{Smut! Start and end posted!}

The candlelight flickered gently in their chambers, casting golden hues across the silk-draped bed. The air was thick with the scent of roses, the remnants of the bouquet Arlecchino had left on Furina's vanity earlier that evening.

Furina sat at the edge of the bed, her breath slow and steady as she felt Arlecchino's presence behind her—close, but not yet touching. Then, a gloved hand brushed over her shoulder, feather-light, sending a shiver down her spine.

"You seem tense," Arlecchino murmured, her voice a low whisper against Furina's ear.

Furina swallowed, her fingers curling into the fabric of her dress. "And whose fault is that?"

Arlecchino chuckled, her lips ghosting over Furina's neck before she pressed a slow, lingering kiss there. The warmth of it sent another shudder through Furina, her body instinctively tilting toward her. Arlecchino's hands trailed down her arms, slipping beneath the delicate straps of her nightgown, teasingly pushing them off her shoulders.

Furina gasped softly as Arlecchino's lips moved lower, kissing and nipping at the sensitive skin of her neck. Each kiss was slow, deliberate—an unspoken claim. She felt the press of Arlecchino's teeth just enough to make her whimper, the sensation sending heat pooling deep in her core.

"You always look so perfect like this," Arlecchino whispered, her voice thick with something possessive, something dangerous.

Furina bit her lip, but a breathless sound escaped her anyway as Arlecchino's hand slid down her side, fingers tracing the curves of her waist before resting on her thigh.

Just when Furina thought she might drown in the heat of it all, Arlecchino pulled away.

Furina blinked, her body still tingling, as she turned to see Arlecchino standing before her. Without a word, Arlecchino reached up and unclasped the intricate fastenings of her coat. The heavy fabric slid from her shoulders, pooling onto the floor in a dark heap.

The candlelight illuminated the lean, toned lines of Arlecchino's body as she unfastened the last of her attire, letting each piece fall away with slow, purposeful movements. Her threatening eyes remained locked on Furina, gauging every reaction, every quickened breath.

Furina felt heat rise to her cheeks, but she didn't look away. Not this time.

"Are you going to keep staring?" Arlecchino teased, a smirk playing at her lips.

Furina opened her mouth to retort—but then Arlecchino was stepping forward again, fingers tilting her chin up.

And just like that, she was lost in her once more.

The room was quiet except for the crackling of the fireplace and the soft rustle of silk sheets as Furina shifted beneath Arlecchino's touch. Their breaths mingled, the warmth between them intoxicating. But just as Furina's fingers ghosted along Arlecchino's skin, tracing the toned contours of her waist, she felt the faintest hesitation beneath her fingertips.

Arlecchino had been so confident—so utterly in control of every movement, every lingering touch—but now, for the first time, there was a pause. A moment of stillness that Furina could not ignore.

Furina's brows furrowed slightly, her hands stilling. She pulled back just enough to meet Arlecchino's gaze, the flickering candlelight reflecting in her deep red eyes.

"...What is it?" she asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Arlecchino exhaled slowly, her expression unreadable. "It's nothing," she said, but there was something in her tone—something too careful, too measured.

Furina frowned, her fingers curling slightly against Arlecchino's side. She knew when someone was hiding something.

"Don't do that," Furina murmured, tilting her head. "Don't act like you have to keep something from me."

Arlecchino's jaw tensed for a moment, her eyes flickering away. Furina had seen Arlecchino face enemies without so much as a flinch, had seen her stand against threats with unwavering resolve. But now, standing before her, bare and vulnerable, there was something different in her demeanor.

A silence stretched between them before Arlecchino finally sighed, bringing a hand to rake through her hair.

"There's something you don't know about me," she admitted, her voice quieter now, rougher around the edges. "And I need you to listen before you decide how to feel about it."

Furina's heart skipped a beat, but she simply nodded, urging her to continue.

Arlecchino took a breath, as if steadying herself. "I wasn't born like this," she said, her voice unwavering but deliberate. "Not in the way people assume."

Furina blinked, processing the words. And then it clicked.

She felt something inside her shift—not in a way that unsettled her, but in a way that made everything about Arlecchino suddenly make even more sense. The careful control she always kept over herself, the quiet hesitation in moments of intimacy, the way she carried herself with a presence so strong it left no room for question.

(Chill out yall it's a scar.. the skin there is rough she got it when she was born..)

Furina reached out, her fingers grazing over Arlecchino's hand before clasping it gently. "And?" she asked, her voice softer now. "Do you think that changes anything between us?"

Arlecchino searched her face, as if trying to find the truth in her words. "I don't know," she admitted. "People have always looked at me differently when they find out. As if it takes away something from who I am."

Furina shook her head, squeezing Arlecchino's hand. "You're still you," she said firmly. "You're still the woman who frustrates me to no end, who teases me until I want to scream, who—" She paused, her voice softening. "Who protects me. Who loves me."

Arlecchino's eyes flickered with something unreadable before she let out a quiet chuckle. "You're taking this surprisingly well," she murmured.

Furina rolled her eyes, her lips twitching into a smirk. "Did you expect me to throw a fit?"

"...Maybe a little," Arlecchino admitted, her smirk growing.

Furina huffed, feigning offense, but then her expression softened again. She reached up, brushing a lock of Arlecchino's hair behind her ear before leaning in, pressing a soft kiss to her lips.

"I don't care about how you were born," she whispered against her lips. "I care about who you are now."

For the first time that night, Arlecchino truly smiled—small, but real. And as she pulled Furina closer, holding her against her chest, she exhaled, the tension she'd been holding onto for so long finally beginning to melt away.

————

Lyney strolled down the dimly lit hallway, a single blue rose twirling between his gloved fingers. He was in good spirits tonight, expecting nothing more than a quiet visit to Furina after Arlecchino's return from her latest mission. He hadn't seen much of Furina lately—she'd been tucked away in Arlecchino's chambers, growing more intertwined with her by the day.

At first, he had convinced himself that he wasn't concerned. Furina could make her own choices. But the more he saw how easily Arlecchino's presence wrapped around her, the way Furina seemed to lose herself in it, the more he felt a growing unease gnawing at his chest.

As he approached the heavy doors of their chambers, he raised a hand to knock—only to freeze when he heard voices from within.

Furina's voice, breathless and tinged with something unfamiliar.

Then Arlecchino's—low, teasing, laced with amusement.

Lyney took an instinctive step back, eyes widening.

At first, he thought they were simply talking, perhaps another one of their usual conversations, filled with that strange push and pull that always left Furina flustered. But as the seconds ticked by, the realization of what he was actually hearing sank in.

His face burned.

Oh. Oh, Archons.

His grip on the rose faltered. He shouldn't be here. He should turn around, walk away, pretend he never even came down this hall. But for some reason, his feet wouldn't move.

The sound of rustling fabric. The softest gasp from Furina.

His stomach twisted uncomfortably.

He had known—everyone had known—that the two had been growing closer. But to hear it so plainly, to know exactly what was happening behind those closed doors, sent an unpleasant shiver down his spine.

His jaw clenched. Arlecchino was the kind of person who consumed everything she touched. She wasn't gentle, she wasn't patient—she took. And Furina, despite her sharp tongue and proud demeanor, was fragile in ways she didn't even understand.

Another breathless murmur.

Lyney squeezed his eyes shut, inhaling sharply through his nose. That's it, I'm leaving.

Turning on his heel, he strode quickly down the hallway, resisting the urge to fling the rose over his shoulder in frustration. His hands clenched at his sides, his mind racing.

He didn't know what he was feeling—was it embarrassment? Disgust? A strange kind of protectiveness? Maybe all three, tangled into a knot he couldn't untie.

One thing was certain, though.

No matter what happened between them, no matter how much Furina thought she had a choice, Lyney wouldn't stand by if Arlecchino ever hurt her. If she ever crossed that line, if she ever truly trapped Furina in her web, Lyney would not hesitate to pull her out.

Even if it meant going against himself to do it.

———
START

The candlelight danced against the walls, casting long shadows over the luxurious silk sheets that lay tangled beneath them.

The air was thick with warmth, each breath shared between them like an unspoken confession. Furina clung to Arlecchino, her delicate fingers gripping onto the fabric of her half-unbuttoned shirt, as if afraid to let go. Her body trembled—whether from exhilaration, nerves, or something deeper, she couldn't tell.

Her breath came in uneven gasps, lips parted as she tried to steady herself against the overwhelming sensations coursing through her. Every touch, every movement sent shivers through her skin, the heat between them intensifying with each passing second.

Arlecchino's hands roamed her sides with practiced ease, fingers tracing the curves of her waist, her hips, as though memorizing every inch of her. She was careful yet commanding, leading without hesitation, her body pressed firmly against Furina's.

A quiet gasp escaped the Hydro Archon's lips as Arlecchino shifted, her weight settling more comfortably against her. Furina's head tilted back, exposing the elegant column of her throat, which Arlecchino wasted no time in marking with slow, open-mouthed kisses. "Arle..." Furina whispered, voice barely above a breath.

Arlecchino hummed against her skin, the vibration sending another shudder down Furina's spine. "What is it, mon amour?" she teased, her lips brushing the shell of Furina's ear. Furina's grip tightened around her, her fingers burying into Arlecchino's hair as another gasp slipped from her lips.

Her eyes were glassy, unfocused, caught between the haze of sensation and emotion. And then—she felt it. That swelling in her chest, the pressure of something so unbearably deep, so suffocatingly warm, that it forced tears to well in her eyes. It wasn't sadness, nor was it pain—it was something far more potent, something terrifying in its intensity.

She couldn't contain it. The first tear slipped down her cheek unnoticed, followed by another, and another, until her vision blurred with unshed emotions. She trembled beneath Arlecchino, her breath hitching as she struggled to make sense of what she was feeling. Arlecchino stilled above her. "You're crying." Her voice was softer now, less teasing, more... concerned. Furina blinked, as if only now realizing the wetness trailing down her cheeks.

A small, breathless laugh escaped her, barely above a whisper. "I know." Arlecchino studied her, crimson eyes searching for an answer—an explanation for why her usually sharp-tongued, dramatic little Archon was sitting beneath her, tears spilling freely down her porcelain cheeks. And yet, Furina could offer none. Instead, she let out another quiet, breathless laugh—light and airy, as though something deep inside her had finally cracked open.

It was the kind of laughter that held no mockery, no sarcasm—just raw, unfiltered emotion. Arlecchino's brows furrowed slightly, but then, her expression softened. She reached out, brushing away a stray tear with her thumb, her touch surprisingly gentle. "Are you alright?" Furina gave her a watery smile.

"I think so." Arlecchino didn't seem entirely convinced. Still, she sighed, shaking her head before leaning down and capturing Furina's lips in a slow, lingering kiss. Furina melted into it immediately, her arms winding around Arlecchino's neck as she pulled her closer, anchoring herself to the woman who had once been her greatest nightmare—now something so much more.

When they finally parted, their breaths mingling in the dim candlelight, Furina let her head fall back against the seat, exhaustion washing over her. She could still feel the ghost of Arlecchino's lips against hers, the warmth of her body, the steady presence that had once been so suffocating but now felt almost... safe.

She laughed again, softer this time, more content. Arlecchino arched a brow, amusement flickering across her features. "What's so funny?" Furina shook her head, closing her eyes with a small smile. "Nothing," she murmured, her voice laced with exhaustion. "Just... stay with me, Arle." Arlecchino's expression shifted—just for a second—before she let out a small chuckle, leaning down to press one last kiss against Furina's temple. "I'm not going anywhere, mon amour."

———

As the night deepened, the candlelight casting shadows that seemed to dance in rhythm with their heartbeats, Arlecchino gently guided Furina toward the bed.

The luxurious silk sheets beckoned them, inviting them to surrender to the warmth and intimacy of the moment. With each step, the air seemed to thicken, anticipation building like a whispered promise.

Once they reached the bed, Arlecchino's hands moved with practiced ease, unbuttoning her shirt and letting it slide off her shoulders. Furina's eyes locked onto hers, a mix of excitement and vulnerability reflected in their depths. Arlecchino's fingers then danced across Furina's clothes, slowly undressing her, each piece of fabric falling away like a veil lifting from a secret.

As they lay down together, their bodies intertwined, the warmth of their skin mingled with the soft glow of the candles. Arlecchino's fingers traced paths across Furina's skin, each touch sending shivers through her. The transition from one moment to the next was seamless, a flow of emotions and sensations that deepened their connection.

In this intimate space, time seemed to stand still, leaving only the gentle caress of fingers, the warmth of breaths shared, and the unspoken understanding that they were lost in a world of their own creation.

The soft gasps, the whispered words, and the tender kisses all blended into a symphony of intimacy, a dance of love and vulnerability that neither wanted to end.
As they moved closer, their bodies speaking a language all their own, the world outside melted away, leaving only the flickering candlelight and the promise of forever in each other's arms. The room was filled with the scent of wax and the faint hint of perfume, a heady mix that seemed to heighten every sensation.

Furina's fingers intertwined with Arlecchino's, their hands clasped together as if holding onto a lifeline. Each movement was a testament to the trust they had built, a bridge of understanding that spanned the distance between them. The warmth of their bodies seemed to seep into the sheets, creating a cocoon of comfort that enveloped them.

End

As the night wore on, their breathing synchronized, becoming a single rhythm that echoed through the room. It was as if they had become one entity, their hearts beating in tandem, their souls intertwined in a dance that transcended words.

In the silence, Furina felt a sense of peace she had never known before. It was as if she had finally found a place where she could be herself, without fear of judgment or rejection. Arlecchino's presence was a balm to her soul, soothing the rough edges and calming the storms that had once raged within her.

Arlecchino, too, felt a sense of calm wash over her. She had always been the one in control, the puppeteer pulling the strings. But with Furina, she felt a different kind of power—a power that came not from dominance, but from vulnerability. It was a strange and exhilarating feeling, one that left her breathless and wanting more.

As they lay there, wrapped in each other's arms, the world outside seemed to fade away. The candles burned low, casting long shadows across the room, but they didn't notice. They were lost in their own little world, a world of touch and taste and smell, where nothing else mattered but the moment they shared.

And in that moment, they knew they were home. They had found a place where they could be themselves, without pretenses or masks. It was a place of raw emotion and unfiltered truth, a place where love was not just a feeling, but a choice—a choice to be vulnerable, to trust, and to surrender.

————-

As the first light of dawn crept into the room, casting a soft glow over the tangled sheets and the bodies entwined within them, Furina and Arlecchino stirred. They looked at each other, their eyes locking in a silent understanding.
In that moment, they knew that nothing would ever be the same again. They had crossed a threshold, one that led not just to intimacy, but to a deeper connection—a connection that would change them both forever.

And as they smiled at each other, the warmth of their bodies mingling with the promise of a new day, they knew that they would face whatever came next, side by side, their hearts beating as one.

"Thank you," Furina whispered, her voice soft yet filled with unspoken emotions as her delicate fingers clasped around Arlecchino's hand. The warmth of the Harbinger's palm against her own sent a strange sense of comfort through her, something unfamiliar yet not unwelcome.

For a moment, there was only silence between them, the weight of everything they had been through lingering in the air. Then, Arlecchino's grip tightened ever so slightly, her thumb brushing against the back of Furina's hand in a rare display of tenderness.

"You're welcome," she murmured, her voice lower, carrying the faintest trace of sincerity—a vulnerability she rarely let slip. Her usual guarded expression softened just enough, a ghost of a smile appearing on her lips.

Furina studied her for a moment, taking in the way Arlecchino held her hand—not as a captor, not as a ruler asserting dominance, but as something else entirely. Something gentler.

And for the first time in a long while, Furina allowed herself to simply hold on.

————
HELLO MY LITTLE LAKE LILLIES<3! How are all of y'all? I'm song good and so sorry for late update!! And Ty for almost 1.18k reads<3! It means a lot!!! And almost 2.9k reads on Apologies miss furina. It means a lot to me and hope everyone is doing good<3!! Also sorry for smut twice in a row!! Also should I have their wedding at the end but continue the wedding in the next book :))) we still have a long way to go but I hope you enjoyed<3!
-With much appreciation;

-Lady Furina De Fontaine ~!