The soft hum of rain against the window filled the quiet apartment as Neuvillette sat on the couch, a thick legal textbook resting in his lap. The faint scent of freshly brewed tea lingered in the air, courtesy of Wriothesley, who was leaning casually against the kitchen counter, arms crossed, watching Neuvillette with an easy smile.

“You’re staring again,” Neuvillette murmured without looking up, a small smile tugging at his lips.

“Can’t help it,” Wriothesley replied, pushing off the counter and walking over. “You look too serious when you’re working. It’s distracting.”

Neuvillette closed the book with a gentle thud and glanced up at his boyfriend. “Distracting, or is it just an excuse to bother me?”

“A little of both,” Wriothesley admitted, plopping down next to him. He draped an arm around Neuvillette’s shoulders, pulling him close. “You’ve been at it all day. Don’t you think you deserve a break?”

Neuvillette sighed but let himself relax against Wriothesley’s side, his head resting lightly on his shoulder. “Perhaps a short one,” he conceded.

“Good,” Wriothesley said, pressing a quick kiss to the top of Neuvillette’s head. “Because I made your favorite tea, and I’m not letting you go back to work until you finish it. Deal?”

Neuvillette chuckled softly, the sound light and warm. “Deal.”

And just like that, the rain outside seemed a little gentler, the world a little calmer, with the two of them enjoying the quiet comfort of each other’s company.