Antihero // Freminet FF

2: Freminet

My heart was still pounding faster than it should from that strange encounter, even when I was far underwater and she couldn't see me anymore. Something about that girl was special... she was not like the others. The way she refused to use the name her foster parents gave to her made me feel a little suspicious, and I wondered if she had a bad relationship with them or if her drowning in the sea had something to do with them.

But I was not in any position to judge her or make any assumptions about her after knowing her for only a few minutes. Or more like hours — it took her at least 30 minutes to wake up after I had rescued her from underwater. The feeling of her touch on my skin when I was saving her skill lingered on my skin, and even though I desperately tried to rub it off, it stubbornly stayed there. Just like the thoughts I had about her — these weird feelings.

Feelings I couldn't identify because I'd never felt them before.

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Later that day, I was walking through the streets of the Court of Fontaine, with my diving helmet in my hand and a small Romaritime Flower in my pocket. They were my mom's favorite, so I always had one with me. It was a reminder that she'd always be watching me from the sky and protecting me. Sometimes, I couldn't help but wonder that if she met me now, if she'd be disappointed in me because of how timid I was. Running away from the person I had just rescued...

Lyney often teased me, said that I had "mommy issues". I had to ask Lynette what that even was, and when she explained it to me, I'd been in denial for weeks before I finally accepted that I did indeed have "mommy issues". The thought of a woman taking care of me like a mother sounded more appealing to me than I'd care to admit, especially if it was a woman who truly loved me. Someone who wouldn't abandon me and always care for me—

My thoughts were interrupted by someone tapping on my shoulder from behind. I flinched and turned around. It was the girl I had rescued from the depths of the sea. She was now wearing a black skirt and a blue cropped, loose shirt. There were chains wrapped around her waist and wrist. Her brown, long hair with the few blue strands was braided loosely. I also noticed that she was a few inches taller than me, but strangely, it didn't feel uncomfortable to look up at her. My periwinkle eyes locked with her grey ones and my heart did a little backflip before I spoke up with a shaky voice.
"H-hello. You... approached me."

Oh Archons. I silently cursed myself for what I said. Freminet, you sounded so damn stupid. You ARE stupid. Of course she approached you. She knows that. You don't have to tell her or something! What was wrong with me?!

"Yes. I did. I came here to thank you again."
Alex smiled at me. Archons, her smile was so beautiful, it made light and warmth spread across her entire face. I could stare at that smile for hours—
No. Stop.

I hastily cleared my throat. "Why thank me again? You already did that earlier."
Alex looked away for a moment, then pulled a small bouquet of Romaritime Flowers from behind her back and offered them to me, a small blush on her face.
"Just... take these, please. As a thank you. I'll feel bad if you don't take them."

Romaritime Flowers? How'd she know they were my favorite flowers...?
I decided not to question it and gently took the flowers from her. Our fingers brushed against each other and we both flinched. My face heated up immediately and I tried to hide it behind the flowers.
"Sorry! Sorry for touching you!"

Alex quickly shook her head and looked away as well.
"No, no, it's okay, it's not like your touch is gonna poison me or anything. Relax."

I was about to answer her, tell her that I was sorry anyway because I'd accidentally touched her, but I felt someone hit me in the back, and I stumbled forward, standing a little too close to Alex for my poor heart to handle. I quickly stepped back and looked at her apologetically.

When I turned around, I saw a grinning Lyney, who was standing there and looking between me and Alex, his eyes telling me that he was thinking something weird. So Lyney wrapped an arm around my shoulder and looked at Alex, his usual flirty self bubbling up to the surface.
"Hello there. You gave Freminet these flowers, I assume?"

Alex looked at him and nodded, completely unaffected by his flirty expression and the tone in his voice.
"Yes, I did. They're a thank you gift because he rescued me earlier."
I looked away, expecting some exaggerated praise from Lyney that I didn't want to hear, but he didn't say anything to me.

Instead, he kept talking to Alex, his eyes fixed on her face, but darting down to her chest every now and then. Suddenly, I felt bad for her. She was being ogled so shamelessly by him, and she was probably too shy to say something. And so was I. Damnit.

Maybe changing the subject would help, so I decided to ask some random question. For some reason, the thought of Lyney staring at Alex made me feel nauseous.
"U-uhm, Lyney, w-where's Lynette?"

Lyney looked at me again and shrugged. "At the House? Or maybe at the opera. We're having a show tonight. Aren't you coming?"
I quickly nodded. Of course I'd come to their show, they always wanted me there. Visiting their shows was my way of showing them how much I appreciated and loved them for being my siblings.

Lyney looked at Alex again.
"What about you? I'm sure you're going to watch the great magic show, performed by the best magician duo in all Teyvat!"
Alex quickly shook her head and looked away, then spoke in a nervous voice.
"I can't. I appreciate the offer, though. Thank you."

Why did she say 'thank you' again? He didn't even give her anything. Inviting her to a show she'd have to pay for is not a thing to be grateful for. Especially since she refused... damnit.
I was starting to get worried about her. And I didn't know why. I didn't know her at all and I wasn't exactly good at getting to know people either. The only person I knew who was really good at social interaction and communication was Lyney, and there was no way in the Abyss I was going to ask him how to approach a girl and getting to know her.

After thinking for a few moments, I thought that the best way to know how to talk to a girl was probably to ask a girl — and the only person I could think of was my sister Lynette. I decided to ask her about that after the show, when Lyney suddenly grinned at me excitedly while Alex was walking away.
"Did you hear that? She's coming to our show tonight! I'm pretty sure she likes me. I mean, heh, who wouldn't..."

I just sighed. Alex? With Lyney? No. That simply wouldn't work, at least from the little things I knew about her.
"What... what if she doesn't?"

Lyney let out a small chuckle.
"Don't be ridiculous, Freminet. Of course she likes me. And I'll be honest — she really is beautiful. Don't you think?"

My heart stopped for a second. Lyney was... interested in her. He thought she was beautiful. And he was so much more lovable than I was, so she'd probably choose him over me. I'd should've known-
I could feel tears welling up in my eyes, but blinked them away. I had learned how to suppress my emotions over the years of living in an orphanage where crying is strictly forbidden. Yet, my voice was a little shakier when I spoke.

"Yes... she is."