Chapter Text
When Arlecchino next awoke, her body flinched on instinct before her mind could comprehend what was happening. Rather than holding Columbina in her arms, she found herself being the one who was held with the goddess gently stroking her head. Arlecchino was not used to affection, even after years of marriage. The fatui were supposed to be cold, the Harbingers ruthless and unfeeling and showing any vulnerability was a death sentence. To be treated delicately was… strange. Still, once Arlecchino realised that she was safe — unlike what her body thought before being fully unconscious — she leaned into Columbina.
The latter hummed a tune, one far more soothing than that of last night, and it almost pulled Arlecchino back to sleep. Almost, as the sounds of children running through the hallways below them echoed within the House, signaling that Arlecchino had, as she feared, overslept her schedule and now did not have the time to herself to prepare everything for the day. She sighed, nuzzled her face into Columbina's neck. The blanket was warm, the air was cold and Columbina was soft, she did not want to get up anyway, would have spent her time cuddling regardless of when she rose.
“Good morning, my dear King.” Columbina greeted once her humming had come to a stop, making Arlecchino instantly miss the sweet tunes that had swept away her anxiety. “Mmh, morning.” Arlecchino's voice was raspy with sleep, sounding equally as tired as her body felt. Columbina simply smiled and placed a kiss on Arlecchino's head, causing the latter to sigh deeply in content. “We should get up. Your children might worry if their ‘Father’ isn't as present as usual.” Columbina's words were reasonable, even if she did not want to get up either. The House of the Hearth had a set schedule for a reason, even with its flexibility.
Arlecchino groaned as she removed herself from Columbina’s sweet embrace, and the cold air hit the Knave instantly. She shivered, goosebumps covering her arms — the parts where her skin was not burned crisp with its charcoal texture, that is. Arlecchino often wondered how Columbina endured the harshness of her skin whenever they touched, surely the roughness of her hands was not exactly nice to the touch. Arlecchino shook her head ever so slightly, trying to rid herself of those thoughts. Her wife clearly did not mind, there was no point in lingering on it.
After finishing her morning routine — prolonged by being joined in the shower by Columbina and getting thoroughly distracted with hugs and head massages — Arlecchino felt ready for the day. She headed downstairs, the sound of chatter and gleeful squealing greeting her. When Arlecchino walked through the main areas, it seemed that every child was awake, more or less — Lynette was cat-napping on the couch, soaking up the little sun that Fontaine was getting during the autumn while purring contently.
Breakfast was already prepared with a variety, pancakes and waffles with seemingly endless toppings. Arlecchino gathered a light meal for herself, while Columbina had stacked her pancakes with enough sweet toppings that Arlecchino worried about Columbina’s blood sugar. The two enjoyed their meals in silence — as silent as the House could be during the day, with children scattering about and getting started on their chores or work. Columbina's appetite was astounding to Arlecchino, watching the small woman scarf down the entire stack of pancakes in such a short amount of time was just a little worrisome.
Their plates were set into the sink to be washed later, pushed onto whoever was responsible for doing the dishes that day. Columbina hummed in thought. “What do we do today?” She asked as she nuzzled her face against Arlecchino’s sleeve. It was a slow morning already — almost noon, in fact, but Arlecchino still had to work. She envied Columbina in that regard. The Knave sighed. “I have to work, Dove. I’m still a Harbinger.” The news seemed to upset Columbina, a frown covering her face while she looked up at Arlecchino pleadingly. “That’s unfair.” She said, “What do I do then? While you work?” Columbina rubbed her face against Arlecchino’s sleeve again, her voice sounding as if she were on the verge of tears.
She was not, Arlecchino knew this much, she simply wanted for Arlecchino to take pity on her and take the day of. The Knave refused, much to Columbina’s dismay. “Maybe you can play with the children. Or nap the day away.” Arlecchino suggested with a shrug, already making her way to her office and leaving behind a theatrically distraught Columbina.
Left with no option but to wait for her spouse, Columbina tried her best to occupy herself. She took a nap until lunch was ready — which she happily attended when Arlecchino emerged from her office and dragged Columbina with her. But lunch was tragically short-lived and Columbina soon found herself laying on the couch, purring cat on her chest while the woman hummed to herself. While children were still bustling around, leaving and entering the House, Columbina remained still with the cat and the flame of the Hearth, its crackling in harmony with the purring.
Dark clouds began to overcast in the sky, and she thought back to Nod-krai, how terribly cold it must be with the winter fast approaching. Columbina hoped that Lauma was doing alright, that the Frostmoon Scions could make it through the winter. She stayed in her thoughts, making herself comfortable in her headspace as she focused blankly at the wall. Heavens knew how much time had passed as Columbina laid there motionless, neglected by her own spouse with no children to tend to.
It was a tragedy, truly, she wanted nothing but love, but instead she was rejected by all. By the fatui, by the Scions and even by her own lover. How could she ever survive this cruel treatment? Apostasy, dare she say, perchance even pure torture! Even the cat that had purred so tenderly on her chest had jumped off eventually, skittering away. Columbina had been abandoned in her misery, left to fend for herself until someone took pity on her poor soul.
She was spared of her misery when Arlecchino exited her office to inform Columbina that dinner would be ready soon and that she could use help to set the table. Columbina happily obliged and began to hum a tune as she strutted behind her lover, carrying plates and silverware while occasionally sneaking a peek into the kitchen. It already smelled wonderful, but seeing the children hard at work to take care of their family was a great sight to behold as well.
Dinner went by as smoothly as it could — Columbina was always baffled by how well behaved Arlecchino’s children were. Harbinger parent or not, children had a tendency for testing limits and Arlecchino was never one to resort to physical punishments. To get so many children under control was a difficult task, no doubt, but Arlecchino managed it flawlessly — more or less, the dark circles under the Knave’s eyes were proof that even she was still human. The children cleaned up after themselves when dinner was over, completed their chores without squabble.
With the sun now setting and the workday having come to a close, Arlecchino and Columbina retreated back into privacy. Arlecchino flopped down onto her bed rather unceremoniously, exhaustion seeping down into the deepest parts of her body. “Hm. Work wasn't good?” Columbina asked, sitting down next to Arlecchino. The latter put her head on the goddess’ lap and sighed heavily. “That's one way to put it.” Arlecchino replied. Columbina stayed silent but threaded her fingers through Arlecchino's hair, scratching the woman’s scalp ever so lightly as a silent encouragement to continue.
Arlecchino practically melted at the featherlight affection, her entire body relaxing into the plush of the mattress and the warmth of Columbina’s thigh. “I already have enough paperwork as is solely from the fatui, but apparently writing an entire page of unnecessary pleasantries and flattery seems to be a must as well. Seriously, can't these people just get to the point? I'm trying to do business with those crazed nobles, not… befriend them.” Arlecchino’s voice was lazed with disgust and frustration, her brows furrowed ever so slightly, a crack in her near perfect façade.
Columbina could merely tilt her head, for she was never bestowed the burden of monotonous mountains of paperwork — or any work, really. However, she could also imagine how maddening it likely was for Arlecchino to handle her children in-between handling the idiotic rich people she was more or less forced to interact with. “Poor you.” Columbina responded, wearing an expression laced with pity. The head scratching at least seemed to calm Arlecchino down as she let out a deep sigh. “And how was your day, Dove?” Arlecchino asked, her voice now much calmer, softer, her face relaxed considerably.
“Horrible. I missed you so much I almost died in my sleep.” Columbina grinned ear to ear, starting her theatrical shenanigans again in an attempt to lift the mood. Arlecchino tried to suppress a grin of her own. “Oh, how tragic. How dare I neglect you? How would you ever forgive me?” She returned in a playful manner of her own, taking Columbina’s hand to her mouth and kissing the palm. “Hmm…” Columbina hummed, “Maybe I'll forgive you if you take me shopping soon.”
Arlecchino raised an eyebrow, it seemed that Columbina had something planned. “If you wish, my dearest.” Arlecchino’s promise caused Columbina to giggle — she was interrupted by a yawn. “Mhh, sleepy…” Columbina let herself fall back into the pillows, sinking into the plushness of Arlecchino's luxurious cushion choices.
After Arlecchino got ready for bed herself, she dropped down next to Columbina and embraced her small frame, kissing her cheek.
“Good night, my little Dove.”
“May the moonlight bless your dreams, my sweet Knave…”