Furina pov:

Two months had passed since the trial, and the events that once shook Fontaine to its core were beginning to fade into memory. The bustling city had resumed its rhythm, and amidst it all, Furina had found a rare sense of peace. No longer burdened by the weight of her divine role, she had settled into a simpler life in a small cottage on the outskirts of the city, surrounded by rolling hills and fields of wildflowers. The simplicity of her days felt like a new beginning, one where she could finally embrace the humanity that Focalors had left for her.

One warm afternoon, Furina decided to go for a walk. The sun was high in the sky, casting a golden glow over the landscape. She ventured into a nearby field, her fingers brushing lightly against the delicate petals of the flowers as she picked a few to bring home. The soft rustle of the wind and the distant chirping of birds created a peaceful backdrop, soothing her soul as she lost herself in the simple pleasure of gathering blooms.

As she wandered closer to the docks, however, the tranquility of her day was interrupted by the sound of voices. Curious, Furina edged closer to where the docks met the sea, her heart skipping a beat when she saw who was gathered there. Tartaglia stood tall and imposing, his orange hair catching the sunlight, while the Traveler and Paimon stood beside him, engaged in conversation. But what caught her attention the most was the figure standing across from them—Arlecchino.

Furina felt her breath hitch in her throat. She hadn't seen Arlecchino since the day she had taken the Gnosis, the day she had left Furina alone in her vulnerability. For a moment, she hesitated, frozen in place as a rush of conflicting emotions washed over her. She could hear fragments of their conversation, but it was difficult to make out the words. She wasn't sure if she wanted to listen in or if she should simply walk away, pretend she hadn't seen anything.

But curiosity got the better of her. She inched closer, trying to remain hidden behind a stack of crates. The conversation seemed intense, though she couldn't quite piece together the context. Arlecchino's voice was sharp, confident as always, while Tartaglia's tone carried its usual air of mischief. The Traveler remained calm, as ever, but there was something serious in their demeanor, a focus that told Furina this was no casual conversation.

Just as she strained to hear more, the worst possible thing happened—Arlecchino's sharp eyes caught sight of her. Furina's heart skipped a beat as their gazes locked for a brief moment. Panic surged through her, and she immediately ducked behind the crates, hoping desperately that she hadn't been fully seen. She crouched there, holding her breath, waiting for any sign that Arlecchino might dismiss her presence.

But she wasn't so lucky. Arlecchino's gaze lingered on the spot where Furina had been hiding, her lips curving into a small, knowing smile. Furina could almost feel the weight of those eyes on her, as though Arlecchino could see right through her feeble attempt at hiding.

Feeling embarrassed and flustered, Furina decided to retreat. She carefully slipped away from the docks and hurried back toward her cottage, her face flushed with a mix of frustration and nervous energy. The encounter had rattled her, bringing back memories she'd rather forget.

The sun had dipped below the horizon by the time Furina began her walk back home, the sky now painted with hues of orange and pink. She took her time, hoping to regain her composure and shake off the awkwardness of what had happened earlier. The soft evening breeze helped to calm her nerves, though her mind continued to wander back to the figure of Arlecchino.

It wasn't long before Furina found herself walking down a quiet, tree-lined path, the soft crunch of leaves beneath her feet the only sound accompanying her. She was so lost in thought that she didn't notice the figure standing in the shadows until it was too late.

Arlecchino stepped out from behind a tree, her presence commanding as always. Furina froze in place, her heart pounding in her chest. There was no avoiding it now—Arlecchino had come to confront her.

"Well, well," Arlecchino said smoothly, her voice carrying an almost playful lilt. "I thought I might catch you snooping around. It's been a while, hasn't it?"

Furina swallowed hard, trying to maintain her composure as she met Arlecchino's gaze. "I wasn't snooping," she said defensively, though her voice betrayed her nervousness. "I was just... out for a walk."

Arlecchino raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. "Sure you were." She took a step closer, her presence exuding confidence and a touch of something more dangerous. "You've been avoiding me, haven't you?"

Furina opened her mouth to protest, but no words came out. The truth was, she had been avoiding Arlecchino—ever since that night, ever since everything had fallen apart. And now, here they were, face to face once again.

Arlecchino studied her for a moment, her eyes flicking over Furina's features as though searching for something. "I don't blame you," she said after a beat of silence. "I wouldn't want to see me either, after everything."

Furina felt a lump form in her throat, a mix of anger and sorrow welling up inside her. "Why?" she asked quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Why did you take the Gnosis? Why did you leave me?"

Arlecchino's expression softened for the briefest of moments, but it was quickly replaced by her usual mask of indifference. "It's complicated," she replied, her tone evasive. "Things aren't always what they seem, Furina. You should know that better than anyone."

Furina clenched her fists, her frustration growing. "You betrayed me," she said, her voice trembling with emotion. "You left me when I needed you the most."

Arlecchino's eyes darkened, her smirk fading. She stepped closer to Furina, her voice lowering to a near whisper. "I did what I had to do. You'll understand one day."

Furina's breath caught in her throat as Arlecchino's words hung in the air. The space between them felt charged with unspoken tension, emotions that neither of them could fully articulate. For a moment, it felt as though time had stopped, and they were the only two people in the world.

But then, just as quickly as she had appeared, Arlecchino stepped back, her expression closing off once again. "Take care of yourself, Furina," she said, her tone almost gentle. "The world is bigger than you think."

Without another word, Arlecchino turned on her heel and walked away, disappearing into the night. Furina stood there, her heart racing and her mind swirling with unanswered questions. She watched as Arlecchino's figure grew smaller and smaller until it finally vanished into the darkness.

The wind rustled the leaves around her, the sound a stark contrast to the storm of emotions that raged inside her. Furina remained frozen in place, staring into the empty night, wondering if she would ever truly understand the woman who had once been so close to her.

With a heavy sigh, she turned and resumed her walk home, the flowers she had picked earlier still clutched in her hand, now wilting slightly from the passage of time. The peaceful life she had begun to carve out for herself suddenly felt more fragile, more uncertain, as the past came rushing back to haunt her.

Furina walked slowly, her feet dragging slightly across the dirt path that wound its way back to her cottage. The world around her was bathed in soft hues of twilight, the last remnants of daylight fading as the moon began to rise, casting a silvery glow over everything. But no matter how beautiful the night was, she couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that clung to her chest, tightening with each step she took away from the docks.

Her thoughts kept circling back to Arlecchino. The vision of her standing there, confident and composed as always, speaking with Tartaglia and the Traveler as though the events of the past months meant nothing to her. Furina wanted to believe she was over it—that the betrayal, the lies, and the loss of the Gnosis were behind her now. But seeing Arlecchino again had stirred up all those old emotions, ones she had been trying so desperately to bury.

Arlecchino. The name lingered in her mind, tasting bitter on her tongue. She had thought about her often during the quiet days in the cottage—wondering what had driven her to steal the Gnosis, why she had left without a word after everything they had been through. Furina could never fully understand her, no matter how hard she tried. And perhaps that was part of what had drawn her to Arlecchino in the first place: the mystery, the danger, the sense that there was always something more lurking beneath the surface.

Even now, despite everything, Furina found herself wondering what Arlecchino was thinking, what had motivated her actions. Did she regret them? Did she think about Furina at all? Or was she simply moving on, carrying out her own plans as though their brief connection had meant nothing?

Furina sighed, frustration bubbling up within her. It wasn't just anger she felt toward Arlecchino—it was more complicated than that. There was a deep sense of hurt, betrayal, yes, but also a yearning that she couldn't quite explain. She had always admired Arlecchino's strength, her sharp mind, her ability to navigate through even the most dangerous situations with ease. And beneath that hardened exterior, there had been moments—fleeting but real—where Furina had seen something more in her. Something softer, almost vulnerable.

She shook her head, trying to dispel those thoughts. She couldn't afford to think like that anymore. Arlecchino had made her choice, and Furina had to live with the consequences. She had to focus on her new life now—this peaceful existence she had crafted for herself, far away from the politics and schemes of the city. That's what she needed to remember, she told herself, even as her heart ached with the memories of what could have been.

But as she walked, her mind couldn't stop drifting back to the moments they had shared. The stolen glances, the subtle touches, the way Arlecchino had looked at her as though she saw right through her bravado and understood the real Furina underneath. It had been intoxicating at the time—like dancing on the edge of a blade, never quite knowing when the ground might fall out from beneath her.

Even now, her heart fluttered at the memory of Arlecchino's smirk, the sound of her voice—smooth and confident, with just a hint of danger. How could she still feel this way after everything? It didn't make sense, and yet, no matter how hard she tried, Furina couldn't shake the feeling that there was something unfinished between them. Something unresolved.

The sky had fully darkened by the time Furina neared her cottage, the moon now high above, casting a silvery light over the landscape. The air was cool, and a gentle breeze rustled through the trees, carrying with it the scent of wildflowers and the distant sound of waves lapping at the shore. It was peaceful, and yet Furina couldn't relax. Her thoughts continued to churn, her emotions a tangled mess.

She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't notice the figure standing just ahead of her until it was too late. Arlecchino emerged from the shadows, her presence commanding as ever, a faint smile playing on her lips as she stepped into Furina's path.

Furina stopped in her tracks, her heart skipping a beat as she took in the sight of her. "Arlecchino..." she breathed, her voice barely a whisper. Her mind raced, a flood of emotions washing over her all at once—anger, confusion, longing.

Arlecchino took a step closer, her gaze never leaving Furina's. "You've been thinking about me," she said softly, her voice carrying that same confident, teasing lilt that Furina knew so well. "I could see it on your face back at the docks."

Furina swallowed hard, her throat suddenly dry. "I... I wasn't..." she began, but the words died on her lips. There was no point in denying it. Of course she had been thinking about her—how could she not?

Arlecchino's smile widened slightly, and she closed the distance between them with slow, deliberate steps. "You can't lie to me, Furina," she said, her voice low and almost sultry. "We both know there's something between us. Something that hasn't been settled."

Furina's heart pounded in her chest, her breath coming in shallow gasps. She wanted to say something, anything, to push Arlecchino away, to tell her that it was over, that she didn't want anything to do with her anymore. But the words wouldn't come. Instead, she found herself staring up into Arlecchino's eyes, captivated by the intensity of her gaze.

There was a moment of silence, the air between them charged with tension. Then, without warning, Arlecchino reached out and gently cupped Furina's face in her hands. Furina's breath hitched as she felt the warmth of her touch, her heart racing even faster.

"Why do you keep running away from me?" Arlecchino murmured, her voice soft, almost tender. "You know you can't escape this. You can't escape us."

Before Furina could respond, Arlecchino leaned in, her lips brushing lightly against hers in a soft, tentative kiss. Furina's eyes fluttered shut, her body going still as she felt the warmth of Arlecchino's lips on hers, the softness of the kiss sending a shiver down her spine.

It was gentle at first, almost hesitant, as though Arlecchino was testing the waters, waiting to see if Furina would pull away. But Furina didn't. She couldn't. Instead, she found herself leaning into the kiss, her hands coming up to rest on Arlecchino's shoulders, her body responding instinctively to the pull between them.

The kiss deepened, growing more urgent as the moments passed. Furina felt her heart swell with a mixture of emotions—desire, longing, confusion—all swirling together in a dizzying rush. She had tried so hard to forget about Arlecchino, to move on with her life, but now, in this moment, all of that seemed impossible. All that mattered was the feel of Arlecchino's lips on hers, the way their bodies seemed to fit together so perfectly.

They were bathed in moonlight, the soft glow of the moon casting a silvery halo around them as they kissed, the world around them fading away into nothingness. Furina felt as though time had stopped, as though there was nothing else in the universe but the two of them, wrapped up in this moment of stolen intimacy.

Eventually, they broke apart, both of them breathing heavily, their foreheads resting against each other as they tried to catch their breath. Furina's heart was pounding so hard she thought it might burst from her chest, her mind spinning with the intensity of what had just happened.

Arlecchino's fingers traced lightly along Furina's jawline, her touch sending shivers down her spine. "I knew you couldn't stay away," she whispered, her voice low and husky. "You feel it too, don't you? This connection between us... it's undeniable."

Furina opened her eyes, her gaze meeting Arlecchino's once again. She wanted to deny it, to push her away and say that it didn't matter, that she didn't care anymore. But she couldn't. There was a part of her—no matter how small—that couldn't let go of Arlecchino, couldn't sever the tie between them.

"I don't know what I feel," Furina admitted, her voice trembling with emotion. "I don't know what to think anymore."

Arlecchino smiled softly, her thumb brushing lightly across Furina's cheek. "You don't have to figure it out right now," she said gently. "Just... let yourself feel. Let yourself be in the moment."

Furina bit her lip, her mind racing as she tried to process everything that had happened. She had spent so long trying to distance herself from Arlecchino, trying to rebuild her life without her. And yet, here she was, pulled back into the same whirlwind of emotions that had once consumed her.

For a moment, they stood there in silence, the only sound the soft rustling of the wind through the trees. Furina could feel the weight of Arlecchino's gaze on her, the intensity of her presence almost overwhelming.

Finally, Furina stepped back, her hands slipping away from Arlecchino's shoulders as she tried to regain her composure. "I need time," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I need to think."

Arlecchino nodded, her expression understanding as she slipped away under the moonlit night.

Arlecchino pov:

Arlecchino leaned against the dock railing, her gaze sweeping over the still waters of the harbor. The moonlight shimmered across the surface, casting a silver glow that danced with the gentle lapping of the waves. The conversation with Tartaglia and the Traveler had concluded, but the tension from it still clung to her. She had always been adept at controlling her emotions, at presenting an icy, unbreakable façade, but tonight felt different.

Her thoughts lingered on Furina. The sight of her, half-hidden behind the crates at the edge of the dock, had caught her off guard. She had known the former Hydro Archon was there, lurking just out of sight, eavesdropping on her conversation. But it wasn't Furina's stealth—or lack thereof—that had unsettled Arlecchino. It was the look in her eyes when she had been caught.

Furina had looked vulnerable, a stark contrast to the haughty, impetuous woman Arlecchino had once known. She seemed smaller now, as though the weight of her lost divinity had crushed her spirit. And yet, there was still that spark, that fire that had drawn Arlecchino to her in the first place. Furina was delicate in a way that Arlecchino had never allowed herself to be, and yet she was resilient too. She had survived the loss of her godhood and the collapse of her carefully constructed world. That kind of strength intrigued Arlecchino, though she would never admit it out loud.

The sight of Furina slipping away into the night, her shoulders hunched as though she was trying to disappear, stirred something unfamiliar in Arlecchino's chest—something that felt uncomfortably close to guilt. She had never been one to feel guilty about her actions. She did what needed to be done, regardless of the cost. But with Furina, it was different. Their relationship, if one could call it that, had always been complicated, a game of push and pull, of unspoken desires and hidden intentions. And now, seeing Furina reduced to this... it made Arlecchino wonder if perhaps she had gone too far.

Arlecchino shook her head, trying to dispel the thoughts that swirled around in her mind like storm clouds. This wasn't like her. She didn't dwell on the past, didn't allow herself to be weighed down by regret or sentimentality. And yet, she couldn't seem to stop thinking about Furina—about the way her lips had felt against hers, the way her body had melted into her touch during that brief, stolen kiss beneath the moonlight.

That kiss had been a mistake, Arlecchino knew that. She had acted on impulse, driven by a moment of weakness. But now, in the quiet of the night, she couldn't help but replay the scene over and over in her mind. She had felt something in that kiss—something she hadn't expected. It wasn't just desire, though that was certainly part of it. No, it was something deeper, something that unsettled her far more than any physical attraction ever could.

It had felt... real. More real than anything she had experienced in a long time.

Arlecchino clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms as she forced herself to refocus. She couldn't afford to be distracted, especially not by her own emotions. There was too much at stake. She had her own plans to carry out, her own goals to achieve. Furina was a part of that, yes, but she couldn't allow herself to get tangled up in whatever lingering feelings she might have for the former Archon.

Still, as she turned away from the docks and made her way through the darkened streets, Arlecchino couldn't shake the image of Furina from her mind. The way she had looked at her, as though she was both terrified and desperate for something—something only Arlecchino could give her. It had been intoxicating, that sense of power, of control. But it had also left Arlecchino feeling... exposed. Vulnerable, in a way she hadn't felt in years.

She had always prided herself on her ability to remain detached, to never allow herself to get too close to anyone. Emotions were a weakness, a distraction from the tasks at hand. And yet, here she was, thinking about Furina, wondering what she was doing, how she was feeling, if she was thinking about her too.

The streets grew quieter as Arlecchino approached the edge of the city, the noise of the harbor fading into the background. She was supposed to be heading back to her quarters, supposed to be preparing for the next phase of her plan. But her feet seemed to have a mind of their own, carrying her down a familiar path—one that led straight to Furina's cottage.

She hadn't planned on seeking her out again, not so soon after their encounter at the docks. But something inside her was pulling her in that direction, something she couldn't quite explain. Maybe it was the need for closure, to end things properly between them. Or maybe it was something more selfish, something she didn't want to admit to herself.

As she neared the cottage, Arlecchino slowed her pace, her gaze flickering to the windows where a soft light glowed from within. She could see Furina's silhouette moving around inside, and for a moment, she hesitated. What was she doing here? What did she hope to accomplish by confronting her again?

But before she could turn back, the door creaked open, and Furina stepped outside, her expression startled as she spotted Arlecchino standing at the edge of the path.

"Arlecchino," Furina breathed, her voice a mix of surprise and uncertainty. "What are you doing here?"

Arlecchino stepped forward, her eyes locking onto Furina's as she closed the distance between them. "I couldn't stay away," she admitted, her voice low and steady, though inside, she felt anything but. "We need to talk."

Furina crossed her arms over her chest, her gaze wary. "About what?"

"About us," Arlecchino said simply, her eyes never leaving Furina's. "About what happened at the docks. About what's been happening between us for a long time now."

Furina shifted nervously, her gaze flickering to the ground before meeting Arlecchino's again. "There is no 'us,'" she said quietly, though her voice lacked conviction. "Whatever we had... it's over. You made sure of that."

Arlecchino felt a pang of guilt at Furina's words, but she pushed it aside. She couldn't afford to let her emotions cloud her judgment. Not now. "Maybe it is," she said softly, her tone almost resigned. "But that doesn't change the fact that there's still something between us. Something that neither of us has been able to let go of."

Furina looked away, her expression conflicted. "I don't know what you expect me to say," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "You hurt me, Arlecchino. You betrayed me."

Arlecchino stepped closer, her gaze softening as she reached out to gently cup Furina's face in her hands. "I know," she murmured, her voice filled with a rare vulnerability. "And I'm sorry. I never meant to hurt you. But what I did... I did because I had no other choice. You know that."

Furina's eyes glistened with unshed tears as she looked up at Arlecchino, her emotions warring within her. "I don't know if I can trust you again," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I don't know if I can let myself feel anything for you after everything that's happened."

Arlecchino's thumb brushed lightly across Furina's cheek, her touch gentle and reassuring. "I don't expect you to forgive me," she said softly. "But I want you to know that what I feel for you... it's real. It always has been."

Furina closed her eyes, a single tear slipping down her cheek as she leaned into Arlecchino's touch. "Then why did you leave?" she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "Why did you do it?"

Arlecchino hesitated for a moment, her heart aching at the pain in Furina's voice. She had never been good at explaining herself, at opening up to others. But for Furina, she would try. She owed her that much.

"I left because I had to," she said quietly, her voice tinged with regret. "There were forces at play that you don't fully understand. Forces that threatened everything we had built. I made a choice, Furina—a choice to protect you, to protect Fontaine."

Furina's eyes fluttered open, her gaze searching Arlecchino's for any sign of deceit. "And what about now?" she asked softly. "What happens now?"

Arlecchino smiled faintly, her heart swelling with a mixture of hope and fear. "Now," she said, her voice steady, "we start over. If you'll let me."

Furina hesitated for a moment before nodding slowly, her eyes filled with a cautious hope. "I... I don't know if I'm ready," she admitted. "But I'm willing to try."

Arlecchino's heart soared at Furina's words, and without thinking, she leaned in, capturing her lips in a gentle, yet passionate kiss. The world seemed to melt away as they stood there, bathed in the soft light of the moon, their bodies pressed together as they shared a moment of tenderness and vulnerability.

When

they finally broke apart, Arlecchino rested her forehead against Furina's, her breath coming in shallow gasps. "We'll take it one step at a time," she whispered, her voice filled with quiet determination. "Together."

Furina smiled faintly, her heart pounding in her chest as she nodded in agreement. "Together," she echoed softly.

And for the first time in what felt like an eternity, Arlecchino allowed herself to hope that maybe—just maybe—things could be different this time. Not like the last time..but rather,beautiful...

———————-
IM SO SORRY FOR THE LONG WAIt LY LAKE LILLIE..

-4446 words.

-The Author.