Work Text:
Wriothesley stood outside of the newly rebuild office of Neuvillette. The interior didn't change much, which he did not mind at all.
His hand was mere inches away from knocking on the door. He knew people were probably staring at him but he didn't care.
There was something he wanted to ask. Even if this was going to be ordinary meeting between them, something had been bothering him since that day.
What would it be like to fly in the sky like a dragon.
More precisely, if Neuvillette could give him a ride through the sky. Though, being a dragon did sound awesome if you asked the Duke.
Yes he knew it was stupid to wonder about it. Yes he knew that he could never accomplish it. Yes he knew it was a dumb selfish question to ask him after everything.
Yet he couldn't help but wonder what that would be like. Curiosity got the better of him.
He couldn't just bring up his question, that would be rude. If Neuvillette didn't want to discuss the topic he would drop it.
If the conversation would lead to it he'd bring it up.
And so he knocked on the door.
"Come on in."
He slowly opened the door. "Good day Monsieur."
"Good afternoon Wriothesley." Neuvillette softly smiled. Showing emotions still wasn't his strong suit but everything came at it's own pace. "How are you faring?" Neuvillette put the papers he had on his desk aside.
"Everything is alright. What about you?" Wriothesley stepped closer to the desk where the Iudex was sitting.
"All is going well. Unfortunately Sedene scheduled me a free day tomorrow, I told her it was not necessary yet she insisted."
Oh this was perfect.
"Really now?" He rested his hands on the desk, face really close to the chief justices. "What a coincidence, I also have a day off tomorrow." Not completely a lie, he could always move his work to the next day. "How about we spend it together?"
"From what I recall we actually had a work meeting tomorrow before I was forced to reschedule." Neuvillette turned serious again. Not in a threatening way luckily. "Which would imply you do not have a day off tomorrow."
Busted.
Wriothesley smirked in a mischievous way. "The evidence lines up. I suppose I'm guilty of lying then."
"Is there something you want from me?" Since when could Neuvillette read people so well. Right, court.
"Okay fine I did want to spend the day together." Neuvillette raised his eyebrows as to say 'go on'.
Wriothesley really felt embarrassed by what he was about to ask. It must've been spelled all over his face. "If you do not like to tell me that is fine Wriothesley, I would gladly spend the day with you either way."
All or nothing.
"There is, something I want to ask. It's rather embarrassing really." He put his hands in on his side. Looking everywhere but at Neuvillette. "I just wanted to, fly with you."
Neuvillette raised his eyebrow in confusion. "Fly with me? I am afraid I do not understand what you mean Wriothesley."
"You know, you in your dragon form, me on your back- You know what, forget I asked." Akward laughter filled the room. Neuvillette didn't laugh along however.
"So you wish to ride me?" If Wriothesley was drinking tea right now it would be all over the floor.
"Don't phrase it like that!" He quickly said, his face was bright red. A groan escaped his mouth. "Forget I asked. Cya Monsieur."
Wriothesley turned around and was trying to make it to the door. "Hold on Wriothesley." Neuvillette pushed his chair back and stood up straight. "I am willing to accept your proposal."
Huh
"A-are you sure? I promise that was not the reason I was here." Oh Archons he was going on a ramble. "Even if we don't do the dragon thing I would still love to go and drink some tea with you and whatever water you want-"
"Wriothesley." Neuvillette cut him off by putting his hand up for a moment. "I am alright with it." The Duke hesitated for a moment, yet that smile from before returned quickly.
"Tomorrow then?" He couldn't hide the small excitement in his voice.
Neuvillette smiled again. "We shall meet near the entrance of Melusine Village. Will that suffice?" This was actually happening holy shit.
"Oh yeah it will suffice. It's a date!"
Shit did he say that out loud? Luckily Neuvillette didn't comment on it.
After they had a cup of tea, Wriothesley left for the day. Neuvillette couldn't help but worry a little bit, he knew it was pointless. He had full control, full authority over his form and powers.
He knew he could just refuse yet he was glad he did not. He took sip of water from his goblet and grabbed a file from his desk.
Perhaps he could show Wriothesley what the mountains of the Beryl Region looked like from above, without drawing too much attention of course. He had the perfect idea for it.
So the next day Wriothesley made his way over to the entrance close to Melusine Village. He couldn't believe it actually worked and that Neuvillette actually agreed!
Wriothesley wasn't one for anxiety, usually. He had his fair share already but now it was bubbling up again. What if Neuvillette didn't want to do this but only said yes for him? He couldn't have that. That was the last thing he wanted out of this.
Unsurprisingly, Neuvillette was already at the destination they agreed upon. He tilled his head to face him. "Ah Wriothesley, right on time."
"Wouldn't want to keep you waiting now would I?" He teasingly smirked, yet nervousness was leaking from his voice. Neuvillette picked op on that.
"Are you anxious about the ride? If you wish that we stop I certainly do not mind."
Wriothesley quickly threw his hand up a little bit in defense. "No, no, no! I'm just, worried about you."
Neuvillette smiled, something that was only reserved for a select people he knew. "There's no need. I have full control now. But the concern is appreciated."
Wriothesley nodded and put this hands back down. He watched in anticipation as Neuvillette's form washed away. Water formed around him steaming towards the heavens. As the water poured in a drizzle down, Wriothesley's mouth fell open at the sight before him.
A beautiful white and blue dragon. The transformation alone was beautiful but this form was even prettier.
One of Neuvillette's claw reached forward and carefully as to not harm the man, closed Wriothesley mouth.
"Apologies, I didn't know that would look so beautiful." He gaped. I didn't know you would be so beautiful was left unsaid. Last time he didn't get a good look at his full form so this was a very nice suprise.
The dragon formed a soft look at the comment, or well as soft as it could look Wriothesley assumed. Neuvillette put his head down, Wriothesley assumed to climb on top of his head.
With a little bit of trouble he climbed on top of the dragons head. He had to admit, his manes or whatever it was, were very soft.
He sat down with anticipation. "Alright Monsieur, ready when you are." The anticipation reflected in his voice.
Neuvillette slowly took off, he did not want Wriothesley to fall off. Even if he would catch him with ease, he would not risk giving the Duke a fright over a small mishap. However the Duke could handle himself, he was certain of that. He would've never agreed otherwise.
The air was flowing through Wriothesley's hair. It was cold and fresh, they higher they got the more pure and cold the air got.
Wriothesley gawked at the sight below him. The mountains seemed like nothing from this view. He could now safely say has been below the surface, on the surface and in the sky.
The sea was so shiny from above. Rays of sun spread across the blue waves, which made it look like white glitter on a blue surface. It might be one of the most beautiful and breath taking views he had ever seen in his life.
A bubbly feeling arose in his chest. Neuvillette did all of this for him. Just because he was curious.
As he was enjoying the view, in the distance the court of Fontaine slowly creeped into view.
"Hey Neuvillette." Wriothesley tried to speak. Due to the wind he had to talk with a lot more volume as he didn't know if Neuvillette had advanced hearing or something now. "Maybe try to turn around. Wouldn't want the court to disturb our moment right?"
Our moment.
Neuvillette only responded with a small huff. There was a satisfied tone in it that confused the Duke. Was he really going to show his dragon form to the court of Fontaine? Wouldn't that be a little too soon?
Instead, without warning, they went upward towards the clouds. Wriothesley barely could grab on, luckily he had such fast reflexes. His breath caught in his throat from the suddenness.
Squinting his eyes at all the cold air that was blown his face, he could barely see that they were going through the clouds. Neuvillette started flying at a lot slower pace. Wriothesley could finally open his eyes properly and let out his held breath.
"Oh wow" He whispered.
They were above the clouds. The sun here was brighter than he had ever seen before. They were surrounded by clouds, if he could sleep on one of those he absolutely would.
He had to touch it.
Reaching out his hand, it went through the clouds. Not like he expected otherwise but it still felt good touching what looked like a fluffy pillow.
This might be one of the moments he felt the most free in his life. With a smile he laid down on the manes, still holding onto it of course. Though Neuvillette must've noticed he shifted his position. This was a sight he would never forget, he refused to forget it.
The sky above him was bright blue, no clouds, no rain. Neuvillette was happy, maybe just as happy as he is in this moment. Next time he would have to ask what Neuvillette wanted to do. He would gladly meet the man more often just for the two of them to hang out. Even it meant personally getting a water bottle from inazuma for his collection.
The bubbly feeling in his chest was only getting stronger.
"Thank you Monsieur." He softly proclaimed. Neuvillette obviously couldn't respond. He simply kept floating at the same pace, it was a successful event.
"I love you, Neuvillette." Wriothesley whispered as the softness of the manes and the perfect circumstances led him to fall asleep.