Chapter Text
It rained. And quite hard at that. Wriothesley walked through the streets of the town of Fontaine heading towards his home. Whenever it rained he always went as quickly as possible to meet Neuvillette, but this time it was different. This time it was just plain rain. Iudex had left Fontaine three days earlier. For a month. When Wriothesley offered to accompany him on a business trip Neuvillette coldly declined. Duke did not know what had caused Neuvillette's indifference, which had already prevailed a week before his departure. He felt that something was wrong. But his capacity was too small to find out what exactly, so, he would simply have to endure this month without his boyfriend, and only determine the reasons for his indifference when he returned. At least, that's what he thought.
To Wriothesley's surprise, as he walked slowly down the street, he saw Furina heading towards him with a quick step. In fact, he had never spoken to her, apart from those quick and annoying orders to leave when she popped into Neuvillett's office with the intention of speaking only to Iudex, wanting no other company.
- Wriothesley. We need to talk - there was an audible— worry in her voice—? - In private - archon added, before turning and walking towards the Palais Mermonia with the same quick step she had taken.
The intricate streets of Fontaine passed by at a bewildering pace. Duke was barely picking up stimuli from his surroundings after this quick one-sided conversation. One thought kept churning in his head. Something is wrong. Something had happened.
After a while, longer or shorter, they arrived at the Palais Mermonia then made their way to Neuvillette's office. Furina always had spare keys so they didn't have to worry about bothering Sedene. The archon sat down on one of the couches and then gestured for Wriothesley to sit down opposite her.
- I assume that you have been informed of Neuvillette's business trips? - Furina does not know how to address Wriothesley. She supposedly knows that he and Neuvillette are in a relationship, but on the other hand they have never openly discussed it. Duke nods. - What else do you know? - Furina asks cautiously, clearly not wanting to say too much.
- About what—? - replies Wriothesley, his thoughts still clouded with worry. He is only pulled out of this worry by Furina, with a clap of her hands right in front of his face.
- Duke! Get a grip on yourself! You know what I mean. Neuvillette. How much exactly do you know about him? - The archon looks at him seriously. There is no amusement in her eyes, which confirms to Wriothesley that nothing good is happening.
- Neuvillette. Iudex Fontaine. Hydro dragon. Anything else I should know? - Asks a confused Duke. He had never talked much with Neuvillette about his past and had not gone into detail about his non-humanity. Their relationship began a little over ten months ago, just after Neuvillette stopped the wave of contaminated water that was about to flood the Fortress of Meropide. It was then that Duke accidentally found out Neuvillette's true identity and admitted his feelings. It was hard to teach Neuvillette about love. He doesn't know what feelings are. That means— he knows— but in a different way. He never asked for anything. He never wanted anything. He only knew how to take care of someone close to him, but he didn't know how to admit his problems. Duke think that part of him will probably never leave him.
- So he didn't tell you - Furina snapped him out of his reverie. - So— how do I say this so it doesn't sound stupid— So— you know that Neuvillette is a dragon— So— there's a certain time of year— it happens every April— So the thing is— um— sometimes— oh, in right it's not sometimes but every year, yes— umm— every year in april— um— how should I say it—
- Furina! Can you finally say what it's about! - Wriosthesley is starting to be more worried. Really worried. That something is wrong is no longer just a hunch. Furina confirms it with her behaviour.
- So—actually, no one knows what it's about - the archon continues - but every april Neuvillette falls into an illness related to his true nature. I don't know exactly what it's like because he never let me into his house when I came to visit, but for three days he hasn't even answered the letters we used to communicate before. I thought maybe— maybe he wouldn't mind if you went to him— to see if he is okay? - The stress painted on Furina's face tells Duke that Iudex's condition might not be the best - he— he didn't tell you because I don't think he wanted you to see him like this—
Wriothesley doesn't know what to say. He just stares dully into nothingness trying to make sense of what Furina has just told him. Neuvillette is ill. He didn't tell him anything about it. He didn't trust him.
Duke slowly rose from the couch and put a hand to his temple. It still hadn't fully come to him, but he knew one thing. He must go to Neuvillette. He has to see how bad his condition is and if necessary he has to take care of him.
- Furina— thank you for telling me— I'm going to see how he is - he said in a shaky voice, then left the office and then the Palais Mermonia.
It was still raining. Now, he knew that the rain was caused by Neuvillette's illness. He walked through all those twisted streets of the town of Fontaine virtually without consciousness. His thoughts were hazy. He was not fully aware of what was going on around him until he stood in front of the door of Neuvillett's house. The house was on the complete outskirts of the town. It was an ideal location because hardly anyone ventured here. Now Wriothesley knew why Neuvillette had chosen such a place.
3 DAYS EARLIER
Shortly after leaving work, Neuvillette headed towards his home as quickly as possible. There had been four trials that day in which the verdict was the same - the accused had been found guilty. Overwhelmed, by several trials and hours of work on trial reports, he felt that he was about to faint, that the wave of his annual illness would hit much harder this time than last time. As soon as he crossed the threshold of the house and allowed himself to relax for a moment, he felt his legs give way under him. He leaned against a cupboard in the hallway, almost falling over. Barely able to see, he bolted for the door then tried to walk a few steps further. He tried. After only two steps he staggered and fell against the wall, slumping to the floor a moment later. He was breathing heavily, with irregular breaths. He leaned back and tried to get up. By some miracle, after many falls, he managed, propping himself up on the furniture, to reach the nearest armchair in the living room. As soon as he plopped down on it he felt himself losing consciousness.
When Neuvillette awoke it was already dark. All he could feel was a terrible headache and dryness. He reached the kitchen to drink a glass of water then felt his legs give way under him again. This time he didn't fight it anymore. He let his body settle to the floor and lost consciousness.