Work Text:
Neuvillette was exhausted, so tired that as the hours went by, the papers on his desk only grew bigger. So tired that not even the sky wept for him anymore, all his tears had been used up, only the dark clouds remained.
Sedene started noticing that none of the case files were even opened let alone touched at all by Neuvillette, nor any letters that were sent to his desk. Some hours later Sedene noticed that Neuvillette didn't even move from his chair, blankly staring out the window as if hoping the rain would pour down.
She’s asked him to take a break from the stuffy office, to go outside and get some fresh air, sit down near the fountain and just relax, but Neuvillette dismissed her suggestion while not looking away from the window. It worried Sedene even more after that.
It went on for days, when it hit a week, Sedene decided to tell someone about it, nothing she did helped Neuvillette, all he did was dismiss her and refuse to take her up on any ideas or suggestions she said. Perhaps Sigewinne might have a better chance at getting through his selfless stubbornness.
Though, when Sedene sent the letter down to the Fortress of Meropide, she wasn't expecting the Duke to receive it first before Sigewinne. He started to read it, but thankfully stopped upon seeing it was to Sigewinne and not him, though it confused him since it was a letter that came from the Palais Mermonia.
He called forth Sigewinne and gave the letter to her, to which she quietly read it to herself. Concern grew in her eyes as she read, which Duke Wriothesley had seen and asked if things were alright in the Palais. Sigewinne, not thinking that it was needed to be secretive about such things, and knowing how close the Chief Justice and the Duke are, told him.
Duke Wriothesley, to Sigewinne, might be a better chance at helping Neuvillette than any medical need she could give him. So they both decided to take a small leave from Meropide to see Neuvillette in the Palais, hoping that things didn't worsen during the time it took for the letter to get to them.
Upon exiting the Fortress elevator that led to the surface, the dark clouds were the first they noticed, and realized it wasn't raining at all. Knowing that the letter had told them, things weren't going well with Neuvillette, and usually it would rain if things got out of his hands - the fact that it wasn't raining gave the both of them serious concerns about Neuvillette.
Entering the Palais, Sedene dropped everything and ran for the two of them. She was surprised to see the Duke, but nonetheless grateful for their arrival. She led them to Iudex’s office, allowing them to enter and hopefully get Neuvillette to have a break at least. The doors opening didn't even catch the attention of the Chief of Justice, eyes never leaving the clouded window.
Wriothesley had paused seeing the Iudex in such a state, the almighty Monsieur Neuvillette staring out the window with sadness in his eyes. Vulnerability on display, it physically hurt the Duke to see him like this. Sigewinne waddled over to him and took his hand in hers to start examining him head to toe, which diverged his attention from the window.
“Miss Sigewinne,” he whispered, voice nearly gone and hoarse. He looked up and froze, “Your Grace… I was expecting Miss Sigewinne but never you, Duke.”
Wriothesley cracked a smile, “Well, I was just as concerned as Sigewinne is for you, I decided to come visit to make sure everything was alright. If I didn't come, I would be drowning in worries back at the Fortress.”
“Neither of you needed to visit, I assure you Sedene overreacted, I told her not to send that letter and disturb Miss Sigewinne from her duties as Head Nurse—”
The Duke glared at him unamused, a quiet gesture to silence the Iudex easily, he simply rubbed his arm with anxiety. Wriothesley softened, “My dear Monsieur, you have bags under your eyes… Have you not slept these past weeks since the prophecy?”
“I'm fine,” he replied without hesitance.
“That doesn't answer my question.”
“I swear I'm fine—” he stopped as he heard a yelp of pain near him, looking down he saw Sigewinne holding her wrist in pain. He clenched his fist too hard while Sigewinne’s hand was in his hand, he could’ve broken her hand, he could've twisted it, he hurt her .
He hurt Sigewinne, a Melusine, a daughter .
Neuvillette backed away as Wriothesley rushed to her side to inspect her hand, looking worriedly at the Iudex with a small hint of fear. His breath hitched at the expression the Duke gave him, his body forced him to leave, run to his room and locked himself away.
“Neuvillette!—”
He was out of their sight, shutting his room door before they could even try to chase him. Wriothesley sighed, turning back to focus on Sigewinne’s injury.
“Go out to Sedene and let her help, okay? I'll see what I can do for Monsieur Neuvillette.”
Sigewinne nodded, keeping her hand close as she picked up her aid box with the other and left the room to find Sedene. Wriothesley got up and headed to Neuvillette’s room.
Thankfully, Lady Furina refused to have any locks on any bedroom doors within the Palais for safety reasons due to both Furina and Neuvillette having issues with themselves. Knowing that being able to lock themselves away would ultimately hurt them more than help them in situations such as this one.
Wriothesley mentally thanked Furina, but he didn't enter the room because he could. He'd rather have permission from Neuvillette before barging into his room just because he wants to help him. Neuvillette needs to ask for help . But if worse comes to pass, he'll enter the room.
He knocked softly, “Neuvillette… May I come in, please? I want to talk to you.”
There was silence, only small muffled breathing and sobs, then a small, “No.”
Wriothesley sighed, “I promise it won't be about you. You don't have to say anything or tell me anything about what's going on, I want to talk to you about other things, is that okay?”
There was a shuffle, then another small voice, “Okay...” and Wriothesley was let inside.
Wriothesley opened the door, seeing a small and deshivaled Neuvillette across his bed hugging a pillow while curled up in a ball. His breathing was still rapid, but overall it wasn't too fast that the Duke needed to worry. He came over to the edge of the bed facing away from the Iudex and sat down.
He laid a hand over Neuvillette’s leg, a small attempt to comfort him silently, “How has Lady Furina been lately? I hope she's been well.”
Neuvillette mumbled, “She prefers just Furina now… and she has settled in society just fine.”
“That's good to hear. She needn't worry about Mora at all, yes? Perhaps retirement funds?”
“Mora is no issue for her… And I do not see her retiring so early, it is only a new beginning of her mortal life. I presume she will attempt a job so she doesn't have to rely on the Palais.”
Wriothesley smiled, watching as he calmed down and spoke more clearly, “Good for her, returning back to her life as she wants. She deserves a break after all these years .”
Neuvillette went silent, but Wriothesley could feel the smallest hints of anger, “Your Grace, I do hope you are not hinting at me taking a break, unlike Furina, I have my own duties I need to attend to for Fontaine. I for one am not a retired immortal.”
“Neither am I,” Wriothesley said, keeping his calm demeanor as Neuvillette couldn't help but sound frustrated, “I am a mortal who as done many wrongdoings, yet I work endlessly in the Fortress to make sure everyone gets a second chance like I did, whether be a villain or a falsely accused hero. But I still need a break from reality and my duties, because human bodies cannot be exhausted.”
“I am not human.”
“You were born human.”
“I was not—”
“A dragon in a human’s body, flesh and bones . I care not if you are an ancient species of mythological dragons, you are human physically , and your body cannot be exhausted, you need to give it a rest.”
“I'm fine.”
“I thought the Iudex does not lie.”
Whether it be lying to himself or to others, Neuvillette hates to hide the truth to anyone. He is thankful no one has yet to be suspicious of his dragon heritage or the rain, he doesn't know how he'll handle it if word gets out.
Neuvillette stares off to the distance of the room, unfocused eyes wandering about his thoughts that haunt him. Realizing that all this time, telling everyone that he doesn't lie, that he's been lying to himself without noticing.
Many people have told him that they're fine when he asks if something was wrong, and he took it as genuine, perhaps maybe he took up that habit humans have, but he never realized it wouldn't work on another human that is smarter than he lets on.
Wriothesley knows when something is wrong, especially when it comes to Neuvillette, Sigewinne, or any of the Fortress’ inmates. He's witnessed it first hand. He should've known a “genuine” lie wouldn't fool him.
He curled up more against his pillow, trying to seem small, to get away from the concerned gaze he feels over his shoulder.
“Hydro Dragon, Hydro Dragon…”
Neuvillette stilled, staring in fear at the wall, waiting for him to say the entirety of it. He hated when people would say that, even if sometimes it would work on him.
“ You're not alone… ”
That was the last thing he was expecting of that stupid saying. But it hit him in the heart, it was confusing him why he suddenly wanted to burst out crying, to feel loved by someone, to know that someone else feels his pain too.
Wriothesley climbed up next to him, wrapping his arms around Neuvillette as he instinctively turned over to sob into his chest. Clutching his shirt with a death grip as he cried out, real tears falling from those gorgeous lilac eyes.
The windows didn't sound like rain, but that was okay, Neuvillette needs to be selfish at least once. Needs to show his own tears, not let the sky weep for him, needs to let go of all the tears he's held inside that the rain forces him to keep hidden.
Wriothesley hugs him close, stroking his hair softly as his love cries. He lets him, no matter how uncomfortable the tears may be. Neuvillette deserves a break, deserves to let himself go, to be comfortable in his own skin.
“Let me be your anchor, release all your burdens on me, don't be selfless and hide who you are just to please the public. We're alone, let yourself go, be selfish just this once. My love, share your tears with me, and I will stay for eternity.”
Neuvillette buried his head into his love’s neck, tears flowing like a waterfall, Wriothesley didn't care for the wet stains, quietly humming to him as he brushed through his snow white hair. Untying the bow at the end of it and slowly taking off the more uncomfortable clothing he had on.
“Wrio—”
“Shh… Don't talk, it's all okay, just rest. I'll be here when you wake up, I promise you that. If I am not here, you can personally see my head off, my love.”
Neuvillette chuckled as he yawned, “I wouldn't dare do such a thing to you, beloved. If I— if I rest now, I'll… I don't know how long I will be resting for. I may as well be sent to hibernation. To be honest, I am very exhausted… Thank you, my Wriothesley.”
He smiled, “Anything for you, my Neuvillette.”
The other yawned once more, attempting to stay awake these last few moments.
“Let yourself go. Rest, darling. I'll be here.”
A small kiss to Neuvillette's forehead had him asleep in mere seconds. His breathing is stable, and his body is finally getting the sleep it needs.
Sigewinne cracked the door open, “Is Monsieur Neuvillette okay?”
“Yes, he's asleep. I will be staying for a while.”
“Can I join…?”
Wriothesley chuckled, “Of course, sweetheart. Come here, I'm sure you can fit between us.”
Sigewinne snuggled up in between the two comfortably, “What about Meropide?”
“Don't worry. Things will be settled tomorrow. I'm sure Neuvillette will be asleep for quite a while, there's nothing to worry about. Let us rest for now, work can wait.”
She yawned, curling up to him as she slept.
Wriothesley patted her head with a fond smile, “My family… Oh, how I will forever love you.”
With adoration and love filling his heart, Wriothesley shut his eyes, joining the ones he loves most into the wondrous dreamworld.