[ No, Neuvillette surmises, Wriothesley isn't very fond of attention at all. ]
I should be so honoured you'd allow me to focus all my attention on you for the night, then.
[ In a way, that makes this experience all the more significant. That for all that Wriothesley would rather not be perceived by so many, he'd been so eager to spend time with Neuvillette in this way. But the man's always accepted Neuvillette's curiosity-- had always been patient with him, even, when needed.
Most of the Fortress' inmates would rather have nothing to do with them after their sentencing. Neuvillette had always computed this as a natural response, given human thoughts towards punishment. But Wriothesley had never directed any resentment his way in turn.
In fact, having him walking by his side now through the city-- and being able to feel him, now that he isn't so separate from the water-- tells him that Wriothesley's quite pleased by all this. Happy, even. Comfortable... ]
...I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to keep my eyes off you even if I tried.
[Wriothesley chuckles quietly, for all that it made him feel warm and fluttery inside, hearing Neuvillette wouldn't be able to keep his eyes off him. He'd given the timeline of it all a considerable amount of thought in the weeks since that afternoon of dance.
The least clear memories, those during his trial, had begun with an idle thought about the elegant man being... rather pretty. He hadn't really had any other words he could think to use at the time, and everything had been pushed to the back of his mind once he was given the chance to speak. He hadn't thought about the moment much during his incarceration -- he had far too much to focus on in order to keep his head above water... so to speak.]
It's hard to put into words just how much having your eyes on me makes me feel warm... happy. [He flicks his gaze briefly to Neuvillette, before turning forward once more. While they walked, he really needed to pay some attention.]
Would you believe me if I said that I've wanted your attention like this for... [How many years had it been now...?] At this intensity, for at least eight years? Or that even the very first day I saw you, I trusted you -- I wanted to know you?
[He did feel just a little self-conscious admitting this, but if he thought back, he distinctly remembered delivering his entire guilty plea while his gaze never left Neuvillette.]
[ It feels so foolish saying "you did?" aloud, so Neuvillette doesn't. Instead, his brows furrow-- not with distaste, at least, but with confusion. Glancing at the side of Wriothesley's face-- at the expression that he wears and the softness in his eyes, especially-- he doesn't see any signs of lying. But Wriothesley had never lied to him, not as far as Neuvillette can tell. ]
Rationally, I would believe anything you tell me. [ Wriothesley's earned that much of his trust, after all. In the years since they'd known each other-- since the man had finished his sentence and they got to speak as equals, instead of a visiting Iudex and an inmate he so happened to see on the way to deal with other matters-- he's never once let him down. Humans have a tendency to lie, to pretend; Wriothesley's always been genuine, whether at his lowest or in his quest to claw his way back up.
It's part of why Neuvillette had found time with him so simple. Wriothesley's never pretended to be anything more or less than what he is: a trait terribly rare, he's found, among humans and their peculiarities. ]
But I... struggle to understand how you'd come to such a conclusion on that day.
[ Oh, he remembers Wriothesley's face, and he remembers his confession, and he remembers Furina's lament on how his honesty had cut the show so short. But that day, Neuvillette had only done his duty, looking into a boy's dead eyes and wondering what would keep a human heart beating even after everything he'd done.
His head turns, watching the path in front of them, and he's uncertain why the back of his neck starts to prickle with heat. The restaurant's close now, only a few minutes of walking away, but as he tries to process Wriothesley's words, all that awareness melts away. As humans all around them run and play and walk and talk, Neuvillette wonders as to the mechanisms of Wriothesley's mind-- human, too, but so different from the rest.
[He hums briefly, brows furrowed for only a moment as he tries to think back.] I can't promise that anything I can say about my thoughts from back then will make sense. The way I felt at fourteen is easier to recall than the chaos in my mind back then.
[Wriothesley speaks easily, the topic one that no longer ignites the turmoil in his mind as it had in the many years to follow. A lot of his exact thoughts from the time had faded, other than the few vivid ones as he lay dying -- other than looking up at Neuvillette in the opera house.]
Everyone that day avoided eye contact with me, as if they were uncomfortable with someone so young not only being put on trial but confessing every little detail. [A soft smile tugs at his lips.] Everyone but you, that is. I wanted to feel like someone actually believed me, and each time someone looked away I could see they didn't. None of them really wanted to see justice done that day.
[The smile is still in place as he turns his head to face Neuvillette.] Out of everyone there, you were the only one I felt like I could trust. Which was a lot to me when I swore I'd never be able to trust anyone ever again, even as I entered the Opera Epiclese. So... if I could, once I was out, I wanted to meet you.
[His smile shifts as he laughs quietly -- certainly remarkably well adjusted for someone with his past.] And I'll be honest, even back then, I've always found you... stunning.
[ Something tightens in his chest, hearing Wriothesley talk about trust. About wanting to meet him, about thinking he'd been anything even remotely positive instead of... well, whatever inscrutable thing the Iudex was to the rest of the Court. The sentiments are so beyond Neuvillette's normal experience he isn't sure what to say; even more pressing, he finds, is how at peace he feels at this confession that Wriothesley had felt comfort in his existence.
I wanted to meet you, he said. How could a sentiment so pure be attributed to him?
Before he realises it, they're in front of the restaurant. The sign reads a simple Amandier, painted on by hand in a rounder rendition of Fontainian script. It's a brick house that's been converted to a restaurant with roofs of a lovely, deep green; the garden outside has been tended to, however small its space may be, and with its open windows given the lovely weather, the scent of good food makes its way outside.
For all intents and purposes, it's a beautiful place. But as promised, Neuvillette can't take his eyes off of Wriothesley's smile, and a profound ache rattles his chest-- so powerful he doesn't know what to do with it. ]
I... [ Speechlessness doesn't become him, but for the first time in centuries, he finds his knowledge of man's language to be lacking.
Wriothesley's affection is transfiguration.
And, shaken to his core, Neuvillette kisses him gently. ]
[For years now he'd known that Neuvillette had difficulties when it came to understanding or interpreting human emotions, so Wriothesley is more than happy to give him any time he needs to process all of it. Honestly, he'd said quite a lot, even by his standards of digesting information with relative ease. He's more than happy to simply be near him, even in the absense of sustained conversation... more than happy to be able to simply see him.
He spares only a brief glance toward the restaurant as they arrive, before his eyes are inevitably and quickly drawn back to Neuvillette. Really, just like the other... Wriothesley found it quite difficult to keep his eyes off him -- he was rather pleased that he didn't have to. He was sure the restaurant was a beautiful place... but nothing could ever be more stunning -- more beautiful than Neuvillette.
Wriothesley does find himself surprised that the Iudex had been rendered speechless, and it certainly does things to his heart. This light and fluttery feeling had become more common in Neuvillette's presence... he liked that. He was... starting to believe that he truly understood what love felt like.
The kiss catches him by surprise, though he's quick to lean so gently into it -- to lift his free hand to allow his fingertips to brush against Neuvillette's jaw. In that moment, there may as well be nobody else on the streets. This kiss, this proximity was all that mattered.]
[ It feels right to display affection in a way that Wriothesley would appreciate, human that he is. And when he feels the man's fingers against his skin-- another point of touch besides the insistent press of their lips together-- he knows he's done the right thing. He leans in a bit more, presses more insistently, and then... inhales as he pulls back, but not without another little nuzzle of his nose against Wriothesley's cheek. ]
With all the decisions I've made in life, [ his voice is soft, words a murmur close to Wriothesley's ear ] I appreciate them more now, if only for how they led me to you.
[ He drops the pretences of politeness, reaching down to take Wriothesley's hand once more as he so wanted to through their walk. Though the features of his face are as muted as they normally would be, the quiet longing he feels is reflected in his eyes, even if he doesn't quite understand what that longing means. ]
Come inside with me. I... want to know more about you, too.
[Wriothesley leans in as Neuvillette does, his desire easily bleeding into the very motion -- though as the other man pulls back, he takes a quick breath himself, easing into the nuzzle with a content sigh. While they're close like this, he idly lets his fingers trail into Neuvillette's hair. He would drop the touch the moment they moved away from each other... but for now the proximity -- the touch, it was all... peace.
He can't quite stop the brief shiver that the murmur so close to his ear had drawn out. He's smiling softly against Neuvillette's cheek though, a clear enough sign of how much he was truly enjoying every moment. His voice is soft as well -- breathed against soft skin.]
I feel the same way. Every day, I'm more and more thankful that we met... that I walked down the right path to get to know you.
[He eases back to... just enough distance for them to be able to walk, lets his hand ease out of soft hair -- across Neuvillette's jaw before finally he drops his hand to his side. Feeling the other man's hand warm in his other draws a soft smile, deepened even more by a longing that matched Neuvillette's own. A part of him truly wanted nothing more than to close the distance between them once again -- he would behave though, they had reservations after all. Perhaps after.
He chuckles quietly, shifted to go inside with the other man. His smile warms the words to follow considerably.] And what if I'm willing to give you... everything you ask for? All of who I am?
[ Without missing a beat, and with his eyes unmoving from Wriothesley's profile, he says, ] Then I'll be very careful as I devour every bit of you.
[ Modesty might have been the human way to do it. Neuvillette can't be bothered with the formalities of such a thing-- not when Wriothesley is like this, sweet and willing and so open to his observations. If Wriothesley wants to give more, then Neuvillette will take.
Now that he's being given permission to, why shouldn't he?
Just as the structure of the restaurant had been simple and homey on the outside, the inside is just as well. Wooden furniture and simple but elegant settings abound, along with plants and picture frames of memorable moments on the wall. Music plays softly on a nearby phonograph; listening to quiet orchestrations with Wriothesley's hand in his reminds him of the afternoon they spent, even if sitting with him is a far more intimate endeavour.
The lighting is warm, giving everything a more relaxed feel. Neuvillette lets go of Wriothesley's hand only to pull his chair back for him, and it might be the first time he's ever done such a thing and truly cared about the person he did it for. He makes haste to his own seat, and when a server comes with their menus, he waits patiently for Wriothesley's choice before making his own (he goes for stew with meat and vegetables, in the end; he even makes sure to ask if there's anything Wriothesley would like for dessert).
But when their orders are given, and they're left alone once more, Neuvillette's hand rests gently on the table with his palm turned up. Already, he misses Wriothesley's touch. ]
After all you told me before we arrived... I suppose I ought to question if there's anything you want to ask me in turn.
[If Wriothesley had been expecting a certain response (he wasn't) it wouldn't have been that, and he can feel warmth at the back of his neck and tips of his ears. He does smile, eyes turned toward Neuvillette, and there's a distinctly different -- confident kind of warmth in his tone.] You don't have to be all that careful about it.
[He sure said that, but regardless of whether or not he thought much before he spoke... it had been complete honesty. If he were truthful, he was curious just what direction that would lead them down. For now though, he's content to walk to their table -- walk with his hand in Neuvillette's to the gentle music. The echo back to their dances felt... warm.
His thanks are soft as Neuvillette pulls the chair out for him, a fluttery feeling in his chest even as he missed the warmth of Neuvillette's hand in his. He doesn't quite have much time to consider that, as the server brings the menu -- something he doesn't really have to think considerably hard about (he orders a meat soup with a potato base) as for dessert, he just laughed quietly with a "nothing I could get here."
Left alone at last, Wriothesley's gaze flicks to the movement -- to Neuvillette's hand and it's only a brief moment before he reaches out... before he places his hand in Neuvillette's. The Iudex certainly wasn't the only one who missed the warmth of the other's hand.
The words though do give him a moment's pause. There were many things he was curious about, but...] Hmm... some things I want to ask shouldn't be asked here, but I have been thinking about something over the past few weeks. I'm incredibly glad for it, mind, but I keep wondering just what it was that made you choose me, of all people?
[ It's genuine confusion, the way he parrots Wriothesley's words. Neuvillette's brows furrow, a soft "hm" on his lips. ]
You'll have to be more specific, I'm afraid. I've named you for several things since we've established a rapport.
[ And a time before that, too. Upon confirmation that a prisoner has finished their sentence, final judgment on whether it was carried out in a satisfactory manner goes to the Iudex and his Court. He'd seen Wriothesley's name the day he completed his stint in the Fortress of Meropide, and he hadn't needed to consult his file at all to remember the way that boy looked, so small in the Opera Epiclese.
Yes, he'd said, upon reading the reports on him. Upon review, I agree with the conclusion that he's served his time well.
And as far as everything he's done with Wriothesley is concerned, Neuvillette would do it all again. ]
[Wriothesley chuckled softly, briefly, hand in Neuvillette's idly tracing one fingertip against the base of the man's palm. He'd really been a bit caught up in everything, in the way the Iudex had responded to Wriothesley offering him everything. His expression is soft, fond... with wisps of his desire for the other still lingering.]
Sorry, let me try to rephrase. [He wasn't entirely sure how, though. It was something rather specific, but even so. He didn't think he could ask relating to something like love easily when this thing between them was new.]
Hmm... the one you've wanted to be close to -- to kiss. What makes me, of all people, that person?
[There was no uncertainty in his voice, despite the phrasing of him 'of all people'... no there was just quiet interest. He knew he had plenty of good qualities, he knew he was strong and capable... but others also fit that description.
Others who weren't covered in scars, which he'd seen no few people spare nervous glances toward. Others who were considerably more accessible.
He shakes his head briefly with a smile.] I'm not really the greatest at asking more... sentimental questions, but I can at least promise that I couldn't be happier, being that person for you.
[ The answer doesn't come easy. "I wanted to kiss you because it was the human method of displaying my desire to be near", while honest, sounds far too bizarre for the context presented to him. As Wriothesley looks at him with these sentimental eyes, all soft and sweet like the tone of his voice, Neuvillette knows he deserves better than that.
But he also doesn't want to lie, he decides. And just in case Wriothesley begins to fear the worst in Neuvillette's silence, he opts to hold his hand properly and say: ] Give me a few moments to collect my thoughts, hm?
[ Because while the dance they'd shared had catalysed his feelings, they hadn't been the cause of them. Neuvillette hadn't even really known there were feelings to consider at all-- thought these sentiments were so rooted in humanity that one such as he could never experience them to begin with.
He doesn't regret the development, though. Knowing that it's made Wriothesley happy, he doesn't regret it at all.
So he starts with: ] You're the first person I've met whose presence makes me better.
I don't mean this in terms of productivity or other professional metrics, but... something unquantifiable. Something where I'd rather be holding your hand, touching you-- [ he traces circles on Wriothesley's knuckles with his thumb ] than not.
I haven't pinpointed the real reason for it, truthfully. Possibilities such as your sense of justice, or the dedication you hold in protecting the people the rest of Fontaine forgot leagues under the sea, or even the honesty in every word you've spoken to me... these all hold. But if we go with matters less tangible, you ease a weight I don't often notice is on my shoulders. In centuries of routine and status quos, that felt... significant.
It's easy being with you. [ Neuvillette smiles, and while small, the gentle expression in his eyes is unmistakable. ] You'd said something to that effect the afternoon I kissed you.
I never noticed until you pointed it out. How... comfortable I am in this body when it's touching you. How glad I am I have five fingers so they can link between yours perfectly. [ And he squeezes their hands where they're joined. ] How lucky I must be to have a mouth that can touch yours and make you sigh.
Being the Iudex, wearing all these embellishments-- this is my duty, and I'll never forsake it for anything. But with you, I am me.
And you're eager for it. You hunger for it, instead of pushing it away. You speak of wanting to know me, of trusting me... and in doing so you've set me free, even if for a little while.
I've never been particularly concerned with happiness or connection. But with you... were it not for my work, Wriothesley, I could spend the rest of my days learning what makes you smile, if only to make you feel even a fraction of the things you inspire in me. I would do anything to see the world you build underwater and to help you make your dreams come true.
You're the most beautiful human I've ever seen, [ dipping his head, Neuvillette draws their hands up to kiss Wriothesley's ] and I'm greedy enough to want to make you mine because of it.
[Rather than concerned, Wriothesley finds himself feeling more curious as to what the answer will be once the silence passes. From the way he was held and kissed that afternoon... the way Neuvillette had invited him to this dinner and kissed him once again -- and without privacy this time -- he was more than happy to give him time.
The request gets a nod out of him, as something he'd sort of expected.] Please, take all the time you need.
[Once the other man begins to speak, Wriothesley listens quietly, Neuvillette given his full attention... and the first thing he says catches his breath in his chest momentarily. They both leaned into physical touch whenever they were near enough for it -- even that afternoon before this thing between them truly blossomed -- but to be wanted that close... to have that proximity lift a weight that centuries couldn't touch...
Wriothesley can feel heat prickling at the back of his neck when Neuvillette speaks of comfort, as they had that day. Normally one who would file away the phrasing of being comfortable 'in this body', Wriothesley doesn't do anything of the sort. Neuvillette and Neuvillette alone commanded his full attention with every word.
By the time he's nearly finished, Wriothesley looks a bit stunned -- though certainly not in a bad way -- and the kiss to his hand is more than enough to snap him out of that.]
I... [As he'd rendered Neuvillette speechless before, now it was his turn. The warmth at the back of his neck had reached up to the tips of his ears, and after a moment he breathes out the fondest -- while also vaguely self-conscious -- chuckle. They aren't quite close enough for him to do as Neuvillette had before and bury his speechlessness with a kiss, so with a breath he can only speak, fondness carried clearly in his voice.]
I never imagined that I could do so much -- be so much for you... but it makes me happy that I am. Honestly, I've found myself wishing I could spend more time with you. Especially over the last few weeks. Even if all I can do is sit in your office while you work.
[But they both knew about the impracticalities of that on both ends. Today had been quite handy proof that they struggled to keep their eyes off one another.]
And perhaps someday, something like that will be possible. We'll have time to figure visits out together, seeing as... [He pauses -- geently squeezing the hand in his -- meeting Neuvillette's eyes across the table.] I'm... pretty sure I've been yours for years now. I could never imagine anything different, no matter what had happened -- there was only the thought that I'd be around you for the rest of my life, in whichever capacity I was allowed to be.
[A pause, and a quiet chuckle.] So there really isn't anything further you'd need to do in order for me to be yours.
I want you. [ The words leave him before he can think more about them, and it's a moment before Neuvillette's eyes widen and he becomes aware of what he's said. ] And I'm... I'm glad that pleases you.
[ He'd meant it, though. In whatever capacity that he's able to have him, Neuvillette wants him: close to him, by his side, away but thinking of him, reeking of him, marked by him, covered in the shapes of his hands...
And the thought of it, of Wriothesley so irrevocably his human, makes an uncharacteristic shudder travel down his spine. Heel.
The server, to their credit, is discreet as they come up. Neuvillette hardly notices them when they first call, turning away from Wriothesley only a few moments later as the noises of the rest of the room return to him in ebbs and flows. But his focus, even as he gives polite thanks for their effort to deliver their meals, is shot through. Food is nothing compared to the fond look on Wriothesley's face-- so beautiful, so at peace with belonging to him.
It makes something long buried stir inside him, something so distinctly different from the facsimile of man he pretends to be. The more Wriothesley claims himself to be his, the worse Neuvillette will get.
...but perhaps that's the whole point. ]
I've never wanted this with someone before. [ Neuvillette's words are soft, the slightest furrow in his brows as he speaks. ] There are thoughts... desires I'm unsure how to voice. And for that I feel I must ask for your patience.
But [ gaze lifting once more, he faces Wriothesley properly ] I'm yours, as well.
[ Unspoken is the truth that dragons mate for life-- one of those things Neuvillette's never experienced, certainly, nor has he ever witnessed, but which he'd always known since he'd come out of the Realm of Light and surfaced through Primordial waters. But if Neuvillette only had one chance at such a thing, then this would be worth it, even if in the end Wriothesley left him for another.
And for a moment, he understands what it is to be a short-lived species and to want with every fibre of your being. ]
[At the words, so unexpected, Neuvillette's aren't the only eyes widening. The very thought of those words are enough to further ignite the heat that creeped up to his ears, and Wriothesley forgets for just a moment to breathe. He'd been wanted before, but he never cared about the person who did so before. But with Neuvillette now? It was... overwhelmingly pleasant.
Wriothesley also doesn't quite catch the first time the server calls, his focus only returning to the rest of the room when Neuvillette briefly turns away. He gives his own polite thanks, even while his thoughts are entirely filled with Neuvillette. His rational mind knew that he needed to eat... but the rest of him would've rather been elsewhere with Neuvillette. In his home, in his bed, in an alley -- Wriothesley didn't care where.
He was pretty stunned to find the depths of how much he wanted the man.
Wriothesley is still a bit breathless when Neuvillette speaks to him, and the quality comes through in his voice.] Really, I've never wanted this before, myself... so we can figure it out. [A brief pause, a smile.] As far as patience, it's yours just like the rest of me.
[He can feel his heart rate pick up a little when Neuvillette claims to be his as well, the thought so heady and appealing that he really... wanted to finish dinner as soon as possible. The 'for as long as you want me' does make him pause briefly though. Wriothesley's look grows a bit thoughtful for a moment, before he fully meets Neuvillette's gaze once again with a quiet smile.]
I've wanted to be with you in some way or another for more than half of my life, and I've wanted you for almost a decade now. And now that I can have you? [He breathes the briefest laugh.] I don't want to let you go.
[Really... Neuvillette wasn't the only possessive one.]
Then don't. [ The answer is short and simple, but nevertheless as honest as everything else about him. The peculiar colour of his eyes meet Wriothesley's own blue, and Neuvillette's lips curve into a smile. It's small, but an answer nevertheless.
His thumb brushes the side of Wriothesley's hand, affectionate and sweet. ] Have your dinner. [ And only because he needs to use both hands, his touch pulls away. ] And then you can have all my attention.
[ As if Wriothesley didn't already have it. But that isn't the point.
Dinner, that said, feels more like a means to an end. A part of him mourns it, considering he really did want to give the food a proper taste, but as he eats and makes small talk-- curiosity, of course, about the Fortress; talk about his own work at the Palais, and then a more sheepish anecdote of how one of the Melusines from the village had come to visit and give him a gift-- he finds all he can focus on is Wriothesley. The look on his face, the way his mouth opens to eat, the sound his voice and its intonations... they're all beautiful, to him. But they're also terribly distracting.
Ah, well. It isn't as if either of them could help it, anyway. ]
The consideration never really crossed my mind. [Because honestly, it hadn't. It was absolutely -- terribly possessive of him... but that seemed to be just what they both wanted. Even with the possessive direction of their conversation though, his smile was rather soft -- gaze warm... the affection there was clear as could be.
He chuckles softly, the sound low and full of unspoken promise -- even as he retrieves his own hand with some reluctance.] I'll hold you to that.
[The food he'd ordered was rather impressive, and it certainly fit the description of comfort food... too bad his focus was entirely on Neuvillette, as it had been since they met in the fountain plaza. He'd have to return sometime in the future to give them the proper try that they deserved.
For all that his half of the small talk sounded fully present -- and in a way he was because he was speaking with Neuvillette -- he was also handily distracted. Were he thinking about it, he'd be thankful he could maintain conversation while all he was thinking was how he wanted to bury a hand in Neuvillette's soft hair as they kissed -- how badly he wanted to be backed into a wall.
... no. Stop that thought right there. Thoughts like that could be entertained when they'd finished with their dinner -- when they'd left and found somewhere... passably more private. The time felt like it was passing incredibly slowly as they ate, but after what felt like something of an eternity they'd both finished, the meal had been paid for and Wriothesley had stood first this time.
In an intentional echo back to their afternoon together, he offers Neuvillette his hand. At the time he hadn't expected anything to come of the gesture... but this time was rather different -- the desires between them having only grown more intense as dinner passed.]
Shall we? [Head tilted ever so slightly toward the door, he couldn't keep the desire from his eyes even if he'd tried.]
[ In all his centuries of trying to understand the human tongue, none of what he's learned is able to describe this sight of Wriothesley stood before him, hand outstretched and a gentle look of affection on his face. A part of him, however small, wonders at it; whatever deep-seated instinct exists in him speaks to the fact that dragons aren't taken to warmth the way humans are.
At the same time, though-- like a predator that's found their prey-- Neuvillette wants to sink his teeth into Wriothesley and never let him go.
At least he can do so metaphorically, he thinks, fingers brushing the tips of Wriothesley's in sly acceptance. At least when he takes Wriothesley's hand and rises, the firmness of his grip is reflected in Wriothesley's own.
He only barely remembers to leave a tip, but feels as satisfied as he can get with how much he still wants as they walk through the door. ]
How opposed would you be to leaving the Court with me until I have to return to the Palais? [ The question is posed considerably innocently; outside the Court of Fontaine, Neuvillette isn't as burdened by the weights he carries as the Iudex, after all. ]
[Neuvillette's hand in his sparks something in him -- just touching the other man at all, even as innocently as this, felt... right. Still with both of them on their feet, Wriothesley has no intention of losing this contact. They'd held hands on their way into the restaurant, so unless Neuvillette pulled away or shifted them in any way, he was content to remain like this.
Part of him hoped that this proximity would appease his desire for far more, at least for the moment. So far... it hadn't helped that at all.]
Not opposed in the least, really. Do you have somewhere specific in mind? [Even if Neuvillette hadn't decided on a destination, Wriothesley was still not opposed. The logical part of him, tucked away now at the back of his mind in favor of his desires, could easily argue they both needed a chance to just get out of their respective domains... but that was really the farthest idea from his mind.
As for how long Neuvillette could have him, well...] I made arrangements with my staff to cover my absence for several days, honestly. So 'all night' and the next few, if you want that of me.
[Sigewinne had suggested a vacation, since in all his years as administrator he never took one. All of his trips to the surface had been only a handful of hours at a time. He would have to thank her for her insistence.]
[ The twist in his chest is a foreign sensation, but Neuvillette entertains the notion of spending time with Wriothesley for many nights in a row and it happens entirely outside his control. His surprise, fortunately, is masked, but some unspoken instinct has his heart beating a little bit faster in his chest. ]
I fear knowing you'd be waiting for me nightly may impede my work. [ But he says so lightheartedly, turning his head enough to glance at Wriothesley with a thoughtful hum. ] ...but I'd like that. [ His expression turns wry and fond all at once, then. ] I'm sure you must have anticipated such an answer, though.
[ There are proper channels for exiting Fontaine, of course, but Neuvillette takes Wriothesley to an older, less used lift in the city-- one that leads not to the aquabus but to a part of Fontaine that had fallen to the rising waters decades past. It's still here, quiet compared to the hustle and bustle of the Court even in the evening; the waters outside the Court are always so calm to begin with, though, and there's a noticeable slackening of Neuvillette's shoulders as he allows the calmness to wash over him. ]
What do you think of the lake we live in, Wriothesley?
[Wriothesley laughs quietly, head turned after a moment to glance toward the other. The feeling of his laugh carries over into his voice.] Oh something like that, yes.
[As far as offering temptation was concerned, he was entirely unrepentant. He could still remember how it sounded when Neuvillette said he wanted him. Surely tempting him a little was only fair.
Their walk through the Court takes them to somewhere Wriothesley only saw once, back when he was still a child on the streets trying to find safe shelter. He'd never worked up the courage to use the lift at the time, and his curiosity had never really faded over the years. Did he actually have anything to be nervous about? ... sort of.
Neuvillette isn't the only one at peace once they reach the water. For all the surface had stopped feeling like home to him, Wriothesley still found the waters themselves to be home. Sure he was in the Fortress with less time to swim, but he often made his way to the large window on the way in -- often gazed out at the underwater landscape, at all of the curious creatures out there... just as he looked out over the water's surface now.]
Well, ever since partway through my sentence, the first thing that always comes to mind is that the waters of Fontaine are home, for me. Even in a sturdy underwater fortress, I always feel like... the lake floor and its inhabitants are my equivalent to the sky or birds to those who live on the surface. [He smiles softly, the gentle breeze tousling his hair.] But whether I look from the surface or below, I think it's a beautiful place.
[ It's a wonderful answer. At risk of sounding trite, it makes Neuvillette feel safe-- safe to be here with him, safe to be around him. Once upon a time, it was the heart of the Hydro sovereign that made the rivers ebb and flow; though his Authority was taken from him even before his birth, and likely it may never come back, the waters of Fontaine nevertheless feel like an extension of his being.
For Wriothesley to call such things "home" is as humbling as it is something that gives Neuvillette great peace. ]
I first came to this land through its waters, though back then it was less the city of machinations you see today and more a nation recovering after the fall of Remuria. [ Neuvillette steps forward, taking Wriothesley with him, until they're stood at the very edge of the submerged brick tower. ] Even before then, however-- and for as long as I can remember-- water has been part of my life... I believe I was swimming before I was walking, even.
[ With the index and middle fingers of Neuvillette's free hand, he draws a quick circle in the air. A single seal, one Wriothesley might recognise since that prolonged span of time Neuvillette had been in the fortress with him, appears in the air for a moment before disappearing, and the palm pressed against Wriothesley's starts to glow blue. ]
Come. [ Neuvillette takes a single step, and while it does lead downward, he doesn't plunge into the waters below. Instead, he drifts gracefully until he's hovering a few inches above its surface, still placid without any weight to ruin it.
Their hands remain connected, but Neuvillette doesn't pull-- only waits for Wriothesley to follow his lead, looking up at him with an undoubtedly serene expression. ] I won't let you fall.
[ And like this, they'll walk the lake until they come to the other side to step on grass again. ]
[The phrasing Neuvillette used to speak of how he came to this land was rather curious. Wriothesley knew, of course, that Neuvillette wasn't human... and with a couple of instances in the past he had some suspicion of what all of this meant. He'd decided long ago, though, that he would let Neuvillette speak about any of it without pressure. He would learn one day, or not. He was Neuvillette regardless of the answer, and that was enough.
For the moment, Wriothesley listened as Neuvillette spoke of the city of centuries past -- peered down into the water toward the ruined tower. He was no stranger to the submerged ruins all throughout Fontaine, but that had always been while swimming, and there was something different when viewing them from the land.]
We both approached that from opposite directions, then. [A hum.] If I'm remembering right, I think I taught myself to swim when I was ten.
[His parents had never bothered to teach any of their children to swim, and Wriothesley's own lesson had only really happened when he fell into the lake when running from others equally down on their luck. A young boy on the streets garnered more sympathy, except from adults in the same situation.
Snapped out of his thoughts by the glow, the familiar seal is enough to draw his gaze up from the water, enough to bring back memories of Neuvillette spending the extended period of time in the Fortress -- of Neuvillette without the robes of the Chief Justice. But Neuvillette's first step over the gentle waters is enough to handily shift his attention out of these memories and draw his gaze up to Neuvillette.
There's the barest flicker of uncertainty -- only natural as a human, even one who could use his Vision to cross the water -- before he takes the first step. His movement didn't show any hesitation after that, though. He would never doubt Neuvillette.]
I trust you, as always.
[Each step they take following the first, Wriothesley's interested gaze trails back and forth over the water's surface. This view was something he'd never really experienced before. When on a boat, the wake created obscured everything below, and everything looked vastly different when beneath the surface. He didn't keep his eyes off Neuvillette for long at a time, though. For all Wriothesley was a relatively mildly expressive person, his eyes were the giveaway for those who knew him.]
it's called liberally using genshin explo mechanics
One day, [ with both his boots in the grass once more, Neuvillette turns to look over his shoulder and meet Wriothesley's gaze ] I'd like to swim with you.
[ But for now, he's pleased to lead Wriothesley through the grass until they reach a path, and further still until they reach a shallow pond with a small waterfall to the northwest. With most, there might be an expectation to speak, but with Wriothesley no such thing exists; he's comfortable in the silence, and in the warmth of Wriothesley's hand felt even through their gloves. As the cool breeze of evening blows, as the crabs scuttle over the shore, as the Fatui slink in the shadows and keep their distance... all that stimuli fades away, leaving Neuvillette walking unburdened by the eyes of the Court with the person he feels most himself with.
Another lift of the hand and one-two-three seals appear in the air, bringing to light what look to be steps of contained Hydro energy in the shape of a staircase. They lead up the side of the waterfall right to the very top, disappearing once again once they make it to their destination.
It isn't very high up, but Neuvillette doesn't have enough time for more than this distance. Maybe one of these days he'll take Wriothesley higher-- somewhere more special than this little stream and the flowers at its side, somewhere that he can overlook all of Fontaine with him. Still, there's peace in this as well: in sitting in the grass and caring little for his robes, and in getting Wriothesley to join him.
Some creatures of the wild-- slimes, Hydro Phantasms-- roam freely around them, but seem to lose interest once they catch sight of the Iudex. It must be that "affinity for Hydro" he always claims to have... but at least it means they'll be uninterrupted and safe out here.
A few Hydro crystalflies titter over the stream, glittering prettily under the moonlight as the muted sound of rushing water continues. Neuvillette, whose gaze had been skyward for a few seconds, looks at Wriothesley again. ]
At this hour, this far from the Court, I'm the only sentient being here more often than not. [ Which is to say they'll have privacy. ] I'm not sure if you'd agree, but at least to me, I find the outdoors-- and the fresh air, and the nature that surrounds me-- to be more comfortable than being in the walls that form our Court.
Truthfully, however, I... [ Stripped of his title and his image, Neuvillette clears his throat, looking the slightest bit flustered as his gaze falls over the rushing stream. ] ...I wanted to have you to myself without worry of others. Even if only for an hour or two more before I had to return.
Your smiles come wider when we're the only ones present, I noticed.
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I should be so honoured you'd allow me to focus all my attention on you for the night, then.
[ In a way, that makes this experience all the more significant. That for all that Wriothesley would rather not be perceived by so many, he'd been so eager to spend time with Neuvillette in this way. But the man's always accepted Neuvillette's curiosity-- had always been patient with him, even, when needed.
Most of the Fortress' inmates would rather have nothing to do with them after their sentencing. Neuvillette had always computed this as a natural response, given human thoughts towards punishment. But Wriothesley had never directed any resentment his way in turn.
In fact, having him walking by his side now through the city-- and being able to feel him, now that he isn't so separate from the water-- tells him that Wriothesley's quite pleased by all this. Happy, even. Comfortable... ]
...I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to keep my eyes off you even if I tried.
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The least clear memories, those during his trial, had begun with an idle thought about the elegant man being... rather pretty. He hadn't really had any other words he could think to use at the time, and everything had been pushed to the back of his mind once he was given the chance to speak. He hadn't thought about the moment much during his incarceration -- he had far too much to focus on in order to keep his head above water... so to speak.]
It's hard to put into words just how much having your eyes on me makes me feel warm... happy. [He flicks his gaze briefly to Neuvillette, before turning forward once more. While they walked, he really needed to pay some attention.]
Would you believe me if I said that I've wanted your attention like this for... [How many years had it been now...?] At this intensity, for at least eight years? Or that even the very first day I saw you, I trusted you -- I wanted to know you?
[He did feel just a little self-conscious admitting this, but if he thought back, he distinctly remembered delivering his entire guilty plea while his gaze never left Neuvillette.]
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Rationally, I would believe anything you tell me. [ Wriothesley's earned that much of his trust, after all. In the years since they'd known each other-- since the man had finished his sentence and they got to speak as equals, instead of a visiting Iudex and an inmate he so happened to see on the way to deal with other matters-- he's never once let him down. Humans have a tendency to lie, to pretend; Wriothesley's always been genuine, whether at his lowest or in his quest to claw his way back up.
It's part of why Neuvillette had found time with him so simple. Wriothesley's never pretended to be anything more or less than what he is: a trait terribly rare, he's found, among humans and their peculiarities. ]
But I... struggle to understand how you'd come to such a conclusion on that day.
[ Oh, he remembers Wriothesley's face, and he remembers his confession, and he remembers Furina's lament on how his honesty had cut the show so short. But that day, Neuvillette had only done his duty, looking into a boy's dead eyes and wondering what would keep a human heart beating even after everything he'd done.
His head turns, watching the path in front of them, and he's uncertain why the back of his neck starts to prickle with heat. The restaurant's close now, only a few minutes of walking away, but as he tries to process Wriothesley's words, all that awareness melts away. As humans all around them run and play and walk and talk, Neuvillette wonders as to the mechanisms of Wriothesley's mind-- human, too, but so different from the rest.
So special. ]
...would it be crass to ask why?
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[He hums briefly, brows furrowed for only a moment as he tries to think back.] I can't promise that anything I can say about my thoughts from back then will make sense. The way I felt at fourteen is easier to recall than the chaos in my mind back then.
[Wriothesley speaks easily, the topic one that no longer ignites the turmoil in his mind as it had in the many years to follow. A lot of his exact thoughts from the time had faded, other than the few vivid ones as he lay dying -- other than looking up at Neuvillette in the opera house.]
Everyone that day avoided eye contact with me, as if they were uncomfortable with someone so young not only being put on trial but confessing every little detail. [A soft smile tugs at his lips.] Everyone but you, that is. I wanted to feel like someone actually believed me, and each time someone looked away I could see they didn't. None of them really wanted to see justice done that day.
[The smile is still in place as he turns his head to face Neuvillette.] Out of everyone there, you were the only one I felt like I could trust. Which was a lot to me when I swore I'd never be able to trust anyone ever again, even as I entered the Opera Epiclese. So... if I could, once I was out, I wanted to meet you.
[His smile shifts as he laughs quietly -- certainly remarkably well adjusted for someone with his past.] And I'll be honest, even back then, I've always found you... stunning.
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I wanted to meet you, he said. How could a sentiment so pure be attributed to him?
Before he realises it, they're in front of the restaurant. The sign reads a simple Amandier, painted on by hand in a rounder rendition of Fontainian script. It's a brick house that's been converted to a restaurant with roofs of a lovely, deep green; the garden outside has been tended to, however small its space may be, and with its open windows given the lovely weather, the scent of good food makes its way outside.
For all intents and purposes, it's a beautiful place. But as promised, Neuvillette can't take his eyes off of Wriothesley's smile, and a profound ache rattles his chest-- so powerful he doesn't know what to do with it. ]
I... [ Speechlessness doesn't become him, but for the first time in centuries, he finds his knowledge of man's language to be lacking.
Wriothesley's affection is transfiguration.
And, shaken to his core, Neuvillette kisses him gently. ]
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[For years now he'd known that Neuvillette had difficulties when it came to understanding or interpreting human emotions, so Wriothesley is more than happy to give him any time he needs to process all of it. Honestly, he'd said quite a lot, even by his standards of digesting information with relative ease. He's more than happy to simply be near him, even in the absense of sustained conversation... more than happy to be able to simply see him.
He spares only a brief glance toward the restaurant as they arrive, before his eyes are inevitably and quickly drawn back to Neuvillette. Really, just like the other... Wriothesley found it quite difficult to keep his eyes off him -- he was rather pleased that he didn't have to. He was sure the restaurant was a beautiful place... but nothing could ever be more stunning -- more beautiful than Neuvillette.
Wriothesley does find himself surprised that the Iudex had been rendered speechless, and it certainly does things to his heart. This light and fluttery feeling had become more common in Neuvillette's presence... he liked that. He was... starting to believe that he truly understood what love felt like.
The kiss catches him by surprise, though he's quick to lean so gently into it -- to lift his free hand to allow his fingertips to brush against Neuvillette's jaw. In that moment, there may as well be nobody else on the streets. This kiss, this proximity was all that mattered.]
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With all the decisions I've made in life, [ his voice is soft, words a murmur close to Wriothesley's ear ] I appreciate them more now, if only for how they led me to you.
[ He drops the pretences of politeness, reaching down to take Wriothesley's hand once more as he so wanted to through their walk. Though the features of his face are as muted as they normally would be, the quiet longing he feels is reflected in his eyes, even if he doesn't quite understand what that longing means. ]
Come inside with me. I... want to know more about you, too.
Whatever you're willing to give me.
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He can't quite stop the brief shiver that the murmur so close to his ear had drawn out. He's smiling softly against Neuvillette's cheek though, a clear enough sign of how much he was truly enjoying every moment. His voice is soft as well -- breathed against soft skin.]
I feel the same way. Every day, I'm more and more thankful that we met... that I walked down the right path to get to know you.
[He eases back to... just enough distance for them to be able to walk, lets his hand ease out of soft hair -- across Neuvillette's jaw before finally he drops his hand to his side. Feeling the other man's hand warm in his other draws a soft smile, deepened even more by a longing that matched Neuvillette's own. A part of him truly wanted nothing more than to close the distance between them once again -- he would behave though, they had reservations after all. Perhaps after.
He chuckles quietly, shifted to go inside with the other man. His smile warms the words to follow considerably.] And what if I'm willing to give you... everything you ask for? All of who I am?
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[ Modesty might have been the human way to do it. Neuvillette can't be bothered with the formalities of such a thing-- not when Wriothesley is like this, sweet and willing and so open to his observations. If Wriothesley wants to give more, then Neuvillette will take.
Now that he's being given permission to, why shouldn't he?
Just as the structure of the restaurant had been simple and homey on the outside, the inside is just as well. Wooden furniture and simple but elegant settings abound, along with plants and picture frames of memorable moments on the wall. Music plays softly on a nearby phonograph; listening to quiet orchestrations with Wriothesley's hand in his reminds him of the afternoon they spent, even if sitting with him is a far more intimate endeavour.
The lighting is warm, giving everything a more relaxed feel. Neuvillette lets go of Wriothesley's hand only to pull his chair back for him, and it might be the first time he's ever done such a thing and truly cared about the person he did it for. He makes haste to his own seat, and when a server comes with their menus, he waits patiently for Wriothesley's choice before making his own (he goes for stew with meat and vegetables, in the end; he even makes sure to ask if there's anything Wriothesley would like for dessert).
But when their orders are given, and they're left alone once more, Neuvillette's hand rests gently on the table with his palm turned up. Already, he misses Wriothesley's touch. ]
After all you told me before we arrived... I suppose I ought to question if there's anything you want to ask me in turn.
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[If Wriothesley had been expecting a certain response (he wasn't) it wouldn't have been that, and he can feel warmth at the back of his neck and tips of his ears. He does smile, eyes turned toward Neuvillette, and there's a distinctly different -- confident kind of warmth in his tone.] You don't have to be all that careful about it.
[He sure said that, but regardless of whether or not he thought much before he spoke... it had been complete honesty. If he were truthful, he was curious just what direction that would lead them down. For now though, he's content to walk to their table -- walk with his hand in Neuvillette's to the gentle music. The echo back to their dances felt... warm.
His thanks are soft as Neuvillette pulls the chair out for him, a fluttery feeling in his chest even as he missed the warmth of Neuvillette's hand in his. He doesn't quite have much time to consider that, as the server brings the menu -- something he doesn't really have to think considerably hard about (he orders a meat soup with a potato base) as for dessert, he just laughed quietly with a "nothing I could get here."
Left alone at last, Wriothesley's gaze flicks to the movement -- to Neuvillette's hand and it's only a brief moment before he reaches out... before he places his hand in Neuvillette's. The Iudex certainly wasn't the only one who missed the warmth of the other's hand.
The words though do give him a moment's pause. There were many things he was curious about, but...] Hmm... some things I want to ask shouldn't be asked here, but I have been thinking about something over the past few weeks. I'm incredibly glad for it, mind, but I keep wondering just what it was that made you choose me, of all people?
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[ It's genuine confusion, the way he parrots Wriothesley's words. Neuvillette's brows furrow, a soft "hm" on his lips. ]
You'll have to be more specific, I'm afraid. I've named you for several things since we've established a rapport.
[ And a time before that, too. Upon confirmation that a prisoner has finished their sentence, final judgment on whether it was carried out in a satisfactory manner goes to the Iudex and his Court. He'd seen Wriothesley's name the day he completed his stint in the Fortress of Meropide, and he hadn't needed to consult his file at all to remember the way that boy looked, so small in the Opera Epiclese.
Yes, he'd said, upon reading the reports on him. Upon review, I agree with the conclusion that he's served his time well.
And as far as everything he's done with Wriothesley is concerned, Neuvillette would do it all again. ]
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Sorry, let me try to rephrase. [He wasn't entirely sure how, though. It was something rather specific, but even so. He didn't think he could ask relating to something like love easily when this thing between them was new.]
Hmm... the one you've wanted to be close to -- to kiss. What makes me, of all people, that person?
[There was no uncertainty in his voice, despite the phrasing of him 'of all people'... no there was just quiet interest. He knew he had plenty of good qualities, he knew he was strong and capable... but others also fit that description.
Others who weren't covered in scars, which he'd seen no few people spare nervous glances toward. Others who were considerably more accessible.
He shakes his head briefly with a smile.] I'm not really the greatest at asking more... sentimental questions, but I can at least promise that I couldn't be happier, being that person for you.
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But he also doesn't want to lie, he decides. And just in case Wriothesley begins to fear the worst in Neuvillette's silence, he opts to hold his hand properly and say: ] Give me a few moments to collect my thoughts, hm?
[ Because while the dance they'd shared had catalysed his feelings, they hadn't been the cause of them. Neuvillette hadn't even really known there were feelings to consider at all-- thought these sentiments were so rooted in humanity that one such as he could never experience them to begin with.
He doesn't regret the development, though. Knowing that it's made Wriothesley happy, he doesn't regret it at all.
So he starts with: ] You're the first person I've met whose presence makes me better.
I don't mean this in terms of productivity or other professional metrics, but... something unquantifiable. Something where I'd rather be holding your hand, touching you-- [ he traces circles on Wriothesley's knuckles with his thumb ] than not.
I haven't pinpointed the real reason for it, truthfully. Possibilities such as your sense of justice, or the dedication you hold in protecting the people the rest of Fontaine forgot leagues under the sea, or even the honesty in every word you've spoken to me... these all hold. But if we go with matters less tangible, you ease a weight I don't often notice is on my shoulders. In centuries of routine and status quos, that felt... significant.
It's easy being with you. [ Neuvillette smiles, and while small, the gentle expression in his eyes is unmistakable. ] You'd said something to that effect the afternoon I kissed you.
I never noticed until you pointed it out. How... comfortable I am in this body when it's touching you. How glad I am I have five fingers so they can link between yours perfectly. [ And he squeezes their hands where they're joined. ] How lucky I must be to have a mouth that can touch yours and make you sigh.
Being the Iudex, wearing all these embellishments-- this is my duty, and I'll never forsake it for anything. But with you, I am me.
And you're eager for it. You hunger for it, instead of pushing it away. You speak of wanting to know me, of trusting me... and in doing so you've set me free, even if for a little while.
I've never been particularly concerned with happiness or connection. But with you... were it not for my work, Wriothesley, I could spend the rest of my days learning what makes you smile, if only to make you feel even a fraction of the things you inspire in me. I would do anything to see the world you build underwater and to help you make your dreams come true.
You're the most beautiful human I've ever seen, [ dipping his head, Neuvillette draws their hands up to kiss Wriothesley's ] and I'm greedy enough to want to make you mine because of it.
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[Rather than concerned, Wriothesley finds himself feeling more curious as to what the answer will be once the silence passes. From the way he was held and kissed that afternoon... the way Neuvillette had invited him to this dinner and kissed him once again -- and without privacy this time -- he was more than happy to give him time.
The request gets a nod out of him, as something he'd sort of expected.] Please, take all the time you need.
[Once the other man begins to speak, Wriothesley listens quietly, Neuvillette given his full attention... and the first thing he says catches his breath in his chest momentarily. They both leaned into physical touch whenever they were near enough for it -- even that afternoon before this thing between them truly blossomed -- but to be wanted that close... to have that proximity lift a weight that centuries couldn't touch...
Wriothesley can feel heat prickling at the back of his neck when Neuvillette speaks of comfort, as they had that day. Normally one who would file away the phrasing of being comfortable 'in this body', Wriothesley doesn't do anything of the sort. Neuvillette and Neuvillette alone commanded his full attention with every word.
By the time he's nearly finished, Wriothesley looks a bit stunned -- though certainly not in a bad way -- and the kiss to his hand is more than enough to snap him out of that.]
I... [As he'd rendered Neuvillette speechless before, now it was his turn. The warmth at the back of his neck had reached up to the tips of his ears, and after a moment he breathes out the fondest -- while also vaguely self-conscious -- chuckle. They aren't quite close enough for him to do as Neuvillette had before and bury his speechlessness with a kiss, so with a breath he can only speak, fondness carried clearly in his voice.]
I never imagined that I could do so much -- be so much for you... but it makes me happy that I am. Honestly, I've found myself wishing I could spend more time with you. Especially over the last few weeks. Even if all I can do is sit in your office while you work.
[But they both knew about the impracticalities of that on both ends. Today had been quite handy proof that they struggled to keep their eyes off one another.]
And perhaps someday, something like that will be possible. We'll have time to figure visits out together, seeing as... [He pauses -- geently squeezing the hand in his -- meeting Neuvillette's eyes across the table.] I'm... pretty sure I've been yours for years now. I could never imagine anything different, no matter what had happened -- there was only the thought that I'd be around you for the rest of my life, in whichever capacity I was allowed to be.
[A pause, and a quiet chuckle.] So there really isn't anything further you'd need to do in order for me to be yours.
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[ He'd meant it, though. In whatever capacity that he's able to have him, Neuvillette wants him: close to him, by his side, away but thinking of him, reeking of him, marked by him, covered in the shapes of his hands...
And the thought of it, of Wriothesley so irrevocably his human, makes an uncharacteristic shudder travel down his spine. Heel.
The server, to their credit, is discreet as they come up. Neuvillette hardly notices them when they first call, turning away from Wriothesley only a few moments later as the noises of the rest of the room return to him in ebbs and flows. But his focus, even as he gives polite thanks for their effort to deliver their meals, is shot through. Food is nothing compared to the fond look on Wriothesley's face-- so beautiful, so at peace with belonging to him.
It makes something long buried stir inside him, something so distinctly different from the facsimile of man he pretends to be. The more Wriothesley claims himself to be his, the worse Neuvillette will get.
...but perhaps that's the whole point. ]
I've never wanted this with someone before. [ Neuvillette's words are soft, the slightest furrow in his brows as he speaks. ] There are thoughts... desires I'm unsure how to voice. And for that I feel I must ask for your patience.
But [ gaze lifting once more, he faces Wriothesley properly ] I'm yours, as well.
[ Unspoken is the truth that dragons mate for life-- one of those things Neuvillette's never experienced, certainly, nor has he ever witnessed, but which he'd always known since he'd come out of the Realm of Light and surfaced through Primordial waters. But if Neuvillette only had one chance at such a thing, then this would be worth it, even if in the end Wriothesley left him for another.
And for a moment, he understands what it is to be a short-lived species and to want with every fibre of your being. ]
For as long as you want me.
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Wriothesley also doesn't quite catch the first time the server calls, his focus only returning to the rest of the room when Neuvillette briefly turns away. He gives his own polite thanks, even while his thoughts are entirely filled with Neuvillette. His rational mind knew that he needed to eat... but the rest of him would've rather been elsewhere with Neuvillette. In his home, in his bed, in an alley -- Wriothesley didn't care where.
He was pretty stunned to find the depths of how much he wanted the man.
Wriothesley is still a bit breathless when Neuvillette speaks to him, and the quality comes through in his voice.] Really, I've never wanted this before, myself... so we can figure it out. [A brief pause, a smile.] As far as patience, it's yours just like the rest of me.
[He can feel his heart rate pick up a little when Neuvillette claims to be his as well, the thought so heady and appealing that he really... wanted to finish dinner as soon as possible. The 'for as long as you want me' does make him pause briefly though. Wriothesley's look grows a bit thoughtful for a moment, before he fully meets Neuvillette's gaze once again with a quiet smile.]
I've wanted to be with you in some way or another for more than half of my life, and I've wanted you for almost a decade now. And now that I can have you? [He breathes the briefest laugh.] I don't want to let you go.
[Really... Neuvillette wasn't the only possessive one.]
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His thumb brushes the side of Wriothesley's hand, affectionate and sweet. ] Have your dinner. [ And only because he needs to use both hands, his touch pulls away. ] And then you can have all my attention.
[ As if Wriothesley didn't already have it. But that isn't the point.
Dinner, that said, feels more like a means to an end. A part of him mourns it, considering he really did want to give the food a proper taste, but as he eats and makes small talk-- curiosity, of course, about the Fortress; talk about his own work at the Palais, and then a more sheepish anecdote of how one of the Melusines from the village had come to visit and give him a gift-- he finds all he can focus on is Wriothesley. The look on his face, the way his mouth opens to eat, the sound his voice and its intonations... they're all beautiful, to him. But they're also terribly distracting.
Ah, well. It isn't as if either of them could help it, anyway. ]
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The consideration never really crossed my mind. [Because honestly, it hadn't. It was absolutely -- terribly possessive of him... but that seemed to be just what they both wanted. Even with the possessive direction of their conversation though, his smile was rather soft -- gaze warm... the affection there was clear as could be.
He chuckles softly, the sound low and full of unspoken promise -- even as he retrieves his own hand with some reluctance.] I'll hold you to that.
[The food he'd ordered was rather impressive, and it certainly fit the description of comfort food... too bad his focus was entirely on Neuvillette, as it had been since they met in the fountain plaza. He'd have to return sometime in the future to give them the proper try that they deserved.
For all that his half of the small talk sounded fully present -- and in a way he was because he was speaking with Neuvillette -- he was also handily distracted. Were he thinking about it, he'd be thankful he could maintain conversation while all he was thinking was how he wanted to bury a hand in Neuvillette's soft hair as they kissed -- how badly he wanted to be backed into a wall.
... no. Stop that thought right there. Thoughts like that could be entertained when they'd finished with their dinner -- when they'd left and found somewhere... passably more private. The time felt like it was passing incredibly slowly as they ate, but after what felt like something of an eternity they'd both finished, the meal had been paid for and Wriothesley had stood first this time.
In an intentional echo back to their afternoon together, he offers Neuvillette his hand. At the time he hadn't expected anything to come of the gesture... but this time was rather different -- the desires between them having only grown more intense as dinner passed.]
Shall we? [Head tilted ever so slightly toward the door, he couldn't keep the desire from his eyes even if he'd tried.]
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At the same time, though-- like a predator that's found their prey-- Neuvillette wants to sink his teeth into Wriothesley and never let him go.
At least he can do so metaphorically, he thinks, fingers brushing the tips of Wriothesley's in sly acceptance. At least when he takes Wriothesley's hand and rises, the firmness of his grip is reflected in Wriothesley's own.
He only barely remembers to leave a tip, but feels as satisfied as he can get with how much he still wants as they walk through the door. ]
How opposed would you be to leaving the Court with me until I have to return to the Palais? [ The question is posed considerably innocently; outside the Court of Fontaine, Neuvillette isn't as burdened by the weights he carries as the Iudex, after all. ]
How long can I have you, tonight?
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[Neuvillette's hand in his sparks something in him -- just touching the other man at all, even as innocently as this, felt... right. Still with both of them on their feet, Wriothesley has no intention of losing this contact. They'd held hands on their way into the restaurant, so unless Neuvillette pulled away or shifted them in any way, he was content to remain like this.
Part of him hoped that this proximity would appease his desire for far more, at least for the moment. So far... it hadn't helped that at all.]
Not opposed in the least, really. Do you have somewhere specific in mind? [Even if Neuvillette hadn't decided on a destination, Wriothesley was still not opposed. The logical part of him, tucked away now at the back of his mind in favor of his desires, could easily argue they both needed a chance to just get out of their respective domains... but that was really the farthest idea from his mind.
As for how long Neuvillette could have him, well...] I made arrangements with my staff to cover my absence for several days, honestly. So 'all night' and the next few, if you want that of me.
[Sigewinne had suggested a vacation, since in all his years as administrator he never took one. All of his trips to the surface had been only a handful of hours at a time. He would have to thank her for her insistence.]
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I fear knowing you'd be waiting for me nightly may impede my work. [ But he says so lightheartedly, turning his head enough to glance at Wriothesley with a thoughtful hum. ] ...but I'd like that. [ His expression turns wry and fond all at once, then. ] I'm sure you must have anticipated such an answer, though.
[ There are proper channels for exiting Fontaine, of course, but Neuvillette takes Wriothesley to an older, less used lift in the city-- one that leads not to the aquabus but to a part of Fontaine that had fallen to the rising waters decades past. It's still here, quiet compared to the hustle and bustle of the Court even in the evening; the waters outside the Court are always so calm to begin with, though, and there's a noticeable slackening of Neuvillette's shoulders as he allows the calmness to wash over him. ]
What do you think of the lake we live in, Wriothesley?
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[As far as offering temptation was concerned, he was entirely unrepentant. He could still remember how it sounded when Neuvillette said he wanted him. Surely tempting him a little was only fair.
Their walk through the Court takes them to somewhere Wriothesley only saw once, back when he was still a child on the streets trying to find safe shelter. He'd never worked up the courage to use the lift at the time, and his curiosity had never really faded over the years. Did he actually have anything to be nervous about? ... sort of.
Neuvillette isn't the only one at peace once they reach the water. For all the surface had stopped feeling like home to him, Wriothesley still found the waters themselves to be home. Sure he was in the Fortress with less time to swim, but he often made his way to the large window on the way in -- often gazed out at the underwater landscape, at all of the curious creatures out there... just as he looked out over the water's surface now.]
Well, ever since partway through my sentence, the first thing that always comes to mind is that the waters of Fontaine are home, for me. Even in a sturdy underwater fortress, I always feel like... the lake floor and its inhabitants are my equivalent to the sky or birds to those who live on the surface. [He smiles softly, the gentle breeze tousling his hair.] But whether I look from the surface or below, I think it's a beautiful place.
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[ It's a wonderful answer. At risk of sounding trite, it makes Neuvillette feel safe-- safe to be here with him, safe to be around him. Once upon a time, it was the heart of the Hydro sovereign that made the rivers ebb and flow; though his Authority was taken from him even before his birth, and likely it may never come back, the waters of Fontaine nevertheless feel like an extension of his being.
For Wriothesley to call such things "home" is as humbling as it is something that gives Neuvillette great peace. ]
I first came to this land through its waters, though back then it was less the city of machinations you see today and more a nation recovering after the fall of Remuria. [ Neuvillette steps forward, taking Wriothesley with him, until they're stood at the very edge of the submerged brick tower. ] Even before then, however-- and for as long as I can remember-- water has been part of my life... I believe I was swimming before I was walking, even.
[ With the index and middle fingers of Neuvillette's free hand, he draws a quick circle in the air. A single seal, one Wriothesley might recognise since that prolonged span of time Neuvillette had been in the fortress with him, appears in the air for a moment before disappearing, and the palm pressed against Wriothesley's starts to glow blue. ]
Come. [ Neuvillette takes a single step, and while it does lead downward, he doesn't plunge into the waters below. Instead, he drifts gracefully until he's hovering a few inches above its surface, still placid without any weight to ruin it.
Their hands remain connected, but Neuvillette doesn't pull-- only waits for Wriothesley to follow his lead, looking up at him with an undoubtedly serene expression. ] I won't let you fall.
[ And like this, they'll walk the lake until they come to the other side to step on grass again. ]
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For the moment, Wriothesley listened as Neuvillette spoke of the city of centuries past -- peered down into the water toward the ruined tower. He was no stranger to the submerged ruins all throughout Fontaine, but that had always been while swimming, and there was something different when viewing them from the land.]
We both approached that from opposite directions, then. [A hum.] If I'm remembering right, I think I taught myself to swim when I was ten.
[His parents had never bothered to teach any of their children to swim, and Wriothesley's own lesson had only really happened when he fell into the lake when running from others equally down on their luck. A young boy on the streets garnered more sympathy, except from adults in the same situation.
Snapped out of his thoughts by the glow, the familiar seal is enough to draw his gaze up from the water, enough to bring back memories of Neuvillette spending the extended period of time in the Fortress -- of Neuvillette without the robes of the Chief Justice. But Neuvillette's first step over the gentle waters is enough to handily shift his attention out of these memories and draw his gaze up to Neuvillette.
There's the barest flicker of uncertainty -- only natural as a human, even one who could use his Vision to cross the water -- before he takes the first step. His movement didn't show any hesitation after that, though. He would never doubt Neuvillette.]
I trust you, as always.
[Each step they take following the first, Wriothesley's interested gaze trails back and forth over the water's surface. This view was something he'd never really experienced before. When on a boat, the wake created obscured everything below, and everything looked vastly different when beneath the surface. He didn't keep his eyes off Neuvillette for long at a time, though. For all Wriothesley was a relatively mildly expressive person, his eyes were the giveaway for those who knew him.]
it's called liberally using genshin explo mechanics
[ But for now, he's pleased to lead Wriothesley through the grass until they reach a path, and further still until they reach a shallow pond with a small waterfall to the northwest. With most, there might be an expectation to speak, but with Wriothesley no such thing exists; he's comfortable in the silence, and in the warmth of Wriothesley's hand felt even through their gloves. As the cool breeze of evening blows, as the crabs scuttle over the shore, as the Fatui slink in the shadows and keep their distance... all that stimuli fades away, leaving Neuvillette walking unburdened by the eyes of the Court with the person he feels most himself with.
Another lift of the hand and one-two-three seals appear in the air, bringing to light what look to be steps of contained Hydro energy in the shape of a staircase. They lead up the side of the waterfall right to the very top, disappearing once again once they make it to their destination.
It isn't very high up, but Neuvillette doesn't have enough time for more than this distance. Maybe one of these days he'll take Wriothesley higher-- somewhere more special than this little stream and the flowers at its side, somewhere that he can overlook all of Fontaine with him. Still, there's peace in this as well: in sitting in the grass and caring little for his robes, and in getting Wriothesley to join him.
Some creatures of the wild-- slimes, Hydro Phantasms-- roam freely around them, but seem to lose interest once they catch sight of the Iudex. It must be that "affinity for Hydro" he always claims to have... but at least it means they'll be uninterrupted and safe out here.
A few Hydro crystalflies titter over the stream, glittering prettily under the moonlight as the muted sound of rushing water continues. Neuvillette, whose gaze had been skyward for a few seconds, looks at Wriothesley again. ]
At this hour, this far from the Court, I'm the only sentient being here more often than not. [ Which is to say they'll have privacy. ] I'm not sure if you'd agree, but at least to me, I find the outdoors-- and the fresh air, and the nature that surrounds me-- to be more comfortable than being in the walls that form our Court.
Truthfully, however, I... [ Stripped of his title and his image, Neuvillette clears his throat, looking the slightest bit flustered as his gaze falls over the rushing stream. ] ...I wanted to have you to myself without worry of others. Even if only for an hour or two more before I had to return.
Your smiles come wider when we're the only ones present, I noticed.
As you should, especially as Neuvillette
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