Work Text:
Now save your thoughts
Come here, I have something to tell you.
Can I get closer to you?
Koiiro(恋色) by Mosawo(もさを)
For the first time, Neuvillette's mind isn't occupied with thoughts of civil rights or matters pertaining to the judiciary.
Instead, his thoughts are consumed by those piercing, pale gray eyes that seem capable of peering into his very soul. In that moment, time seemed to stand still, and his heart continued to race, even though the other individual had long withdrawn after challenging his views in the student council meeting just a few minutes ago.
“Come back to earth, Monsieur Neuvillette!”
Taken aback, Neuvillette shifted his attention to the girl beside him. "Oh," he uttered, clearing his throat. “Forgive me, Lady Furina. I've...been momentarily distracted. Could you please share your thoughts once more?"
Furina stared at him. Suddenly, she stepped backward a few times, lifted her left hand while putting her right hand over her heart, and her eyes dramatically lowered. "My dear Neuvillette! Have you forsaken me? Am I no longer a presence in your heart?". To the other people who were already watching them the moment they set foot in this area, Furina looks pitiful.
Neuvillette resisted the urge to roll his eyes at Furina's theatrics. After all, he was not one to shy away from his responsibilities. "I must take the blame for my inattention. Will you forgive me, my lady?"
As he extended his hand towards her, a silhouette caught his peripheral vision. He froze, particularly when he discerned the emotion in the other man's gray eyes—disgust.
"You've dedicated years to studying law, and yet you manipulate innocent individuals to conceal your true identity? Doesn't that fill you with shame?" Wriothesly confronted him, blocking his exit from the study hall that afternoon. The others had already fled, leaving the two of them alone.
Neuvillette's expression darkened. Normally indifferent to gossip, he couldn't let this discriminatory accusation slide. His commitment to upholding the law was unwavering, earning him the reputation as a potential Iudex in the future.
"That's quite a bold accusation, Wriothesley," Neuvillette retorted, fixing a piercing gaze on the accuser. "What evidence do you possess to support such audacious assumptions?"
In the dimly lit room, a loud bang broke the silence as Wriothesley slammed his hands against the wall. Neuvillette froze, staring at the imposing figure in front of him, the echoes mixing with his fast heartbeat.
Unusually, he noticed the delicate, soft pink cherry blossoms just outside the nearby window, forming a picturesque frame around Wriothesley's dark hair. It brought to mind the manga that Furina often read during school breaks.
"You..." Wriothesley said intensely, tension filling the air.
In that uncertain moment, Neuvillette couldn't react as Wriothesley closed the small distance between them. The room felt tighter as Wriothesley leaned in, warm breath whispering secrets on Neuvillette's cheek.
"You may always control your emotions, but your eyes reveal them," Wriothesley asserted, lifting his hand to gently rub Neuvillette’s right cheek. "The way you look at me," Wriothesley's gaze descended to Neuvillette’s pale lips, "It’s always as if you want to…"
It was like hearing a snap, waking Neuvillette from his daydream. Before Wriothesley could finish his sentence, Neuvilette pushed him on the chest with both of his hands, his voice raised, his composure already lost, and his face flustered. “What utter nonsense?!”
Unyielding, Wriothesley seized both of Neuvillette's wrists and pulled his arms above his head. In such an awkward and revealing position, Neuvillette was eager to retort, but before he could speak, Wriothesley challenged, “Why? Is it not true? As the future Iudex, would you dare lie to me?” he dared.
Neuvillette's anger boiled inside him. “I have nothing to explain to someone who cannot even express his feelings to Lady—!” He couldn't finish his words.
As Wriothesley heard the last words, understanding finally dawned on him. A man of action, he silenced Neuvillette with a kiss, blocking any further words from escaping.
For a fleeting moment, Neuvillette momentarily lost his ability to resist. The sensation of cold lips pressed against his own acted as a spark, setting every nerve in his body ablaze. His legs weakened, surrendering like ice melting into liquid.
Wriothesley's arm enveloped him from behind, offering support.
Despite the man's initially assertive approach, his kisses transitioned into gentle nibbles, akin to snowflakes – both warm and cold. Inexperienced, he sought to captivate Neuvillette.
While Neuvillette might be perceived as someone with a low emotional quotient, he quickly grasped Wriothesley's unspoken message.
Neuvillette was wrong.
It wasn't Lady Furina that this young man desired, but Neuvillette himself all along.
Both of them saw each other’s reflection in their eyes as their kiss ended and it was more beautiful than the surrounding sprouts of cherry blossoms outside the windows.
Is this the color of love?
Maybe their spring has finally arrived.