Chapter Text
Noli walked around the streets he once used to call home. Not that he used to love it but seeing it now... It was really different. He didn't know what to really think. It had been a few weeks since he was released from that gut turning realm. He couldn't get the feeling of blood off his hands, the sounds of screaming and gurgling when he killed people. He hated it.
Noli shook his head and he turned around the corner. He had his usual purple hoodie that he's had since collage and black baggie pants. The hood was pulled over his head as he pulled out his keys for the apartment door and headed inside, flopping down on the couch with a groan. His white mask glinted under the living room light as 1x walked in, looking at his roommate.
"What's up with you?" They questioned and Noli shot them a glare.
"W-Why'd you c-care?" He huffed before closing his eyes and continued to lean back. 1x rolled his eyes and walked over.
"Was it work again?" They asked. Noli stayed silent before he sat up.
"..."
"They k-keep looking at i-it." He gestured to to his body and then looked away. 1x knew immediately what he was talking about. They sighed.
"I told you that you looked fine." 1x set a hand on his shoulder but it didn't seem to assure Noli anymore like the last several times they told him.
"L-Look fine? I'm h-half of a r-rotten body! Exposed b-bones and shit!" Noli snapped, his voice glitching a bit more from his emotional pain.
"I-I look like a-a t-throw out h-halloww-ween dec-decoration!" He swallowed and looked away, pulling the hoodie more over his head. 1x stared at them before they reached a hand out and pulled his hoodie down. Noli blinked a few times, confused but that thought was immediately silenced when 1x kissed his exposed cheek bone, making what was left of Nolis visible skin behind his jester mask flush red.
"I-I-" Noli started but 1x interrupted.
"I told you you looked fine. But I should have said that you looked amazing, hot even. Telamon, why am I even saying this..." 1x rubbed their own face.
Noli sat there dumbfounded and shocked by well... Everything happening.
"Look. You look good, exposed bones or not your still Noli. Still the same dumbass I met in that stupid realm. Who cares what the hell others think about you." 1x gestured with their hand before they cupped Nolis cheek and removed his mask with their free hand to see him clearly.
"Your beautiful, okay?" 1x sighed, stroking his cheeks soft skin. Noli swallowed and tried to speak, to say anything but let out a stuttered whimper when 1x kissed his exposed cheek bone again.
God he was embarrassed. Though he'd never seen 1x so... Soft. 1x pulled back to look at him with a half lidded eye, studying his face for a moment. God 1x looked good. Noli swallowed before he felt 1x lift his hoodie off his body along with his black shirt underneath. He shivered at the cold air but it was immediately replaced with the warmth of 1xs body and soft kisses on his exposed ribcage. Noli shuddered.
"W-what're..." He started.
"Skin or not, your perfect." They spoke, their right hand running along their hip bone before running it up his arm and to his hand, rubbing the boney fingers, tangling each of theirs together. They lifted their head up to Nolis face before kissing him softly. Noli let out a small whimper before kissing them back, finally lifting his hands up to grab onto 1xs back desperately, almost scared they'd disappear.
"Your utterly gorgeous..." 1x spoke against his lips then moved down to his neck, kissing at the exposed bones again.
"B-Black Bird..." Noli mustered out and when 1x finally looked at him he noticed the tears. God they loved him. They pulled him into a tight hug, rubbing his back. They wanted to shield him from everything and everyone who thought or saw him differently. They'd kill to protect their star.
Their only star.
1x pulled back and rubbed his face with both hands. "How about we got take a nice warm bath, relax your muscles and lay in bed?"
Noli nodded at that, still embarrassed at everything but 1x nummed that feeling in the best way possible.
After everything and once they were both settled in bed Noli hugged 1xs side and for once it felt like everything in the universe didn't matter anymore. That his body felt okay and he felt full again. That it would be okay okay.
"I... I love you Noli. You know that. I don't care if you woke up with only bones tomorrow or not." 1x spoke into his ear and Noli only clung tighter.
"I-I love y-you too..."