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"Hey Noli?" "Hm?" "Do you think we're together in every universe?" They blinked, hearing their own lashes was odd. Everything about this was odd. It didn't feel right to be in such a peaceful, quiet place when they were such chaotic individuals, or to hear such a question—loaded with implications, none of which they paid any mind to, of course.
They were both far too afraid to face their feelings any time soon.
And yet here they are. Laying together, under a blanket of stars. It's no good against the cold breeze, but it acts comforting, nonetheless. He feels as if he can finally hear his own thoughts, it's a little unnerving, being his own person after acting out of self-preservation for so long, but it's nice.
They pretend the tail wrapped around their thigh doesn't mean anything, that the way their fingers are intertwined just a bit too tightly is something friends do, that laying his head against the other's shoulder isn't more than them leeching off of his warmth.
They pretend that question hadn't made their heart beat just a second quicker, he pretended that the light squeeze the other gave him wasn't real, that this feeling of want wasn't more than platonic.
Noli wouldn't mind staying friends, if it meant that the other would stay with him—he's seen how their friend had reacted previously to people trying to get closer—friendships can be some of the most fulfilling and intimate things a person experiences. He just craves more. And maybe that makes him greedy, but what is greed if not a proof of their humanity?
If not proof that, despite everything, they were still born human, and he will die human.
That train of thought reminds him of the question—are there any universes where the two are animals? He thinks his partner would be a fox, and he himself...a dog. Yea. One of those shepherd dogs, maybe. A guard dog? No, those act too snappy.
They believe they'd be the stars Vega and Altair—he won't tell the other exploiter that, though, he'd immediately know the implications, he's the one who told them about the stars, after all.
Maybe in one universe they're some kidd's messy origami swans—colored red and purple respectively, of course—put in water after said child gets curious, only to dissolve, together.
He's convinced that there's one out there where they're gods, or maybe only one is a god—if that were to be so, they're convinced Sevens would be the god and he the worshipper, they basically already revered him, might as well give it a proper reasoning, right?
If they were flowers in one, they'd be a puprle Campanula, he knows that for certain. The other would be a red Carnation, he likes to imagine. Of course they'd associate a pretty flower with an even prettier boy.
He's pulled from their thoughts when Sevens nudges his shoulder lightly. "You were staring," He says it like a confession, like he's admitting a weakness, and in a way, Noli supposes he is. "Yea." The exploiter tilts his head, curious. "I do think we're together in every universe, you're not getting rid of me that easily." Their partner snorts at that and they barely notice how the wind has picked up, too focused on the way Sevens looks whilst talking, so animated—even when laying down.
They turn to lay their head back down and look up at the stars, they look like dots in black ink. It's peaceful. And for a moment, he lets himself forget who they are, what they've done and what they will do. Now they're just Sevs and Null. Under the stars, forever together.