The Iudex's day off

Side Story 17 - One grin to seal a fate (2)

Happy early birthday, Yukii!

Warning! This chapter's contents go over to NSFW from the second half on! While it doesn't go quite into full-on sex, it's there.

 You've been warned.

 (This is a one-time thing. We are not doing this ever again. I told you I'm horrible at this, and this chapter just confirms it.)

~

~

They stumbled into the house like that, keyed up, tension high.

 Neuvillette was ready for Wriothesley to make good on the promises he had traced upon his heated skin.

 But then-

 Then he just stopped. He pulled away, leaving Neuvillette utterly stunned.

 The duke reached behind, fumbling with the gramophone till soft music started playing.

 "Could I have another dance, my love?"

 Neuvillette, still in shock, took Wriothesley's outstretched hand mostly out of habit.

 "You want to dance- Wriothesley!"

 Neuvillette was pulled against Wriothesley's chest, silenced by a gentle yet heated kiss, a delicate dance of tongues.

 His husband's hand made its way to his lower back, but the other did not move to hold his own. Instead, it cradled his face, holding him gently as he guided them into a slow movement to the music's rhythm.

 When they parted, the dragon's eyes met the warden's, the latter sporting that wolfish grin Neuvillette couldn't decide whether he loved or hated. On one hand, it was his husband's joy; on the other, it always spelled his doom.

 "While we were dancing back at the ball, I couldn't help but wonder just how many of your layers I could remove without letting go of you." The duke murmured against the judge's lips.

 "Would you like to try?"

 "Is that an invitation to rid you of your robes, Your Honor?"

 "It would be the first time you needed one to do so, Your Grace." 

 "Perhaps I've decided to be a gentleman tonight."

 "Then, your gentlemanly self should finish speaking before undoing my buttons." Neuvillette chuckled.

 Let alone stop, Wriothesley's fingers didn't even hesitate to continue in their quest, swiftly slipping buttons through holes with practiced ease.

 The outer jacket was first to fall, just as Wriothesley pulled his husband into yet another deep kiss.

 "Red..." Whispered Wriothesley when they parted.

 Underneath his jacket, Neuvillette's shirt was black. The piece, however, which the duke had not seen, was his waistcoat.

 Red. His red, his-

 "Your colors." Neuvillette completed his thoughts.

 As soon as he had spoken those words, Neuvillette knew he had said too much.

 A chuckle, a lift of a brow, a smirk. The same ones that live on in his head like an unbreakable curse, invading his mind at every waking moment.

"Perhaps you aren't as innocent in this matter as I thought, my little dragon."

 "Whatever do you mean?"

 "I'm starting to suspect you wore these clothes knowing full well what my reaction would be to them."