Le rêve d'un idiot est devenu réalité

The tapping of fingers walking on the table echoed through the office. The Duke is a little nervous, even if he doesn't know why. It doesn't seem to have happened, but he is bursting with an unknown feeling. Monsieur Chief Justice of the Court of Fontaine, I ask You to grant my request to visit Fortress of Meropide in order to make sure that the supervision of prisoners is properly observed and does not in any way affect their physical and mental health. I also ask You to be ready for physical exertion on Your part. You are free to visit Fortress of Meropide at any time You like. Waiting for our meeting, With respect, Emissary of Fortress of Meropide, Wriothesley Celestia alone knows how many times a letter has been crumpled up and thrown into the trash. While writing the next one, Wriothesley often looked at the past, even some torn sheets of paper, and with complete alienation on his face. He did not understand how to write a letter correctly and not die of Natlans’ shame when re-reading it. Everything that was happening was perceived as something surreal, as if the Duke had no right at all to write such messages to the very top of Fontaine, although they had been in an established relationship — albeit only between them — for quite a long time. «Oh Archons, do something with the letter so that Neuvillette doesn’t read this horror, please...» And with what difficulty he gave it to the messenger! The poor gendarme did not even understand why the Emissary clutched the unfortunate envelope in his fingers, as if clinging to the last reasonable thoughts in his head. A little more — and pulled it out. But the man turned out to be faster, and therefore Wriothesley's fingers closed without having any barricade between them. He slipped away. Wriothesley didn't even have time to think about stopping him. Well, he let the gendarmes get used to the fact that all letters addressed to the Judge are of paramount importance and should be sent to him immediately. «It's only my fault» He could only hope for the prudence of Neuvillette himself, so that he would not take it into his head to visit the fortress. In fact, the reasons were far-fetched, and the Duke just wanted to see his partner. Or maybe not only that… The thought immediately hit my brain that they hadn't even kissed yet. Here they are, the real relationship between two serious men in high positions. We will enter into a relationship, but there is zero attention. Wriothesley wants to believe in the reciprocity of desires and simply blames everything on Iudex's busy schedule and his fatigue from business. You might think that the dog himself is like at a resort. Underwater. Resting. It's funny to the point of disgust and tingling in the tips of the fingers hammering on the table. The sound is annoying, but he doesn't hear anything behind it. The cup with the tea that has been cold for a long time shakes slightly from the vibration, and the tail is shaking. — Wriothesley, you're going to sweep the whole office with your tail in a little while. Calm down. A sudden voice from the side almost pulled the Duke out of his pleasant thoughts. Like a tocsin. And such familiarity in private, within the walls of his personal space, is allowed only to one creature. — Sigewinne, you are extremely out of time. Did something happen in the infirmary? His sigh was so tired, and his expression was exhausted, that little melusine's eyebrows twitched slightly in surprise. — Nothing happened in the infirmary, — she repeats, as if she doubts the Duke's adequate awareness of the dialogue. — I heard the news that you decided to send a letter to Iudex. And I… — ...Don't ask, please. I just invited Neuvillette to tea, nothing more. — At four in the morning? It turned out to be a bad idea to drink tea at the moment. The Duke coughs and bangs his fist on his chest. How did he fail to keep track of time and dare to send a gendarme? He made such a bad idea that he himself is grinning nervously. Idiot. — I confess, I’m the fool. — You don't sleep normally for the second day, such a manifestation of cheerfulness from insomnia will not add to your health. Or do you hope that Neuvillette will fix everything? — I suppose I shouldn't ask how you know about our relationship? The head nurse snorts mockingly and puts another of her not-so-delicious drinks on the Duke's table, from which he usually turns up his nose. — I didn't know, but now you've confirmed their presence yourself. «What a fo-o-o-ol!» Wriothesley exhales slowly and noisily, realizing that he is still able to hold on to calmness. He didn't want to open up to anyone so quickly, but if it was his fault… He's been really messing up a lot lately. And can't even throw them at the gendarmes! Or the same prisoners. The past days, or maybe weeks, have been filled with almost continuous thoughts about the Judge. This is wrong, he is well aware of it, but what can be done about it? It's nothing. He's an ordinary human. Okay, "not-human". This does not change the concept of distraction due to feelings experienced. This is quite inherent in mortal creatures. Especially when you know that you are not getting younger every year, and waiting for a dragon to descend with base desires to a partner isn’t at all healthy. — I wrote such nonsense to him there, he won't come after that. He won't even raise an eyebrow! — An official letter with nonsense. It's just like you, to be honest. And if he comes? What are you going to do? — Um, well... — Wriothesley stammered, finally really thinking about the question. — Most likely, will have to fulfill the pretext that I invited him to. Yes, yes, I remember that Meropide is outside Fontaine's jurisdiction, but surely, he would be interested in why someone leaves here and someone does not. And they don't come back here anymore. — It's terrible, Wriothesley. Now drink up. If you don't sleep tomorrow, I promise that one huge buttock will be injected with a horse dose of sleeping pills. — ...Don't scare an armored crab with a spiked shell. The conversation, in some way unknown to the dog, subsided by itself. And melusine managed to leave with a quiet grunt under her breath. When only? He has become so impervious to his surroundings, he really should get some sleep. A little more, and the concentration of attention on something will decrease so much that one day he will miss even some obvious attempt on his health or life. His gaze falls on the sofa, tortured for years, wondering why he’s still alive and here. However, some questions aren’t destined to receive an answer, and therefore in the next five minutes the Duke's massive body is already sinking onto a not very soft surface. And it doesn't even fit completely, let the Archons, just to fall asleep on side. First horse jumped over of Elynas's rib, second horse, third horse, fourth... sixty-eighth… Something is shaking his shoulder, and Wriothesley almost falls off the couch, because he didn’t expect his sleep to be interrupted at all. He just fell asleep after all! And what was his surprise when he saw the eyes staring into his face. Beautiful eyes, every time you see them, you compare them with the most beautiful minerals. Charming lepidolite. Therefore, being in public places, in public, the Emissary tries not to look at the Judge's face, because he's afraid to meet the eyes and be stunned like the statue. They have been beckoning to him since his incarceration, and now to realize that it still belongs to him to some extent… O Archons. — Good morning, Your Grace, — Iudex's tone was definitely displeased, which made Wriothesley feel his tail reflexively curl up to his strained buttocks. Once again, he notices what a puppy he feels next to his partner. — Did You see the time? — What time is it now? The Duke has no idea how stupid a smile and the same expression he is sitting on the floor in front of Neuvillette, who is leaning closer to him. One eyebrow is raised skeptically at this, not quite understanding: he’s making a fool of himself or he’s seriously asking. — Five in the morning. — In just an hour… How quickly! You know, Monsieur Neuvillette, I'm still proud of our gendarmes! I think they need to raise their salaries. To be honest, I didn't even imagine that You would come. — Do You know the story about the boy who shouted: «Rishbolands! Rishbolands!»? — I know… — So don't call me for nothing, Wriothesley. Otherwise, I really won't come next time. From a stern look, creeps run down his back and his hands are covered with goosebumps. The dog feels it right under the bandages, and therefore hurries to get up from the floor and shake himself off. Yes, maybe it really shouldn't have been distracted by Sigewinne and still sweep the office, otherwise it's kind of awkward in front of Iudex that it's so dusty here. But he invited and didn't even deign to prepare! The tail shakes from side to side, and Wriothesley curses inwardly that he’s giving himself away. Yes, he's glad to see Neuvillette, so what? Embarrass the dragon with such activity now? Honestly, he's trying to calm down his raging fifth limb. In the end, he scores, because Iudex is already starting to get bored. What did Wriothesley say about his plan in case of a visit? Ah, take him around the prison and show him everything. On the other hand, he doesn't understand at all why Iudex considered this an urgent matter at all. Or did Neuvillette want to see him too?.. There was simply no reason to visit the Duke. The silence dragged on for the second minute. — I beg Your pardon? — Neville reminds of himself, and Wriothesley shudders. — You invited me to the fortress for something. — Monsieur, didn't You... — «didn't you read the letter?». — No, I didn't even open it. It's worth admitting that I snapped as soon as I heard Your name and Your desire for my presence here. Thin fingers hidden behind the fabric of gloves — which, let's be honest, the Emissary really wanted to take off — take out an unopened envelope, and Wriothesley sighs with relief. He comes closer and already stretches out his hand to take the letter, but it wasn’t there. Neuvillette lifts a limb, avoiding his. No, if he got the message, then there's nothing to give it back. Meanwhile, Wriothesley has the expression of a naughty puppy again. And why he's still unlucky? He carefully monitors how gently the envelope is opened with a special knife so as not to damage both the packaging and its contents, and then closes his eyes so as not to see Neuvillette's face while reading. — What kind of physical activity should I be ready for and for what? Are there not enough workers in the prison, and You deigned to invite me to carry boxes with mechanical parts? The Archons see how the Emissary does not want to exchange officialdom with his partner, and especially in private. But he understands perfectly well why his cute dragon is so annoyed. He wouldn't want to run off somewhere in the middle of the night either. Especially for some crazy ideas. And all for what? To indulge his own ego. And not only him. — I'm just curious about Your strength, Monsieur Judge, — he honestly admits to a noisy sigh. Yes, it's stupid. But what a difference! — It’s rumored that the hydro dragon is very strong. And I wanted to look at it so much, I couldn't resist. Please forgive such a liberty. You have the right to refuse. — Even if I agreed, were You going to verify it on Your body? — Neuvillette couldn't help but clarify. He didn’t want to waste time and effort on the same boxes. — Oh, no-no! I would suggest this only after the pankration on targets. You know, I like decent opponents. But I guess I'll just have to look at the targets. Another sigh prompted Wriothesley to wave his hand and invite Neuvillette to follow him. — Will we go straight to pankration? — Eh? — the Emissary is distracted from his own thoughts, but at least he didn't have to ask again. — Would You not like to walk around the fortress? I have prepared a tour especially for You. — Duke, You know perfectly well that I have been around the prison not two or even five times. With You. For the purpose of a "guided tour". — Oh, that's right. You must be very bored with this. From the slight awkwardness that has passed between them in the dialogue, Wriothesley thoughtfully scratches the back of his head. Maybe he's the only one who's interested in walking around the fortress sometimes? This doesn’t mean that it is necessary to recluse in their office and scaring the gendarmes with bags under their eyes and pale skin. Okay, Neuvillette is paler. But he probably gets out of the Palais Mermonia or Opera Epiclese even less often. If think about it, both are locked up worse than the Meropides’ prisoners. — Then let's go straight to the ring. There is just a target for practicing punches, nobody didn’t take it down. He nods at him in silence. Wriothesley stews, slightly lowering his head and hiding his eyes under the shadow of bangs. It's comfortless. He presses the elevator button and, as they descend, squints at Iudex. Still cold and stoic. He can’t find an idea how to inflame a partner for at least some warmer interaction. He has only two options in mind: the first is to let him go back home and then pick a moment when he won't be so annoyed, and the second is to continue doing stupid things. The second option sounds doubtful, of course, but it is much preferable. After climbing into the ring, the Emissary accepts Neuvillette's removed tailcoat and hangs it on his arm. — Just punch? — Yes, just punch, don't worry about the technique. How comfortable are You, Monsieur Neuvillette! Smiling, the Duke steps aside a few steps so as not to interfere with Iudex. His gaze slides over thin legs, fitted with trousers and high shoes, wondering how a man can have such beautiful long limbs at all. It sometimes seems to him that Neuvillette was sculpted by some skillful sculptor; of course, with his views on men, because otherwise Wriothesley can’t explain the beauty of this deity. Mentally licks him all over, wanting to take everything off him and enjoy the naked skin of his partner. He wonders if he has scales? He wants to touch him like hell... even in heels. O Archons, brazenly put pressure on fetishes and even scratch them slightly. The tail almost turns into something spinning fast by itself, and Wriothesley misses the moment when Neuvillette swings and lunges forward, hitting the target. «What?» With an uncomprehending expression on his face, the Emissary follows the target with his gaze, watching as she flies, crushing the ring fence, into the wall and even gets stuck there. And how will they get it? «No, I'm not going to get into a fight with him, my spine is still dear to me» Chuckling nervously, Wriothesley hands the clothes to Neuvillette and doesn’t believe his ears that he just overdid it. Just overdid? The target is heavy, it’s difficult to simply move it from its place, and this creation sent the simulator straight to «paradise». The dog doesn’t even immediately pay attention to the fact that his pants have become much tighter. It was only by the Judge's eyes that he realized something was wrong. The jacket instantly ties at the hips, hiding the Duke's groin. — I beg Your pardon, — for which Neuvillette apologizes — Wriothesley doesn’t understand, but it seems to swallow his tongue when the dragon turns out to be much closer to him and almost breathes into his face, — did You get aroused after I hit something or is Your head full of unacceptable images? — Both options,— he whispers back and smiles. — Are You really going to judge a mere mortal for such a reaction, Monsieur Judge? — I don't know how indecent your fantasies are, Wriothesley, — Iudex switches to "you" in the same whisper, — but it would be worth punishing for something like that. This is a public place, I can, as a Judge, consider it as harassment, and this in turn is hooliganism, an insult to public morality. O Archons, notations. The Emissary is a grown man, but how he wants to behave like a little boy next to Neuvillette! And now the sheer stupidity hits him in the head, which makes the smile only sillier. He doesn't find anything better to say: — So let's leave, and you will conduct a personal trial over me with the verdict and its execution. Give your verdict, Iudex. Such impudence makes Neuvillette's hair move on the back of his head, and his eyes sparkle with something bad. Wriothesley notices the narrowed pupils even more and realizes that most likely the ass adventures won’t be the most pleasant at first glance. And he also hopes that they will finally be able to pay attention to each other in the same physical way. An idiot's dream. They probably would have kissed in the end, but someone was in no hurry and Wriothesley decided to speed up. He wishes the dragon wouldn’t be offended by the broken plans. Possible ones. The Duke regrets that he can’t read minds. It would be much easier to understand Neuvillette, since he has such difficulty expressing emotions. — How brazenly, Duke,— Neuvillette snorts, taking the coat and pulling away. His thin lips curl into a grin for a couple of seconds, but it was enough for Wriothesley to understand that he had given the go-ahead. — Then come to my office, Monsieur Judge. Wriothesley licks his dry lips and feels how much he lacks the saving moisture. But they don't focus on this, because they almost fly into the office. He didn’t want the guards and other extra sleepless people to watch the interaction of the Judge and the Administrator of the Fortress more and more. Neuvillette himself could barely keep up with the dog, loudly tapping his heels on the metal and still attracting glances from the outside. And where are these two in a hurry? The heavy door is locked so that no one can enter while the Duke is busy with an extremely important matter.