Judicial Temptations :: WRIOLLETTE

25 :: Promotion

The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow over Neuvillette's living room. Wriothesley sat on the edge of the couch, his leg bouncing up and down with nervous energy. His eyes were locked on the phone lying on the small coffee table in front of him, as though sheer willpower alone could make it ring. The seconds dragged into minutes, and the minutes into hours. It felt like an eternity. Three days. He had been waiting for this call for three agonizing days since his interview for the position of deputy chief.

Neuvillette woke up, feeling the absence of Wriothesley beside him once again. He sighed softly, running a hand through his messy hair as he rose from bed. The nights had been long and lonely without Wriothesley by his side. Even though Wriothesley always kissed him goodnight, the bed felt cold and empty without him. Neuvillette knew how much the promotion meant to Wriothesley, but it pained him to see his lover so restless, so consumed by anxiety.

Padding softly into the living room in his relaxed draconic form, Neuvillette found Wriothesley hunched over on the couch, his broad shoulders tense, his leg bouncing incessantly. The sight made Neuvillette's heart ache. He approached quietly, sitting down next to Wriothesley and placing a gentle hand on his bouncing leg, stilling it.

Wriothesley turned to look at him, surprised, but his tired expression softened when he saw Neuvillette. He gave him a small, exhausted smile before leaning in to press a sweet kiss to Neuvillette's lips. "Good morning," he murmured, his voice heavy with fatigue.

"You haven't slept," Neuvillette observed quietly, his thumb brushing over the back of Wriothesley's hand. It wasn't a question. Wriothesley's dark circles and the weariness etched into his face told Neuvillette everything he needed to know.

Wriothesley sighed and shook his head. "Not a wink. I can't sleep until I get this call. It's driving me mad."

Neuvillette nodded, understanding the weight of Wriothesley's anxiety. "No call yet?"

Wriothesley shook his head again, the disappointment clear in his tired blue eyes. "No. Nothing."

Neuvillette frowned, his heart aching for Wriothesley. He wanted to tell him to go back to bed, to rest, to let the world wait for a few hours, but he knew Wriothesley wouldn't listen. He was too determined, too anxious to let himself rest. Neuvillette sighed softly and stood up. "I'll make you some tea. It might help calm your nerves."

Wriothesley gave him a grateful smile. "Thanks, love."

Neuvillette returned the smile before heading to the kitchen to brew the tea. He poured himself a glass of water and brought the drinks back to the living room, setting the steaming cup of tea in front of Wriothesley.

"Thank you," Wriothesley said, his voice filled with genuine appreciation. He reached for the teacup, but before his fingers could even touch the handle, his phone started to ring.

Wriothesley froze, his eyes snapping to the phone. The screen displayed his precinct's number.

"This is it," Wriothesley muttered under his breath before quickly answering the call. "Hello, Detective Wriothesley speaking."

Neuvillette watched with bated breath as Wriothesley listened intently to the person on the other end of the line. He nodded a few times, offering short responses like "mhm" and "I understand," but his expression gave nothing away. Neuvillette's anxiety mirrored Wriothesley's, his fingers gripping the glass of water a little too tightly.

When Wriothesley finally ended the call with a simple "Thank you very much. Goodbye," Neuvillette couldn't tell what had happened. The emotionless tone in Wriothesley's voice made his stomach twist with uncertainty.