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There is no sight of the sun in the Fortress of Meropide. Down deep underwater, the only light comes from the lamps that are abundantly placed throughout the prison. This is normal for Wriothesley, and he has created his own way of telling time without seeing the skies.
Neuvillette… is getting there.
Sprawled out in Wriothesley’s bed is the Iudex, covered in faint bruises from the activities of the night before. Shallow breaths escape him as he burrows himself in the covers which do not offer nearly enough warmth. Wriothesley can’t help but smile at the sight of him as he gets dressed, buttoning his vest with practiced efficiency (though, he would admit that he was slightly slower than usual).
Is he going to tell his sleeping beauty that it is far past the time that he should be awake and leaving for the Palais Mermonia? You can guess the answer to that. After all, it’s not like Wriothesley has anything pressing to do for the day, and if Neuvillette is in his bed, there aren’t trials today. In the Duke’s mind, there is nothing wrong with letting him sleep for bit longer. The man in question shifts in bed, grabbing onto a pillow and holding it to his chest silently. Then he stills once more.
Neuvillette would never agree with this assessment, but Wriothesley has always believed that the Iudex was the most beautiful when he was asleep—when he was not trying to be the stone-faced judge of Fontaine, impenetrable and commanding. Seeing him in a relaxed state is a privilege only reserved for a select few, Wriothesley included. As such, it’s only natural that as he flitters around the room, he simultaneously admires every new angle provided to him of his beloved, beautiful pale skin glimmering under a soft light.
Unfortunately, this indulgence cannot last forever, and before long, Wriothesley has nearly prepared to leave for his office. Not that he wants to. He stops at the bedroom door, pondering whether it’s okay to leave Neuvillette alone in his room as he works. Should he wake him up?
As if hearing his thoughts, Neuvillette stirs, a small sound escaping his lips as he flutters open those lilac eyes. Strands of his hair stand up in different directions as he sits up slightly, voice groggy as he calls out, “Wriothesley? Where are you going?”
Wriothesley turns to look back at his partner, “Ah, you’re awake. I was worried I was gonna have to drag you out of here.”
“You’re dressed,” Neuvillette comments, blinking his eyes as if attempting to focus them. His tone suggests that there is a question laced within his simple statement, but Wriothesley can’t seem to focus on that as more of Neuvillette’s bare torso is exposed, and with it, more evidence of their… previous deeds.
He swallows thickly, averting his gaze before responding with a teasing tone, “I do have a job, you know.” Neuvillette gives him a subtle look of exasperation (or perhaps not so subtle if you ask Wriothesley) before grabbing the covers and pulling them over his body. The younger man doesn’t miss how his partner shivers in the bed. He adds, “You alright?”
“It is quite cold in this room; I didn’t notice it last night,” Neuvillette curls within himself even further, shielding himself away from the chilly air.
Wriothesley smiles without thinking, completely endeared by the other. How can someone so seemingly aloof be this adorable behind closed doors? He walks over to the other man, moving down on one knee so that his face is level with Neuvillette’s, “I suppose it never crossed my mind that the Fortress would be all that different compared to the Palais Mermonia when it comes to temperature.”
“It was warm when you were in bed with me,” the Iudex mutters, reaching out to button Wriothesley’s shirt and tighten his tie properly, a habit that he always manages to do without fail. His hands are seized by the Duke’s and brought to his lips, the slightest hint of stubble scratching against his knuckles. Neuvillette’s face warms at the display of affection. “Is there much to be done today?”
“Nah, not really. You know how it is. Things down here are far less busy than they are in the overworld.” As Wriothesley speaks, he mindlessly fidgets with one of Neuvillette’s hands, rubbing his thumb against his knuckles. It’s so miniscule, such a small action, yet it demonstrates a level of tenderness that leaves Neuvillette reeling internally—not that he’d ever show Wriothesley, his face remaining passive even if he feels the tips of his ears burn.
With a low hum, Neuvillette breathes out, “Perhaps you should come back to bed, then.” Wriothesley quirks a brow at the suggestion, an expression of skepticism filling his face.
“But what about you? It’s already ten in the morning. Surely, the Iudex of Fontaine has work to do on this Monday morning,” Wriothesley releases Neuvillette’s hand so that he can run his fingers through the long white tendrils of hair that spread across the expanse of his bed.
“Does this mean that you do not wish to join me, Wriothesley?” Neuvillette asks with a deceivingly crestfallen expression, tugging the Duke’s tie towards where he lays. Wriothesley follows the movement, only stopping when his lips are a fraction of an inch away from Neuvillette’s.
Their lips brush against each other when Wriothesley whispers, “I never said that.”
“Well, then, since there are no objections…” Neuvillette sneaks his legs out of the covers and around Wriothesley’s waist, pulling him into the plush comfort of the sheets below them. The Duke lets out a startled noise, scrambling for purchase by holding onto Neuvillette as he rolls onto his back, his partner sitting atop his hips. A spark of arousal flows through Wriothesley’s body, but he suppresses it, hands running over the smooth plane of the other’s thighs.
“Can’t say I was expecting this turn of events, sweetness.” Wriothesley chuckles as he looks up at Neuvillette who sits above him, completely bare, save for undergarments that cover his groin. He adds, “Wanted me back here so badly?”
“Yes, I did. I am cold and you can fix it.” Neuvillette answers honestly, lifting the corner of the sheets to lead Wriothesley under. The latter relents, lifting his body so that the fabric can be pulled from under him. The irony is not lost to either man that Wriothesley, a Cryo user, is being solicited to be a human space heater, but it does not appear to be a concern—no, it’s not even a fleeting thought. Neuvillette shivers again, goosebumps covering his arms, urging him to return back to the slightly warmer depths of the covers.
Wriothesley sighs as he follows his lover, “You’re lucky I’m weak to your charm.” He takes Neuvillette into his arms, pulling them into a spooning position which seems to appease the Iudex for the time being. It’s comfortable—it always is—the two men fitting into each other like puzzle pieces.
Neuvillette lets out a pleased sound in the back of his throat, melting into the arms that wrap around him so snugly. While he would never take action to sabotage the future of Fontaine, he would be a liar if he said he wouldn’t mind being here for all of eternity instead of carrying out his duties.
“Mmm. I was under the impression that you were the charming one, Wriothesley. Then again, people are often too busy gawking at you to appreciate the nuances of your personality,” Neuvillette speaks softly, such a distinct contrast to his conduct in a courtroom. His body warms up almost immediately from the man behind him, yet his brow furrows in slight disturbance at the feeling of Wriothesley’s work clothing against his bare skin, the metal embellishments of his outfit digging into his back. He stays silent on the matter, though, given that it would not be the friendliest to bite the hand that is feeding him, so to speak.
Wriothesley chuckles at Neuvillette’s comment, hot breath hitting the pointed shell of his ear, “The nuances of my personality? Are you trying to say I’m complicated, Monsieur?”
“You would not describe yourself that way?”
“Definitely not,” Wriothesley breathes, letting his head drop so that his lips brush against the other’s shoulder, “I’m as simple as it gets, if you ask me.”
Neuvillette doesn’t respond to his comment and for a moment Wriothesley wonders if he had fallen asleep, the older man completely relaxed in his arms. When he opens his mouth to confirm, he is interrupted by a faint vibration that runs through his chest. Ah.
This is something that is not known by many people of Fontaine. It’s not a tidbit that one would read in the Steambird newspaper, nor is it a fact that has been documented by those swollen-headed scholars of the Akademiya. The Hydro Sovereign, mighty and impressive as he is, is still an animal of sorts, albeit unlike the ones you’d normally observe, and with this comes certain qualities that are not human—his horns, his unnaturally long life, and his tendency to purr when he is truly at ease.
The sound grows, a deep rhythmic rumbling that is so strong it practically shakes the bed (or at least it feels that way to the Duke). Wriothesley doesn’t usually comment when Neuvillette purrs, mostly because the latter becomes rather red-faced when faced with his draconic habits, but internally, his chest fills with warmth every time his partner lets out the contented sound.
Wriothesley doesn’t say anything, merely digging his face into Neuvillette’s shoulder instead while his hands slowly explore the soft expanse of the other’s torso. This only elicits louder purrs from Neuvillette, which makes the Duke exhale sharply with amusement.
Before long, the warmth of the bed mixed with the hypnotic sounds coming from Neuvillette lead Wriothesley into a doze-like trance, unwilling to move away despite the knowledge that there is some work to be done. He idly wonders if this was Neuvillette’s plan. The man is rather perceptive, and even cunning when he wants to be. It’s possible that being cold was just a ploy to keep him in bed.
Nah. He’s the Iudex. He doesn’t lie.
Neuvillette, on the other hand, smiles imperceptibly to himself, on the edge of slumber once again. He does not lie, this much is true. But that doesn’t mean he can’t use the truth to fulfill an ulterior motive. Luckily, it will take Wriothesley some time to figure it out, and until then, he can remain comfortable and happy within the safe grasp of his partner.