Judicial Temptations :: WRIOLLETTE

51 :: Planning Stage

In the months leading up to their wedding, the tension between Wriothesley and Neuvillette simmered just beneath the surface. They were both excited for the big day, but the pressure to have everything go perfectly weighed heavily on them. The spring wedding was set to be in Fontaine's stunning gardens, just as the flowers were beginning to bloom, promising a day filled with beauty and life. Yet, as with all things, the preparation wasn't without its difficulties.

"Do we really need that many flowers?" Wriothesley asked one evening, rubbing the bridge of his nose as he looked over the plans for the venue.

Neuvillette, who was sitting across the table from him, sighed softly. "The flowers are important. They're symbolic. Every bloom is carefully chosen to represent something meaningful in our relationship."

Wriothesley raised an eyebrow, looking more tired than skeptical. "And we can't do with just a few less?"

Neuvillette's tone sharpened slightly. "It's not about quantity, it's about the atmosphere. I want this to be special, something we'll both remember for the rest of our lives."

Wriothesley leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes for a moment. "I just don't want to drown in petals when we walk down the aisle."

A silence settled between them, one that had become more familiar as the stress of planning built up. Wriothesley opened his eyes to see Neuvillette staring down at the floor, his expression unreadable.

"Hey," Wriothesley said more gently, reaching across the table to take Neuvillette's hand. "I'm sorry. I know this means a lot to you, and it means a lot to me too. I just... feel like everything's getting so complicated."

Neuvillette looked up, his gaze softening. "I know. I'm sorry too. It's just that I've dreamt of this day for so long, and now that it's here, I want everything to be perfect. But I don't want us to fight about it."

Wriothesley smiled, squeezing Neuvillette's hand. "We'll make it through this. We've been through worse, right? A few flowers won't break us."

The two shared a quiet laugh, the tension between them easing. It was moments like this, where they came together after a disagreement, that reminded them of why they were doing all of this.

As the days drew closer to the wedding, they began finalizing the guest list. Sitting at their dining table one morning, they poured over names, invitations strewn about like fallen leaves.

"Clorinde should sit near the front," Wriothesley said, jotting down notes. "She's helped us a lot, and I know she'd want to be closer."

Neuvillette nodded. "Agreed. Navia too. She's been so supportive throughout this whole process."

"Furina, obviously, will expect some kind of grand entrance," Wriothesley added with a chuckle. "Maybe we can have a special seat prepared for her, something flashy."

Neuvillette smiled at that, imagining Furina's delight. "We'll figure out something that fits her style. And Sigewinne... maybe near the fountain, where it's quieter. She doesn't like too much noise."

They went through the list, slotting in names like Aether, Paimon, and several other familiar faces from their lives. Each name carried with it a memory, a moment, that had brought them to this point. It was a wedding not just of two people, but a celebration of all the connections they'd made along the way.

As the final week before the wedding arrived, the air was thick with anticipation. The weather in Fontaine had begun to warm, but the coolness still lingered, a reminder that spring was only just beginning. Neuvillette had insisted on rehearsals, and while Wriothesley found them exhausting, he went along with it for his partner's sake.

"Okay, one more time from the top," Neuvillette said, looking over the arrangements in the garden.

Wriothesley groaned dramatically, earning a stern look from Neuvillette. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"

Neuvillette raised an eyebrow, though his lips twitched with amusement. "Enjoying? Perhaps a little. But this is important, Wriothesley. We need to get it right."

Wriothesley sighed, standing up straighter. "Fine, fine. For you, I'll endure it."

Just as they were about to begin again, Furina arrived, her presence as grand and dramatic as always.

"Ah, my favorite couple!" she declared, arms outstretched as she walked into the garden. "I see preparations are going well. Need any help from the Hydro Archon herself?"

Neuvillette smiled warmly, shaking his head. "Thank you, Furina, but we're just about done for today."

Wriothesley smirked, crossing his arms. "You just want to make sure you get the best seat in the house, don't you?"

Furina gasped in mock offense. "How dare you accuse me of such vanity!" Then, with a wink, she added, "Although, if you're offering..."

The three laughed together, the weight of the past weeks lifting just a little in the light of the moment. They were reminded that, despite the stress and the arguments, the love they shared and the support of their friends was what truly mattered.

Two days before the wedding, they found themselves sitting in their living room, exhausted but satisfied. The final details had been ironed out, the guests were all confirmed, and everything seemed to be falling into place.

"I can't believe it's almost here," Neuvillette said softly, leaning against Wriothesley on the couch.

Wriothesley smiled, pressing a kiss to the top of Neuvillette's head. "I know. After everything, it's really happening."

There was a comfortable silence between them for a moment, the weight of the upcoming ceremony settling in.

"Are you nervous?" Neuvillette asked.

Wriothesley shrugged. "A little. Not about the wedding, though. About the attention. You know I'm not one for big crowds."

Neuvillette smiled. "I know. But it'll be worth it. And after the ceremony, we can slip away and just be us."

Wriothesley grinned. "Now that sounds like a plan."

As they sat there, wrapped in each other's presence, they knew that no matter what happened in the next few days, they had each other. The trials, the stress, the arguments—all of it had only strengthened their bond.

And soon, they would be standing together in front of everyone they loved, ready to start the next chapter of their lives as one.