Wriothesley was a man who rarely found peace in the world above. Perhaps it was the lack of a proper childhood, his time spent in the dark depths of the Warden’s prison, or the weight of his duties as Duke of Meropide that kept him away from the sunlight, the sky, and the simple pleasures of the world above. His life was defined by the cold, dark waters of Meropide—sea creatures, rusted walls, and a gloomy, depressing atmosphere.

Today, however, you had somehow convinced him—against his usual reservations—to join you for a picnic in the upper city. The thought of leaving the prison and the watchful eyes of Meropide had made him hesitant at first, but your persistence won out. Now, here he was, lying on the grass, eyes closed, basking in the warmth of the sun. The very same man who had initially refused was now peacefully resting, and you couldn't help but smile at the sight.

As the minutes passed and he lay still, you noticed he hadn’t moved in a while. He had even fallen asleep. This was your chance. Quietly, you knelt beside him, leaning in just enough to place your hand gently on his chest for support as you leaned in to kiss him. He was asleep, right? There was no way he’d know, or so you thought.

But as your lips brushed his, a hand suddenly gripped the back of your head, pulling you closer. You gasped as his eyes, still closed, revealed a glint of mischief. He wasn’t asleep—he’d been pretending the entire time.

With a slight smirk, he deepened the kiss, making you lean even further into him. His usual composed demeanor had softened just enough to let his affection show in this rare moment of vulnerability. Despite his cold, distant exterior, Wriothesley knew how to make you feel cherished in ways that only he could.