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The back of the Opera Epiclese was as deserted as the plaza of the Fountain of Lucine was busy—the perfect spot for Lyney to retreat to during a break from hours of rehearsal.
He heaved a sigh as he shouldered open the heavy doors that led to the entrance of the Fortress, gulping down the cool air of a gloomy, drizzle-y afternoon. As important as it was to check if his stunts were doable in his performing attire, he desperately wished he could slip into something more comfortable. For now, Lyney loosened the laces of his corset and pried open the top buttons of his sleeveless shirt until he could shake off the feeling of near-suffocation. He kicked off his boots for good measure, letting the cold of the concrete seep through the thin layer of his stockings.
Then he fished a cigarette out of his pocket and lit it with a spark of Pyro between his thumb and forefinger. This was one of his worse habits; one he did his best to keep from Freminet, one he never expected to be able to hide from Lynette. Thankfully, she never said a word to him about it.
They say that where there's smoke, there's fire, but the opposite was also very much true.
Lyney took a deep drag, held his breath for a second or two before slowly blowing it out. A familiar relief settled in his bones as he watched the smoke dissipate.
The rain picked up around him, the rush of the water dulling his senses. The Opera's resident organist started practising the piece to be played along with their show. The mysterious melody reverberated through the Opera's walls and weaved through the raindrops.
Lyney's clothes were getting soaked, but he didn't mind. Nothing quite like a downpour to remind one that one is alive.
Lyney dropped the masks, dropped the weight on his shoulders, and danced. He slowly twirled to the muted music, spreading his arms and arching his back, smiling as the rain washed over his face. He hummed along with the familiar tune, letting the melody lead his movements.
Lyney wasn't sure how long he'd been dancing when someone cleared their throat.
"I sure hope I'm not interrupting something," a familiar voice said.
Lyney froze.
Wriothesley stood a few paces away with his arms crossed and an amused glint in his eyes. He didn't seem all that bothered by the rain either. Maybe living in the nation of Hydro carried that effect.
"And who let you out of your cage?" Lyney asked in return, smirking to mask the embarrassment of having been caught in a moment of vulnerability. "Surely this is no weather to walk the dog in."
"No weather for impromptu ballroom dances either," Wriothesley shot back. He stepped closer, shrugging off his coat and wrapping it around Lyney's bare shoulders like it was the most natural thing in the world. Then he frowned.
"You smoke?" Wriothesley asked.
Lyney looked down at the cigarette between his fingers, nearly burnt to a stub. He took a final drag before flicking it into a nearby puddle.
"What, didn't expect me to stoop that low?" Lyney crossed his arms. "Sorry to disappoint you."
"You're so committed to misreading me," Wriothesley said, almost laughed. "I really don't have any right to judge. I was just surprised."
"Well, they don't exactly allow addictive substances in the Fortress, now, do they?"
"I'm surprised you're old enough to acquire it."
"Oh, shut up, asshole," Lyney said, kicking Wriothesley's shins with absolutely no effect. Wriothesley guffawed like the old man he was and ruffled Lyney's wet hair the way he knew Lyney despised.
"I like you like this," he said, brushing Lyney's bangs out of his eyes more tenderly now, fingers warm against Lyney's forehead. "Dishevelled appearance, bad habits, potty mouth. You're much more human this way."
"There's not a lot of room for humanity in the things I do," Lyney softly pointed out.
"All the more reason to recognise it when you can. Once you lose your grip on it, it's hard to find it again."
Lyney chewed on his lip and frowned into the distance.
"Don't worry, you're still far away from that point," Wriothesley assured him.
"Since when are you the pinnacle of wisdom?" Lyney jabbed, pointedly waving away the relief he felt blooming in his chest.
"Comes with age," Wriothesley shrugged, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Gotta act like the old man you think I am."
Lyney snorted, the sound as undignified as they came. "Did you come up just to mess with me or are you getting soaked for a reason?"
"Is messing with you not a valid reason to get soaked?"
"Someone ought to muzzle you," Lyney huffed, making Wriothesley laugh again.
"Kidding, kidding," he placated, holding his hands up in surrender. "I did actually have some errands to run, you know. But when I saw you dance in the rain, I couldn't help but think you might like the company of a partner."
Lyney had yet to understand how icy blue eyes could hold such warmth. The organist was still playing, a sweet melody wrapping around them both.
"I can dance on my own just fine, but I suppose I'll indulge you just this once," Lyney said, taking the hand Wriothesley offered at his acceptance. "If only to warm up your creaky old joints."
"You'd be surprised what these creaky old joints can do," Wriothesley murmured lowly as he pulled Lyney close. He leaned in to nibble at Lyney's ear in playful emphasis, making Lyney laugh.
They slowly twirled around one another, fingers intertwined, warm despite the endless rain. Lyney rested his head against Wriothesley's chest, found comfort in the way the erratic, excited beat of Wriothesley's heart matched his. He lost track of time, of his responsibilities, of the world outside of Wriothesley's embrace.
As the music drew to a close, Wriothesley dipped Lyney deep, easily supporting his weight as he pressed kiss after searing kiss on Lyney's throat, his collarbone, his jaw. Lyney felt his skin heat up in response, evaporating the raindrops that had collected on his body. Finally Lyney managed to catch Wriothesley's lips with his own, wrenching a special kind of moan out of Wriothesley with the taste of tobacco still sitting on his tongue.
"Lyney, it's time to get back to–"
Lynette's soft voice broke Lyney out of his trance, and he pressed down his mortification when he met Lynette's surprised gaze. Wriothesley whipped his head around to face her, too, his body going still. Lyney suspected the pair of them looked like children caught with their hands in the cookie jar.
Lynette recovered swiftly, though, and sighed. "I'm not even going to ask," she said, turning around. "Just be back in five minutes."
And with that she disappeared back inside.
Lyney and Wriothesley looked at each other for a split second before bursting into laughter.
"I guess that's my cue to leave," Wriothesley chuckled, tugging Lyney upright again and helping him button up his shirt for good measure. "I'll have to get on with the aforementioned errands now, but I sense it won't be long until we meet again."
"Depends on if you lock your office at night," Lyney said, reaching up to touch patches of frost that had formed on places where Wriothesley's bare skin met the rain. "Though I can't say locks are an issue for me."
"I told you, you can just use your visitor's pass."
"But where's the fun in that?" Lyney smiled.
Wriothesley rolled his eyes fondly, pressed a kiss on Lyney's forehead, and sauntered off with a wave. Lyney's smile stubbornly stuck to his face even after Wriothesley was long gone. His hand rubbed the spot where his heart was burning a hole in his chest.
Yes, it seemed he was still infalliby, earth-shatteringly human.