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It’s rare for him to come down to Meropide unannounced. Even rarer for him to slink into the shadowy corners around the Pankration Ring in search of the Duke, making sure not a soul will see him. He can’t go causing chaos in the fortress from his mere presence, now can he?
He settles himself snuggly in a corner to watch the final fight. He doesn’t care much for the opponent — a leaner woman, although clearly experienced since she made it this far — only that Wriothesley is there, a confident grin on his face as he falls into a ready stance. The audience waits with bated breath for the first strike, shouting erupting from them when the woman lunges forwards, throwing a feint punch before dropping low and swiping at Wriothesley’s leg to throw him off balance. He stumbles, and the woman pops back up to take advantage. Like he thought, experienced.
It’s a good match up, Neuvillette thinks, and he can imagine Wriothesley coming up to her after and offering to spar and trade tips and tricks. Always eager to improve himself and help others in the process if he can. Neuvillette huffs fondly at the thought. How lucky he is to have the heart of such an honest, kind man. How lucky he is to even be close to him, to know him truly.
“And the round goes to our esteemed Duke!” Ah, did he really miss the rest of the fight? Neuvillette shakes himself back to the present, trying to push the wild cheering to the background as he watches Wriothesley help the woman back to her feet. Although he can’t parse the words through the cacophony, he can see the way Wriothesley’s eyes crinkle slightly with a smile and the way the woman eagerly nods her head and, he assumes, thanks him. Always kind, always so deeply kind…
It’s small moments like this that make Neuvillette fall for him all over again. Seeing the gentleness of his dearest, seeing the fairness he strives to embody, it all paints the picture of a person Neuvillette can’t help but adore.
He takes the chaos of the crowd as a chance to slip away, making his way to Wriothesley’s office. He had intended to meet him there anyway, so it would do good to get there on time. ‘On time’, even though there is no scheduled meeting. No, he just wants to have all the time he can get with his dearest.
He doesn’t wait long by the door. The crowd from the Pankration Ring is quick to disperse into the rest of the fortress, Wriothesley along with them. He is quick to spot Neuvillette and excuse himself from the guards he was walking and talking with, jogging the rest of the way to his office.
“What a surprise to see you here. I thought you’d gone back up to the surface after that.”
“You saw me?” A fond smile crosses Wriothesley’s lips.
“I was the only one, don’t worry. Although that might change soon, so let’s get inside, yeah?” Neuvillette nods and follows Wriothesley into his office, pulling Wriothesley into a warm embrace as soon as he locks the door. “Missed me that much?” he asks as he places a soft kiss on Neuvillette’s cheek.
“I suppose so.” A chuckle rises from Wriothesley’s chest.
“Even when I still need to shower after that fight? No offence to your love and adoration, but I’m pretty gross right now.”
“Even so.” Another small laugh, another kiss on his cheek, and Neuvillette melts into the embrace.
“Should have figured. I don’t think I can complain, though. It’s wonderful to see you, sweetness.”
“It’s wonderful to see you too.” Neuvillette nuzzles at Wriothesley’s cheek before letting him go, a smile tugging at his lips as he watches those gorgeous blue eyes shine and crinkle with love.
“Come on. I still have to shower, and you should too now, but after that I can set us up some tea. Or just water for you, if you want.”
“Tea with you would be lovely.” And that smile. That gorgeous, gentle, smile. It has Neuvillette in a puddle.
“Tea it is then.”
It’s not often that he comes down to Meropide unannounced, but when he does, he knows he’ll adore his time here.