Chapter Text
The whole scene felt terribly mundane, as Wriothesely sat on the well maintained xanadu couch, just perpendicular to the polished wooden bureau the honorable Monsieur Neuvillette perched above, examining an impressive stack of official documents.
Taking a generous sip of his now luke-warm tea, made with imported water from some location in Natlan Wriothesley could not be bothered to remember, the Duke felt the need to break the awful silence and project a thought he’d initially come here to discuss.
“Hey, Neuvi, wanna switch boyfriends?” The Duke did not stutter, his words echoing slightly in the large room.
Finally, the esteemed Hydro Dragon dropped his hands holding the papers slightly, to peer over at his guest who was now placing his empty tea cup onto its saucer.
“Come again?” The question was more rhetorical. The deity heard the man clearly the first time.
“I asked if you wanna switch boyfriends-” Wriothesley was cut off.
“No, no no. I heard you the first time.” Neuvillette took a moment, discarding the papers onto the table in favor of raising a hand up to rub his temple. “What ridiculousness on Teyvat are you proposing right now?”
“Well,” His Grace started as he pushed himself to his feet and approached the grand desk of the Iudex, “I was thinking, it’d be interesting if we swapped boyfriends for a day.”
Releasing his forehead, the Dragon met his visitor, and friend’s, gaze, seemingly perplexed. “Now how, please indulge me momentarily, would that be interesting?” The focus on the ladder word was heavily emphasized.
The Duke snorted, raising both hands up slightly in an open gesture, giving a lopsided grin. “I’ve always found your little Freminet hopelessly adorable, and besides, I want an excuse to interrogate your lover about what you’re like in bed.”
This was hardly the first time Wriothesley has mentioned such inappropriate things to Monsieur Neuvillette. In fact, it felt the closer the two became, the more frequent such interactions became. Neuvillette was hardly surprised at the vulgarity of his request. The real shock being the addition of HIS boyfriend in all of this.
It was no secret to Wriothesley that The Iudex had courted the shy fatui boy from the House of the Hearth, in fact, Wriothseley had procured his own significant other from the same faction. Lyney.
“Wriothesley, this is a preposterous petition I am heavily inclined to deny,” Neuvillette was distracted as his guest made a wide display of turning on his heels to face away and throw his arms dramatically into the air.
“Why be such a prude, Monsieur Neuvillette. I promise to treat your boyfriend with care! It’s only a day!” The Duke turned back, still smiling, “Besides, my Lyney is still on edge around you. This would be a great opportunity for you two to get to know one another.”
“And what, pray tell, would getting to know one another do for me?” The Iudex crossed his arms, unamused.
“Glad you asked.” Rounding the table, His Grace quickly enclosed on the Dragon’s personal space, wrapping a strong arm around his shoulder to pull him close, “Your little boyfriend’s birthday is coming up,” Wriothesley continued, “and I heard from Carole you’re having trouble procuring a gift. Who better to ask than his own brother whom he loves very dearly!”
‘Do not be swayed’ was the Iudex’s initial thought until The Duke brought up the gift. The Dragon paused, shooting an intrigued glance Wriothesley’s way. His Grace did not miss such a look.
Moving forward, knowing he has almost won The Dragon’s approval, “Not to mention, Freminet would be displeased to know Lyney is still uncomfortable around you!”
“He would?” The Iudex quickly replied, with surprise on his face.
“He would.” The Duke reiterated. “Lyney has even told me Freminet wanted to have a double date, but didn’t want to make Lyney or you feel some type of way.”
Hanging his head ever so slightly, the Dragon was lost in thought at that comment. Taking the moment to pull away from their embrace, the Duke knew he’d successfully convinced him. When it came to Freminet, The Iudex was so easy to manipulate.
After a lengthy pause, “Only a day? With Freminet’s consent?” Monsieur Neuvillette questioned, meeting the Duke’s entertained gaze.
“Only a day.” The Duke grinned. They had a deal. And if Monsieur Neuvillette was anything, he was a man of his word.