Book of One-Sh!ts

[Neuvillete x Wriothesley] The Day the Novel Starts

"I want to be someone's someone. I want someone to want me..." Neuvillette read the lines and found them to be true. As a dragon with a long lifespan, of course he'd had lovers in the past but out living them made their love so fleeting. To be held in someone's arms again. To be wanted.... he craved that. Especially after transmigrating into this world. He'd played the character of this fearsome dragon so long, unlocked all of his memories, that he hardly remembered his life before. Neuvillette's past romances... were they even his? Did they count? He sighed deeply. 

"Is it almost time?" he stared out of his window to his office. The novel should've begun at around this time. The first scene in the prologue was the dashing hero slaying the evil dragon lord for a bounty put on his head by an ex-lover. The god of mora as it were. Neuvillette had made it a point to stay out of human affairs but perhaps he'd been too distant. He should've tried to change his reputation, if even a little. 

He shook his head. This was the world crafted by the pen of an author. What did it matter? Humans would come up with their own conclusions anyway. Best to leave them to their own devices. 

"We've discovered an intruder, Monsieur, what would you like us to do with him?" The triplets stared eagerly, awaiting orders. The only attendants that hadn't left his side even though he permitted their freedom. 

"Take me to him." 

Neuvillette followed the trio down to the basement where a musty dungeon lurked. Neuvillette coughed into his sleeve, staring at the cell they'd stopped in front of. One glance and he could tell this was the protagonist. The scars, torn clothes, hefty glare. This was the day he'd been destined to die. The prelude to the novel he'd enjoyed so very long ago.  

"I take it you're here for my head?" Neuvillette asked, gesturing for the keys. Lyney warily relinquished them. Neuvillette opened the cell and proceeded to unlock the shackles holding the intruder back. "If I may make one request, do not harm these three upon fulfilling your quest," he said. 

"Monsieur-!" Neuvillette raised his hand to cut off his words. 

"I am an old dragon. I have lived a life long enough for several humans. Perhaps it is time." 

"You're quite different from the rumors," Wriothesley rubbed his wrists where the shackles were previously. 

"Ah," Neuvillette nodded, "have you come from Liyue?" 

"What does--" 

"Monsieur has done much for Fontaine!" Freminet insisted. 

"Please don't listen to the lander of the earth dragon lord's people!" 

"Monsieur will not plead for his life but I shall!" Lyney got on his knees. The other two followed. 

"This isn't necessary..." Neuvillette sighed, urging them to get up. While his back was turned, Wriothesley jumped up and clicked a collar around his neck. 

"This is..." Neuvillette reached up to touch it. A slaver's collar. Originally it was something Wriothesley wore and spent the novel trying to rid himself of it after killing the only one who could free him of it. 

"I'll keep you alive, for now, and judge for myself your nature," Wriothesley crossed his arms. "The only way that comes off is if I take it off of my own free will." 

"I understand," Neuvillette nodded. "Till I can convince you of my nature, I presume I'm at your beck and call?" 

"Something like that." 

"Very well..." 

"That's it?" Wriothesley's eyes widened. "No resistance?" 

"These tend to have side effects if I resist, no?" Neuvillette's head tilted slightly. "As long as these three are safe, there is nothing for me to resist."