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“Are you serious?”
Wriothesley looked at Sigewinne’s deadpan expression. Yeah, that was not a joke.
“Your mattress is flat, Your Grace.”
“No it’s not!”
“Your back is hurting.”
“That’s because I am old.”
“You are only thirty-six! And this is a good reason to replace your bed! How long have you been sleeping on that thing!?”
The Warden shrugged. “About ten years?”
“Was it here when you became administrator?” Asked the Mélusine, frowning.
“Yes.”
Sigewinne screamed in frustration. Wriothesley never really bothered thinking about it. Why was it so bad to be sleeping on the same mattress for about ten years?
Seeing the confusion in the man’s eyes, Sigewinne sighed. “You tell me that you have been sleeping on a mattress that had been here before you got the Administrator position, so it is about more than ten years old. A mattress that has been there longer than me, at the bottom of the sea, in a bedroom that sometimes has leaks?”
“Oh .”
“You are lucky you did not get sicker than what you got last week. I should have locked you in the infirmary.”
“Thank you Head Nurse.” Wriothesley said, rolling his eyes.
“Be careful with your health, you are only human Your Grace. A vision holder but still human.”
Wriothesley knew he made Sigewinne worried. On his recent trip to the overworld, he caught a nasty cold and the protocol was to stay isolated from the rest of the prison. A nurse comes daily to check the temperature and the state of the patient until they get cleared and able to go back to work. Of course, Sigewinne was taking care of him which led her to not be pleased to see the state of his bedroom. She said that the bed was awful, there were barely any lights in it (coming from the bedside lamp),filled with grey fabrics, no decoration as if it was a regular hotel room… Nothing that could give the impression that the room was habited by someone.
All in all, Sigewinne said that his bedroom was Depressing . Definitely not good for him.
The Warden crossed his arms on his chest and stared at the Mélusine. “I’m taking care of myself-”
“Barely.”
“I am doing it by my way…”
“And it is not a healthy one, Your Grace!”
Wriothesley huffed. “What is your suggestion then, Head Nurse?” Sigewinne smiled. Now, Wriothesley was slightly afraid. “Please, no milkshakes.”
The Mélusine pouted. “They are full of good things for you! I even improved the recipe to adapt it to your own needs-” Wriothesley weakly raised a hand to stop Sigewinne. “Please have mercy on me…”
“You are being dramatic, Your Grace. Anyway, I have a good solution for you, I actually prepared something for you to relax and have a wonderful full night of peaceful sleep!”
“Nothing illegal.”
“It is totally legal! I checked with my associate and he agreed-”
“Wait. Associate?”
Sigewinne gave a cheeky smile. “Yes. But I will not tell you more, or it will spoil the surprise! Really Your Grace, you need a lot of rest, and to relax more… Even the prisoners here are starting to worry.”
His exhaustion was so noticeable that it got noticed by the prisoners? Sigewinne asked Wriothesley to crouch down and then put a small hand on his cheek. “Please, Wriothesley. I tell you this not as your Head Nurse but as your friend… Take care of yourself. You are still young. So young compared to us, Mélusines. I don’t want to lose you. You have to live long and old.”
Wriothesley took Sigewinne in his arms and hugged her. “I’ll do my best and listen to you okay? You will not get rid of me so easily, Winnie. Still no milkshakes okay?” Sigewinne nodded and gently patted his shoulder. “You have to listen to me and do the thing I prepared for you and my associate then.”
“Yes, yes sure. What have you prepared, dear Head Nurse?” Sigewinne jumped out of his embrace and asked him to follow. He followed her towards the infirmary and sat down on a chair while she was rummaging in the drawers of her desk. She let out a chirp of joy when she found a piece of paper.
“What is it?” asked Wriothesleyn curious. Sigewinne gave him the paper.
In three days. Tell him to meet at the back of the Opéra Epiclèse at 7pm.
“Who is that? Should I be worried?”
“Do you trust me?”
“With my life.”
“Then go there. I assure you that you will come back here entirely refreshed and happy!”
Wriothesley was still hesitant. He stared at the paper in his hand. Was it really safe? He trusted Sigewinne with his life, but he could not help being uneasy to meet someone like that. But Sigewinne looked so confident… so… “When is it?”
The Mélusine’s face suddenly brightened. “Tonight!”
Wriothesley almost choked on his saliva. “Tonight?! Why didn't you tell me before- it’s already six!?” That meant he had only a an hour to go to the overworld and reach the Opéra and-
“Don’t worry Your Grace! I’ve prepared everything! And I didn’t tell you before because you wouldn’t have time to make any excuses to avoid going into the overworld!” She ran towards her room and pulled out a bag, and threw it at Wriothesley who caught it, too stunned to reply. “Clothes and underwear! Also medication if you feel feverish again. Mademoiselle Clorinde and I will take over the Fortress in your absence so you don’t have to worry about that!” Sigewinne then pushed the Warden out of the infirmary with a large smile. “Don’t come back until those dark circles are gone! Have fun, Your Grace!” She closed the door and locked it.
Wriothesley was still stunned, and too tired to truly complain. He couldn’t be mad at Sigewinne as he, deep down, knows that she was right. She really thought about everything from the management of the Fortress to packing his stuff to get some rest. Curious, Wriothesley looked inside the bag. There was nothing unusual inside the bag… two sets of underwear, casual clothes, a towel, his usual sanitary products and-
Wriothesley stared at the plush he bought a little while ago to… bring himself some comfort during his sleep. How did Sigewinne manage to find it as he hid it- never mind. This plush probably is saturated in his elemental essence with how much he cuddled it to sleep. Wriothesley always hid that plush, not because he was ashamed of it, but because of what it represented.
It was the Hydro Dragon.
The plush was a cute representation of the Hydro Dragon, aka their own Chief Justice. Wriothesley bought it on a whim with the excuse that it was for Sigewinne but he kept it for himself… just because it reminded him of Neuvillette… of his crush on the Iudex. He really loved that plush. The Warden closed his bag with a blush and looked around to check if someone saw the cute plushie. Fortunately, no one was there.
Wriothesley sighed and made his way to the overworld. Who was the person Sigweinne had contacted? The Mélusine rarely went out and when she did, it was to visit Neuvillette or her sisters. Maybe it was a former inmate?
The Warden did not think more about it as he rapidly got in the last elevator to the Opéra. He looked at his watch while climbing the stairs- he was ten minutes early. Maybe the person Sigewinne contacted was already there.
Feeling the wind in his hair, Wriothesley took a deep breath, enjoying the clear, pure sea breeze of the overworld. It had been weeks since he last came up to see Neuvillette for some unfinished business. Ah… he missed the man and his beautiful hair and eyes and-
“Your Grace?”
Wriothesley tensed and quickly looked behind him.
Neuvillette was standing near the stairs, leaning on his cane with a surprised look. “I did not recall that we scheduled a meeting today…?”
“Ah- no. I- well. Sigewinne told me that I need a break and get some more fresh air for a few days…?” Wriothesley fidgeted nervously with his hands under the sharp gaze of the Iudex.
“Are you the inmate Sigewinne was supposed to send me?”
“Wait. Inmate? I’ve never heard about that- She just told me that someone will be waiting for me at seven-”
“And she told me that an inmate she favoured needed a place to stay and I had to escort him to the Maison Gardiennage to help him find a new home at seven.”
Silence.
Wriothesley fought the urge to hide his face in his hands and scream. What Sigewinne was thinking?!
“Your Grace, may I know for what reason Sigewinne wanted you to… meet someone at almost dinner time?” Neuvillette looked at him so intensely that Wriothesley felt somehow naked under his eyes.
“S-Sigewinne told me that I needed better sleep and she organised a… meeting with someone she knows that will help me.”
“Without knowing who the person was?”
“I completely trust her so I was not worried. Seems like I was right as… you are the man I was supposed to meet. Well… I should probably head back as you might be busy. I’m sorry, I’ll tell Sigewinne that- ”
Neuvillette put a hand on his shoulder, surprising Wriothesley who had not expected the Iudex to be so close. “Wait. Sigewinne had a reason to make this meeting happen. I will do what she tasked me to do. Please, follow me, Your Grace. ”
Wriothesley could feel the warmth of the hand on his shoulder. Usually he would hate touch unless it comes from the Mélusines. But when Neuvillette touched him like that… He craved more of it. Neuvillette then quickly removed his hand, almost making Wriothesley whine at the loss of warmth.
The Iudex was about to apologise when Wriothesley stopped him by raising his hand, looking away from the piercing eyes of the dragon. “It’s okay. I did not mind at all. Lead the way, Monsieur.”
Neuvillette nodded and started to walk towards the edge of the platform. “Do you trust me, Your Grace?”
Wriothesley chuckled a bit, remembering what Sigewinne said just before she made him leave the Fortress. So with the same confidence and this time with a wide smile he replied: “With my life, Monsieur Neuvillette.”
The Iudex seemed to be taken aback by the raw honesty in Wriothesley’s response but quickly regained his composure.”Very well. Be sure to keep your eyes on me and follow me.”
Neuvillette jumped in the sea as soon as he saw Wriothesley nod at him. Without thinking any more, the Warden followed him. Neuvillette seemed confident underwater, going deeper and deeper, taking turns and going deep into cave systems that no one knew about. No one but Neuvillette and probably the Mélusines. Wriothesley was glad to have the blessing of the Hydro Archon on him as he was able to marvel at the sight of various animals playing with each other without being disturbed by the human presence. They also seemed to be overjoyed by the presence of the Iudex, who stopped occasionally when he felt that Wriothesley was being too slow.
As much as the sight was to die for, Wriothesley was starting to hurt. His body felt heavier and heavier as he followed Neuvillette down the Fontainian sea. Has he forgotten that despite being a vision bearer, Wriothesley was a simple human? Probably.
But instead of stopping to let Neuvillette know that the water pressure was being too much to handle, Wriothesley stubbornly stayed behind the Hydro Dragon. What did he wanted to prove by doing this? Probably to show off to Neuvillette.
Wriothesley felt his body weight heavier, his eyes threatening to shut as he was slowing down. By the time he realised that he was passing out, he saw the worried, panicked face of the Iudex swimming straight to him…
…Or was it a Dragon?
Warmth. He was just feeling warmth all around him.
Secure too. The weight on his legs felt very secure.
And this deep rumbling, and heartbeat that could easily put him back to sleep-
Wait. Heartbeat?
Wriothesley slowly opened his eyes and saw the roof of a cave as he sat up. He could hear some droplets falling in the water… Did he drown and get taken by the currents inside a cave?
No. That’s impossible as he did not feel wet and he was feeling very comfortable. Something against him moved and was gently rubbing itself against his hair with a gentle whine. Wriothesley looked down.
It was a Dragon- no.
It was Neuvillette, in his Dragon form coiling around him and looking at him with worried eyes.
“Wha-”
Dragon Neuvillette let out a (worried?) whine again and headbutted his chest to make him lie down. Still shocked and dizzy from his near drowning, Wriothelsey obeyed the silent demand of the Hydro Dragon. No more thinking. Just rest. The Warden made himself comfortable as Neuvillette put his head on his chest. Wriothesley fell quickly asleep, soothed by the deep rumble coming from the Dragon.
When Wriothesley woke up again, he was thinking clearer and was much more aware of his situation.
First, he had nearly drowned as he was swimming deeper and deeper following Neuvillette. Then, Neuvillette who usually hid his Dragon features and avoided talking about them had suddenly let everything out. And finally, he was awfully alone in that too big Dragon-sized bed (or nest?). Which brought forth the question, where was Neuvillette?
Wriothesley removed himself from the large weighted blanket and got out of the nest and started to analyse his surroundings.
It was a circular cave surrounded by water. There were two other entrances and one that was underwater, probably the exit of that cave he surmised.
Because the nest looked well loved and a lot of items were scattered around, Wriothesley assumed that this cave was Neuvillette’s domain, his “more than private” home. Shivering, he remembered that he was only wearing his underwear. All of those information assaulting his head made him forget the essential:
His crush saw him half naked.
Wriothesley wanted to dig his own grave. What an impression he gave to Neuvillette for the first time they are spending time together in a non professional setting! The Warden went back under the covers of the nest, his metaphorical tail between his legs and fully embarrassed.
As he was still mulling over all that transpired since he left the Fortress, Neuvillette in his human form came back from… wherever he was. In a flick of his hand, he dried himself up and took out several containers from the bag he was carrying. He seemed unaware that Wriothesley was awake.
Wriothesley made an attempt to call him, but what came out of his throat sounded like nails on a chalkboard. Surprised by his own voice and suddenly aware of the dryness of his throat, the Warden started to cough and couldn’t stop until a trembling, gentle hand steadied him and made him drink. It was so fresh, so delicious for his parched throat…
Wriothesley drank the equivalent of two glasses of water before it stopped by itself. He opened his eyes and saw Neuvillette above him, a ball of clear water floating above his hand. The man looked beautiful, not that he was not beautiful in a daily setting, but right at this instant, no words could describe how radiant he was.
His pupils were straight and alert, showing more of his draconic side. Scales were seen on his forehead and on his cheeks, his teeth seemed sharper than usual. The blue streaks on his head were shining, reflecting the agitated state Neuvillette was in. Gills were apparent on his neck as well. Wriothesley smiled softly.
“Hi.”
Neuvillette looked surprised. After all, who wouldn’t be after hearing a man that had just escaped death simply saying ‘hi’ at the one that was more or less the reason for his… almost drowning experience? Wriothesley almost chuckled out loud at his thoughts. Feeling bold, he put a hand on Neuvillette’s cheek, feeling his scales under his thumb. Neuvillette closed his eyes and seemed to really like that touch and leaned on it while a gentle purr escaped from his throat. Wriothesley did not comment on it, and kept caressing the Iudex’s cheek.
Suddenly, Neuvillette opened his eyes wide and caught Wriothesley’s hand. His hands were webbed and full of scales. His nails also seemed longer. It was strange to see Neuvillette’s hands…
“I apologise, Your Grace.”
“For what?”
Neuvillette looked away. Maybe it was out of shame and sadness? “I made you swim down to my lair without thinking that the pressure would kill you. I have forgotten that your body cannot survive the pressure. And showing that… monstrous form. I also apologise about this… current half form. I cannot control it when I feel so agitated.”
“Hey none of that. I could have stopped and signed it to you anytime, but I didn’t. So it’s not your fault, Chief.” Seeing that Neuvillette’s tail was swishing nervously behind him, Wriothesley added quickly, “Also I’m good with that form of yours. Any form actually. So don’t overthink it okay? You look much more relaxed like that so don’t hide it. Please. You’re at your home right? So relax.”
Neuvillette did relax and the nervous swishing stopped. He was about to answer when Wriothesley’s stomach started to rumble. The Iudex gave a fond look towards the Warden and got up, leaving the nest to grab one of the containers on a table with a fork. Wriothesley was definitely not staring at that tail moving right and left as if it had a mind of its own.
“When you passed out in the water, I quickly went back to the surface to tell Sédène that I would be absent for a few days, and to fetch Sigewinne to be sure that you were in good health.”
Wriothesley grimaced and was already preparing himself for the scolding the Head Nurse was probably already preparing when he’d come back to the Fortress. “I imagine she was not really happy?”
Neuvillette shook his head. “Not really. She did tell me that you need a lot of rest and that was why she sent you to me, saying that I would bring you to my nest and make sure that you would get decent sleep.”
The Warden hummed. “I admit that she had a good idea there. She knows that I have total trust in you and you’d send me to somewhere I could feel comfortable. I would not have felt comfortable anywhere but in the Fortress as I know that place like the back of my hand, and I have control there. What's with all of those containers?”
“I met Mademoiselle Lumine on her way to the Fortress. She simply said that she recognized ‘this kind of behaviour’ and gave me those containers.”
Lumine’s food was always very tasty and whenever she and her tiny companion would come back to Fontain, she would leave him some containers with various food in saying that he has to maintain the fat in his melons and the watermelons or whatever weird comparison it was. Living in the streets taught him to never refuse food, especially when it comes from trusted friends. Neuvillette passed him one of the containers that had some sautéed noodles with a fork. And took one for himself as well. They mostly ate in silence, Wriothesley too focused on eating his fill.
Neuvillette made him drink some more water before Wriothesley made himself comfortable on the pillows, hiding his almost naked body with one of the deep blue blankets. Only his head was seen. “I forgot to ask. Where are my clothes?” Asking now because his brain was still caught on Neuvillette, almost drowning, and Dragon Neuvillette to do so earlier.
“Ah, they are in the corner on the table there. I hope you will not mind that I have removed the contents of your bag to dry them out more effectively.” Said Neuvillette as he was pointing out something behind Wriothesley.
But Wriothesley did not turn, and Neuvillette could see the sheer horror and embarrassment drawing on his face. But he had not stopped talking.
“I was quite surprised to see the plu-”
Wriothesley jumped and put his hands on the Iudex’s mouth to shut him up.
Silence.
Slowly, Neuvillette grabbed Wriothesley’s hands and held them gently. “Do not be ashamed, Your Grace. On what I have seen during my long life, I have seen plenty of adults sleeping with a plush to feel comfortable and have a better sleep-”
“Yes it’s you.”
Neuvillette immediately stopped talking.
Wriothesley looked at him with a light blush. “I bought that plush… because it reminded me of you. And sleeping with it, as you said, comforts me. It comforts me a lot.”
Tap tap tap
Surprised by the sound, the Warden looked at the source of the noise and… It was Neuvillette’s tail? He looked at the man and-
Neuvillette was blushing. “I… I apologise. I cannot control-”
“Are you happy to hear that in a way you bring me comfort…?”
He nodded . “Nothing makes me more content to know that my presence brings you comfort.” Neuvillette looked at Wriothesley with… such fondness that the cave seemed brighter. So much brighter. “So to see that you are well, and find comfort in me- in my original form, it makes me… happy .”
Maybe it was still the dizziness from his near drowning, or it was just his own deep desires that took control of his body, but Wriothesley could not stop himself from gently holding the Iudex’s face.
Their eyes met, both of them blushing. Wriothesley looked at Neuvillette’s lips, then his eyes. No one said a word. Neuvillette’s tail curled around Wriothesley’s waist as the man leaned closer.
Wriothesley closed his eyes as Neuvillette started to kiss him.
It was so gentle, so tender that the Warden could cry from all emotions he was feeling. From how deep the affection Neuvillette was holding for him. The hold on his waist felt deliciously tighter, as the Iudex’s hands were holding his hips to move him closer to hold him properly. Wriothesley deepened the kiss, his head full of fireworks and a strange mix of warm and cold. He could feel the Hydro Authority on Neuvillette’s tongue as he could probably feel the biting cold of Cryo in return. But it seems that neither of them was bothered by it, only being fueled to taste more and more of their respective elements.
Unfortunately, before they could taste each other even deeper , Wriothesley was starting to curse his human nature as he was seriously lacking oxygen. He gently tapped Neuvillette’s shoulder who immediately stopped kissing him and put some distance between them, his tail freeing the Warden’s waist. “Something is wrong? Have I done something-”
Wriothesley took deep breaths and held a hand to stop him from talking. “Just dizzy. That was good. So good. But I need to breathe."
Neuvillette’s blush intensified as he nodded. “I will… be sure to remember to stop when I feel you starting to get out of breath, Your Grace.”
“Call me Wriothesley. Please. We are certainly more than coworkers now… Right?” asked Wriothesley with a hint of incertitude in his voice.
The Iudex immediately chased away the insecure feeling that had started to form in the Warden’s heart with a quick peck on the lips. “If you would have me, Wriothesley, I will certainly be yours.”
Wriothesley smiled and pushed Neuvillette down the bed, and cuddled close to him. Neuvillette held him close to his heart as his tail curled around Wriothesley’s leg. Setting his head on the Iudex’s chest, the Warden could feel the rumblings he heard before.
Neuvillette was purring, content, happy.
This sound only was making his heart soar with love.
No one said anything as Wriothesley kissed Neuvillette’s neck. The Iudex tightened his grip and pulled the covers back on themselves. Wriothesley fell asleep, with a content smile on his lips.
Both of them came back a week after, rested and happy.
Sigewinne even almost forgot to scold Wriothesley for his stubbornness when she smelt their mixed scent, and felt the claim on each other.
The Head Nurse smirked and sneakily put a book on Wriothesley’s desk.
“Reptiles and Dragon anatomy for monsterfuckers, Yae Publishing House.”