╰┈ chapter ii. | bonding.
note: i haven't reached fontaine because of inazuma, forgive me for this.
“This is Café Lutece, the main restaurant in the city.” Neuvillette introduced the restaurant to the taller male. [Y] looks up at the sign that reads “Café Lutece” just as Neuvillette says, is it possible to tell Neuvillette that the pyro dragon couldn't read? Nah. He won't notice, right? The hydro dragon led the taller male to a table. Once they were seated at the table, they were handed a menu.
“What's this?” [Y] asked, trying to read the menu. Neuvillette explained, “It's a menu. You just have to choose what you like that is written on the menu.”
The taller male squinted his eyes at the menu before giving it to Neuvillette, “I'll stick with anything with meat.”
“...?” Neuvillette looks at the taller male with confusion, “Do you prefer Barbecue Ribs? Steak Tartare? Or Bulle Sauce Duck Breast?”
[Y] didn't even know that it was on the menu and didn't want to admit that he can't read, so he picked them all, “...I’ll…I’ll take them all.”
“Are you sure?” The hydro dragon tilted his head, staring at the male, who looked away.
The chief of justice handed the menu to the waitress. That was odd? Why handed him the menu? Was he nervous or something? Maybe he has bad eyesight…? The look on the pyro dragon's face, it tells the hydro dragon what's up.
“Monsieur [Y]...” Neuvillette called, grabbing the taller male's attention. “I only just realized, since this is the first time in your human form…you can't read, can you?”
[Y]’s eyes widened when the hydro dragon caught on what's wrong with him. The pyro dragon stood up and about to leave in embarrassment, but Neuvillette stopped him by grabbing him by the wrist, “Wait.”
“Are you gonna laugh at me because I can't read or write?” [Y] furrowed his eyebrows, feeling his hair lit up to pink flame. It shows signs that he's flustered.
“...No, I'm not gonna laugh at you. It's ok if you can't read or write.” Neuvillette said, allowing the taller male to sit down. “It's understandable since I had a similar experience when I first entered the human society. So, I shall teach you how.”
“...T…thank you…” [Y] mumbled. Neuvillette notices the male's hair turned from pink to bright [c] hair. It is pretty impressive how his hair could change colors, it even captures the interests of the citizens who were walking by.
“Now that we’re waiting. Let us begin our bond.” Neuvillette leaned back slightly against his chair. “But I have a question for you: Your hair can change colors? I have noticed how it changes colors. It's now brighter than before.”
The pyro dragon has a stoic expression, but his hair can easily tell how he feels. The dark-skinned male responded, “It changes based on my emotions. However, this is just a flame that made my hair longer, it'll disappear when it gets wet, but return when it dries up.”
“Change based on your emotions? Interesting…” Neuvillette mumbled. “Also about the “not real hair” part, when it blow out, will you—”
“I'm not gonna go bald. The part that isn't braided is my real hair. They can turn into flame whenever it needs to.” [Y] explained, fiddling with his side loop. “I didn't want to remove it now since my hair is braided. I'll keep it this way.”
“I understand. Your hair…is rather amusing and endearing.” The chief of justice praises the pyro dragon's hair with a soft smile, causing [Y]’s hair to turn into a mixture for some reason. Neuvillette tilted his head, “Oh? What does that mean? It's turned into a rainbow.”
“Sorry, it happens when I'm confused with my emotions.” [Y] apologized, stopping his hair from changing colors. He's confused. Very confused. He has never felt this way. The dark-skinned male has been praised before, but why does this feel different coming from Neuvillette. If the hydro dragon compliments his hair, then he will compliment his hair, but [Y] thought it might be weird if he tried. His hair started changing into rainbow colors again as he thought about how he would compliment Neuvillette’s hair.
“Are you alright?” Neuvillette asked the male. [Y] sighed, “Trying to think of a way to compliment your hair, but now I genuinely can't think of words to compliment your hair. Although, it suits you.”
“I was almost stunned by you…” the taller male admitted without hesitation. Neuvillette raised his eyebrows, “Stun? And you're saying…?”
“I was stunned by your beauty. When I first saw you again after 400 years, I couldn't help but stare at you during the whole conversation…” [Y] stated, catching the chief of justice by surprise. Is he saying these words without realizing it? He's just that much of an airhead, is he? “...I was able to stare into your eyes for the first time. We rarely make eye contact. Your dark blue-shaded slit eyes. You look more beautiful and pure the moment I see you again—”
The taller male stopped his words realizing that he was talking too much instead of trying to give Neuvillette’s hair a compliment. He groaned, ruffling his rainbow hair, “I've been talking for too long that I've forgotten to compliment your hair…”
The pyro dragon’s pointed ear perked up when he heard a chuckle. He looks over to see the hydro dragon chuckle with soft blush, “What's so funny…?”
“Apologies. I just find you amusing. You are an honest yet confusing gentleman.” Neuvillette smiled fondly. “Have you realized what you just said a second ago?”
The taller male’s hair bursts into a pink flame when he finally realizes what he says. He held a stoic expression, but his hair had failed to hide his embarrassment. “I see…How embarrassing. I apologize if it comes out uncomfortable.”
“No need to apologize. I think it's quite appealing. Thank you.” Neuvillette blushed.
“What's the deal with water tasting? Can you tell the difference?” [Y] inquired.
“Indeed, I can. Water comes in many flavors to the discerning palate. Mondstadt's water is crisp and pure,” Neuvillette began while the taller male listened in, “While water from Liyue has an enduring aftertaste. In Inazuma, the water possesses a depth of flavor unlike any other.”
“Sumeru's water, meanwhile, has a rich and complex flavor profile, but it must be savored patiently to fully appreciate it.”
“Ah? You have a weird hobby there. I guess my hobby is a lot weirder since I bathe in lava and boiled water.” [Y] mumbled, crossing his arms. Neuvillette tilted his head, “Does it not burn your skin?”
“My body can handle the heat. I can eat them without any burn, same with magma which gives me more power.” the taller male explained. “There are creatures in Natlan that swim in lava. I usually hit them up with a race and lose on purpose.”
“I’m not surprised you can handle the heat.” The hydro dragon said, placing his hand on his side. It didn't go unnoticed by the pyro dragon. The dark-skinned male remembers that he left a third degree burn on the hydro dragon. Perhaps he could apologize for the damage to his body.
[Y] was taken back when three plates of meat were placed in front of him. They sure as hell look good. “These are the meats humans have been eating?”
“Indeed.” Neuvillette nodded. He noticed the taller male about to use his hand to grab the meat, but he stopped before he could. The hydro dragon grabbed a fork and butter knife then handed them to the pyro dragon, “You use a knife to cut and a fork to pick.”
[Y] grabbed the silverware from the chief, looking at the male, curious on how to use it. Neuvillette showed the taller male how to work it, “Just do it like this…”
The pyro dragon followed the hydro dragon’s steps, but only failed to cut it, turning his hair orange. Neuvillette decided to help him out by supporting the taller male into cutting the rib, then holding the rib up to him on a fork, “Here.”
“...” the pyro dragon gave it a sniff then took a bite out of it. [Y]’s hair turned bright [c] after the flavor kicked in, “What's this?”
“Barbecue Ribs.” Neuvillette responded, giving [Y] another piece of the rib. [Y] pointed to another meat, “And that?”
Neuvillette smiled, “Steak Tartare.”
The taller male then pointed at the last meat he ordered, “And this?”
“Bulle Sauce Duck Breast. Enjoy.”
The pyro dragon was practically drooling over how delicious the food was, much to Neuvillette’s amusement. “Remember to use silverware.”
[Y] continued to follow Neuvillette during a tour around the city, but his attention landed on an orange cat, causing him to pause. The taller male stares into the cat's eyes, almost like they are communicating. The pyro dragon kneeled down before the cat. As a pyro dragon, he has never seen a cat before.
“Meow…” the cat meowed, catching the taller male by surprise. He was wondering if that's how he could communicate with a cat, so he responded back with a meow, “Meow…”
“Monsieur [Y]?” Neuvillette called to the male in question when he noticed that the pyro dragon wasn't following him. He spotted the taller male communicating with a cat by meowing.
Neuvillette stifles back a chuckle when witnessing the cute scene before him. [Y] lifted the cat and held it up as if it's a child, “You are now my worthy companion, Citali…”
“Meow~” the cat known as Citali, meowed. Neuvillette placed his hand over his mouth, trying not to show much emotion, he then cleared his throat, “I see that you made a companion.”
“Indeed. Citali will be my loyal companion. I respect his words.” [Y] nodded.
“For a pyro dragon, he sure is darling…Perhaps I could create a new law for this lil’ one if Monsieur [Y] wants his companion to stay by his side.” Neuvillette smiled. “Shall we?”
The melusines were secretly spying on the two dragons having their bond. Judging how close they become, the girls wanted to make them closer.
┊ ⁞ ❏. neuvillette is willing to create a new law where citali is allowed inside buildings as [y]’s support animal
┊ ⁞ ❏. [y] has never seen a cat before, yes there's some cats in natlan, he just never encountered one before
┊ ⁞ ❏. neuvillette thought the new side of [y] was cute
┊ ⁞ ❏. the daughters wanted to put their father and [y] together
