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Neuvillette has been here for hours. He glances at the arm of the ornately carved grandfather clock in the hallway, signalling it is nearly midnight.
He attended this celebration to try and earn the favor of a count who seemed interested in sponsoring orphanages, which Fontaine needed funding for urgently. The poor quality of many of these facilities wasn't unnoticed by Neuvillette, but he alone could not cover the costs they needed just to operate, let alone improve them.
Neuvillette has tried to play along with him, allowing the young man to push him around far too much for far too long. He knew of André, as the man so informally wished to be called, and his long extravagant parties, but whatever accounts he had heard failed to mention that the length was not just long, but barbaric. It had taken quite a toll on his body to be standing and follow the man for so long. Even with most of his time being sitting, his legs still throbbed from the time standing.
He sat on a chair across from the clock, gripping onto his glass of water, wishing he had left earlier. People came in and out of the mansion constantly, most presumably not being able to tolerate the long run time of it.
Much like him.
Even normally, his body would ache, no matter what amount of physical activity the man did. He was lucky that he woke up feeling better than average, otherwise he might have left early, forfeiting his chance. He promised to stay for the magic show at midnight, but he thinks he will leave swiftly after.
“Monsieur! I found you at last!” The host in question stands proudly in front of him, with his fianceé trailing closely behind him.
“We were wondering if you would be willing to come watch the show with us, it will start soon.” His fianceé said.
He had not quite caught her name, and Furina often reprimanded him for asking high nobles names because it offended them, so he decided to keep his mouth closed.
“Yes, I would be delighted to watch the show with you, I will meet you there in a minute.” It felt like if he got up now he would fall right back down, and in that event he couldn't bear to have someone watching him.
“I was thinking we could head over together, then we could talk about the proposal you made earlier.” André said.
At the mercy of a noble yet again, Neuvillette agreed. He grabbed his cane leaning on the wall, and used that to prop himself up after standing, his lean and strained definitely noticeable from his guests if their faces are any indicator. One hand let go of the cane, allowing him to follow the pair.
They walked slowly, Neuvillette thanked everything for that, for a little before André spoke again, “So we were thinking we could help some of the orphanages, but we'd prefer to discuss the details at a later date. Could we send a letter to the Palais tomorrow?”
Neuvillette almost sighs from relief, he is ready to leave this place, and did not want to negotiate finances with these people at this time. He then reassures them it was fine, and they could work out everything later.
“This is also important for us,” his fianceé spoke up,” One of our loyal housekeepers was an orphan, we heard how awful it was in those places, and we don't think they should have to live like that!”
André nods in agreement with a small “mhmm!”.
“Wasn't the Duke of Meropide in an orphanage prior to becoming a prisoner?” She asked with big eyes.
Neuvillette felt bad about confirming her information, but it was a public case and anyone could look for it if they were trying. He knows Wriothesley doesn't particularly like people to be aware of his past, even if he has accepted it.
They turned the corner of the hallway into the theatre built into the home. It wasn't nearly as big as the Opera Epiclese, but it still had just as much care put into its design. All the carpets and drapery were in this royal purple with gold accents. People already sat inside the room waiting for the performance.
“We're up at the top, best seats in the place.” André said, winking at his wife who giggled playfully.
Neuvillette let them take the lead, and leaning on the railing, he practically dragged himself up the luckily short flight of stairs.
When he sat next to the couple, a waiter came by to bring them a tray of snacks and drinks. Unlucky for him, water was not one of the offered refreshments, so he settled for a glass of white grape juice instead. Both of his companions had alcohol and cake.
“Come on, you should try some of these!” The excited woman pointed to the cake slices on the tray, definitely reminding him of Furina. “Oh, and some of these, and those, and this is good too!”
As she pointed at more and more desserts, the tray was offered to be left here for their convenience, and they obliged. Neuvillette took a small slice of rainbow rose cake to satisfy the woman.
As the lights dimmed and the magic show started, the couple continued their marathon of desserts, insisting he try more and more. Neuvillette had already eaten enough that night, and feels like if he eats everything they’re offering he would throw up from the sheer amount of sweets. He takes another dessert anyway, this time a fruit pudding, to temporarily appease their incessant pleading for him to eat their desserts.
He continued to choose a couple desserts that the couple offered throughout the magic show, not being able to pay much attention. The loud noises, the spotlights, and the conversation were wearing him well past his limit.
When the show was over, he was offered three bags of food and party favors, well wishes for his return home, and a promise for a letter.
Everything from the magic show to when he boarded the Aquabus was a blur, Neuvillette was so tired. And his legs continued their throbbing, even after he sat down. He's sure he fell asleep because soon enough he's getting off the boat and into the elevator leading to the Palais Mermonia.
He walked through the front doors, where he saw Sigewinne talking to Sedene at the front desk. She perked up when she saw him and ran up to him.
“Neuvillette! We were worried, you had been there so long we were about to call the gardes to do a wellness check” she giggled, “Here, let me take these up for you.”
“Thank you, Sigewinne” The extra weight being lifted off his body helps ease some of the pressure in his legs, especially on his knees.
Neuvillette takes out his key and opens the door to the upper levels of the Palais, where his apartment was located. Neuvillette dragged himself up the flight of stairs, up to the Palais Mermonia’s storage room. Every step sent a sharp pain through his legs.
As Neuvillette starts on the second flight of stairs, Sigewinne starts chattering away about some prisoner she had cared for yesterday.
“Oh! And,” she said when she was done with that, “His Grace is waiting for you in your room. Do you want me to go tell him to start a bath?”
She always seems to know when he's not feeling well and how to fix it, but this time he imagines his state speaks for himself. He takes up her offer, and she runs up the stairs, occasionally hitting a bag against the stairs due to her short stature.
When he finally climbs up past the storage room and guest rooms, into the residential level, he feels a sense of relief from the knowledge he won't have to climb any more stairs until the morning.
The door is open from Sigewinne, and she is standing on a chair in the kitchen, stirring a giant pot of what he presumes is soup. It smells like beef.
“Monsieur, Wriothesley is in your room, preparing your bath. You should probably go greet him, the soup won't be ready for a little”
He hobbles into the open room, shutting the door behind him, but not locking it. He can hear the water from the tub faucet, but instead Neuvillette chooses to sit on the chair next to his door.
“Hello sweetness” Wriothesley softly says, pulling up his face for a kiss, “How was the party?”
“They have agreed to financially support some of their local orphanages, they will send a letter with more information tomorrow.”
Wriothesley scooped him up, kissing his forehead, before placing him back onto his chair.
“Sigewinne told me you were hurting, I thought she told you to be careful with yourself.”
“I was, I was sitting for most of the party, I do not know how it ended up so bad…”
A look of pity fell onto Wriothesley's face, but before Neuvillette could tell him to stop, Wriothesley knelt down and started removing his shoes. The gesture was appreciated, so he let it slide.
Wriothesley helped him get undressed for his bath, kissing him in between every piece of clothing removed. When Neuvillette was bare, he picked the man up bridal style and walked over to the bathroom.
He gently placed Neuvillette in the half full bath, and poured some floral Liyuean bath salts under the running stream. He didn't remember seeing this kind.
“Did you buy new ones?” Neuvillette asked.
“Yeah, I heard about them from Sigewinne and thought you needed some new ones, I remembered you getting low on them last time I was here” Wriothesley replied, sitting down by the edge of the tub, “and it seems like I was right to get some more.”
Neuvillette hums in agreement, before turning the water temperature slightly hotter than it was before, and fully straightening his legs to get his knees under the water. They hurt the most out of anything. He was glad for his large tub that allowed him to completely submerge his body in the hot water.
It tingled his skin, and before the tub was even filled, his skin turned a flushed pink color from the heat.
Neuvillette meets Wriothesley's eyes, and finally returns the kisses the man gave him earlier. Wriothesley grabs Neuvillette’s face and pulls him in closer, kissing his lover. He missed him at the party, and seeing him here was a nice surprise.
“Actually, Wriothesley, when did you get here at the Palais Mermonia? I wasn't expecting company. I hope I didn't keep you and Sigewinne waiting too long.” Neuvillette asked the man.
Wriothesley just shook his head before speaking, “We got here a couple hours before you did, although it wasn't like we just sat there waiting for you. And I think you're in worse shape than either of us, so you take first priority.”
“There is no need to pity me, I have handled this since before I even got to the court.” Neuvillette replies. It has been there since he was a teenager, when he grew into his adult body it just worsened. He overheard a mother talking about growing pains to her child, and he accredited the pain to that. Except unlike growing pains, his never really left.
“How many times will I have to tell you that you're deserving of love before you believe it?”
“I think it is quite the hypocritical statement coming from someone who thought I looked down on them for being human.”
Wriothesley’s eyes softened before speaking, “Well how was any mere mortal supposed to believe that someone more powerful than a god was utterly infatuated with them?”
He kissed the blushing man, who lowered part of his face under the steaming water.
“I'm going to go check on the soup.”
Wriothesley turned off the now full tub before leaving the room. Neuvillette brought his face above the water, preferring his face colder than his body.
The heat was helping and he dreaded when he would have to leave this warm heaven.
Wriothesley returned with two bowls of soup, some toasted bread, and a bowl of fruit on a tray. He also spots two of the desserts from the party on the tray.
“I’m not sure what you had to eat there, so I'll finish off anything you don't want.” Wriothesley offered. The man ate so much that even if Neuvillette gave him everything on the tray, he would still go and cook up something else. It's the recipe for getting bigger muscles Wriothesley had told him one day.
“The party had a meal, but after all the desserts the host couple lovingly bestowed upon me, I am long overdue due for something savory.” Neuvillette looks down at the bowl Wriothesley offers him, and sees a beef stew inside.
“We were going to make a proper soup, but we didn't think we would have time to fully prepare a broth and cook the ingredients.” Wriothesley says, taking a bite out of one of the beef chunks, “Besides, stews are my specialty. Aside from ribs of course.”
Wriothesley knew Neuvillette was born a big fan of ribs. They were heavily seasoned and often had a strong taste that was too much to be enjoyable. And what was enjoyable to him was called bland by the man.
Still, Wriothesley enjoyed cooking for him, and didn't seem to mind having to load his own portion with desired spices and sauces at the end.
It made him feel accommodated and cared for in a way that he wasn't used to.
The soup was fresh tasting and rich without being too overpowering for him. The bread was fresh, and we wondered if they got it from the bakery Furina likes. She always used to take him there and beg him to try every sweet in the store, but his favorite thing from there was the bread.
Neuvillette took two pieces of the fruit, before handing the bowl off to Wriothesley to be devoured by the ever hungry man.
They heard a knock on the door.
“If any of you want a second bowl, come get it now before I put it away. It's late so we should all get to bed so we can get a good night's sleep!” Sigewinne called out through a crack in the door.
Wriothesley rushed out to take the girl up on her offer, returning with his bowl refilled and a disproportionate amount of bread.
Neuvillette watches as the man consumes his second portion at a concerningly high speed. When he is finished he speaks again.
“So, does your abundance of sweets at the party mean there's no room for a romantic dessert between the two of us?” He held up the plate with two slices of chocolate and raspberry cake, pulling his pleading puppy dog eyes at the man, which Neuvillette was ever weak to.
“I will have a little.”
Wriothesley grinned at him before picking up a piece of the cake and lifting it to Neuvillette's mouth, letting the man taste it. It was rich, maybe a little too much so after everything he had today, but it was certainly not bad.
Neuvillette declines any more cake, and instead opts to feed it to Wriothesley in the same manner he did to Neuvillette. Wriothesley grins as he eats the last bite of cake, before pulling Neuvillette into another kiss.
When Wriothesley pulls away he tells him he's going to put the dishes away. Neuvillette nods his approval, and watches as he places everything back onto the tray.
Neuvillette leans his head back on the edge of the tub, as good as the hot water felt on the pain, he felt like he was overheating in here.
“Could you help me get out?” Neuvillette asked Wriothesley when he stepped back through the door.
“Sure thing honey,” the man answered as he walked over to Neuvillette, “You look like a tomato, are you sure this water wasn't too hot?”
“I think I needed it,” Neuvillette said. He blushed a little at his mistake, but the flush from the heat rendered it unnoticeable to the other man.
Wriothesley drained the tub and lifted Neuvillette, wrapping him in a towel slung over his shoulder. The motion was a little awkward with him trying not to set Neuvillette on the floor.
Neuvillette sucked the excess water out of Wriothesley's clothes with his hand and flung it into the tub.
Wriothesley murmured his thanks into Neuvillette's ear, before setting the man down on the bed. Even though there was no need for a towel since Neuvillette could dry himself, Wriothesley still seemed to never let him.
So he sat as Wriothesley carefully ran the towel over his body, kneeling beside the bed to dry his legs, and giving each one a kiss when he was done. Neuvillette's ears flushed.
Wriothesley grabbed Neuvillette's lotion, and began rubbing it into his skin. He flipped Neuvillette onto his stomach, and with firm hands, rubbed it into his back.
As Wriothesley massaged his lover, a small purring sound emanated from the white haired man.
A small chuckle left Wriothesley, “Feel good darling?”
A small noise of affirmation left Neuvillette, as Wriothesley continued his massage from his back, down to his legs that were still bothering him with their constant throbbing pain.
“There is some salve in the nightstand drawer,” Neuvillette informed Wriothesley. Wriothesley quickly grabbed the small metal tin, and flipped Neuvillette from his stomach to his back.
He rubbed the thick white cream into his legs, leaning over to occasionally place a kiss on Neuvillette's lips, which he happily reciprocated.
Wriothesley tossed Neuvillette a pair of underwear to put on, and slid one of Neuvillette's white nightgowns over his head, and sat on the bed next to him.
Neuvillette leaned into Wriothesley, who took up rubbing the man's back.
“Are you going to finally go to sleep now?” Wriothesley asked.
“I haven't brushed my teeth yet, but after that I will,” Neuvillette said, “and maybe a glass of water is needed too.”
“Did they have good water at the party?”
“It was average. Good quality, but nothing special.” Neuvillette answered, still dreading when he'd have to stand again.
After a sigh he finally lifted himself off the bed, feeling that sharp pain again that made him want to fall over.
“Don't push yourself,” Wriothesley warned, “I can carry you.”
“... It's fine.”
Wriothesley walked him to the bathroom sink, where Neuvillette immediately grabbed the counter to lean on. As grabbed his toothbrush with one hand, he felt Wriothesley step away and return with a chair.
Neuvillette plopped into the chair with more force than intended, and continued with the ritual of brushing his teeth, Wriothesley joining him.
When they were done, Neuvillette was walked back to the bed, and Wriothesley pulled the blankets off, giving Neuvillette a space to lay down. They shuffled into the large bed, and Wriothesley pulled the layers of blankets back over them.
It was winter, so Neuvillette often felt cold while sleeping, so to solve that he had layers upon layers of blankets. He thinks to copious amount of blankets annoys Wriothesley; the man has always run warm.
“Do you have to leave tomorrow morning?” Neuvillette asked. He did not have any trials until the afternoon, and wished to spend more time with him.
“Unfortunately, I could probably push it a bit later if you'd like”
“That would be appreciated.”
Neuvillette pushed his face against Wriothesley's, resting their foreheads together and leaving their lips almost so.
“I don't want to make you stay here and be the reason you can't get your work done.” Their lips brushed as Neuvillette spoke. Wriothesley cupped Neuvillette’s cheek.
“I was only going to stay an hour or two longer, it won't affect me,” Wriothesley replied, letting Neuvillette grab his cheek, “Enough time for us to have some breakfast. We could eat whatever leftovers we have here, or even go to a restaurant.”
“Here. People are starting to get suspicious.”
“Says who?”
“Clorinde and Furina.”
“Would it matter if the people knew?”
“...”
“...”
Neuvillette looked into Wriothesley's eyes, the close distance making his lover blurry. He then spoke.
“It is a strange proposal from someone who prefers to keep his identity hidden from the public's eyes and his name put of their mouth.”
“Perhaps”
Neuvillette moved forward kissing Wriothesley, and letting the man's stubble scratch at his chin. Wriothesley’s legs wrapped around his body and held him close, eventually pulling Neuvillette’s head under his chin, despite Neuvillette being taller.
Neuvillette moved his face until it was open to the air, so he could breathe properly.
“Sigewinne was right, we should go to sleep soon,” Wriothesley whispered.
“Then sleep.”
“You should too.”
“I will.”
Wriothesley gripped him tighter, and Neuvillette returned the gesture. His mouth was now right next to Neuvillette's ear.
“Is the salve not helping?”
“It can only do so much. Don't worry about it, you have done enough.”
“I will try, goodnight my love”
“Goodnight Wriothesley.”
…
Even as Wriothesley fell asleep quickly, he must have been exhausted waiting for him, Neuvillette stayed up. That pain that he had been trying to ignore, pointedly not letting the thoughts have room in his head, now consumed it. His time for distractions was up, and there was nothing to take away from the feeling.
As much as he appreciated Wriothesley being here for him, he almost wishes he were alone, so he could just cry into his own pillow. There was always something so hopeless about something that would never go away that he couldn't deal with like other pains.
It had a grasp on Neuvillette that would never loosen until it crushed the man.
He always wondered if it had something to do with his more human nature, if it stemmed from an incompatibility between the two parts of him. If it was, it's something he could never fix.
Sometimes he almost wishes it would just kill him without all the fanfare. End the torture now that his duty is done and his body is spent, even if his age was not the cause.
He wonders what time it is, but is unable to see without waking Wriothesley. The man is a light sleeper; they both are.
Neuvillette shoves his face back into Wriothesley's chest, letting the hair tickle his face. He squeezes the man between his arms and legs, as if trying to crawl inside him.
The feeling of tears, pricking at his eyes but never escaping, plagued him.
He felt Wriothesley shift, and a large hand moved to pet his hair. Neuvillette could hear the man mumble against his head, could feel it in his throat, but didn't catch the words.
“Hm?” Neuvillette shifted his tear filled bleary eyes up, even though it didn't grant him better vision.
“I'm sorry,” Wriothesley murmured. Neuvillette squeezed his eyes shut.
“You didn't do anything.” A tear fell from Neuvillette’s eye, running down Wriothesley's neck, settling into the bedsheets.
“Doesn't mean I don't wish I could do something.”
“...”
“...”
“I'm sorry for waking you.”
“Would talking about it help?”
What is there to talk about?
Neuvillette shook his head, “There is nothing more to say that you haven't heard.”
“Then I will hear it again,” Wriothesley kisses the top of his head,” and again, and again, and again.” Kissing the top of his head with each ‘again’.
“You do the same for me,” Wriothesley says, “Every nightmare of mine that is the same you will sit there and listen. No matter how much sleep you lose. Now let me do the same for you.”
“You have already done so,” Neuvillette replies, “but if you wish I will indulge you with some words.”
“The point isn't to make up words to please me, it's to make you feel better.”
Wriothesley sighs, mumbling “what am I ever going to do with you?” into his hair, which seems quite ironic considering his inability to open up.
…
“It just feels hopeless sometimes. It won't ever go away, and it only gets worse. Ever since I got my power back, it has gone from only a slight soreness to a daily pain. Something inside me is incompatible with another thing, and it feels like it's killing me Wriothesley, even if I know it's not.”
Wriothesley is completely still, but before the man speaks, Neuvillette continues.
“I know this is unreasonable, I'm sorry. I just want to know what is wrong with me.”
Still, after years of being together it was hard to talk about sometimes. The shame creeping up like bile in his throat. The feeling of being inadequate due to the pain, while feeling dramatic for even feeling it, battling for which gets to hurt him more.
“...I think it would be more unreasonable for you not to be concerned,” Wriothesley reassures, “This shows you care about yourself, and having an unexplained medical issue warrants this type of response.”
“And,” Wriothesley whispers in his ear, “I will be here for you. Just tell me what you need, and I will try my best to fulfill your wish.”
“Just hold me please” Neuvillette begged
Wriothesley moved his other arm under Neuvillette, and held his back, keeping the one stroking his hair where it was.
“I'll stay awake with you.” It was not a negotiable statement.
Secretly, Neuvillette was relieved.
They stayed up a little while longer, it must have been at least an hour, Wriothesley stroking Neuvillette’s hair and back until the man purred and his eyes closed against his lover's chest. Until his breathing slowed until sleep finally covered him with its blanket of relief, taking away the ability to feel the pain until the morning sun would come peaking through his curtains, when it would be much better.