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Neuvillette keeps track of the phases of the moon.
Never before had the finer details of the moon felt so important to him, but now, noting the phases of the moon is part of Neuvillette’s daily routine. When the sun sets, his eyes swing toward the sky. And when the moon reaches waxing gibbous, Neuvillette has become accustomed to the way Wriothesley’s demeanor begins to shift as if scrying his impending rebirth.
This is their 47th full moon together. And it took roughly this many for Wriothesley to sleep comfortably beside Neuvillette, accepting what is to come.
The pain of shapeshifting is not what Wriothesley concerns himself with at this point in his life – at least, not in Neuvillette’s presence. Instead, Wriothesley carries considerable guilt about what he might do when his human nature is stripped away, replaced with animalistic instincts and a thirst for torn flesh. This emotion is not unknown to Neuvillette. After all, living as a vampire for the last thousand years has taken him considerable time to adjust to. The guilt may never fade, but the understanding they share soothes the most inflamed aches.
Before they started dating, Wriothesley would spend full moons hidden away where no one could reach him – in the depths of the sea, locked in a robust enclosure, or, inside a dark, dreary cave, one so cold and wet and ripe with the stench of decaying animals that no human would dare enter, lest a “beast” lurk within.
How grateful Neuvillette is that things have changed.
Neuvillette holds Wriothesley close, their limbs intertwined, relishing the opportunity to press his nose against Wriothesley’s hair, ready to comfort him as the moment finally arrives.
As always, the transformation is gruesome. Wriothesley wakes up screaming. Neuvillette gives him space, watching intently as the familiar wolf slowly appears before him.
Never is he quite himself at first. On high alert, fangs bared, a dark look in his eyes. But then he sees Neuvillette - the man who has remained at his side the last 47 full moons – and he calms, pawing confident steps forward before nuzzling his damp snout into Neuvillette’s patiently outstretched hand.
“Hello again,” Neuvillette says softly, a pleased inhale as Wriothesley the Wolf turns around and backs into him, planting his seated back against Neuvillette’s body.
He wants pets – lots of them – and it is now Neuvillette’s duty to provide.
…Is it possible that Neuvillette has domesticated Wriothesley’s wolf form? It was not a quick endeavor – gaining the trust of someone one can only meet 12 times per year – and yet, here Wriothesley is, tail slapping against the covers in earnest, leaning into Neuvillette’s affectionate chin scritches as Neuvillette plants a kiss onto his cheek.
“Does that feel nice?” Neuvillette asks. He knows the answer, but it is heartening to see the werewolf so readily doting after countless years of anguish.
Wriothesley lets out a woof, and then spins around, nipping at Neuvillette with a sneeze.
He’s turned into a big puppy, and Neuvillette laughs as the wolf’s teeth tug on his sleeve, guiding Neuvillette upright.
Neuvillette follows Wriothesley to the kitchen, grabbing Wriothesley all the food they prepackaged and prepared for this moonlit night.
“What would you like first?” Neuvillette asks, spreading out an array of various meats – both expensive and cheap – for Wriothesley.
Wriothesley sniffs at them all, far more patient than even last month. Perhaps their routine is beginning to truly stick, as the wolf figures out his first choice, leaning down and gobbling it up with care not to spill.
In the meantime, Neuvillette sits at the dining room table, sipping the finest hydro, a proud grin tugging at his lips.
Human Wriothesley loves to play stubborn, but as a wolf, he is far more honest with what he wants and needs. Which is why after he is done eating, he laps up the hydro Neuvillette prepared for him and dashes back to Neuvillette’s side, curling into a ball at his feet.
“Shall we go for a walk…?” Neuvillette asks after the wolf has adequately rested.
Wriothesley’s belly is full – too full to want to eat much else right now, let alone someone.
Wriothesley’s ear twitches. And then he’s back on four legs, leading Neuvillette to the door.
Wind blows through Neuvillette’s hair as they traverse the nearest forest. Wriothesley has woken up many local creatures with his howling, and Neuvillette can’t help but smile when Wriothesley turns back to look at Neuvillette for approval before each of his most passionate cries.
At some point, Neuvillette howls with him, and excites Wriothesley so much that he nearly knocks Neuvillette over with all the sudden affection he wishes to impart. Neuvillette laughs, bracing himself with his cane, ignoring all the drool that suddenly moistens his attire.
“It’s getting late,” Neuvillette says after they’ve sat beneath a tree for a while. The night grows old, and though Neuvillette has the day off tomorrow, he knows that when the sun rises, human Wriothesley will be far too exhausted to make the walk back himself.
It’s clear Wriothesley doesn’t want to leave. He’s at peace, finally wrapped in a warm, cozy environment, accompanied a being that he knows he can trust. Sure, they can do this back at home, but to do it freely in the outdoors is a luxury the moonlit wolf hasn’t been afforded in years past.
Soft pets and kisses adorn the wolf’s furry face before he decides to give the vampire a signal that says let’s go.
Leaves and sticks crunch beneath their feet. Much less under Wriothesley’s, who’s hypervigilant, a silent predator amongst the undergrowth.
As they return home, Wriothesley shakes all the moisture from his fur, leaving it splattered across the entryway. Neuvillette pets him once more before they make their way back to the bedroom.
This is the most peaceful full moon they’ve ever shared.
“You seem unscathed,” Wriothesley notes the next morning. He’s exhausted and sweaty, hardly able to lift his head off his pillow. There’s unease in his statement – fear that he should have slept somewhere else, still traumatized from the times he’s awoken covered in red. “How was I?”
“Cuddly,” Neuvillette responds, a soft chuckle as Wriothesley’s stubbled cheeks blossom with red, “Do you remember anything this time?”
“A bit,” Wriothesley says, glancing away, trying to seem composed, “You were nice to me. I remember that.”
“Good,”
“And I felt safe. I’ve never come out of that feeling so relaxed.”
“That means we are making fine progress, Wriothesley.”
Wriothesley lies there, staring at the ceiling. He lets out a yawn, recoiling immediately. “I need to brush my teeth. And take a shower.”
Wordlessly, Neuvillette helps him out of bed. They wash him up, feed him until his belly is full, much like he’d been fed last night, and when they’re finally done, Wriothesley is up and walking on his own again, sharp outfit drawing Neuvillette’s attention.
“Thanks for the help, Iudex.” Wriothesley says, tightening the tape around his hands. “Promise next month I’ll take care of myself. I’m sure it’s not easy.”
“It was a pleasure,” Neuvillette says, a step closer to him, “I want you to spend the next full moon at my side once more.”
Wriothesley tenses before he lets out a long sigh, nodding. “...I will. Just– Let me pay you back in some way, okay? You’re doing a lot for me. I need to earn my keep.”
Perceived lop-sided contribution in their relationship seems to bother Wriothesley. Neuvillette has long since been aware of this. “You do more than enough, Wriothesley.”
“Y–” Wriothesley’s blush returns, and he anxiously tightens the tape even more, “You know what? Bite me. Right here.” He displays his neck as he says it, presents the scarred flesh, drags his calloused fingers across it. “I trust you not to slip.”
Something inside Neuvillette roars alive at the sudden words. He’s forgotten how hungry that part of him is – how delightful it would be to do exactly as Wriothesley offers, but…
“I am sure we will find something satisfactory another time, Wriothesley. For today, let’s simply enjoy each other’s company.”
His hand meets Wriothesley’s cheek. It slides down the stubbled skin, cupping his chin, giving him scritches much like he had the wolf. Though Wriothesley no longer has a tail, Neuvillette can still see it wagging behind him. The observation is supported as Wriothesley pulls Neuvillette into a sudden, warm hug, the two of them relaxing against one another.
“I love you,” Wriothesley whispers, squeezing Neuvillette even tighter. “You’re too good to me, Iudex,” a long pause, “...for me.”
Neuvillette kisses his shoulder, petting Wriothesley as they sway back and forth. “I love you too, Wriothesley. Though, I believe we are evenly matched. Thank you for letting me experience this side of you.”
“...Not like you have much of a choice,”
“I do have one – and I choose you, Wriothesley. I will always choose you.”