laughs, but turns his attention to ordering food.

Freminet slowly lowers Pers, trusting Gaming to order something... edible.

Food arrives, and Freminet's not sure what to grab.

"Lemme walk you through it." Gaming smiles, and starts pointing to dishes: "We've got shrimp, which I personally think just kinda tastes like chicken. Then we've got steamed pork buns, like little packages of sticky pork. Jiaozi dumplings, which have both meat and veggies. Cheung fun, which we'll have to try out the fillings this restaurant picked, though it's usually pretty savory. Oh! And my personal favorite, turnip cake: It's made with radish and sausage."

"..." Freminet is even more lost now.

Gaming chuckles. "Here, lemme see your plate." He hums, and gets Freminet one of each dish. He grabs a sticky note, and a pen, passing it to Freminet. "Whatever you like, you can write on this side, and what you don't like, we can write on the other side!" He smiles.

Freminet nods quietly. "...Okay. Thank you." He mumbles.

"It's no problem! I just wanna make sure you can enjoy the food too." Gaming smiles.

...Freminet likes that smile. It's warm, and a bit comforting.

Freminet just nods, setting Pers on the table next to him, and picking up the chopsticks. He does his best to situate the chopsticks in his hand, but struggles to get it right. Noticing Freminet's struggle, Gaming holds up his as an example. Freminet looks at it, and manages to get the chopsticks in place, though he still struggles to pick anything up. Gaming just chuckles.

"You don't have to try and use chopsticks, you know. It's not bad to just use a fork." Gaming offers, holding up a fork for Freminet.

Freminet shakes his head, struggling with the chopsticks, determined to not look like a fool in front of Gaming. It takes a few tries, but eventually, he gets it, and quickly pops the food in his mouth before he can drop it.

"Heck yeah!" Gaming grins. "Nice!" He holds up a fist to Freminet, and Freminet awkwardly gives Gaming a fist bump.

...This is nice. And the food is good. Which one was this, the steamed pork bun? Freminet notes it on the 'likes' part of his sticky note.

There's a girl singing on the small restaurant stage, singing an opera: "The Divine Damsel of Devastation", about a child slaying a monster of sorts. Freminet's pretty sure he's missed a chapter, since he doesn't quite understand some of it, but it's certainly interesting.

"...So!" Gaming smiles at him. "Did you make Pers yourself?"

...Small talk. Freminet was never any good at that. "Um... Yes." He mumbles.

"Yeah? I had to get help when I made my lion mask... I'm not sure I'm any good at making things work."

Freminet shakes his head. "Asking for help doesn't make you bad at something." That was something Father had told him over and over, even though she had never made him believe it. ...But it was still a nice thing to say... probably.

Gaming chuckles. "Aw- Well thanks, but really- I can't build much of anything."

"...I could teach you?" Freminet mumbles.

"Teach me?"

"Uh..." Freminet's not sure of the words that just left his mouth, but he can't really take that back now. "Yeah, I could teach you some basics...?" He offers, fidgeting with his glove anxiously.

Gaming's face seems to light up at that. "Really? That'd be awesome!"

Freminet just nods awkwardly. "I wouldn't mind teaching you some things..." He says quietly.

"Awh- Thanks! I could use some he-" The people around them start to clap, as the singer has finished her song. The sudden noise makes Freminet cover his ears with his hands, though Gaming doesn't notice as he looks toward the stage.

The clapping dies down, and Freminet sets his hands back in his lap.

"Alrighty! Got enough to eat?" Gaming smiles.

Freminet glances at his mostly-empty plate, and nods. ...Most of the foods had ended up on his dislike list, so he didn't bother insisting on trying the rest.

"Okay! Then I'll pay, and I can show you around Wanmin. My friend Xiangling runs the place, and she's got some unconventional recipes, but there's this one dessert she makes that I'd really like to show you." He smiles and grabs a waiter's attention.

Freminet just nods. Being left with his thoughts for a moment has him thinking too much about himself again. Pers on the table next to him, his beret that he can't seem to get to sit right, his absurd amount of freckles! He even has freckles on his fingers for Archon's sake!

"Freminet?" Gaming hums. "You ready?" He asks, bringing Freminet out of his thoughts again.

"Yes." ...No.

"Huuuuh???" The girl with dark blue hair from the show comes up to them almost immediately after they've sat down on a bench near Wanmin. "Gaming? Weren't you supposed to rest today?" She crossed her arms, giving him a worried and... slightly disappointed look.

Gaming laughs it off. "This is who I was talking about, Freminet. Meet Xiangling!"

"Hi-hi!" She smiles, and waves at him. Freminet nervously waves back. "You're the guy we sat with at the show, right? And your name's Freminet?" She asks.

...Freminet just awkwardly nods.

"Well, it's nice to meet you!" Xiangling smiles, before turning to Gaming with a scolding look. "But really! It's your rest day, so you best not be up to something!" Xiangling scowls, though she seems to be mostly joking.

Gaming chuckles. "I'm just showing Freminet around! We came here to try one of your desserts."

"Hmm..." Xiangling squints at him. "Okay!" She smiles. "What can I getcha?"

"Um..." Gaming whispers in her ear.

"Okay! But what's with the secrecy? It's just sugar fr-"

"Hush!" Gaming scolds her. "It's a surprise."

She gives him a confused look, but shakes her head. "Sure, sure." She hums. "Coming right up! Oh! And it's on me, since it's your day off, Gaming." She says, and heads off to the kitchen.

"...What's the dish?" Freminet asks, as Gaming sits back down on the bench next to him.

"I just said it's a surprise." Gaming teases.

Freminet pauses. "...I'm kinda scared."

"Ah- Well- There's nothing to be scared of! It tastes amazing, I promise! It's just kinda... unconventional." Gaming shrugs.

......Freminet's not so sure about this. But he doesn't wanna look like a coward in front of his new friend, so... He'll have to try it.

...But he's still going to ask about it.

"Unconventional?" He mumbles.

"...It'll be fine." Gaming says simply, patting his shoulder as a reassurance. Freminet flinches a bit at the touch, but prays Gaming didn't notice.

Xiangling returns in a flash, with two plates of... blue... jelly? Covered in powder? With a flower in it?

"Heeeere you are!" She sing-songs. "Two- Uh- Mystery dishes for the bestest Wushou dancer and Mr. Freminet!" She holds one plate in each hand for both of them. They each take their plate, and Freminet even mumbles a thank-you. Xiangling just nods, and skips back off to the kitchen.

...Gaming's already taken a bite, and hums at the taste, smiling. "Go on!" He grins.

Freminet hesitates. ...It really doesn't look very appetizing to him. But he refuses to look like a scaredy cat now.

The jelly is a little hard to cut through with a spoon, Freminet has to stab it before he can scoop it at all. But then the taste is... strange, to say the least. It's not bad, per se... just... odd. Like... Hm... What can Freminet compare this to? Oh! It's like... blackberries mixed with blueberry jelly. And it's amazingly sweet. Way better than Freminet thought it'd be, pretty good, honestly.

Freminet's enjoyment must've shown on his face, as Gaming smiles at him. "You like it?" Gaming asks.

Freminet nods. "...I thought it was going to be gross."

Gaming chuckles. "You probably wouldn't have even tried it if I told you what it was." He jokes.

"...What is it?" Freminet asks nervously.

"...Sugar frosted slime."

Freminet chokes on it.

"It's fine- It's fine." Gaming assures him, but Freminet is still overly embarrassed about not finishing the... literal slime. It tastes fine, good even! But... It's- It's slime!

Freminet just keeps his eyes trained on the ground as they walk along the rooftop roads.

Gaming sighs. "I'm telling you, it's fine. Not everyone's going to like every dish."

Freminet takes a deep breath, and manages to shake of the embarrassed blush that was staining his face.

"Gaming?" It's the boy with dark blue hair, calling to Gaming from behind a table at a bookstore. "What're you doing out? I thought it was your rest day."

Gaming chuckles. "Heya, Xingqiu. I'm just showing Freminet here around some of Liyue."

Freminet awkwardly waves. Xingqiu just smiles at him.

"Ah, so you're a tour guide now, Gaming?" Xingqiu jokes, standing up from his seat.

"I guess! But Freminet's my friend, I just wanted to show him around." Gaming banters back to Xingqiu.

...Friend? Really, he was? Freminet was worried he was boring Gaming. He didn't think he was talking enough, or doing enough, or... He doesn't know, he just feels like he wasn't quite matching Gaming's energy.

"So, you came to show him Liyuean literature? I'm sure I can find something he'd like." Xingqiu smiles. "Chongyun has dubbed me a master of the written word after all."

"He just said you gave him a good recommendation once." Gaming points out.

"Ah- Details, details." Xingqiu shrugs. "But really, I'm sure we can find something for him."

Gaming looks over at Freminet. "Whaddya think? We can look around if you want."

Freminet shrugs. ...He really has only ever read those terrible romance books from Inazuma, and some non-fiction books about aquatic animals, but he could look around.

Gaming smiles. "Well c'mon! Let's see." He looks to Xingqiu. "Work your magic."

Xingqiu smiles. "Alright! Well, Freminet, to start, tell me a bit about your usual reading habits."

...Oh. Freminet hadn't expected a questionaire. "Um- I... I dunno." He mumbles, not quite willing to admit anything. "I don't read much..."

Xingqiu tilts his head. "Hm. Well that certainly makes things harder..." He mutters.

"Sorry..." Freminet mumbles.

"No, no! Don't apologize! Let me check what's on our popular list..." He hums, turning to check a paper. "Mm... This one's pretty popular through multiple nations." Xingqiu goes over to a bookshelf and pulls down a book. "It's an adventure novel. Something about this sorceress and a king?" Xingqiu hands Freminet the book. It's got a planet on the cover. "I've read a bit of it. It's okay, personally it doesn't grab my attention, but the relationship drama being somewhat important to the plot is... mildly interesting."

Freminet reads the back of the book, and Xingqiu seemed to have summed it up pretty well. This sorceress escapes from prison, and the king has to chase after her with the help of his assistant. ...Xingqiu doesn't seem to think much of it, but it really sounds like something Freminet might like.

"Oh, I've read this!" Gaming grins. "I really liked it, I thought the character chemistry was fun."

...Xingqiu is looking at them somewhat judgmentally.

"Hey, don't look at me like that! If you don't like it, why recommend it?" Gaming crossed his arms.

Xingqiu raises his hands in surrender. "I said it was okay! It's a good book to start for new readers. I just think... there are better books out there..."

Gaming huffs. "Well, what do you think, Freminet?" He smiles at Freminet.

"...I'll try it." Freminet whispers, and reaches into his bag for his mora pouch. ...Gaming is faster, handing Xingqiu the money.

"Thanks for your business." Xingqiu smiles.

"No problem!" Gaming grins back.

"Hey- I can pay for my own-" Freminet stutters a little.

"Nah, it's fine." Gaming brushes it off. "You're my guest. So I'll pay."

Freminet just nods, mildly embarrassed at the idea of getting treated to so much today, but he slips his mora pouch back into his bag.

They're walking along the docks now, with Gaming telling Freminet about some mythos and legends of Liyue. It's nice listening to Gaming talk. But Freminet again feels like he's not doing enough. He's nodding and humming in recognition, but that's just... good manners. He's pretty sure he's being a complete bore right now.

Luckily, he's not given time to think for long.

"M-man chai! Hold on!" A boy's voice shouts, and Gaming turns at the noise.

"Woah!" Gaming grins as a small dog, that looks somewhat like Gaming's lion mask, pounces him. "Hey, boy! What's up, Man chai?" Gaming laughs, petting the small dog.

Freminet's eyes light up at the sight of the small animal, it's an adorable little thing and Freminet immediately wants to pet him.

The boy with light blue hair runs up to them, stopping to catch his breath. "I'm sorry, he just escaped his leash, it snapped right off!"

Gaming chuckles. "It's fine, Chongyun. Man chai just missed me!"

"Yeah, I'm sure he did." The boy, apparently named Chongyun, agrees.

"Thanks for pup-sitting for me, though! Has he been behaving? Has he caused you any trouble?" Gaming asks, while Man chai turns his attention to Freminet.

He hops out of Gaming's arms, and goes to sniff at Freminet's boots. "...Hi." Freminet whispers, crouching down to be at Man chai's level. The dog licks his boot, and Freminet giggles. "You're cute." He says softly, reaching out his hand for Man chai to sniff. The dog just presses its head against Freminet's hand, and Freminet gently scritches Man chai behind the ears.

"Awh, he likes you!" Gaming laughs, "Aren't you two cute?"

Freminet just blushes in embarrassment and stands back up. Man chai jumps up onto Gaming's shoulder, and Gaming smiles.

"I'm glad he likes you, it would've been pretty awkward if he didn't." Gaming jokes, and Freminet nods.

"...He's cute." Freminet mumbles.

"I know, right? This little guy's been my buddy for ages." Gaming smiles. "He's gonna come along with us, if that's okay?"

Freminet doesn't hesitate to nod. "It's okay."

Chongyun must've gone off somewhere, since Freminet doesn't see him anymore, but Freminet's silently grateful that he didn't have to meet someone else today.

"Alright! You about ready to fix Pers? There's this little spot by the water we can sit where it'll be quiet." Gaming offers, and Freminet nods.

So, Gaming brings him there. There's a good bit of blue-and-white flowers nearby, and they sit down on some smooth rocks just by the water. Gaming kicks his shoes and socks off, rolling up his pants to dip his feet in the water.

"So." Gaming opens up his bag. "You said Pers needed a new hinge?" Gaming asks.

Freminet nods, pulling Pers and his wing out of his bag. He slowly starts undoing the laces on his boots as he watches Gaming rummage through his bag. He takes out a hinge and compares it to Pers' broken one.

"Too big." He hums, putting it back and going back to rummaging.

Freminet manages to kick off his boots, and also dips his feet into the, admittedly freezing, water.

Gaming takes another hinge from his bag and compares it to Pers' old one again. "Mm... This one might work. But it's silver, so it might stand out from the gold one on his other side."

Freminet shrugs. "I don't care if it looks a little different... Do you have a screwdriver?"

"Lemme check." Gaming hums, handing the parts to Freminet and diving back into his bag.

Freminet is overly embarrassed as their fingers brush against each other with the action. Though he reminds himself Gaming probably didn't even notice, and scolds himself on his overthinking.

"This work? It's kinda small..." Gaming asks, holding up a smaller screwdriver.

Freminet nods. "It's fine. Thank you." He says softly, taking it from Gaming and forcing himself not to think about the small touches.

...He thinks about it anyway, and it makes his skin itch a bit out of mild discomfort. He's never gotten quite used to any touch from someone other than his family. Even if it's small.

Freminet starts on fixing Pers' wing, and Gaming leans over his shoulder slightly to watch, though he gives Freminet a bit more room to breathe this time. Freminet gets the wing attached, and goes to wind Pers up.

When he sets Pers down, Pers jumps around the rock a little, and Gaming gives him a mini-applause, laughing.

"He's adorable!" Gaming grins, and Freminet does his best not to show his embarrassment on his face. Man chai sniffs Pers, nudging the little robot.

But as he does, Pers rolls over, rolling towards the water.

Both boys go to grab Pers, but Freminet acts too fast and can't grab him. Luckily for him, Gaming catches him. "Careful there, Pers!" He jokes, poking the little's penguin's beak before he holds Pers out to Freminet.

Freminet just takes Pers into his arms again, and the two sit in silence for a bit.

Gaming's staring up at the lanterns in the sky, while Freminet can't bear to look away from the water just yet, focusing on trying to act... normal. Whatever that meant for Liyue.

"Um..." He mumbles, and Gaming looks over at him. "Did... you want to make your own?" He asks, holding up Pers.

Gaming's face lights up, "Wait, really!? You mean it?" He asks, getting up in Freminet's face a bit, to which Freminet leans backward.

He just nods, a bit nervous.

"That'd be awesome, Freminet!" Gaming grins, leaning back again, and letting Freminet sit up.

"But... can I see your lion mask?"

Chapter Text

"My mask? Oh yeah! I meant to show it to you." Gaming smiles, "I set it down here so I could show you..." Gaming stands up, and moves barefoot through the sand to peek under the docks and grab his mask. ...He had been hoping Freminet would ask about it.

He pulls it over his head like he would for a show, and comes over to Freminet, animating the mask as he walks over to him.

Freminet giggles at his antics.

Gaming can't help but grin at the soft sound.

That's two points. Once at the dim sum place, and once now.

...And one for Man chai, when he made Freminet laugh too.

"You like him? I designed it myself, even if I didn't build it." He hums, setting the mask on his lap as he sits back down with his feet in the water again.

Freminet nods. "It's very pretty. And I like the way he's... animated."

Freminet likes it, what a compliment!

"I'm glad you like it! Maybe you can tell, but I modeled him after Man chai." Gaming smiles, to which Man chai barks at him. Freminet smiles in return.

"...That's cute." He says softly.

Gaming grins, and it almost makes his face hurt. "I can show you how he works!"

Freminet nods eagerly. Gaming flips the mask so that it's faceplanted on the rocks, and shows Freminet the controls. It's an odd-looking handle, with two parts. A roller, and a trigger. The roller is lower down, to be held in his palms, while his fingers can reach to the upper trigger. Depending on which way he rolls the roller, the eyes shift left and right, and when he presses down on the trigger, it brings down the eyelid to make the mask blink. On the righthand trigger, there was a handle for his thumb to pull down on a smaller trigger to open the lion's mouth.

...Freminet looks so entranced as Gaming explains, and he nods along.

"...I feel like this would jam easily." Freminet mumbles.

"Really?" Gaming asks, surprised. "It does sometimes, but extremely rarely! ...What makes you think that?"

"The controls are all so close together, meaning it would be really easy for the parts to move just a tad bit wrong and get stuck together." Freminet explains, before flipping it over to see the face. "Though maybe that's not the case. There's a good half inch of space in the model, separating the moving pieces. Plus, the eyelid triggers are thinner bars, to avoid rubbing, I assume. And the mouth is far enough away from the rest to not be a problem..." Freminet nods to himself. "At second glance, this is a fairly brilliant design. How has it jammed in the past?"

"Uh..." Gaming has to recollect his thoughts before he speaks. Freminet was... talking! A lot! It was nice... to hear him so comfortable. It left Gaming at a bit of a loss for words. "Um- Well I guess it was the eyes that jammed, the iris of its eye got stuck turned too far into its head."

"Mm..." Freminet hums, pulling the mask a bit closer to himself to inspect the eyes. "Oh, I see..." Freminet puts his hand on the roller, and rolls the eye around. Sure enough, it gets stuck. "I think I understand the flaw. These little bars holding the eyes in place, so they don't fall out of the head? They stick into the iris if you roll it back too far. Realistically, it won't happen often, but I'd suggest putting some sort of rim around the eye to prevent it from rolling back- Or- Well, no, that could rip the entire eye if you put a little bit of force behind the roller. The blocker needs to go on the roller somehow, but... how would you formulate it..."

...At this point, Gaming's sure Freminet's just talking to himself. "You... seem to know a lot about this kind of thing."

"Oh-" Freminet seems to realize how much he's rambling, and blushes, putting the mask back down between them. "I um- I make the mechanisms for my siblings' shows. So, I dunno, I work with machines a lot..."

...Gaming's a little disappointed to see Freminet getting all shy again.

"...Sorry. I know I can talk a lot when-"

"No, no, don't apologize!"

"Huh?"

"You're just... passionate. I think that's amazing."

...He swears Freminet's face gets redder. "Um- Thank you..."

Freminet has freckles. A lot of them. Gaming had noticed it before, but his freckles get really obvious when his face gets red like this. It's painfully endearing...

"Yeah, it's nice hearing you ramble, you're usually so quiet!" He smiles.

Freminet silently shrugs.

Man chai barks at Gaming, with a fully uprooted flower in his mouth.

"Ack- Man chai! I've told you not to mess with the flowers!" Gaming scolds, and Freminet giggles.

...Gaming loves that soft, quiet sound...

...But he can't decide if that's a score for himself, or Man chai.

"It's already out of the ground, you may as well pick it." Freminet hums, gently plucking it. "...What kind of flower is this?" He asks.

"Oh, it's a Glaze Lily. They're really common here." Gaming explains, leaning over Freminet's shoulder again to look at the flower with him. He's mindful of how close he is though, Freminet seemed uncomfortable when he got too close the first time.

"...It reminds me a little of a Rosmaratine flower..."

"A Rosmaratine flower?"

"Mhm. It's an underwater species mostly, their blooms only open up underwater, at least." Freminet takes a deep breath. "...They're my favorite, Rosmaratine flowers."

"They are?" Gaming looks toward Freminet again. "Why's that?"

"..." Freminet hesitates, not looking away from the flower.

"You don't have t-"

"...They only open up underwater. It's kind of like me, I think. I'm a diver, and I take reports to the Fontaine Research Institute, but... I really just do it for the comfort." ...Freminet's voice is even quieter, like a whisper. If Gaming wasn't so close, he might not have heard Freminet at all.

Gaming's expression softens, and he lets himself lean his head on Freminet's shoulder, to which Freminet doesn't resist. "You dive?" He asks, keeping his voice soft.

"Mm." Freminet frowns. "Underwater, nobody can see or hear me. I can just... float. Exist. With nobody to see how I am."

Gaming nods, listening. "It sounds nice."

"No. ...It makes me sad." Freminet mumbles.

"Oh." Gaming frowns.

...They sit like that for a moment, with just the sound of the water to accompany them, Man chai settling down in Freminet's lap.

Freminet looks down at Man chai, and pets him.

"Sorry, I'm being all depressing-"

"-No, it's fine." Gaming hums. "...My favorite's violetgrass."

Freminet's expression softens. "Violetgrass?"

"Uh-huh." Gaming nods. "They're these purple mountain flowers that grow in the cracks of cliffs. Little purple blooms despite all odds..."

Freminet tilts his head slightly. "Why do you like them?"

"They're resilient." Gaming says simply. "A lot stronger than I am. Growing with little to no resources. It's impressive. I'm not sure I've grown quite as well as violetgrass does."

...Gaming can feel Freminet's eyes on him, though Gaming doesn't dare look over at him in return.

"I think..." Freminet pauses. "I think you've done well."

"What do you mean?" Gaming asks.

Freminet's gaze goes back out to the water. "I mean... you have Wushou Dancing, don't you?" Freminet mumbles, "You seem really confident and sure of yourself. And you have a lot of friends..."

Gaming pauses. "...Sometimes, having a lot of friends still feels lonely."

"...I'd still rather have them." Freminet hums. "Even if there's bad days, at least they're there for good ones."

"...I guess you're right." Gaming says in return. "...You know, I think you're a lot better than you give yourself credit for too."

"Me?" Freminet sounds surprised.

"Yeah. You're really smart with machines, and you're pretty good at talking through your thought process on them too."

Freminet shrugs, and it moves Gaming's head a bit, though he stays leaning on him.

"That doesn't mean anything, not really. It doesn't make me any better with people or expressing things." Freminet says, half-mumbling half-whispering.

"Maybe it does. I mean... you seem to be expressing yourself just fine with me."

Freminet pauses at that, like he's thinking. "...I guess I am." Freminet takes a deep breath. "Thank you..."

Gaming just shrugs. "It's what I do." He jokes, and Freminet giggles.

Gaming can't help but smile at that. What was the score again? He'd gotten distracted. Oh well... Gaming can't be bothered to keep count. Not if he's going to keep Freminet laughing like this. He'll lose count even if he tried.

"When do you go back to Fontaine?" Gaming asks.

Freminet frowns. "Right after the lantern rite."

"Mm..." Gaming frowns. He sits up, and Freminet looks over at him as he goes to rummage in his bag. He pulls out his phone, and smiles at Freminet. "Lemme give you my number. I wanna stay in touch, even if you leave."

"...Really?" Freminet mumbles.

"Yeah, of course!" Gaming smiles, as the mood starts to lighten.

"U-um yeah, one second." Freminet turns to his bag and fishes his phone out of his bag. He unlocks it and passes it to Gaming to let Gaming give him his contact.

"Here, let's take a picture for the profile!" Gaming grins, scooting up to Freminet. Freminet just smiles nervously, but leans toward Gaming for a picture. Gaming sticks his tongue out, and Freminet can't help smiling a bit more genuinely. Gaming snaps a picture and sends it to himself. "There." He says, and shows Freminet the picture.

...Gaming really likes how much Freminet's smiling in the picture.

He looks really happy.

...Gaming really wants Freminet to be happy.

Gaming makes a copy of the photo, and starts using the draw tool to add dumb accessories to the picture, adoring the way Freminet laughs with every new addition.

But they're interrupted by Freminet getting a text:

Lyney: where are you?

Freminet gently takes his phone back, and responds to Lyney.

"...I guess I have to go back to the hotel..." Freminet mumbles sadly.

"I can walk you back!" Gaming offers, gently picking Man chai up out of Freminet's lap and getting him back on his leash.

Freminet nods. "That'd be nice, if you don't mind..."

Gaming nods, standing up and holding out his hand to help Freminet up.

Freminet hesitates before he takes Gaming's hand, and Gaming pretends not to notice as he pulls Freminet up. They get their shoes back on, and all that's left is a nice quiet walk through the harbor and back to the hotel.

With the nice cool air blowing their hair around a bit, Gaming catches himself looking at Freminet more than he probably should be.

Chapter Text

"Lyney, I'm sure he's fine." Lynette hums, already starting on making herself a cup of tea.

"But what if he's not?" Lyney whines.

"He got back to you in less than a minute. He's fine."

"But what if it was a kidnapper-"

The hotel doorbell rings, and Lyney goes barreling to the door, opening it as fast as he can.

"Freminet!?" He asks desperately, before pausing once the door is open. "Oh? And company?" Lyney hums, looking at Gaming with a mild suspicion. 

"Hellooo, relatives!" Gaming smiles, and waves. Lynette comes to the door, and nods to acknowledge him.

"And who are you!?" Lyney pouts, clearly frustrated. "I've only ever seen you once, how'd you meet my dearest darlingest lovelyest babyest brother!?"

"...Lyney..." Freminet mumbles, clearly embarrassed.

"Shut up, Lyney." Lynette says firmly, and Gaming just laughs awkwardly.

Gaming goes to wave goodbye, but Freminet grabs his sleeve to stop him.

"Are we doing anything tomorrow...?" Freminet asks his siblings, seeming nervous for their response.

"Ye-" "Yes, we are." Lynette interrupts Lyney before he can start going off.

"Oh." Freminet frowns.

Gaming smiles. "Don't sweat it, Freminet. We'll hang out again, promise!" He grins.

Freminet just awkwardly nods.

Gaming leaves, and Freminet comes inside.

Lyney still has a look of shock and annoyance on his face, though he merely pouts before he grabs Lynette by the wrist and pulls her to the balcony, shutting the door to put a barrier between them and Freminet.

"Who is that boy!?" Lyney shouts out loud, not really to Lynette.

"We ran into him in the elevator, the Wushou dancer. You said he'd be a good performer." Lynette says calmly, sitting down on a balcony chair.

Lyney stays pacing across the balcony. "Yes! Yes I did. But why is Freminet talking to him all of a sudden? When did they even properly meet!?"

"Did you not notice? Gaming was sitting next to Minet in the audience during our performance."

"He was!?" Lyney gasps, dramatically fanning his face and putting a hand over his heart. "But Lynette, Lynette! Freminet never talks to anyone! You expect me to believe that Freminet hasn't gone completely insane! This is so out of character for him!"

"Just because Minet is socially anxious doesn't mean that he can't make friends."

"Thaaaaat's nooooot what I'm saaaaayinggggg...." Lyney whines, leaning backward dramatically and stopping in his tracks. "I'm saying Freminet would never just start talking to a random boy of the side of the road!"

Lynette sighs. "Gaming spoke to him first."

"How would you know that!?" Lyney shouts, just going back to pacing.

...Lynette wasn't going to spill their conversation here. "A hunch."

"Urgh!!!" Lyney groans.

"Look at it like this. No matter how they met, Minet is making friends now." Lynette says simply, as Lyney finally sits down.

"I suppose. But what can I say, I worry about the people my dearest darlingest lovelyest babyest brother is friends with." Lyney pouts, crossing his arms and puffing out his cheeks like a child.

Lynette sighs. She'll be working overtime to keep Lyney under control now... At least until he calms down.

Chapter Text

It's really quiet.

Strangely enough, Freminet misses the noise of Liyue. He'd spent all of the Lantern Rite with Gaming, and Freminet supposes he just got used to it.

But now he's sitting on an aquabus with nothing but the sound of rushing water to listen to.

He opens his photobook, slipping one photo out of the plastic so he can see it properly. It's a photo of that little purple flower Gaming liked. 'Violetgrass'. Gaming had teased him about using a kamera when he had a phone, but when Gaming saw how much prettier the pictures were with a kamera, he conceded to Freminet.

Freminet smiles to himself at the memory.

He keeps the photo in his hand and shuts the photobook, opening his sketchbook instead. He uses a paperclip to clip the photo to the sketchbook page and starts drawing. He's not really sure why he's drawing it, but... he wants to.

Maybe he'll text a picture of the drawing to Gaming when he's done...

No. Gaming hasn't texted him since he left for Fontaine late yesterday afternoon. And they hadn't really texted while Freminet was there. Not to say they didn't talk at all, but texting him felt... unnatural.

Freminet's bad enough at talking in person, he can't imagine how badly he'd mess up over the phone, where Gaming can't see his face.

...Just focus on the flower, Freminet.

Okay. The stem curves a little outward... then it curls in to make a kind of 'hook' for the little purple flower. The shape of the blooms is somewhat similar to a rainbow rose, but slimmer, with petals that stick out from the shape towards the ends. Well... Kind of. They don't really 'stick out' so much as they grow outwards... Ugh-

The petals are enough to keep Freminet occupied for a good long while, but even drawing can't last forever. And when it's done, it's a quiet and boring ride all over again.

Freminet sighs.

And despite the music blasting in Lyney's headphones, he seems to notice.

"Hmm? What's wrong, Minet?" He asks, taking off his headphones. Next to him, Lynette reaches up to properly turn them off, eyes not leaving her book.

Freminet shakes his head. "I'm okay. I'm just tired." He mumbles. He doesn't really have the words right now... and even if he did, he wasn't sure Lyney was the best person to ask questions to.

Lyney pouts. "Minet is lying to meeee, so mean!" He crosses his arms dramatically, before dropping his theatrics. "But really, what's up? You've seemed kinda sad this whole time."

Freminet hesitates. "...I miss Liyue." He admits, though really...

"Yeah? The place, or the people?" Lyney hums, crossing one leg over the other.

"...The people." Freminet mutters, knowing his siblings can usually see right through him anyway.

Lyney tilts his head. "You have his number, yeah?"

Freminet nods.

"Then just talk to him!" He smiles, "I'd bet he misses you too."

"You're surprisingly calm." Lynette comments, and Lyney rolls his eyes at her.

"Oh shush. I can admit when I'm wrong!" He glares at her.

"Can you? You're awfully defensive about it when I bring it up." Lynette asks in return.

"Hey! Now you listen here-"

...Freminet lets his sibling's bickering fade into the background as he stares at his phone.

Does Gaming even really want to hear from him?

What if Gaming was just... putting up with Freminet, 'cause he's so awkward...

Freminet's phone buzzes.

Gaming: yo! hows the trip home?

...No way...

Freminet: Okay. It's really quiet.

Gaming: is quiet a bad thing?

Gaming: i figured quiet was good for you lol

Freminet: I don't know.

Gaming: fair lol

Gaming: wyd?

Freminet: Drawing.

Gaming: oh fr? lemme see!!!!

...Freminet hesitates.

Freminet: It's not done yet.

Gaming: dang :(

Gaming: youll have to show me later :)

Gaming: i gtg my dad needs me

Gaming: send me lots of pictures!!

Freminet: I will.

...Gaming did want him around.

Huh.

Lyney and Lynette exchange worried glances.

Chapter Text

"Gaming!" His father calls up the stairs, and Gaming sighs. He knows what's coming. He's done all his chores, so it can't possibly be one of those...

man chai's hooman: i gtg my dad needs me

man chai's hooman: send me lots of pictures!!

"Gaming! I know you can hear me!" His father shouts again. ....Should he pretend to be asleep?

penguin lover: I will.

Gaming sets his phone down, and groans into his hands. "I'm coming." He shouts downstairs and stands up from his bed. He takes a moment to look around his room, his figurines, his Wushou Dancing supplies, his dancing uniform... In his head, he's considering running away, but... That'd be too dramatic. It's not like his dad is actually bad, he's just... insistent.

He takes a deep breath, and heads downstairs to face his father.

"Gaming." His father smiles, but it's obviously forced. "Come sit, I've made tea."

Wordlessly, Gaming does as he's told, sitting at the table in the dining room and leaning back in it.

"So... I wanted to talk to you about taking over our tea business. You know what my job is, you would be-"

...Gaming's not listening. A teacup is set in front of him, and he gently blows over the surface of the liquid, watching the ripples it creates.

"...It is a reliable profession, and would provide a life with plenty of promise..."

Gaming can't understand his father's perspective. The whole tea business was his father's dream. His grandmother had wanted to start a tea farm, and he took it in his own hands to make her dream come true. Gaming wanted to chase a dream too, did his father not see how similar they were at heart?

"...I understand you may enjoy your dancing hobby, but it is best to pursue a job that's more stable..."

Gaming hates these lectures. His father is such a hypocrite, the tea farming business was entirely unreliable when his father was pursuing it back then. Heck, his job might even be better with his group getting more and more popular...

"...And besides-"

"Are you done yet?" Gaming asks, his words coming out harsher than he intended.

"Excuse me?" His father straightens up in his chair.

"I'm not taking over the tea farm." He says simply. "I've told you this plenty of times."

"Yes, you have. And I was hoping you've matured-"

"Get over yourself." Gaming sets his cup down, and leans forward, putting his elbows on the table. "It's not a matter of maturity, I'm plenty mature! I just don't want to take over the tea farm, that's not 'immature' it's just how I feel-"

"Don't pretend to be mature. Besides, you clearly do not understand what I am saying to you."

"You've said it plenty of times. The idea is that the tea farm is a more stable job that makes plenty of money, and I wouldn't have to worry about anything. And I agree, honest. But that won't make me want it, I still want to be a Wushou dancer. I like the excitement of pulling off complicated acrobatics and dancing with my friends, of seeing the crowd smile, of being the one to make these people so happy."

"That doesn't mean it will ever amount to anything. This is a hobby, not a career. It won't give you a stable life."

"Will you stop repeating yourself!? That's all you ever argue! I just said that I understand what you're saying. But that I still don't want it even with those reasons. As for my job, you know I don't rely on my Wushou dancing for money- I have a proper job doing deliveries for a transport agency!"

"I know you do. But is it not more reliable to-"

"You just said that!" Gaming shouts and stands up. "You're not listening to me!" He knocks over his cup, and his father quickly stands as well as the tea spills across the table.

"You are not listening to me!" His father refutes. "I just want what's best for you, and here you are still resisting me for your childish folly. Go to your room, we'll address this tomorrow." He says, grabbing a towel off a hook on the wall to clean up, as Gaming storms past him towards the stairs.

He slams his door behind him, and flops in bed.

He spends a few minutes staring at the glow-in-the-dark sticky stars on the ceiling, not really thinking at all as he cools down. When he reaches for his phone, he's greeted by a text from Lan Yan.

birdie: wanna call? :)

It's a welcome distraction, that's for sure.

man chai's hooman: yes please

INCOMING CALL FROM: birdie

"That was fast." Gaming grins, as Lan Yan's face appears on his screen.

"I've just been sitting at my desk doing homework." She shrugs, propping her phone up so she can type and talk at the same time.

"Homework? For what? I could've sworn we didn't get any recently..." Gaming hums, tilting his head slightly.

"We didn't, I'm just getting a head start on the essay we got assigned." She hums.

"Of course you are." Gaming rolls his eyes, smiling.

"You seem out of it." Lan Yan comments, as Gaming's smile falls. "Your dad?"

"Oh, whatever." Gaming sighs, sitting up in bed.

Lan Yan just smiles, shutting her laptop, to give Gaming her full attention. "You can talk to me if you want."

"Well, you know most of it, but..."

Gaming rants as the sun sets, Lan Yan listening until Gaming's tired himself out.

Chapter Text

Breathing out, the bubbles float softly towards the surface. Who knows how long they'll have to float to get up there.

His diving helmet deploys over his head again, so he can breathe.

And he does, slowly, in and out.

...But he can still feel the blood in his clothes that hasn't yet come out.

It's been ages since he's done something like this.

The first time under Father that he's had to do this.

It was self-defense, yes, but still painfully familiar.

Lyney's cleaning it up.

Nobody will know.

...No.

Freminet will know.

The sound of screams quietly surrounds him, getting louder the longer he stays underwater.

He's sorry.

He's so, so sorry.

The water around him moves, and he opens his eyes to see someone swimming towards him.

"Freminet." The girl's voice says softly. That's Lynette's voice. "I'm here." She assures him.

Her arms find his waist, gently taking hold of him as she swims somewhere.

They surface in a small cave, Freminet's hiding spot... A spot only he and Lynette know of. Not even Lyney knows this place exists.

Lynette pulls her helmet off, but Freminet doesn't bother doing the same.

They stay like that for a while, shoes still in the water, sitting just on the shore of Freminet's small cave.

Lynette is the one to break the silence: "It's going to be okay, Freminet." She says softly. "It's not your fault. If anything, it's Lyney and I's fault for revealing our identities as Fatui. We should have expected we'd be attacked."

"I still killed her." Freminet mumbles. ...He can feel his tears on his face now that he's out of the water. Gross, and shameful to boot.

"You didn't mean to. You were protecting us." Lynette says, setting a hand on his shoulder.

"She's still dead." Freminet repeats. "What am I supposed to say to Father?"

"She'll understand." Lynette answers quickly.

"She told me I'd never have to kill again." Freminet's voice is slowly starting to shake. "I've betrayed her."

"You did no such thing. Father would be proud of your reaction time." Lynette pulls Freminet into a hug. "I know that Lyney and I are... somewhat in the dark about Mother, and The House's history. We don't know what's happened to you. But I doubt Father said that meaning she expected you to keep your hands clean. I assume she meant that she would never force you to kill."

"But-"

"You should just talk to Father." Lynette interrupts, not letting Freminet ramble about how terrible he is. "She'd tell you it's okay. Just trust my judgement a little, okay?"

"...Okay." Freminet says softly in return.

Lying in bed that night, he still feels like the scum of the earth.

Maybe he is.

His phone buzzes.

Gaming: heya!!

...No.

He doesn't have the energy.

Gaming: how was your day???

Gaming: did you take any pictures for me? :)

Gaming: freminet??

Gaming: lol did you fall asleep early

Gaming: goodnight!!

Lyney peeks his head into Freminet's room, and Freminet sits up.

Lyney smiles. "You weren't at the table, so I came to bring you some dinner." He says, coming in the room with a plate of steak tartare. He sets it on Freminet's desk, and plops down next to Freminet on his bed. "You..." Lyney hesitates. "You feeling any better."

Freminet shakes his head.

"You know Father's not mad at you. Neither are we, your siblings." Lyney assures him.

Freminet couldn't care less if they forgive him.

He's still a terrible person.

"Minet?" Lyney gently shakes Freminet.

Freminet takes a deep breath, as he pulls himself out of his thoughts.

"I'm okay." He mumbles, an obvious lie. "It's just... old memories, more than anything." He admits, and Lyney gently nods.

"Our oldest sister warned us that was probably the case." Lyney shrugs. "But what can I say, I had to come check on my little brother.

"...Thank you." Freminet says softly, and moves to hug Lyney.

Lyney's a little surprised, but he hugs back. "But of course." He replies just as softly, before switching back to his dramatic persona. "After all, I am the bestest magic older brother there ever was!" He grins, as Freminet groans in annoyance. 

Lyney laughs.

Freminet pretends it isn't funny.

...But he's grateful for his siblings. Being a Fatuus is... less than easy.

But even when these horrible things happen to them... At least he has his Family.

Maybe that's all that really matters.

Chapter Text

Gaming fiddles with his lion mask, sitting on that same beach he brought Freminet to, fixing the eye of his mask.

Man Chai sitting beside him, it was... oddly lonely.

Xingqiu and Chongyun were hanging out, and three's a crowd.

Xiangling was at work, as was Lan Yan.

And Freminet still hasn't responded to his texts.

Much worse, he didn't feel like going home. His dad was still angry with him for the time being, and he refused to go back right now if he didn't have to.

Man Chai jumps up and licks his face, to which Gaming can't help but laugh.

"You trying to cheer me up, buddy?" He grins, petting Man Chai. "It's working a little bit."

He sighs, and picks up his mask, along with Man Chai in his arms.

"C'mon bud, let's-"

His phone chimes, and Man Chai jumps out of his arms out of surprise.

"Geez, bud. You get scared too easily." Gaming chuckles, and pets Man Chai before he opens his phone.

fanfic writer: hey! big news, meet at xianglings tonight?

man chai's hooman: big news??? :0

fanfic writer: no spoilers!

fanfic writer: can you come??

biohazard: i work here ofc i can come!

man chai's hooman: ofc im coming

man chai's hooman: i would never miss it >:3

fanfic writer: you sure you can get your dad to take an extra shift?

biohazard: yea prolly

biohazard: ill just tell him its important :p

man chai's hooman: dont get in trouble........

fanfic writer: you sure youre not just gonna skip?

biohazard: shhhhhhhhhhhh quiet

biohazard: both of you >:[

Gaming smiles to himself.

"You wanna get a treat later, Man Chai?" He grins, and Man Chai's tail starts wagging and he does a little spin.

Gaming laughs, and scoops Man Chai back up in his arms.

"C'mon boy, let's go for a walk."

"Soooo, what is it!?" Xiangling asks, as she joins them at their table as Chongyun picks the peppers out of his food, and Gaming situates Man Chai in his lap.

Xingqiu grins. "Well, some invitations went out to some Liyue authors, inviting them to go on a book signing tour!"

"Awh, really!? That's awesome, man!" Gaming grins.

Xiangling nods quickly: "Yeah! Where are you heading!?"

Xingqiu nods, grinning ear to ear, "That's the best part! We're going to Fontaine!"

Oh course, Fontaine catches Gaming's attention far more than the others.

...That's where Freminet's from... Gaming's already a little jealous of Xingqiu's books being more popular than his lion dances, but this...?

Xiangling is gushing about the desserts of Fontaine, when Xingqiu interrupts her.

"There's more, there's more. Most of us who were invited were authors, but the people hosting are also welcoming performers and food stands." Xingqiu begins, bringing both Xiangling and Gaming to attention. "Each creator can invite one creator, and each creator can bring one guest to come along for their stand. I'm bringing Chongyun as my guest, but I thought that... maybe I could invite one of you guys as a creator, who can bring along the other as a guest, and then we can all go!"

Xiangling nods eagerly. "Oh, I'd love to go!" She says quickly, before Gaming can say anything. For a moment, Gaming's worried he'll be skipped over. But then: "You should invite Gaming, I don't mind just going as a guest, it'll be cool enough just getting to travel to a whole other nation!"

"Uh- Me?" Gaming says stupidly, caught off-guard.

"Well, yeah!" Xiangling smiles. "Wanmin restaurant already has plenty of eyes on our stuff! Meanwhile, the lantern rite paired with a tour to another nation could be exactly what you need to get The Mighty Mythical Beasts off the ground!"

"Yeah... I- Thanks, I wasn't expecting you to just- Give me the opportunity that easily!" Gaming laughs, shaking his head.

"Well of course! Like I said, I don't need it. I'll be happy enough just trying some Fontainian dishes!" She grins.

man chai's hooman: yo!

man chai's hooman: i got awesome news! >:3

man chai's hooman: guess whos coming to fontaine!!

man chai's hooman: you there?

man chai's hooman: you okay?

man chai's hooman: im a little worried lol

man chai's hooman: hey you dont have to talk if you dont want to

man chai's hooman: but im kinda worried.......

Chapter Text

Freminet's just... staring at his phone.

Gaming:  yo!

Gaming:  i got awesome news! >:3

Gaming:  guess whos coming to fontaine!!

Gaming:  you there?

Gaming:  you okay?

Gaming:  im a little worried lol

Gaming:  hey you dont have to talk if you dont want to

Gaming:  but im kinda worried.......

Freminet still can't bring himself to respond. He'd been overwhelmed before, but he couldn't keep buying time if Gaming was coming straight to him!

But he still had no idea what to say!

'Hey, sorry I left you on read, I killed a woman and have been stressing out about you possibly realizing I'm a Fatuus so I haven't texted you in a week!'

Ugh...

Lyney peeks over Freminet's shoulder. "Geez, Minet!" He scolds, making Freminet jump. "Leaving your friend on read, until he's worried about you?" He may be scolding Freminet, but he sounds more playful than anything.

"I wasn't trying to worry him..." Freminet protests weakly, pushing Lyney's face away from him.

Lyney just hops over the back of the couch, seating himself next to Freminet. "Hmm... Stuck on how to respond?"

"Leave me alone..." Freminet mumbles, putting his phone aside.

Lyney ignores him: "What about... 'Sorry, I was so enamored by your beauty I forgot to respond!'"

"Lyney! No..." Freminet sighs, already embarrassed enough for the whole day in that idea alone.

"Too flirty? Hm..." Lyney leans back, crossing one leg over the other. "Oh! Maybe something like: 'Sorry, my phone broke and I had to get a new one.'"

"I'm not going to lie to him... I just don't have anything to say..." Freminet mutters, fiddling with Pers' wing, and looking at the hinge Gaming had given him. "I've already been quiet for a week, how am I just supposed to just start talking to him again?"

Lyney hums, tilting his head back and closing his eyes. "Hm... Well, to send a text, you simply type something into the little bar at the bottom of the screen and press the arrow button."

"You're not funny..." Freminet says simply, to which Lyney giggles.

"C'mon, I'm sure he'll forgive you. It seems like he just wants to be sure you're alive." Lyney teases, poking Freminet.

"Well, maybe he will, but-" Freminet's interrupted by the sound of a text sending.

He whips his head around to see Lynette holding Freminet's phone out of him, and he quickly grabs it.

Freminet: Sorry. I've been busy helping with my siblings' magic shows.

"Lynette!" Freminet glares nervously at her.

"You're welcome." She says simply, and stands up. "Come on, Lyney. We have a show to get to."

Lyney just grins and stands just as quickly. "Good luck, Minet! You've got this!"

Freminet just continues to glare nervously at them as they grab their bags and head out the door.

Gaming: oh its all good!

Gaming: i was just worried you got hurt or smthn lol

The notification makes Freminet jump, and he hesitates again.

He still doesn't know what to say!

Freminet: Sorry.

Freminet: I didn't mean to make you worry.

Gaming: its okay i promise! :)

Freminet takes a slow deep breath... Maybe he should thank Lynette...

Freminet: You're coming to Fontaine?

Gaming: yea!

Gaming: theres this group of liyuean artists and stuff that are coming to fontaine to show off basically

Gaming: and im gonna be one of them! >:3

Freminet: You're going to be performing?

Gaming: yea and a bunch of other people

Gaming: my friend xingqius doing a book signing!!!!

Freminet: I didn't realize he was a writer.

Gaming: well he started with fanfiction lol

Gaming: but hes a good writer!

Gaming: maybe hell give you a free copy :)

Freminet: I can buy my own books.

Freminet: Besides, I don't read much, so it's fine.

Gaming: haha its ok

Gaming: im just excited to get to hang out with you again!

Freminet: Won't you be busy?

Gaming: well........

Gaming: shows dont last forever!!!

Gaming: but i guess yea a little bit

Gaming: but im gonna hang out with you!!

Gaming: its my mission.............

Freminet smiles to himself at that. It's stupid...... but it's funny.

Freminet: Challenge accepted.

Freminet: It'll be nice to see you. :)

Gaming: :0

Gaming: freminet using emojis????

Gaming: who are you and what did you do with freminet????????

This is dumb... But Freminet still can't help but laugh a little.

Freminet: I guess you'll have to come to Fontaine and find out.

Gaming: ill save freminet!!!!! >:(

The weight on Freminet's shoulders finally seems to leave, as Gaming doesn't seem to be mad at him at all.

At least... he hopes so.

Maybe Gaming is mad at him, and just not saying so...

But no! Freminet's just... being paranoid.

He takes another deep breath, and grabs Pers and his diving helmet. He's got work to do, a small commission from the research institute, looking for some camera footage of deep-sea ball octopi.

...It's going to be a long day.

Getting home, he sighs, setting his bag and his helmet to the side.

He needs a shower, desperately. Seawater and sweat isn't a great feeling.

"Freminet?"

"Father." Freminet responds, before he even realizes who's speaking to him.

"Where have you been? I came here to speak with you, and it worried me slightly that you weren't here." She says, standing from the couch and walking over to him.

"I had a commission." Freminet says simply. "Did you need me?"

"No. I merely came to see you." She says, and gently tilts Freminet's head up. "Why don't you go wash up? I can wait."

"Yes, Father."

...He'll let the showerhead wash away his tears, but it won't make him feel any better about them.

He's panicking.

Why?

It's just Father.

"Tears are the product of emotion and weakness."

"You must value your own lives, be your strongest selves, and stand on your own two feet in this world."

"Do not allow your weakness to burden you, Freminet."

"The world does not take kindly to the weak."

Freminet feels his stomach turn, and a heat builds in the back of his throat.

...He's throwing up.

Oh.

His hands shake as he cleans himself, and even still as he dries off and gets dressed.

Father had no doubt come to speak to him about that woman.

To scold him for acting on his emotions.

...This was bad.

He walks back out into the living room.

The world feels...

Sideways.

"Freminet."

Father's voice is gentle.

It always has been.

She pauses as she looks at Freminet.

"Come here."

She calls.

It's... a request, not a demand.

Freminet does so.

He sits next to her.

She gently lowers his head into her lap.

"Rest, Freminet."

She says softly.

"Your emotions overwhelm you."

"Ground yourself in reality."

"Let yourself feel everything."

"Allow it to overwhelm you."

"And dissect it."

"Pull it into pieces."

"It will become manageable."

The blurry, sideways world slowly seems to shift.

...He's tired.

His head hurts trying to keep his eyes open.

...But he's thinking more clearly.

He can feel his hair falling over his face...

He can feel the air in his lungs.

He can feel his heartbeat.

He shifts his body to look up at Father, who's gazing gently back at him.

"Sleep, Freminet."

She tells him.

"I have time."

Chapter Text

"This is weird..." Chongyun mumbles, taking a deep breath to try and tame his seasickness. Xingqiu is rubbing his back to try and keep him grounded, but Chongyun's fighting a losing battle.

"I think it's cool!" Xiangling grins. "It's like a boat on train tracks!"

"Yeah! This is epic!" Gaming agrees, he and Xiangling and him both turned around and leaning against the railing to look out over Fontaine's landscape.

"U-um... Please keep all arms, legs, ears and tails on the aquabus..." The little blue Melusine warns them, as Guoba also goes to look over the railing.

Man Chai, however, seems to be on board with idea of staying firmly on the boat, as he's snuggled up at Xingqiu's feet, anxious from the boat's uneven movements.

"And we get to stay here a whole two weeks...! I wanna try as many desserts as possible!" Xiangling declares, though everyone already knew that.

"I dunno what I'm gonna do just yet, but I'm excited! I really hope Fontainians like Wushou dances..." He chuckles nervously, and Xingqiu smiles.

"I'm sure they will. After all, I hear the Yun-Han Opera Troupe was invited." Xingqiu assures him.

Gaming shrugs: "I mean, operas are different from Wushou dances."

"Sure. I mean, Fontaine has operas too. My point was that the Yun-Han Opera Troupe has a very Liyuean style of performance. I'm sure they're open-minded to new media." Xingqiu reasons, before his attention is pulled back to Chongyun tugging on his sleeve.

Gaming sighs. "Yeah, yeah. I know you're right, but still. I'm just nervous."

"I get it." Xiangling chimes in. "But look on the bright side! You'll get to eat a bunch of yummy food, and see a bunch of cool shows, and hang out with Freminet... And even if your show somehow isn't popular, you know us three will enjoy it!"

Gaming smiles at that, though he's still clearly anxious. "Yeah... You're right. It's way more good than bad. Thanks, you guys."

"Of course-"

"Trash can, trash can!" Xingqiu shouts, as Chongyun finally loses to his seasickness.

Chapter Text

Is this what Freminet felt like visiting Liyue?

He feels so... out of place.

His hair and clothes make him stick out in appearance, and the big group of people carrying suitcases and set pieces certainly isn't helping him blend in.

Oh well...

Maybe he should've guessed he'd stick out a bit.

Someone taps his shoulder, and he turns to see- Lan Yan?

"Lan Yan!? What're you doing here?" Gaming asks, as Lan Yan laughs.

"Hey! I'm working, actually. The Yun Han opera troupe wanted some help building a set, and so I got work here. I just didn't know you were coming!" She crosses her arms. "Didn't think to tell me?"

Gaming shrugs, "Guess so! Then again, I've been stressing over all the stuff to pack and bring along... And you didn't tell me you were going either!"

"Well- I didn't think it was going to matter!"

"Still! Don't be a hypocrite."

Lan Yan laughs at that, "Regardless, we're here now. You're doing a show, right?"

Gaming just holds up his lion mask. "Yep! Can't say I'm not terrified, but y'know, here goes!"

Lan Yan just nods. "Yeah, I understand, I think."

A familiar voice calls out to Gaming: "My, my, is that a Wushou dancer I see? Now isn't it a magician's lucky day!"

Gaming pauses for a moment to let Lyney catch up to them before they continue walking with their group. "Lyney! Nice to see ya!" Gaming grins.

"It's nice to see you too, Mister Gaming." The magician tips his hat with a small chuckle. "Freminet told me you'd be visiting, so I figured I'd come meet you on your way in."

"Yep! Where is Freminet, anyway?" Gaming asks, glancing behind them for a moment as if Freminet is catching up with them.

"Ah, he's sleeping in." Lyney waves the topic away with his hand. "So naturally, as his bestest most amazingest older brother, I came in his stead."

Lan Yan smiles at that. "You're certainly energetic." She teases.

"Ah? And who may you be, miss?" Lyney asks, cards seemingly appearing from nowhere as he starts shuffling them.

"Lan Yan. I'm doing some decorations for the opera troupe." She says simply, and Lyney nods.

"Yes, yes, the opera troupe." He hums, and smirks. "I must say I'm awfully biased to the Wushou dances of our friend here, but I've no doubt the opera is quite impressive as well."

Gaming can't help the smile that comes to his face at that. He hasn't had the chance to talk to Lyney much, but being complimented by a literal celebrity is more than enough to give Gaming a bit more confidence.

"Hey, Lyney. You think Freminet would like to perform? I mean- Don't get me wrong, he seems like a really anxious guy, but I mean... If he could magic away stage fright, you think he'd like to perform?" Gaming asks.

Lyney pauses, his face going blank for a moment. "I'm... not sure." He smiles again, a tad awkwardly: "I don't think so, actually. I'm sure he's already told you he builds some of the stuff Lynette and I use. But I'm not sure he'd like being center stage, he seems to enjoy helping backstage much more." Lyney hums, tracing the edges of the deck of cards he's holding with one finger. "Why do you ask?"

Gaming shrugs. "Uh- I dunno. Just curious, I guess. He just seems like he's got a lot of ideas in his head. I'm kinda curious what I show ran by Freminet would look like."

Lyney tilts his head. "Hm. I think that's a sweet idea." He smiles.

Lan Yan nods. "You've told me about the drawings he's sent you. I can imagine it'd have a beautiful set."

"Yes, I have to agree." Lyney chuckles. "But alas, we're getting distracted. Shall I help you set up?"

Gaming grins. "I'd appreciate it. Besides, it's not every day you get to hang out with a celebrity."

Lyney laughs at that. "I suppose it isn't! But please, relax! Any friend of Minet's is a friend of mine." He says simply, as he makes his deck of cards disappear.

Gaming nods. "I'm glad. I just hope I can live up to your expectations."

"Pff- Don't be ridiculous. A magician such as amazing as myself would never judge another performer on his 'quality'. A performance is meant to be fun, not 'perfectly executed'." Lyney shakes his head, and brings his hat down to his chest. "To think you think so lowly of me..." He feigns a pained look.

...Gaming's not sure he'll be able to keep up with Lyney.

Chapter Text

"Freminet..."

"Freminet..."

Freminet sits up groggily, his mind slow and his body slower.

"Freminet..." Lynette sighs. "It's nearly noon, and you even fell asleep early last night." She scolds gently. "Are you sure you're feeling alright?"

"...Yes." Freminet says simply, pushing himself to stand up so he doesn't start dosing off again.

"Lyney just went out to greet your friend. I tried to convince him otherwise, but he was set." She hums. "Come out to the dining room. I'll make you food."

Freminet just nods, "Sure. I'll be there in a minute."

Lynette just gives him a small frown, but leaves the room.

...His head hurts. And his eyes do too. Had he been crying?

No. Father surely would've scolded him if he was.

He heads to the bathroom to find the painkillers, but they're not there, so there's nothing he can really do but head to the living room.

He seats himself at the table, and Lynette sets a plate of food in front of him: Boudin Noir aux Pommes. It's really the only food Lynette can make that isn't a dessert. Though Freminet is grateful regardless.

"You seriously look half-dead Minet..." Lynette hums, and Freminet gives her a gentle glare. "I'm not making fun of you. I'm just worried." She sighs. "I'll see if I can find painkillers."

"They're not in the bathroom."

"They're probably in Lyney's room, he never puts them away." She just stands and heads down the hallway.

...Gaming's here today. Freminet feels a little bad he's missed his arrival. But... Lyney's covering for him, for better or for worse. Besides... Freminet needs to get his shit together, and quick.

What's... wrong with him? Since when has he acted like this? He's never been this much of a wreck.

Well... not since...

His hand hurts. How tightly was he holding that fork?

Archons- Where's his head at?

Breathe, Freminet. You're fine.

The food is... tasteless. At least to Freminet.

No. No, he can't think like that.

What does the food taste like? What's in it?

Go on, think for yourself now...

Blood sausage. It's a savory ingredient. But the way Lynette makes it enhances the sweet properties of the meat, however small that is. And the apples... Right. Again, they're another sweet taste. Hm. They're supposed to be acidic, to contrast the delicate flavors of the sausage. ...But Lynette has always been biased towards sweet dishes. It's fairly obvious her version would be so much... softer.

Right. ...You're doing a good job Freminet.

Just... keep yourself in reality for a while longer.

"Minet?" Lynette calls. "I found them." She says simply, shaking two pills into her hand.

Freminet nods, and takes them from her, swallowing them with a drink or two of water. "...Thanks."

"Of course." She says and sits back down next to him.

...It's quiet this morning.

Lyney is the first to notice them when they arrive. "Well, if it isn't the amazing Freminet and Lynette!" He calls, grinning, and Gaming quickly turns around to see them as well.

Gaming practically lights up. "Hey! You made it!"

"Mhm." Is all Freminet gets out, with a nervous nod.

"You feeling okay? Lyney said you just slept in, but I dunno- It just didn't seem like you." Gaming asks, but shrugs, as if it's not a big deal despite the fact it obviously worried him a little.

Out of the corner of his eye, Freminet sees Lynette whisper something to Lyney, who gets a serious expression on his face, and he nods, and hand coming to cover his mouth as he thinks.

...They're definitely talking about him.

"I'm okay." Freminet smiles, albeit nervously, at Gaming. "I just had a bit of a long day the yesterday with some sea animals. I guess it really took me out."

"Ah, really?" Gaming chuckles. "What got you? Can't say I've seen much of Fontainian wildlife."

"Well- I could always take you diving while you're here..." Freminet offers, half hoping Gaming would decline just out of anxiety.

"Hey, that sounds awesome!" Gaming grins, and puts his hands on his hips. "But hey, you'd basically have to handhold me through the whole thing, I don't really have any experience..."

"That's fine." Freminet hums. "I... don't do it often, but I can teach..." He tries to shrug it away, Pers feeling heavy in his hands.

Gaming doesn't let Freminet brush away his skills, however: "Ah, don't say it like that. that's impressive! I mean- I wouldn't really be able to dive if you weren't offering a hand."

...Freminet's quiet at that, and Gaming leaves it be.

"Did you wanna see my setup?" Gaming asks, gesturing behind him toward the backstage entrances.

Freminet just nods, "Sure."

Chapter Text

A long day yesterday with some sea animals.

And he never answered Gaming's question about what animal it was.

From the moment he saw Freminet, he knew something was wrong.

He doesn't know what, but Freminet's a horrible liar.

So, showing off his set pieces, he's just a bit too focused on Freminet's reactions.

Freminet seems genuinely curious about how they move, and what the mechanics of them are, asking plenty of questions about them as he slowly seems more like himself with the distraction.

But eventually, Gaming just has to ask.

"And your accompanists will be lined up at the base of the stage- therefore giving you and your group more space, allowing for so many-"

"Hey- Freminet?"

"Huh- Ah- Sorry... I just- Yeah-" He stammers, quickly going quiet.

"No- No, it's fine. I like hearing you ramble like that. I just- wanted to ask something."

"Sure..." Freminet shrugs.

"Look- I don't mind if like- It's personal, and you don't wanna talk about it. You don't have to tell me." Gaming sighs, nervous over his words. "But I just feel like something's off with you. I mean- maybe it's just that we haven't seen each other in person for a while, but... I just-" He groans, the words coming out of his mouth nowhere close to how he wants to say it.

Freminet, on the other hand, is hugging his penguin to his chest and getting closed off again.

"I'm sorry. I'm being too pushy, aren't I- I don't mean to be so invasive..."

"It's fine." Freminet mutters. "I just... I have some plans tonight, I guess. I've been a little... overwhelmed, so... Um..."

"That's fine!" Gaming interrupts, seeing Freminet run out of words. "Like I said, you don't have to tell me. I just... want you to know you can talk to me, okay?"

...Freminet nods, but Gaming doubts Freminet's considering that option.

"Yeah... Of course I can."

Leaving the Opera Epiclese that night, he runs into Lynette.

"Gaming. Is Freminet with you?" She asks, sounding... almost panicked.

"Uh- No, we split after lunch. He said he had plans?" Gaming crosses his arms out of anxiety. "Why? What happened?"

Lynette shakes her head. "We can't find him."

"You... can't find him?" ...An odd since of dread settles in his chest.

"We thought maybe he'd gone back to see you again, but..." Lynette bites her lip, and shakes her head again, oddly expressive for what Gaming's seen from her. "Did he say what his plans were? Anything about them?"

"No- He just said something about being overwhelmed- Something about getting advice?" He mutters, panicking a bit himself.

"Advice-" Lynette seems to realize something. "Gaming! Would you run to the Chioriya Boutique and check there? I'll give you my number, but I'm going to check the steambird."

"The Bou- Oh! Xiangling pointed that shop out to me, I think I know where it is-"

"Good. Here." She shoves a piece of paper with her number on it into his hand. "Call me if you find him." She runs off before Gaming can say another word.

The lights are still on in the shop when Gaming gets there, and the door's open, so he's quick to barge in.

"Hey- Store's closed! Didn't you read the sign?" A woman dressed in yellows and browns scolds him. "Get out of my shop."

"I'm sorry- I'm looking for someone- Just please listen for a second." Gaming speaks quickly- Trying to get his point across before she kicks him out.

...She sets her hands on her hips, but she's quiet, listening.

"He's blond? He wears his hair in a kind of bob- He's a little taller than me, not by much- Like, basically my height. He's got blue eyes? A lot of freckles...?"

"...Freminet?" Hearing his name come out of her mouth takes a lot of weight off his shoulders.

"Yes, Freminet. Him. Have you seen him?"

"He just left my shop a few minutes ago."

"He did!?" Gaming nearly shouts.

"Lower your voice. He did."

"Do you know where he went?" Gaming asks quickly. "His siblings are looking for him and asked me to help look-"

"Don't go after him." She says simply.

"Don't- Don't go after him?"

She holds up a hand to shush him. "He's perfectly safe. He's simply off to see someone. It's personal. I doubt he'd want even his siblings to know where he is." She explains.

"So, you do know where he is." Gaming says, surprising himself with how angry he sounds.

"I do. But like I said: I doubt he wants company." She sighs. "Now get out of my shop-"

"No way. Tell me where he is." Gaming says quickly, standing up straight and holding his ground.

"I'm not scared of you." She says firmly in return. "I'm afraid you'll have to trust my word. Tell Lyney and Lynette Chiori says he's safe. They'll believe me."

"Well, I don't."

"Get out of my shop."

"Tell me where Freminet is!" He shouts back. "He's my friend, and his siblings say he's suddenly gone missing. Then you still want to withhold where he is when everyone's desperately looking for him!?"

"Get. Out. Of. My. Shop." She says, placing a firm hand on his chest to push him out the door.

"Please." Gaming says, sounding desperate as he grabs onto the doorframe to avoid being pushed out. "Look- I know you don't know me. And honestly, you're probably closer to Freminet than I am, if he's telling you where he disappeared to. But I care about him."

...Chiori pulls her hand away, crossing her arms.

"I'm worried about him. He was acting strange earlier, and... And he said he had plans, and now I don't know where he is and I- I'm scared, okay?" He stutters, trying to keep it together.

Chiori pauses, studying his expression. "...You're Gaming, aren't you?"

"You know me-?"

"Freminet's mentioned you." Chiori sighs. "Promise me you won't go find him. He needs to be alone."

Gaming just nods. He'll do anything at this point.

"He's gone to visit his mother." She says simply.

"His... mom?" Gaming mutters. "But wouldn't have Lynette just seen him at home?"

She shakes her head. "She's outside the city, in the countryside at the moment."

"Oh."

"Please. Don't chase him." She asks again. "Now get out of my shop. Really, we're closed."

Gaming just nods in return. "Yeah- Yeah, I'm going." He stumbles out the door. "Thank you." He says shakily, and Chiori frowns, shutting the door behind him.

man chai's hooman: the boutique owner says hes visiting his mom

unregistered number: thankyou

Dammit Freminet...

"I still don't know where the hell you are..."