Drink's over Silence - Wriolette

Drink's Over Silence.

Monsieur Neuvillette was a busy man, Wriothesley knew that all too well.

Yet moments like this are what tend to draw them both closer.

"So Duke, how have the people been down in the Fortress of Meropide may I ask?"

"How nice of you to care for them Iudex, they're doing well of course, just a few misbehaving inmates here and there but nothing a quick beating and a scolding to get them in place."

Both men took a sip of their drink, running out of topics to discuss. Wriothesley, out of an attempt to lighten the mood, breaks the silence.

"Sigewinne misses you ya know? Maybe it isn't a bad idea to stop by the fortress when you're free? She's been pestering me more than ever to invite her to our lovely chats, Monsieur." a soft chuckle came,

"Oh really? Then I will try to adjust my schedule for Miss Sigewinne."

And now they were back to square one. No topics to talk about, but it was quite comforting if you'd ask the both of them. The atmosphere was comfortable, the room was cold, but warm at the same time.

Shining brightly through the window of Neuvillette's office, the moon stood proud with stars dotting the sky. The aroma of Romaratime Flowers filled the room, papers from the discussions before strewn across the floors and desk.

A tired sigh left Neuvillette's lips startling Wriothesley realising he was staring into Neuvillette's lavender eyes, has his eyes always looked this pretty?

"Duke-"

The dark haired male cuts the other off, "Wriothesley."

"Pardon?", he asks, tilting his head slightly.

"There is no use for formalities if it's just the both of us no?"

A slight laugh left Neuvillette's lips, and archons Wriothesley wished he could treasure that laughter. It sounded genuine, it was soft as well.

"Then I expect you to call me by my name in private settings as well?"

A nod in response towards the white haired man as he then takes his final sips of water. Placing his cup down, catching Wriothesley's attention without realising when he looks outside the window, the moon shining as bright as ever illuminating the both of them with a soft glow.

"You.. you're so pretty.."

Wriothesley said under his breath not expecting Neuvillette to catch it as the Iudex turned towards him with a pink hue spread across his cheeks.

"I- Wait I didn't mean to- No! You are pretty it's just that-"

Wriothesley continued on his random stuttering as Neuvillette just looked at him with awe, had Wriothesley always had that cut just next to his ear or was it recent?

Neuvillette reaches forward to brush over the scar subconsciously as Wriothesley's face flashes with the brightest shade of red. "Neu-"

"Shh.."

Neuvillette approached to sit next to Wriothesley instead of sitting diagonally like they were previously, from just brushing against the newfound scar beside his ear, to brushing the scar just below his eye.

As if stuck in a trance, Neuvillette quickly jerked back and retreated when he realised what he was doing.

"Ah! Wriothesley I apologise for my manners I-"

"Can.. you do it again?"

Asks Wriothesley timidly as Neuvillette just looks at him. Finally after some tension, the white haired man approached the latter and started caressing his scars again, from the scars that adorned his face, to the ones on his arms, then finally to the ever so badly hidden scars on his neck down.

Wriothesley leans into the Iudex' touch, almost craving for it.

Neuvillette does nothing to the snaking arm around his waist as it brings him closer to the scarred man and onto his lap. "You're pretty Neuvi.. Did you know?"

Surprised by the sudden nickname, that expression has been changed into a more lovingly soft smile. "Wrioth- Wrio, you've told me that before.."

With a sluggish smirk, the black haired male replied,

"I'd tell you that one thousand more times more Neuv."

As time passes by, the brightly shining moon was soon bidding its farewell and up came the sun with its orange-red hues.

The sun rose as it showed two figures, one black and bits of red with the other white and blue intertwined together, cuddling and sleeping soundly on the Iudex' couch.

.........

Wriothesley was back at the Fortress of Meropide entering his office as he spotted Sigewinne there, pouting. Despite the memories from the previous night echoing in his head and the vivid imagination and thought of if he and the Iudex could be something more, his eyes lands on Sigewinne.

"Where have you been?! I was worried sick for you!" the melusine scolded.

Maybe Wriothesley should bring her to the surface more often, he thought.

Word Count: 768

03.14.24