Work Text:
Candlelight illuminates Neuvillette's desk, the soft scratching of his pen and the occasional rustling of pages turning lulling him into their steady rhythm. He barely registers Furina's near-silent footsteps approaching behind him, assuming they're merely passing by—his mistake.
In the space of a blink there's a knife hovering over his throat, a hand resting featherlight on his shoulder.
"You promised to be back soon" is murmured drowsily into his hair, warm breath, before Furina's chin comes to rest atop his head.
Slowly, mindful of the knife, he nods. "This will only take a few more minutes—"
"You promised that an hour ago."
Ah.
"I apologize."
"You 'apologize'?"
Tone sharp even under the fuzz of sleep. He reaches for the bookmark but Furina's hand slides down from shoulder to wrist, and he keeps still even when they let go to tuck the bookmark into his current place, shut the book, place it over his notes to weigh them down. Pen swiftly put away with the same care.
They shift, press closer to blow out the candle, plunging the room back into dark. Barely lit by moonlight creeping in silver from the curtains somewhere to his right, where he can't turn to check the clock. It is quite late.
"What else do you have to say for yourself?"
Furina expects nothing truly defensible, so he says nothing. Only tips his head back, welcoming the knife closer. He can almost see its faint gleam at the bottom of his vision.
"Hmph."
Just barely close enough to be felt, curls framing their narrowed gaze as they peer down at him.
"You can't tell me off for overworking when you do the exact same thing." Gently chiding, as the dulled edge ghosts over his neck almost idly. "And breaking a promise, really? That's not like you at all, Monsieur."
Down to collarbone, areas usually well-covered during the day. Furina softly hums, as if pondering where best to cut; their other hand clasped around his shoulder, tracing the shape of bone under skin.
He breathes in deep—the brief kiss of cool steel—
"Were you listening?"
He exhales. Opens his eyes, is greeted with the amused twist of Furina's mouth. "... Yes."
"Don't keep me waiting, then."
The knife vanishes. Neuvillette has a moment to miss it before he pushes himself to his feet, falling into step behind Furina as they lead him back to bed.