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Once upon a time, there was a king in a forgotten fae kingdom. 

Once the king of a flourishing kingdom, those in his walls loved to put on a show, it’s said they’d performances of chaos would captivate an audience and bring light to truths of the world one wishes to turn from.

And their king was a master of the craft. The Nova would travel all over he fae wildes, bringing light to hidden truths, sewing seeds of trickery and chaos into every passing kingdom. Yet before any authority could stop him the Nova would be gone, nothing but stardust to indicate he was even there.

But the tricky faerie couldn’t hide forever.

One day, he set his sights on the Fae Council. He saw the hypocrisy they preached, how their authorities rivaled on demands, how they failed to live up to the values they established.

The Nova put on the show of a lifetime, holding up a mirror to the gaps, forcing them to see the flaws in their flawless masks.

The council hated him for this.

As as fae are want to do, they retaliated, stripping the king of his kingdom.

The Blade of the council nearly struck him down, but before the final blow, he pointed his mighty sword and exiled the Nova to the mortal realm. The once king could only flee. Yet he promised them, as long as the stars were in the sky they hadn’t seen the last of him.

The king and his remaining people fled to the stars, its said if you see a comet with an unusually colored trail, then you have spotted the king flying by.

If you whisper your wish on the wind, perhaps it’ll be lost to the endless void of space or perhaps he will hear it.

~~~~~

Noli is fundamentally, excruciatingly, unbearably bored out of his mind.

Perhaps it came with the territory, when you live longer than any mortal could comprehend.

But as he flew amongst the stars, taking in the sights, he really couldn’t deny he was stalling. 

He didn’t want to go back, back to the mortal realm where things felt the same, back to the cult that worshiped him like a god, asking nothing in return.

He missed his old kingdom.

He doesn’t regret his actions. The council was getting far too comfortable ignoring their hypocrisy, so Noli did as tricksters do.

Perhaps he should have been more careful, or realized some of the Fae aren’t above setting an example.

Exile was said to be a final mercy, he thinks it was meant to be cruller, to leave a king with no kingdom, a shattered visage brought low.

He didn’t let that shatter him, however.

He pieced together his mask, stood up again, and declared they’d rebuilt his kingdom.

A few encounters with wandering humans later, and Noli had established the Void Cult.

Sure, maybe the lines between kingdom and cult are blurred a bit, but that doesn’t really matter to him.

He had their attention. He had their adoration. He wouldn’t loose it again.

The cult was tiny compared to the kingdom he once ruled, but it was still comfortable enough that his people had all they could want for, he even had a new castle built, not as grand as his previous but he still found it charming.

Even if it was far too quiet most days.

Large empty halls with hardly a soul to fill it, grand dining rooms and a ball room that ached to host an event that would never be.

It would be so easy to do something, to say the word and his people would make it so. But Noli just felt…. Board.

Noli sighed to himself, twisting amongst the stars, trying to find interest in the celestial bodies passing by.

“Maybe I need a change of pace,” he whispered among the stars, “something new to occupy my time. Maybe that will quell this boredom…” lest he decide to simply remain among the stars for good.

But longer he stays here the more bored he gets, yet returning feels even worse. He needs something new, something different, something exciting before he bursts into stardust from sheer boredom! It was a silent wish whispered to the stars, one he doubted would be answered.

But that homecoming, that’s when he found that spark.

Thats when he met him.

007n7.

A man who reeked of cursed magic. A draconic centaur with matted and messy hair, dirtied scales, a shirt that’s on its last legs, half starved, and looking like he wanted to melt into the ground and never be seen again.

He certainly made an impression.

He appeared meek, trying to make himself smaller than he actually was, looking uncomfortable in his own skin, clearly the man hadn’t socialized in a long while as he seemed unsure how.

But Noli could see it, that spark, that little glimmer of defiance every time he’d flash a dangerous smile, or talk about spells developed for personal entertainment. Smothered under all of that self loathing and sadness was a shard of passion that Noli wished to draw out. 

Admittedly, he was addicted to those little glimpses, of catching a glance at the true self underneath the layers of insecurity and uncertainty.

Hearing the man purr just from being tended to, Noli felt like he was on cloud nine. 

The dragon needed this, and perhaps Noli needed it too. When he sent Seven on his way, he seemed a bit lighter than when he entered, hair cleaned, belly full, and relaxed in a way that Noli suspected he hasn’t been in years.

Even as days passed, Noli was still thinking about that smile.

As he flew around castle hallways, settling things that needed his attention now that he was here to address them, his mind kept pulling back to the dragon.

He really hopes he calls for him, it’d be a shame for their only encounter to be at the party.

As he continued dull tasks that he only accepted because he was board, he overheard his attendants muttering to themselves. 

“Never have I seen lord Noli so charmed before” Xpsa giggled, Aspx hummed. 

“Perhaps he sees that poor dragon as a new project?” He looks over to Xpsa who’s got a hand covering their mouth to stifle a giggle.

“If that’s his goal I think he is in for some work.”

“What are you two gossiping about?” Noli looks over, and the two shut up.

“Nothing Lord Noli!” They say in unison. Noli just rolls his eyes, as if he hadn’t been listening in a soon as they spoke his name.

Pet project is what he supposed you could call his little fascination with 007n7. He was starved, scared, confused, and frustrated with how things are.

Really, the perfect recipe to be gently persuaded into joining his little cult. He has silently hoped Seven will call for him, he’d personally like to win the man over.

Having a dragon worship him makes him grin wickedly, imagining the look on Telamon’s face at the sight.

The homecoming gathering was neutral ground, no immediate attempts to recruit allowed that day from those who answered the call, but afterwards? It’s fair game as they say.

Call him selfish or cruel, but Noli was board and wanted to keep that dragon close.

He just needed to be patient, and wait for him to make the first move.

… Noli does wish he’d be a little quicker with that though, seriously, that man looks like he’s desperate for social interaction yet he’s waiting days before making contact?

Stubborn dragon. 

Noli finds that makes things far more exciting!

But then, finally, as he was loitering around the library preparing to reread a book for the hundredth time, he heard it, that whisper in his mind whenever his name was uttered, in a voice that wasn’t any of the cultists he was familiar with.

‘…call for Noli he says, the hell is he gonna do?…’

Its 007n7! Finally! Noli grins to himself and sets the book back into place.

“I’ll be back!” He declares to whomever is nearby, the librarian most likely, and in a snap he’s gone.

He appears in a forest, not a familiar one, but he can sense this is where he was called to, looking around, it looks a bit like a bull has torn through the place, yet where could 7n7 be?

“…Oh!” 

Noli looks over at the sudden voice, and sees 007n7, he looks slightly disheveled, huffing a bit with exhaustion like he had just been running, “I uh… didn’t think you were being literal.” He blinks, as if not expecting to be heard at all.

“You called for me didn’t you?” Noli smiles like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

“..not really sure frustrated muttering is much of a call” Seven looked a bit embarrassed.

Noli just shrugs,

“It was close enough.” He walks over, “you called and i answered,” looking around to take in the scene, there’s a few scorch marks, broken branches and trampled bushes, and what looks like a few twigs shoddily carved into spears.

“…what were you trying to do exactly?” Noli asks, and Seven’s ears flatten before signing in defeat.

“…hunting.” By that tone of voice it sounds like he hadn’t been able to actually hunt anything.

Noli couldn’t help being surprised at that.

“You? Bad at hunting? With claws and teeth like that!” Dragons are powerful predators, even if Seven wasn’t a full dragon he had enough features to be just as effective. Seven looked frustrated and embarrassed at his comment.

“L-look I don’t know what I’m doing okay?” He growls, but Noli senses he’s more frustrated at the situation than him.

“I don’t have enough control of my fire breath to not risk setting the whole fucking forest on fire just to try and hit a deer, and I can’t get close enough to use my claws because I’m heavy and loud and I can’t teleport either because there’s a windup and the spell uses my hands-“ Seven rants, then runs his claws down his face.

“I’ve been trying to use tools, but they don’t work out either, how’d they make spears look so easy? This is unfair…” he whines, sitting his back half on the forest floor with a loud thump, absolutely exhausted and disheartened.

Oh, this man is a bit pathetic isn’t he?

“You made a valiant effort I’m sure” Noli tilted his head,

“Doesn’t mean it worked out though.” Seven huffed, a puff of grey smoke bellowing at the motion.

“I was about to give up and just hope to find some berry bushes or something.” Seven shifts on his back legs, tail thumping the ground in irritation. “I’ve apparently got an iron stomach because they haven’t killed me yet”

What! Oh this will not do. While Noli is here he is not letting this poor fool poison himself just for sustenance!

“Well I’m here now, let’s give it one more shot.” Noli floats up, meeting Sevens eye, “tell me what you can do, we’ll find another way around the problem”

Seven just blinked at him, as if not believing him, but nodded anyway.

A short discussion later, Noli was taking the lead in tracking down a deer, Seven wasn’t lying about not being great at sneaking, but a quick lesson in a dampening spell and that issue was resolved quickly.

Noli decided the strategy would be to hunt at range, Seven didn’t seem that skilled with his claws, but thinking of them as knives should help. 

Noli was more interested in that fire breath, wanting to see just how much control he had over that.

They sneaked through the trees, ears purked for any sound to indicate wilde life around. It didn’t take long for them to find a deer, alone in a field, idly grazing on grass. It didn’t notice them at all.

The perfect target. It’s head shot up a moment, and Seven tensed like they had been caught, but they both stood still. Noli knew all they needed was patience.

“ready” Noli whispers, holding up two fingers, Seven takes in a breath, and Noli feels the air heat up as smoke gathers from his nostrils. The deer finally dips it’s head to graze. Noli shoots his hand forward.

“Now!”

Seven releases a scorching spear of flame from his maw, a fireball hits the deer dead on, barely having time to react before burns render it immobile. 

By the time Seven gallops over to slash its neck, the deer is dead from its injuries.

“Holy shit,” he mutters, then his face spreads into a grin. “We got it!”

“I knew you were capable,” Noli strolls over, tail swaying contently, “you just needed a guiding hand”

Noli stands back as Seven grabs the deer by the legs, and then lifts it off the ground as he begins to carry it back to wherever Seven had set up camp.

“That looks inconvenient," Noli commented, watching Seven huff and puff as he held the dead animal like a heavy crate. “Why not toss it over your back?” It’d be far more secure that whatever he’s trying right now.

“What am I? A work horse? It’s fine I got it” Seven grumbled, there was something unsaid there but Noli politely kept his mouth shut.

He had just shown this dragon how to shoot a fireball, he doesn’t want to take one of those to the face because he needled him a bit too much.

Really, with the problem at hand solved Noli should have said his goodbyes and left, having one more notch established in gaining this man’s trust.

But for a reason he couldn’t name, he stayed. Noli told himself it was just to learn more about Seven, and didn’t look any further.

Maybe he should have, because Noli found himself sitting on a rock next to a campfire as he watched Seven prep the deer, removing the skin and cutting it into sections.

All the while, he was talking about the task at hand… and also, about his family.

“They were way better at this than me” he explained while he worked, “but dad still forced me to help my uncle and cousin out, thought I’d learn some life skills or something”

He chuckles dryly, “guess I did, so it wasn’t a total waist”

“Were your family hunters then?”

“Not really, but the village was small so my uncle decided he’d hunt his own stuff and share.”

Seven surveyed his work, and apparently found it satisfactory enough as he started piercing cuts of the meat onto skewers to set over the campfire.

He’s got a rudimentary little Settup so they can cook, it’s not bad for being made of sticks and twine.

“Are you sure you aren’t busy? I wouldn’t want to uh, bother you. Or piss you off, don’t want to get cursed again or something…” Seven mutters, but Noli still hears it.

It gets a laugh out of him, it rings like bells.

“Oh you’ve no need to worry about that. If I was board I’d leave on my own” Noli waves a hand dismissively. “And you don’t need to worry about curses anyways. You’ve got immunity to anything permanent now”

“…what do you mean by that?” Seven asks, tending to the fire as the meat cooks.

“That curse of yours, it’s powerful, spells like that latch onto their victim, and they don’t like sharing” Noli explains, twirling the end of his jester hat idly. “You’re essentially immune from any other curses that could transform you. Minor spells might still do something, but they wouldn’t stick. Do you understand?” 

“….huh…” Seven blinks, seems he did as he looks thoughtful but still frowns, “…Silver linings I guess” he mutters, then turns his attention back to the fire.

“Uh, anyways can I ask why you had that whole star journey thing? I forgot to ask at the party… felt rude at the time” he still seems a bit nervous, Noli smirks to himself, it’s a bit adorable.

“Will you accept ‘it’s a Fae thing’ as an answer?”

“Maybe?” Seven raises a brow, “look if you don’t want to tell me that’s fine, I’m just being nosey” and there’s likely nothing much to do but talk as the meat cooks.

“Hm… I’ll give you this, as a Fae of the Stars that title holds weight. Being in the mortal realm, the magic here isn’t nearly as strong, so my departures are… I suppose you can call them a recharge. I just need to step out for a bit and I’ll be back refreshed and ready to mingle once more”

“Oh! Cool, weird, but cool” Seven hums, his tail thumps against the ground, he looks like he wants to ask more but holds himself back. Instead, he asks,

“So, I heard you were away longer than usual, did you need extra time to recharge? Rough uh… however long you normally stick around?”

Noli bit his cheek. He glances away, not really wanting to answer.

“I chose to stay longer than necessary. Let’s leave it at that” 

Seven’s ears fall, and he looks a bit ashamed, believing he overstepped.

“Right, sorry…”

They both sit in awkward silence, nothing but the crackling of a camp fire between them.

Noli really should have left, but still, he stayed.

Thankfully, the meat finished cooking, or at least enough that Seven seemed satisfied. He pulled the skewers off the flames, holding one close.

And to Noli’s surprise, Seven offers the other to him. Noli just blinks at the cooked meat on the skewer, unsure what to do.

“…dude, have you never had deer before?” Seven asks, a slightly teasing smile.

“No no it’s not that I just...” The action was so natural, this wasn’t an offering made of devotion or respect.

It was casual, something you offer an equal, a friend.

He hesitantly accepted the cooked deer skewer.

“You act like you’ve never shared a meal before?” Seven chuckles a bit, before taking a bite of his own skewer. “You only ever eat alone in some big fancy dining room?”

Maybe, but 7n7 doesn’t need to know that. Hesitating a moment, Noli takes a bite of the cooked flesh.

It’s unseasoned, gamey, and slightly over cooked.

But it’s grounding in a way Noli hasn’t taste in ages.

Something twists in his stomach, Noli tries to ignore it.

“So, be honest, how bad is it compared to your usual palette?" Seven asks, a slight laugh in his tone.

“…it’s unseasoned.” Is what Noli states and Seven just laughs.

“Yeah, haven’t found any rock salt, and I don’t know enough about how seasonings are made to get anything fancy. But it’s filling I guess”

“Next time you call I’m bringing you salt and pepper,” Noli declares, giving him a slightly challenging look, “perhaps next time you’ll be able to enjoy your meal”

“That a promise?” Seven tilts his head, an ear twitching, “because I thought you’d be annoyed with me by now…” there’s something vulnerable there a moment, but it’s flicked away by the flickering campfire light.

“If you call for me, I’ll answer.” Is all Noli responds with, then he takes another bite. The meat is still unseasoned and bland, but he finishes the entire thing anyways.

It’s only right, Seven offered it to him after all.

~~~

After that, Seven did call much more than before, he still seemed hesitant, but the next time he called, it wasn’t for help.

‘Hey Noli? If you’re not busy, do you want to just hang out?’

Noli wasn’t one to turn down an opportunity to quell some boredom, and honestly, the more he spoke with Seven, the more engaged he became.

The night at the party wasn’t just a fluke, Seven really was interesting conversation. Especially once he relaxed around his presence.

“So, okay, I was testing out teleportation spells on apples because I read horror stories about people loosing limbs because they cast wrong” Seven was rambling, lounged against a log he was trying to carve into a bench earlier but gave up on fairly quickly. “So I cast it, and somehow it ended up smushed like apple sauce” 

Noli winced,

“Oh, yes you shouldn’t let that happen to a person” sounds messy.

“Right? I did figure out why that happened, but I ended up with a new way to prank people.” He smirked in pride, “instant apple purée landing directly on their heads! I know some of the other kids got a kick out of that one”

Noli chuckled at the image, smiling to himself. Seemed he was correct about that spark,

Seven also had the heart of a trickster.

“You wouldn’t happen to remember that spell would you?” Noli asked,

“I wrote it down, but that’s in a notebook I lost when…” Seven winces, then just gestures to his lower half,  “…yeah, so I had to leave it behind. Wouldn’t be surprised if my parents tossed it by now”

Hm, Noli slotted that information away for later.

Really, he didn’t mind Seven calling him to mostly chat, the man looked like he needed the social interaction, and Noli will happily take any opportunity to find something new to do. 

The chats were nice, a break from the day or a distraction from boring tasks.

They were fun, and he found Seven entertaining. He was always up to something when he called, Noli wondered if he was fighting off boredom too.

All these visits did keep him away from the kingdom more than Aspx would have liked, but Noli couldn’t bring himself to care.

Xpsa insisted they could handle it, and if it was an emergency Aspx would ‘drag you back kicking and screaming’ to quote her.

Besides, some of the stuff Seven got up to we’re way more fun than paperwork and overseeing supply lists.

Noli blinks slowly at the scene before him. A hand covering his mouth as he fights back laughter.

“O-oh my, what have you done now Seven?” He giggles, 7n7 glares at him through his continued struggle. Somehow, this oversized lizard got himself tangled in a net trap, and was stuck in mid air thoroughly trapped in the woven rope.

“Oh haha, laugh it up! This wasn’t meant for me I was trying to catch a bore” he huffs, clearly embarrassed. “Look are you going to sit there and laugh or help me out?” He snaps, clearly not in a great mood. It only makes Noli want to laugh harder.

“Why not cut yourself out?” Noli tilted his head, finally dropping his hand to at least try to take this seriously.

“Do you know how long it took me to make this thing? I’m not ruining it because I was a dumbass!” Seven screeched, trying to wiggle to freedom again, but to no avail. Noli just sighs,

“Alright, let’s see what I can do”

Even with magic it took longer than Noli would have liked to untangle the dragon from the net trap, he’s more impressed it held so strongly.

“Where did you find such strong rope?” Noli asks as Seven gathered the netting, finally free from his unfortunate prison.

“Oh, I enchanted it.” Seven answers, “getting good rope is unreliable at best for me, so better workaround was making what I had stronger. It’s not a hard spell.” He shrugs.

“That’s still impressive, it held your weight just fine”

“Yeah, which is good, because that means it’ll definitely hold a bore” despite the situation, Seven is grinning in anticipation. 

“Trying a new strategy for hunting, my dear?” Noli hums, floating after him as Seven moves to reset the trap.

“Yeah, the sneaking is better but, look I’m big and scary anyways, might as well try to use it” he smirks, and Noli has no reason to disagree to that.

“Maybe try scaring a flock of chickens, you could capture quite a few in a trap like this” he suggests instead.

Noli wasn’t sure when he began to relax around Seven, sometimes he forgot that there is a reason he wants to gain the man’s trust.

But right now…

“Really wish I payed more attention to my cousin when he explained how preserving meats works. Wouldn’t have to hunt as much” Seven complained idly, and Noli just had a thought.

He could ask the butcher about that.

“I could teach you” Noli finds himself saying. Seven blinks at him in surprise.

“Wait, are you serious?”

“There’s a butcher in the kingdom, I’m sure I can relay their knowledge to you” a refresher wouldn’t hurt. He saw Seven’s tail wag a bit, and he smiled.

“If it’s not a bother, then yeah I’d appreciate that a lot.” He looked relieved.

Huh, Noli isn’t sure why his own tail wagged at that, best not think about that, instead he makes plans to go speak with the butcher, he should be able to give Seven a thorough lesson.

“You know, you could ask them yourself if you visited the kingdom” Noli did suggest, and Seven just cringed.

“Uh… no offense but I don’t really want to uh… walk into a cult?” Seven looks apologetic, “look, I’m already limited a lot on account of…” he gestures to himself, “all this. I don’t want to get swept up in a cult and loose whatever freedom I have left… no offense..” Noli processes his words. Then just shrugs.

“Hm, fair enough.” He bites back any disappointment. Seems the trust isn’t quite there yet.

Limited freedom huh, Noli watches Seven as he goes back to resetting the rope trap, and wonders just how hard the man is willing to cling to that freedom.

~~~

Months past, the summer air is fresh as heat rolled in. Noli finds the weather pleasant, it’s warm and sunny which means clear night skies.

It also means warm spots to take a nap in. 

“You really should try it” Noli had insisted to Seven, who was looking at him like he grew a second head. He had called him to ‘hang out’ once again, and Noli insisted on lounging in an open field.

“What am I, a cat?” Seven squints at him, looking slightly irritated at the implication.

“No, you’re a lizard, and lizards like the sun”

“Pretty sure I’m still warm blooded…” Seven frowns. Noli just rolls his eyes and pats the grass next to him, the sun had warmed it up pleasantly, he could take a nap like this.

“Come now! Relax a little! If you truly don’t like it then you can move to a different spot” Noli argued, and thankfully Seven did eventually relent.

“Fine, but if you make any comments about me being a cat I’m bapping you with my tail” he grumbles and Noli just laughs at the empty threat. Seven trudges over, and very carefully lays himself down onto the grass, his legs are curled tight, and Noli has to bite back a comment about him loafing.

Sevens torso is rigid, he’s just crossing his arms, looking tense. Noli decides to recount a story of a constellation, giving the man something else to focus on, and to his delight as the story goes on Seven relaxes more and more. By the end of it, Noli realizes Seven has closed his eyes, not asleep, but just enjoying the warmth of the sun on his skin and scales.

Noli can’t help himself, he smirks and leans a bit closer.

“Enjoying yourself, Seven?~” he teases. Seven just grumbles, tail thumping the grass once, but not hitting him.

“…I guess this is nice… but I’m not a cat…” he grumbles. Noli covers his laughter with a gloved hand.

“Of course of course, you’re a mighty dragon who can enjoy a relaxing patch of sun like any other”

He sees Seven’s ear twitch, but he doesn’t respond further.

Noli knows 7n7 has thoughts on his mind, and as much as he’d love to dig around into his head and pick those anxieties apart, he knows if he presses he will lose him entirely.

So Noli is patient, he can wait for however long it takes for Seven to confide in him.

He has the patience only the Fae can have.

But for now, he curls back into the grass and enjoys the warmth of the sun, it is something the stars don’t have, such warmth.

So he will cherish it.

~~~

“…Maybe this is a stretch… but,” Seven asked one day, Noli had consulted with one of his subjects on how to cure meat and was teaching Seven that today, now they just had to wait, but Seven was looking thoughtful, something in his expression he couldn’t place.

“…you’re a fae right? Could you possibly remove curses?” 

Noli hums, standing up from his kneeled position.

“That depends, let’s see here” and he floats up to Seven, inspecting him.

The curse magic was pungent, anyone with any magical sense could tell. It reeks of brimstone and ash, magic akin to dragon fire, all tied into a soul much too small for it.

Yet it weaves and threads into his very being, becoming impossible to tell where the soul begins and curse ends.

Noli also senses something much softer, the flicker of Seven’s own magic, the mark of a mage, fickle as candle light but sturdy like a log fire.

His soul is very warm.

He floats around him a few times, taking in every nook and cranny of his bared being, he wants to probe more, maybe push some of his own magic against him to see how it’d react, but he sees Seven fidget, uncertain, if this is from being scrutinized or worry over whatever Noli concludes he couldn’t say.

Noli decides not to push further, lest he push Seven’s patience too far.

When Noli’s feet touch the ground again, he just shakes his head sadly.

“I’m sorry to say, perhaps if you had found me sooner there would be some wiggle room to pull things back. But as you are now? This curse has bound itself to your soul. Not even the strongest of spells could remove it now” 

Seven’s face fell, there was never any hope in his expression, but hearing that fact seemed to break him a bit.

“…yeah… that’s what I thought” he muttered, dejected, before suddenly standing up and marching further into the woods.

Noli silently followed.

Seven only stopped when there were nothing but trees around, chest rising from harsh gulps of air, or maybe from an attempt to keep himself from falling apart. Noli stayed quiet, unsure if he’d appreciate any words of comfort.

And then, it seemed his fragile bubble of composure shattered, as he suddenly roared flame rising from his maw as he started slashing at the forest around him.

“It’s unfair- this is fucking unfair!” He roared, and Noli decided to stay safely in the air away from his range of attack. Seven blew fire into the air, growling and roaring as his legs stomped against the ground.

“If there was a chance why wasn’t I told? Why didn’t my family look for it? They didn’t even try!” He cries, flames bellow, grass becomes singed and trees threaten to alight. Noli doesn’t speak, just casts a spell to prevent any flames from spreading, he knows Seven worries about starting a forest fire.

He has enough to worry about right now.

“I was a teenager” Seven growls, smoke bellowing from his mouth and nostrils as he tugs at his horns. “Who the hell does this to a kid!?” Noli sees Seven’s claws dig into his hair, and he worries about it piercing flesh. Seven doesn’t seem to notice, or care, smoke bellows, claws dig into dirt, and a man just falls apart.

“Who punishes a stupid teenager like this!” Seven is trembling now, but instead of crying he roars and slashes at a nearby tree, claws digging deep into the bark and leaving strong gashes.

Seven is panting, flames flicker from his mouth, smoke bellowing up and curling against his horns.  

Noli finds the image intimidating, powerful, but keeps his mouth shut. Seven doesn’t need that right now.

“Humans can be cruel,” is what Noli says instead, “and witches even crueler” and fae can be the cruelest. 

Seven finally just crumbles, legs giving way as his lower half fumbles to the ground, Sevens hands cover his face as he trembles, curling forward into himself, tears threatening to fall, out of frustration or sadness Noli can’t tell.

He looks small.

Noli doesn’t think he likes seeing him like this.

Noli should take this as his moment to strike, to offer him sanctuary in his cult, to suggest the man worship him, and receive the love he so desperately wants.

But Noli’s mouth stays shut.

It just… doesn’t feel right. It doesn’t feel like what the man needs.

So Noli stays silent.

“…Hey Noli?” Seven speaks up, finally looking back at him, something wild in his eyes before he grins wickedly. “Do you want to go wreck some shit?” Seven’s eyes are puffy, hair a mess, but his grin is sharp and wild in a way that reminds Noli of a predator on the hunt, or perhaps a desperate bid for control.

And really, how could Noli deny such a request?

With the runes of a teleportation spell on his claws, Seven teleported them both to a far off location. Far thinner woods, plant life in colors that aren’t local to the area Seven resides in.

Far enough away that he won’t be found and chased out of his home, Noli assumes. Seven is silent, sadness having transformed into an anger that can only be released with mindless destruction.

Noli can’t help but feel anticipation as he follows the dragon, when was the last time he caused some proper chaos? Years surely! With the Void cult, while they have hosted gatherings and spectacles to attract attention and gain new followers, chaos was never the priority. 

It wasn’t like his exploits back in the day, back in the Fae Wildes.

Soon enough, a village comes into view, small, humble, and far enough away that knights will take at least an hour to respond.

Perfect.

The duo remain hidden in the trees, Seven well practiced in the art of surprise, because the moment he steps out there will be nothing but terror.

Noli can feel the buzz of anticipation, already recalling spells he could use. Transmutation? Illusion? Perhaps explosion! Oh how he missed turning unsuspecting souls into frogs or bubbles that would pop them back to their true form.

Really, nobody knew how to take a joke in the Fae Wildes.

“One rule” Seven looks right at Noli, “no killing people on purpose.”

“Is that where you draw the line?” Noli hums,but nods he’s no reason to refute that, he just mentally axes a chunk of spells, they wouldn’t be as fun anyways, “very well.”

“Do you wish to steal anything before we leave?” Noli asks instead, and Seven looks to consider it, then shrugs.

“If you find any nice towels try and grab those, I just need to blow off some steam.”

And with that, Seven calls upon his magic, runes appear in front of his claws as suddenly his horns and arms glow, illusionary magic casting wings as he charges forward, casting a wall of flame into the village center.

There’s screams as startled humans run and hide, yelling about a dragon. Noli takes that as his que, he hears Seven laugh, a terrifying cackle that Noli might not have believed possible had he not heard it himself.

“That’s right! RUN IN FEAR OF THE MIGHTY DRAGON!” Those glowing wings rise, framing his form as his hair flows from the wind of cast flames.

He looks radiant.

Noli doesn’t want Seven to have all the fun, so with a quick burst of his wings Noli flies ahead, casting his arms out, sparks of magic shoot ahead, exploding into small crackling fireworks, where the sparks land, stardust gathers and grows into mushrooms, roots tangling into whatever building or carts they find.

By Seven’s request, they don’t even touch the humans that flee.

The screams of fear for the dragon begin to mix with the outcry of a fairy’s trickery, Noli finds himself grinning.

“Not a fan of my act? But the show’s just begun!” Noli declares, and the show truly begins.

It’s like a dance, Seven hurling flames and chasing crowds away, Noli twirling and transforming flames and burning wood into any matter of plant life and stardust, it’s a symphony of destruction, a waltz of carnage.

Not a drop of blood is split, but a few foolishly brave humans are swatted away when they try and attack Seven with swords and spears.

Something possessive hits Noli as he kicks a few of them away, he can’t have Seven getting hurt.

That’s his dragon!

Far too soon, their show ends, as Noli hears the clattering of armor as knights appear to help the poor village, Seven grabs Noli by the arm and he’s suddenly pulled away as he runs.

“Catch us if you can!!” He taunts as a few knights, on horseback, give chase.

Noli smirks, and twists back to face the pursuers, and with a snap of his fingers their armor dissolves into jelly, and just for good measure, he sets off a tiny explosion of stardust that startled the horses into rearing back. Startled cries and exclamations trail away as they run. Seven let’s him go as they flee into the forest.

His heart is pounding, but Noli has never felt so alive.

Seven cackles as he gallops away, Noli laughing along as he flys alongside him. He hasn’t felt a thrill like this since his days of trickery back in the fae realm.

They race through the forestry, until they are far enough away to safely teleport back to familiar ground. Noli’s heart races, and he sees Seven panting from the effort, but he still smiled, self satisfied and loose.

Noli thought it looked good on him.

“Holy shit- Noli that was awesome!” Seven laughs, hands trembling with adrenaline as he prepares a teleportation spell for them. “That thing with the plants and mushrooms? That was amazing!” He’s grinning, and Noli feels himself preen at the attention.

“I’m a bit rusty, but I thought it’d be a lovely spectacle” Noli takes a bow, smiling in satisfaction. “They’ll rot by the end of the day, leaving nothing but dust in their wake. Rather annoying cleanup from what I’ve heard~” Seven just laughs, and with the cast of a spell they’re both back in familiar ground, far away from knights or angry villagers.

“I don’t know about you, but I'm feeling a lot better now.” Seven stretches, the illusionary magic from before fading like dying flames. Noli hears his back pop as he sighs in relief.

“Did you grab anything Noli? I didn’t” Seven asks as he turns to face him, Noli snaps his fingers and a few slightly burnt towels appear in his arms.

“I snagged these at the start, but got a bit too invested in the fireworks for anything else.” Seven looked at them, then snatched one, inspecting it a bit.

“Oh! Not bad, thanks, I can add these to my bed” he nods, looking satisfied.

“Of course of course, anything for you dear dragon~” Noli hums, and Seven rolls his eyes. The atmosphere was light, warm in a way Noli doesn’t get with his attendants, especially not his followers.

It was freeing. 

“Maybe we can do this again sometime?” Seven asks, smile hopeful, if slightly nervous.

Noli doesn’t even hesitate before answering.

“I’d be honored! I’m sure we can put on a real showstopper together!” It felt nice to cast spells with no real goal in mind but the love of chaos.

It was freeing… he can understand why Seven values this so much.

Noli doesn’t think he could steal this from him.

Something in his stomach twists-

“Well, I’ll leave you to it then, I should be on my way” Noli suddenly announces, giving Seven the rest of the towels before turning to leave, “until next time~” he waves, and starts to leave. 

“-Hey Noli,” but suddenly, Seven speaks up. When Noli glances back at Seven he sees that the dragon looks a bit nervous, tail flicking and ears back. “Would you uh, want to see my home?” He asked, and Noli turned to face him properly, Seven continued. “It’s not much, I live in a cave, but we could hang out there? It’s quieter.”

This was it, Seven trusted him enough to show him where he lives! Noli couldn’t help but smile to himself, pleased to know he was making progress in gaining Seven’s trust. He wants to get closer to him, to know more about him, to truly understand what goes on in his head.

“My dear, I would love to visit. Lead the way~” Noli gave a half bow, leaning forward with a smirk. Things are going so smoothly, truly, nothing could ruin the momentum of this day!

“I’m sorry- this is where you live?” Noli bawked in bewilderment. 

Seven just tilted his head slightly, sat on his back legs, arms crossed as he tried not to look nervous.

“I did tell you I lived in a cave” he shrugged. Yes, Noli knew this, but he never said the conditions were this miserable!

There was a burnt out fire pit in the front, a small rock circle signaling its existence, inside was a collection of torn and singed fabrics that was a pitiful excuse of a bed, what looked to be a sack that probably had his food, and a small pile of trinkets that mostly consisted of bones and rocks.

The walls were covered in scorch marks and scratches, no attempt To clean them being made, there wasn’t anything for self care or even comfort that Noli could see.

This wasn’t a home, this was a hovel!

“This- are you truly comfortable living like this?” He questioned, feeling tempted to just demand the man live with him if only so he could be assured he’d have a warm bed.

“Not really…” Seven sighed, but stood and padded his way into the cave, “but it’s all I got. Last cave was a bit nicer but I got chased out with pitchforks” 

“What do- what about flooding? Or snowfall? Or wind?” Noli floats after, wings fluttering in slight agitation.

“I hope for the best and try not to get sick” Seven just shrugs.

This is just unacceptable 

Even his subjects have better living conditions than this, and some would willingly volunteer to camp out in the cold and rain if they believed it was his will! Maybe he should address that, those humans were far more squishy than a dragon centaur.

Noli must have been silent for too long, and Seven looked back at him, one ear lifted in question.

“Uh, Noli? You good?” Seven frowns and mutters to himself, “did I break him?”

Noli snaps to attention, okay address the biggest problem for now, the bed and the open entrance. Noli raises a hand.

“I’ll be back in a moment” and with a snap he’s gone.

Blankets, where did they store the blankets?

“Lord Noli? You’re back early.” Mallorina blinked in surprise, oh perfect. “Where are the blankets and sheets stored?” He asked, the follower blinked a moment then made a motion for him to follow,

“They’re this way my lord, can I ask why the sudden interest?”

“7n7 lives in a cave,” he jeered, “and his poor excuse of a bed is made out of poorly kept sheets that are falling apart into threads. That’s unacceptable! I’d never allow any of you to live in conditions like that!” He ends up ranting, mallorina blinking wide eyed at him, she seems to smile to herself before picking up the pace.

“Well, we best not keep him waiting. I think we have some comforters that will work nicely.”

When Noli returned he had both arms full of blankets, quilts, and whatever else he could grab, Seven startled as he appeared and practically dumped it on his poor excuse of a bed.

“Come on, we’re making this nest actually comfortable"

“What the- Noli those are way to nice I can’t accept-“

“No no none of that! I will not be able to rest easy knowing you don’t have anywhere comfortable to properly sleep! I will set this up myself if I must!” Noli was being remarkably stubborn about this, he usually doesn’t go to such lengths just for recruitment.

But, have these visits been about that lately?

Seven just blinks owlishly, but accepts it.

“Okay, okay that’s… fine” he approaches, and grabs one of the blankets before pausing.

“Oh shit- this is soft. Is this wool? He examines the purple fabric between his claws. “I- I really can’t accept this, these are really nice, I’ll just end up ripping them with my claws-“

“Then they’ll be yours to tear. I wouldn’t have brought them if I had no intent for you to keep them.”

Thankfully, it didn’t take much more stubborn probing for Seven to help him make up his bed, it was still a bundle of blankets on the ground but it was much better than before.

“Good, now let’s see about that open entrance"

“R-Really Noli, it’s fine. I’ll live” 

“I swear if you say that one more time-“

Noli managed to convince Seven to let him at least hang up one of the thicker sheets near the bed for a bit of a privacy wall. Good enough he supposed.

The place still looked depressing, but it wasn’t a total lost cause. It just needs some work.

Noli can help with that.

He decorated an entire castle, he can help with a cave!

Noli decided to start bringing him gifts. Just seeing the look on Seven's face when he brought over the blankets, Noli wanted to see more reactions like that.

After all, what better way to make this cave seem less depressing than to bring Seven gifts to fill it out!

There was a bit of a road bump though. Seven refused to accept anything too fancy.

“Look, blankets are one thing, I get it, they’re useful and practical and very soft” Seven scolded, “but I really don’t need anything fancy. It’ll just take up space and if I have to leave it’ll be one more thing to worry about” Noli wanted to argue he would fight back anyone trying to chase Seven away with lethal force, but bit his cheek.

“Alright, I understand. You don’t need lavish, just practical.” Noli relented. That did mean he changed the trajectory of his gifts.

To his embarrassment, Noli needed to get help on the practical department. He’s a Fae, his needs are vastly different to that of mortals, but thankfully his cult was full of mortals all too eager to help their king.

“Do you really not know what’s practical for mortals in terms of survival, my lord?” The cultist asked, folding a few more towels into a gift basket.

“That’s always been Aspx’s job, I trust their judgment” Noli isn’t sure why he’s being so defensive.

Then again, what good king doesn’t know how to care for their subjects?

Something twists in his stomach, has he really lost touch that much?

“Of course, my lord, forgive my probing” she lowers her head, and Noli will not allow that.

“No, forgive me for not being attentive enough. Seems I have a blind spot to correct” he shakes his head, the doctor looks back at him, and while not verbally responding, she hands over the basket.

“Right, well, please inform 7n7 to keep the mothballs with the sheets, wouldn’t want bugs to eat at them”

“I will, thank you Holly” Noli gives a nod in thanks, and in a snap he’s gone.

Thankfully, Seven takes far less convincing to accept the practical gifts, some of the cultists even bundle in food, and Noli is internally delighted to see Seven accept it without too much question.

“You’re going to spoil me at this rate” Seven slightly scolded, but still accepted today's gift with minimal complaint.

Though, as much as practical gifts are fine, Noli really wants to impress Seven, give him something he wants and not just needs.

7n7 keeps bringing up missing studying magic and spells, perhaps that’s something Noli can help with.

Noli stood in front of the walls and walls of books in the library, surely there must be something here acceptable.

“My lord? Do you need any assistance?" The librarian approached, oh perfect timing.

“I want to gift Seven a tome on spells, but I’m unsure what he’d prefer? He’s already a mage so any beginners tomes could feel demeaning, and I’m unsure just how advanced he’d be interested in”

“Why not just ask him what he’d like?” The librarian asked,

“This is a gift, I’d prefer it to be a surprise.” 

The librarian tilts their head, then hums in thought.

“He practices illusionary magics correct? I recall him summoning some things at the homecoming festival”

“Indeed, it’s one of the things he’s interested in” that seems to get a smile out of the librarian, who walks to one of the shelves, Noli follows, watching as they read through a few of the spines before pulling a book from the shelf.

“Then, perhaps he would enjoy this?” They offer the book to Noli, and he reads the cover.

This is a tome on more advanced illusionary work and minor summoning. He smiles.

“Perfect! Thank you Bortlel”

Bortlel bows, “happy to serve, my lord”

They were right, as Seven looked excited for the gift, Noli didn’t even have to insist he keep it this time.

It made his chest feel warm, and his tail wag.

Noli could get addicted to this. He hardly gets the opportunity to spoil someone, to lavish someone with gifts and praise, not like this. There’s usually a goal in mind,

Noli doesn’t think he had a goal beyond seeing Seven smile more.

…well, perhaps that isn’t the whole truth, Seven is a dragon, but Noli has wondered, just how much of a dragon is he?

Does he have instincts? Impulses like the reptiles he resembles?

Well, if he’s going to continue to gift Seven some things perhaps he can state his own curiosity a bit in turn~

“…Noli this is a rock” Seven deadpans. Looking at the pebble he was handed today.

“A shiny rock” Noli clarifies, and Seven is just staring at him.

“Noli, why did you give me a shiny rock?” Seven still looks unamused.

“Dragons have hoards do they not?” Noli hummed, “this is for your hoard”

“I don’t… hoard” Seven looked a bit uncomfortable, but kept glancing at the rock in his hand.

“Really? That’s a shame, I guess I’ll just take it back then.” Noli reaches for the rock, and Seven suddenly jerks it away, holding it close protectively. Noli smirks in victory, he knew this man had those instincts!

“Oh? Changed your mind darling?”

Seven grumbles a bit before raising his voice. “… it’s pretty to look at I guess. But I’m not starting a rock hoard just for the sake of having one!”

Noli thinks he might be able to convince him. 

Noli really delighted in giving gifts between their usual meetings or chats, and even the occasional romp out to terrorize a town or village. Time passed, the summer months continued, and Noli began to visit Seven regularly without needing to be called. 

Noli wished to learn what Seven needed to care for himself, not only to make sure he actually did as the man has a startling lack of self care, but to improve his knowledge on the cult. Of the mortals under his care.

He’s sure Aspx or Xpsa would answer those questions easily, they’ve been doing so this whole time, but Noli is selfish and stubborn and wants to refresh his memory on his own first.

It feels important.

What kind of king would he be if he couldn’t care for his subjects?

If understanding Seven means understanding his mortal subjects more, then that’s just a victory on all fronts. And Noli quite likes those wins.

~~~

Time passed, summer continued on, and one day Seven spoke up.

“Okay, listen, all these gifts are nice, but I can’t accept all of this without returning the favor” he shook his head. “I don’t like feeling like a charity case. So listen, is there something I can do in turn?” 

Noli wanted to say ‘worship me’ but for some reason the words caught in his throat. The image of Seven kneeling before him, at his beck and call, completely devoted to only him…

It just didn’t seem to fit such a man who values the little freedom he has.

So instead, he said 

“I think there’s some tasks around the void cult you could help with” and Seven seemed relieved at that.

“You’ll have to go there in person, is that what you wish?” Noli recalls Seven’s hesitance before. But the dragon nodded.

“Yeah, I’m helping out, if anyone tries to convert me or tries to talk to me about their ‘lord and savior Noli’ I’ll just bail.” Seven chuckles, half joking, Noli finds himself laughing along.

“I’m not their god, Seven, I’m just a Faerie~”

“Just a faerie he says” Seven scoffs, rolling his eyes. “You had a whole return party and looked like you descended like a god. Believe it or don’t but I’m willing to bet money they worship you”

Noli doesn’t want to dignify that with a response, so he moves on.

“Well if you’re finally visiting, I’ll have to show you around! Make a day of it~” Noli claps his hands together, floating closer as his tail wags with excitement.

“Don’t push your luck” Seven scolds, but stands up anyways. Noli can’t help but smile even wider.

With a flourish, he lands on Sevens back, which startles him.

“Huh- hey! Dude! Personal space!” Seven twists his torso to try and look at him, but Noli just giggles, crossing one leg over the other.

“It’ll be easier to cast the teleportation spell this way~” Noli waves a hand in an excuse he knows Seven won’t buy, the dragon huffs but doesn't swat him away. 

“You could have at least asked first” he grumbles,

Hm, fair enough.

“Can I sit on your back, Seven?” Noli asks, slightly teasing. 

“No. Get off” Seven deadpans. Noli laughs, but does comply, 

“Aww, boo” Noli teases, but stays fluttering at Seven’s side as he casts the runes for the teleportation spell.

“Ask again next time and I’ll consider it” Seven huffs, but doesn’t look too upset.

Spell cast, they’re both engulfed in a flash of purple and white, and suddenly the scenery has changed to one Noli is intimately familiar with. 

Tall trees shielding open fields with various buildings scattered about. To an untrained eye, it would look like any sort of small town or minor settlement, but the star symbols engraved in the stone pathways, scattered about on buildings and magic lamps, that was the sign this place was more than a normal settlement.

It was a place claimed by the Fae.

A place claimed by Noli.

Various cultists walked about, not all in the robes dawned at the homecoming party, but all baring some sort of symbol or crest of the cult.

His kingdom did that too, all kingdoms in the Fae wilde did, it showed strangers who’s protection you were under.

It wasn’t something he was willing to part with even in the mortal realm.

“Woah,” Seven breathed, taking in the scenery, the sights and smells. His ears stood tall, twitching as he took it all in. “It’s a lot nicer than I thought it’d be”

“Excuse me? Did you think my subjects lived in poverty?” Noli scoffed playfully. Seven smirked at him, raising a brow.

“I was under the impression cults don’t have the biggest budget for living situations” what? Does he think he’d let his followers live in tents?

“I care for those in my kingdom, believe it or don’t. But keep those complaints to yourself, Aspx was a lead in designing much of the architecture here and he’d not be happy to hear that criticized unfairly” Noli taunts and Seven raises his hands in defense.

“I’m not saying the place is bad! It’s really nice, just unexpected… I-in a good way!”

“Anyhow, enough standing about!” Noli landed in front of Seven, holding out a hand to him. “Shall I show you around, dear dragon?”

Seven hesitates a moment, before chuckling and accepting the hand.

“Sweep me off my feet then, Noli” 

Noli felt his heart skip at Seven’s smile, and grinned in return.

Noli gave Seven a grand tour if he could say so himself. Showing off various hotspots, locations, and even a few fountains Noli really liked. Seven had a content and curios look, only pausing every so often when a cultist approached to greet him or bowed as Noli passed. Seven looked to still expect scrutiny or stares, but as he walked among the Void Cult they greeted him like any other visitor.

Noli smiled to himself, and if he had an extra bounce in his step at seeing Seven as comfortable as one could be in this situation, that’s something he will keep to himself. Noli was all to eager to explain things, how the cult functioned, a few exports, the place was hidden, protected by wards and spells on top of a Fae’s claim, but people needed to eat and Noli has a love for the finer things in life, so they have trade with a few major towns and a way to acquire things they couldn’t produce themselves.

“…tell me to shut up if I’m being insensitive,” Seven asked, “but if this place looks like a small kingdom, functions like one, and you call yourself a king… why isn’t it a kingdom? Why demand worship like a god of a cult?” Seven asks, blunt and honest in a way that makes Noli flinch.

Attention, devotion, loyalty, any good Royal will have that in spades for their subjects. 

He had that with his first kingdom.

He’s done it differently here because….

Noli doesn’t want to answer this question.

“Oh, there’s my castle" Noli points out, avoiding the question entirely.

“You didn’t answer the- You live in a castle!?” Seven exclaims, attention drawn to the grand building. It stood tall built from purple bricks with glimmering silver accents. Noli grins,

“Why wouldn’t I?” He says like it’s the most obvious thing in the world.

“That’s huge!!” Seven points at the structure like that proves his point.

“It’s smaller than I’m used to” Noli just shrugs,

“Noli what the f-“ but Seven is cut off by Xpsa’s voice.

“Lord Noli the blacksmith is looking- oh! Hello 007n7, nice to see you again” the passive smile on her face grew into a grin when they spotted him. 7n7 nodded in his own greeting.

“Yeah, you too, Xpsa right?” Ah, right, Seven hadn’t seen her or any of the other cultists since that party. He did hear that Xpsa was the one who dragged Seven into the party proper.

“You remembered? I honored!” She teases. Wings fluttering in amusement.

“You’re pretty hard to forget.” Seven chuckles, and Noli just impatiently waits for this conversation to end.

Thankfully Seven doesn’t seem one to talk for long, as he glances at Noli a moment before looking back at her.

“Uh, anyways don’t let me keep you from your work.”

“If Lord Noli has any issues with delegation then he can inform me himself” Xpsa glances at Noli with a taunting smirk. Noli’s tail flicks, and he punches the bridge of his nose.

“You were saying, Xpsa?” He keeps his voice even, and the attendant smirks a moment before returning to her professional air.

“Right, the blacksmith is looking for someone with a fire spell, the forge is acting up and he hasn’t had luck with the fire starter”

Noli smikes to himself, then turns to Seven,

“Well, what perfecting timing. Shall we go help him out?”

“Oh! Yeah I can- will they be okay with it? I know I offered to help but I don’t want to impose”

“Oh relax, Lord Noli brings you up often enough he’d be delighted to see you! We wished you visited sooner truthfully” Xpsa tosses a teasing glance Noli’s way, and he feels his face heat up.

“How about we get moving, dear Seven!” Noli marches off, Seven scrambling to follow at the sudden movement.

Noli swears he hears Xpsa giggling as they leave.

Thankfully, the blacksmith isn’t far, and Seven is only minorly distracted by taking in the scenery, so they arrive there fairly quickly.

The blacksmith looks up, David’s his name Noli believes, and nods in greeting.

“Oh, hello Lord Noli, and you must be 007n7, correct? Happy to see you in person” 

“Uh, yeah, we heard you needed help?” Seven answers, a little nervous but resolved apparently.

“Forge’s fire’s gone out. And I need a steady heat source for this project.” The blacksmith explains, and Noli smiles before gesturing to Seven.

“Will dragon fire do, dear blacksmith?” 

“Wait I know fire Glyphs-“ Seven weakly protests, but David hums.

“Actually, dragon fire could speed things up considerably.” He looks up at Seven. “If you know a fire spell that will do if you’re more comfortable with that”

Noli looks to Seven, deciding to bite his tongue on the decision here.

Seven looks unsure a moment, then something steady sets on his expression.

“You want dragon fire? Alright, I can do that” Noli is absolutely delighted! 

“If you could light the coals, and keep the flame steady for me, it’d be a great help.” The blacksmith explains, showing them over to where the forge is.

“Ah that’s…” Seven looks at the tiny opening, leaning over and assessing it, he looks a bit nervous, he nods anyway. “…okay…” he still seems uneasy as he straightens back up.

“You’re more than capable of this, Seven. You’ve grown much more steady with your flames lately” Noli encourages, and the dragon looks unsure for a moment, then resolved, he nods.

“Right, okay,” he shifts his stance a bit, pulls his hair back into a loose bun, then nods towards the blacksmith. “Just tell me when”

After a few moments of prep work, the cultist gives a thumbs up.

“Light it now”

Seven took in a breath, heat gathering around his nostrils, then he leans forward, and lets out a thin stream of flames into the forge, but even from a distance, Noli could tell they were hotter than before.

“Yes! Just like that. Perfect!” The blacksmith cheered, then got to work.

And over the course of an hour, the blacksmith was able to finish their projects for the day, and sent Seven off with a grateful thanks and a smile.

“You did wonderfully Seven! David is surely grateful!” He quietly applauded, Sev looked bashful, but nodded.

“Y-yeah, glad I could help.”

“I’m assuming you’d like to do a bit more while you’re here?” Noli tilted his head, to which the dragon nods, looking a bit less nervous.

“I meant what I said. What else can I help with today?”

“Let’s find out~” and off they went, it didn’t take much asking around to find cultists in need of some assistance, and Seven was eager to help, even if some attempts were clumsy.

It was endearing how hard he tried.

By the end of the day, Seven had a contained little smile on his face, like he was embarrassed, but flattered.

Noli tilted his head. Hm, that’s not a bad look on him. Of course Noli doesn’t mention any of that, instead he hums.

“Well, that was a busy day, care to make a habit of this?”

“If there’s more stuff I can help with then… yeah sure.” Seven looks back at him, finally slipping back to one of his more playful smirks. “If you’re going to keep giving me stuff, I’m giving back. Can’t become a spoiled dragon now can I?”

Noli thinks he’d spoil this man rotten if he let him.

“Then you better memorize the location~ A teleportation spell would keep you from having to walk” is what he says instead, feeling a warmth when Seven gives him a relaxed smile.

This has long stopped being about recruiting him as a follower, Noli thinks this is more about a friendship now.

He wants to see Seven happy, to show more of those genuine smiles and laughs he’s been graced with on occasion.

Time continues to pass, and despite still going out to cause chaos in far off villages, Seven seemed the most satisfied when helping out. But he still had this off look, like he was still struggling to accept some things.

Noli can guess what it’s about, too long looks into reflective surfaces, that slight cut off in his tone whenever talking about his draconic traits too long.

Acceptance is a struggle no matter who you are, he supposed.

They were outside of his little kingdom, Noli sat on a tree while Seven lounged underneath, as thanks for assisting the librarian in organizing the bookshelves she had lent Seven a tome about magic, specifically the exploitation magic he specialized in, he seemed rather enthralled by it.

“Hey, Sev?” Noli spoke up, the dragon hummed to show he heard him, “you seemed a bit distracted earlier, something on your mind?”

Seven paused, sighing heavily. 

“It’s… it’s stupid, don’t worry about it.”

“If you’re worried about it then it isn’t stupid.” Noli hums, tail curling around the branch as he looks down at him. Seven looks contemplative a moment, but relents.

“It’s just… helping around the Void cult, leaning how to hunt, I feel like I’ve got more control over my own body, controlling the amount of force and heat in my flame breath, the strength needed to move heavy objects, the balance to reach up to the highest shelves. Those things help me figure out what I can do more but I still feel…” he hesitates, trying to find the words. “…it feels like a betrayal to my humanity… to just embrace… this.” He shakes his head, “i know it’s stupid but-”

“Humanity and being human are not mutually exclusive” Noli crosses his legs. “Being inhuman doesn’t mean you lack the ability to emphasize, some do, sure, but others learn.” He’s learned, Seven helped him to learn. “What you are now doesn’t mean you must give up all morals and go full feral, you don’t strike me as someone who wishes to do that. But things are different now, that fact cannot be changed” Seven is looking at him now, ears back, hair tied into a loose ponytail that sways with the wind.

“It can be difficult to accept, when things change so suddenly that you cannot cope.” Noli swings his legs from the tree branch, “but as long as you are still living, you must continue forward. Embrace the new normal before you are swept away by it”

“…You make it sound so easy” Seven sighed, setting down his book.

“Holding onto a past that can no longer be will only drag you down further into a pit of despair.” Noli responds, “I am not saying it’s easy… it’s probably one of the most difficult things to accept, but when you live long enough, you learn what must be done”

Seven doesn’t respond immediately, but does look thoughtful.

“…when’d you get so good at advice?” He chuckles, closing his book after marking the page with a bookmark.

“I’ve been around a while, my dear, you learn a thing of two when you exist for centuries.” Noli laughs, swinging his legs over the branch to fall backwards, looking at his companion while hanging upside down. “Perhaps you’ll rival me one day, you’re likely to be sticking around a while as well”

“Huh? What does that mean?” Seven looks at him, confused by his words and behavior.

“Oh? Did you not know dragons can live up to five hundred years? I think you’ll be around for a while my dear~” Noli teases, and Seven looks like he’s having a crisis.

“What- but that- I’m not-“ Seven sputters, processing the information and trying to form some coherent words, and after a bit of stuttering, all he manages to get out is, “that’s OLD!”

Noli breaks into laughter, ringing out like bells against the wind, there’s a bit more playful teasing back and forth before Seven has to head back to his home. But Noli feels a warmth in his chest even as he leaves.

~~~~

The chilled winds of autumn have blown in, nipping at noses and encouraging extra layers when the sun is gone.

It’s a late night tonight, the stars shine outside of the castle window, glittering in an invite to dance amongst the darkened sky.

But Noli is stuck at his desk doing paperwork.

It’s important, Aspx made that clear, and lately he’s been resolved to put a bit more effort into keeping his cult happy, his little kingdom.

7n7 had inspired him in a way, sure they still worshiped him and had endless loyalty, but he hadn’t been returning the favor as much as he used to.

He was trying to amend that, which meant taking more time in figuring out supplies and budgeting.

Ugh how do humans do this for a majority of their short lives? Does Aspx really enjoy these tasks? He flicks his tail and moves his quill again, he’s a faerie, things like this should be easy for him.

Though, after some time crunching numbers and parsing out the food stock for the month, he feels that call at the edge of his senses, of someone uttering his name.

‘Noli…’

He sits up. That’s Seven’s voice, he knows it by heart now. But his tone was far too different than his usual self.

He sounded scared.

Noli is moving before he can think. Quill forgotten as he jumps out of his seat.

He’s gone from the study in a snap, suddenly in 007n7’s cave.

He appears to Seven curled up tightly in his bed, claws digging into his horns, tail curled up so tightly against his side it’s trying to dig into it, his breath is uneven, frame trembling, and he’s whimpering to himself.

“S-stop, …please- I’m sorry… I’m sorry…” he cries, and Noli’s heart shatters at the sight.

He’s by his side in moments.

“Seven, Sev I’m here. Can you hear me?” He assesses the situation, red scaled claws dug into the horns on his head, Seven was breathing heavily, body trembling from fear, his cheeks were red and shiny from tears, and his eyes looked unfocused and foggy.

He was having a nightmare, and Noli wasn’t even sure if he was awake or not.

“Seven, can you hear me? I’m here, alright? I’m right here” Noli assured, keeping his voice calming as he reaches a hand to touch Seven’s shoulder. He flinched away at the contact before looking at him with bared fangs. His cheeks are wet with tears, hair stuck against his forehead and neck from sweat, and his irises are slits against his red pupils. For a moment, he looks almost feral, like a cornered dog ready to bite, but after a moment, he seems to recognize him, 

“N-Noli?” His voice trembles, confused and still scared, but Noli just nods.

“I’ll always answer when you call for me.” He responds, and tries to touch his shoulder again, movements slow, deliberate, so he can pull away if he needs.

Seven doesn’t, instead, the moment Noli touches his shoulder the man seems to crumble, falling into Noli as a sob rips from his throat.

The fae pulls him into a tight hug, a hand on his head, gently scratching his scalp in comfort.

“I’m here,” he assures, voice a ray of calm in the midst of a storm, ”I’m here” 

Seven whimpers, his voice small as his hands slowly find their way to his back, as if even in sleep he’s hesitant to grab him, to harm him.

Noli feels those claws dig into his shirt and back, but all he focuses on is holding Seven tight, hugging him and rubbing circles into his back.

“It hurts-“ Seven whimpers, face hidden in his shoulder as claws dig into his back, Noli could care less about torn fabric or claw marks right now, “m-make it stop” the man trembles, Noli can do nothing but hold him close.

“You’re safe, I’m here Seven,” he assures, voice gentle like an evening rain, but steady like a redwood tree. “I’m here.”

“It burns- please, please I’m sorry-“ his voice cracks into another sob, and the faerie just gently rocks them, continuing to offer quiet words of comfort as Seven rides out this night terror.

Noli doesn’t need to investigate further to guess what the nightmare was about, with what he knows of the man and the words said, it paints a clear picture to him.

Curses are never painless when they transform the victim, he can only imagine how terrifying it must have been for him to still have nightmares.

He would know that feeling all too well, to still be haunted by pain.

Noli recalls the high council of fae, who’d watch such painful transformations in wicked delight, finding satisfaction in what they believed was due punishment.

He recalls the face of telamon when Noli reflected their hypocrisy to the crowd, the fae of combat and war sneering at the truth he refused to face.

Another sob from Seven brought Noli back to the present, so he continued his quiet comforts to help the dragon calm.

Eventually, his cries and whimpers died down, and when Noli looked at his face, Seven looked far more present than he did moments ago.

“There you are, my dear” Noli hums, running fingers through his hair in comfort. Seven sniffs, but doesn’t move to pull away.

“I’m sorry,” he mutters, “you shouldn’t have to see me like that…” his words hold a bitter tone, self hatred clawing at the edges. 

“I chose to answer your call, I have no regrets in being here” Noli replied, words simple and sturdy, leaving no room for argument.

“It’s been years… I shouldn’t still be so hung up on this…” Seven curls into his shoulder, as if ashamed to look at him.

“I doubt any human can simply ‘get over’ a curse that affects them so thoroughly." Noli hums, still combing through his hair. “You are not weak for having nightmares, Seven” he hears Seven take in a shaky breath, and feels his face nuzzle into his neck.

“…Can you stay… a little longer, please?” His voice is small, hesitant, like he doesn’t deserve to even ask. Noli hums and holds him a bit closer.

“I’ll stay as long as you wish me to.”

Noli isn’t sure how long they stay like that. No words are spoken, the only sounds being the chirping of cicadas out in the woods and the sounds of their breaths. They simply hold each other, Seven trying to keep his breathing steady, and Noli combing long fingers through his hair to comfort him until his trembling stops.

Eventually, he feels Seven start to go limp, as sleep finally fights to reclaim him.

“You can rest,” Noli’s voice is soft, gentle like an evening breeze. “I’ll be here when you wake” he promises, and that seems to be the final assurance he needs before Seven finally goes limp, sleep claiming him once more.

Gently, he guides Seven’s torso back into the blanket nest, grabbing a loose comforter before throwing it over the both of them, making sure to cover all of Sevens massive form.

He is glad he was able to convince him to accept the blankets now, if only to see the man gently nestle into the soft warmth. Noli lays next to him, curling up close, in the back of his mind he’s sure Aspx will give him a lecture about abandoning his duties, but he could care less about that for now.

He relaxes as he sees Seven’s breathing even out, as he finally falls asleep.

Hesitantly, he presses a kiss against one of his horns, before settling down.

“Rest well, Seven” Noli whispers, before he too drifts off to sleep.

When morning comes, Noli slowly blinks awake to see that Seven had woken up first. He hasn’t moved, just slowly blinking at him.

They both sit in a mutual silence, taking in the peace of early morning birds and trickles of sunlight through the curtain.

“…you didn’t have to stay like that…” Seven mumbles,

“You asked me to stay, so I did” Noli answers, like it’s the easiest thing in the world.

Seven has an unreadable expression, but Noli thought he looked confused, but touched. He just turned his face back into the blankets, and mumbles softly.

“Thank you, Noli” 

And Noli knew that he’d sit through hundreds of Aspx’s lectures just to see that look of relief on his face again.

Without thinking, he leaned in, and once again pressed a chaste kiss against his horn, he heard Seven gasps, heartbeat skipping once. But by the time Seven looked back at him Noli didn’t get to see whatever expression he had.

As Noli had already left.

~~~

Noli was not overcompensating and anyone who said otherwise were obviously wrong.

Aspx hadn't been the happiest seeing Noli had suddenly run off, but Noli barely had to explain that Seven called him and Aspx let it go with a wave.

Noli chose not to dignify Xpsa’s amused glances with a response.

Regardless he was back to work, but the whole time his mind kept wandering back to Seven.

He’s never seen him like that before…

Did he have nights like that? Suffering through night terrors alone? 

Aspx definitely must have noticed him fretting, because barely a day later they’re confronting him.

“Okay, you’re distracted, more than usual.” He sighed, “what happened with 7n7?” 

Noli wanted to brush the question off, but with the sharp look Aspx had Noli very quickly concluded he would not buy that at all.

“He has nightmares” Noli answered, “or a night terror? It seems like he’s used to it. That troubles me” He folds his hands together, fidgeting as he rubs his knuckles. Aspx’s look softened a fraction, and shook their head.

“I doubt there’s much you can do to remove a nightmare from his mind. But if you’re still worried, perhaps you can give him a gift to cheer him up?”

“Perhaps… but I’m not sure what he’d want, he’s probably tired of my usual gifts” is he overthinking this? Maybe, but he really wants to cheer him up.

Aspx shakes his head, and goes to put a hand on Noli’s arm.

“You’re not the only one 7n7 socializes with. Ask the other cultists for ideas, I’m sure they’ll give you some inspiration”

Oh, oh that’s actually really smart, why didn’t Noli think of that.

“Aspx do I ever tell you how much I value your input?” 

“It’s silently implied” Aspx smiles a bit, then nudges him to the door. “Now go, the sooner you get out of this funk the sooner you can return to your duties”

Well, someone has to keep him accountable, he supposed, even if Noli was slightly annoyed.

But his mood felt a bit lighter as he left the castle, Seven has become a bit of a familiar face in his kingdom now, he’s been more openly social, it’d be nice to hear what the others think of him.

To Noli’s delight the cultists had a wide range of ideas on how to cheer Seven up, some even offering things to gift him. Noli couldn’t pick just one so decided, screw it, he’ll just bring it all over next time he visits Seven.

Which he did, and he gets to watch with delight as Seven gawks at the amount of gifts he’s brought.

“What- Noli! This is way too much-“

“Will it make you feel better if I say this isn’t all from me alone? The void cult was very generous when it came to wanting to gift you things” Noli grinned, and Seven doesn’t fight it anymore. He just slowly looks through everything offered, blankets, trinkets, some pastries and goodies, there’s even a few jewelry pieces that Noli thinks would look dazzling against those crimson scales.

“Noli,” Seven laughs, “am I going to be expected to lay on top of this like those dragons with that hoard of treasure?” Yet hes smiling, and Noli feels his own tail wag at the sight.

“Only if you wish. Though I wouldn’t recommend it, according to David some of this work is delicate, and I doubt it’d be comfortable.

“Oh good because I’m not doing that when I have a perfectly good blanket bundle to lay on!”

Seven retorts, and gets to putting the more delicate items somewhere safer.

Noli’s tail still wags, and his chest feels warm at Seven’s smile.

But this wasn’t everything Noli planned to give.

He made a stop earlier in the month, grabbing something truly special, but he just hadn’t found the right time to give it to him.

Now seems as good a time as ever.

“There is one more thing I’ve brought you today” Noli speaks up once Seven has put everything away. He has a hand behind his back, holding the edges of a well worn notebook. “This is just from me.” And with a slight flourish he pulls the book out.

Seven recognizes it immediately and gasps.

“That’s,” his voice goes quiet, “that’s my spell book. How did you…” he trails off, carefully extending claws to grab it. Noli let’s go easily, watching as Seven stares at the cover in disbelief. He thinks Seven’s claws are trembling, he holds the book a bit tighter.

“Where-“ he hears Seven swallow, “where did you find this?” He asks, voice meek.

Noli should have made up an answer, say he found it in the trash, or simply summoned it, but he couldn’t bring himself to do that.

Instead, he spoke the truth.

“It was on a shelf in your parents home” he answered, “on the top of the bookshelf, it looks like it hadn’t been touched in years, but they kept it anyways” He saw Seven just stare at the notebook, and take in a shaky breath.

“I… I think I need a minute.” He admits, hugging the book to his chest. “Thank you, Noli, but can I be alone now?” He looked so much smaller when he asked that, and a part of Noli desperately didn’t want to leave him alone.

But he nodded, respecting his wishes.

“If you need me, just call, I shall answer anytime” he gives Seven a bow, before disappearing. Leaving the dragon to process the truth before him.

Noli doesn’t regret his actions, but he knows Seven will need time.

And he knows, he’s strong enough to overcome this.

~~~

“My lord, may we speak with you?” Lezus got his attention one day. It was a rather dull morning, time had passed, the warm summer air was starting to gain the bite of the fall chill, and things were going business as usual.

So seeing a small group approach Noli was a bit out of the norm.

To Noli’s surprise, there were several others gathered as well, even Aspx among them, he didn’t seem stressed, but Noli was certainly curious.

“Speak freely, what is it that you need?”

“Well, we’ve been discussing it for a while, and have been thinking…” he explains, pressing his palms together. “007n7 has been such a great help to us and our community, and we wished to give him a gift in turn, beyond what we’ve done so far.” Lezus explains, but another denison speaks up first. 

“We were wondering, is his bed still just a nest of blankets?” 

“Indeed, that has no signs of changing anytime soon,” Noli should know, he’s woken up stiff sleeping in that nest more times than he’d like to admit.

That seems to be the answer the group was looking for, as some excitedly whisper among themselves, Aspx speaks up now, 

“They were hoping to make him a mattress. I did a cursory check and we have the resources for it.”

Noli blinked, they all gathered to make a gift? For 7n7? On their own time? Noli couldn’t help but feel proud.

“I see no issues then, you have my blessing. Just let me know when it’s done, and we’ll figure out how to surprise him”

He saw several faces grin and whispers of excitement and plans. Noli felt a swell of pride at this whole action.

Yeah, this is much nicer than blind devotion. Maybe he should encourage this a bit more?

But, the thing about surprises is that he can’t give any hint to what will happen, which was surprisingly tough as Noli was really excited about it.

Seven has gotten very good at reading him now as well, which made this a bit trickier.

“Okay, you’re smiling like you’re planning something. Should I start prepping an exit strategy?” Seven asked, raising an eyebrow and looking up from his attempt at sewing.

It’s going better than his last attempt, this actually somewhat resembles a scarf!

“Oh me? It’s nothing~” Noli laughs, very poorly hiding his excitement. What! He’s excited about the surprise! He could hide it better if he wants to.

Seven doesn’t believe him anyways, huffing but shrugs.

“Alright, but if you get yourself in trouble your own your own” despite the dry tone he can’t hide the slight smirk.

“Trust me, I won’t~” Noli laughed, lounging against his back as he lightly pawed at some of the yarn balls. Seven’s tail wagged idly at the contact.

It took a little over a week, but soon enough the gift was done.

Noli looked over the work himself and honestly, this has more than met his expectations, it surpassed them! 

He’s got to host some sort of gathering for his people after this, they more than deserve it!

The day they brought it over, it wasn’t just Noli who visited Seven’s cave, but a small group, Seven looked a bit confused to see the gathering, tilting his head slightly.

“Okay, what’s going on, was there a party or something I wasn’t told about?” He asked.

“Surprise!” Noli gestures towards the group, and nods for them to continue. Lezus steps forward first, taking a breath to speak.

“You might not join us in our worship of our King, but it’s undeniable you’ve done a great lot to help out our community. We wished to repay such kindness.”

“So we decided to make you a gift! We hope you’ll accept it.” Holly adds next,

“You really have made such a positive impact on our little kingdom, we hope you’ll continue to do so in the future, but we wished to show our gratitude” David nods, 

And finally, Aspx and Xpsa stepped aside, presenting the gift, the mattress. It was more than large enough to fit Seven’s entire body even if he sprawled out, and it was soft and comfortable enough that he didn’t need to use the blankets if he wished, but they’d more than add to the comfort.

Seven looked shocked, one hand moving to cover his mouth. He just stared, as if he couldn’t process that this was for him.

Sev glanced over to him, but Noli shook his head.

“This was all their idea, I had no prompting in this.” 

“You all… got this for me?” He whispers in disbelief.

“We made it” Xpsa corrected, grinning. “Aspx ended up delegating a lot more than we needed so it ended up even better than planned” she grins at him, and Aspx just looks away, a wing twitching in embarrassment.

“You, made it, f-for me” Seven sniffed, and Noli stood up a bit straighter, Seven was starting to cry. But he was grinning, wiping his eyes in vain to hide it.

“I- thank you- I-I don’t know how to repay you” he hics, but Noli sees Olivia step forward.

“There’s no repayment needed, we take care of our own. In whatever form it takes, we consider you a part of our community”

Seven looks like he cries harder at that, Noli floats closer and wraps him in a loose hug. Seven cries through his smile, and just keeps repeating,

“Thank you, thank you!” 

Noli squeezes him a bit tighter, a silent assurance that he’s accepted. That he’s loved.

That he won’t be alone. 

Everyone was here for him, for comfort and support. They wanted him here.

“R-right, sorry, I just-“ Seven composes himself, trying to play cool but very much failing. He sniffs, wipes his face with his palm, then grins.

“Let’s get the mattress set up, yeah?”

It was a bit of chaos as the group shuffled the mattress into the cave, but the set up didn’t take too long, David set down a frame for the mattress, so it wouldn’t have to sit directly against the ground, and Noli might have taken it upon himself to arrange the blankets onto the mattress while Seven was busy thanking everyone personally.

The dragon was practically glowing from joy, even as the light shining through the cave reflected against his frame, looking ethereal.

Noli thinks he’d fight monsters and witches alike to see that smile again.

His heart thumps against his chest, and his tail wags as he grins.

He is certainly planning a party for the cultists for this, they’ve given him a gift Noli would never have been able to grant him alone.

A community, a support system. 

A place to belong.

After some mingling and lovely chatter, Seven looks a bit tired from both socializing and crying so hard from it all. He excuses himself into the cave and things wind down.

Noli sees the rest of the cult off, and after assuring Aspx he would be back eventually and no he isn’t going to spend the night he went back into the cave to see how Seven was doing.

And he found the dragon absolutely sprawled out on the mattress, fully on his back, legs up and front claws gently kneading the air, tail wagging slow and content, Seven looks absolutely enamored with the mattress.

“So. I take it you like the gift?” Noli playfully teases, and all he gets in response is a very loud grumble of a purr from Seven. Yeah, he’d call this dragon approved.

Noli floated a bit closer, debating if he should tease Seven while he’s belly up and vulnerable. But apparently, someone else had a similar idea, as suddenly Sevens eyes shoot open and he reaches up to snatch Noli, dragging him down onto the mattress and blankets beneath him.

Noli let out a startled squeak, which only makes Seven laugh.

“Rookie mistake, fell for the cat trap!” Seven is grinning, trapping him in a warm hug. Noli wants to retort with a clever comeback but is stunned silent at the sight.

He looked up slightly, and is met with Seven grinning at him, sharp teeth bared to the world, eyes crinkled in genuine delight, this close Noli had the delight of learning Seven had dimples.

Oh, Noli thought, he’s adorable.

“You’re probably used to fancier stuff then this huh?” Seven still refused to free him, and Noli felt no need to teleport away,

“Perhaps, but if this is how you react to a nice mattress you’d probably melt in my bed” he can’t help but tease.

“Don’t threaten me with a good time”

Noli finds himself laughing at the comment. Trying to wiggle and get a bit more comfortable.

“You know, I promised Aspx I’d be back, so I can’t stay overnight.” And yet he doesn’t make any moves to get up,

“Hm… five more minutes. Tell him you were trapped by a dragons greed or something” Seven replies, that rumbly purr starting up again.

And stars if Noli would be the fool to interrupt that.

“Well, if that’s what the dragon wishes~” he teases instead.

Noli thinks he’d fight the Fae and gods to protect that smile, that laugh.

Noli doesn’t even fight against being cuddled, he leans into the warmth.

He feels protected.

It’s become pretty clear to him, Seven is a part of this community, this little kingdom, but he’s not one of his followers.

He’s someone the cultists can approach for help or advice, he helps take care of their needs like Noli does, sometimes even Aspx and Xpsa get him to assist with their duties.

Noli thinks of him more as an equal, someone to stand by his side.

He finds himself pleased with this outcome far more than his original intent.

It just feels right.

Fall had settled in now, yet Noli practically buzzed around his castle, Seven had suggested he host a harvest festival of sorts in the building, especially once Noli mentioned he’s been hosting more events lately, and considering how empty it usually was, Noli found the idea genius! Honestly, he was having fun trying to organize it all, give Aspx and Xpsa a break and take on the majority of work himself.

Aspx looked genuinely shocked at this news, but didn’t do anything to stop him, just asked to look over Noli’s work.

The entire atmosphere of the cult felt much more lively, Noli noticed he was spoke to a bit more casually now, still with reverence and respect, but he didn’t sense any of that anticipation or fear like he was far above them.

It was a change he didn’t notice at first, but once he did it was obvious.

It felt like home, like his old kingdom again. But for once, he didn’t recoil at the thought. His stomach still twisted at the memory, recalling the scent of ash and blood, but he let himself live in the moment.

Yes, this was much better than the previous norm.

Today, he was tending to the castle, deciding to clean the place up in preparation for the event, cultists already were out and about to other towns and cities to trade for goods and foods that weren’t local, Noli didn’t want to make this event extremely grand, but he was excited! The kingdom must have felt it too as they were eager to help as well.

He had a slight skip on his step, humming a tune to himself, he almost didn’t notice his attendants voices behind him.

“I told you this was more than a pity case” Xpsa grins triumphantly, and Aspx sighs in reluctant defeat, 

“Indeed, I’ve never seen Lord Noli so infatuated before, I think this relationship is good for him though”

“He’s been so lively! It feels like our king is truly back with us!” She grins, wings fluttering in delight.

“Perhaps we can refer to this place as a kingdom again someday” Aspx smiles, more reserved but genuine.

“What are you two gossiping about now?” Noli looks towards them, who immediately snap to attention.

“Nothing lord Noli!” They respond in unison. He rolls his eyes again, really, he’s starting to think they do this on purpose.

“Actually… If you’re free I’d like to discuss something with you, my lord” Xpsa stepped forward, Aspx looked at her weirdly but they didn’t seem to care to stop her.

“Speak freely, what is it you need of me?” Noli asked, an arm resting idly on his hip.

“Pardon my curiosity, but what do you think of 7n7? Honestly.” 

“Oh he’s delightful! I admire his stubborn dedication and curiosity! Despite the crummy hand fate had dealt him he still persists, and he continues to try and improve despite it all. And he’s so creative! You should hear some of the spells he came up with, I’d have never thought of something like that myself, and another thing-“

He could go on, yet he pauses when he hears Xpsa stifling giggles, and looks over to see her doing just that while Aspx stands beside them, eyes closed and trying to keep a straight face.

“Okay, what are you laughing about? Did I say something funny?” Noli crosses his arms, and that breaks Xpsa’s composure.

“Nothing nothing- it’s just-“ she snorts, “you sound like a lovesick puppy right now~”

Noli gawks, oh the audacity!

“What! There’s no way- I’m not…” but he trails off as he processes it. A lovesick puppy, are they implying he… wait does he? He knows those two wouldn’t joke about matters like this so…

To his surprise, the more he thinks about it the more the comment seems correct.

Oh

Oh

Oh no.

This is more than fascination or infatuation isn’t it? More than simple friendship and connection…

Noli really does like him more than that.

“…shit” he hissed, and Xpsa looks like he just confirmed her suspicions.

“Glad we are on the same page, my lord”

“There’s no way I- with him?” He mutters to himself, “are you certain I must have a crush on him?” Surly there’s some other expiration, there has to be!

“My lord, with all do respect, it’s really obvious” Aspx is the one who answers, deadpan and looking exhausted.

Oh, oh if Aspx is like that then he’s down bad.

How long have these feelings been here and he simply didn’t recognize them? How long have others noticed before he did? Did the whole kingdom suspect his feelings before he himself!?

“My lord, You are practically courting him. What what all the gifts and time spent together,” Xpsa giggles, Noli feels like he wants to hurl himself into a supernova. He runs his hands down his face, curling up slightly in the air.

Oh sweet celestials he’s been an absolute fool.

“What do I even do about this? What do I do with these feelings?” He hears himself ask, 

“Tell him” they both say in unison, and Noli groans. 

“You make it sound so easy!” He whines, curling up even tighter, tail flicking in anxiety.

“Well, do you want to court him?” Aspx asks, and Noli doesn’t even hesitate.

“Yes” he surprises himself with how quick of an answer he gave.

Oh stars he really is down bad. 

Aspx shrugs, “there you have it, so what’s stopping you from doing so?”

“Where do I even begin!” Noli straightens up, landing on his feet and immediately starts pacing. “I genuinely value our friendship, but he may feel indebted to me considering how much his life has changed since we met. Sure, I’m not the only one able to help him if asked now, but I’m still his primary friend. If I confess now he may feel he must reciprocate lest I abandon him.” He rants. “I don’t want him to feel indebted to me, whatever my original intent it was foolish and I value what we have now far more than anything transactional. I don’t want his blind devotion, I don’t want his undivided attention, I want to enjoy my time with him. I want him” Noli continues to pace, his attendants staying silent as they listen. Noli recalls all the moments they shared, time spent together, how Noli didn’t feel like a god, or a king, or even a mighty faerie, he felt like a man. A man Seven could see right through if he wanted.

“I don’t want to be above him” Noli stops himself at the admission, startling himself. “…I don’t want to be above him, I don’t want him to feel below me, or indebted to me. I want…” he wants him by his side, as his equal, to receive the love and respect he more than deserves. But does Seven see him beyond his title? His crown? His ability? 

Does Seven even see him as an equal? A person? He thinks he does, he hopes he does.

God, he really hopes he does.

“I know so much about him, he’s opened up to me about so many things. That’s… to confess to him now…” does Seven even know him? Noli isn’t sure he knows himself on some days. His pacing long since haunted as he looks back at his attendants. He feels lost, and desperate for some sort of answer.

“Well, the solution is obvious then.” Xpsa hums nodding to herself as she processes the entire rant, “open up to him. Be genuine.” She presses her fingers together, and looks directly at Noli. “Take off the mask around him” Noli knew she wasn’t just being metaphorical there.

The admission made his stomach twist.

“But something like that is…” Noli trails off, a hand unconsciously raising to his mask, when was the last time he removed it? Willingly showed his face to the world.

He can’t recall, it felt too risky, too unsafe. He wasn’t sure if he was ready to be open like that to anyone let alone someone like 7n7.

But.. if he was going to be open with anyone, it would be Sev, wouldn’t it?

He feels Xpsa put a hand on his arm, their usual teasing smile something much softer.

“If anyone is capable of it, then it’s you.”

Noli looked at her, then at the ground, he sighs, and stands.

“I… need to think. Thank you for the advice, both of you, I… needed to hear that” and with that, he speeds off, mind already racing.

“Look at that, you scared him off with emotional vulnerability” he quietly hears Aspx deadpan, then hears Xpsa lightly smack him in the arm.

“It’s been decades! Give it time.”

Give it time. They seem so confident in him.

As if it was so easy to open up, to bare one’s self to the world. Though, it’s not the world isn’t it? It’s just Seven.

Dear Seven, a man cursed to a form he struggles to adapt to, yet still tries. A man who makes him feel seen in a way he hasn’t in years.

A man who makes him want to understand mortals, to do better.

Who makes him feel understood.

Has he really been courting him without realizing? His subconscious desires acting without his conscious realizing?

Has he been doing that this whole time? Confusing feelings of affection for something else? Has he truly been that distant from his own emotions?

He’s supposed to be better than this.

No, maybe he wants to be better than this. For his subjects, for his attendants.

For 007n7.

“Okay… I’m doing this, huh” Noli mutters to himself, hand still tracing the edge of his mask.

It still feels terrifying, like looking over the edge of a cliff and being expected to leap.

But for 007n7?

Noli thinks he’d do it, without hesitation.

So, he decided to actively try. To act with purpose, to make his feelings known.

To let himself be seen.

It was for Seven after all, the man was more than worth it.

~~~~

“Have I ever told you about my exploits in the past?” Noli brought up one day, Seven was trying his hand at carving again, it was only marginally better than his last attempt, but he continued all the same.

“I don’t think you have?” Seven looks up from his project, Noli thinks he’s attempting to carve some tiny animal from the wood. It looks a bit more like a monster right now.

“Oh perfect! Then I won’t bore you with a familiar tale” Noli grins, and it gets a laugh out of Seven,

“Noli you could probably read alchemical formulas and I’d still be entertained” Seven grins at him, toothy and honest in a way that makes his tail wag. So as he launched into his escapade of minor to major mischief back in the fae wildes, Seven listened intently, sometimes even abandoning his work just to keep up a conversation.

Noli can’t help but smile brighter as he launches not the tale, stories he hasn’t told of his time back in the Fae Wildes, tailing the edge of mentioning his old kingdom, but never quite diving in.

If Seven notices the hesitance to elaborate on that, he doesn’t bring it up.

Noli’s sure he’s noticed, Seven is a smart man after all.

But he listens, and the more Noli opens up the easier he finds it to do so. It leads to more honest conversations, one that feel heavy on his chest, but become lighter when out in the open.

“You’re being a lot more sappy lately, going soft on my Noli?” Seven asked once, tracing runes into the dirt idly.

“No, I simply realized I… wished to open up more with you” he feels silly admitting it, looking away slightly. “It’s… not very pleasant being on a pedestal, I suppose.”

Seven looks at him, really looks at him, and hums, lightly elbowing him with a smile.

“Oh, don’t worry, you fell off that mental pedestal for me months ago.”

Noli gasps in fake indignation.

“What! No! When did this happen? When did you stop being dazzled by my radiance?” He laughed and Seven just grins in devilish delight.

“Probably when you tried to pluck the chicken but got really vicious about it. You looked like you were imagining your worst enemy as that dead bird”

“He knows what he did” Noli responds but Seven just breaks into laughter.

“You can call yourself a mighty king, or some powerful Fae all you want, you might even be able to pull off such titles with others, but you’re not like that for me” Seven smiles, more warm, less teasing.

“You’re just Noli to me. And honestly, I think Noli needs to let loose more” 

And Noli can’t find himself even slightly offended. Instead, the admission makes him feel warm, face flushed as he tries to hide behind his hands.

“P-perhaps you’re right…” he admits behind the muffle of his hands. Seven doesn’t tease him or taunt him for the reaction, instead he lays next to him, silent support for a man who isn’t used to being seen through like glass.

This dragon… he truly is something else.

His tail trails over to Seven’s lightly tapping against it, he feels seven’s own mighty tail lightly curl around his.

They both stay in comfortable silence, letting the warm of the early winter sun warm them both.

~~~

Seven was reading through his notebook again, it certainly had become a prized possession, Seven covered the thing in protective charms, kept it on a platform to keep it safe from flooding, and even covered it with a sheet when the weather got bad.

Not that Noli blamed him. It was more than just the contents of the book that made it important to him.

“Hey Noli, do you ever miss the past? Days that are gone but can’t return to?” He asks, slowly closing his notebook.

Noli thinks of an old kingdom, in a realm with a multicolored sky and nights whose stars danced to a tune only they knew.

“More than I should, perhaps” he answers, and he hears Seven sigh, leaning against him slightly, a silent request for comfort, one Noli gives freely. “Why do you ask?”

“…I keep thinking about the notebook,” Seven admits, “my parents kept it… but they still didn’t try and help me… I just, I don’t know what that means, why I’m hoping it means that some part of them still loves me” Seven looks so small as he admits that, looking at the floor.

“I’m never getting that life back… I know that but, why does it still hurt?” Seven asked, quietly, idly tracing the written on letters to his spell book. Noli frowns, wanting to give him a proper answer but… he doesn’t have the words.

“I wish I knew the answer to that, Sev.” Noli admits, “I’m still trying to find it myself.” A kingdom lost, a realm he can never return to.

And yet he still misses it. He isn’t sure what Seven sees on his face, but he reaches an arm over and pulls him closer in a half hug. Noli lets him, leaning into the contact.

“Guess you don’t know everything, huh” Seven chuckles dryly.

“Wisdom has blind spots, one day I may finally cover them all.”

“Maybe, but until then. mind if I try and cover for you?” 

Noli looks over at him, and there’s something genuine in Sevens expression, honest, sincere.

“I’d be honored” he whispers into the night air.

Noli isn’t entirely sure how they got in this situation. One moment, they were by the campfire outside of Seven’s cave, laughing over food, basking under the stars, speaking openly of the past. The next they were in Sevens cave, curled up in his nest, Noli made a comment about it being cold at night, Seven commented that he could warm him up, and now they were cuddling in Seven's bed.

Neither of them said anything about it, about the intimacy, but neither of them pulled away.

It wasn’t a new development, but for some reason this felt different.

It felt far more intimate than before.

Noli felt his breath coil in anticipation.

But when Seven spoke, it wasn’t the words he half expected. It was something quieter, more broken.

“…Why are you nice to me?” He asks, voice wavering, confidence gone like the warmth of an extinguished campfire.

“Seven?…” Noli feels himself pay more attention, unsure what brought this on, perhaps that wretched anxiety that still plagued his mind, but wanting to gently wash it away like a midnight breeze.

“I don’t deserve this…” Seven muttered, “the kindness…the community… not from the others, not from you”

“People like me shouldn’t… have things like this” Seven’s voice broke, nearly unheard against the sheets. 

“You do,” Noli gently cups his cheek, thumb trailing over skin and scales, “you deserve kindness, and comfort, and every little thing you were denied, Seven.” Sev takes in a shaky breath, before closing his eyes and curling up against Noli’s chest. He rubs the man’s back and politely doesn’t comment when Seven starts to silently cry, he just holds him a bit tighter.

Curse the witch who did this to him, if Noli ever finds their name he will personally make them pay for the torment they’ve put this man through.

He wants to comfort him, to ease his mind, to show him that he’s seen and loved and…

There’s still a mask on his face, it suddenly feels clunky and in the way. He doesn’t want the barrier, he wants Seven to be truly seen, for him to know Noli sees him.

On impulse, Noli slowly reaches a hand to his mask, he feels Seven shift a bit, likely to look and see what he’s doing, Noli slips off his porcelain mask, and sets it down gently on the plush mattress. And that’s when Seven looks up and meets his eyes,

Rich purple skin dotted with white, star scattered freckles across his cheeks, vibrant purple eyes no longer hidden by the white slits of his mask, Noli’s seen it, he knows what’s there.

He’s also aware of the ugly scar trailing down from the bridge of his nose down to his lips, healed over and silver from age, but Noli still feels the urge to look away from the mirror at the sight.

But Seven doesn’t flinch away, he’s looking right at him.

He gets to see up close in real time as Seven’s face flushes a soft red, eyes widened slightly as he drinks in his features. Noli can’t help but smirk,

“Dazzled by my beauty Seven?~” he playfully teases.

“Yes” Seven doesn’t even hesitate to answer, which makes Noli blush in turn.

“This is just unfair, how are you even more handsome without the mask?” Seven is just staring at him in wonder, and Noli thinks he’d rival a tomato with how red his face feels.

He feels exposed without the mask, it mirrors his expressions, sure, but there is a level of cover from the world, a barrier that keeps him safe.

And he just willingly pulled down that wall for someone.

For 007n7.

“You should feel honored, no one else but my attendants have seen my face unmasked before” he tries to summon his usual showboating confidence, but it falls flat, unease still creeping at his senses.

“…are you uncomfortable?” Seven asks, voice softer, “you don’t have to force yourself to do this”

Noli frowns, but keeps his focus on him,

“I’m… not used to this,” Noli looks away, feeling himself flush from shame and honesty. “I don’t… put walls down, I haven’t for a long, long time. I don’t let myself be… exposed”

“Not willingly… not by my own hand. This is, new to me” Noli forces himself to admit it, to bare himself before Seven, the man deserves it.

“Noli...” Seven frowns at him, sympathetic, yet he cares so much-

“But I want to.” He says, softly determined. “For you… I want to try.” His hat had long been abandoned, his curly hair flows freely, framing his face like a nimbus cloud. “Because you deserve it,”

He feels exposed, but under Seven’s gaze, he feels safe enough to do so.

So, he continues to open up.

“My attendants, I hadn’t shown them my face before, the first time they’d seen it was… when I was at my lowest, when I lost my kingdom” Noli swallows dryly, mind drifting to that day, Seven stays silent, patiently waiting for him.

“It wasn’t exactly a… willing reveal. My banishment wasn’t exactly carried out on pleasant terms…” he recalls pieces of a broken mask in his bloodied hands, warm blood trickling down his neck from an open wound, the looming figure of Telamon having tossed him aside like he was nothing more than an animal carcass, his loyal attendants had to pull him up and drag him away, lest the Fae decided to reconsider the council’s decision to not end his life then and there.

Truly, he isn’t sure what he’d do without Aspx and Xpsa.

“…I think if it weren’t for them, I’d have died that day…” he admits, far quieter than he’s ever been. 

Noli feels a soft pressure on his cheek, he sees Seven lightly trail his knuckles down his face, as if afraid his claws might scratch him, yet still wishing to give him comfort.

Noli decides this isn’t enough,

Gently, he takes the man’s hand, and places his palm against his cheek, holding it there, keeping his gaze on Seven’s face. Claws lightly dig into his flesh, but he doesn’t flinch.

He can sense Seven’s silent apology, and speaks before he can lose himself to his own worry.

“You won’t harm me, Sev” he quietly assures, leaning his face into Seven’s palm, claws lightly graze his features, but they never scratch. “I trust you to be gentle”

Seven’s eyes widen a moment, but slowly, carefully, his thumb begins to trail across his cheek, Noli closes his eyes, embracing the contact of a hand on his skin.

No words were said, just the warmth shared between two bodies and the intimacy of being seen.

For a brief moment, he wonders what it would be like if he got closer, what Seven’s lips would taste like.

Neither of them move.

In that moment, Noli doesn't feel like a powerful faerie, or a king, or even a noble.

He feels like a mortal, an equal to the man in front of him.

He’s never been so fragile. Yet he leans into Seven’s hand, knowing he’d handle him gently like he was made of fresh morning dew.

Perhaps, he thinks, this really is love.

~~~

Time passed, weather changed, and the first truly fridged winds of winter blew in. The cultists were starting to wear their heavier robes, even he himself considered breaking out one of his coats, but that just made him think about Seven’s dirty shirt. Does he not have anything else to wear? Does he stay warm on fire alone? Can dragon fire alone carry him through the winter?

He knows he has plenty of blankets and towels and other sorts of sheets to bundle himself in, but does he have any cold weather clothing?

He’s only ever seen Seven wearing that dirty old shirt.

He never heard him complain much once the weather started to change, but he knows snowfall will be a possibility soon.

Noli does not like to think about Seven shivering in the cold. Did he do that previously? Before they met?

He won’t let that stand.

“New clothes? Noli that’s…” Seven trails off, as if wanting to argue but realizing he really can’t. “….okay, yeah that’s actually really tempting. Having a heavy coat would be nice.”

“Then come with me to the kingdom” Noli takes one of his hands in both of his own. “We can get you set up with a full wardrobe if you wished it!” Seven laughs at the declaration, grinning.

“Noli, please. That’s too much!” He shakes his head. “But, maybe a few new shirts would be nice? Definitely a coat”

“Whatever you wish, it shall be done” Noli squeezes his hand once, before letting go. “And perhaps, I could properly show you around my castle? You’ve visited it often enough, but I never did give you a tour.” 

“Noli, If this is an excuse to lure me to your walk in closet or something and dress me up like some kind of doll” Seven lightly glares at him, but he’s still smiling.

“What? No! I’d never~” Noli smirks, “unless you wanted to, of course~”

“As long as you don’t drag me there I’ll consider it” Seven smirks.

They were off in barely half an hour.

The seamstress was more than excited when hearing Seven’s request.

“Oh! Let me get your measurements, there’s several patterns and fabrics to choose from! Take your pick, I’ll make sure they get done by the end of the week”

“If it’s not much of a bother- I can help out if you need me to?” Seven assures, but carefully walks back to view the wares. 

Noli would have loved to give his opinions and maybe snoop around, but unfortunately duty calls and he is pulled away by a few of his subjects, after assuring Seven he’ll meet him again at the seamstress’, he focuses on what he’s needed for.

“Sorry to pull you away from your date, my lord” the cultists does look apologetic, Noli blushes brightly.

“It wasn’t a-“ he pauses, realizes that maybe this was a bit of a date, then sighs. “…don’t tell him that” he grumbles.

Eventually he’s finally able to be relived of kingly duties, and has to stop himself from zooming back to Seven’s side, he at least needs to pretend to be dignified!

When he arrives at the seamstress, he sees Seven admiring a warm looking cape, trying it on with the help of Olivia.

“Oh my, how dashing~” he greets, and he’s delighted to see Seven’s face flush in embarrassment.

“It’s uh, a good color on me, so I’ve been told”

“It’ll take a couple days to finish sewing everything, but I thought he’d like to take something home to be a bit warmer today” the seamstress explains, and Noli can’t help but nod in thanks for the consideration.

“It’s lovely! Great work as always, Olivia” Noli compliments, and the seamstress bows in thanks.

Seven is still looking over the wares, and his eyes fall on an accessory table nearby, it’s full of brooches, pins, and hair clips. Seven’s ends up carefully picking up a small circular brooch, Noli’s insignia carefully carved into it.

“Can… Can I have this too?” He asks, and the seamstress nods, “of course, if that’s what you wish.” Seven smiles, nodding in thanks.

“Oh? Finally changed your mind on worshiping me?” Noli teased, floating over to look with the pin, but Seven just chuckled.

“Yeah, no, I’m not really the worshiping type. But,” he smiles up at him. “I do like you, you mean a lot to me, it’d be nice to have something of a reminder on me, you know?” He looks back at the brooch, cheeks flushed slightly red.

Noli doesn’t even have a response to that confession, he just feels himself blush brightly.

Oh, oh this is so much better than worship. Noli can’t believe he thought Seven could ever just be a humble follower.

He’d take this over blind devotion any day!

“Sir Seven! Could I trouble you for a moment?” Another cultists asks, Seven is quick to respond, strolling over. Turns out the butcher needs some help lifting some stock to storage. Seven is quick to agree to help.

Noli’s surprised he’s the one who suggests draping some of the dead animals over his lower half. He keeps his mouth shut, smiling to himself.

“I have duties to catch up on, but I’ll meet you at the castle gates and show you around” Noli calls over, Seven looks back at him with a grin before walking off with the butcher. He looks so comfortable, so casual, Noli can’t help but admire the view.

“Should we expect a wedding in the future, my lord?” The seamstress teases and Noli flushes a bright red. 

“I-it’s far to soon for that” he waves his hands, and the cultists giggles, but doesn’t speak on it further.

Noli felt less in a rush as he assisted around the cult, his kingdom needed attending too and his attendants couldn’t do it all alone.

Well, They could, but they shouldn’t have to.

But soon enough, he was free to go, and he found Seven sitting in front of the castle gates, cloak loosely draped over his shoulders, he looked deep in thought. 

“Apologies for the wait! Apparently free time is a suggestion today” Noli greets, giggling lightly at his own joke. Seven smiles at him, and he flies a bit faster to his side.

“Ready for a tour?” Noli gestures towards the door, Seven hums and stands up. 

“Lead the way, impress me” he taunts, and Noli meets the challenge with a smirk of his own.

“Then let me show you around my home, the Tempest!” The castle was bright, decorated in purples and stunning silver brick, silver and Opal accents gently layered the frames, giving the place an otherworldly grace that rivaled any mortal made castle.

As Noli showed Seven around, to all the rooms, dining, library, study, guest room, living rooms and lobbies that were vast and empty but waiting for a party or event to fill them, he’d notice Seven looks contemplative. Noli decided to be patient, instead going on about stories of how various items or paintings were acquired. Eventually, as they approached the hallway where Noli’s bedroom lay, Seven spoke up.

“Hey Noli so, I remember you said something about jewelry once” Seven looks at his arm, then back at Noli. “Would you uh, maybe have some recommendations? I’ve never really worn it before”

Noli is over the moon. 

He can’t help himself, he claps his hands together and flies in close to Seven.

“Oh Seven! You want to decorate your scales?”

“I’m stuck with them anyway, might as well learn how to make it look good, right?” The dragon shrugs, glancing at him a little embarrassed. Noli is absolutely going to snatch this opportunity right up!

“You’re in good hands, my dear! I think you’d look stunning in gold, or maybe silver is more your style?” Yeah, Noli is taking this seriously, what of it! He thinks about what accessories he’s got stored away, and also recalls the few pieces he was gifted before.

Seven chuckles quietly, but smiles at Noli.

“I trust your judgement here”

So Noli leads him back to the spearmint hallway, to his room, he barely hesitated at the door, opening it and gesturing Seven inside.

The room is full of purple silks and glittering stars, the ceiling painted like a rippling night sky, furniture a dark wood with Opal accents and carvings of stars, it was warmer and far more lived in than the rest of the castle. Seven takes it all in with wide eyes.

“Noli do you seriously sleep like this!?” Seven just gawks at it all,

“This is actually humbler than my previous bedroom,” Noli teases, 

“Noli what the F-“ but Seven cuts himself off and just points at the bed. “That bed alone is bigger than me!” 

“Told you that you’d melt in it~” Noli can’t help but cackle at Seven’s expressions.

“I will never understand rich people” he just sighs, “Anyways, am I right about the walk in closet or not?”

“Maybe~” 

Noli was having the time of his life, pulling out fabrics and silks and whatever capes and coats and clothing he had for Seven to try. The dragon was surprisingly cooperative, albeit he did poke fun at the more ornate and gaudy pieces. But Noli didn’t care, he revealed in finding what made Seven look good and feel good, fussing over jewelry and gems that could be draped over his draconic half.

Noli was right, gold looked absolutely stunning against his scales.

At some point, the two were just playing around, trying on outfits like some sort of makeshift fashion show. Seven teased him about the amount of jester themed outfits and accessories he had, yet tried on a ruffled collar while striking a pose like he was mocking snuffy nobles.

“Okay okay, you pick out something yourself, I want to see if you learned anything” Noli lightly shoved Seven towards the closet, the man laughs.

“Alright alright, any theme I should stick to?”

“Just wear whatever will make you comfortable” Noli waved him off, then went to sit on his bed with anticipation.

Fabric and various brooches and hairpins were scattered around, Noli made a mental note to clean that up later, but before he could think further on that Seven stepped out.

“Okay, be honest if this looks like shit” he warned, but Noli was just left speechless.

His shirts didn’t fit Seven, so he opted to wear one of his coats like a cape, no what he was more focused on was how Seven had decorated his horns, using thin gold chains to accent the ridged curves, decorating his arms and even his lower half with flowing silks and carefully selected gold ornaments.

Noli could ravish him right now.

“Wow, that bad huh?” Seven noticed his lack of response, but his teasing smile told Noli the man knew exactly what he was doing.

“You’ve surpassed my every expectation. If there was a ball right now you’d be the center of attention” Noli praised, trying to compose himself before he said or did something embarrassing. Seven just laughs,

“I think I’ve got a good idea how to style with these now, uh, mind helping me take all this off?” Seven asks, gesturing to his horns. Noli thinks he could have said less and he’d gladly rip it all off.

Pull yourself together Noli.

After cleaning up and removing all the golden accessories carefully Seven seemed far lighter than he did earlier. He was back in his rugged shirt, cloak resting over his back half, and he was laughing.

“Maybe next time you host a party I’ll dress up a bit” Seven hummed. 

“You better! The world doesn’t know what it’s missing with a look like that” idly, he runs a hand through Seven’s hair, it's hanging loose against his back right now, despite the time passed Seven has been taking care of it, so there’s far less knots or scorched ends.

“Maybe next time we can play with your hair? I know a few braids that would look stunning.”

Seven goes quiet, humming as he plays with his hair.

“About that… Hey Noli?” Seven speaks up, looking thoughtful as he twirls a bit of his hair between his claws. “Could you help me with one more thing?" He asks, Noli doesn’t need to think twice.

“Anything, my dear.” He replies, Seven looks towards him, and smiles a bit, slightly nervous, but resolved.

“I want to cut my hair.” He states, simply. “I want to cut it off”

Noli’s eyes widen a moment, surprised at the admission, but he nods, taking Seven’s hand in his own.

“Then my dear, if that’s what you want, it shall be done”

He led him to the river once again, the sun was starting to set, dusting the place in an amber hue, the river flowed peacefully, water washing over rocks and twigs that fell into the stream.

It reminded him of that night so long ago. The meteor shower and celebration where he first met Seven.

How far they’ve both come, since then.

Seven held the folded cloak in his arms, and Noli grabbed a comb and scissors from his vanity before they left for the river. It's still evening, the stars have yet to appear in the sky, and yet he can see the resolve on Seven’s face clear as day.

“Alright, how short do you want it?” Noli asks, twirling the scissors on one hand just for something to do.

“Short,” Seven answers, taking his hat off and setting it to the side, “above my shoulders, just… I want to cut it all off” 

Oh that’s a big decision, but 7n7 has clearly thought about this for a while with the look he has in his eyes.

“Your wish is my command.” Noli gives a bow, he leads Seven to sit by the river edge, it’ll be easier to clean up this way.

He combs a bit of it out, trying to decide where to start… but admittedly, also stalling. Seven noises, laying down properly and chuckling.

“Getting cold feet Noli?”

“No, I’m just wishing we had braided it earlier.” He sighs, but combs out a section anyways,

“All the times you braided it before, and now you miss it when we were playing with jewelry?" Seven teases, but shrugs, “I can let you play with it if I grow it out again”

“Oh no, this is your hair, whatever you wish to do takes president. So…” he holds up the scissors, pulling a chunk of hair between the blades. “Last call to back out?” Noli informs him, Seven closes his eyes, and takes in a breath.

“Just do it Nols”

The scissors close with a sharp snap, and a large clump of hair falls to the floor, Noli scoops it up and tosses it to the river, letting the water carry it away.

“For whatever it’s worth I think you’d look dashing no matter what you did with your hair,” Noli comments as he continues to cut Seven’s hair, the dragon doesn’t respond, instead just watching the river with a content yet thoughtful expression.

Every cut off lock is tossed into the river, flowing down the stream and away from the two. Noli falls into a rhythm, cleaning up the newly cut edges as larger chunks are tossed away, knots are gently teased out, and soon enough Seven’s long hair is all cut off, leaving a short bob that curls up at the edges.

Noli steps back, and frames Seven’s head with his fingers.

“Not bad, not bad at all~ But how are you feeling, my dear?” Noli asks, summoning a mirror and handing it to the dragon. Seven takes it, and looks at himself, 

And he smiles, warm and full of relief.

“It’s… lighter.” He grins, and then laughs, “holy shit it’s so much lighter, why didn’t I do this before?” He laughs, looking delighted in a way Noli hadn’t seen before.

Noli realizes this is far more than just about his hair, he smiles to himself, taking the mirror back. “You seem lighter as well, it’s a good look on you, my dear”

“Yeah, yeah, I think I am.” Seven still smiles, but continues to run a hand through his shorter hair, almost admiring it.

He fidgets with the shorter hair for a moment more, before he looks at his shirt. The dirty, old, torn up thing holding on by threads. He takes in a breath, and Noli watches as he pulls the fabric off, oh, Noli had only caught glimpses of it before, but the scale pattern on Seven’s back curls farther than he realized. It resembles thick tiger stripes. Seven looks at the shirt, before he tosses it into the river as well. It floats away, right after the discarded hair, down the stream and out of sight.

“Are you sure that was wise, Sev?” Noli asks, watching where the worn down black shirt once was on the river stream. Seven takes a shaky breath, but his face looks resolute.

“I’m sure, I don’t want to be hung up on the past anymore.” He looks back at him, then smiles. “I’m only weighing myself down, clinging to a past I’ll never get back, I want to move forward.” even if he’s smiling at Noli, and he has a contentment to him he hardly sees from the dragon, Noli knows how hard of a choice this must have been for him.

Noli carefully wraps Seven in a hug, one the man returns. No tears are shed, but the silence feels heavy with the weight of heavy decisions.

Then Seven takes a deep breath in, then out, and it’s washed away by the flowing water.

Before they leave, Noli drapes his new cloak over his shoulders, securing it snugly on him, the material is warm but breathable, he could wear it all year if he wished.

“You threw out your only shirt as winter began to set in, Seven,” Noli lightly chastises, but the dragon just shrugs.

“I’ll be fine, Olivia assured me the shirts and jacket won’t take long to finish, besides, if you’re that worried I’ll just crash at your place. Your bed’s clearly big enough.” He playfully teases, which gets a cackle from Noli.

“How bold~ Do you just want to sleep in my bed?” 

“It’d be perfect if you were there too” Seven hums, voice leveled with an intent that makes Noli’s heart flutter.

Stars help him Seven might just kill him with words like that.

Once the cloak is on, Noli pins it down with the brooch Seven picked out.

“Seven, my dear, do you know the importance of this insignia here?” Noli asked, showing the four pointed star engraved into it.

“It’s your symbol right? Like a royal crest” Seven answers, and Noli nods, 

“Indeed, but it’s more than just that, it’s a claim. A promise” Noli sets the brooch in place, smoothing the fabric around it, “it means that those bearing it are under my protection, my care. Knowing this… do you still wish to wear it?” Noli isn’t sure why he felt nervous all of a sudden, as if the admission might make him pull away. But instead, Seven takes one of his hands, holding it securely.

“I wouldn’t have picked it if that wasn’t what I wanted” he states, words sure like a log fire, smile warm like a spring breeze

Noli feels he’s been kissed by the sun.

“Then my dear, consider this my promise, that I shall protect you like one of my own” he trails a hand up, cupping Seven’s cheek, thumb caressing skin and scales

“As long as I can promise to protect you too” Seven’s voice is low but steady, he pulls Noli in closer. 

No more words were spoken, Noli just felt touched, slowly, carefully, he pressed their foreheads together, horns pressed against his mask, but Noli didn’t care.

He just wished to bask in this glow for a little longer.

~~~

Time passed, the weather only got colder, and the first flurries of the first winter snow fell from the sky in lazy drifts.

And even with new warm clothes, many blankets, and even helping set up extra storage for Seven; Noli couldn’t help but worry.

“It’s not my first winter, I’ll survive” Seven shakes his head, he seems confident, and Noli knows he will do better than before with all the blankets and food that have been stocked up. 

But Noli still can’t help that creeping worry, he doesn’t want Seven to spend the colder months curled up in a frigid cave.

He barely lasted a day when the first snow came before Noli realized he was too worried about Seven to sleep.

Which his attendants noticed immediately.

“You’re fretting over him” Aspx shook his head as he prepared some tea, Noli didn’t even deny it, he couldn’t sleep so he wondered to the kitchen, and that’s where Aspx found him., 

“He’s out in the snow, in a cave with no door, and even with all the assurances and blankets and privacy curtains I just… it’s not properly insulated.”

“Why not invite him to stay at the castle over the winter then?” Aspx suggested, setting a cup of tea in front of him. “There’s plenty of room, even if you didn’t share your bedroom”

Noli flushed but didn’t respond to that, just accepting the warm drink with a silent nod in thanks.

“And do that every year? The option is good, but I don't want to limit Seven’s options. He values his freedom, I wouldn’t want him to feel limited by kingdom grounds” is he overthinking things? Maybe, but this sort of offer feels much bigger than the usual gifts, but the issue of Seven not having a proper home still lingers.

And what if someone finds his cave and chases him out? The thought of his dear dragon being without a home in the cold just tears him up inside.

Aspx looks thoughtful, even as they swirl their own cup of tea. Then, suddenly, he looks up.

“My lord, if I may.” He speaks, and what he says next leaves Noli grinning.

Oh! That could work!

“Do you think he’d accept such a thing?” Noli looks up from his tea, and Aspx simply shrugs.

“All you can do is ask, and make it clear there are no expectations. The choice is up to him”

For some reason, Noli felt this was about more than just his current worry.

“…do you think he would accept me?” He asks, voice far quieter.

“Noli, I think he already knows what he wants” Aspx says, honest in a way he needs. “All you have to do is ask”

So, the next morning, Noli knew what he was going to do.

Snow crunched under his feet as he landed in front of the cave, Seven was curled inside, tucked under several blankets on his mattress as he read a book, he looked up in greeting as Noli approached.

“Oh, Hey Noli, what’s up?” He frowns a bit, sensing Noli’s anticipation. “…Is something wrong?”

“Well. Not necessarily but…” Noli fidgets, come on it can’t be that hard to bring this up. He shakes his head. “How are you handling the snow so far?”

“It’s fine,” seven shrugs, “better than last year, but if we have a big storm I might be in a little trouble” he chuckles like it’s a joke. Noli can’t help but frown.

Now or never, it seems.

“About that, I have an offer. A way to more comfortably ride out the weather, or any season really. If you’ll have it.” Seven sits up, suddenly paying a bit more attention.

Noli approaches, gently taking one of his hands, seven is patient, waiting for Noli to find the words.

“I won’t ask you to live with me, I know you value your freedom” Noli folds their fingers together, basking in the warmth of their press’s together palms against the frigid air “but, if you’d allow it, I’d love to have you closer…” he feels hesitance creep up, an unusual unease stealing his resolve.

He’s never hesitated before, why now? Seven tilts his head patiently waiting for Noli to continue.

“Sev… may I show you something?” He asks, 

“Anything,” he replies.

In one fluid motion, he pulls Seven to his feet, and leads the way.

“Noli is that another fucking castle!?” Seven exclaims.

It was. The dark brick built up an imposing silouette, with rich mahogany doors and red accents that gave the castle the feeling of stepping into a horror story, yet regal enough to have an elegance fit for a royal.

A stark contrast to Noli’s own castle, the Tempest, but not bad if you asked him. It fits its owner, and Noli thinks it could fit Seven too.

“Do you not like it?” Noli can’t help but tease, Seven looks at him, exasperated.

“How many castles do you own?”

“Just two, though it may soon be one depending on a few things…” Seven blinks at him, confused, but does relax a bit. He gives him the space to explain.

So, Noli does.

“You see, a long while ago I won this old place from a bet with a sweets loving vampire” Noli explained, “and while it’s a lovely old thing, I never felt the need to move in properly, I quite like my humble little castle”

“Humble castle, he says” Seven huffs, “you showed me it before, it’s bigger than this place!”

“Well, maybe, but that’s not the point” he snorts, “the point is this place has been sitting unloved for a while, and while I keep it clean I am not really someone who uses a summer home. So I…” Noli feels himself become nervous. He takes a breath to steady himself.

“I’m aware this is a much bigger gift than usual, and I understand this a lot but… I wish for it to be yours”

He can feel Seven staring at him now in disbelief, Noli looks back to him.

“I- you’re giving it to me? Are you sure?” He sputters,

“There’s no one else I trust it to but you” Noli replies, full of sincerity.

“As.. like a winter home or?…” Seven’s gaze returns to the castle, Noli follows it.

“Permanent, if you’ll have it.” His tail flicks, he resists the urge to fidget with his hands, he can feel Seven staring at him.

“Noli…” he breathes, and Noli is worried he will look angry, or upset if he faces him. “Nols, look at me, please?” Seven asks, and he does. He's met with a gentle expression, not angry, not hurt, but slightly confused.

“Noli, this is a big ask. So, can I ask why?” He speaks, voice gentle, as if afraid he might scare Noli off.

He supposed he deserves an explanation, every other gift had a reason, implied or otherwise, but this?

It’s something more.

“I’m afraid I’m selfish, Sev, I want to know for certain you’ll be safe from the cold, the rain, and any snowfall in the future. I’d also feel assured knowing you’re closer by In case I cannot teleport to you.” Noli admits, “My kingdom is not far from here, half a day's walk if you keep a good pace, there’s also a village a day's journey away, but I’m more than willing to put a glamor and wards on this place and the surrounding woods to ensure your safety.” 

“Noli, this is…” Seven trails off, looking at the castle again.

This gift is more than just assurance for himself, safety for Seven.

It’s a promise.

A proposal.

One Noli wishes to declare aloud.

“There is… one more thing, something I must say.” Noli speaks up, he feels the dragon's eyes on him.

His mind is already made up, he won’t turn back now.

Noli takes in a breath, then removes his mask, he holds it over his heart, baring himself to the world.

To Seven.

“007n7, I have lived long and traveled many a place in my time. But never have I encountered someone I have grown to care for so deeply such as you.”

He keeps his focus on Seven, on his face, this is too important to look away from.

Seven is too important to look away from.

“I am selfish, selfish enough to know I want to keep you by my side for however long you will have me.” He lands on the ground, boots crunching against the fallen leaves, Noli looks up and meets Seven’s crimson eyes, whatever hesitance he still had melts away in an overwhelming feeling of love. 

“Sev, I’m in love with you, would you do me the honor of letting me court you? Of letting me call you mine, and I yours?”

Seven is blushing bright red, Noli can hear his tail thumping against the grass and dirt, yet he still sits in breathless anticipation waiting for an answer.

Seven looks like he’s tearing up, but a smile spreads on his face.

“I accept. I- Damnit Noli I wanted to do a dramatic confession first” Seven is laughing, but all Noli can focus on is ‘he loves me back’

“Did- did I step on your toes? If you had something planned-“ he loves him back he loves me back he wanted to do a confession first! Noli feels like he could explode into stardust on the spot. Seven is still laughing, but holds out a claw to him, one Noli accepts, he lets Seven guide him back into the air, where they can look at each other on equal ground.

“Nah, I can improvise. I think I’m better at that anyways” Seven smiles at him, warm and loving.

And Noli feels like he’s been blessed by the very sun itself.

“I-… shit how do I say this?” Seven mutters to himself, before focusing on Noli again. “Noli I thought you were breathtaking the moment I first met you. Ethereal, elegant, out of my league” he chuckles dryly, “but, you were so nice to me, I didn’t know how much I needed that until that night. How much I needed to feel like a person again, even if it was just for a bit” he glances away, but Noli squeezes his hand in assurance.

“And, then you kept visiting, whenever I called. I didn’t think you were serious, I didn’t think anyone would want to spend time with me willingly, especially someone as cool as you.” Seven takes in a breath, voice shaking at his next admission.

“I thought I was going to die out there, if I hadn’t met you… I think I would have gotten myself killed, either from starvation or soldiers.” The admission makes Noli’s heart ache, the thought of never knowing someone like him feels too much to bare.

“But, you kept coming back, seeking me out, and spending time with me. It felt like I had a friend, maybe something more. Even if I didn’t deserve it, even if you were miles out of my league, I wanted to try and be better, to live a bit longer, to maybe embrace this stupid curse if it meant being more worthy to be by your side. You, you showed me that I can still be accepted like this, that people can still want me around, I… even before the curse, I wasn’t really well liked. But, you like me and I just- fuck sorry I’m getting sappy” Seven laughs, wiping at his face with his free hand.

“Honestly, for a while, I thought you were just trying to convert me to your cult or something… I’m- I'm glad you didn’t. I’m glad I got to meet you, see you as you were.” Seven smiles at him, and Noli can’t hold himself back from speaking again,

“I don’t want to be above you, Seven, I want to be by your side, as your equal.” He reaches his other hand over, mask long forgotten as it now lays on the soft grass below. Seven reaches his other hand out, Noli accepts it easily, hands folding together securely.

“Then please, stay by my side?” Seven asks, voice quiet, but full of hope and honesty.

“My dear Seven, your wish is my command”

Seven pulled him closer, faces inches apart, breaths mingling, all he’d have to do is lean forward and…

But Noli doesn’t move.

“Noli, I love you too.” Seven smiles, and Noli could die right now and be happy. He sees Seven’s face flush, he leans away slightly, composing himself before he speaks again.

“I also accept the castle, but on one condition” Seven flushes even harder, but smiles at Noli

“This place is huge, it’d be lonely to not have company. So I want you to visit often,” he pauses, then adds, “the rest of the Void cult can too, I guess, but I think I’d prefer your company”

Noli can’t help but absolutely beam.

“My love, your wish is my command” 

And finally, Seven closes the gap, and their lips meet. Seven tastes like cinders, game meat, and rock salt, but Noli can’t bring himself to care. He tilts his head, deepening the kiss as he wraps his arms around Seven’s neck. He feels his claws gently graze his hips, wrapping around his back. Noli’s tail wags, wanting to lean closer and feel more of Seven’s warmth.

Eventually, they pull away to breathe, noses barely touching as their breaths mingle.

“Noli,” Seven breathes, “Could you show me around the castle?” He smiles, softly, shyly, and Noli leans in to press kisses against his cheeks.

“My love, I'd be honored to.”

~~~

Announcing the new development to the kingdom went astonishingly well. His people were all too eager to help not only with moving Seven into the gifted castle, but apparently were just waiting for the moment the two became official.

“It really was obvious, a few cultists were making bets on how long it’d take for you two to announce it” Xpsa laughed, and Noli hid his blushing face in his hands. 

His cult had gotten far too comfortable seeing him not as a god, but he can’t bring himself to regret it.

Thankfully, with the help from the others and a few well placed teleportation runes, all of Seven’s meager possessions were brought to the castle.

Now for the fun part, decorating!

“So, you said you won this place in a bet? Does that mean this uh, vampire guy still has their stuff here?” Seven asked, looking down some of the hallways while holding a handful of trinkets.

“Oh no he retrieved anything of value, maybe a few portraits are still up but if you don’t want them we can take them down” Noli assured, 

“Hm… maybe move them to storage? It’d feel weird to have them up but I don’t want to trash them either..” kind hearted as always, his Sev, 

“That will be no issue at all”

As things were brought in, Noli gave Seven a tour, this castle was smaller than his own, palette darker but homey in a way, but still had many rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms, plenty of storage and lounges for entertaining.

The highlight was a grand library, still fully stocked with fluffy pillows and couches to lounge on while reading. Seven looked starstruck as he took it in, setting his own small book collection down to properly sort through it all later.

“Noli you spoil me rotten” Seven grinned as he pressed kisses into his cheek. Noli’s tail curls around his arm, humming happily.

“You deserve it and more, my dear flame~”

Though, Noli would have called that the highlight of the tour, if it wasn’t for the final room they visited.

“There’s a kitchen!?” Seven exclaimed, looking far more excited than Noli expected.

“It should be fully functional, I’ll have someone check to be sure” Noli hums, “tired of campfire cooking?”

“It lost its charm about a month in” Seven grins, but looks over the cabinets and drawers to see what was stocked. There wasn’t anything that was perishable, but the place wasn’t empty either. Seven pauses a moment, closing a cabinet with an entire shelf of honey jars.

“Wait, why would a vampire need a kitchen?”

“He makes his own treats.” Noli answered, smirking, “and knows how to throw a good party, the man made hosting a competition I swear” 

“At this point maybe you should introduce me to the guy- THERE'S AN ICE BOX!” And Seven is immediately distracted again.

“I’ll have the frost runes redone by the end of the day” Noli is absolutely entertained by Seven’s excitement, his tail wagging and wings fluttering at every excited squeak Seven makes.

“Noli I could kiss you” Seven is beaming, probably already thinking about how much easier it’ll be to preserve foods now, despite their best efforts Seven just never had a knack for any other elemental spells beyond fire.

Noli thought it was fitting, he was very warm.

By the end of the day, everything was settled, the cult saw themselves off, Aspx and Xpsa finishing their checks on the functionality of equipment and runes in the castle, and all was functional and well.

The only thing left to do was cast the wards and glamor, which Noli took it upon himself to do. Flying above the castle, he called upon his magic, and in a flourish, stardust rained from above, circling the castle and surrounding area in a protective bubble, it ripples a moment, before fading, no longer visible to the naked eye.

The only trace of its existence would be a near invisible star shaped symbol at the edges, the sign of which Fae guarded this place.

This place, like his little kingdom, was under his protection. Nobody would be able to find this castle if they wished harm upon Seven or any who resided here.

They’d just get lost in the sprawling, thick forest.

He felt relief, knowing this, knowing Seven trusted him to protect him. As he looked back at his beloved, who was smiling at him, patiently waiting for him to be finished so he could pull him to the bedroom and finally, finally rest, Noli didn’t even hesitate to set his mask on the nightstand, it was like second nature.

He loved when Seven looked at him, he could melt under those scarlet eyes, he’d bare himself openly if Seven wished.

But tonight, that wasn’t the wish, tonight he wanted to cuddle in his nest. Safe and warm.

And Noli was more than happy to grant that wish.

“I do have a question, if we’re dating now, what are we going to call it?” Seven asks later, glancing over. “Boyfriends work but… I don’t know it feels a little too…” 

“Mundane?”

“You’re a faerie space king or whatever and I’m a dragon centaur mage thing, it feels like boyfriends is a bit simple. Like, when does a king have a boyfriend?”

Noli chuckled,

“Well, I could call you the Royal consort, unless you wish to get married and I can call you my husband?” Noli teases, and Seven’s face flushes a bright red, he hides his face in the pillows.

“I change my mind, boyfriend is perfect actually.” 

Noli can’t help but snort.

“…maybe we can discuss the Royal consort thing later, when things are a bit more serious?” Seven responds after a small pause, moving to hide his face in Noli’s shoulder instead.

“That’s acceptable to me, my love” Noli presses a kiss to Seven's temple, and holds him close.

They end the night cuddling in Seven’s bed, Noli idly wondering if he should leave a few of his things here, since he’s certainly going to be staying over more often. It’s at Seven’s request, after all. But for tonight, he’s cuddled up against Seven’s chest, a soft mattress under them, warm blankets tucked around them in a protective nest, and he feels the warmth of Seven’s skin and scales against his own.

Noli feels a bit like he’s tucked in the center of a campfire, but he nuzzled into the warmth all the same, sighing contently.

“…Noli did I end up joining a cult?” Seven’s voice quietly cuts through the night air, seems his anxiety isn’t one to leave him alone even after a busy day.

“You’re dating the cults leader, do you consider that joining or simply being involved?” He answers.

Seven groans hiding his face in Noli’s curly hair, and Noli can only bring himself to laugh.

“Well, If it will ease your mind, I plan to restructure a bit, make this more of a kingdom than a cult… that was the original intent. I think that’s begun already, honestly.” Noli admits, and he feels Seven pull back to look at him. He’s sure the man has a slight look of worry on his lips.

Noli takes in a breath, trying to ignore the pit in his stomach that forms whenever he thinks about…

“I never did answer, why this place wasn’t a kingdom” he says, voice quiet.

“No, you didn’t” Seven quietly shakes his head. It was a while ago now, when they had that talk, Noli thinks he more than deserves an answer by now. Noli’s stalled long enough.

He takes in a breath, he can feel Seven pay a bit more attention.

“I… lost my first kingdom” the admission feels like speaking through glass, “as my punishment before exile, the council destroyed the place, any who didn’t flee at the council’s offer to pledge allegiance elsewhere, who stayed loyal to me, were slaughtered. I could do nothing for them” his fists clench around the blankets, still trembling at the memory.

“…I loved my subjects. They devote themselves to me, to my beliefs, they lived in my kingdom because of it, to loose them all like that it… broke something in me, I suppose” his mask is off, he’s exposed, and even with the pit that still forms in his stomach over the loss, all because of his actions, he can’t bring himself to regret being so weak in front of Sev.

For he knows the man will keep him safe, hold him gently and securely, give him a place where he can fall apart.

“… I thought that If I was worshiped as a god, and not treated like a king, then I didn’t have to get attached. I would have their attention, their praise, and I could ignore them like bugs…. Because it would hurt less to lose them if I never knew my subjects” 

He feels Seven pull him closer, Noli sighs into the touch. Willing the pain away at the warmth of his dear dragon.

“I’m sorry you went through that.” Seven murmurs against his hair, Noli turns to press a kiss into his cheek.

“It was long ago… and, I wish to thank you Seven.” He hums, nuzzling into the dragons neck. “You reminded me what it feels like to connect again. I will forever be grateful that you reminded me why I wished for a kingdom in the first place.” He can’t see Seven’s face, but he’s sure he’s blushing brightly, he feels the dragon curl closer, tail looping over his leg as he pulls Noli closer into his chest.

“I-I taught you to be mortal, huh?” Seven tries to speak with smug confidence, but it sounds far too embarrassed for it to work.

Mortal… yeah, that’s a good word for it. 

It’ll take some time, Noli has things to correct and habits to reshape, but with Seven by his side, he doesn’t find that intimidating.

For the first time in far too long, Noli is truly excited to be back in his kingdom, and with Seven by his side, this place truly feels like home.

“Thank you, for inviting me that night” Seven murmurs into the night air.

“No, Thank you for answering. I truly am lucky to have met you” Noli replies, holding his beloved close, and for once, feeling protected in turn.

He doesn’t feel like a god, at this moment, he feels like a man in love.

And Noli finds himself excited for whatever the future may hold.