Chapter Text
Endless hours of clicking and scrolling all boiled down to one thing: Neuvillette was exactly where he started with nothing. With a hefty groan, he dragged his hand down an exhausted face, bones weary from his long day hunched over in his office. Fingers pulled down on his eyes and he was sure Navia would scold him for making his eye bags worse. With her peppy voice in the back of his mind, he let go of his skin and grabbed his glass of wine. His second of the night.
None of the apartments in the center court were even remotely close to his budget. How is it that rent continued to climb, but his salary remained the same? At this rate, he truly was going to have to do the one thing he feared: find a roommate.
Starting his entire life over at forty-one was not on Neuvillette’s meticulously detailed life plan. Truthfully, when he married who he thought was the love of his life at twenty-three, he thought that was it. They bought their house together, were thinking of eventually maybe adopting a cat—really, it was supposed to be a happily ever after. He never expected to fall out of love with Zhongli, not after everything they had been through.
And he certainly never expected Zhongli to find a cute twenty-nine year old mere weeks after their divorce was finalized. Ajax, the bane of Neuvillette’s existence, and Zhongli’s new lover. His eye twitched at the thought of them happy and in love. It was only a couple of months since they got together, but seeing them in the home Neuvillette helped buy sickened him to the core.
Sure, they mutually fell out of love and felt it would be wise to divorce before resentment brewed, but resentment was already brewing the moment he caught Ajax and Zhongli in the bed they had shared before. Neuvillette remembered drowning his sorrows and jealousy in wine at a local bar. The barkeep took pity on his devastated form and kept the drinks flowing.
Neuvillette had never drank so much before since the divorce.
The money he received from the divorce would only cover the rent that some of these places were asking for a little while. He’d have to rely on his salary once it ran out and then he’d surely be homeless. Possibly banging on his ex-husband’s door for another chance.
“This is ridiculous,” Neuvillette huffed as he clicked out of yet another horrifically small studio that was asking for thousands a month. He was about to close his laptop and retire to the guest room from the living room when the front door burst open. Laughter echoed in their foyer, drifting into Neuvillette’s ears. Date night must be over already. Neuvillette threw back the last of his glass as Zhongli and Ajax trailed into the living room. Their laughter cut off abruptly when they noticed Neuvillette was still there.
He arched a thin silver brow at them, leering over the rim of his glass. Ajax shifted uncomfortably on his feet, half hiding behind Zhongli. Zhongli sighed, pressing his hand to his forehead, other hand cocked on his hip.
“I thought you wouldn’t be home tonight,” Zhongli mumbled.
“I told you that I cannot keep barging in on Navia every time you bring Childe home,” Neuvillette hissed. The vein on his forehead was bulging out, he was certain of it. “She has a life of her own, Zhongli. You chose to keep the house and stay in Fontaine. Why not return to Liyue?”
He didn’t expect his voice to tighten, to rise in volume. Neuvillette was often the picture of composure alongside Zhongli. It was why they worked so well together for so long. He drew into himself, ashamed his emotions were bubbling up top.
Zhongli sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I cannot keep having this argument with you, Neuvillette. And stop calling him Childe. I told you how he feels about that.”
“Babe, it’s all good. I can fight my own battles,” Ajax beamed, a careful hand on Zhongli’s shoulder. Neuvillette’s stomach twisted uncomfortably at the sight. He sucked on his teeth averting his eyes. Babe. It was sickening. In all their years together, Neuvillette was positive he had never called Zhongli babe. It was so childish—especially for a man in his forties. Right?
“Neuvillette, please. Let’s just keep this civil, yeah? We can keep it down while you’re up,” winked Ajax, curling a possessive arm around Zhongli’s waist. Neuvillette’s upper lip twisted in disgust at the sight.
“What you two do in my old bedroom is of no concern to me. Perhaps you will refrain from alluding to it at the very least. For some decorum,” Neuvillette snipped. It was harsher than he expected, but truthfully? He was too tired to care. All day at work he had his eyes glued to a screen. Researching cases, sending emails—it was not what he wanted to do with his life by far. Only to come home and do the exact same thing for countless apartment applications. Many of which he had been ghosted by.
“Seems you are a bit bothered by us. You can stop denying it. I know it drives you crazy to see Zhongli finally happy,” Ajax snapped back. Zhongli slunk forward in defeat just as Neuvillette’s eye nearly twitched out of his socket.
“You have no understanding of just what our relationship was like, do you Childe? I’m sure I’ve made him scream countless more times than you have,” Neuvillette barked, slamming his laptop shut. “Furthermore, you are simply a shiny new toy. When he is done with you, I bet he will find a newer model.”
Ajax sucked on his teeth, pressing close to a suddenly bone tired looking Zhongli. Ajax was smooth on the surface but the ticked eyebrow let Neuvillette know he hit a slight nerve. He couldn’t stop the smirk spreading on his face.
“I’m getting tired of you two at each other's throats. Neuvillette, it would not kill you to be kind to him,” Zhongli said through his teeth, as even as possible. Always so polite, even when the situation needs not call for it. Ajax looked positively smug with his cocky grin and fingers splayed against Zhongli’s hip bone.
Neuvillette was over Zhongli. Their flame had long since burnt out. That didn’t mean he enjoyed it when Ajax tried to undermine what they had in order to boost his new relationship with him. They were once so in love they thought they could conquer the world. But love was often finite, only lasting as long as they put in the work. He wasn’t sure who stopped their efforts first, but it was clear they were more like roommates than husbands not soon after.
Once Zhongli was his whole world. Once he would have laughed in your face if you said he and Zhongli were to ever divorce. Laugh and then kiss his beloved husband square on the lips. They were once university students, paired up for a project in one of their general studies courses. Long nights studying and working turned into hangouts in the daytime. It was one long glance that turned into lips pressed together, swearing to each other for forever.
Turns out forever wasn’t so permanent after all.
“It is not me. It is the child you brought into our home,” Neuvillette argued, ironically sounding too much like a petulant child.
“He is thirty, now,” Zhongli defended.
“I’m thirty, Neuvillette,” Ajax groaned at the same time as Zhongli, dragging his hands down his face. “And it’s not your home anymore. Neuvillette, I’ve been nothing but respectful to you because you are important to Zhongli. Somehow you manage to get under our skin anyway despite how kind he is in letting you stay here until you can find a new place.”
“Ajax…” Zhongli mumbled, but he made no further move to stop him from speaking.
“But I wonder if you are abusing his kindness and overstaying your welcome,” Ajax said with such finality that Neuvillette flinched at the sound. Fine. If Neuvillette was abusing Zhongli’s kindness as Ajax had stated, then he’d be out by the end of the week. Whether he’d have to stay in a hotel or not. He couldn’t stand to be under the same roof as them anymore.
“I will be out of your hair come Saturday. Please allow me time to pack my belongings and send them to storage. I do ask you to keep it down tonight if Childe is to be staying the night here,” Neuvillette said calmly, rising to his feet. He kept his violet eyes shut for a moment, just breathing slowly. His laptop was tucked under his arm, back as straight as possible. When the waves of the sea were finally at rest, just gently lapping at the beach instead.
Before rescinding back and preparing for a tsunami.
His eyes snapped open. “Have a good night.”
Neuvillette made his way to the kitchen and dumped his empty glass into the sink. Zhongli and Ajax would certainly help themselves to the last of his wine as they had done previously, so he left the bottle out. Neuvillette did not turn back to look at them, even when he heard their hushed voices arguing. Probably about him. Neuvillette did not care as he trudged up the stairs, looking at the photographs of his life with Zhongli the last twenty-three years together. From university to their wedding to family parties in Liyue where Neuvillette finally thought he found people to call family too.
None of Zhongli’s chosen family from Liyue had even reached out to him after the divorce. That stung far more than it should. Truly he thought he at least had a bond with Xianyun, but not a peep from her.
He dared not release his stiff posture until the moment the guest room door shut. From there, he exhaled heavily through his nose as he slid down the door. Once seated on the floor, he drew his knees to his chest, arms wrapped tightly around them, and sobbed for the first time since the divorce was even brought up.
Work the next day was absolutely brutal. A new case was dropped onto his desk and Neuvillette was required to know it forwards and backwards and to proofread the brief to pass on to his boss. His reading glasses kept sliding off his arched nose, annoying him to no end. Was being a legal assistant everything he ever dreamed of? God no, but Neuvillette felt so stuck.
Practicing law itself was what he wanted to do, but schooling was rough and after Neuvillette’s parents cut him off financially, he could no longer afford to finish law school. Zhongli was his biggest supporter as he had to drop out and not achieve his dreams. He could have been a judge by now if it weren’t for financial ruin. He took care of them both while Neuvillette recovered his footing. They had a life together.
And then it was over.
Neuvillette rubbed at his temple as he reread the same line about the defendant’s embezzlement over and over. None of it was processed in his mind. Not while he was trying to think about where he could live by the end of the week. Hotel Debord was certainly out of his budget, but it was the closest to work so that he could still walk. Maybe he’d have to start looking outside the court and look into saving up for a car. He shuddered at the thought.
“Neuvillette, why is it that every time I pay you a visit, you look like you’re about to pass out and die?” came a light, sing-song voice from above him. His light was suddenly blocked by a mass of blonde hair. He slowly looked up, seeing Navia’s beautiful smiling face looking down at him. She placed a mug of coffee in front of him, head tilting.
“Because I feel as if that is the direction I am heading currently,” Neuvillette moaned, hanging his head. He could feel her delicately place her hand on his back in an attempt to comfort.
“That bad at home, hm?” she asked, kneeling beside him. Neuvillette peeked at her from his peripherals.
“Very much so. It seems I only have until Saturday to find a new place to live,” Neuvillette admitted, though he left out how Saturday was his own self imposed day. Navia sighed, rubbing his back still.
“I could talk to Clorinde about letting you stay on our sofa for a while, but I’m not too sure on how keen she’d be for it,” Navia said with a nervous chuckle.
“No, Navia, you have already extended a great kindness by taking me in before. I couldn’t impose on the two of you any further. When I have my new place, I will happily host the two of you for dinner as thank you,” Neuvillette said, giving her a smile. Navia hummed low, studying his face.
“Have you found any apartments in your range?” she asked, sliding her hand off his back.
“No, and I have even toured some slightly out of budget. Those ones have left me without a response. I am afraid I’m going to have to,” he paused to gulp dramatically, “find a roommate.”
Navia laughed, “Well, you could use CarolesList to find one.”
“What is that?”
“Essentially an online classifieds list. But I’d be careful—sometimes freaks hide out on it.”
Neuvillette nodded firmly. “Thank you, Navia. I will be sure to look into it.”
She patted him on the back before returning to her desk to work on her own stuff. Neuvillette sipped at the coffee she brought him, delighted it was exactly how he took it. His fingers itched to go to CarolesList right away, but there was far too much work to be done.
Instead of going straight home after work, where either Ajax and Zhongli would be, or at least one of them, Neuvillette holed up inside of a cafe. He resumed his search in hopes of finding a diamond in the rough apartment close enough to his job, but was still coming up empty.
Navia’s words about CarolesList echoed in the back of his mind. Maybe he could get in contact with some folks about possibly being roommates. Though the threat of freaks was off putting. However, given that he was on page thirteen of an apartment sourcing website… it was time.
He typed in the website, pleased to see that an easy to use and simple interface was what waited for him. Neuvillette sipped at his latte, scrolling through the categories. From jobs to missed connections to exactly what he needed: looking for roommates.
Already he understood what Navia meant by freaks. A couple of the posts were asking for feet pictures alongside their email of interest. His face pinched uncomfortably at them, immediately backing out the moment he saw it. The Court of Fontaine was highly populated, so at least there were plenty of people in need of subletting their spare room.
But Neuvillette didn’t realize how picky he was until he went through the listings. Some couples with kids who wanted you to help with childcare. A woman who wanted a roommate who was only home from the hours of nine at night to six in the morning (and still wanted nearly twenty thousand mora in rent). There was even a couple who were in hopes of finding a third for their relationship. Those felt like easy nos. But Neuvillette found himself for saying no to… other things.
The baseboard trim was ugly. The bedding for the furnished bedroom didn’t match his tastes. And of course he could change it, but that would mean the rest of the apartment would be just as tacky. He didn’t like the forest green dining room. Neuvillette loathed the idea of sharing a bathroom with a stranger. He barely liked sharing one with his ex-husband, even when they were married. The neighborhood in that part of the court was less than ideal. Among other non-serious reasons to say no to these apartments.
This was going to be as difficult as hunting for an apartment itself, huh?
For the next few days, Neuvillette spent all of his time working, in the cafe beside his office apartment hunting, or in the guest room of his home emailing possible roommates. He rarely left his room, trying to avoid running into either of the other two. Ajax rarely seemed to spend any time at his own place. Didn’t he have a home in Snezhnaya to be at anyway? What was so special about Fontaine they both needed to stay?!
He had an interview with a potential roommate one of the days, but it ended up not going anywhere. Neuvillette did not think they’d be a good match given how their first meeting the man opted to hug Neuvillette. And the man quite literally smelled of onions. This whole process was so grueling that Neuvillette decided he would never get married again. That way he would never have to worry about starting over.
By the time Saturday hit, he had a bag packed to leave. Zhongli continued to assure him it was fine that he stayed until he had a place to live. Ajax was silent in the corner as Zhongli pleaded with him to stay. It must have been eating him alive, which gave him immense satisfaction and only spurred him on further to leave. To keep Zhongli begging.
“It is fine, I can afford a few nights at Hotel Debord,” Neuvillette said, shrugging his overnight bag stuffed with as much of his stuff as he could back onto his shoulder.
“And what will you do when you can no longer afford their rates?” Zhongli huffed, blocking the front door.
“I will figure it out. I will send for the last of my stuff when I have somewhere to live. Have a wonderful life with Ajax, Zhongli,” Neuvillette said firmly. Zhongli’s golden eyes scanned his face before sighing and stepping aside.
“You will always have me, Neuvillette.”
And Neuvillette proudly walked out of the life they built together.
He walked to the subway station that would take him to the hotel, keeping his head held high until he was underground. Immediately his body slunk forward, nearly collapsing in on himself. What was he doing? Letting his pride win and at what cost? Zhongli was offering him safety, even if it meant living with Ajax a little while longer. Yet, the concept of living with the Snezhnayan brat longer than he had to kept his legs marching onto the subway car.
Neuvillette was solemn the entire way to the hotel. Even checking in, he couldn’t manage the polite facade he usually gave everyone. He was reserved, soft even. A broken man, accepting he truly did have to start all the way over. It wasn’t as crushing as accepting he couldn’t attend law school was, but it was hard nonetheless.
Once inside his hotel room, Neuvillette simply collapsed on his bed. He had work emails and CarolesList emails to reply to, but he couldn’t bring himself to open his laptop. The weight of how hard this week was finally hit him and all he wanted to do was sleep.
His eyes slowly opened some odd hours later. The opened curtains revealed that it was still night outside, only the lights of the city illuminating his room. Neuvillette groaned, slowly lifting his head from the pillow where his cheek was crusted over in drool. He rubbed at his sore eyes with the heels of his palms, trying to rub the sleep out of his eyes. Blindly, he patted the bed around him for his cellphone. The bright light of his screen had him wincing as he blinked to adjust to the light.
It was after three in the morning and Neuvillette had effectively ruined his sleep schedule for the next few days. There was going to be no going to sleep after this, so he sighed and slipped out of bed after locking his phone. He didn’t want to look at the lock screen photo of him and Zhongli anymore anyway. Perhaps he’d get to changing that eventually.
He took a brief shower, slipping into much more comfortable lounge clothes. Not shockingly, he felt better after his long hair had been finally washed after skipping his wash day in favor of replying to more emails. His scalp felt lighter and he was much more awake at least. He set up his laptop at the hotel desk, booting it to life to continue his search.
There was an email to his boss he still needed to draft and send out by Monday, but Neuvillette couldn’t concentrate on any of that. Not when the looming threat of homelessness hung over his head. Like a guillotine, ready to decapitate him at a moment's notice. Neuvillette cracked out his neck, letting his fingers fly over the keys. He clicked the purple link of CarolesList, having visited it a million times before now.
The same few creepy ads were still posted, so he immediately scrolled past them. Perhaps he needed to resort to even newer posts in hopes something reasonable popped up. Rolling his aching shoulders, Neuvillette refreshed the latest posts, seeing that there were a few new additions. He rested his chin on his palm, reading through them idly. A young actress looking to make her start was seeking a fellow female roommate. Already a no. A person with an absurd amount of pets who would certainly need his care and attention when they were out of town. There was a reason he and Zhongli hadn’t quite gotten around to adopting a pet like they thought of. Too many long hours in their respective offices.
One ad did actually catch his eye. With an inquisitive hum, Neuvillette clicked on the link.
***MOVE IN IMMEDIATELY.*** Single 35 male looking for other mid 30s to 40s male to make this less miserable. Must not be messy. Must be quiet and respectful at appropriate hours. No unexpected guests without prior discussion for both parties. Renting one furnished bedroom in a three bedroom basement apartment. Private bathroom available for your convenience. 18,000 mora + utilities. MUST BE OKAY WITH BLOOD AND ODD HOURS. Bonus if you have medical experience.
Short, sweet, and to the point. Though, the ending certainly caught Neuvillette off guard. Other than the ending… it was exactly everything he was looking for. The apartment was tastefully decorated in silvers, reds, and blacks. Sleek and modern and while not his exact taste, he respected it. Something that was finally in budget as well as the promise of a bathroom all to himself. No where else had been offering that. He looked at when it was posted, shocked to see it was only posted an hour ago. Well, the author did say odd hours.
Neuvillette was quick to send off an email with his contact info, mentioning he’d be happy to set up a showing of the place if he was down. He’d come with income information and everything! Neuvillette had yet to find an apartment that he actually wanted. This was the first one and he would be remiss if he let it slip through his fingers so quickly.
When the text from the original poster came through only five minutes later, he nearly jumped out of his skin.
UNKNOWN
hey this is wriothesley from caroleslist. Thanks for your email, texting is just easier for me.
ME
Completely understandable. I apologize for possibly waking you up at the late hour, Wriothelsey. I promise this is not indicative of my normal waking hours. I am also often described as silent.
WRIOTHESLEY (CAROLESLIST)
ha its all good I was already awake. Odd hours. So, if you’re interested in seeing the place, i’ve got free time tomorrow afternoon.
WRIOTHESLEY (CAROLESLIST)
or i guess today in the afternoon.
ME
That would be alright. If you would not mind texting me the full address so that I might plan my trip to you?
ME
And how does two in the afternoon sound?
WRIOTHESLEY (CAROLESLIST)
sounds good to me
WRIOTHESLEY (CAROLESLIST)
Neuvillette’s what you prefer, right? Looking forward to it.
Neuvillette did not see the desire in replying any further, simply locking his phone and setting it face down on the desk. His heart raced at the prospect of finding his new home so quickly after leaving Zhongli behind. He could have Sedene accompany him to his old house when Zhongli was at work to retrieve the last of the belongings he needed to start his life over. Then he’d never have to step foot in a home that no longer belonged to him ever again.
He truly hoped Wriothesley was an agreeable sort of man. Even if they never really spoke together or had a relationship outside of living together—Neuvillette needed it easy. He needed somewhere that could be home, even if temporary. If only he still spoke to his parents; if only they still cared for him. Perhaps they would have taken pity on his divorce and bought him somewhere to live. But then he’d have to live under their thumb once more, even at forty-one, and he certainly couldn’t have that.
There was no need to browse CarolesList any further. He was so set on Wriothesley’s apartment being the one that he went right to work on his email to his boss. A new found pep in his step so to speak as he typed away his thoughts on a case document that his boss had asked for.
Neuvillette prided himself on his punctuality. Growing up, he was taught that early was on time and on time was late. And if he was truly late, well, then he better show up with food or drink as an apology. Which was exactly why Neuvillette made a point to stop at a local cafe to grab a tea, a coffee, and a couple of pastries as an apology.
What an amazing first impression he was making, but was it really his fault? He had to catch the subway and due to technical issues there was a bit of a delay. That turned into a much larger delay. Wriothelsey was completely understanding when Neuvillette texted him to inform him of his late arrival and Neuvillette’s parents' words echoed in the back of his mind.
There was a quaint little patisserie that offered drinks around the corner from Wriothesley’s place. Already that was rather promising as Neuvillette always looked for a place to unwind after work and perhaps get a little treat. This one was absolutely charming with its rather large windows covered in window painted flowers and lace. The bell dinging above his head was soft on the ears and the girls working the front counter had the sweetest smiles Neuvillette had ever seen.
He wasn’t sure if Wriothesley was a coffee or tea sort of man and he didn’t exactly want to reveal this as an apology gift. No, of course Neuvillette would be thoughtful enough to do this before the delay! This wasn’t adding to the delay at all! And the unlabeled drinks and bag of pastries helped.
Neuvillette followed his map on his phone with an inquisitive hum, eyes scanning all around. Wriothesley explained that it was a basement apartment of a rather tall townhome. They had their own private entrance in the backyard, just past the white fence. Their own entrance? Why was Neuvillette already speaking as if he was moving in?
“Manifestation,” Neuvillette said to no one in particular as he spotted the corner home. Deep inhale, even deeper exhale. He juggled the tray of drinks as he pulled open the small gate on the fence. The backyard was miniscule, barely could even count as one. It was a similar home to the one he once shared with Zhongli, but perhaps had a bit more green space. How charming. Neuvillette always loved the idea of land.
He shot Wriothesley a text saying that he had arrived, scanning around for the entrance to the basement. He sighed in relief when he saw the cut out for the stairs leading down. A door painted red looked well loved. Chipped paint, scratches and dents—the works. As Neuvillette bounded down the stairs, dressed in a cream-colored sweater and nice slacks, the red door was yanked open in front of him.
A man stepped forward, scratching at the side of his head. His hair was salt and pepper—messy and looking fluffy to the touch. Like he had just showered and blow dried it all without any styling product. Ah, as if Zhongli could ever leave the house without meticulously pulling his long hair into a smooth, low ponytail. The man bore a simple black tee shirt, a white mock turtleneck compression shirt underneath it. His pants were baggy, sitting low on his hips.
But dear god—his eyes. Icy, bright, and positively captivating. The lowness of his pants on his rather built body did not distract him like his wide and pretty eyes did. Neuvillette nearly tripped on a cracked stone stair, spilling their drinks everywhere. Nearly. He had enough decency to catch himself. But all decency was almost out the window when Wriothesley cracked a smile, showing a rather sharp canine.
“You must be Neuvillette. Come on in, I’m Wriothesley,” the man introduced, leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed his chest. He jerked his chin towards the inside, motioning for Neuvillette to follow him. Neuvillette swallowed thickly, shaking his mind clear when Wriothesley ducked back inside. It wasn’t every day an attractive face caught Neuvillette off guard. How old did he say he was? Thirty-five? Did not look a day over twenty-eight and even the intricate faint scars on his skin did not age him.
Though, they did raise some concern.
“Ah, shoes off please. If you don’t mind,” Wriothesley said, pausing at the foyer. Neuvillette mumbled a soft ‘of course’ as he toed out of his dress shoes. At least they agreed on that—Neuvillette loathed the idea of tracking the outside in.
“So, tour first or interview?” Wriothesley asked, slipping his hands in his pockets and walking towards the living room. Neuvillette followed closely behind, looking over the apartment. It was just as clean and organized as the pictures. There were little sentimental artifacts, but he did occasionally see a couple of photos of some kids and presumably a younger Wriothesley.
“I, ah, brought you a drink and pastries. Though, I was not sure if you were a tea or coffee sort of fellow. I got both, so pick your poison. I also have sugars if needed,” Neuvillette said, raising the treats he got them. Wriothesley turned around, rubbing the side of his neck with a smile. He turned his head slightly to the right and from there Neuvillette was able to see the faintest fading bruise. Scars, bruises, plus the listing about blood.
“Tea, actually. How thoughtful. Buttering me up so I accept you to be a roommate?” Wriothesley grinned, his voice gently teasing. Ah, Neuvillette almost wished he chose the coffee as he was more of a tea person as well. He pointed out the cup of tea for him, still hot from the brief walk over.
“Sugar?” Neuvillette offered, gesturing to the bag that contained sweets and sugar packets.
“A couple, please. Thank you,” Wriothesley asked. He motioned for him to sit on the living room sofa. Wriothesley took the tray from him, setting it down on a coffee table that had a stack of mail piled high, but still organized from what he could tell. Neuvillette sheepishly sat on the leather sofa, listening to it squeak as he sat and crossed his leg over the other.
Wriothesley, tea and sugar packets in hand, sat at a rather comfortable looking arm chair across from him, dumping a couple of packets into his hot tea. Neuvillette took the coffee, adding a perfectly acceptable amount of sugar just for taste. He swirled the cup around, back as straight as it could be.
“So! Interview it is. I’m sure we both have burning questions for each other,” Wriothesley said, gently setting his cup down to cool. Neuvillette took that moment to pull out a small legal pad and pen to jot down his notes. Wriothesley let out a low whistle at the sight. “Practical type, hm?”
“Very much so. I prefer keeping everything at easy access—including my own memories,” Neuvillette nodded, clicking his work pen.
“Alright, I’ll get the ball rolling. I’m sure you’re itching to know why I’m looking for a roommate, but let’s turn the tables first. What’s got you browsing CarolesList at late hours?” Wriothesley said, scratching under his nose with his pointer finger. Neuvillette cleared his throat awkwardly. Of course he would have to explain his reasoning; he just wasn’t prepared to do so so soon.
“Divorce, I am afraid. My… partner and I of over twenty years split up and they got the house. And unfortunately, rent climbs higher while my pay remains the same,” sighed Neuvillette. Wriothesley nodded along, resting comfortably against the arm chair.
“I get it. Kicked my crappy excuse of an ex boyfriend out and now that’s why I’m looking for a roommate. It’s much easier to afford this place when there’s two of us,” Wriothesley nodded, giving Neuvillette a cheeky little wink. Neuvillette sighed in relief, glad his sexual preference wouldn’t be taboo here. “The landlord upped my rent this year too and I’ve been here too long to give this gorgeous place up.”
“I can see. It is in an excellent area and it is rare to have so much green space so far into the court,” Neuvillette praised. Wriothesley snapped his finger at Neuvillette with a chuckle.
“Exactly. For five years I’ve been saying I’ll garden—I’d still like the chance to do so. So, looks like we’re both starting over. You mentioned you’re in your forties? That’s good, we’re not too far off. I had a couple twenty-somethings in my messages asking if I’d reconsider my age range. Sorry, just don’t think I could live with someone so young,” Wriothesley laughed, waving his hand. Neuvillette immediately thought of Ajax and how they seemed to always be at odds. Tempermental—clearly not fully developed.
Thirty year old man be damned.
“I completely understand. I don’t know how much I would find in common with someone under thirty, much less even younger. I find it to be important to be on common grounds with people you share a living space with,” Neuvillette agreed.
They chatted together small bits and pieces of themselves. Neuvillette only revealed what he felt was necessary, keeping most himself reserved. It wasn’t a guarantee the pair would be living together, but Neuvillette found that Wriothesley made for easy conversation.
“So, you are a trainer at a gym?” Neuvillette asked, tapping his pen to the pad. Wriothesley nodded, swallowing down the bit of tea he was drinking.
“Yeah, yeah. Uh, hence the blood thing. I train fighters and sometimes they get pretty good pretty quick. Any medical training?” Wriothesley asked with a small smile. His tone seemed reserved. Neuvillette had no inkling that he was lying, but he did not believe he was telling the whole truth. It was fine, they were strangers. As long as a legal way of income was steady—who cared what he did?
“Basic first aid. I have stitched my ex husband up before when we had gone hiking in Liyue on the mountains. Crude, but the scar faded well enough,” shrugged Neuvillette.
Wriothesley snickered, “Well, better than me. As you can see—I’ve done some piss poor attempts at stitches.”
Neuvillette wasn’t going to comment on his collection of scars, but it was Wriothesley who gestured to them. He raised a brow, curious as if this were a test he needed to pass.
“Rudementary, but at least they suit you,” Neuvillette offered. Wriothesley shook his head at that, slapping his knee. Neuvillette didn’t press further about them and Wriothesley did not offer more. Instead, they switched topics to what rent and bills would look like. Split right down the middle so no one was being treated unfairly. Well within Neuvillette’s budget.
“You’re welcome to decorate as you’d like. It doesn’t bother me none,” Wriothesley said, waving his hand around to gesture to the room they were in. Neuvillette cocked a brow at him.
“Anywhere?” Neuvillette asked. He was under the assumption his room would be his, but everywhere else was entirely Wriothesley’s.
“Sure, it would be your place too, no?” Wriothesley said.
Neuvillette grinned, “I think I would like that tour now.”
Wriothesley took him through the basement apartment, showing off the nice kitchen he had built from scratch with his landlord’s permission. She didn’t charge him rent for nearly a full year after that—another reason he wasn’t too keen on leaving quite yet. The kitchen really was a sight to behold; it was clear that Wriothesley put his heart into it.
The rest of the apartment was similarly decorated to match everything else, dark and classy. Neuvillette was impressed, finding there wouldn’t be much he would change with permission to decorate. Perhaps a touch of light, but he was pleased either way.
“And this would be your room. You can do whatever you see fit with it. All the furniture in here is yours to use and that door right there leads to your private bathroom,” Wriothesley said, pointing at the door across from them. He leaned against the light gray wall, arms across his chest. Neuvillette stepped into the room, letting his fingers trace things as he walked around.
Small, but suitable. The room had Wriothesley’s sense of decoration, but if Neuvillette moved in it would be all his to design. His own space. He hadn’t had that since he was in school in Liyue. Everything since then had been shared with Zhongli. It was… surreal to be on his own once more. To start fresh, as if he was a new adult all over again.
Neuvillette spun on his heel, smiling at Wriothesley. Wriothesley pushed off from his spot on the wall, striding across the room to him.
“If I were to move in—what would that look like?” Neuvillette asked.
“Well, if I pick you,” winked Wriothesley, “then, you can move in whenever. I’ll propose a contract for us for formalities. As a legal assistant, you are not allowed to judge it. I am afraid you have some stiff, stiff competition. It’s between you and a guy who has been emailing me for pictures of my feet. Decisions, decisions.”
Neuvillette rolled his eyes with a smirk. “Then I suppose if you do not pick me, I can move in with the single mom who is most definitely not trying to find a step father for her children.”
“Ah, see that’s where she and I differ. I want to be friends with my roommate. I don’t think I want to fall in love with them,” chuckled Wriothesley.
“Then you best be careful with the foot man. I would surmise I am a better suit if you would wish to avoid that. I am afraid I am horrifically jaded at the concept of love now,” Neuvillette said lightly, weakly chuckling. Wriothesley laughed at that though, full bodied. Neuvillette found he enjoyed how his whole body would shake in laughter when he really found something funny. It was charming.
“Sheesh, I think you’re right. I guess I have no choice but to pick you, Neuvillette,” Wriothesley said sarcastically, shaking his head in defeat.
“Although, before I fully agree to this… you mentioned odd hours. You work at a gym, do you not? Is it a twenty-four hour gym?” Neuvillette asked, head cocked to the side. Something flickered behind those icy eyes that he couldn’t place.
“You could say that. Are you a light sleeper?” Wriothesley asked. He immediately thought of all the times Zhongli had woken him up by crawling into bed late in the night. He had been working such long hours at home, well past the waking hours. Just the slightest dip in the bed would have Neuvillette on high alert.
But he really wanted this place.
“No, no I am not,” he lied.
“Great! I’ll be courteous anyway, but sometimes I get home in the middle of the night or way too early in the morning. Humans make noise, naturally. But again, I’ll try to be as courteous as possible,” Wriothesley explained.
“Then I suppose there is little else to discuss. I can get out of your hair and we can be in talks about a move in date and the contract,” Neuvillette nodded.
“Yeah, yeah. I don’t have much else to ask you. I’ll get to work drafting and email you a copy. Sounds good?” Wriothesley said, offering his hand. Large, calloused, warm. It felt nice against Neuvillette’s skinnier, smoother hand. Zhongli had hands like Neuvillette. Hands meant for office work. Wriothesley had the hands of a fighter.
“Sounds excellent.”
It was only a couple of days later when the draft came in.
THE PARTIES: The Basement Paradise Apartment Rental Agreement made on XX/XX/XXXX is between:
THE PRIMARY OCCUPANT: Wriothesley
AND
THE SECONDARY OCCUPANT: Neuvillette
THE LEASE TERM: The lease agreement is valid from XX/XX/XXXX to XX/XX/XXXX. At the end of the term, the PARTIES can choose to renew the agreement or terminate the agreement. Each term is 12 months.
THE RENT: The rent is to be paid to the PRIMARY OCCUPANT on the first of every month in the sum of 18,000 mora plus the sum of split utilities for that month. Rent can be paid in cash or online. There is no late fee, but the PRIMARY OCCUPANT would appreciate a heads up if you’re going to be late thanks.
THE RULES: The rules of the Basement Paradise Apartment are as followed.
- Absolutely no visitors unless agreed upon by both occupants. Required to have 24hr notice at the very least, but exceptions can be made.
- Occupants are responsible for their own groceries. Do not touch the other occupants' food without permission. The PRIMARY OCCUPANT is fond of cooking for two. Just ask.
- Occupants are responsible for their own areas. Keep it tidy. Keep it neat. Ants can be a problem in the summer months.
- No shoes are worn inside the apartment except for indoor only shoes.
- Absolutely, entirely, without a doubt NO FALLING IN LOVE.