Chapter Text
“Thanks for helping me out today… Roland.” Netzach raised his can of beer in thanks before gulping the liquid down.
“Ah, that’s no problem, really. There’s not really much going on down on my floor half of the time, especially now that we’re in the Outskirts after all.” Roland sighed, before bringing his can to his lips to take a sip.
The only real sound in the room was that of the occasional quick talk between the two, alongside beer cans being opened and the swallowing of the liquid.
“Say… Roland?”
“Yeah? What’s up, Netzach?”
“Forgive me if… it affects you to ask this, but what does it feel like to… fall in love?”
Roland slowly raised his eyebrows. That was never a question he would’ve expected from someone like Netzach. Although, he could understand. Being cooped up in your own floor for seemingly forever, only ever spending little amounts of time outside of it. It was bound to get lonely in here.
“Oh, well, I guess it’s just sort of like when two friends reach a certain point where it feels like they’re just willing to spend the rest of their lives dedicated to each other. You start thinking about them very often, for their safety, wellbeing, et cetera. You may even get flustered around them regularly.” Roland took another sip.
“Ah… So that’s how it is.” Netzach nodded before downing the rest of his can.
“Why would you suddenly ask this kind of question though? You don’t seem to be one into romantic stuff.”
“I was just… curious.” Netzach sighed before aiming and throwing his can of beer towards the bin, which missed and landed on the floor amidst a few other cans.
“I understand. Spending most of the time up here and barely even seeing the outside world could get you wondering about what it is like out there.”
Although Roland didn’t want to admit it straight to his face, he felt as if Netzach couldn’t help but feel rather lonely most of the time. Sure, they had each other for company as drinking buddies, but he couldn’t help feeling that Netzach might have wanted some form of extra company. It didn’t really help that Netzach’s laziness and his love for alcohol didn’t make him fit well with the other patron librarians.
“Hahhh~ I’m exhausted.” Roland sighed. “I guess I’ll head back to my floor to get some sleep in. Thanks for the drinks.” With a wave and a slightly drunken smile, he had left, closing the door behind him.
Netzach returned the wave, before he too, surrendered to his fatigue and climbed into his bed, which his assistant librarians along with Roland’s helped make for him. He was still sleep deprived, although the comfort of the bed as compared to a bunch of books definitely felt a lot better, and he could sleep better too.
" I was just… curious."
That was a lie. Netzach asked to confirm what his heart was telling him.
He could sense some form of slight pity radiating off of Roland after he had asked the question. He could understand why he felt that way. Even he himself didn't feel like he could make friends with the other patron librarians.
Well, there was an exception to that which he discovered a few weeks ago.
That exception was Hod.
"Thanks for helping me out, Netzach!"
"Any time, Hod…"
"Say, Netzach, doesn't it feel… lonely, being kept in your floor nearly all the time?"
"Eh… Not really. At least not anymore. Roland does come by from time to time to chat and have drinks. So it's not just me up there all the time."
"Well… If you want, you could come to my floor anytime you want to have a chat, I'm usually free most of the time."
"Ahh… that would be nice…"
"Or if you're feeling tired, I could come over to your floor as well. If you don't mind, that is."
"I don't mind at all. I'd… love to… do that."
"Alright, then. Thanks again, Netzach!"
The two would regularly visit each other over the course of those few weeks, be it to help or just to have a little chat with each other. Those few weeks were the most that Netzach had ever smiled in his multiple lives. He couldn't help but just feel comfortable around her, as though she was giving off a sense of warmth and cosiness.
He liked it.
And he liked her too.
Netzach sighed. He wasn't sure whether to bring their relationship to the next level just yet. Sure, they were close friends, but what if Hod just didn't feel the same way?
That's another question for another day .
With a yawn, Netzach flipped onto his side and dozed off, a goofy little smile on his face.
I like you, Hod.