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Quiet nights have become an incredibly fleeting thing, much to the Chief Justice’s chagrin.
When the beginnings of a rose gold dawn start to spill through sheer curtains, ebbing away the shades of midnight and bringing the people of Fontaine their next day, he knows that it too will slowly pull him away from you. Sometimes he can’t help but feel envy with how comfortable you look still, having long finished his morning routine, and…
He doesn’t quite understand how you’re not sprawled across his side of the bed by now. His half is pristine; the sheets crisp and well-made which contrasted heavily with the creases and mound of blankets hiding your sleeping form. Yet, he doesn’t need to see you to know that you’re stretched out like a far too content cat that has managed to keep its chaos of tossing and turning to one side. Or… perhaps you’re like a Melusine, all bundled up while continuing to seek out any potential warmth that you can get your hands on. A perfect little bubble that blocked out anything else in the world…
You’re far too adorable, he thinks. Well, from what he can see from his view resting near the doorway to your joined bedroom anyway. His lips are ticked up in a fond, natural smile, one that one seemed to shine in your presence. It’s only been around an hour or so since his natural alarm went off and Neuvillette, very reluctantly, untangled his arms from your waist to pull himself out of bed. You had mumbled something soft and incoherent at that, but he had managed to settle you back down with a small kiss to the forehead before your mind could truly comprehend what was happening.
Yet, looking at it now, Neuvillette doesn't think there is anything he would rather do than return to bed. He can picture it clearly; sinking back into your sleepy form and simply staying there, letting all his responsibilities fall away in favor of sleep and everything amazing that came with being with you. His mind knows better though, years of wear and tear having ingrained his purpose into his very soul, so… a goodbye kiss will have to do. For the time being.
Neuvillette leans off the doorway before quietly padding across the plush carpet, eventually allowing his knees to hit the bed frame before crawling atop. The mattress dips beneath his weight though it thankfully isn’t enough to jostle you awake. Gingerly, he lowers himself into the space beside you, pressing close enough to crease his once perfectly smooth covers. His elbow comes to rest next to your pillow, resting his cheek in his palm while hovering just above your sleeping face eliciting some longer bits of his daisy colored hair to fall into his eyes.
Up close like this, he can make out everything that makes you so very beautiful. Of everything that he adores and admires like a painter in an art exhibit; the every detail of your person. The soft glow of your skin, the delicate shape of your eyebrows, the plushness of your lips...
Without a single thought, he leans close and presses a kiss to your temple; trailing up to your forehead before resting his lips on the tip of your nose. Archons, those creases in your eyes when you smile… your soft jaw and tangled hair, that extra sensitive spot just next to your ear…
It’s only when his lips graze that spot a second time that you begin to stir, letting out a small yet sleepy noise before drowsily turning your face up towards his. Neuvillette pulls away just in time to watch those gorgeous eyes flutter open and take him in.
“ Darling. “ He draws out, and it isn't long before you’re smiling as brightly as the sun leaking into your bedroom. Neuvillette moves to press a kiss to the corner of your lips, your gaze drifting to meet his own before taking another tired breath in. “ Neuvi? “
He’s quick to hush you with a noise of agreement, allowing his free arm to wrap around the warm, blanket covered shape that is you. Your far smaller hands emerge from the mound to find their place around the nape of his neck, velvet fingertips pressing into his skin. “ Come back to bed… “ You whine softly, and the Iudex could feel his heart warm.
“ I have to leave in just a moment. “ He explains swiftly. “ My apologies for waking you. I just… wanted to say goodbye before I left. “ His words are hushed as if to not wake you up any further; so soft spoken and light that they almost disappear just as quickly as they’re said. Yet, they merely make you frown up at him, your fingers gingerly twisting into the bits of white and blue that you could reach from that angle. It feels nearly impossible to resist leaning down to kiss the creased spot between your brows so he does just that.
“ You’re leaving? Already? “ You ask, pulling sharp, lavender eyes back to your own. “ What time is it? “ You add on, and Neuvillette can’t help but soften even more at the sleepy confusion written across your features.
“ It’s around eight in the morning, love. “ He answers with. “ We both know I have to be at the courts before nine lest chaos begins to brew without me. “ He teases, cracking another smile onto your lips before the expression faded into something much more like a pout. A small noise of complaint escapes as your hand slips out from his neck, a touch that he instantly misses, a craving not yet fully satisfied.
But then you wrapped your arms around his middle instead, squeezing him tight. The Iudex chuckles, hugging you back as the sensation of your legs trying to slot together with his own becomes apparent, only being stopped by the excessive layers of bedsheets that separate you both.
“ Ugh- “ You groan, making him softly laugh once more. " Why are you on top of the covers? Come hereee… “
“ Darling, “ He says, smiling so big he can feel it in his cheeks. Neuvillette reaches close to brush his gloved fingers through your messy, perfect hair. “ Love, I’ve just explained that I have to leave soon. Roughly a few minutes or so to be on time. “
“ Five minutes, “ You attempt to bargain. “ No, wait- Ten? Please? “
“ Shush. “ He deflects because it’s the only real answer he can give, fondness dripping like honey from his tongue. It felt difficult enough to dismiss your pleas without causing that pouting expression to get worse. It’s so, so easy to let his other arm envelop your waist, so familiar the way you fit together like this. His hand is squished between you and warm sheets, and for a moment, Neuvillette really, really wishes he could do what you're asking him to. Just stay. But… then he thinks of his job. And his office, and the courtroom already likely filling with people waiting to witness the next trial to be commenced.
His nerves thrum at the thought of it all, of Furina impatiently waiting for the Chief Justice and the only true ruler of the court to arrive properly. He opts to surge forward to kiss the pout off of your lips.
“ I promise to be back before the evening is too dark, yes? “ He offers once you part, eliciting another whine. Soft hands come back up to the nape of his neck as if to hold him in place.
“ But… I’m just seeing you now… “ You say, still pouting.
He gives you a look. “ Darling, you have been sleeping. “
Yet, you don’t budge despite being told the obvious. “ And? I’m awake now, and I wanna be with you. “
You say it like it makes perfect sense, and perhaps in a way only unique to you, Neuvillette supposes that it does.
“ Well, “ He starts with, leaning in a little closer, seemingly unable to stop smiling. “ How… do you feel about visiting then? “ He offers, and oh, you’re already smiling up at him, a part of you clearly satiated. You’re already laughing, eyes creasing even more in the corners with a glowing type of love. It’s a laugh that he knows well; your fond ‘i’m so lucky to be with you’ laugh. When really, he should be the one thanking you for being with him.
" Please, just inform one of the Melusines once you’re prepared and they will escort you to the court. “ He continues, failing to hide his enthusiasm at this. Still, you nod when Neuvillette gives your waist a teasing squeeze, wanting a verbal answer to his offer. “ Okay, okay! Yes, “ You get out between laughs, and he thinks it’s his favorite sound in all of Tevat.
Neuvillette lets up the tickling and you merely sink right back into the mattress, all pretty and a little breathless. " I wanna come see you, “ You repeat, just to underline it. Make everything more official.
He smiles and bumps your noses together. " Okay. “
“ Okay. “ You echo back, and it’s Neuvillette who presses your lips together, turning you into putty while dragging your fingertips over his scalp. You sigh contently against him, your warm breath brushing over his upper lip, making him sigh too. Reluctantly, he also pulls away first. But not to move any further away than to kiss the corner of your mouth, and then your cheek, and jaw, and that spot below your ear - repeating his ministrations from earlier.
Finally, he pushes his face into the sleep-warm space that is the crook of your neck, settling there. For just a moment, he tells himself. He can have this for a moment. Your arms snake around his neck, cradling his head.
“ What happened to leaving in one minute, huh? “ You ask, sounding pleased and far too much like you’ve won your little battle.
Neuvillette smiles to himself, hidden against your throat . “ You, “ He says simply. " You happened. “
And when you laugh, it's a bright sound in your sleepy bedroom, and Neuvillette feels the buzz of it all the way through to his water-logged heart.