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Lights dimmed in a lavish, circuit-covered bedroom… Nothing to be heard other than the quiet hum of an obscured air conditioner… A leader and his researcher would sit beside one another at the royal's bedside. The gaze they shared was soft. Vulnerable. The both of them knew the other inside and out, and the adoration they held was easily recognized by one another. Xylitol Nova, ruler and creator of the very society they lived within, quietly splayed his arms out. "Here," the king spoke in a whisper, rolling his wrists to prompt his researcher towards himself. "Lay yourself against me… I wish to show you something I learned from Earthbread."
The other Xylitol, Researcher, would give a curious raise of the brow. "You seem to have such a keen interest in that planet. I do wonder why…" They'd mumble, following their leader's instructions and leaning into him. The difference in height wasn't too big, but it's times like this where Researcher certainly felt much smaller than they actually were. They waited patiently, watching the leader's movements carefully as they were gently wrapped in the other's arms. The motion felt similar to holding a Xyl-dog in one's hands, though on a much larger scale. Or, perhaps, it was more akin to the safety harnesses adorned by those making rare manual repairs? In either capacity, it felt… Warm. Safe.
"Ah… what is this called…?" Researcher would look up to Nova, eyes glistening with intrigue. A gentle laugh came from the taller, who adjusted his hold ever so slightly to make it more comfortable for the both of them. At this point, Researcher may as well be sitting on the king's lap. "The term most often used for this is 'hug', though I have heard others call it an 'embrace' or a 'cuddle'." Nova would lean his head down, setting it carefully on top of Researcher's head. "It is meant to be a display of affection… And you and I both know that you should be the first to experience it by my hand."
"Flatterer-" The smaller would playfully snip, looking down to the cybernetic arms that surrounded them and… carefully attempting to mimic the action. It seemed successful, considering the way that Nova's wings didn't even twitch to move out of the way. "I… quite enjoy this, your highness. It is very comfortable- though that may simply because it is you that I am being 'hugged' by. That is what the past tense of 'hug', yes?" The quiet nod brought a flourishing sensation to Researcher's chest. "Those on Earthbread certainly know how to create comforting actions towards one another…" They'd purse their lips, lightly tightening their hold on the planet's creator. "May I… ask we perform this 'embrace' more often? When neither of us are busy, of course. To savor it."
Little did Researcher know, Nova was planning on doing this quite often already. Or, perhaps they did know, and were simply being polite about it? Both of them knew how much they enjoyed being with one another; this was merely an extension of their closeness. The royal gave a chuckle, pulling the smaller Xylitol closer even if it made the other have to readjust their hold. "So be it. I shall decree that we will have mandatory moments to hug one another…!" The jest got laughter out of the both of them. A sweet sigh fell from Nova's mouth as he kept his royal analyst there. Safe. Warm. Right by his side, where they belong…
There's nowhere else the two of them would rather be.