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Chapter Text

"Lynette? What's wrong? You seem troubled." Arlecchino asked, as she noticed her daughter seemingly in thought in a burrowed frown.

It wasn't strange for Lynette to be thinking thinking so deeply, but what was worrying her was the look of discomfort on her daughter's face.

"Oh? It's nothing Father... at least I think so."

"Still, if it's troubling you I think it's worth my attention. What's wrong?" She emphasized, as Lynette sat down on the chair next to her.

"I... I'm not sure why but I feel, Fu- I mean Mother has been... troubled recently?" Lynette answered, as Arlecchino's eyes widened a little. Furina was currently taking a small excursion to Fontaine with Neuvilette, the two of them having come to an agreement of letting Furina choose when she wished to engage with Fontaine and when she wished to simply be left alone to enjoy her privacy.

"I see. I had assumed Neuvilette would have had most things handled. Though I was a little curious that he had asked me to arrive in Fontaine today by evening to discuss matters with Furina..." Arlecchino pondered, as she tried to remember what could have been so special about the day. When suddenly it hit her. "Oh. Oh my dear... why didn't you tell me sooner?"

Today was the one year anniversary of her trial. No wonder her smile seemed so forced when she left the house to return to Fontaine.

"Father? Is everything alright?"

"Don't worry Lynette. I just need to go and be with your mother in Fontaine. Can you manage the house while I am away?" She asked, rising from her chair to put on her coat as her daughter bowed.

"Yes Father. I shall do my best."

"Good. Take care of yourself and your siblings okay? I'll be back soon with Furina." She said warmly, patting Lynette's head as the girl shifted in place, a small smile on her face. A smile that made her own heart feel a little warmer as she moved away from the main room and made her way towards Fontaine.

/+/+/

Furina felt her heart almost lock up when she saw the court. Coming back here wasn't really a social visit and she felt bad about lying to Neuvilette and Arlecchino when she said she wanted to return. In all honesty, a part of her still felt like it was left behind inside that place. Her chest felt tight, her breath felt fragile and glassy, and it took everything for her to not fall back into flashbacks of that day.

Her hands balled into fists as she tried to will herself forward, only to find herself stuck to her place as her breath quickened and she felt the overwhelming flood of memories coming back to swallow her whole. But right as she felt like her heart would explode, she felt a hand on her shoulder. A very familiar cold hand on her shoulder.

"My dearest, next time you feel the need to face your fears, don't think you have to go alone." Said Arlecchino's voice, as her hand squeezed her shoulder releasing some of the tension as soon as it built up.

"Lady Furina? You aren't alone. It isn't weak of you to ask for help as you face your worst memories." Came another voice. This one Neuvilette's as his hand wrapped around Furina's as she felt like she could breathe normally again. "We won't let you face this tide alone."

Allowing herself to be turned around by Arlecchino she was surprised by just how quickly she burst into tears when she hugged her. The morning and afternoon she spent away from Arlecchino made itself known in how much she pushed into it.

"S-sorry..." She whispered out, trying to dry her tears as she felt Neuvilette's gentle hand on her shoulder patting her. "I-I... I've been so scared of this place, I thought if I came here and faced it, I would, I would have..."

"Even now, you're still hiding steel under your silks, Lady Furina." Neuvilette remarked.

"While I admire your honesty and willingness to face your fears, love... don't forget that in our house, our pains are shared. And they are accordingly dealt with together. Don't hesitate to call on any of us for help. For now, if you wish to face your past here, know that me and Neuvilette will not be far behind." Arlecchino whispered, her arms tightening a little as Furina felt her warmth melt some of the tension still trying to build in her heart.

"T-thank you. Thank you both... so much." She whispered out, as her tears began to dry. Looking back at the courtroom, and then two her two companions, she took in a deep breath and steeled her resolve. "Neuvilette... can you open the door?"

"Understood, Lady Furina." Neuvilette replied, opening the doors to the Opera Epiclese as cool air brushed against her face. Along with a flood of memories that made her heart tighten. But as her mind felt assaulted by those memories, a new presence came in the form of Arlecchino. A simple squeeze of the hand and yet it burned away some of the fear as she looked into her eyes with a quiet nod and an unspoken promise.

Moving forward, each step was... difficult. Each one seemingly bringing back another scene to her mind. The crowd incensed... the growing lack of trust in their eyes... the ways they turned their backs on her when they stopped believing the lie...

Each time, she felt her body tense up however, Arlecchino was there, by her side. Either offering a calming presence, or reminding her that she wasn't alone. Each moment she felt herself be pulled in, all she had to do was remind herself that she wasn't alone here. Between her lover and one of her closest guardians being here with her, she didn't feel alone anymore.

Pushing her way further, she eventually stared at the chair she sat in during her trial, the seat where she had given up all hope. The same place where she remembered shutting down completely. The scene still felt so vivid in her mind. Between the feeling that her heart had sunk along with the waves, the feeling of absolute despair to the quiet hopeless acceptance that she had failed... that everything she had built herself up to, everything she had fought so hard to protect would all be for naught. She remembered thinking she had left every piece of herself on that chair, waiting for the waves to come and swallow her and her beloved city whole. She remembered the quiet tears she allowed herself to escape as she gave up completely. She remembered the devastation in her heart and the morbid relief she felt that at least... it would all be over soon enough.

"Breathe Furina. Breathe... you aren't alone here." She heard Arlecchino say as she exhaled sharply.

Of course, that's not how it went. In many ways this trial was ironically what set her off to the life she lived today. With Foclaors having finally stepped in to relieve her of her duty and asking her to live the life they both wanted to live. A life that she would sacrifice for Furina to be able to enjoy.

It still wasn't fair...

In some part of her mind, she half wished the waves would have taken her that day. If only her and no one else. After five hundred years of feeling of quiet suffering, five hundred years of hiding everything about her from everyone she ever cared about, she wasn't sure how she could ever go back to living again. Not when the only thing her life had left for her was the suffocating weight of Fontaine's expectations and the everpresent knowledge that one mistake, one slip up would drown her with this city.

How could she ever come back from that?

"You've been incredibly brave coming back here Lady Furina. It's okay to let go. None of us wants to see you chained to this place. Not me. Not Focalors, not Arlecchino." Neuvilette spoke, his words snapping her out of mind as she felt Arlecchino's fingers caressing her cheek and wiping away her tears.

"Lynette and the others are waiting for their Mother to come home so that they can remind you how much they love you. They all adore your presence in our home. To us all, you will always be more than the performance you've had to endure for so long. Never forget that."

Turns out, her answer was always all around her. Whether it was the friends she had in her inner circle, or now Arlecchino and the House of the Hearth, she at least had something now that she couldn't in all her five centuries as the False Hydro Archon. She had a community. She had friends, she had freedom to explore and she had Arlecchino and the House of the Hearth, will all of her and her partner's children there.

With them the last five hundred years could melt in the simple conversations and warmth she could finally surround herself with. Where in Fontaine she felt boxed inwards, forced to stay perfectly within her lane, now she was free, free to flow and move where she pleased and in the last few months her choice was clear.

The House of the Hearth would be her safe haven. Together with Arlecchino she would learn to live again. Learn to breathe again, learn to be herself again. Fontaine would always hold her heart but now... she was no longer chained to it. Now it could be more than just her gilded prison.

"L-Lets go home..." Furina whispered quietely, resting her head against Arlecchino's side as she allowed her partner to hold her close. "I'm sorry Neuvillete, I may have to cancel the evening visit, can-"

"Can I ask Escoffier to deliver them to the House? Yes. At Madam Arlecchino's permission of course." Neuvillete finished, a small smile coming onto this face.

"Permission granted. And... if it's not too much to ask, can you spare a few extra for the children?" Arlecchino asked, her own face a warm smile as she looked into Furina's eyes a warmth she had only learned to appreciate in her time at the House.

"I don't think Escoffier would mind. I'll inform Navia to send desserts at noon. For now, farewell to you both. I shall take my leave." Neuvillete confirmed, before guiding them both out of the courtroom and back to the city.

Leaving the courtroom, she met Arlecchino's expectant gaze and smiled as she intertwined her hands around Arlecchino's.

"So? Ready to head home?"

"Yes... I don't want to worry the children anymore." Furina admitted, as Arlecchino sighed contently before pulling Furina into a bridal carry.

"Hold on tight then, love." She whispered, planting a kiss onto Furina's cheek as she felt her heart skip a beat, before she felt herself be whisked away, all the way back home in the arms of her love.

/+/+/

That night, Furina felt oddly relieved when she entered her bed with Arlecchino. That was not to say that she didn't feel better as soon as she returned to the manor, getting to see Lyney, Freminet and Lynette. Just having their presence greatly eased her mind and having them around already made her heart feel a little lighter. And that was before they hugged her tight and made her feel as comfortable as possible as she came home to her new life as Mother of the House.

But... when she came to Arlecchino, when she returned to the arms of her flame... that's when Furina truly felt like she was home. By now, the children had already been sent to bed and now it was just the two of them. Just her and Arlecchino. And it was here that she found herself melting into Arlecchino's grasp, just like she had so many times before falling for her.

"How are you doing, my droplet?" Arlecchino asked, tracing her cheeks and resting her fingers under her chin as Furina smiled in relief.

"I'm doing better... much much better. I... didn't realize how much I needed to be back here to feel like I could breathe." Furina admitted, as she felt herself be pulled down onto Arlecchino's lap, her fingers dancing along her body sending shivers all over.

"Home is where the heart is, after all. I'm happy to know that you're feeling much better Furina... is there anything else you want to do, or discuss before we take our rest for the day?" Arlecchino asked, as Furina felt her heart beat a little faster, as Arlecchino's wandering hands roamed all along her body, not seeking to drive her into lust, but seemingly calming her, keeping her feeling safe and comfortable.

"Oh... nothing much, I think. I... I'm really happy that you were there for me."

"Always, love."

"No, I... I mean it. After everything that happened before and h-how quickly everything seemed to fall apart... I-I always thought I was going to be alone when it was all over. That even if everything was over, I-I would have to pick up the pieces alone. B-but... that was before the Traveler came, and more importantly... it was before you came into my life... like this."

"Hm?" Arlecchino asked, her head tilting slightly as her hands brushed Furina's hair. She never got tired of how easily it warmed her heart and eased her worries.

"When the trial was over and when Neuvilette saved Fontaine, I... still felt lost. The days didn't feel real to me. I felt like I was living in some kind of false dream. One where I was waiting, waiting for the day the other shoe would drop, where the sword, would... come onto my head..." Furina choked up, as she spoke, memories of those days practically strangling her heart as she felt Arlecchino's hands tighten around her shoulder, grounding her in reality.

"Oh... oh Furina." Arlecchino whispered, pulling her up as Furina felt herself be pulled up, her head kept steady by Arlecchino's cool yet calming hands.

"In those days I couldn't, I couldn't think about how to go on. I always just felt so lost. Foclaors asked me to live the life that she wanted both of us to live... but w-what life was left for me in Fontaine? A-and then... the Traveler came... and then you came... First Lumine sparked my interests again then you came and brought me here... to a home again." Furina sobbed out, as Arlecchino's fingers rubbed away the tears that seemed to never stop. "I-I don't know what I would have become if it wasn't for you two. Or even if I just stayed in Fontaine."

"Living here? Living with you, with Lyney, Lynette, Freminet? Learning to take my own pace in life, having you in my corner? I-I can't help but think that thanks to you, I can finally fulfill Focalors last wish and... finally live for myself again. S-so, thank you Arlecchino. Thank you so much... I-I..." Furina admitted, her words bringing a smile onto Arlecchino's face as she smiled in turn through the tears.

"Furina... my love, my droplet, my dearest partner. I thought for so long that all I would have was my children and this house in this world. That after everything it would always have to be me and my children, and a few of the Fatui against the world. But being with you? Meeting you and hosting you here, watching as you found your way into my heart, seeing you bond with my children has brought a light to my life I never could have imagined all those months back when we still opposed each other. So, I am grateful too, that inspite of everything we found our way to each other. And that as our fates would have it, we get a chance to be more than enemies to each other. That instead we get to share our lives with each other."

"I love you Arlecchino." Furina answered, her tears now fully tears of joy and contentment as she closed her eyes, feeling Arlecchino's pull.

"I love you Furina." Arlecchino replied, as their lips met and Furina felt the world around them melt away. All that was left was her and Arlecchino, together, in each other's arms, sharing each other's warmth as she felt herself be pulled back down to the bed, where slumber waited for both of them. "Good night, my sweet droplet. I look forward to tomorrow with you."

"Good night, my hearth." She replied, passing a kiss to Arlecchino's cheek as sleep found them both, the two of them cuddling as close as they could in the night, both of them secure in the knowledge that their hearths belonged to each other.

And so would be their homes, now and forevermore.

Chapter Text

I own nothing from Genshin Impact

The first thing Furina came to when she woke up was an aroma coming from downstairs.

Her second favorite scent. First being Arlecchino next to her of course but if food was on the way, that usually meant her wife was in the kitchen which was an acceptable second.

But still, that didn't mean Furina was going to skip out on catching a few early cuddles. Especially not if it meant she got to sample some of her wife's cooking. Pulling herself out of the blankets and yawning as she made her way downstairs, she had barely anything on beyond her underwear. But she rarely ever needed anything more when Arlecchino could just wrap her in her arms. Even if her touch was icy cool, her heart never was. It was something Furina cherished everytime she was with her.

"Morning droplet. I hope you had a good rest?" Came Arlecchino's voice as she peaked through the doorframe to find her wife had already spotted her and returned her peeping eye with a soft smile.

"Mhmm... with you? Always." Furina replied, pulling herself towards Arlecchino as she nuzzled against her arm. Between the warmth of the flames in front of her and Arlecchino's touch, she was happy. "What are you making?"

"As much as I would love to indulge myself with Steak Tartare again, I must admit it is hardly a good meal for the children. Althought not all of their favorites can be seen as extremely nutritious and certainly not breakfast food, I wouldn't mind making it for them as snacks or as a special meal in Freminet's case. Though... I really am struggling to get the shape down for Lynette's cakes. And how Lyney manages to wrap those sweets of his in velvet I am still in awe about."

Furina giggled a little, as she held up one of the conch cakes Arlecchino had made. Dessert was always her favorite meal and while Escoffier's cooking could never be matched, she knew how hard Arlecchino worked for her children and she could see how that effort paid off. It was hard not to take a bite but remembering how pouty Lynette would get about not having her favorite conch cakes was a good way to snap her out of her own hunger.

"Love, you can put down the conch cakes. Neuvillete left us a package from Escoffier early in the morning. It has your favorite desserts. Remind me to give my compliments to her. Her skill is impeccable when it comes to making desserts. I half wanted to bring her over to this house so that she could make Lyney and Lynette their favorites." Arlecchino smiled soflty, as she picked up the conch cake and put it back on the plate.

Directing her to another box, sure enough under the familar covering was a set of desserts all making a circle around the grand piece. A very familar blue cake that she only convinced herself to make after the Traveler pushed them into trying with Escoffier to remake one of her favorite dishes.

"Is that?"

"Oh I have no idea myself Furina. If I'm being honest that cake's name eludes me but the card the came with it seemed to indicate it was important to you." Arlecchino admitted, as she pulled out what appeared to be a card from Escoffier.

'Hey there boss! Neuvilette told me that you were in the mood for some treats so I decided to send over a bunch. Things have been good in Fontaine but we miss you still. Navia and Clorinde have been thinking of calling you for a party. They're also thinking of calling everyone from the House of Hearth. So think it over!

P.S. If you want me to move over to make you more treats, I'll do it in a heartbeat.

Yours Truly,

Escoffier'

"Tsch... Escoffier..." She sighed out, trying not to let a tear fall from her eyes as she smiled. Fontaine may not have been her home anymore but being reminded of the people who cared about always brought her close to tears. If there was one thing she had hoped to one day rebuild even as shehad come to the house of hearth, it was perhaps getting to see them more now that she was finally free of the chains that once bound her to being an Archon.

"It's good to see you smile that wide droplet." Arlecchino whispered as she patted Furina's back. Taking in a deep sigh, she held the card close to her chest as she turned to her wife and asked.

"Soo, if I was to say yes to this invitation... would you mind coming along with the kids with me?"

"Hah, are you certain that they would want me mingling with their ranks? I sometimes worry they would not be so openly welcoming to someone like me." Arlecchino admitted as she pulled out a few omelettes, some bread and a few wedges of cheese.

"Honestly Arle, at this point I wouldn't want to go if they weren't going to invite you. And besides they're inviting the whole house. That includes you as well." Furina answered back, as fingers interlocked with Arlecchino's brining a smile to the normally measured lady's face.

"Tsch... fine then. I trust you droplet. All worries aside, given what you've told me of Navia and Clorinde? I believe it would be a fine occasion. And I'm looking forward to seeing what ways Lynette and Lyney will steal the show and what conversations Freminet strikes up with the guests. He always has so many fascinating things to tell us whenever we take him out someplace." Arlecchino replied, as she helped prepare four more plates each with a special offering.

One for Lynette that had one such cake as a sweet treat. One for Lyney that would contain a piece of candy and one for Freminet that would contain a tease for his favorite meal for lunch.

"Is there anything I can help with?" Furina asked, as she put away her plate watching Arlecchino take two.

"Hmm... perhaps call the children over from their rooms? They'll likely have finished bathing by now but in case they aren't in the dining room, perhaps a tease of their favorite foods may catch their attention and bring them over to the dining hall.

Nodding in agreement, Furina went ahead to do exactly that. She found Freminet was already sitting at the dining table, humming along something as Furina smiled before patting his head gently.

"Morning Freminet. I'll be getting your siblings soon for food. Just sit tight, Father will be coming with your breakfast soon." Furina explained, as the boy greeted her softly and nodded.

As for Lyney and Lynette, by the time she approached their rooms, the two had somehow already snuck out and managed to find their way behind Furina. By the time she had noticed, she had already knocked on their doors about three times.

"Greetings Mother!" Greeted Lyney, bowing with his arm outstretched.

"Good morning Mother." Greeted Lynette bowing in turn.

"Ah! You startled me! I'm going to have to be faster in catching you both aren't I?" Furina gasped, before calming down to give them both a slightly exasperated smile.

Hearing Lyney giggle and catching a small smile on Lynette's face, however warmed her heart as she walked them towards the dining room where sure enough, Arlecchino was waiting. At the head of the table alongside Arlecchino was an empty seat as she gestured Lyney and Lynette to her side while of course leaving the empty seat for Furina to fill out.

"Morning Father." Both the siblings responded as Arlecchino gestured for them both to sit.

"Morning to you both. Let's enjoy some breakfast." She replied, as Furina sat next to her trying to fight the urge to give her a peck on the cheek, if only to see her face redden just a little. "Furina dear, my droplet, the mother of my children, my precious angel can you maybe stare at me later?"

Suddenly it was her turn to blush intensly as the kids giggled a little as Furina tried her best to focus on her breakfast and not the smile that Arlecchino was likely directing watching her fumble with her utensils as she tried to eat her food. Fortunately the warmth of the food served as ample distraction from how embarrassed she was. And eventually she found herself finishing it, enjoying it throughly as she found her gaze meeting Arlecchino's once again.

"I take it, it tasted as good as it smelled in the kitchen, love?" Arlecchino asked, her eyes warm as she looked into her own. Furina almost thought she could get lost in them if she looked to hard but eventually she pulled herself back to give her partner an answer.

"Mhmm!! It tastes great, just the right amount of smoothness and salt. I think seeing it be made honestly made it taste even better." Furina answered, as she could see Arlecchino's expression turn into a soft smile as Furina felt her own heartbeat quicken with joy.

"Thank you Furina. I suppose then I should be bringing you with me whenever I go into the kitchen myself so that you can savor such aromas as intently as you like." Arlecchino whispered as Furina felt her heart race at the idea of waking up to both Arlecchino and the food she liked.

"What about us Father? Could we ever join you in the kitchen for such a treat?" Lyney asked, resting his head atop both his hands as he watched them both..

"Well, can you three guarantee you won't cause a mess like last time?" Arlecchino asked as suddenly all three of their kids seemed very interested in their shoes, or the floor or the window. "Unfortunately until you can do so, I'll have to limit your presence to one of you at a time."

"Understood Father." Lynette remarked as Arlecchino looked to Furina and essentially mouthed at her to tell the kids about the invitation.

Oh right! She had been enjoying herself with the meal so much that she had forgotten to mention it to them!

"Right! Uhm... tell me something kids, how would you three feel about going back to Fontaine with me and Arlecchino?" Furina asked, clapping her hands as she looked to the three kids who were now listening with rapt attention.

"Hmm, it would be interesting getting to meet everyone again." Lyney mentioned, pulling out a playing card from his hat.

"For company in Fontaine, we could do much worse admittedly." Lynette added, scratching her chin as she looked to the side.

"Uhm... will there be plenty of things to talk about? And some seafood snacks?" Freminet asked nervously as Furina smiled before replying.

"Yes! Given that it's Navia and Clorinde involved, I doubt they're the type to skip out on the best snacks and foods. I'm sure if you all choose to come, you'll have a blast."

"And of course, I will be coming along as well. The invitation was addressed to all of us as part of the House of the Hearth and I'm looking forward to seeing what this opportunity can bring. And of course, I would be lying if I said, I wasn't also excited for the chance to be at a party with you love."

"Hahaha, right! So its all in agreement then? All of you would like to come along?" Furina asked, trying to ignore the soft look Arlecchino was giving her. The same look that she knew would crack Furina like an egg if she dared look at her.

She failed and sure enough, the expression that awaited her quickly turned her collected smile into a blushy grin as Arlecchino answered.

"Yes. The House of the Hearth accepts this invitation."

"W-well! I guess I better let Navia and Clorinde know soon... w-would you mind coming along to do so Arle?" Furina asked sheepishly, as Arlecchino leaned in and planted a kiss onto her cheek, turning her already pink cheeks, deep red.

"Sure droplet. Let me know when you wish to head out. Would any of you like to join?" Arlecchino asked, turning to the kids who were all eagerly watching as their Father turned their Mother into a blushy mess.

"Hmm... me and Lyney may need to handle some requests from the orphans. Freminet?" Lynette replied as Freminet looked up from his empty plate to nod in agreement.

"If it isn't too much trouble, I would like to come, Father." Freminet asked, as Arlecchino looked to Furina for any objections to which she had none.

"Then it's decided. Me, Furina and Freminet shall travel to accept this invitation. Take care of yourself Lyney and Lynette. If you need any help, let us know when we return. No matter what, this house will stand united. I'll be seeing you all later."

"Understood Father, we'll do you proud." Lynette replied, getting up from her seat and bowing as Lyney did much the same before the two went back into the hallways.

"Freminet, is there any place in particular you wish to go?"

"Perhaps the library? I wish to see if there's any new books to skim through." Freminet answered as Furina looked to the boy excitedly.

"Ooh! I know my way around it. Whatever book you need, I'm sure you I can help you find it." Furina replied, as a smile came onto the boy's face and one on Arlecchino's as she finally finished her meal and helped pull Furina up from her seat as well.

"That sounds great... Thank you Mother."

She still never stopped feeling flustered every time she heard those words. To think being with Arlecchino meant so much more than just the escape she was looking for from Fontaine. And now even as she strode her way back in, all she had was a smile knowing that this time she wouldn't be alone.

This time she had her family.