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“Neuvillette, what would you like for your birthday?” Furina asked, carding her petite hands through his long hair as he laid across his sofa on his right side with his head on her lap for a much-needed break from paperwork. They had reconnected and reconciled properly nearly five months ago, discovering they truly needed one another in their lives to function properly. They had yet to determine what relationship they held and would hold.
“Furina, you know I do not particularly observe a proper birthday. I simply remember coming into existence, afraid of my lack of memories and a world that was hostile to a child, not human, not dragon.”
“Yes, but you also let me convince you to have an official date. That's today.” Furina insisted, playfully tugging on the longest section of his bangs.
Neuvillette simply hummed in acknowledgement and rolled onto his back so he could look up at her properly and found himself feeling that peculiar little longing to hide her away from pain, suffering, and sorrow. Not a possessive feeling like he held for any gifts she had given him over the years, but something softer. If she would be happier away from him, it would break him, but he knew he would let her go. Almost unbidden, he felt moisture run down his cheeks and heat in his eyes.
“Neuvillette?” Furina asked, worried by how quiet he had gone and gasped at the sight of proper tears flowing slowly but freely down his face. The rain outside was so gentle that she wasn't sure what was going on in his mind. Gently, she cupped his face and thumbed away the droplets that had yet fallen. “Hydro Dragon, Hydro Dragon, why do you cry?”
“I cry, because I already have the only thing I could ever ask of you, Lady Furina.” Neuvillette said, gaze soft and absolutely vulnerable even while his face looked stoic as normal save for the stream of salt water leaking from his lilac eyes.
“What is that?”
“All I want is whatever time of your mortal life you are willing to share with me. It is a very selfish wish, but it is my honest wish.” Neuvillette didn't even notice how much his voice cracked and choked on his words, too occupied with getting the words out into the open. The word for the emotion raging inside him for this beautiful, droplet of rain in his life continued to elude him. Furina smiled so beautifully he felt his heart throb in his chest and a sense of peace pulse through him as she leaned down and sweetly kissed his lips.
“I love you too, Neuvillette. I needed you to realize your own feelings before I ever planned to tell you mine. What you feel for me is love. Wanting me to be happy, even at your own expense. Wanting to provide for me, even though you are not beholden to me. Hoarding every little trinket and blanket I have ever given you. I've known you loved me for 300 years now, but I wasn't free to do anything. I may be mortal now...but I will spend every minute of my mortal life being worthy of the Vision you gave me and loving you the rest of my days. Happy birthday, ma Petite Loutre.”
“Love...yes.” Neuvillette whispered, a gentle smile gracing fish face as the clarity hit him and sat up, giving Furina his own chaste kiss. The tips of his ears scarlet as the realization fully set in.
“I love you, Furina.”